Primordial Awakening: I Can Evolve My Skills Infinitely

Sam walked toward the towering mass of crimson aura that had formed above the [Rune Dragon]'s body.

It looked just like the real thing, same size, same presence, same terrifying form.

It confirmed it: [Forsaken Spirits] really did allow him to summon these powerful beings at their full strength.

He eventually stood right before the massive spirit, close enough to feel the weight of its presence.

The spirit turned its head slowly, locking eyes with him.

There was silence for a few seconds.

Sam didn't flinch.

Then—

ROOOOARRRR!

The [Rune Dragon]'s spirit let out a deafening roar right in Sam's face.

But Sam didn't even blink.

A spirit in this state couldn't harm the living.

Sam knew that.

So he just stood there, unmoving.

[Overpower its will and hatred, it won't stand a chance in front of the Primordial.]

He nodded slowly.

Without a word, he raised his arm forward.

The moment he did, it began to glow with that deep, haunting crimson—his [Hatred] affinity wrapping around his limb like liquid fire.

The [Rune Dragon] remained still, chained to the corpse it had once lived in, its hollow eyes fixed on Sam.

Then, without warning—

"Join my side," Sam said as his hand slammed into the spirit's form, his eyes flaring with intensity.

The moment contact was made, something surged through him.

A violent pulse exploded from the spirit, and a shockwave ripped through Sam's body.

The [Rune Dragon] began to distort and shake, its entire form trembling, resisting, as though trying to shake him off.

[It is trying to fight us, but it doesn't stand a chance.]

Sam's eyes narrowed.

He didn't let go.

This world had thrown him into a mess he never asked for.

He was forced to face monsters, climb towers, and carry a power he didn't even fully understand—all because of choices others made before him.

People who were apparently like him.

But he didn't even know their names.

Still, that thought alone filled him with enough hatred to push forward.

Boom!

His crimson-covered arm unleashed another wave of power, slamming into the resisting spirit.

The air cracked around them.

It wasn't a physical fight.

This was a silent clash between two different kinds of hatred—one born from ancient rage, and another forged in unfairness and rejection.

The [Rune Dragon] had plenty of hatred of its own.

Hatred toward the Primordial, even.

But its hatred... wasn't stronger than Sam's.

And in that one moment—Sam won.

[Our determination is the strongest in the realm, even more than any being or entity.]

'That's what makes us a Primordial, isn't it?' Sam thought with a faint grin. 'I've heard them talk about this power so much that now I'm starting to understand it myself.'

And then—

Ding!

[You have overpowered the "Rune Dragon" and tamed its spirit.]

[Forsaken Spirits: 1/1]

His single spirit slot was now full.

The massive crimson figure before him trembled before collapsing into pure aura.

It hovered for a moment, then surged toward Sam, merging into his body like mist pulled into a storm.

He now had full control over it.

He could summon the [Rune Dragon] at will in battle.

But of course, there was a cost.

If he ever released it, or if it was killed in combat, the spirit would be gone forever.

Still, Sam was satisfied.

This skill could become one of the greatest weapons he had.

And he had one more thing to do before he left this floor.

Because [Forsaken Spirits] was more than just a skill—it was [Legendary] rank.

Which meant it could evolve.

Without wasting any time, Sam opened the skill panel.

He didn't hesitate.

"Primordial Evolution," he said softly.

He focused his energy.

A ripple of dark energy pulsed from his core, spreading across his limbs, flowing straight into the skill interface.

Ding!

[Forsaken Spirits (Legendary) has evolved into Primordial Spirits (Forsaken)]

'Got it,' Sam thought, smirking.

---

[Primordial Spirits]

[Rank: Forsaken]

[Description: Upon defeating a strong opponent, you'll be able to see their spirit, if you manage to overpower their will and hatred, their spirit will join your side.]

[You have three slots to recruit spirits, and a single attempt, otherwise their spirits will disappear.]

[The spirits you recruit are slightly empowered by your aura and affinities, making them slightly stronger.]

---

A clear and solid upgrade.

Before, he could only hold one spirit. Now he had three slots.

And the added effect, that his aura and affinities would empower the spirits, was a massive bonus.

'So my traits can boost their strength... that's going to come in handy,' he murmured, closing the panel.

He was finally done. The floor of the [Rune Tower] was quiet now.

Jevil hadn't spoken in a while, so Sam could think clearly.

He walked toward the glowing portal at the far end of the arena, the only way forward.

Without hesitation, he stepped in.

The moment he entered, a strange pulling force took over.

He felt like he was being drawn through a vortex, spiraling forward. Then, solid ground.

Ding!

[You have entered the "Second Floor" of the "Rune Tower"]

[The higher you climb, the closer you are to death. You can feel it.]

"Hm."

[Second Floor: Defeat the 'Monster Wave'.]

Even though this was the same tower, the size of the floor was on a completely different level.

This one was massive, easily ten times larger than the previous.

But that wasn't what caught Sam's attention first.

No, it was the markings on the wall.

All around him, etched into the stone and glowing faintly, was the symbol of that mask.

'He's still watching,' Sam thought. 'I know it. But I have to keep going.'

He took his stance. And right then—

Fwish! Fwish!

Dozens of monsters started to materialize out of nowhere, rising from the ground like particles forming into flesh.

Each one of them... level 60. Exactly like the boss he'd fought earlier.

Every single monster here was the equivalent of a peak [Ascendant].

Sam's eyes darted between them.

He wasn't afraid, but the numbers were overwhelming.

If he let too many hit him at once, even his [Eternal Barrier] might not hold up.

---

[Weeping Ghoul]

[Level: 60]

---

Right next to it—

---

[Smiling Ghoul]

[Level 60]

[Hell-Mode Analysis: It seems like Jevil controls everything in this tower, from the monsters to even their powers.]

---

And more followed.

He saw [Rune Bears], [Magical Spirits], and even weirder creatures, all glaring at him with the same emotion. Hatred.

Each and every one of them hated the Primordial. But Sam didn't flinch.

His eyes were filled with even more fire than theirs.

Because no matter what was sent his way, even if it was a god, his will would still win.

He grinned as the monsters closed in, lifting his hand high into the air.

He wasn't going to wait. He had a new power now, and this was the perfect moment to test it.

Primordial Spirits!

Ding!

A new panel popped up before him.

---

[Which spirit do you wish to summon?]

[→ Rune Dragon (Level 60)]

[→ Empty Slot]

[→ Empty Slot]

---

He didn't hesitate. He selected the [Rune Dragon].

And the moment he did, right as the horde of monsters surged toward him, and he drew his primordial sword...

ROOOOARRR!

A massive roar echoed through the chamber, shaking the air.

A colossal figure burst into existence in front of Sam, made entirely of dense, dark crimson aura.

The [Rune Dragon] had returned. Only this time, it fought for Sam.

The monsters paused, clearly shaken, but they didn't retreat. Their rage hadn't diminished.

They were going to fight to the bitter end. And Sam... he smiled.

"Here we go," he said. "Keep trying as hard as you can... but you can't beat me."