Universal DOOM : Reborn Of The genius CE0

The gate's obsidian surface shimmered like liquid glass, reflecting fragments of a life Bakr had once known. As the runes flared and he and Mira stepped into the swirling abyss, Bakr's mind was overwhelmed with a flood of memories, each one sharper and more vivid than the last. He remembered the first time he had entered this realm, leading a group of comrades whose trust he had earned but ultimately could not protect.

Their faces flashed before him: Khaled, the relentless berserker who always charged into battle with a grin; Yara, the sharp-witted archer whose keen eyes never missed a target; and Omar, the healer who had saved them countless times, even at the cost of his own strength. He could hear their voices echoing in his mind—battle cries, laughter around the campfire, and the desperate screams that marked their final moments. The image of Yara falling into the abyss, her outstretched hand just out of his reach, seared his conscience. Khaled's bloodied body crumpling under the weight of an unstoppable foe haunted him. Omar's last words, spoken through labored breaths as he used the last of his mana to shield Bakr, echoed louder than the rest: "Don't waste this chance."

He had blamed himself for every loss, for every decision he had made that led them into traps and ambushes he should have anticipated. The system's overseers had reveled in their suffering, their sinister laughter still fresh in his memory. Bakr's victory had been hollow, earned at a cost too great to bear. He had left the realm broken, swearing never to forget the weight of his choices.

"Not this time," he whispered, gripping the hilt of his blade tighter. His voice was a promise—to his fallen comrades, to himself, and to Mira. The present moment rushed back to him with startling clarity as they emerged on the other side.

What greeted them was both awe-inspiring and foreboding. A vast expanse of otherworldly beauty stretched out before them: a realm of floating islands interconnected by bridges of light, with waterfalls cascading into endless voids and a sky painted with hues that defied earthly comprehension. Bakr took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. This time, he would not falter. This time, he would win—no matter the cost.

As they took in the surreal landscape, the omnipresent voice of the System echoed around them, cold and mechanical:

"Welcome to the Secret Realm: Abyssal Nexus. Mode: Survival Progression. Objective: Terminate the Abyssal Core. Completion Requirements: Eliminate five Abyssal Wardens and acquire their sigils to unlock the final chamber."

Bakr's interface sprang to life, displaying a detailed list of objectives and rewards. Mira glanced at her own interface, the glowing blue window filling her vision.

[System Interface - Bakr Kael]

Class: Shadow Strategist

Level: 45

Attributes:

Strength: 70

Agility: 85

Intelligence: 95

Endurance: 60

Luck: 50

Skills:

Tactical Mind (Epic)

Shadow Manipulation (Rare)

Precise Strike (Uncommon)

[System Interface - Mira Solen]

Class: Holy Paladin

Level: 42

Attributes:

Strength: 90

Agility: 60

Intelligence: 75

Endurance: 80

Luck: 45

Skills:

Holy Shield (Epic)

Radiant Slash (Rare)

Healing Light (Uncommon)

Before they could fully absorb the information, another voice interrupted, dripping with disdain and mockery. A holographic figure materialized in the air before them—a towering humanoid with alabaster skin, its elongated features both alien and regal. This was one of the hegemon's manager assistants, a member of a slave race subjugated to serve the Dark Races. Its black eyes glinted with malice as it addressed them:

"Earthlings, welcome to your undoing. You have been deemed worthy to amuse our masters. Survive if you can, thrive if you dare. But remember: the realm hungers, and it devours the unprepared."

The figure's name appeared in glowing text above its head: Draxis, Arbiter of the Abyss.

Its alabaster skin shimmered with an eerie light, and its serpentine limbs moved with an unnatural grace. Draxis's voice carried an undercurrent of sadistic glee as it continued:

"Your actions amuse the Hegemons, but don't delude yourselves. Every step forward tightens the noose around your necks."

The figure vanished with a sinister chuckle, leaving an oppressive silence in its wake. Mira's knuckles turned white around her sword hilt, her gaze darting to Bakr for guidance.

Bakr's face darkened as the manager's words echoed in his mind. He remembered all too well the duplicity of the hegemon managers during the tutorial phase—how they had twisted the rules and stacked the odds against Earthlings, ensuring that countless lives were lost in the process. It wasn't just cruelty; it was calculated genocide.

"They think they've outsmarted us," Bakr muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "But this time, we'll turn their own game against them."

Mira glanced at him, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "You've seen this before, haven't you?"

"I've lived it," Bakr replied, his eyes blazing with intensity. "I know their traps, their tricks, and their weaknesses. The question is whether you're ready to trust me and follow my lead."

Mira hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "I trust you. Let's do this."

Bakr reopened his interface, analyzing the realm's layout and marking the locations of potential resources. He showed Mira the tactical advantages of specific routes and explained the significance of minimizing unnecessary engagements.

"We need to strike fast and hard," he said. "No wasted energy. Prioritize efficiency over brute force."

The duo spent the next hour gathering materials from nearby resources, finding mana-infused crystals and herbs that Bakr identified as components for crafting potions. At a secluded alcove, they discovered a hidden merchant, revealed by an Easter egg Bakr had integrated before the Cataclysm.

[Merchant: Lumiel of the Veil]

Rank: Royal

Inventory:

Abyssal Potion (Rare) - 150 Gold

Shadow Infused Cloak (Epic) - 500 Gold

Healing Elixirs (Uncommon) - 50 Gold Each

Bakr exchanged their loot for a Shadow Infused Cloak and stocked up on elixirs. Mira, impressed by the foresight, added a rare Holy Talisman to her equipment.

With their preparations complete, they set out toward the first Warden's domain. The path was treacherous, lined with jagged rocks and shadowy figures that seemed to watch their every move. The air grew colder as they approached a massive fortress suspended between two floating islands, its spires shrouded in a swirling mist.

"This is it," Bakr said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "Our first real test."

Mira tightened her grip on her sword. "Ready when you are."

Together, they stepped onto the bridge leading to the fortress. As they crossed, the runes beneath their feet began to glow, and the air filled with the sound of grinding stone. The fortress gates creaked open, revealing a dark corridor lit by flickering torches.

The System's voice returned, colder than ever:

"Challenge Initiated: Defeat the Warden of Shadows. Warning: Failure results in permanent banishment from the realm."

Bakr and Mira exchanged a determined glance. There was no turning back now. The trials of the Abyssal Nexus had begun.