NOVEL WEB Chapter 23: Chapter 24: Shadow of the Abyss
The night fell heavy over Briarstead County, the air thick with tension and the scent of rain. Thunder rumbled on the horizon — distant for now, but inevitable. Much like what was coming.
In the ruins south of Briarstead, the Void God stood alone.
The wind whispered through the shattered stones, carrying echoes of old battles and forgotten blood. The gate behind him had long since crumbled, but the power it had unleashed still pulsed in his veins. The Abyssal Core throbbed in his chest — a cold, living thing — and the whispers of the Void had grown louder.
But it wasn't time for the deeper descent. Not yet.
First, Briarstead.
He activated the crystal. "Jin."
His brother's voice came back instantly. "We're ready. The network's in place. Spies marked. One of the lords is already moving against us — Lord Farin. We hit him first?"
"Not yet," Void God said. His voice was calm, but the storm inside him churned. "Let them think they still have time. We'll move when they feel safe."
A pause. "And until then?" Jin asked.
"We send a message."
---
The first target was a spy.
A minor player — level 18, aligned with Lord Farin's forces. He was careful. Cautious. He never stayed in one place for long, always changing his meeting points and moving his information through third parties.
But caution wouldn't save him.
Void God found him in a forest clearing at midnight. The man never saw him coming.
Void Step.
One instant, the clearing was empty. The next, Void God stood before him — black steel in hand, his Presence of the Abyss rolling out in a wave of stillness and terror.
The spy froze. His hands went for his weapon — too slow.
Void Piercer.
The air distorted. The man's health dropped to zero before he could even scream.
The body collapsed — and the Void took the rest. No evidence. No remains. Just the stillness.
One down.
---
The next day, the rumors spread.
No one saw the killer. No one heard the fight. But the spy was gone — and everyone felt the weight of something dark stirring.
The rival lords started pulling their agents back, but it was too late. Void God moved faster than fear.
Three more spies fell that night — each one vanishing without a trace.
By morning, Briarstead was on edge.
---
Lord Farin was the first to break.
The noble's stronghold was a fortress of stone and arrogance, surrounded by mercenaries and guards. But no walls could keep the Void out.
Void God stepped through the front gate at dusk — alone, unannounced. The guards moved to stop him. They didn't get the chance.
Presence of the Abyss.
The air grew heavy. The light dimmed. Fear rooted them in place.
Void God walked past them without a word.
Inside the keep, Farin's council was in session — arguments and panic filling the chamber. They never noticed the doors opening until it was too late.
Void God stepped into the room. Silence fell.
"Lord Farin," he said softly. "Your time is up."
The noble paled. "Who—"
Void Step.
He was in front of Farin in an instant. The noble fell back, scrambling — too slow.
Abyssal Severance.
The sword fell. The world split.
And when it was over, Farin's throne sat empty.
---
The message was clear.
The lords of Briarstead had grown comfortable. Now, the Void had come — and there would be no safety. No mercy.
And this was only the beginning.