The crossbow bolt was sudden, but Novak remained unshaken. Although his agility couldn't quite match the Ratman Archer's, his own agility still exceeded 500 points.
More importantly, while the Ratman Archer's area of operation—a large reservoir connected to the sewer system—was significantly more spacious than the other narrow passages, it was still relatively confined. In such a space, agility advantages were heavily suppressed. High agility was formidable, but not to an unmanageable degree.
Even as crossbow bolts surged like a storm in the darkness, Novak activated his infrared thermal scanning ability, a unique aspect of the Blacklight Virus. This ability made him highly resistant to invisibility techniques; if he could detect the stealth of the assassin god Yeenoghu in the Abyss Trials, then tracking a mere rat was no problem.
Dodging expertly, Novak closed in on the Ratman, who occasionally shifted positions to stay concealed. Sensing Novak's approach, the Ratman understood the danger. In general, creatures specialized in ranged combat were weaker in close quarters—a known rule. Avoiding close combat was paramount, and this Ratman Archer understood that well.
The Ratman's crossbow fire finally ceased, and as it turned to reposition, Novak's eyes gleamed with cold intent.
"After all that hiding, you think you can just run?"
Hellfire, dark red and fueled by his fierce spiritual power, erupted toward the Ratman. Simultaneously, Novak unleashed a blast of mental force, briefly stunning the creature.
In an instant, hellfire engulfed the Ratman as Novak's crushing punch connected. Pale green blood splattered as the Ratman was sent flying backward, reeling from the impact. Even a level 25 boss couldn't withstand Novak's strength!
Novak wondered if, at full power, he might be capable of challenging the lord of the Abyss' first layer.
However, just as he thought this blow would incapacitate the Ratman for good, the creature crouched down. The hellfire continued to blaze across its body, but in a bizarre move, it shed its skin, wriggling free. Though visibly weakened, the Ratman escaped the flames' eternal grip.
[Plague Transformation: Sacrifices some vitality to remove most debuffs and restore some health. Cooldown: Unknown]
The Eye of Mystery immediately identified the Ratman's skill. But to Novak's surprise, instead of raising its crossbow to resume its attack, the Ratman turned and fled.
Its agility and speed were undeniable. Novak considered chasing it but ultimately halted.
The Ratman wasn't heading toward any part of the sewer he had explored before; it was descending even deeper. The area seemed eerily similar to the reservoir where Novak had once encountered the corpse of a Plague Messenger. The Ratman had escaped into an underground pipe below this reservoir, into a darker, lower chamber.
From this deeper level, faint rustling noises echoed, hinting at a lurking terror within the depths.
Novak frowned slightly, sensing the ominous potential that lay ahead.
"This is truly hell-level!"
The difficulty is beyond question—it's a high-level dungeon on par with hell itself.
Naturally, it's inconceivable that the true final boss would be a mere level 25 Ratman. This was only the beginning; the real challenge would lie in the deeper levels of this dungeon.
Novak knew his own strength well. He was able to defeat this Ratman without too much effort. But what about the depths below?
If there was truly a boss above level 30 lurking in the depths, facing it without understanding its abilities would be risky—perhaps even fatal.
... If he were to follow his previous mindset, he wouldn't hesitate. If he died, so be it. He would simply test himself, see the depths of his own Abyss power, and experience the resurrection.
However, things had changed. Now, he commanded hundreds of mutated Ratmen, all of which amplified his plague powers. He still wanted to test a concept he had in mind, especially since he couldn't be sure how long it would be before he could re-enter this hidden dungeon.
With a prudent resolve, Novak resisted the temptation to press forward, choosing instead to regroup.
With a single thought, he summoned all his plague-bound creatures to gather before him. Extending his hand, he let a dark, ominous light bloom slowly from his palm.
In the next moment, a peculiar teleportation array appeared, opening a portal to the abyss itself.
This was the power of an Abyss Master.
With this authority, he could open a portal to the abyss anywhere, at any time.
Obediently, the Ratmen stepped into the Abyss portal, one by one, vanishing without a trace. After the last Ratman had gone through, Novak smiled, and his figure disappeared, reappearing within the abyss.
[You have exited the Hell-Level Dungeon: Plague Sewers (15-35). Re-entry cooldown: 7 days.]
So, it was true!
Novak couldn't help a wry smile as he stood by the familiar Abyss Well, observing the mutated Ratmen, who dared not move in his presence.
He'd never seen such a race anywhere within the realms. The transformative power of the plague was remarkable.
But this was only the beginning.
Novak wanted to see if these plague-afflicted creatures could truly adapt as denizens of the abyss. He was also eager to test whether the Abyss Master's ability of "Abyss Transformation" could fully convert living creatures.
With this thought, he extended his hand, letting a tendril of Abyss energy wrap around the mutated Ratman standing before him.