Awakening Of The Forgotten World

The Hollow King's laughter echoed through the vast chamber as cursed flames flared to life along the edges of the room.

And from those shadows, the dead rose.

Hollowed Ones, clad in rusted armor, their empty sockets burning with cold fire.

Their whispers filled the air, a thousand fractured voices overlapping into a haunting chorus.

Dain's heart pounded.

A system notification appeared.

[Final Challenge: Survive the Hollow King's Last Stand]

• Defeat the king before his army overwhelms you.

• Time Limit: 5 Minutes.

Dain exhaled sharply.

Five minutes.

That was all he had to end this.

And if he failed—

He would never leave this place alive.

The first strike came without warning.

The Hollow King moved faster than before, a blur of black fire and steel as his curseblade descended.

Dain barely had time to react.

He raised Silverlight, catching the attack—

But the impact sent him skidding backward, boots scraping against the stone floor.

[Health: 60/140]

Too strong.

And the dead were closing in.

A notification appeared.

[Hollowed Ones Reinforcements: 20 Enemies Approaching]

Dain gritted his teeth.

He wasn't just fighting the king.

He was fighting an army.

Dain moved.

The first Hollowed One lunged, rusted sword aiming for his chest.

He sidestepped, slashing through its torso in a single motion.

[Critical Hit! 95 Damage Dealt]

The Hollowed One collapsed, vanishing into mist.

But there were more.

Too many.

A system notification flashed.

[Skill Activated: Cleaving Strike (Lv.1)]

• Delivers a wide, sweeping attack.

Dain's blade flashed.

The attack tore through multiple enemies, sending three Hollowed Ones crumbling to the floor.

But before he could breathe—

The Hollow King struck again.

This time—he was aiming to kill.

The Hollow King raised his curseblade, black fire spiraling around it.

Dain's Dungeon Sense flared.

It was going to be a lethal blow.

A notification flashed.

[Warning: Incoming Lethal Attack]

Dain reacted instinctively.

He threw himself forward, closing the distance—

And at the last second—he dropped into a slide.

The Hollow King's sword carved through empty air, its black fire searing the ground where Dain had just stood.

The force of the attack shook the entire room.

Dain didn't hesitate.

He rose from the slide, Silverlight glowing with holy energy.

Then—he struck.

A Direct Hit

The blade sank into the Hollow King's chest, piercing through the layers of cursed armor.

A shockwave of energy burst from the impact, shaking the chamber.

A notification flashed.

[Critical Hit! 150 Damage Dealt]

The Hollow King staggered.

For the first time—he looked vulnerable.

Dain pressed forward.

He couldn't let this moment slip.

His blade flashed again—

But the Hollow King retaliated.

A burst of black fire exploded outward, sending Dain hurtling backward.

[Health: 40/140]

Pain shot through his body.

The Hollow King straightened, blue fire burning brighter than before.

"You fight well, mortal."

"But this throne is mine."

Dain gritted his teeth.

No.

Not anymore.

A notification flashed.

[Time Remaining: 2 Minutes]

Dain's breath quickened.

He had to end this.

Now.

A system notification appeared.

[New Skill Activated: Reckless Charge (Lv.1)]

• Temporarily increases speed and power, but leaves you vulnerable.

Dain had no other choice.

He rushed forward, Silverlight glowing with raw energy.

The Hollow King raised his sword, preparing to block—

But this time—Dain was faster.

He ducked under the blade, spinning behind the Hollow King—

And drove Silverlight straight through his back.

The Hollow King froze.

His entire body shuddered as holy energy erupted from within.

The black fire in his eyes flickered—then died.

A final system notification flashed.

[Final Boss Defeated: The Hollow King]

+1,500 Experience Gained

The undead king fell to his knees, his cursed form fading into mist.

"So… this is how it ends…"

His voice was no longer threatening.

It was… relieved.

"I am free…"

And then—

He vanished.

The room fell silent.

A final notification appeared.

[Dungeon Cleared: Ruins of Black Hollow]

• Curse Level: Dispelled

• Dungeon Influence Removed

Dain exhaled, dropping to one knee.

He had won.

He had survived.

But then—one last system message appeared.

[Quest Complete: The Path of the Explorer]

• You have cleared your first major dungeon.

• You have changed the fate of this land.

Rewards:

• New Title: Hollow Slayer

• ???

Dain frowned.

???

Before he could process it—the ground beneath him glowed.

And then—

everything changed.