Volume 1, Chapter 28: Trial of the Abyss

"Hidden class transfer scroll?!"

Upon hearing these words, Lin Yu’s expression shifted slightly. Hidden classes were rare throughout the entire game, and every single one of them was an incredibly formidable existence. In his previous life, Lin Yu had witnessed a player who awakened the hidden class "Solar Knight," capable of absorbing the sun’s power for their own use—a truly terrifying ability.

However, Lin Yu had never heard of the "Abyssal Trial" that Xiao Zhan mentioned. This implied that the dungeon was either previously undiscovered or had never been made public, meaning there were no walkthroughs or strategies available.

"Since we have three chances, why don't we try the hardest difficulty, the Abyss mode, first?" Lin Yu suggested, looking at the siblings, Xiao Xiao and Xiao Zhan.

After all, higher difficulty meant better rewards. With three attempts, even if they failed the first time, they could always lower the difficulty for the next one.

However, faced with Lin Yu's suggestion, Xiao Zhan looked at his sister, Xiao Xiao, with an awkward expression.

"Junior Lin Yu, it is true that this dungeon offers three attempts, but Xiao Zhan has already used up two of them," Xiao Xiao said, looking at Lin Yu with a helpless expression.

"So, that means there's only one chance left?"

Lin Yu was momentarily stunned; this complicated things. Had all three attempts been available, he could have gauged the difficulty based on the first run.

"Xiao Zhan, tell us about your two previous experiences so we can determine how to clear it," Xiao Xiao said, clearly understanding Lin Yu’s concerns.

Xiao Zhan nodded slightly and began, "I attempted it twice, once on Abyss difficulty and once on Hell difficulty. From those two runs, I’ve concluded that the boss on the final floor of Abyss difficulty is a Black Iron-grade boss ten levels higher than the challenger, while the Hell difficulty boss is five levels higher."

"With the three of us, clearing the Hell difficulty should be feasible, but the Abyss mode might be quite difficult." He turned to look at Lin Yu as he spoke. He had heard from Xiao Xiao that Lin Yu had killed a Level 15 Rampaging Tree Spirit King. While they wouldn't have trouble with the Hell mode, the Abyss mode was a different story. After all, Lin Yu had struggled quite a bit to defeat that Level 15 boss earlier today. Defeating a Level 20 Black Iron boss would undoubtedly be a significant challenge.

"Lin Yu, what do you think?" Xiao Xiao looked at him, seeking his opinion, as Lin Yu was undoubtedly their main combat force.

"I want to try the Abyss mode," Lin Yu said after a moment of contemplation, his voice steady. His defense value had already exceeded 1,000. According to his memories, a Level 20 Black Iron boss’s attack was usually around 400. Even with skills like "Rampage," it shouldn't exceed 500. He felt he had a decent chance.

"Isn't that too risky?" Xiao Zhan was clearly skeptical. This was their last attempt; if they failed, all their efforts would go to waste.

"If Lin Yu is confident, then we will choose the Abyss mode," Xiao Xiao said, giving Lin Yu a meaningful look before turning to her brother. Based on what she knew of Lin Yu, he wouldn't make such a decision without being certain. He had survived the Great Catastrophe; he wasn't one to act without purpose. She chose to trust him without hesitation.

"This..." Xiao Zhan still hesitated, but seeing the firm look in his sister's eyes, he nodded. "Sister, then please form the party."

Xiao Zhan didn't have Lin Yu added as a friend, so Xiao Xiao had to form the group. She nodded, quickly inviting both of them into a party, and once they were set, Xiao Zhan activated the dungeon.

[Ding! Please note: Your party member "Rain Over the Rivers and Lakes" has activated the hidden dungeon: Abyssal Trial. Mode: Party!]
[Ding! Your party has selected the difficulty: Abyss Mode. Please prepare!]

As the voice faded, a golden light flashed, and the three of them vanished from the spot. When Lin Yu opened his eyes, they were in a dark, sunless environment. There was no sunlight; the only illumination came from a hundred-meter-tall tower ahead, surrounded by eerie, swirling black mist. Human skeletons littered the ground, creating a chilling atmosphere.

"This is the Abyssal Trial dungeon. That seven-story tower in front is our target," Xiao Zhan explained after dispelling some of the mist with a small Fireball spell.

"Let's not delay; let's start the challenge," Xiao Xiao said with a nod. They didn't have much time left—especially Lin Yu, who had only about two hours remaining—so every second counted.

They soon reached the base of the seven-story tower. Xiao Zhan pressed a rune-like object against the bronze doors, and they swung open with a thunderous roar. Inside was a vast, spacious hall. Though the lighting remained dim, it was better than outside.

"The first three floors only contain ordinary monsters and aren't very difficult. As long as we stay focused, we should be fine," Xiao Zhan said.

No sooner had he spoken than the hall began to tremble. A swarm of monsters charged toward them. Lin Yu focused his gaze and saw a group of undead.

[Undead Soldier (Normal Monster): Level 8. HP: 3600/3600. Attack: 92. Defense: 66. Skill: Copper Skin and Iron Bones. Description: A gatekeeper of the Abyssal Trial Hall. No special traits, just tough and thick-skinned.]

Aside from their higher HP, these undead soldiers weren't much different from monsters outside. While their stats were average, there were quite a few of them—Lin Yu counted twenty to thirty.

"There were only ten when I cleared it solo. It seems the difficulty increases in a party," Xiao Zhan noted, frowning at the sea of undead.

"Let's move. We still have six floors to go," Xiao Xiao said coldly. She vanished into thin air, and a second later, reappeared behind an undead soldier. A terrifying damage figure of "-544" popped up.

It was the first time Lin Yu had seen Xiao Xiao fight. *Is this Stealth? No, she hasn't even gone to the main city to change classes; she couldn't possibly have Stealth. Plus, Stealth wouldn't allow for such rapid movement. Is this Teleportation?*

Lin Yu was surprised. Teleportation was an incredibly fearsome skill, especially at higher levels. It was the bane of fragile long-range classes like Archers. He hadn't expected her to have learned an SS-rank skill like this already; she truly lived up to the reputation of a reincarnator.

Recovering from his surprise, Lin Yu joined the fray.

"-601!"
"-455!"
"-555!"

With Lin Yu and Xiao Zhan joining the battle, the situation became completely one-sided. Xiao Zhan was a Level 10 Mage with decent equipment, and his damage was comparable to theirs. With Lin Yu acting as a meat shield in the front, the thirty undead soldiers were wiped out in mere minutes.

"No wonder my sister thinks so highly of him. Lin Yu really has strength," Xiao Zhan thought, his gaze toward Lin Yu shifting from suspicion to shock, and then to admiration. He had only heard brief mentions of Lin Yu from his sister and had been skeptical until now. After witnessing Lin Yu land 600-damage hits and tank 100-attack monsters without taking a scratch, his doubts vanished.

*Is this really what an 8th-level player's stats should look like?* He felt a surge of confidence for the rest of the challenge.

"Let's go to the next level," Lin Yu said, unaware of Xiao Zhan's thoughts. He looked at the teleportation array in the center of the hall. Since the first level was cleared, there was no need to waste time. He was looking forward to what lay ahead.