Just as Nyxaris was getting used to his new human form, the system flashed another notification.
[New Quest: The Abyssal Journey]
You have absorbed Zeraldris, the Abyssal Storm Dragon. His influence is reshaping your fate.
To understand your power and uncover the truth of this world, travel beyond your current borders.
Destination: The Kingdom of Astrid
Objective: Reach the capital, Astralis
Reward: Hidden Evolution Path (???)
Warning: Your presence may attract unwanted attention.
Nyxaris narrowed his golden eyes. "Astrid, huh?" He hadn't heard of it before, but given how massive Evolvera Online was, that wasn't surprising.
Zeraldris chuckled in his mind. "A fitting destination. Astrid is known as the Kingdom of Magic. If you seek power and answers, you may find them there."
Nyxaris hummed in thought. "That means I have to leave the beginner zone… and probably fight my way through unknown territory."
He looked around the cave, the dim glow of the ancient prison still flickering slightly even after being absorbed. This place had been forgotten for who knew how long. Now, thanks to him, it would be recorded in history.
A sudden worldwide notification appeared again.
[Global Announcement]
Player Nyxaris has triggered a Hidden World Event: The Awakening of the Abyss!
The path to Astrid has been unlocked.
Nyxaris' heart skipped a beat. "Crap, I just made myself even more of a target, didn't I?"
Zeraldris let out a deep, amused laugh. "Indeed. Expect both fear and curiosity from those who now seek you."
"HE UNLOCKED A NEW REGION?!"
The developers were on the verge of madness. Astrid had been planned as a later-game location, meant for high-level players who had completed multiple main quests.
"This is impossible!" One developer slammed their hands on the table. "How is he breaking every rule in our system?!"
Mark Vance, the lead developer, watched the unfolding situation with a mix of awe and horror.
"It's no longer just a bug," he muttered. "Nyxaris is forcing the system to adapt in real-time. The AI shouldn't be able to change major questlines on its own... and yet, it's rewriting the world to accommodate his actions."
A nervous voice from the other end of the room spoke up. "Sir... should we intervene?"
Mark exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "No. If we force a rollback now, we risk corrupting the entire game world. For now… we watch. But monitor Nyxaris closely. If he keeps breaking the system like this…"
His voice trailed off, and for a moment, the entire room was silent.
Finally, he muttered, "...he might become something beyond our control."
Nyxaris checked his inventory, ensuring he had enough supplies for the journey.
Basic Rations (x3)
Mana Recovery Potion (x2)
Stamina Elixir (x1)
Unidentified Shard (???)
He frowned at the Unidentified Shard. He must have picked it up while exploring the cave.
"Guess I'll figure that out later."
Adjusting his new coat, he took a deep breath. His goal was clear:
But before he could take his first step, he sensed something—a shift in the air, a faint ripple of energy.
Something... or someone... was watching him.
Zeraldris' voice in his mind darkened. "Be careful, little one. Your actions have drawn attention… and not all of it will be friendly."
Nyxaris smirked. "Wouldn't be an adventure if it was easy, right?"
And with that, he stepped forward—into the unknown.
The developers of Evolvera Online stared at their screens, watching in disbelief as Nyxaris continued breaking expectations.
Mark Vance, the lead developer, exhaled sharply. "This… This isn't just a bug. This is something else."
One of the programmers, a woman named Elena, hesitated before speaking. "Should we… do something?"
Mark shook his head. "We can't."
Everyone in the room fell silent.
One of the defining aspects of Evolvera Online was that the developers were forbidden from interfering with the game's natural progression. The system was designed to be fully adaptive, making every choice meaningful.
Even if a player disrupted the intended progression, the world itself would adjust, creating new events and consequences.
"We built this world to be real," Mark muttered. "And now, it's treating Nyxaris like a real anomaly… We just have to watch what happens next."
Back in the game, Nyxaris opened his status screen, eager to see how much he had progressed.
[Status Screen]
Name: Nyxaris
Race: Abyssal Slime (Human Form Unlocked)
Level: 8 → 12
Gold: 1,550 → 3,200
Titles: [Veilborn Traveler], [First Named Player], [Dragon's Pact]
Skills:
Abyssal Adaptation (EX) – Can absorb and adapt certain energies.
Draconic Will (A) – Inherited from Zeraldris, boosts resistance to mental attacks.
Predator's Evolution (B) – Allows partial absorption of creatures for small enhancements.
Nyxaris whistled. "Damn… Level 12 already?"
And his gold had doubled. The rewards from completing the last quest and absorbing Zeraldris must have contributed to the increase.
"Not bad at all."
Zeraldris rumbled in amusement. "You grow quickly, little one. But remember, strength alone will not see you through the trials ahead."
Nyxaris rolled his shoulders. "Yeah, yeah. I get it. Now let's get moving."
With that, he began his journey toward Astrid, stepping onto a dirt path leading toward the unknown.
Nyxaris expected a simple journey, but the world had other plans for him.
A few hours into his travels, he heard a scream echoing from the forest. He rushed toward the sound, only to find a young girl being chased by a pack of feral wolves.
With his enhanced reflexes, he leaped forward, activating Abyssal Adaptation, shaping his arm into a blade and cutting through the first wolf. The others hesitated, growling, but with a quick burst of movement, he struck them down one by one.
The girl, terrified but grateful, clung to him.
"T-Thank you, sir! I—I thought I was going to die!"
Nyxaris smiled, ruffling her hair. "You're safe now. Let's get you back home."
After escorting her to a nearby village, he received 500 gold and a Healing Talisman as a reward.
Further along the road, dark smoke rose in the distance. When he arrived, he found a village engulfed in flames, with people crying out for help.
"The well is dry! We have no water!"
Nyxaris clenched his fists. He couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
Tapping into his new abilities, he absorbed the water from nearby rain barrels and expelled it in a powerful wave, dousing the flames before they could consume the entire village.
The villagers, in awe, fell to their knees.
"A blessing from the gods…!"
His reward was 700 gold and a Fireproof Cloak.
The next quest was more difficult. In another town, dozens of people lay sick, suffering from an unknown plague. The village healer pleaded with Nyxaris to gather rare herbs from a dangerous swamp to make a cure.
He accepted without hesitation.
Navigating the swamp was treacherous, with poisonous mist and hostile creatures attacking at every turn. Using Draconic Will, he resisted the toxins and slayed a monstrous Venomous Serpent, harvesting its venom as an extra ingredient.
Returning with the herbs, the healer quickly crafted the cure, saving the villagers.
For his efforts, he received 900 gold and the skill [Poison Resistance (C)].
Each of these encounters spread his name further.
Villages whispered of a mysterious traveler who could reshape water, slay monsters, and resist deadly poisons.
Meanwhile, the game developers could only watch in stunned silence.
"He's… basically a living legend already."
Mark Vance sighed, rubbing his forehead. "This is beyond anything we predicted. He's building a reputation before even reaching the first main city."
Elena muttered, "And we can't stop him."
"No." Mark exhaled. "We can only wait… and see how far he'll go."
After days of travel and trials, Nyxaris finally saw the towering walls of Astrid's capital, Astralis, in the distance.
But as he approached the gates, he could feel it—a strange tension in the air.
Something was wrong.
And whatever awaited him in Astrid…
It was only the beginning.