The Transmigrated Author

[Abyssal Dungeon - The Final Boss Room]

[Standard Ability: Hidden Strength [Grade 4] Has Been Activated!]

Rel, narrowly dodging the first exchange, realized a direct confrontation with this version of Garrick was futile.

The replica's strength and speed were overwhelming, each near miss sending shivers down his spine.

But retreat wasn't an option. He had to exploit a weakness, uncover a flaw in this seemingly perfect imitation.

Garrick charged forward, swinging his blade horizontally in a massive, aura-infused slash.

SHING!

Rel's body shook. He raised his own blade, imbuing it with aura until it turned completely black, then twisted his body to carve out a crescent slash that countered Garrick's attack, pushing him back slightly.

"Shit... how do I get to this guy?" he muttered. Every attack Rel attempted, Garrick effortlessly avoided.

The problem with facing Garrick was his complete mastery of swordsmanship.

NEH!

"...!"

[Passive Ability: Evasiveness Has Been Activated!]

Garrick approached again, swinging downwards with a lightning-fast strike aimed at Rel's shoulder.

BANG!

Rel barely managed to dodge, feeling a sharp pain as the blade grazed his right shoulder.

Huup!

Rel leapt back, creating distance. He couldn't rely on brute force. He needed to outsmart Garrick, using his agility and special abilities to his advantage.

With a burst of speed, Rel darted around the chamber, weaving between the shattered pillars and remnants of furniture.

He nocked an arrow, infusing its tip with aura, and fired with precision, aiming for joints and exposed areas of the replica's body.

SHING! SHING SHING!

But each hit seemed to just be easily deflected regardless of Rel's aura potency.

"How is it that he can just deflect attacks with or without aura?"

He was startled by the realization that Garrick's aura seemed to be different from the original.

In the novel, Garrick's aura stunned and nullified attacks entirely, but this version lacked that trait.

He knew this Garrick was flawed, a mere imitation.

Yet, all of his attacks were still amplified without any visible energy source, as if mimicking Garrick's movements perfectly.

So, Rel sheathed his bow, unsheathed his blade, and charged forward.

As Rel prepared a swift feint, Garrick smiled and countered immediately, pushing Rel's blade aside with his left hand.

Caught off guard, Rel was slashed across the chest, a massive gush of blood erupting.

But there was no time to think.

If he could ignore the pain, he might land a hit, despite the impossible odds.

He clashed blades, aiming for Garrick's chest, but Garrick quickly swung upwards with a flick of his wrist.

"...!"

Rel saw it, a glimpse into the future. A part of his body was stabbed, and he died trying to win against this man.

The emotional trauma of countless deaths washed over him, but this feeling was different.

This was a make-or-break moment where everything had to be perfect.

[Special Ability: Clockwork of Time [Grade 3] Has Been Activated!]

Time slowed to a crawl. Seeing the perfect opening, Rel abandoned his airborne sword and focused on a vulnerable spot below Garrick's ribs. His right fist clenched, the air crackling with concentrated aura.

[Special Ability: Clockwork of Time [Grade 3] Has Been Deactivated!]

Time snapped back, and Rel's fist connected with a sickening crunch.

[Critical Hit!]

A deafening explosion of black lightning erupted from Garrick's chest as Rel's aura surged through his body.

CRUNCH

The replica was sent flying backward, crashing into the obsidian throne with tremendous force.

Dust and debris puffed out, obscuring Rel's vision for a moment.

***

As the dust settled, I saw a clean hole punched through Garrick's replica, right where my fist had landed in his lower chest.

He stood there, a smile still plastered on his face, but his glowing eyes flickered erratically.

"WAHAHA!"

He chuckled, and I couldn't help but think, His durability must be weak if a hit like that did so much damage.

And since this wasn't the real Garrick, he shouldn't be able to use that, right?

Just as Garrick reached for his sword, a voice of authority cut through the air.

"Enough."

Garrick froze, his hand hovering over his weapon.

skkkkkktttt...

The energy that maintained his form began to flicker and fade.

"...?"

What was happening to him... and that voice who was it?

I stood there, confused and unsure of what was happening.

But did I defeat him just with one punch? Was that even possible?

There was surely no way I could've won just like that, I could tell this Garrick could still fight but something was stopping him from doing so.

Garrick turned to me, his form dissolving into particles of light.

I realized that the mysterious voice must have been the energy source that animated this replica.

"You've proven your worthiness, descender,"

Garrick's voice echoed, even as his form slowly fading.

My body was frozen in place and my heart was running.

For a moment, it felt as if the real Garrick was speaking to me.

But the word descender didn't sit right with me.

Could he tell I wasn't a true inhabitant of this world? That I was just a meagre transmigrator?

But that should be impossible, right? He couldn't have seen through me.

As Garrick's smile faded into nothingness, I couldn't help but stand there, frozen in shock and confusion.

An authoritative voice echoed through the chamber once more, but this time, it was softer, almost soothing.

"Well done, Warrior."

"You've defeated the one destined by fate."

"Defeated?" I questioned, perplexed. "I don't even think I defeated him."

The voice chuckled a warm sound that reverberated through the air.

"You have mistaken his actions for kindness. It isn't the one you defeated, but the one within it."

"Within it?" I repeated, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly.

"The soul," the voice clarified. "It simply gave up."

A shiver ran down my spine as the realization sunk in. "So that meant..."

"Yes," the voice affirmed. "For that fleeting moment, the real being spoke only to you."

"How...? Garrick didn't die in this dungeon," I muttered, my brow furrowed in confusion. I clearly remembered seeing him leave with Dawn and Vincent.

But if this question needed to be asked, I wanted an answer. Leaving without one was not an option.

"How is it that you had his soul?" I inquired, hoping the voice would respond.

The authoritative voice spoke once more, "All those who enter have a fragment of their soul absorbed to uphold this place... yet the rewards remain untouched as no one worthy has arrived."

The voice paused. "Yet, you were chosen by the one of fate. The soul called out to you, saying you were worthy. As it was written, then I shall present you the reward..."

RUMBLE, RUMBLE, RUMBLE,

The chamber began to rumble violently.

I struggled to maintain my balance as my body shook and swayed side to side.

But a massive sting of pain rose from my upper and lower body as Garrick's earlier attack flared in my chest.

[Passive Ability: Mana Control [Grade 6] Has Been Activated!]

I channelled mana into my hand, rocking back and forth as I pressed it against the wound.

SZZZZZTT!!

The rumbling ceased, and I had managed to stop the bleeding, at least for now.

In the centre of the chamber, where the half-moon and half-sun mural had once been, a pedestal rose from the floor, bearing a single, ornate box.

"Before you lies the dungeon's core and a powerful magic," the authoritative voice resonated through the chamber. "If you can absorb it, the dungeon will collapse, and this place will cease to exist, allowing you to leave. If you cannot, you can still leave, as this power's owner awaits. Open the box, and what you'll find is the answer."

Hesitantly, I approached the pedestal and opened the box. A massive gust of wind blasted my face, forcing me to stumble back.

What was that?

For a brief moment, I saw a faint black and crimson aura within the box, but it wasn't quite aura or energy... it was something else entirely.

I cautiously opened the box again.

A torrent of darkness and crimson-red aura erupted, swirling around the room and encapsulating me in a dark sphere.

[WARNING!]

[If you continue and proceed with this option, there will be consequences in the future.]

[Do you wish to view this ability?]

I paused, contemplating these consequences...

What kind of power could have such a warning attached to it?

Though, I knew there was no one else who could enter this dungeon again.

With a deep breath, I said, "Yes."

[The story changes...]

FWANG

[Elemental Attribute: Deus le Veult [Attribute: Anti-Magic] - All the user's properties of inherited attributes of magic are removed and replaced with the property of anti-magic. The user is able to negate all types of magic phenomena. Mana remains inherent, but the user will no longer emit magical energy or be able to replicate magic power via elements.]

"Elemental Attribute... Deus le Veult... Anti-Magic..."

I read the description aloud, my eyes widening in shock.

This attribute was unlike anything I had ever imagined.

It shouldn't even exist in this setting or this story.

But then again, everything I'd discarded, drafted, and even the current plot of my novel had been fed into that assistant tool.

Even though I knew I wouldn't be able to wield elemental magic like the geniuses in my novel, excitement bubbled up within me.

This was an opportunity, a chance to change things up.

"System," I asked, "can I still create abilities that conjure elements?"

FWANG!

[Yes! As long as you create an ability or learn a skill, you'll be able to activate them. The only thing you lose is the natural ability to conjure your elemental attributes.]

I see...

There was no other choice then.

I had to seize this opportunity here and now.

I reached out towards the swirling mass of dark and red crimson energy.

It crept up my arms, engulfing my entire body.

I felt as if my very life was being drained from me, and I closed my eyes against the overwhelming sensation.

RUMBLE...RUMBLE...RUMBLE...

The dungeon rumbled and groaned around me, the pain I felt was intensifying.

Gritting my teeth I hope this pain would be over.

SHAAAAAAA!!!!!

***

WHOOOOOSHH...

"...!"

The ground beneath me felt strangely soft, beneath my weight.

It's a sensation I don't quite recognize, a mix of coolness and a subtle give.

Suddenly, I felt a gentle breeze and the warmth of sunlight on my face.

I carefully opened my eyes and the world came into focus.

FWANG!

[The following attributes have been removed due to conflicts.]

[Elemental Attributes that have been removed: Water, Fire]

[Proceeding with the next notification...]

FWANG!

[You've gained a new attribute!]

[Ability: Deus le Veult -> Attribute: Anti-Magic]

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Season 2 - To weak to understand: END

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