Primordial Awakening: I Can Evolve My Skills Infinitely
Chapter 95: The Fourth Layer, The Underworld

Chapter 95: The Fourth Layer, The Underworld

Sam arrived at the first [Outer Ring] once again.

By now, he’d lost count of how many times he had come here, maybe a dozen, maybe more. It didn’t matter.

His destination was already set.

Without wasting time, he dashed across the familiar terrain, heading toward the second [Outer Ring].

The only place where he could open the portal to the [Fourth Layer].

He noticed a few groups along the plains, awakeners moving toward the same direction. That was to be expected.

Now that the [Fourth Layer] had been conquered, the impact was starting to ripple through the system.

More people were showing up, likely aiming to challenge the [Third Layer] for themselves to move forward.

Sam didn’t pay them any attention.

He reached the second [Outer Ring] within minutes, and immediately began to focus on the [Forsaken] realm.

---

[Which layer do you wish to enter?][→ Third][→ Fourth]

---

Since Sam was still in the [Expert] rank, he could still enter the [Third Layer] if he wanted to.

But once he hit [Master] rank, it would be locked away permanently.

That didn’t concern him. His hand hovered over the second option.

[Fourth Layer].

He selected it without a second thought.

He hadn’t bothered asking David any more questions about what this layer might hold, but it didn’t matter.

Whatever challenge was waiting for him, he would deal with it.

Because each time he thought of the other worlds, of the future waiting just beyond the Forsaken Realm, something stirred deep inside his soul.

A quiet pull. A fire in his chest. Something ancient, maybe.

’Is this that determination they talked about?’ Sam wondered, keeping his eyes closed. ’The thing that separates them from us?’

He didn’t know the answer. But he was ready.

The moment he confirmed his selection, a portal began forming in front of him.

But this one... was different.

"Oh wow."

Even after everything he’d seen, like corrupted realms and rifts, this portal looked completely alien.

It wasn’t a normal portal with swirling colors or glowing mist.

No, this one was made of living flames. Real fire danced and twisted around its edges, licking the air as if hungry.

The heat it gave off was so intense that it made Sam instinctively squint.

The ground beneath it shimmered from the pressure. It looked like it shouldn’t be possible.

Even from a distance, he could feel it was dangerous.

He wasn’t the only one.

Other awakeners nearby, strong ones, most likely [Master] rank, stood near similar flame portals.

And they were hesitating.

"FUCK, IT ACTUALLY BURNS!"

"No way, that can’t be right."

"Are we really going in there?"

Their nervous voices filled the air, but Sam kept his eyes locked on the flames.

He knew most people spent months, maybe even years, building themselves up to enter the [Fourth Layer].

He didn’t have that kind of time. He needed more levels, more skills, and more strength.

That was all that mattered. He clenched his fist. That alone would push him forward.

But just as he was about to step in—

Fwish! BOOM!

His portal exploded.

"What...?"

He stepped back on instinct, already pulling the [Primordial Sword] from his [Spatial Inventory].

Flames shot out from the shattered gateway, but they weren’t red or orange anymore. They were black.

Violent, twisting tendrils of fire swirled around the edges of the broken portal, and the heat became unbearable.

"What the fuck is wrong with that guy’s portal?!"

"Holy shit, is that gonna happen to us too?"

"I’m not sticking around to find out!"

Some of the other awakeners panicked, jumping into their own portals to escape whatever was going on.

Sam didn’t move. His expression didn’t change.

Because he knew exactly what this was. Another attempt from the realm to erase him. It wouldn’t be the first time.

From the blackened flames, a voice echoed out, deep and ancient. And with it came a panel.

A black panel with two twisted horns curled at the top.

[Come to the Underworld, Primordial.]

[My flames will burn your body to ashes. I shall shatter your soul, and send your remains to the deepest parts of Hell.]

"Hm."

Sam didn’t flinch. He could feel the strength behind those words.

The overwhelming pressure that came from the portal was worse than anything he had felt even during his time before the [Roaring Titan].

But even then, there was still no fear in him.

Even though his body recognized the danger, even though his mind screamed that death was certain...

He didn’t hesitate. He wouldn’t let himself.

[Proceed.]

He lifted the [Primordial Sword] and slashed clean through the black panel.

The air cracked as if the sword had cut into reality itself, and then, without pause, Sam stepped into the portal.

[Bad choice, Primordial.]

A low laugh echoed as he fell. It followed him into the vortex.

[You are now alone.]

Then, just before he landed, the final panel appeared.

[Welcome to Hell.]

BOOM!

Sam’s shoes slammed into charred stone as the portal closed behind him.

[You have entered the "Fourth Layer" of the "Forsaken" Realm: The Underworld (Hell Edition).]

’Hell Edition, huh.’ Sam exhaled, finally taking in his surroundings.

He was standing on the edge of a massive cliff, the surface cracked and blackened from heat.

Below, he saw sharp rocks and scattered islands of land floating in rivers of fire.

But this wasn’t normal fire.

Dark flames, pitch black with purple centers, surged and twisted through the gaps between the floating terrain.

The sky was red, but not bright. Just dim and dead, like the inside of a dying sun.

There was no moon. No light source. Just flame.

He saw trees in the distance. Or what used to be trees.

They were burning continuously, their charred limbs locked in an endless state of combustion.

The entire realm felt cursed.

Sam narrowed his eyes. Something was off.

He was alone, clearly in a solo instance. That much was clear.

And he could already tell all monsters here were stronger.

But more than that... this layer wasn’t normal.

This version of the [Fourth Layer] was being actively governed by the [Forsaken Lord] itself.

It wanted him here. It had invited him.

[Hell-Mode Analysis: The flames of the Underworld are supposed to be orange. This is not normal.]

Of course, it wasn’t. Sam already assumed as much.

And yet... He had come this far. There was no turning back.

So he jumped down from the cliff and landed on the path ahead, dust scattering as he stared forward.

He would walk through hell if it meant getting stronger, and smashing the hell out of the [Forsaken Lords].

Falling into one of those flame pits was probably an instant death sentence. He’d have to be careful.

His eyes scanned the horizon.

Far ahead, barely visible through the haze and flame, was a towering structure. It looked like a massive gate.

’Probably the end of the layer,’ he thought. ’But that’s a long way from here.’

It made him wonder. If the goal was so plainly visible, why had humanity failed so many times to reach it?

Then he remembered David’s words.

"It’s the boss that causes a problem."

Right. The final obstacle. The creature that had killed more than any other on this floor.

But Sam doubted that was his biggest threat.

No... he could feel it already.

The [Forsaken Lord] of this layer was watching him. And it hated him.

The heat pressed harder against his skin as he moved forward, and then—

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Figures began to appear all around him, climbing from the rocks and flying down from the sky.

Sam stopped, his hand already on the hilt of his blade.

And one by one, the enemy revealed itself.

---

[Underworld Demon (Boosted)]

[Level: 50]

[Description: The most common monsters of the Underworld. Dangerous only because of their overwhelming numbers.]

[Hell-Mode Analysis: Not the same "Demon" race as the one from the seven worlds.]

---

They were large, muscular creatures with crimson skin, black wings, and eyes completely devoid of light.

As soon as they saw him—

"GRAHHHH!"

One let out a violent roar, pointing its claw at Sam.

The others flapped their wings and charged.

Sam let out a quiet breath and lowered his stance.

"Here we go."

And then, he moved.