diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a668cb0..d0343ef 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,6 +4,11 @@ Python source obfuscator. Give it a `.py` file, get back a single self-contained
 
 Each build is unique by default. Pass `--seed N` if you want a reproducible one.
 
+Version 0.6 adds optional Abyss VM protection for selected functions. Protected
+function bodies are lowered into encrypted VM assets before CPython compilation,
+then executed by a generated per-build runtime instead of being restored as
+ordinary Python code objects.
+
 Version 0.5 adds a shared encoded literal pool, randomized decode paths, more
 integer rewrite forms, and a reserved-import regression fix for reproducible
 stress-tested builds.
@@ -17,6 +22,19 @@ keep-name files, dry runs, stats JSON, HTML reports, manifest verification,
 output budget gates, a version flag, and CI metadata that matches the supported
 Python versions.
 
+## 0.6 Improvements
+
+- `--abyss` and `--abyss-functions` add an opt-in virtualized protection tier
+  for supported pure-ish functions.
+- Abyss-protected functions are replaced with wrappers before `compile(...)`;
+  their real bodies are stored as encrypted data for a generated stack VM, not
+  as marshaled CPython function code objects.
+- The generated VM uses per-build randomized opcode values, shuffled dispatch
+  block order, encrypted constant/code assets, and preservation of referenced
+  globals so targeted functions still run under identifier renaming.
+- Unsupported syntax is refused for explicitly named Abyss functions and skipped
+  during broad `--abyss` auto-protection, keeping the default profile stable.
+
 ## 0.5 Improvements
 
 - String and bytes literals are now stored in a shared encoded pool and decoded
@@ -139,6 +157,8 @@ python -m patchwork INPUT [-o OUTPUT] [options]
   --no-junk                 turn off junk dead-branch injection
   --no-lazy                 turn off lazy per-function encryption
   --no-anti-debug           turn off runtime anti-debug probes
+  --abyss                   virtualize eligible functions into encrypted VM assets
+  --abyss-functions NAMES   virtualize only these functions, comma-separated or repeatable
   --audit-only              analyze the input and exit without writing output
   --audit-json PATH         write static audit metadata as JSON
   --manifest PATH           write build manifest with hashes/options/audit data
@@ -214,6 +234,8 @@ obf = Obfuscator(
     junk_branches=True,
     lazy_funcs=True,
     anti_debug=True,
+    abyss=False,
+    abyss_functions=[],
     layers=3,
     stage2_layers=3,
     keep={'public_api_name'},
diff --git a/patchwork/__init__.py b/patchwork/__init__.py
index 12c501a..6ab1599 100644
--- a/patchwork/__init__.py
+++ b/patchwork/__init__.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from .core import Obfuscator, obfuscate, obfuscate_file
 from .audit import analyze_source, build_manifest, build_stats, verify_manifest
 
-__version__ = '0.5.0'
+__version__ = '0.6.0'
 
 __all__ = [
     'Obfuscator',
diff --git a/patchwork/abyss.py b/patchwork/abyss.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9448505
--- /dev/null
+++ b/patchwork/abyss.py
@@ -0,0 +1,965 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import ast
+import base64
+import json
+import random
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Any
+
+from .util import gen_bytes
+
+DISPATCH_NAME = "__pw_ab_dispatch__"
+ASSETS_NAME = "__pw_ab_assets__"
+
+_OPS = (
+    "CONST",
+    "LOAD",
+    "STORE",
+    "POP",
+    "DUP",
+    "BIN",
+    "UNARY",
+    "COMPARE_CHAIN",
+    "JUMP",
+    "JUMP_IF_FALSE",
+    "JUMP_IF_TRUE_KEEP",
+    "JUMP_IF_FALSE_KEEP",
+    "CALL",
+    "GET_ATTR",
+    "SUBSCR",
+    "BUILD_SLICE",
+    "BUILD_LIST",
+    "BUILD_TUPLE",
+    "BUILD_SET",
+    "BUILD_DICT",
+    "RETURN",
+    "GET_ITER",
+    "FOR_ITER",
+    "UNPACK",
+    "BUILD_STRING",
+    "FORMAT_VALUE",
+)
+
+_BIN_OPS: tuple[tuple[type[ast.operator], str], ...] = (
+    (ast.Add, "add"),
+    (ast.Sub, "sub"),
+    (ast.Mult, "mul"),
+    (ast.MatMult, "matmul"),
+    (ast.Div, "truediv"),
+    (ast.FloorDiv, "floordiv"),
+    (ast.Mod, "mod"),
+    (ast.Pow, "pow"),
+    (ast.LShift, "lshift"),
+    (ast.RShift, "rshift"),
+    (ast.BitOr, "or"),
+    (ast.BitXor, "xor"),
+    (ast.BitAnd, "and"),
+)
+
+_UNARY_OPS: tuple[tuple[type[ast.unaryop], str], ...] = (
+    (ast.Invert, "invert"),
+    (ast.Not, "not"),
+    (ast.UAdd, "pos"),
+    (ast.USub, "neg"),
+)
+
+_COMPARE_OPS: tuple[tuple[type[ast.cmpop], str], ...] = (
+    (ast.Eq, "eq"),
+    (ast.NotEq, "ne"),
+    (ast.Lt, "lt"),
+    (ast.LtE, "le"),
+    (ast.Gt, "gt"),
+    (ast.GtE, "ge"),
+    (ast.Is, "is"),
+    (ast.IsNot, "is_not"),
+    (ast.In, "in"),
+    (ast.NotIn, "not_in"),
+)
+
+
+class UnsupportedAbyssNode(ValueError):
+    pass
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class EncodedAbyssAssets:
+    payload: str
+    key: str
+    opcodes: dict[str, int]
+
+
+class _Label:
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self.index: int | None = None
+
+
+class _Emitter:
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self.instructions: list[list[Any]] = []
+
+    def label(self) -> _Label:
+        return _Label()
+
+    def mark(self, label: _Label) -> None:
+        label.index = len(self.instructions)
+
+    def emit(self, op: str, *args: Any) -> None:
+        self.instructions.append([op, *args])
+
+    def resolve(self) -> list[list[Any]]:
+        resolved: list[list[Any]] = []
+        for inst in self.instructions:
+            op, *args = inst
+            new_args: list[Any] = []
+            for arg in args:
+                if isinstance(arg, _Label):
+                    if arg.index is None:
+                        raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("internal unresolved VM label")
+                    new_args.append(arg.index)
+                else:
+                    new_args.append(arg)
+            resolved.append([op, *new_args])
+        return resolved
+
+
+def _op_name(op: ast.AST, table: tuple[tuple[type[Any], str], ...]) -> str:
+    for cls, name in table:
+        if isinstance(op, cls):
+            return name
+    raise UnsupportedAbyssNode(f"unsupported operator {type(op).__name__}")
+
+
+def _strip_docstring(body: list[ast.stmt]) -> list[ast.stmt]:
+    if (
+        body
+        and isinstance(body[0], ast.Expr)
+        and isinstance(body[0].value, ast.Constant)
+        and isinstance(body[0].value.value, str)
+    ):
+        return body[1:]
+    return body
+
+
+def _argument_names(args: ast.arguments) -> set[str]:
+    names = {arg.arg for arg in args.posonlyargs + args.args + args.kwonlyargs}
+    if args.vararg is not None:
+        names.add(args.vararg.arg)
+    if args.kwarg is not None:
+        names.add(args.kwarg.arg)
+    return names
+
+
+def _target_names(target: ast.AST) -> set[str]:
+    if isinstance(target, ast.Name):
+        return {target.id}
+    if isinstance(target, (ast.Tuple, ast.List)):
+        names: set[str] = set()
+        for elt in target.elts:
+            names.update(_target_names(elt))
+        return names
+    return set()
+
+
+class _ScopeCollector(ast.NodeVisitor):
+    def __init__(self, args: ast.arguments) -> None:
+        self.local_names = set(_argument_names(args))
+        self.global_names: set[str] = set()
+
+    def visit_Global(self, node: ast.Global) -> None:
+        self.global_names.update(node.names)
+
+    def visit_FunctionDef(self, node: ast.FunctionDef) -> None:
+        return
+
+    visit_AsyncFunctionDef = visit_FunctionDef
+
+    def visit_ClassDef(self, node: ast.ClassDef) -> None:
+        return
+
+    def visit_Lambda(self, node: ast.Lambda) -> None:
+        return
+
+    def visit_Assign(self, node: ast.Assign) -> None:
+        for target in node.targets:
+            self.local_names.update(_target_names(target))
+        self.visit(node.value)
+
+    def visit_AnnAssign(self, node: ast.AnnAssign) -> None:
+        self.local_names.update(_target_names(node.target))
+        if node.value is not None:
+            self.visit(node.value)
+
+    def visit_AugAssign(self, node: ast.AugAssign) -> None:
+        self.local_names.update(_target_names(node.target))
+        self.visit(node.value)
+
+    def visit_For(self, node: ast.For) -> None:
+        self.local_names.update(_target_names(node.target))
+        self.visit(node.iter)
+        for stmt in node.body + node.orelse:
+            self.visit(stmt)
+
+    def visit_NamedExpr(self, node: ast.NamedExpr) -> None:
+        self.local_names.update(_target_names(node.target))
+        self.visit(node.value)
+
+    def finalize(self) -> tuple[set[str], set[str]]:
+        return self.local_names - self.global_names, self.global_names
+
+
+class AbyssCompiler:
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self.emitter = _Emitter()
+        self.constants: list[Any] = []
+        self.local_names: set[str] = set()
+        self.global_names: set[str] = set()
+        self.external_names: set[str] = set()
+        self.loop_stack: list[tuple[_Label, _Label, int]] = []
+
+    def compile(self, node: ast.FunctionDef) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        self._reject_function_shape(node)
+        collector = _ScopeCollector(node.args)
+        for stmt in node.body:
+            collector.visit(stmt)
+        self.local_names, self.global_names = collector.finalize()
+
+        body = _strip_docstring(node.body)
+        if not body:
+            self.emitter.emit("CONST", self._const(None))
+            self.emitter.emit("RETURN")
+        else:
+            for stmt in body:
+                self._stmt(stmt)
+            self.emitter.emit("CONST", self._const(None))
+            self.emitter.emit("RETURN")
+
+        return {
+            "name": node.name,
+            "code": self.emitter.resolve(),
+            "consts": [_encode_const(value) for value in self.constants],
+            "globals": sorted(self.global_names),
+            "locals": sorted(self.local_names),
+            "externals": sorted(self.external_names),
+        }
+
+    def _reject_function_shape(self, node: ast.FunctionDef) -> None:
+        for child in ast.walk(node):
+            if isinstance(child, (ast.Yield, ast.YieldFrom, ast.Await)):
+                raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("generators, coroutines, and await are not supported")
+            if isinstance(child, (ast.FunctionDef, ast.AsyncFunctionDef, ast.ClassDef, ast.Lambda)):
+                if child is not node:
+                    raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("nested functions/classes are not supported")
+
+    def _const(self, value: Any) -> int:
+        idx = len(self.constants)
+        self.constants.append(value)
+        return idx
+
+    def _stmt(self, node: ast.stmt) -> None:
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Return):
+            if node.value is None:
+                self.emitter.emit("CONST", self._const(None))
+            else:
+                self._expr(node.value)
+            self.emitter.emit("RETURN")
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Assign):
+            self._expr(node.value)
+            for index, target in enumerate(node.targets):
+                if index < len(node.targets) - 1:
+                    self.emitter.emit("DUP")
+                self._store_target(target)
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.AnnAssign):
+            if node.value is not None:
+                self._expr(node.value)
+                self._store_target(node.target)
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.AugAssign):
+            if not isinstance(node.target, ast.Name):
+                raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("augmented assignment only supports local/global names")
+            self._expr(ast.Name(id=node.target.id, ctx=ast.Load()))
+            self._expr(node.value)
+            self.emitter.emit("BIN", _op_name(node.op, _BIN_OPS))
+            self.emitter.emit("STORE", node.target.id)
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Expr):
+            self._expr(node.value)
+            self.emitter.emit("POP")
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Pass):
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Global):
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.If):
+            else_label = self.emitter.label()
+            end_label = self.emitter.label()
+            self._expr(node.test)
+            self.emitter.emit("JUMP_IF_FALSE", else_label)
+            for stmt in node.body:
+                self._stmt(stmt)
+            self.emitter.emit("JUMP", end_label)
+            self.emitter.mark(else_label)
+            for stmt in node.orelse:
+                self._stmt(stmt)
+            self.emitter.mark(end_label)
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.While):
+            start_label = self.emitter.label()
+            end_label = self.emitter.label()
+            self.emitter.mark(start_label)
+            self._expr(node.test)
+            self.emitter.emit("JUMP_IF_FALSE", end_label)
+            self.loop_stack.append((start_label, end_label, 0))
+            for stmt in node.body:
+                self._stmt(stmt)
+            self.loop_stack.pop()
+            self.emitter.emit("JUMP", start_label)
+            self.emitter.mark(end_label)
+            if node.orelse:
+                raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("while/else is not supported")
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.For):
+            if node.orelse:
+                raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("for/else is not supported")
+            start_label = self.emitter.label()
+            end_label = self.emitter.label()
+            self._expr(node.iter)
+            self.emitter.emit("GET_ITER")
+            self.emitter.mark(start_label)
+            self.emitter.emit("FOR_ITER", end_label)
+            self._store_target(node.target)
+            self.loop_stack.append((start_label, end_label, 1))
+            for stmt in node.body:
+                self._stmt(stmt)
+            self.loop_stack.pop()
+            self.emitter.emit("JUMP", start_label)
+            self.emitter.mark(end_label)
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Break):
+            if not self.loop_stack:
+                raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("break outside loop")
+            _, end_label, cleanup = self.loop_stack[-1]
+            for _ in range(cleanup):
+                self.emitter.emit("POP")
+            self.emitter.emit("JUMP", end_label)
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Continue):
+            if not self.loop_stack:
+                raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("continue outside loop")
+            start_label, _, _ = self.loop_stack[-1]
+            self.emitter.emit("JUMP", start_label)
+            return
+        raise UnsupportedAbyssNode(f"unsupported statement {type(node).__name__}")
+
+    def _store_target(self, target: ast.AST) -> None:
+        if isinstance(target, ast.Name):
+            self.emitter.emit("STORE", target.id)
+            return
+        if isinstance(target, (ast.Tuple, ast.List)):
+            self.emitter.emit("UNPACK", len(target.elts))
+            for elt in target.elts:
+                self._store_target(elt)
+            return
+        raise UnsupportedAbyssNode(f"unsupported assignment target {type(target).__name__}")
+
+    def _expr(self, node: ast.expr) -> None:
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Constant):
+            self.emitter.emit("CONST", self._const(node.value))
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Name):
+            if isinstance(node.ctx, ast.Load):
+                if node.id not in self.local_names or node.id in self.global_names:
+                    self.external_names.add(node.id)
+                self.emitter.emit("LOAD", node.id)
+                return
+            raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("name expression is not load context")
+        if isinstance(node, ast.BinOp):
+            self._expr(node.left)
+            self._expr(node.right)
+            self.emitter.emit("BIN", _op_name(node.op, _BIN_OPS))
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.UnaryOp):
+            self._expr(node.operand)
+            self.emitter.emit("UNARY", _op_name(node.op, _UNARY_OPS))
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.BoolOp):
+            self._bool_op(node)
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Compare):
+            self._expr(node.left)
+            for comparator in node.comparators:
+                self._expr(comparator)
+            self.emitter.emit("COMPARE_CHAIN", [_op_name(op, _COMPARE_OPS) for op in node.ops])
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.IfExp):
+            else_label = self.emitter.label()
+            end_label = self.emitter.label()
+            self._expr(node.test)
+            self.emitter.emit("JUMP_IF_FALSE", else_label)
+            self._expr(node.body)
+            self.emitter.emit("JUMP", end_label)
+            self.emitter.mark(else_label)
+            self._expr(node.orelse)
+            self.emitter.mark(end_label)
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Call):
+            if any(isinstance(arg, ast.Starred) for arg in node.args):
+                raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("*args calls are not supported")
+            if any(keyword.arg is None for keyword in node.keywords):
+                raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("**kwargs calls are not supported")
+            self._expr(node.func)
+            for arg in node.args:
+                self._expr(arg)
+            keyword_names: list[str] = []
+            for keyword in node.keywords:
+                if keyword.arg is None:
+                    raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("**kwargs calls are not supported")
+                keyword_names.append(keyword.arg)
+                self._expr(keyword.value)
+            self.emitter.emit("CALL", len(node.args), keyword_names)
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Attribute):
+            self._expr(node.value)
+            self.emitter.emit("GET_ATTR", node.attr)
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Subscript):
+            self._expr(node.value)
+            self._expr(node.slice)
+            self.emitter.emit("SUBSCR")
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Slice):
+            for part in (node.lower, node.upper, node.step):
+                if part is None:
+                    self.emitter.emit("CONST", self._const(None))
+                else:
+                    self._expr(part)
+            self.emitter.emit("BUILD_SLICE")
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.List):
+            self._sequence(node.elts, "BUILD_LIST")
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Tuple):
+            self._sequence(node.elts, "BUILD_TUPLE")
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Set):
+            self._sequence(node.elts, "BUILD_SET")
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.Dict):
+            for key, value in zip(node.keys, node.values):
+                if key is None:
+                    raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("dictionary unpacking is not supported")
+                self._expr(key)
+                self._expr(value)
+            self.emitter.emit("BUILD_DICT", len(node.keys))
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.JoinedStr):
+            for value in node.values:
+                if isinstance(value, ast.Constant) and isinstance(value.value, str):
+                    self.emitter.emit("CONST", self._const(value.value))
+                elif isinstance(value, ast.FormattedValue):
+                    self._formatted_value(value)
+                else:
+                    raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("unsupported f-string part")
+            self.emitter.emit("BUILD_STRING", len(node.values))
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.FormattedValue):
+            self._formatted_value(node)
+            return
+        if isinstance(node, ast.NamedExpr):
+            if not isinstance(node.target, ast.Name):
+                raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("walrus target must be a name")
+            self._expr(node.value)
+            self.emitter.emit("DUP")
+            self._store_target(node.target)
+            return
+        raise UnsupportedAbyssNode(f"unsupported expression {type(node).__name__}")
+
+    def _bool_op(self, node: ast.BoolOp) -> None:
+        if not node.values:
+            raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("empty boolean operation")
+        end_label = self.emitter.label()
+        jump_op = "JUMP_IF_TRUE_KEEP" if isinstance(node.op, ast.Or) else "JUMP_IF_FALSE_KEEP"
+        for index, value in enumerate(node.values):
+            self._expr(value)
+            if index < len(node.values) - 1:
+                self.emitter.emit(jump_op, end_label)
+        self.emitter.mark(end_label)
+
+    def _sequence(self, elts: list[ast.expr], op: str) -> None:
+        for elt in elts:
+            if isinstance(elt, ast.Starred):
+                raise UnsupportedAbyssNode("starred literals are not supported")
+            self._expr(elt)
+        self.emitter.emit(op, len(elts))
+
+    def _formatted_value(self, node: ast.FormattedValue) -> None:
+        self._expr(node.value)
+        if node.format_spec is not None:
+            self._expr(node.format_spec)
+            self.emitter.emit("FORMAT_VALUE", node.conversion, True)
+        else:
+            self.emitter.emit("FORMAT_VALUE", node.conversion, False)
+
+
+class AbyssTransformer(ast.NodeTransformer):
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        rng: random.Random,
+        *,
+        targets: set[str] | None = None,
+        auto: bool = False,
+        dispatch_name: str = DISPATCH_NAME,
+    ) -> None:
+        self.rng = rng
+        self.targets = set(targets or ())
+        self.auto = auto
+        self.dispatch_name = dispatch_name
+        self.assets: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
+        self.keep_names: set[str] = {dispatch_name}
+        self.protected: list[str] = []
+        self.skipped: list[tuple[str, str]] = []
+        self._matched_targets: set[str] = set()
+        self._class_stack: list[str] = []
+        self._function_depth = 0
+
+    @property
+    def explicit(self) -> bool:
+        return bool(self.targets)
+
+    def protect(self, tree: ast.Module) -> ast.Module:
+        new_tree = self.visit(tree)
+        if not isinstance(new_tree, ast.Module):
+            raise TypeError("expected module")
+        missing = sorted(self.targets - self._matched_targets)
+        if missing:
+            raise ValueError(f"abyss target(s) not found: {', '.join(missing)}")
+        return new_tree
+
+    def visit_ClassDef(self, node: ast.ClassDef) -> ast.AST:
+        self._class_stack.append(node.name)
+        node.body = [self.visit(stmt) for stmt in node.body]
+        self._class_stack.pop()
+        return node
+
+    def visit_FunctionDef(self, node: ast.FunctionDef) -> ast.AST:
+        qualname = ".".join([*self._class_stack, node.name]) if self._class_stack else node.name
+        target_names = {node.name, qualname}
+        targeted = bool(self.targets & target_names)
+        desired = self._function_depth == 0 and (targeted or (self.auto and not self.explicit))
+        if targeted:
+            self._matched_targets.update(self.targets & target_names)
+        if not desired:
+            self._function_depth += 1
+            node = self.generic_visit(node)
+            self._function_depth -= 1
+            return node
+
+        try:
+            asset = AbyssCompiler().compile(node)
+        except UnsupportedAbyssNode as exc:
+            if targeted:
+                raise ValueError(f"abyss target {qualname} is unsupported: {exc}") from exc
+            self.skipped.append((qualname, str(exc)))
+            self._function_depth += 1
+            node = self.generic_visit(node)
+            self._function_depth -= 1
+            return node
+
+        fid = len(self.assets)
+        self.assets.append(asset)
+        self.keep_names.update(asset["externals"])
+        self.protected.append(qualname)
+        node.body = self._wrapper_body(fid, _function_docstring(node))
+        return node
+
+    def visit_AsyncFunctionDef(self, node: ast.AsyncFunctionDef) -> ast.AST:
+        qualname = ".".join([*self._class_stack, node.name]) if self._class_stack else node.name
+        target_names = {node.name, qualname}
+        targeted = bool(self.targets & target_names)
+        if targeted:
+            self._matched_targets.update(self.targets & target_names)
+            raise ValueError(f"abyss target {qualname} is unsupported: async functions are not supported")
+        return node
+
+    def _wrapper_body(self, fid: int, docstring: str | None) -> list[ast.stmt]:
+        call = ast.Call(
+            func=ast.Name(id=self.dispatch_name, ctx=ast.Load()),
+            args=[
+                ast.Constant(value=fid),
+                ast.Call(func=ast.Name(id="locals", ctx=ast.Load()), args=[], keywords=[]),
+            ],
+            keywords=[],
+        )
+        body: list[ast.stmt] = []
+        if docstring is not None:
+            body.append(ast.Expr(value=ast.Constant(value=docstring)))
+        body.append(ast.Return(value=call))
+        return body
+
+
+def _function_docstring(node: ast.FunctionDef) -> str | None:
+    if (
+        node.body
+        and isinstance(node.body[0], ast.Expr)
+        and isinstance(node.body[0].value, ast.Constant)
+        and isinstance(node.body[0].value.value, str)
+    ):
+        return node.body[0].value.value
+    return None
+
+
+def _encode_const(value: Any) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    if value is None:
+        return {"t": "none"}
+    if value is Ellipsis:
+        return {"t": "ellipsis"}
+    if isinstance(value, bool):
+        return {"t": "bool", "v": value}
+    if isinstance(value, int):
+        return {"t": "int", "v": str(value)}
+    if isinstance(value, float):
+        return {"t": "float", "v": repr(value)}
+    if isinstance(value, str):
+        return {"t": "str", "v": value}
+    if isinstance(value, bytes):
+        return {"t": "bytes", "v": base64.b85encode(value).decode("ascii")}
+    raise UnsupportedAbyssNode(f"unsupported constant type {type(value).__name__}")
+
+
+def encode_assets(assets: list[dict[str, Any]], rng: random.Random) -> EncodedAbyssAssets:
+    values = rng.sample(range(1, 251), len(_OPS))
+    opcodes = dict(zip(_OPS, values))
+    encoded_funcs: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
+    for asset in assets:
+        encoded_code = [[opcodes[inst[0]], *inst[1:]] for inst in asset["code"]]
+        encoded_funcs.append(
+            {
+                "n": asset["name"],
+                "c": asset["consts"],
+                "g": asset["globals"],
+                "l": asset["locals"],
+                "b": encoded_code,
+            }
+        )
+    document = json.dumps({"v": 1, "f": encoded_funcs}, separators=(",", ":"), sort_keys=True).encode("utf-8")
+    key = gen_bytes(rng, rng.randint(24, 48))
+    encrypted = bytes(byte ^ key[index % len(key)] for index, byte in enumerate(document))
+    return EncodedAbyssAssets(
+        payload=base64.b85encode(encrypted).decode("ascii"),
+        key=base64.b85encode(key).decode("ascii"),
+        opcodes=opcodes,
+    )
+
+
+def build_runtime_stmts(encoded: EncodedAbyssAssets, rng: random.Random) -> list[ast.stmt]:
+    blocks = _runtime_dispatch_blocks(encoded.opcodes)
+    rng.shuffle(blocks)
+    dispatch_blocks = "\n".join(blocks)
+    source = f'''
+{ASSETS_NAME} = ({encoded.payload!r}, {encoded.key!r})
+__pw_ab_cache__ = None
+
+def __pw_ab_const__(_x):
+    _t = _x['t']
+    if _t == 'none':
+        return None
+    if _t == 'ellipsis':
+        return Ellipsis
+    if _t == 'bool':
+        return bool(_x['v'])
+    if _t == 'int':
+        return int(_x['v'])
+    if _t == 'float':
+        return float(_x['v'])
+    if _t == 'str':
+        return _x['v']
+    if _t == 'bytes':
+        return __import__('base64').b85decode(_x['v'].encode('ascii'))
+    raise RuntimeError('invalid abyss constant')
+
+def __pw_ab_load__():
+    global __pw_ab_cache__
+    if __pw_ab_cache__ is None:
+        _base64 = __import__('base64')
+        _json = __import__('json')
+        _payload, _key = {ASSETS_NAME}
+        _enc = _base64.b85decode(_payload.encode('ascii'))
+        _raw_key = _base64.b85decode(_key.encode('ascii'))
+        _raw = bytes(_b ^ _raw_key[_i % len(_raw_key)] for _i, _b in enumerate(_enc))
+        _doc = _json.loads(_raw.decode('utf-8'))
+        for _fn in _doc['f']:
+            _fn['c'] = [__pw_ab_const__(_item) for _item in _fn['c']]
+        __pw_ab_cache__ = _doc
+    return __pw_ab_cache__
+
+def __pw_ab_get__(_name, _locals, _globals, _builtins, _declared_globals, _declared_locals):
+    if _name not in _declared_globals and _name in _locals:
+        return _locals[_name]
+    if _name not in _declared_globals and _name in _declared_locals:
+        raise UnboundLocalError("cannot access local variable '" + _name + "' where it is not associated with a value")
+    if _name in _globals:
+        return _globals[_name]
+    if _name in _builtins:
+        return _builtins[_name]
+    raise NameError(_name)
+
+def __pw_ab_store__(_name, _value, _locals, _globals, _declared_globals):
+    if _name in _declared_globals:
+        _globals[_name] = _value
+    else:
+        _locals[_name] = _value
+
+def __pw_ab_bin__(_op, _a, _b):
+    if _op == 'add':
+        return _a + _b
+    if _op == 'sub':
+        return _a - _b
+    if _op == 'mul':
+        return _a * _b
+    if _op == 'matmul':
+        return _a @ _b
+    if _op == 'truediv':
+        return _a / _b
+    if _op == 'floordiv':
+        return _a // _b
+    if _op == 'mod':
+        return _a % _b
+    if _op == 'pow':
+        return _a ** _b
+    if _op == 'lshift':
+        return _a << _b
+    if _op == 'rshift':
+        return _a >> _b
+    if _op == 'or':
+        return _a | _b
+    if _op == 'xor':
+        return _a ^ _b
+    if _op == 'and':
+        return _a & _b
+    raise RuntimeError('invalid abyss binary op')
+
+def __pw_ab_unary__(_op, _a):
+    if _op == 'invert':
+        return ~_a
+    if _op == 'not':
+        return not _a
+    if _op == 'pos':
+        return +_a
+    if _op == 'neg':
+        return -_a
+    raise RuntimeError('invalid abyss unary op')
+
+def __pw_ab_compare_one__(_op, _a, _b):
+    if _op == 'eq':
+        return _a == _b
+    if _op == 'ne':
+        return _a != _b
+    if _op == 'lt':
+        return _a < _b
+    if _op == 'le':
+        return _a <= _b
+    if _op == 'gt':
+        return _a > _b
+    if _op == 'ge':
+        return _a >= _b
+    if _op == 'is':
+        return _a is _b
+    if _op == 'is_not':
+        return _a is not _b
+    if _op == 'in':
+        return _a in _b
+    if _op == 'not_in':
+        return _a not in _b
+    raise RuntimeError('invalid abyss compare op')
+
+def __pw_ab_compare__(_ops, _values):
+    for _idx, _op in enumerate(_ops):
+        if not __pw_ab_compare_one__(_op, _values[_idx], _values[_idx + 1]):
+            return False
+    return True
+
+def __pw_ab_format__(_value, _conversion, _has_spec, _stack):
+    _spec = _stack.pop() if _has_spec else ''
+    if _conversion == 115:
+        _value = str(_value)
+    elif _conversion == 114:
+        _value = repr(_value)
+    elif _conversion == 97:
+        _value = ascii(_value)
+    return format(_value, _spec)
+
+def __pw_ab_exec__(_fn, _initial_locals, _globals):
+    _builtins = _globals.get('__builtins__', __builtins__)
+    if not isinstance(_builtins, dict):
+        _builtins = _builtins.__dict__
+    _declared_globals = set(_fn.get('g', ()))
+    _declared_locals = set(_fn.get('l', ()))
+    _locals = dict(_initial_locals)
+    _consts = _fn['c']
+    _code = _fn['b']
+    _stack = []
+    _ip = 0
+    while True:
+        _inst = _code[_ip]
+        _op = _inst[0]
+{dispatch_blocks}
+        raise RuntimeError('invalid abyss opcode')
+
+def {DISPATCH_NAME}(_fid, _env):
+    _doc = __pw_ab_load__()
+    return __pw_ab_exec__(_doc['f'][_fid], _env, globals())
+'''
+    return ast.parse(source).body
+
+
+def _runtime_dispatch_blocks(opcodes: dict[str, int]) -> list[str]:
+    return [
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['CONST']}:
+            _stack.append(_consts[_inst[1]])
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['LOAD']}:
+            _stack.append(__pw_ab_get__(_inst[1], _locals, _globals, _builtins, _declared_globals, _declared_locals))
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['STORE']}:
+            __pw_ab_store__(_inst[1], _stack.pop(), _locals, _globals, _declared_globals)
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['POP']}:
+            _stack.pop()
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['DUP']}:
+            _stack.append(_stack[-1])
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['BIN']}:
+            _b = _stack.pop()
+            _a = _stack.pop()
+            _stack.append(__pw_ab_bin__(_inst[1], _a, _b))
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['UNARY']}:
+            _stack.append(__pw_ab_unary__(_inst[1], _stack.pop()))
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['COMPARE_CHAIN']}:
+            _ops = _inst[1]
+            _values = [_stack.pop() for _ in range(len(_ops) + 1)]
+            _values.reverse()
+            _stack.append(__pw_ab_compare__(_ops, _values))
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['JUMP']}:
+            _ip = _inst[1]
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['JUMP_IF_FALSE']}:
+            _ip = _inst[1] if not _stack.pop() else _ip + 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['JUMP_IF_TRUE_KEEP']}:
+            if _stack[-1]:
+                _ip = _inst[1]
+            else:
+                _stack.pop()
+                _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['JUMP_IF_FALSE_KEEP']}:
+            if not _stack[-1]:
+                _ip = _inst[1]
+            else:
+                _stack.pop()
+                _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['CALL']}:
+            _argc = _inst[1]
+            _kw_names = _inst[2]
+            _kw = {{}}
+            for _name in reversed(_kw_names):
+                _kw[_name] = _stack.pop()
+            _args = [_stack.pop() for _ in range(_argc)]
+            _args.reverse()
+            _func = _stack.pop()
+            _stack.append(_func(*_args, **_kw))
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['GET_ATTR']}:
+            _stack.append(getattr(_stack.pop(), _inst[1]))
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['SUBSCR']}:
+            _key = _stack.pop()
+            _obj = _stack.pop()
+            _stack.append(_obj[_key])
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['BUILD_SLICE']}:
+            _step = _stack.pop()
+            _upper = _stack.pop()
+            _lower = _stack.pop()
+            _stack.append(slice(_lower, _upper, _step))
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['BUILD_LIST']}:
+            _items = [_stack.pop() for _ in range(_inst[1])]
+            _items.reverse()
+            _stack.append(_items)
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['BUILD_TUPLE']}:
+            _items = [_stack.pop() for _ in range(_inst[1])]
+            _items.reverse()
+            _stack.append(tuple(_items))
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['BUILD_SET']}:
+            _items = [_stack.pop() for _ in range(_inst[1])]
+            _items.reverse()
+            _stack.append(set(_items))
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['BUILD_DICT']}:
+            _items = []
+            for _ in range(_inst[1]):
+                _value = _stack.pop()
+                _key = _stack.pop()
+                _items.append((_key, _value))
+            _items.reverse()
+            _stack.append(dict(_items))
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['RETURN']}:
+            return _stack.pop() if _stack else None""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['GET_ITER']}:
+            _stack.append(iter(_stack.pop()))
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['FOR_ITER']}:
+            try:
+                _stack.append(next(_stack[-1]))
+                _ip += 1
+            except StopIteration:
+                _stack.pop()
+                _ip = _inst[1]
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['UNPACK']}:
+            _items = list(_stack.pop())
+            if len(_items) != _inst[1]:
+                raise ValueError('not enough values to unpack' if len(_items) < _inst[1] else 'too many values to unpack')
+            for _item in reversed(_items):
+                _stack.append(_item)
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['BUILD_STRING']}:
+            _items = [_stack.pop() for _ in range(_inst[1])]
+            _items.reverse()
+            _stack.append(''.join(str(_item) for _item in _items))
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+        f"""        if _op == {opcodes['FORMAT_VALUE']}:
+            _stack.append(__pw_ab_format__(_stack.pop() if not _inst[2] else _stack.pop(-2), _inst[1], _inst[2], _stack))
+            _ip += 1
+            continue""",
+    ]
diff --git a/patchwork/cli.py b/patchwork/cli.py
index 317052a..2cf01b8 100644
--- a/patchwork/cli.py
+++ b/patchwork/cli.py
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ def _parser() -> argparse.ArgumentParser:
     p.add_argument("--no-junk", action="store_false", dest="junk_branches", default=None)
     p.add_argument("--no-lazy", action="store_false", dest="lazy_funcs", default=None)
     p.add_argument("--no-anti-debug", action="store_false", dest="anti_debug", default=None)
+    p.add_argument("--abyss", action="store_true", default=None, help="virtualize eligible functions into encrypted Abyss VM assets")
+    p.add_argument("--abyss-functions", action="append", default=None, metavar="NAME[,NAME]", help="only virtualize the named function(s); repeatable or comma-separated")
     p.add_argument("--audit-only", action="store_true", help="analyze the input and exit without writing obfuscated output")
     p.add_argument("--audit-json", metavar="PATH", help="write static audit metadata as JSON")
     p.add_argument("--manifest", metavar="PATH", help="write build manifest with hashes, options, and audit metadata")
@@ -47,6 +49,13 @@ def _parser() -> argparse.ArgumentParser:
     return p
 
 
+def _split_name_options(values: list[str] | None) -> list[str]:
+    names: list[str] = []
+    for value in values or []:
+        names.extend(part.strip() for part in value.split(",") if part.strip())
+    return names
+
+
 def _effective_config(args: argparse.Namespace) -> dict[str, object]:
     config = dict(DEFAULT_CONFIG)
     config.update(load_config(args.config))
@@ -63,6 +72,7 @@ def _effective_config(args: argparse.Namespace) -> dict[str, object]:
         "junk_branches",
         "lazy_funcs",
         "anti_debug",
+        "abyss",
         "max_output_bytes",
         "max_ratio",
         "max_review_indicators",
@@ -75,6 +85,9 @@ def _effective_config(args: argparse.Namespace) -> dict[str, object]:
     keep.update(args.keep or [])
     keep.update(read_keep_file(args.keep_file))
     config["keep"] = sorted(keep)
+    abyss_functions = set(config.get("abyss_functions") or [])
+    abyss_functions.update(_split_name_options(args.abyss_functions))
+    config["abyss_functions"] = sorted(abyss_functions)
     return normalize_config(config)
 
 
@@ -88,6 +101,8 @@ def _obfuscator_options(config: dict[str, object]) -> dict[str, object]:
         "junk_branches": config["junk_branches"],
         "lazy_funcs": config["lazy_funcs"],
         "anti_debug": config["anti_debug"],
+        "abyss": config["abyss"],
+        "abyss_functions": config["abyss_functions"],
         "layers": config["layers"],
         "stage2_layers": config["stage2_layers"],
         "keep": sorted(config["keep"]),
@@ -102,7 +117,7 @@ def _build_obfuscator(config: dict[str, object]) -> Obfuscator:
 
 def _gate_errors(config: dict[str, object], audit: dict[str, object], stats: dict[str, object]) -> list[str]:
     errors: list[str] = []
-    review_count = int(audit.get("review", {}).get("indicator_count", 0))  # type: ignore[union-attr]
+    review_count = int(audit.get("review", {}).get("indicator_count", 0))
     max_review = config.get("max_review_indicators")
     if max_review is not None and review_count > int(max_review):
         errors.append(f"review indicators {review_count} exceed max_review_indicators {max_review}")
@@ -122,7 +137,7 @@ def _gate_errors(config: dict[str, object], audit: dict[str, object], stats: dic
 
 def _print_audit_refusal(audit: dict[str, object]) -> None:
     print("patchwork: strict audit refused to obfuscate input with review indicators", file=sys.stderr)
-    indicators = audit.get("review", {}).get("indicators", [])  # type: ignore[union-attr]
+    indicators = audit.get("review", {}).get("indicators", [])
     if isinstance(indicators, list):
         for indicator in indicators:
             if isinstance(indicator, dict):
diff --git a/patchwork/config.py b/patchwork/config.py
index 1d0ef6b..1401c14 100644
--- a/patchwork/config.py
+++ b/patchwork/config.py
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG: dict[str, Any] = {
     "junk_branches": True,
     "lazy_funcs": True,
     "anti_debug": True,
+    "abyss": False,
+    "abyss_functions": [],
     "keep": [],
     "max_output_bytes": None,
     "max_ratio": None,
@@ -32,15 +34,16 @@ BOOLEAN_KEYS = {
     "junk_branches",
     "lazy_funcs",
     "anti_debug",
+    "abyss",
 }
 
 INTEGER_KEYS = {"seed", "layers", "stage2_layers", "max_output_bytes", "max_review_indicators"}
 FLOAT_KEYS = {"max_ratio"}
-LIST_KEYS = {"keep"}
+LIST_KEYS = {"keep", "abyss_functions"}
 
 
 class ConfigError(ValueError):
-    """Raised for invalid Patchwork configuration files."""
+    pass
 
 
 def load_config(path: str | Path | None) -> dict[str, Any]:
diff --git a/patchwork/core.py b/patchwork/core.py
index 0405d65..1e2da93 100644
--- a/patchwork/core.py
+++ b/patchwork/core.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 import ast
 from pathlib import Path
+from .abyss import ASSETS_NAME as _ABYSS_ASSETS_NAME, DISPATCH_NAME as _ABYSS_DISPATCH_NAME, AbyssTransformer, build_runtime_stmts as build_abyss_runtime, encode_assets as encode_abyss_assets
 from .lazy import encrypt_user_functions
 from .loader import build_loader
 from .packer import pack
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ def _insert_runtime_stmts(tree: ast.Module, stmts: list[ast.stmt]) -> None:
 
 class Obfuscator:
 
-    def __init__(self, *, seed: int | None=None, rename: bool=True, encrypt_strings: bool=True, obfuscate_numbers: bool=True, opaque_predicates: bool=True, mba: bool=True, junk_branches: bool=True, lazy_funcs: bool=True, anti_debug: bool=True, layers: int=3, stage2_layers: int=3, keep: set[str] | None=None):
+    def __init__(self, *, seed: int | None=None, rename: bool=True, encrypt_strings: bool=True, obfuscate_numbers: bool=True, opaque_predicates: bool=True, mba: bool=True, junk_branches: bool=True, lazy_funcs: bool=True, anti_debug: bool=True, layers: int=3, stage2_layers: int=3, keep: set[str] | None=None, abyss: bool=False, abyss_functions: list[str] | set[str] | tuple[str, ...] | None=None):
         self.rng, self.seed = make_rng(seed)
         self.rename = rename
         self.encrypt_strings = encrypt_strings
@@ -49,10 +50,25 @@ class Obfuscator:
         self.layers = max(1, int(layers))
         self.stage2_layers = max(1, int(stage2_layers))
         self.keep_extra = set(keep or ())
+        self.abyss = bool(abyss)
+        self.abyss_functions = set(abyss_functions or ())
+        self.abyss_stats: dict[str, object] = {"protected": [], "skipped": []}
 
     def obfuscate(self, source: str) -> str:
         tree = ast.parse(source)
         skip = collect_skip_names(tree)
+        abyss_runtime_stmts: list[ast.stmt] = []
+        abyss_keep: set[str] = set()
+        if self.abyss or self.abyss_functions:
+            abyss_transformer = AbyssTransformer(self.rng, targets=self.abyss_functions or None, auto=self.abyss)
+            tree = abyss_transformer.protect(tree)
+            abyss_keep = abyss_transformer.keep_names | {_ABYSS_DISPATCH_NAME, _ABYSS_ASSETS_NAME}
+            self.abyss_stats = {
+                "protected": list(abyss_transformer.protected),
+                "skipped": list(abyss_transformer.skipped),
+            }
+            if abyss_transformer.assets:
+                abyss_runtime_stmts = build_abyss_runtime(encode_abyss_assets(abyss_transformer.assets, self.rng), self.rng)
         seed_used = False
         if self.opaque_predicates:
             opi = OpaquePredicateInjector(self.rng, _SEED_NAME)
@@ -78,8 +94,10 @@ class Obfuscator:
             runtime_stmts.extend(build_decrypt_helper(_DEC_S_NAME, _DEC_B_NAME))
             _insert_runtime_stmts(tree, runtime_stmts)
         if self.rename:
-            renamer = IdentifierRenamer(self.rng, keep=skip | self.keep_extra | {_RESOLVE_NAME})
+            renamer = IdentifierRenamer(self.rng, keep=skip | self.keep_extra | abyss_keep | {_RESOLVE_NAME})
             tree = renamer.visit(tree)
+        if abyss_runtime_stmts:
+            _insert_runtime_stmts(tree, abyss_runtime_stmts)
         ast.fix_missing_locations(tree)
         user_code = compile(tree, '<patchwork>', 'exec')
         if self.lazy_funcs:
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 6c4973e..ef9e4d1 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
 
 [project]
 name = "patchwork"
-version = "0.5.0"
+version = "0.6.0"
 description = "Python source transformation tool with reproducible builds, static audit metadata, and manifest generation"
 requires-python = ">=3.10"
 license = {text = "MIT"}
diff --git a/tests/test_abyss.py b/tests/test_abyss.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c46b1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_abyss.py
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import ast
+import contextlib
+import io
+import random
+import subprocess
+import sys
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+
+ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
+sys.path.insert(0, str(ROOT))
+
+from patchwork import Obfuscator
+from patchwork.abyss import AbyssTransformer, build_runtime_stmts, encode_assets
+
+
+def run_source(source: str) -> str:
+    stdout = io.StringIO()
+    with contextlib.redirect_stdout(stdout):
+        exec(compile(source, "<test>", "exec"), {})
+    return stdout.getvalue()
+
+
+def run_file(path: Path) -> str:
+    result = subprocess.run([sys.executable, str(path)], capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=20)
+    if result.returncode != 0:
+        raise RuntimeError(f"{path} exited {result.returncode}\nstderr:\n{result.stderr}")
+    return result.stdout
+
+
+class AbyssTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_transform_removes_protected_body_and_preserves_behavior(self) -> None:
+        source = """
+def secret(limit):
+    marker = "ABYSS_CLEAR_MARKER"
+    total = 0
+    for item in range(limit):
+        if item % 2:
+            total += item * 3
+        else:
+            total += item
+    return f"{marker}:{total}"
+
+print(secret(7))
+"""
+        expected = run_source(source)
+        rng = random.Random(2026)
+        tree = ast.parse(source)
+        transformer = AbyssTransformer(rng, targets={"secret"})
+        tree = transformer.protect(tree)
+        encoded = encode_assets(transformer.assets, rng)
+        tree.body = build_runtime_stmts(encoded, rng) + tree.body
+        ast.fix_missing_locations(tree)
+
+        transformed_source = ast.unparse(tree)
+        self.assertNotIn("ABYSS_CLEAR_MARKER", transformed_source)
+        self.assertIn("secret", transformer.protected)
+        self.assertEqual(expected, run_source(transformed_source))
+
+    def test_obfuscator_abyss_function_can_call_preserved_global(self) -> None:
+        source = """
+def helper(value):
+    return value + 2
+
+def secret(limit):
+    total = 0
+    for item in range(limit):
+        total += helper(item)
+    return total
+
+def main():
+    print("abyss", secret(6))
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()
+"""
+        obfuscator = Obfuscator(seed=99, abyss_functions={"secret"})
+        obfuscated = obfuscator.obfuscate(source)
+        self.assertEqual(["secret"], obfuscator.abyss_stats["protected"])
+
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as raw:
+            directory = Path(raw)
+            src_path = directory / "sample.py"
+            obf_path = directory / "sample_obf.py"
+            src_path.write_text(source, encoding="utf-8")
+            obf_path.write_text(obfuscated, encoding="utf-8")
+            self.assertEqual(run_file(src_path), run_file(obf_path))
+
+    def test_cli_abyss_functions_output_runs(self) -> None:
+        source = """
+def secret(left, right):
+    value = (left << 2) ^ right
+    return f"result={value}"
+
+print(secret(9, 5))
+"""
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as raw:
+            directory = Path(raw)
+            src_path = directory / "sample.py"
+            out_path = directory / "sample_obf.py"
+            src_path.write_text(source, encoding="utf-8")
+
+            result = subprocess.run(
+                [
+                    sys.executable,
+                    "-m",
+                    "patchwork",
+                    str(src_path),
+                    "-o",
+                    str(out_path),
+                    "--seed",
+                    "17",
+                    "--abyss-functions",
+                    "secret",
+                    "--quiet",
+                ],
+                cwd=ROOT,
+                capture_output=True,
+                text=True,
+                timeout=20,
+            )
+
+            self.assertEqual(0, result.returncode, result.stderr)
+            self.assertEqual(run_file(src_path), run_file(out_path))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()
diff --git a/tests/test_audit.py b/tests/test_audit.py
index d48163f..622822c 100644
--- a/tests/test_audit.py
+++ b/tests/test_audit.py
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ class AuditTests(unittest.TestCase):
         result = self.run_cli("--version")
 
         self.assertEqual(0, result.returncode)
-        self.assertIn("patchwork 0.5.0", result.stdout)
+        self.assertIn("patchwork 0.6.0", result.stdout)
 
     def test_config_dump_and_keep_file_merge_options(self) -> None:
         with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as raw: