Wu Chen stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving as he absorbed the final cores.
The villagers surrounded him, their faces a mix of awe and admiration. Old Man Zhang stepped forward, his weathered face etched with gratitude.
"You have saved us, Wu Chen," the old man said, his voice trembling with emotion. "We owe you our lives."
Wu Chen nodded, his expression calm but resolute. "The battle is over, but We need to stay vigilant."
The villagers murmured in agreement, their spirits lifted by Wu Chen's strength and determination.
They know no matter what they faced, with him by their side, they felt assured and confident.
As night fell, Wu Chen finally found a moment of respite. The villagers had treated him with overwhelming kindness and gratitude, their hospitality a stark contrast to the brutality of the day's battle.
But now, alone in the quiet of the night, he remembered the notification he had ignored earlier. With a thought, he summoned it.
[ BOSS DEFEATED: TRIAL COMPLETED. ]
[ You have saved the village from certain crisis, proving your bravery, intelligence, selflessness, and worth. ]
[ You have earned the reward: SPIRIT APPARITION. ]
[You have earned the reward: SAINT SHIFT.]
[ Exit: You can exit the trial anytime you want. ]
Wu Chen's eyes widened. "I've completed the trial? And I can leave anytime?" The realization was both exhilarating and bittersweet.
He had grown fond of the villagers during his time here, and the thought of leaving them unprotected weighed heavily on his mind.
But then he focused on the first reward.
[ One-Use Ability: Spirit Apparition. ]
[ Ability Description: Saving the villagers has earned you their respect, admiration, and yearning. As a result, a fragment of your soul can be left behind as a guardian. The apparition possesses the same strength as your original body and may grow in power over time. ]
Wu Chen's heart swelled with relief. "This is perfect," he thought.
"I can leave the village knowing they'll be protected. The apparition will grow stronger as I do, ensuring their safety even in my absence."
His curiosity then turned to the second reward.
[Ability: Saint Shift.]
[Ability Description: As a harbinger of balance, you deserve a fitting ability. Saint Shift transforms you into a being that is neither divine nor demonic, granting you immense power at the cost of the environment's spiritual energy.]
Wu Chen's mind raced as he processed the implications. "This is a game-changer," he realized.
"It's a trump card, something I can use against enemies far beyond my current level. But I'll need to be careful—draining the environment's spiritual energy could have consequences. I'll save it for dire situations, as a last resort."
With a deep breath, Wu Chen leaned back, his mind buzzing with possibilities. The trial had tested him in ways he hadn't expected, but it had also rewarded him handsomely.
He glanced out at the quiet village, the soft glow of lanterns flickering in the distance.
"I'll stay for a while longer," he decided. "The villagers deserve that much. But when the time comes to leave, I'll do so with peace of mind, knowing they're in good hands—my hands."
As he closed his eyes, a sense of calm settled over him. The road ahead was uncertain, but in a long while, Wu Chen felt ready to face whatever challenges lay in wait.
---
The night deepened, and Wu Chen drifted into a restless sleep, his dreams filled with visions of battles yet to come and the faint, reassuring presence of the spirit apparition standing guard over the village.
Wu Chen stayed in the village for a few more days, ensuring the defenses were secure and the villagers were prepared for any future threats.
But the time had come for him to move on. He called for an announcement, gathering the villagers in the square.
The air was heavy with a mix of sadness and gratitude as he spoke.
"I must leave," Wu Chen said, his voice steady but carrying a weight of emotion. "My journey is far from over, and there are others who may need my help. But know this—I will always carry the memory of this village and its people with me."
The villagers exchanged glances, their faces etched with worry and sorrow. Yet, amidst the sadness, there was a glimmer of hope.
Old Man Zhang stepped forward, his voice trembling but resolute. "Before you go, Wu Chen, we have something to show you. A gift, from all of us."
Wu Chen raised an eyebrow, curious. He had noticed the villagers working on something in secret over the past few days, but they had been careful to keep it hidden from him.
Now, they led him to the center of the square, where a massive object stood veiled beneath a large fabric.
With a collective effort, the villagers pulled away the fabric, revealing a grand statue carved from stone. It was a likeness of Wu Chen, standing tall and proud, his spearhead raised in a confident combat stance.
The details were exquisite—the folds of his robes, the determination in his expression, even the faint lines of his scars. It was a masterpiece, a testament to the villagers' gratitude and admiration.
Wu Chen stared at the statue, his heart swelling with emotion. For a moment, he was speechless.
As an orphan who had spent most of his life alone, he had never been treated with such kindness or respect. The gesture touched him deeply, and for the first time in years, he felt the sting of tears in his eyes.
"This... this is too much," Wu Chen said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't deserve such honor."
"You do," Old Man Zhang replied firmly. "You saved us, Wu Chen. You gave us hope when we had none. This statue is a reminder of your courage and selflessness. It will stand here forever, so that future generations will know of the man who protected us."
Wu Chen bowed his head, humbled by their words. After a moment, he straightened and smiled. "Thank you. This is the greatest gift I have ever received. But I, too, have a gift for you."