Chapter 27: The Trial of the Lost
The world around Ethan blurred again, colors bleeding into nothingness.
When his vision cleared, he found himself standing in the middle of a forest. The trees were tall, their thick branches intertwining overhead, casting dappled shadows on the ground. A faint mist curled around his feet, cool against his skin.
Silence.
Then, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
{You are in the rest zone between trials. Time here does not matter.}
{You may stay as long as you wish. If you are ready to continue, simply will it.}
Ethan exhaled slowly, his shoulders relaxing.
A rest zone.
He glanced around. Nothing but trees and mist. No threats. No people. Just solitude.
He was alone with his thoughts.
And he needed that.
The first trial had been… harsh. It was simple on the surface, yet brutal on its lesson.
It wasn't about strength. It wasn't about combat. It was a lesson. A brutal, unavoidable lesson.
To give without wisdom is the height of foolishness.
Some people don't deserve kindness.
Some refuse it.
Some need it—but on their own terms.
Blind generosity wasn't noble. It was dangerous.
Ethan's fingers curled into a fist.
He had chosen this path. The moment he received his system, he had decided— even if it was a joke — He would be a Saint.
A Saint to the people.
To aid them.
To support them.
To protect them.
To elevate them.
He was the Kingmaker. He is the One Who uplift people.
And if he wasn't careful in who he helped, in who he raised up…
He could just as easily create a tyrant.
"Blind kindness is but another form of cruelty."
Ethan closed his eyes, letting those words sink in.
Then, he spoke softly.
"Lesson learned, dear Tower."
The atmosphere in the rest zone eased. As if the tower is responding to him.
Ethan chuckled.
"System, show me my profile. It's been a while."
A translucent screen materialized before him.
[Profile: Ethan Yagami]
• Age: 15 years old
• Rank: E+
• Talent: Heart of Benevolence (B-Grade)
• Affinity: Water (S-Grade)
• Attributes:
• Strength: E
• Agility: E
• Constitution: E+
• Perception: E+
• Mana: E+
• Intelligence: D+
[Inventory]
• Platinum Coins (x99,999,999)
• Cinderheart of the Eternal Dragon (Stage-3 God)
• Eye of Sagacity (Legendary)
• Hand of Midas (Legendary)
Ethan's gaze landed on the Cinderheart of the Eternal Dragon.
"Ah… the x10,000 return for the true dragon blood I gave away."
A smirk tugged at his lips.
Not bad. Should be perfect for Lucas right ?
Of course, he'd also need to get a potion to help Lucas withstand the transformation. He wasn't about to hand over something so powerful without preparing for the consequences.
"Show me my skills."
[Skills]
Talent Skills:
• Aura of Devotion (Passive): Your presence commands peace, trust, and respect.
• Gift of Benevolence (Active): When you give something, you may create a duplicate for yourself.
• Divine Sanctuary (Active): Your barrier can now protect multiple people.
Acquired Skills:
• Eye of Discernment (Passive - B-Rank): Enhances perception. Deception and illusions are significantly harder to fool you with.
Ethan leaned back, studying the screen.
His talent had evolved in those last 5 years.
"Gift of Benevolence" now lets him duplicate anything he gives away.
That was insane. He suddenly remember something. He let out a quiet chuckle.
"System, I think your days of eating my karmic points are coming to an end."
The system, as usual in the past days, didn't respond.
Ethan's gaze lingered on his skills.
Five years. Five years. He had barely grown stronger. But now, after just one trial, he had already gained a skill—and something more important:
Understanding.
His Divine Sanctuary had evolved too like his other two skills. Now, it could shield multiple people depending on how much goodwill he held for them.
His Eye of Discernment was like a passive version of Eye of Sagacity. Always active. Always alert.
He exhaled.
Fighting wasn't his thing.
He didn't enjoy battle. He didn't seek it. But…
This was the Tower.
There would be times when he'd be alone. Like today.
No Mei.
No Ellie.
No one to protect him.
If he wanted to climb, if he wanted to survive, he needed a way to fight.
Something that fit him. But he didn't know how. He can do as his family and choose to be either swordsman or mage.
Or both.
Maybe theses trials would give him a clue.
…
Ethan lay back, staring at the sky.
His thoughts drifted.
"I wonder how they're doing… my wives… my parents."
A small smile appeared on his lips.
He missed them already. But there was no time to dwell on that.
He sat up, exhaling slowly. His eyes sharpened, filled with quiet determination.
No need to waste time.
"Tower, take me to the second trial."
The moment the words left his lips, the world around him shifted.
{Your second trial will begin shortly.}
The trees blurred. The mist dissolved.
When the world settled, Ethan was standing in the middle of a vast labyrinth.
Cold stone walls stretched endlessly in every direction. The air was thick, heavy, unnatural.
All around him, wisps flickered—glowing, translucent figures, drifting aimlessly through the corridors.
A single message appeared before him.
{Second Trial: The Trial of the Lost}
{Free the souls from their torment and guide them to the next life.}
{Give them peace, O Giver.}
{Reward: A Key to the Soul Realm.}
Ethan stood still.
Watching. Listening.
He had no idea what to do.
—End of Chapter 27—
A/N:
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