The teleportation light faded. Kain fell into the tall wild grass, his breathing heavy and his head pounding. He opened his eyes—the sky above him was a dull purple, and the air felt thinner than before.
[Location: Nameless Valley]
[Territory Status: Isolated from the World System. Unmonitored by Factions.]
Kain sat up slowly, trying to process what had happened.
"I managed to escape…"
The Ancient Book was still clutched tightly in his hand. He touched its cover—it was warm, like breathing.
Suddenly, a soft voice sounded from the thin mist that hovered around the valley.
"You awakened this place… by bringing something that should have remained asleep."
Kain stood up instinctively. From behind the trees, an old woman in shabby brown robes, long gray hair, and blind white eyes emerged. But with every step she took, the grass bowed.
[Entity Detected: Valley Guardian – Lv. ???]
[Name: Grandma Bira]
[Status: Neutral (Interested)]
Kain swallowed. "Who are you?"
The woman did not answer directly. She stared at the Ancient Book. "The First Book. I thought no one would ever be stupid enough or brave enough to touch it again."
"Again?" Kain narrowed her eyes. "Do you know about this?"
Grandma Bira stepped closer. "Young man, this world has burned once because the five books were united. But none of the previous owners could control it. They were merely the triggers for destruction."
Kain lowered his head. The old question resurfaced in his head.
Am I truly worthy of holding this power?
Grandma Bira stopped in front of him. "But… you are different. I can see it. You have not been corrupted by ambition."
Suddenly, her blind eyes glowed purple. She touched Kain's forehead.
[Vision Granted: Shadow of the Past]
Kain staggered. In his mind, he saw a flash—five figures standing on a shattered world, books floating around them, and the sky collapsing under an uncontrollable force.
Then, a voice rang out:
"If you want your own path… then understand the burden of the legacy you carry."
Kain awoke again in the grass. Grandma Bira was already sitting cross-legged.
"Rest here tonight. But tomorrow… I will test you. If you fail, I will seal the book forever."
Kain stared at the purple sky that was beginning to fill with strange stars.
He did not answer. But his heart was ready.
Morning in the Nameless Valley came without sun—only a faint silver light blanketing the trees and a thin mist that never cleared. Kain sat cross-legged in the middle of the stone circle that Grandma Bira had marked the night before.
The old woman stood at the edge of the circle, holding a crooked wooden staff.
"The first test," she said softly. "Not about strength. But about who you are when no one is watching."
[System Temporarily Locked. Skills & Scriptures Inactive.]
[Mental and Emotional Conditions Will Be Tested.]
Kain flinched. "So I'm… alone?"
Grandma Bira nodded. "Alone, and without any help. Including from the lazy guy you brought."
Lazu, who sat chewing grass outside the circle, raised an eyebrow. "Huh? I wasn't even invited?"
"No," Grandma Bira said sharply. "You'll just ruin it."
Kain took a deep breath. No system. No magic. No scripture.
"Just me, huh?"
The woman nodded.
"Begin."
DING!
[Trial Begins: Mirror of Self]
[Time Remaining: 1 Hour]
The fog thickened. Kain began to lose sight of the outside world. The valley disappeared. He now stood in an empty room, the walls made of black glass.
Suddenly, across from him appeared… himself. But older. Darker. Those eyes held hatred.
"Why do you hold the Book?" his version of himself asked.
"You are a nobody. A poor kid. A failing student. A coward."
Kain clenched his fists. "I… chose this path."
His version of himself laughed. "No. You ran away. From family. From school. From reality. Now you think you are a hero?"
The mirror began to reflect memories. His mother was sick, his father ran away. His teenage self stared enviously at the world system screen.
Friends who evolved. His weak self.
"Look at all that you are running away from," the shadow said.
"You are not carrying the burden of the world. You are trying to run away from your own burden."
Kain fell silent. But this time, he didn't bow his head.
"…Yes," he said.
"I was scared. I ran. But I'm still here. Because if I stay silent, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."
The shadow cracked.
"I'm not perfect. But I'm learning. And I'll keep learning."
DING!
[Test 1 Completed: Passed]
[Character Upgraded: Determination +1 | Integrity +2]
The mist cleared. Kain sat back in the center of the circle. His breathing was heavy, but his eyes were clear.
Grandma Bira nodded. "You're stronger than you look."
Lazu whistled softly. "Not bad, kid."
Grandma Bira approached.
"Tomorrow, the second test. Physical and magical."
Kain stood up slowly.
"I'm ready."
But as night fell, at the edge of the valley… something was watching them.
Unblinking red eyes.