Emile and Jin approached the tenth and final pedestal. It radiated a brilliant white light, more intense than any of the others, and its symbol depicted a closed eye, serene and enigmatic. The holographic screen above it displayed the words: Trial of Self-Reflection: Confront your inner self. Understand your true desire.
As they both touched the pedestal, the arena around them dissolved, and they found themselves standing before a mirror. But the reflection staring back wasn't Emile's game avatar. It was him – Emile Myers, the calm, genius, and perhaps a little ruthless young man from the real world. Beside him, the mirror reflected Jin's real-world appearance as well, the face of Heo, the street-smart brother he had taken in.
Then, the reflections spoke, their voices their own, yet somehow deeper, more resonant.
"What is it you truly seek, Emile?" his reflection asked, its eyes piercing his very soul. "Power within this world? Or is there a deeper yearning?"
Beside him, Jin's reflection echoed, "And you, Heo… what drives you in this digital realm? Is it just to provide for your family, or is there something more you strive for?"
Emile met his own gaze, his mind clear, his answer unwavering. "I seek the strength to survive, to protect what is mine, and to understand the truth of what is coming. And perhaps… to find a purpose in the face of oblivion."
Jin's reflection, Heo's true face, showed a flicker of determination. "I want to build something real here, something that can last. A community, a family… a place where we can all be safe, no matter what happens in the other world."
The reflections in the mirror smiled, genuine, knowing smiles that seemed to carry the weight of understanding. "Then you are both ready."
A blinding white light erupted from the mirror, engulfing Emile and Jin. Emile felt a surge of energy coursing through his very being, a profound connection to the Void, and a sudden understanding of his inherent potential. He could sense Jin beside him, experiencing something similar, a warmth and determination emanating from his presence.
The world around them reformed, and they were back in the central arena, all ten pedestals now dimmed, their lights extinguished. A triumphant chime echoed through the Trial Grounds, and a series of messages flooded Emile's vision:
[System]: Congratulations, Void God! You have completed the Awakening Trials.
[System]: Your latent talent, Ex-Sword, has awakened and fused with your chosen class, Void Master!
[System]: Your class has evolved to Voidblade Ascendant (Ex)!
[System]: You have gained access to your class-specific skills and abilities!
[System]: Your talent, Voidblade Ascendant (Ex), is now active! Rank: Supreme.
Emile felt an incredible power surge through him, a tangible connection to the Void. He opened his status interface, his heart pounding with anticipation.
[Void God]
* Level: 1
* Class: Voidblade Ascendant (Ex) (Rank: Mythical)
* Talent: Voidblade Ascendant (Ex) (Rank: Supreme)
* Race: Human
Vital Statistics:
* Health (HP): 100 / 100
* Void Energy (VE): 50 / 50
* Stamina (STA): 100 / 100
* Satiety: 100%
* Hydration: 100%
Core Attributes:
* Strength (STR): 10
* Agility (AGI): 12
* Intelligence (INT): 15
* Endurance (END): 10
* Vitality (VIT): 10
* Wisdom (WIS): 13
* Luck (LUK): 8
Combat Statistics:
* Attack Power (ATK): 10
* Defense (DEF): 2
* Attack Speed: 100%
* Critical Hit Rate: 5%
* Evasion Rate: 10%
* Accuracy: 85%
* Void Resistance: 0%
Other Information:
* Reputation: 0
* Currency: Gold Coins (GC): 2,000,000,000
* Skills: 5 / 5
* Void Step (Active)
* Abyssal Slash (Active)
* Void Shroud (Active)
* Void Resonance (Passive)
* Sword Mastery (Passive)
* Equipment:
* Head: None
* Chest: None
* Legs: None
* Feet: None
* Hands: None
* Weapon: None
* Off-Hand: None
* Accessories: None
* Titles: Investor (Tier: Galactic)
* Achievements: 10 / 10 (Completed Awakening Trials)
* The Nimble One
* Riddle Solver
* Fearless Heart
* Empathetic Soul
* Resourceful Survivor
* Keen Observer
* Master of Memory
* Enduring Spirit
* Trusting Soul
* Inner Reflection
* Realm Affiliation: Nytheris
* Faction Standing: None
* Cultivation Stage: None
Buffs/Debuffs:
* None
The talent rank was indeed Supreme, a testament to his investment. The class and talent names resonated perfectly, a fusion of his latent sword skill and the Void energy he now felt coursing through him. His skill list was now populated with five potent abilities.
Beside him, Jin also received notifications:
[System]: Congratulations, Jin! You have completed the Awakening Trials.
[System]: Your latent talent, Quick Reflexes, has awakened! Rank: Common.
[System]: You have been prompted to choose your starting class.
Jin looked at his own status screen, a wide grin spreading across his avatar's face. "I got a talent! Quick Reflexes! Not as fancy as yours, Void God, but hey, it's something!" He then focused on the class selection prompt that appeared before him. After a moment of consideration, he made his choice.
[System]: Jin has chosen the Warrior class.
A wave of satisfaction washed over Emile. They had both completed the trials.
A triumphant chime echoed through the Trial Grounds once more, accompanied by a server-wide announcement:
[System Announcement]: Congratulations to players Void God and Jin for successfully completing the Awakening Trials! Their determination and skill have earned them their classes and awakened their latent talents. May their journey in Nytheris be filled with glory!
Emile felt an incredible sense of anticipation. The trials were complete. His true journey in "Beginning Of The Universe END" had just begun. He looked at Jin, his friend, his brother. "Ready for what comes next?"
Jin grinned, drawing the simple iron sword he now possessed as a Warrior. "Born ready, Void God. Let's see what this world has to offer."
They stepped towards the shimmering portal that had appeared, ready to face the vast multiverse of fallen realities that awaited them. The whispers of the Void seemed to hum with newfound power within Emile, a promise of both incredible strength and unknown challenges. The ark was open to them, and the "beginning of the universe END" was truly underway.