Kael Drayven took a deep breath, his hand still gripping the Riftblade, feeling the pulse of energy from the blade's violet glow. His body was battered, bruised, and exhausted. The battle with the Echo Beast had taken everything he had, but somehow, he'd made it through.
Now, standing in the silent dungeon, the weight of his victory was just starting to sink in. The trial wasn't over—there was more ahead.
Ding!
The soft chime echoed, and Kael's eyes narrowed as the familiar voice of the system filled his mind.
[System Message]
You have completed the First Trial.
Proceed to the next Trial?
Yes / No
Kael didn't even hesitate. "Yes."
The air around him shifted. The walls of the dungeon seemed to ripple, and the torches flickered out one by one, leaving the place in darkness. Kael felt a cold chill crawl over his skin. His instincts flared, and his grip tightened on the Riftblade.
The system's voice sounded again.
[Second Trial: The Watchful Guardian]
Objective: Survive the Trial and defeat the Watchful Guardian.
Failure = Erasure.
Reward: Unknown.
A low growl echoed through the hallway, breaking the silence. Kael tensed. He didn't know what the Watchful Guardian was, but he could feel its presence—something dark, something dangerous. But it didn't feel overwhelmingly powerful, just… like a strong opponent waiting to test him.
The shadows seemed to grow longer as Kael advanced, his footsteps echoing in the still air. He stayed alert, the anticipation building in his chest. Every part of him was on edge.
Ding!
[Battle Commenced: Watchful Guardian.]
Suddenly, the air around him shimmered. The Watchful Guardian materialized in front of him—a hulking, armored figure, its body encased in dark metal. Its eyes glowed a faint amber, locking onto Kael with an unsettling intensity. The Guardian didn't speak, but the sense of malice was clear.
It lunged, moving faster than Kael had expected for its size.
Kael barely had time to react. He raised the Riftblade just in time to block a heavy overhead swing from the Guardian's massive sword. The force of the blow sent a jolt through his arms, but Kael stood firm. His strength had increased dramatically after leveling up, and now, he was able to hold his ground.
The Battle Instinct skill kicked in, sharpening his focus. He saw the Guardian's next move—an upward thrust aimed at his chest. Kael sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the strike and slashing back with the Riftblade. The blade connected with the Guardian's armor, leaving a shallow cut. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
Kael's mind raced as he prepared for the next exchange. The Watchful Guardian wasn't as fast as the Echo Beast, but its strength was formidable. He couldn't afford to make a mistake.
The Guardian growled, its amber eyes glowing brighter. It swung its sword again, this time in a wide arc. Kael dodged to the side, rolling out of the way just in time. The ground cracked where the sword hit, and Kael could feel the power behind the strike.
He needed to be smarter.
"Let's see what I can do…" Kael muttered, activating Echo Step. In an instant, his body blurred, slipping between dimensions.
In the brief moment of limbo, Kael could see the Guardian clearly—its movements slowed, almost frozen in time. Kael reappeared behind it, and before the Guardian could react, he struck.
His Riftblade cut across the Guardian's back, the energy of the blade surging as it carved through the armor. The Guardian staggered, a deep roar escaping its mouth. It turned, clearly irritated, but now there was a visible crack in its armor.
Kael didn't wait for it to recover. He followed up with another strike, this time aiming for the opening he had created. His blade cut deeper this time, and the Guardian faltered, its movements growing slower.
Ding!
[You have unlocked: Dimensional Strike (Level 1)]
A surge of energy filled Kael's body. The Dimensional Strike skill, a new ability, instantly manifested in his mind. He focused all his power into the Riftblade, and with one last, powerful swing, he thrust the blade deep into the Guardian's chest.
The Watchful Guardian let out a strangled cry, its amber eyes flickering out as the sword struck home. The giant figure staggered, its body dissolving into shadow as it fell, the dungeon shaking violently as it vanished.
Ding!
[Trial Complete.]
[Reward Granted.]
You have earned 500 XP.
You have leveled up.
Level 22 reached.
Kael dropped to one knee, breathing heavily. His body ached, but it was nothing compared to the first fight. His HP had dropped to half during the battle, but this time, he felt more prepared. More capable. He had won, and though he was still exhausted, he was already thinking about the next challenge ahead.
The dungeon's oppressive atmosphere lifted, and the shadows receded. The trial was over, but Kael knew that the next one would be even harder.
Far above in the Realm of Gods, the golden-armored figure looked down at Kael, an expression of quiet approval flickering across his face.
"He has done well," the figure said, his voice deep and resonant, like thunder. "But the trials ahead will test him further."
Beside him, the woman with the star-like eyes spoke softly, her gaze fixed on the mortal below. "He grows stronger with each victory. But I wonder… is he strong enough for what is to come?"
The cloaked figure, whose presence seemed to shift like shadows, nodded slowly. "Let him prove himself. Let him grow. But the balance must be maintained. The trials are not just for his growth. They are for something far greater."
The gods fell silent, their attention unwavering. They watched Kael as he stood tall, ready for the next trial, unaware of the cosmic forces that had begun to take an interest in him.
End of Chapter 4.