*The man—Gala—tilted his head, studying them with quiet amusement. His lips curled into a small, knowing smile.* So, you're here too. *He stepped forward, his movements smooth and deliberate, like a predator in a forest.* I assumed I'd be the first to reach the trial. But I suppose fate has a sense of humor.
*Retsu narrowed her eyes, her hand drifting toward her dagger. "Who are you?" she asked, voice guarded.*
*Gala gave a slight bow, his posture elegant and unthreatening.* Gala I'm a floor resident I just stared climbing . And you? *He glanced at Nox, his gaze lingering just a beat too long.*
*Nox cleared his throat, stepping forward slightly.* Nox. And this is Retsu. We're here for the trial too.
*Gala's smile widened, though there was no warmth in it. He tilted his head, studying Nox with an unsettling intensity.* Interesting. Most who come this far are either desperate or foolish. Or both. *He turned his attention back to the symbol on the ground.* I've been waiting for others to arrive before proceeding. It seems I wasn't wrong to wait.
*Retsu crossed her arms, her posture tense.* Why wait? You're clearly strong enough to take it on your own.
*Gala chuckled, * Strength is not everything. Some trials require more than brute force. *He finally looked at her directly, his green eye gleaming.* Especially when the path ahead is uncertain.
*Nox frowned, glancing between the two.*
*The air thickened as Nox's gaze drifted downward, landing on the symbol Etched into floor , a circle interwoven sigil—a spiral of glowing blue runes, pulsing almost like a living thing. The symbols twisted and shifted sometimes, forming patterns that seemed to rearrange themselves the longer you stared at them.*
*Gala's expression darkened slightly, his fingers curling into a fist at his side.* So, it's active. *He exhaled slowly, his tone measured.* That means the trial has begun. Only those who step onto the mark can enter.
*Retsu stepped closer, her eyes narrowing at the strange markings.* How do we know it's safe?
*Gala turned to her, his smirk returning, though it lacked its earlier ease.* You don't.
*Nox took a cautious step forward, his boots pressing against the digit. The moment his foot touched the sigil, a pulse of blue light shot outward, illuminating the clearing in a ghostly glow. The runes flared, and the air vibrated with an unseen force. A deep hum filled the space, like the sound of something ancient waking up or worse .*
*The ground beneath them shifted, the sigil spinning faster, and without warning, a column of light erupted from the center. The force pulled at them, tugging at their clothes, their hair, their very bodies. Nox gasped as he felt himself being lifted, the world tilting sideways.*
*Gala barely had time to react before the light engulfed him as well. His expression changed—something between surprise and calculation—as he was swept into the light .*
*The world fractured into streaks of light and colors, a sensation like being pulled apart and put back together at the same time. Nox's vision blurred, his senses overwhelmed by the sheer force of the teleportation.*
*Then, just as suddenly as it had started, the pull stopped. The light vanished, and the group landed hard on a smooth, marble-like surface. The air was thick with the scent of dust and old stone. Around them, the walls rose in towering spirals, lined with glowing crystal veins that pulsed like a heartbeat.*
*Nox groaned, pushing himself up. His vision swam, but he could make out the others—Retsu rubbing her temple, Gala standing calmly, and the unmistakable feel of magic still lingering in the air.*
*The chamber they now stood in was vast, its ceiling lost in darkness. The crystalline veins lining the walls pulsed with a rhythmic, eerie glow, casting shifting patterns of blue and violet across the polished floor. At the far end of the room, seated atop a throne of obsidian and bone, was the trial boss.*
*A monstrous figure, taller than any human, loomed in the gloom. Its body was a grotesque fusion of flesh and metal, plates of dark armor overlapping its frame. Its face was a mask of jagged, angular features, with hollow, 4 glowing red eyes that fixed on them with predatory interest. A massive, serrated blade rested across its lap, its edge jagged
*The being spoke, its voice a low, grinding rumble that seemed to vibrate through the very stones.*
The voice was layered, as if multiple beings spoke as one. The boss leaned forward, its metallic fingers flexing around the hilt of its weapon. *"Only the worthy may pass.
*Its eyes flashed, and the air grew heavy with pressure. From the shadows behind it, the ground cracked open, revealing a series of jagged spikes that jutted upward like the teeth of some great beast. The chamber itself seemed to shift, the walls closing in slightly, as if testing their resolve.*
*Retsu tensed, her hand flying to her dagger. "Well," she muttered, "that's ominous."*
*Gala, however, remained eerily calm. He took a single step forward, his voice even.* "So, this is the test."
* With a sudden, violent motion, it swung its massive blade downward, the air tearing as the weapon sliced through the space where Nox had stood moments ago. The impact sent a shockwave through the floor, cracking the marble beneath their feet.*
*Nox stumbled back, heart pounding, as the Warden rose to its full height, towering over them. The being moved with terrifying speed, its armored limbs whirring like clockwork as it charged. Retsu reacted first, darting to the side and launching herself at the wardens flank with a swift, precise strike. "Srngggg!"
Her dagger met metal, skidding off with a shower of sparks.*
*Gala moved with practiced ease, drawing a curved Bow from his back in a fluid motion.*
*Gala's hands moved in a fluid,almost graceful motion, tracing a pattern in the air as he drew his bow. The moment his fingers completed the gesture, the air around him shimmered, and a soft, glow bloomed from the crystals walls.
*With a steady breath, he loosed an arrow—not from his bow, but from the air itself. The projectile was not made of wood or steel, but of pure, swirling mist, shaped by unseen forces. As it flew, it crackled with energy, a spectral form of condensed spirit energy . The arrow struck the Warden's armored shoulder, and instead of bouncing off, it *pierced* through, causing the warden to recoil with a screech.*
*The spirit arrow dissolved upon impact, but its effect lingered. A burst of pale green light exploded from the point of contact, rippling through the Warden's form like water. Its movement faltered, its metallic joints creaking as if struggling against an invisible force.*
*Gala lowered his hands, his expression unreadable. "Spirit magic," he murmured, almost to himself. "Not just summoning. . Channeling the life essence itself."*
*The Warden roared, slamming its massive blade into the ground. The impact sent a tremor through the chamber. It raised its weapon again, but this time, its movements were slower—its body reacting to the residual damage from Gala's spell.*
*Retsu seized the opening, darting forward with a feral grin.*"
*Retsu moved like a blur her blade gliding as she closed the distance between herself and the Warden. Her grin widened, wild and unhinged, as she leapt into the air, twisting mid-flight. She slashed downward with a brutal, precise slash, aiming for the joint between the Warden's leg and torso. The blade bit deep, sending a spray of dark black liquid spilling across the floor.*
*The Warden staggered, roaring in fury, its massive blade swinging wildly in response. Retsu rolled away just in time. She didn't hesitate—she sprang forward again, her movements fast and unpredictable, weaving between the Warden's clumsy swings with the agility of a predator.*
*Nox saw the opening and acted.*
*Nox lunged forward, his sword raised high. The moment he reached the Warden, he twisted his waist to increase his power, driving the blade into the creature's exposed ribs. The steel sank deep, and for a fleeting second, the Warden froze, its glowing red eyes widening in shock.*
*But the victory was short-lived. With a menacing growl, the Warden retaliated, its massive sword lashing out, slicing and knocking Nox off his feet, sending him flying . He hit the ground hard, the impact rattling his bones. The Warden turned, its blade already rising for a killing blow—until Gala moved.*
*Gala extended his hand, his palm facing the Warden. A gust of wind whipped through the arena .
*From the air around him, a cluster of translucent, winged spirits materialized—small, luminous figures with delicate, leaf-shaped wings. They hovered in place, their forms flickering like candle flames. Gala's voice was calm, almost serene, as he spoke.* "Bound by the roots, guided by the sky."
*The spirits surged forward, their bodies glowing with a soft, light. They collided with the Warden in a flurry of motion, wrapping around its limbs like living vines. The creature struggled, its joints stuck under the pressure of the spirits' touch.
*Retsu, seeing the distraction, launched herself like a bolt of lightning once more. This time, she aimed for the Warden's chest, her blade slicing through the thin layer of armor protecting its core.*
*Retsu's blade pierced the Warden's core, and for a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a sickening *crunch*, the creature shuddered violently. A deep, resonant crack echoed through the chamber as its armor split open, revealing a pulsing, organic mass beneath—an unnatural fusion of machine and flesh.*
*Before anyone could react, Nox pushed himself up from the ground, his breath raspy, his hands and entire body stained with blood. His face was pale, his lips curled in a grimace of pain and rage. Then, with a raw, guttural cry, he screamed—his voice cutting through the air like a blade.* **"I'LL KILL YOU!"**
*His body convulsed as he threw himself forward, his sword raised high.*
*Retsu's blade pierced the Warden's core, and for a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a sickening *crunch*, the creature shuddered violently. A deep, resonant crack echoed through the chamber as its armor split open, revealing a pulsing, organic mass beneath—an unnatural fusion of machine and flesh.*
*Before anyone could react, Nox pushed himself up from the ground, his breath ragged, his hands stained with blood. His face was pale, his lips curled in a grimace of pain and rage. Then, with a raw, cry, he screamed—his voice cutting through the air like a blade.* **"I'LL KILL YOU!"**
*His body convulsed as he threw himself forward, his sword raised high.*
*Nox pierced into the Warden flesh with the force of a truck, his blade buried deep into the creature's exposed core. The impact sent a shockwave through the chamber, the Warden's body shuddered under the assault. Blood—dark, and warm—spurted from the wound, splattering across the floor in thick pools.*
*The Warden roared, its massive blade swinging wildly in desperation. Nox didn't slow down. He drove his knee into the creature's stomach, forcing it backward, then twisted his body, pulling his sword free in a slick,tired motion. He staggered, coughing violently, blood spilling from his mouth as he tried to regain his footing. His eyes burned with something dangerous.*
*Nox crashed into the Warden with the force of a raging storm, his blade screaming through the air as he drove it straight into the creature's exposed core. Blood—dark, thick, and strangely warm despite the mechanical nature of the beast—spurted from the wound, splattering across the floor in thick rivulets. The Warden let out a deafening, screeching roar, its massive form buckling under the assault.*
*Nox didn't stop. He wrenched his sword free, then brought it down again and again, this time aiming for the base of the Warden's neck. His muscles burned, his lungs ached, but he didn't care. His scream echoed through the chamber, raw and unhinged, a sound of desperation and fury.* **"DIE! DIE! DIE!"**
*As Nox slashed and slashed violently , a low, rasping laugh echoed inside his mind—deep, sultry,. It wasn't coming from anywhere in the arena **"Ohhh, you ... you're so close..."** The voice was smooth, seductive, and cruel all at once. It belonged to someone who watched, waited, and relished every drop of pain.*
*Then, without warning, a flash of crimson light engulfed his vision. A voice, cold and mechanical, cut through the chaos:* **"trial Updated: Kill Warden Boss within 4 seconds. Failure = Death. Reward: Crimson's Ego (Sword)."**
*Nox barely had time to process it before the world around him slowed.*
*Time stretched, the air thick with an unnatural stillness. The Warden's massive blade hung frozen mid-swing, its glowing red eyes locked onto Nox. The spirits around Gala flickered, caught in the same time eerie suspension. Even Retsu and Gala paused, their movements suspended.*
*Inside Nox's mind, the demonic voice purred again, closer now, almost intimate.* **"Four seconds, little punk. Can you finish what you started?"**
*His pulse pounded in his ears. The weight of the trial pressed against his chest like a knife.
*The world snapped back into motion, but the timer had begun.*
*Nox's vision blurred for a fraction of a second, but the urgency in his chest burned brighter than ever. The Warden's blade came down—fast, unstoppable—and he had less than three seconds left. His body moved on instinct, his sword raising in a last-ditch attempt to block, but he knew it wouldn't be enough.*
*The world shattered around him in a blur of motion and sound. The Warden's attack connected, but Nox didn't feel the pain—only the rush of power surging through his veins as the trials final second ticked away. A blinding flash erupted from his blade, slashing the The Wardens Neck open. A blaring notification sang from his navigator-*NEW Skill unlocked, Sudden Death!* The Warden let out a final, tortured screech before collapsing into a pile of black liquid
*The arena fell silent.*
*Nox collapsed to his knees, his breath ragged, his body trembling from the sheer weight of his injuries. Blood soaked through his armor given to him by shopkeeper, dripping from his arms and chest, painting the stone floor with dark, pools of blood. His vision was blurring , but through the haze, he saw her—a woman standing before him, her form wreathed in shifting in the shadows. She was a impossibly beautiful, her curves accentuated by a tight, crimson corset that clung to her like a second skin. Her long, flowing red hair cascaded down her back, framing a face that was both beautiful and demonic —sharp cheekbones, lips painted a deep, unnatural red, and eyes , one a molten red, the other a golden yellow burning with something ancient and hungry.*
*She tilted her head, smiling—a slow, knowing curve of her lips.* **"Well done, you little punk, I aspect more of this she giggled.*
*A cascade of golden notifications flooded Nox's vision, each one blinking with a new level-up message. **Level 2 → Level 10!** **Stat points available!** **Skill unlockeds: Crimson's Will!, Sudden Death!,** The words danced in the air before vanishing, replaced by a single, radiant icon: **Crimson's Ego – Katana (Type: Sword).**
*The katana appeared in his grip, its blade shimmering with an inner fire, pulsing like a heartbeat. The handle was wrapped in dark bloody leather, etched with sigils that pulsed faintly with power. Nox stared at it, his fingers trembling—not from fear, but from the overwhelming surge of strength coursing through him.*
*The woman stepped closer, her bare feet making no sound against the stone,She leans in and pats his head*
*Another burst of light flared in front of Nox, and a new notification blinked into existence.* **Curse Acquired: Crimson's Mark. Status Applied:
Bloodlust (Permanent). Attribute Bonus: +15 to all stats.
Negative effects: uncontrollable malice, Insanity, requires 10 souls a day to elivate the effects,
Skill Unlocked: Demonic Magic (Passive).**
*The woman leaned in, her breath warm against his ear as she whispered,* **"Now you belong to me. I'll give you some of my essence ... your soul is mine to claim…..let's say how ever I see fit."**
*Her hand brushed against his cheek, and for a brief moment, Nox felt a strange warmth spread through his body—a mix of pain and pleasure, of agony and ecstasy. His muscles tensed involuntarily, his breath catching as the bloodlust took hold. The world around him seemed to darken, his vision sharpening, his senses amplifying.*
*A sudden jolt of energy surged through Nox's body, as if two forces clashed within him. His muscles tightened, his breath hitched, and then....
*A blinding flash enveloped him, and for a moment, the world went silent. Then, a new notification exploded in his vision:* **Skill Fusion Activated: Crimson's Will × Iron Resolve → Crimson Resolve (New skill Unlocked).**
*The effect was immediate. The oppressive weight of the Bloodlust curse lifted slightly, its suffocating hunger tempered by something stronger—something unshakable. His body trembled, not from weakness, but from the raw, untamed power now coursing through him. His stats spiked again, his eyes shifting from a violent red to a deeper, more controlled shade of red.*
*Crimson Resolve activated with a low, rumbling hum, the air around Nox vibrating with unstable energy. His body felt lighter, yet more powerful—like a coiled spring ready to snap. The effects were clear, displayed in a glowing interface before his eyes:*
**Crimson Resolve (Lv. 1):**
-14 hour duration when activated
- **+5% Damage Resistance**
- **+20% Critical Hit Chance**
- **Bloodlust Effect Reduced by 20%**
- **Increased Movement Speed While Under effects
- **Passive Ability: Soulfire Ignition – Every successful attack landed while under crimson resolve has a 15% chance to ignite the target in crimson flame.**
*Nox's body gave out, his legs giving way as the combined weight of his injuries, the blood loss, and the overwhelming surge of power finally overwhelmed him. His vision blurred, the glow of the Crimson Resolve fading into darkness as he collapsed forward, hitting the cold stone floor with a dull thud. His breathing grew shallow, his fingers twitching weakly as the last echoes of the demonic woman's voice lingered in his mind.* **"Rest well… I'll be watching ."**
*The trials arena fell silent once more, the cursed katana lay beside him, its blade still pulsing with the heat of its newfound owner.*
*Retsu rushed to nox, dropping to her knees beside him, her usual smirk replaced with something close to concern. She grabbed his wrist, feeling for a pulse, and exhaled sharply when she found it—weak, but steady. Gala knelt on the other side.
*"We don't have time for this,"* Retsu muttered, hauling Nox up with surprising ease despite his bulk. She glanced at the markings on the floor—the small glowing symbols that had been dormant until the Warden fell. Now they pulsed with a deep, rhythmic bright blue runes , forming a circular portal that glowed with mysterious power.
*"Floor Two is open,"* Gala said, his voice tense. *"We need to move—now."*