It was Simple, broad and flexible.
Leon gave a short, approving nod.
"This way, I'm not boxed in by some fancy title," he said, smirking. "If the only thing I can't do is cast fireballs. Fine by me."
Honestly, the choice had been decided the moment his talent had been revealed.
Attack, criticals and raw brutal power.
There was no world where a mage's robe would suit him.
Leon smiled and said aloud, "The choice was set in stone from the start."
Without hesitation, he selected [Warrior].
Instantly, a brilliant white light enveloped him.
The system chimed one last time in that neutral, almost cheerful voice:
[Class Confirmed: Warrior.]
Just after Leon selected the Warrior class and the bright light enveloped him, stabilizing his new identity, the system buzzed again, a new prompt appearing crisply before his eyes:
> [System Notification]
Please select the desired Trial Difficulty:
Tier I [Easy]
Tier II [Moderate]
Tier III [Hard]
Tier IV [Elite]
Tier V [Nightmare]
Tier VI [Cataclysm]
Tier VII [Apex]
Leon crossed his arms as he floated in the endless white space, his expression thoughtful.
"So it's finally here..." he muttered.
Everyone knew that Trial Difficulty heavily influenced rewards — skills, weapons and even rare treasures.
Choosing a higher tier meant risking death but also receiving returns that could catapult a Trial Taker to legendary heights.
Originally, Leon had already made a cautious plan:
Tier V — Nightmare Difficulty.
Dangerous, but survivable with his equipments and caution he had a chance of clearing it.
But now?
After seeing what his EX-Rank {Attack} Talent was capable of?
Leon smirked, the glint in his blue eyes sharpening like drawn steel.
"If I stick with Tier V, it would be like putting a racehorse in a backyard."
His voice was calm but carried a reckless excitement.
"With this talent... playing it safe would just hold me back."
Without another moment's hesitation, Leon pointed directly at the bottom option.
> Selected: Tier VII [Apex] Difficulty
The system didn't delay — the moment his choice was confirmed, the white space shuddered, and a low rumble echoed all around him, as if the Trial World itself had acknowledged his daring choice.
Leon's body tensed slightly, instinctively ready for anything.
"No regrets," he muttered, a crooked smile pulling at his lips.
"If I'm going to break the sky... might as well aim for the stars while I'm at it."
The system gave a final chime.
[Good luck on your Trials.]
The next moment, the world beneath Leon's feet gave out.
He gasped slightly as he was pulled downward — a sensation like falling through an endless void.
The white space faded, dissolving into pure nothingness.
And then—
He crashed into his new reality.
****
Three hundred years ago, life on the Blue Planet was just… normal.
Peaceful, even.
But that fragile peace shattered when the Demons came.
The first assaults were brutal and relentless. Humanity fought back with everything they had — guns, bombs, missiles, even nuclear weapons — but none of it mattered. Their technology might as well have been children's toys against the nightmarish invaders.
The humans were losing.
Losing land. Losing lives.
Losing hope.
Until the Trial Resonance was discovered.
It began as a whisper, a strange pulse felt by a handful of survivors — a call from another world: the Trial World.
Desperate and cornered, the remnants of humanity pooled their resources, determined to use the Resonance as a lifeline.
And after countless trials and errors they succeeded.
The first group of humans entered the Trial World, carrying humanity's last hopes on their backs.
Not all of them returned, but those who did came back different — stronger, faster, wielding abilities that could finally stand against the Demons.
With their newfound power, humanity pushed back.
They reclaimed a portion of the planet.
And this time, they did it right:
Mandatory one-year training for all those chosen by the Trial World to increase their survival rate.
Special care and resources for those lucky enough to awaken Talents.
It was a brutal reality, but it was proof of humanity's spirit — their refusal to die out and their desire to survive.
---
Leon floated high above the Trial World, the wind rushing past him.
Below, a sprawling forest stretched out endlessly. Towering trees with thick canopies blocked the view of the forest floor, only broken by the glitter of a winding river cutting through the woods like a silver snake.
The entire forest was cradled inside a vast valley, surrounded by rocky cliffs.
At the valley's heart, Leon spotted a village — or at least something trying to be one.
Crude huts made from sticks and mud.
Smoke from tiny fires. And figures moving about, green-skinned and long-eared.
Leon narrowed his eyes.
"So this is my trial zone," he muttered.
Before he could observe more, a sudden pull gripped him, yanking him from the sky.
He braced instinctively, but he landed gently, as if caught by invisible hands — the Trial System's Safe Landing protocol at work.
A soft ding echoed in his ears as a system notification popped up in his vision.
Leon ignored it for now, his instincts telling him not to stay exposed.
He scanned his surroundings — thick trees, dense undergrowth. He needed a better vantage point.
Without hesitation, Leon jogged toward a large oak-like tree and began climbing swiftly. His body, strengthened by a year of combat drills, handled the climb easily.
He found a sturdy branch a few meters up and perched there, eyes sharp.
From this height, the forest stretched out before him like a green ocean. It was quieter here — only the distant sound of flowing water and the occasional rustle of wildlife.
Satisfied he was temporarily safe, Leon finally opened the pending notification although he had an idea on what the trial might be.
---
[System Notification]
You have entered the F-Rank Trial Zone: Gob Forest.
Difficulty: Tier VII
Zone Description:
A dense, ancient forest filled with towering trees, hidden streams, and dangerous wildlife.
Primary inhabitants: Goblins — primitive creatures known for their aggression, cunning, and bloodthirsty nature.
Warning: Goblins may vary in strength, intelligence, and behavior.
Main Trial Objective:
Defeat the ruler of the forest: The Goblin Chieftain.
Time Limit:
30 days.
Failure Conditions:
Exceeding the time limit.
Death.
Failure Penalty:
Death.
---
Leon smirked after reading.
"So I wasn't wrong after all."
Goblins — they had been a big part of the one-year survival classes.
Their green skin, distorted bodies, and nasty, red-glowing eyes were unmistakable.
Recognizing them was as easy as breathing.
He leaned back slightly on the branch.
"Well, to survive this, first I need to know what I'm working with."
With a simple thought, he summoned his personal status screen.
---
[Status Panel]
Name: Leon Kael
Race: Human
Age: 19
Class: Warrior
Rank: F-Rank
Talent: {Attack} — EX Rank
Status: Normal
Health: 100%
---
[STATS]
Strength: 12
Speed: 10
Vitality: 10
Stamina: 11
Senses: 10
Aura: 10
---
[Skills]
[None]
---
[Inventory]
[Starter Survival Pack]
[Tier V F-Rank Sword]
[Tier V F-Rank Skill Orb]
[Tier V F-Rank Armor]
---
Leon stared at the blue-hued panel hovering in front of him, a pleased grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Not bad," he muttered.
For someone just stepping into the Trial World, these were solid starting stats — stronger than most rookies. His year of training hadn't gone to waste.
Especially with his EX Rank Talent in his back pocket, these stats were just the beginning.
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A/N: Please send power stones and leave reviews.
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