The countdown ticked down relentlessly. Every second that passed was a reminder of the danger that loomed over him, the weight of the system's cold, calculating gaze never far from his mind.
[Trial 1: Reach the Heart of the Vault.][Time Limit: 72 Hours.]
Ethan's fingers tightened around the hilt of the shadow blade. His first true battle had ended in victory, but it felt hollow. The Shadowfang had been a mere appetizer, a test. The real challenge lay ahead, and from the looks of it, it wasn't going to get any easier.
He scanned the room, his eyes narrowing as he took in the surroundings. The vault was vast, the walls high and covered in ancient runes, their meanings lost to time. Dust filled the air like an oppressive shroud, and the stone beneath his feet was cold, slick with moisture. The only light came from the faint glow of the system's interface that hovered before him, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
The heart of the vault was somewhere deep within, hidden beyond trials meant to test the limits of anyone foolish enough to enter. The system had given him no guidance beyond that cryptic message. No hints, no explanations. Just a time limit and a task. And failure wasn't an option. The consequences would be dire, something Ethan had learned all too well in his previous life.
He took a deep breath, pushing aside the residual sting of his failure as a prince and the weight of betrayal that still clung to his soul like a shadow.
[System Alert: Host's Health: 850/1000.][System Alert: Host's Mana: 300/300.]
The numbers flickered across his vision. He didn't know how this new world worked entirely, but his instincts told him that the system's presence would be vital to his survival. The system's warnings weren't just reminders—they were lifelines. He couldn't afford to be reckless. His journey had just begun, and every decision mattered.
Ethan moved cautiously through the vault, the shadows at his command swirling around him as he proceeded. The darkness felt alive here, as though it were watching him, waiting for him to make a mistake. Every creak of the stone beneath his feet, every whisper of wind through the cracks, made his senses flare with caution.
Then, without warning, the ground beneath him trembled.
Ethan froze, his eyes darting to the walls. A low rumble echoed through the vault, the air growing thick with tension. The runes on the walls glowed briefly, their faint light pulsing like a heartbeat. A door to his left, one that had been sealed tight, suddenly groaned open, revealing a dark passage.
[Trial 2: Activate.][Objective: Survive the Shadow Beasts.][Time Limit: 1 Hour.]
A sickening sensation twisted in his gut as the system's cold voice rang out, setting his nerves alight with anticipation. Shadow Beasts. The very name sent a shiver down his spine. He'd read about them in his studies back in the Blackwood Clan's library, though the tomes had been vague—whispers of creatures born from the darkest depths of the world, creatures that could tear apart anyone who wasn't ready for them.
Without a moment's hesitation, Ethan dashed toward the door, his instincts pushing him forward. The passage ahead was narrow and winding, the walls closing in as though the vault itself was trying to swallow him whole. He gritted his teeth and pushed forward, a sense of urgency burning through him.
The passage opened into a cavernous chamber, its ceiling disappearing into the shadows. The air was thick with the scent of decay, and the ground was slick with what appeared to be dried blood. At the far end of the chamber, a pair of glowing red eyes blinked open, followed by another set, then another. Dozens of eyes, all fixed on him with an unblinking intensity. Shadow Beasts. And they were hungry.
[Shadow Beast Lv. 3: Health: 200/200][Shadow Beast Lv. 3: Health: 180/200][Shadow Beast Lv. 3: Health: 170/200]
Three massive creatures lurked in the darkness, their forms shifting and writhing like shadows given flesh. Their bodies were hunched, muscular and covered in scales that seemed to absorb the light around them. Their mouths were filled with rows of sharp, jagged teeth, dripping with saliva.
Ethan's mind raced. He could sense the power radiating from these creatures. They were fast—faster than the Shadowfang. And their numbers were too great for him to take them head-on without risking everything.
The system flashed in his vision, offering a brief moment of guidance.
[Skill Available: Shadow Blade (1 Use).][Skill Available: Phantom Step (2 Uses).]
Phantom Step. He had used it before, but it was a risky move. It would allow him to move unseen and strike from the shadows, but the cooldown was short, and using it recklessly could leave him vulnerable. He needed to bide his time, wait for the right moment.
The first Shadow Beast charged, its claws slashing through the air with terrifying speed. Ethan's body moved on instinct. He activated Phantom Step just as the beast lunged, vanishing into the shadows.
The world slowed as he felt the energy course through him. The shadows obeyed his will, bending to his every movement. He could feel the beasts around him, their every movement vibrating through the air. He could sense their bloodlust, the fear they had for the unknown hunter in their midst.
He appeared behind the first beast and struck with the Shadow Blade, his dark weapon cutting through the creature's thick hide like a hot knife through butter. The beast let out a shriek of pain, staggering backward, blood spilling from its wound. But it was not finished. The others were closing in, and they weren't going to give him a chance to rest.
Ethan cursed under his breath. He couldn't fight them all at once. He needed to outmaneuver them, break their numbers down one at a time.
With a flick of his wrist, the shadows around him thickened, and he vanished again, reappearing behind the second beast. This time, he didn't hesitate. The Shadow Blade struck again, cutting deep into the beast's side. It howled in pain, but it was still standing. Barely.
Two down, one to go.
The final beast growled low, its eyes narrowing as it sensed its impending doom. It charged, faster than the others, but Ethan was ready. He activated Phantom Step once more, vanishing just as the creature's claws swiped at the air where he had been moments ago.
[Phantom Step: Cooldown: 1 Minute.]
He appeared above the creature, his blade poised to strike. With one last, decisive slash, he drove the Shadow Blade into the beast's skull, piercing its brain. The creature fell with a final, blood-curdling screech, its body crumpling to the ground in a heap.
Ethan stood over the fallen creatures, breathing heavily. The system flashed, its familiar ping confirming his victory.
[Trial 2: Complete.][XP Earned: 200.][Level Up: Host Lv. 3.]
The beasts had been powerful, but Ethan had proven himself once again. He wiped the blood from his blade and turned his gaze toward the next passage. The trial had only just begun, and the real challenge was still ahead. The heart of the vault awaited him, and nothing would stop him from claiming it.
End of Chapter Three