As the weight of sleep dragged me into its depths, I felt my consciousness drift into darkness.
Then suddenly… I woke.
But this was no place I recognized.
A grand, ancient palace stretched endlessly around me, filled with a strange, ethereal mist that seemed to whisper secrets with every swirl. Cold marble floors reflected the shimmering glow of an unseen light source, and before the main chamber—upon an elevated throne—sat a figure cloaked in shadows.
Her silhouette resembled that of a young girl, yet only her eyes were visible—glowing, ominous, and unblinking.
She spoke, her voice both delicate and commanding.
"Come closer."
I swallowed hard and nodded, my footsteps echoing as I approached. But with every step I took, a strange force pressed down on me. My limbs grew heavier, like chains of gravity wrapped tighter around my body. Still, I pushed forward, determined to reach her.
When I finally stood before her, she uttered a chilling command.
"Look into my eyes."
I obeyed, my gaze locking onto her pupils—dark voids that seemed to pull at my soul.
And then… I saw it.
My reflection.
But it wasn't me.
Not truly.
The face that stared back was twisted and decayed, eyes hollow and lifeless. The skin was gray and sagging like an undead monster. My heart pounded as confusion and fear flooded my chest.
Why do I look like… that?
As if reading my thoughts, she stood suddenly. Her eyes narrowed.
"What if you were slowly becoming the very monster you despise? What if the people you swore to protect—humans—began to mock you, belittle you, push you over the edge? Would you still serve them?"
Her voice was quiet, but it echoed with thunderous weight inside my mind.
"After all of that… who would you serve?"
Her question cut deeper than any blade. But deep within, my resolve stirred.
"With all due respect," I said firmly, "I serve no being. Not a god. Not a race. I am my own."
Before I could finish, I felt a blade press against the side of my neck—cold, sharp, ready.
"Go on," she whispered, her voice now icy and merciless.
I clenched my fists.
"My decisions… my actions… they are mine alone. I live by a principle: those who bring chaos to the peaceful are my enemies. And when I find such enemies, I will ally with whoever helps me stop them—even if only for a moment—because stopping evil gives peace not just to the world, but to my soul."
Her expression didn't change, but then she asked:
"Even if that enemy… is someone you love?"
The air vanished from my lungs.
Before I could respond, she drew her long sword and launched forward at inhuman speed. Her blade sang through the air, aiming straight for my head.
System Warning ⚠️
Emergency Mission Activated:
Survive against the mysterious being for 5 minutes and prove your worth.
Reward: Ability to view enemy status.
A rush of adrenaline surged through me. A grin formed on my face.
So this is the challenge.
I barely dodged the first strike, activating my Close Combat Warrior class just in time.
Status Check:
> Jefford Cliff (Master)
HP: 1300 / 2300
Mana: 250 / 1000
Mana Regen: 1 MP/sec
Class:
Storeman
Close Combat Warrior
Fort Warrior
Attack Points: 10 (+45)
Attack Speed: 2 (+0.25)/sec
Speed: B-
Stamina: C+
Buff: +25% to all attributes
Duration Remaining: 4 minutes, 46 seconds
Special Effect: All attributes ×200% (Close Combat Warrior)
"Crap!" I muttered, pulling out both daggers as she closed in again.
Steel clashed with steel.
The impact alone created a powerful shockwave, launching me backward. I skidded across the marble, coughing up blood, but forced myself to stand again.
System:
Time remaining – 4 minutes, 47 seconds.
The shadowy girl wasted no time. She sprinted forward, her sword poised to pierce my heart.
Pain stabbed my ribs, but I remembered—
I made a vow… to protect humanity from damnation.
My pulse surged. My grip tightened. I wouldn't fall here.
System Alert:
New Passive Skill Unlocked – Tenacity
> When HP drops below 20%, all attributes increase by 300%
Attack Points increase by 500%
Duration: 1 minute
(Stacks with other buffs)
A familiar fire roared inside me.
I charged forward again. This time, I didn't just meet her strike—I overpowered it.
Steel screamed against steel. Sparks exploded between us. Blow for blow, I fought her back. My daggers danced with renewed speed and fury. Tenacity pushed me beyond my limits.
System:
Tenacity duration remaining – 3 seconds.
I didn't hesitate.
With every ounce of strength I had left, I roared and struck her down—slamming her to the floor.
I raised both daggers above my head—ready to strike.
But in an instant… she changed.
She became Ella.
Her skin was putrid and decayed, her nails sharpened into monstrous talons nearly a meter long. Her mouth was stained with green blood, her expression feral… but her voice…
It was hers.
"Are you really going to kill me, Jefford?"
My hands trembled. The voice that had once comforted me now stabbed into my heart like a blade. I froze.
And in that moment of hesitation—she struck.
Her sword pierced through my chest.
Pain erupted through my body—but I didn't collapse.
With blood dripping from my lips, I glared at her.
"I'll cut down every evil being. Especially those who dare to impersonate the ones I love… who try to break the human heart with lies."
And with a roar, I drove both daggers into her neck—severing her head cleanly from her shoulders.
System Notification:
Trial of the Red Core – Complete
Reward: +500% EXP gain
System Level Up – Level 1 → Level 2
As the system spoke, I collapsed.
System: Level Up In Progress…
1%… 34%… 74%…
As the numbers ticked upward, my consciousness faded.
In that darkness, I dreamt—of everything I had survived.
The mutated zombie that nearly ended me.
The angelic being who gave me this strange power.
And now… my system leveling up.
Then—another voice called out to me. A voice I knew.
I opened my eyes.
And what I saw… shattered me.
My heart clenched as if pierced by a dagger.
Before me, lay a terrifying scene bathed in crimson.
And once again—the system's voice returned.
System Emergency Mission ⚠️:
Objective: Destroy the enemy.
Reward: The life of Ella.