The sealed gate loomed ahead—tall, obsidian black, etched with glowing runes that shifted slowly like breathing embers. At its center was a symbol none of the others recognized, but Noah knew instantly.
It was the Kaslana Crest—etched in gold flame.
Welf stepped forward cautiously. "That gate's giving off pressure. Like it's… watching us."
"It is," Noah said. His voice was steady. But his pulse thundered in his ears.
Lili frowned. "Are we really going in there?"
Noah glanced at her. "You don't have to."
She scowled. "Shut up and walk."
He smiled faintly and stepped forward.
The runes reacted instantly, flaring red-hot as they scanned his body.
[Ember Core Detected.]
[Legacy Signature Confirmed.]
[Flamebearer Trial Initiating.]
The others flinched as the gate split open with a sound like fire being sucked into a vacuum.
Inside was pitch black.
Noah took a step.
Then another.
And the moment both feet crossed the threshold—
Everything changed.
The air vanished. The world tilted. The stone beneath his boots melted into glowing metal.
Suddenly, he was alone—standing in an endless arena of scorched earth and crimson sky.
Winds howled above, carrying embers like stars.
And then—
He saw it.
A figure of living flame stood at the center of the arena. Not human. Not beast. A construct. Its body resembled an armored giant, pulsing with red energy. It had no eyes—only a burning halo where its head should be.
It radiated fury and pain.
The system whispered:
> [Kaslana Legacy Guardian: "Ashbringer Unit – Helios"]
Status: Dormant Trial AI Construct
Purpose: Evaluate Flamebearer Compatibility
> Initiating Trial. Survival Required. Submission Forbidden.
The flame-giant raised one molten hand—and a massive spear of pure fire formed in its grasp.
Noah drew both pistols in an instant.
"Guess it's my turn."
---
Outside the trial room, the others stood tensely.
"He's been inside five minutes," Cassandra murmured. "But… it feels longer."
"No light, no noise," Welf said. "Whatever's happening in there—it's not part of the Dungeon."
Cassandra turned to the door again, her fingers twitching with nervous prayers.
"He'll come back," Lili said firmly. "He always does."
---
Inside the trial…
The Helios unit charged.
Noah dodged left, Flame Step flashing—barely escaping the burning spear that smashed into the ground and detonated in a wave of molten stone.
He landed, rolled, and fired two shots into the construct's chest.
They exploded on contact—but Helios didn't flinch.
The system blared warnings.
> [Direct fire ineffective. Armor-grade adaptive flame matrix detected.]
"Great," Noah muttered.
Helios struck again, its movements fluid despite its massive size. The spear arced, slicing through the sky, raining fire with every swing.
Noah jumped back, but a glancing hit tore across his shoulder. His coat ignited and peeled away, revealing the full burn-core armor underneath.
He gritted his teeth.
"Fine. No tricks, huh?"
His voice dropped low.
"Then let's test the new heat."
[Activating: Starfire Drive – Overclock Lv1]
The Ember Core in his chest ignited, sending golden fire coursing through his limbs.
His armor lit up with radiant flame, and a burning sigil spun behind his back—Kevin's mark, glowing like a second sun.
Helios paused.
Recognized the power.
And for a split second… hesitated.
Noah dashed forward.
This time, his shots pierced.
The left pistol slammed two rounds into Helios's ribs, cracking the flame-armor. The right blasted a round into the giant's knee, forcing it to one side.
Noah spun midair, gauntlet igniting—
"Blazing Finale!"
He fired a twin-barrel beam at point-blank range.
The impact sent a shockwave through the entire arena.
When the smoke cleared, Helios had dropped to one knee.
The system flashed.
> [Critical Damage Registered. Compatibility Confirmed.]
[Trial Passed.]
[Unlocking Flame Core Expansion – Command Rights Granted.]
The arena dissolved into light.
Helios flickered—then knelt before Noah, lowering its burning spear and bowing its massive head.
Then it spoke—not aloud, but inside Noah's mind.
"Bearer of the Flame… you walk the path of the Broken Sun."
"Your burden is accepted."
"The gate to the Deep will open only when you are ready."
Noah exhaled slowly as the heat faded from his body.
"…Thanks. For not killing me."
Helios gave no reply—just lowered itself into the ground, becoming flame and vanishing.
A new prompt appeared:
> [Title Unlocked: Heir of the Flamewall]
[Skill Gained: Helios Drive – Fire Resonance Field Lv1]
Emits a controlled field of radiant fire. Boosts team magic and defense while active.
Noah stepped out of the chamber and back into the relic hallway.
The door behind him sealed again—now calm, no longer glowing.
The others rushed to him.
He didn't speak at first.
But his eyes were different.
Focused.
Heavy.
Wiser.
"What happened in there?" Raul asked.
Noah holstered his pistols.
"…I met the gatekeeper," he said quietly. "And it told me I haven't seen the real fire yet."
Welf stepped forward. "What did you unlock?"
Noah glanced at his hand.
Flames danced across his knuckles, not chaotic—but in sync.
"Control," he said.
Then looked down the dark tunnel leading even deeper into the earth.
"And now the next door's watching me."