They returned home with bags full of groceries.
Targus dove straight into unpacking — meat into the fridge, noodles into the drawer, and chips… straight into his mouth.
— "Jarl… this is the best thing I've ever eaten," he said with a crunch. "Actually… no. Meat is better."
— "Told you, you wouldn't be able to stop," Akito smirked, heading to the bedroom.
As expected, Arden was there — joystick in hand, eyes glued to the screen in total focus.
He didn't even look back but spoke first:
— "Akito. I need your help to rank up. I can't do it alone. It only works with you."
— "You ready now?"
— "I'm always ready."
Akito nodded and opened the system:
[Guardian Rank-Up]
[Begin Trial?]
[Yes] [No]
He tapped [Yes], and the world flashed.
They were back in that familiar forest.
Tall trees. Golden light. Absolute silence.
They hadn't even taken three steps when the system announced:
[Defeat: Forest Guardian]
From the shadows, a massive creature emerged.
At first glance — a bear.
But its fur was pitch black like coal, and its eyes glowed bright green.
Muscles rippled under its skin like waves.
— "Is that… a bear?" Akito breathed.
— "We should've brought Targus. They're… about the same size," Arden grumbled.
— "Why didn't we?"
— "It's solo rank-up. Just me and you. No third wheels."
— "Great. Only one tiny problem."
Akito raised his hand to summon Kagero…
Nothing happened.
— "…My sword's still broken. Awesome. This'll be fun."
The bear roared and charged.
The ground trembled beneath its steps.
Arden moved first, slamming his fist into the bear's jaw.
It didn't budge.
A paw came swinging, but Arden dodged.
Akito flew in from above and kicked the bear's head — no reaction.
— "Is this thing armored?!" Akito yelled.
The bear swiped, and the ground erupted.
Roots burst from the earth, sharp as spears.
— "DOWN!" Arden shouted.
Akito dodged, but one root grazed him:
[-50 HP]
— "Damn… they're fast!"
— "Run!" Arden barked. "We can't take it head-on."
They sprinted, vaulting over roots.
Akito glanced back — the bear walked calmly, like a boss that feared nothing.
"We need a plan. Strength's useless. No weapon.
What's left…"
They hid behind a massive root.
— "Arden, let's try your swap combo. I'll distract, you strike."
— "Got it."
Akito dashed into the open field.
The bear growled and charged.
[Skill Activated: Essence Theft]
Target's Power: -25% | Arden: +25%
Just before impact — a flash of smoke.
In Akito's place — a grinning fox.
[Deceit Fang] Activated
Arden saw it: the right eye. A weak point.
He struck — clean, precise—
But… nothing.
The bear didn't even flinch.
It swatted Arden like a fly, smashing him through a tree.
— "What the hell?! Why didn't it work?!" Akito growled.
— "He's too strong… and I don't even have a sword."
Only one option left.
— "Ruthless + Victor…" he muttered, preparing to tank a hit to activate the combo.
But before the blow landed — Arden stepped in, blocking it.
— "Arden?!"
— "Don't. This is my trial. I have to beat it myself.
If I can't take this beast down…"
"…I'll never beat Targus."
He stood, panting, then took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
— "I've trained for this. I'm ready."
His hands began to glow.
His fingers sharpened into sleek steel blades.
— "If I can pierce this, I can pierce Targus's shield."
He slid under the bear, aiming low.
Strike.
No effect.
Its hide was too thick.
The bear roared and slammed down, crushing Arden into the dirt — then moved on toward Akito.
A massive paw came down — Akito flew back:
[-150 HP]
Arden tried striking from behind, but nothing worked.
The bear kept pounding Akito:
[-50 HP]
[-50 HP]
[-50 HP]
[-50 HP]
Arden raised his head weakly.
— "Why… am I so… weak…?"
He clenched his jaw.
— "I can't lose. I'm… a fox…"
But the final hit never came.
Akito was gone from the ground.
He hovered above the field, wrapped in dark energy.
[Skills Activated: Victor + Ruthless]
He struck.
The bear's body crashed through trees.
A follow-up blow — straight to its spine.
The beast was launched into the air.
Akito shot up after it, trailing black energy.
Ready for the final strike—
Then stopped.
Suddenly, he realized he was too high. Too fast.
— "…Crap…"
And then he heard:
— "Akito! Stop! I can't…
Please, stop the trial!"
Akito quickly opened the system menu:
[Stop Trial?]
[Yes] [No]
→ [Yes]
The world vanished.
They were home again.
Targus sat on the couch, eating chips.
Didn't even glance back.
— "Oh, you're back. Welcome, Jarl. Foxy."
Akito turned to Arden.
He lay on the floor, staring at the ceiling.
Not blinking. Not speaking.
— "Hey, Jarl…" Targus said, still not turning.
— "I think… it's my turn now."
Akito and Targus were teleported to a snow-covered mountain zone.
A freezing wind tore at their faces. A blizzard limited vision to just a few meters.
— "Cold… and can't see a thing," Akito muttered, shielding his face.
Targus didn't wait.
He hoisted Akito over his shoulder and charged forward.
Through the storm, like a steel tank.
Wind? Snow? Nothing stopped him.
Soon, a small icy fortress came into view.
Right at the gate, a message appeared:
[Defeat the Ice Wardens (0/5)]
Five figures formed at the gate — each made of shimmering ice.
— "Let's begin," Targus grinned.
— "I forgot to bring a weapon again…" Akito groaned, smacking his forehead.
"I'm an idiot."
— "Jarl. Today's not your fight. It's mine. Just watch," Targus said calmly.
He stepped forward.
A massive axe appeared in his hand.
[Skill Activated: Blood of the Jotun]
A deep blue aura surrounded him.
Even the snow around his feet began to melt.
Then came a booming laugh—
Targus charged like a war machine.
[Skill Activated: Thunder Anchor]
He slammed the ground — the entire field trembled.
Three Wardens were thrown off their feet.
One tried to rise —
Targus brought his axe down, pinning it back into the ice.
[Enemy defeated (1/5)]
— "Is he… that much stronger than Arden?" Akito thought, watching in awe.
"Same rank… same level… but the difference is huge."
Moments later, the fight was over.
One by one, the wardens fell.
[Enemies Defeated: 5/5]
[Guardian Trial Completed]
[Guardian Rank: C → B]
[Guardian Level: 100 → 150]
[Skills Upgraded:
— "Brunhilde's Shield" (Lv.1 → Lv.2)
— "Thunder Anchor" (Lv.1 → Lv.2)
— "Blood of the Jotun" (Lv.1 → Lv.2)]
[User Level: 136 → 152]
[User Rank: C → B]
[Reward: 5,000 Enni | Ice Blade "Cryoz" | Bonus Points: +20]
— "Well done," Akito said, opening the menu to return home.
But then—
[Guardian #3 Activated]
A pale, death-like hand appeared on Akito's shoulder.
A strange chill passed through him…
And something else.