From the depths of the frozen fortress emerged a creature forged from bones, bound in ice. Its gaze locked onto the approaching figures, and its left eye lit up with an ominous green glow.
[Objective: Defeat the Prince of Frost (0/1)]
"Let's go," Targus growled, gripping his weapon.
[Thunder Anchor — Activated]
His first strike sent a shockwave rippling through the snow, cracking the ground beneath their feet. Akito stood still, watching as a lone figure emerged from the snowy whirlwind—Targus.
Suddenly, a skeletal hand burst from the snow. Akito barely reacted in time—slipping beneath it and landing a sharp blow to the enemy's side.
[+1%]
Before he could recover, he heard a familiar war cry:
"How dare you strike the Jarl!"
Targus charged in with a thunderous roar.
[Jotun's Blood — Activated]
Blow after blow rained down, but the Prince deflected them all. Meanwhile, Akito circled behind, preparing a finishing strike—only to have his blade blocked by a wall of rising snow. A split-second later, an icy leg slammed into his gut with brutal force.
[-50 HP]
"This is his territory… but he's weaker than Zalgrom," Akito muttered, gripping his sword tighter.
Targus kept pressing forward. His attacks were relentless, and eventually, one of them caused a deep crack to split across the Prince's chest. The creature skidded backward, digging its feet and arm into the ground to stop.
But Targus's mode was nearly over. The Prince raised a hand—summoning an icy spear—and unleashed a blizzard.
"Now! Cut us a path!" Akito shouted.
[Thunder Anchor — Activated]
The blow shattered the wave of snow, and Akito dashed through the breach. He swung his sword, but the Prince met him with his spear. A ferocious clash erupted. Their strikes vaporized snow and air alike, cracking the space around them.
The Prince lunged, hurling his spear at Targus, and instantly formed another to attack. The spear pierced the giant's shoulder—but Targus only grinned, yanked it out, and roared:
[Jotun's Blood — Activated]
Akito stepped back. Their blows flew like bullets in a warzone. He saw it—the same crack. That's the weak point.
"Throw me at him!" he yelled.
Targus grabbed Akito and hurled him straight toward the enemy. Akito's blade plunged into the fracture with a thunderous screech. The Prince of Frost shattered into pieces.
[Guardian Trial: Complete]
[Target Eliminated: Prince of Frost (1/1)]
[Guardian Rank Up: B → A]
[Guardian Level Up: 150 → 200]
[Skills Enhanced]:
– Brunhilde's Shield (Lv.2 → Lv.3)
– Thunder Anchor (Lv.2 → Lv.3)
– Jotun's Blood (Lv.2 → Lv.3)
[Player Level Up: 165 → 181]
[Reward: +7500 enni | Bonus Points: +25 | Skill Enhanced — Victor (Lv.2 → Lv.3)]
Akito's sword dissolved into his inventory. He straightened up, breathing heavily.
"Well done, Targus. We're growing stronger with each fight… Now it's my turn to catch up."
In a flash, they were back in Akito's apartment. Elian was already standing by the window, as if awaiting his turn.
"Young master… if you're not too exhausted… may I take the trial?" he asked quietly, still not meeting Akito's gaze.
"Of course, Elian. Don't worry—I don't get tired. And after fighting the Prince, I need to distribute my points too. It'll benefit us all."
In the blink of an eye, everything around them was consumed by a dark, green-black forest. The air was thick, heavy with ancient memories. Every shadow reeked of something forgotten… and wrong.
"Forgive me…" Elian whispered, eyes on the ground. "I failed to help you against Zalgrom. I won't fail again."
"Don't blame yourself. Even if all of us had struck together, I doubt we could've defeated him. He was… too strong."
They walked along a narrow path littered with brittle branches. Only the crunch of twigs and the cold wind broke the silence. Then—a sickening, raspy laugh. A whistle in the dark. The first arrow tore through the air.
Elian activated [Forest Crossbow], and dozens of crimson eyes lit up in the shadows.
[Defeat 15 enemies (0/15)]
Goblins. Vicious, fast, cunning.
"Master… maybe we should stop? I'm just in the way," Elian said through clenched teeth.
But Akito had already leapt forward, deflecting arrows and bounding up a tree. One strong jump—and he perched at the top. Movement below. Several goblins leapt down. More followed. Like a predator, Akito pounced. One clean strike—and a head cracked off its shoulders.
[Enemy Defeated (1/15)]
Elian froze on a branch. "If I can't fight… then I'll at least help." He activated [Phantom Veil].
Akito's body shimmered, becoming semi-transparent. Arrows passed through him. The goblins were confused—he wasn't.
Silently and ruthlessly, he tore through them.
(2/15)… (4/15)… (11/15)… (15/15)
Silence.
The clearing was littered with bodies. Elian stepped out from the shadows.
[Guardian Trial: Complete]
[Guardian Rank Up: B → A]
[Guardian Level: 150 → 200]
[Skill Enhanced: Forest Crossbow (Lv.1 → Lv.2)]
[Player Level: 181 → 203]
[Reward: +7500 enni | Bonus Points: +25]
Akito lowered his blade as a single thought echoed in his mind:
"Now we're stronger. I won't let it happen again…"
[Guardian #4 Activated]
[Noxveil]
Hey there, reader!
If you've made it this far, thank you so much. I'm writing this story in Russian and translating it into English — so I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Even one small comment gives me huge motivation 💬💙
Let me know who your favorite character is so far!