The eastern plains stretched endlessly beneath a sky swirling with storm clouds. Lightning arced unnaturally across the horizon, hinting at the power of the calamity-level tornado elemental that awaited. My boots crunched against the cracked, wind-torn ground as I surveyed the battlefield. The system interface glimmered faintly, 20% support available, a cruel reminder that this trial was mine and mine alone.
Wave 1: 1,000 enemies.
I smirked, violet sparks igniting along my arms. "I like numbers… as long as they're not higher than my patience."
The first surge hit like a tidal wave. Hundreds of elemental-infused beasts—shadowed wolves, lightning serpents, and jagged rock golems—poured over the plains. Their howls and shrieks cut through the wind like steel.
I didn't hesitate. Storm Veins ignited fully, veins of violet lightning coursing along my limbs. I vaulted into the fray, wraiths Shadow, Rift, and Obsidian flanking me. Shadow dove into a pack of wolves, Rift striking from above while Obsidian anchored my rear, fangs of violet lightning slicing anything attempting to flank me.
The first wave of wolves lunged together, coordinated, teeth glinting with elemental charge. I spun, the arc of my sword leaving streaks of violet fire in the air. Judgment Spark tore through the lead wolf, lightning arcing outward and frying three others mid-leap.
A jagged rock golem charged from the side, heavy enough to crush a cart. I leapt atop its shoulder, driving Obsidian through its crystal chest. Sparks exploded as the lightning interacted with its stony form, but another golem staggered forward immediately.
The numbers are relentless. I thought, muscles screaming, lungs burning. Every swing was precise, but the sheer weight of bodies and magic pressing on me made my head spin. My wraiths adapted instantly, cutting through clusters, but fatigue set in—my body wasn't made of steel.
A lightning serpent coiled around my left arm mid-strike, venomous energy burning into my veins. Pain flared. I gritted my teeth and invoked Aether Conduction, drawing the electric energy into my core, redirecting it through my sword in a violent burst that cut the serpent in half. Sparks danced, burning the plains.
Even with the system's meager 20% assistance, I could feel the storm inside me pulsing harder. This was calamity-level territory, and my body screamed against its limits. I stumbled once, narrowly dodging a rock golem's strike that would have cleaved me in two. Violet lightning surged through my veins, numbing the pain, igniting muscle and tendon into superhuman speed.
"This is what I train for," I muttered. "Let's see who survives me."
Wave after wave of elemental beasts collided with me. I became a living storm. Judgment Spark carved corridors through the horde, Abyssstorm lashed serpentine arcs, and wraiths adapted instantly to threats, taking the brunt of attacks, leaving only precision openings for me to strike.
By the midpoint of Wave 1, hundreds had fallen, but the remaining were pressing closer. Fatigue was real; my arms trembled, my vision blurred, and even the small bursts of system support were barely enough to stabilize me. A shadow wolf lunged from behind, fangs tearing at my armor. I reacted instinctively, spinning, sword carving a line of violet fury, slicing it in two. Pain seared across my side from a near miss, but I ignored it.
Sweat, blood, and lightning mingled in the air, and I laughed. "Not bad for a warm-up."
Another pack of wolves surged forward, but I had learned their patterns. Abyssstorm erupted in a wide arc, tentacles of violet lightning smashing through them in synchronized precision. Wraiths followed, cutting through any survivors. The ground was scorched black and purple where I stepped, a trail of carnage and sparks marking my passage.
Finally, the last of Wave 1 collapsed, elemental energy flickering out, dust and smoke settling over the plains. I dropped to one knee, chest heaving, lightning crackling faintly along my body, hair matted with sweat.
"Done… for now," I muttered. Shadow, Rift, and Obsidian hovered near, undamaged, waiting silently, their forms flickering with residual energy.
I scanned the horizon, noting the distance to Wave 2. Already, I could feel the storm inside me coiling tighter, muscles and reflexes craving the next challenge. This was only the beginning. Five waves, each stronger, each double the last in numbers. Near-death experiences were inevitable. My body limits would be tested. But I had survived catastrophic dungeons solo. I would survive this too.
The system chimed softly, notification glowing in violet lightning:
[Wave 1 Complete – Progress Recorded]
XP Gained: +2,500, Level Up Progress: +6%
I allowed myself a smirk, brushing my sleeve over a cut on my cheek. "That was just the appetizer," I said. "Let's see what the main course looks like."
The storm above intensified, dark clouds twisting unnaturally. I could see distant flashes—Wave 2 was already forming. And I, Ashura Bellet, smirking through pain and fatigue, was ready to turn the eastern plains into a field of violet lightning and death.