"The reason I brought you along has everything to do with En's fall in his war against those vile gods. You should know of her—the seventh god—goddess of the stars, moon, and night. You are a vessel of her will... the only key to all the secrets the Lost King kept locked away in this desolate place."
Star's face turned somber as he listened. At this point, Katerina had become an independent presence, different yet still somehow the same as the character the author had created. Something had shifted in her story too, something connected to him.
He had a single question he wanted to ask her, but when he looked into her eyes, all he could do was swallow and look away again.
Katerina noticed his sudden movement. Her gaze lingered on his unusually stern expression for a moment before she sighed and returned to her playful, sweet tone.
"What I want to tell you, Star, is that you are not just important to me—you are indispensable. I would never have made this journey today if it weren't for you. And though my methods may not always be ideal, I make sure to reward those who help me willingly. You must have noticed that by now."
Star shifted slightly at her words. They stung, in a way that went deeper than the words themselves—the dynamic between them. He only did what she asked because he had no real choice. Yet… he had never openly objected.
Well… she persuaded him, but in the end, he made the decision. No, that wasn't right… She had effectively forced him, leaving him burdened with the unspoken debt he owed for being brought back to life, and then handed him rewards at the end of every challenge.
He bit his lower lip.
'She literally uses me… and now she speaks of volition. Why am I even trying to justify her actions?'
After a brief pause, Katerina continued.
"I came seeking an ancient relic, hidden deep within the temple's inner sanctum. To reach it, I need a key that lies in this room… and that's where you come in. As a divine vessel, you are the only one who can truly unlock it."
Star took a deep breath.
"I understand."
Nothing else needed saying. Every word she had spoken sank into him. Katerina had a strange, compelling way of speaking, and an equally strange way of balancing authority with warmth.
There was a contradiction in her actions, too—as if she were trying to balance love and fear in her leadership. And her voice… there was something in it that made him want to obey.
A brief silence passed, broken by Katerina.
"Do you have nothing to say?"
Star wanted to ask a thousand questions, but after a quiet moment, he answered:
"Not really."
She nodded.
"I see… Well, know this: do not search for the key once inside. It will find you. The overwhelming divine essence you feel is an illusion meant to disorient you—but unlike the other trials, succumbing to it could kill you. Do not worry, however—I will bring you back if anything goes wrong."
Star nodded as Katerina reached forward, demonstrating how to hold a dagger.
"And this is how you hold it—not like a tomahawk. Strike only when the opening is right. Be deliberate and precise. Move before your enemy, but subtly, so they do not notice. Watch your environment; never let yourself be cornered. And above all, maintain clarity of mind. It is your greatest weapon—dull it, and your battle is lost."
Star nodded again, this time with a faint smile.
Her words were simple, yet perhaps the longest she had ever spoken. He thought on them for a while and took a step forward—but she called him back.
"One last thing, Star. No matter what happens inside, your safety comes first."
Nothing more was said. After a quiet sigh, Star turned to the room and stepped forward slowly. The warmth of the chamber embraced him, steady and almost soothing.
Inside, the incense-choked air was thick and dust clung to every surface. Katerina stood at the entrance, unmoving, her gaze fixed on him.
He raised a hand to his nose to avoid choking, eyes drawn to the single candle on the table. Slowly, he approached it, letting his gaze drift across the cluster of items laid out.
Most were carved from jade of various colors, intricate designs etched into each. Some shimmered faintly, as if lit from within, perfect in proportion and symmetry. Some shapes he could barely describe.Yet what caught his attention most were the ordinary-looking pieces of jewelry: earrings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets… a quiet elegance hidden among the more elaborate artifacts.
Star marveled.
"Are these… charms?"
He hesitated, picking up one of the necklaces. His eyes widened. His hunch had been right—the piece in his hands was no simple charm. It was a third-tier, second-grade item that granted resistance to soul damage.
Humans and beasts had seven soul classes: Temporal, Refined, Transcendent, Supreme, Sacred, Heavenly, and Divine. Additionally, all beings had dormant souls that evolved through five stages: Dormant, Awakened, Adept, Ascended, and Pristine.
This necklace had been crafted from the core of an Awakened Transcendent—and it was not even the most impressive item on the table.
Through his system, he read its description:
Soul Equipment Name: Echoes of the Night
Type: Charm
Tier: III
Grade: Advanced
Description: Forged by the flames of the treacherous king, El, this necklace was a tribute to a promise he made to his love—a promise of freedom. Freedom, however, comes at a cost, and it now lies forgotten.
Enchantments:
Devourer: This charm devours the force of hostile intent, swallowing the energy before it can touch the wearer. Pain and strike of soul alike are drawn into the relic, tempered, and held—contained within the night's embrace.
Soul Conjurer: The energy absorbed does not fade. It gathers silently, a reservoir of wrath and soul, ready to surge forth when needed. When released, it spreads like a tide of darkness, corrosive and pervasive, striking all within its path—not mindless, but deliberate, carrying the weight of the power it has consumed.
Attributes: Endurance +2
Soul Attributes: ????
'I guess I'm getting my rewards before the test itself.'
Though tempted to take more, the enchantments required Lifebond activation. In the end, he chose only two: an obsidian circular necklace, and the second, a dark blue jagged bracelet.
Name: Undying Wish
Type: Charm
Tier: II
Grade: Advanced
Description: El's longing never ceased.
Enchantment: Undying Will –This charm fortifies the wearer's body and spirit alike. Pain is softened, exhaustion eased, and the body moves with steadier purpose. It does not grant invincibility, but it imbues endurance that outlasts despair—a whisper that no matter how relentless the trial, the wearer may endure, if they are wise and steadfast.
Physical Attributes: Endurance +2
Soul Attributes: ????
He separated two more charms—a necklace and a pair of earrings. One improved elemental resistance; the other enhanced soul essence replenishment. He settled on the latter, considering how handy it might be if things went badly.
Star lingered over the table, letting the weight of his choices settle. The air felt heavy, filled with both dust and quiet anticipation. He could feel Katerina's presence at the door, her gaze steady, patient, almost comforting.
Time seemed to stretch. Each moment in the room was a breath before the storm—a pause before he was thrust into the trials that awaited.
The room seemed to shift imperceptibly, dust motes drifting in the candlelight. The objects glimmered faintly, as if aware of his attention, yet nothing else stirred. Star felt a quiet tension, an expectation, and braced himself.
Then, gradually, the familiar walls of the chamber began to fade. The floor beneath him softened and the air cooled. He was left standing in a vast expanse of dry sand, stretching endlessly beneath a night sky dotted with countless stars. Their glow bathed the desert in a faint blue light, serene but infinite.
In the distance, a lone golden figure stood, clad in shimmering armor, a sun-sheen claymore resting in his grip.
The second trial was about to commence.