3: Trial of the Ancient Ruin
The mountains were silent.
Cold winds howled through jagged cliffs as Kian Vortex stepped into the unknown.
Behind him… his past was gone.
Ahead of him… only danger.
---
For three days, Kian walked without rest.
No food.
No shelter.
Only the faint pull of something… calling him.
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"…This way."
The ancient voice guided him.
"Your power resonates with it."
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At the edge of a cliff—
Kian stopped.
Before him stood a massive stone gate, half-buried in the mountain.
Ancient symbols covered its surface.
Cracked… forgotten… but still alive.
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"…What is this place?"
"A ruin from the age of gods."
The voice replied.
"Inside… lies your first answer."
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Kian hesitated.
Then placed his hand on the gate.
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BOOM—
The ground trembled.
The gate slowly opened.
Darkness swallowed everything inside.
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Kian stepped in.
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The moment he crossed the entrance—
The world changed.
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He was no longer inside a ruin.
He stood in a vast black space.
Stars flickered faintly around him.
Endless.
Silent.
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"…Another illusion?"
"No."
The voice whispered.
"A test."
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Suddenly—
A figure appeared.
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A towering armored warrior.
Ancient.
Cracked.
But radiating terrifying pressure.
Its eyes burned with pale blue fire.
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"INTRUDER…"
Its voice echoed like thunder.
"STATE YOUR PURPOSE."
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Kian's heart pounded.
But he didn't step back.
"I seek power."
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The guardian's gaze sharpened.
"POWER… COMES WITH A PRICE."
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Kian clenched his fists.
"I already paid it."
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Silence.
Then—
The guardian raised its massive blade.
"PROVE IT."
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In an instant—
It attacked.
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Kian barely reacted—
SLASH!!
The ground beneath him split apart.
---
He jumped back, breathing hard.
"…Too fast."
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The voice spoke calmly—
"Do not fight with fear."
"Use the Void."
---
Kian closed his eyes for a split second.
Then—
He moved.
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WHOOSH—
Void Step.
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He appeared behind the guardian.
His hand surged with dark energy.
"Black Hole—!"
---
Before he could strike—
The guardian vanished.
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Kian's eyes widened.
"…What?!"
---
A massive force hit his back—
BOOM!!
He crashed into the ground.
Blood filled his mouth.
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"WEAK."
The guardian stepped forward slowly.
---
Kian struggled to stand.
"…I can't win like this…"
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"Then change."
The voice whispered.
"Or die."
---
The guardian raised its blade again.
This time—
Kian didn't run.
---
Instead—
He spread his arms.
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"…If Void devours everything…"
His eyes turned completely black.
"…then I'll devour YOU."
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The air froze.
---
A massive dark aura exploded from his body.
Shadows twisted violently.
The space itself began to distort.
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"ABYSS DOMAIN."
---
Everything turned black.
Even the guardian paused.
---
Inside the domain—
The guardian's movements slowed.
Its power weakened.
---
Kian stepped forward slowly.
Each step heavier… but more controlled.
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"This… is my world now."
---
He raised his hand.
A massive void sphere formed—
larger than before.
More stable.
More terrifying.
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"BLACK HOLE SLASH."
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He released it.
---
The guardian roared—
"IMPOSSIBLE—"
---
The attack collided.
Silence.
Then—
---
BOOOOOM!!!
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The entire space shattered.
---
When the dust cleared—
The guardian stood still.
Cracks spread across its body.
---
Then—
It dropped its weapon.
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"…YOU… ARE WORTHY."
---
Its body collapsed into light.
---
A small floating crystal remained.
Dark.
Pulsing.
Alive.
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Kian approached slowly.
"…What is this?"
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"Your first key."
The voice answered.
"Void Core Fragment."
---
The crystal merged into his chest.
---
Pain surged—
But this time…
Kian didn't scream.
---
His aura stabilized.
His breathing calmed.
His power—
Became his own.
---
Outside the ruin—
The stone gate shattered.
---
Kian stepped out.
Different.
Stronger.
Colder.
---
Far away—
The hunters were getting closer.
---
Kian looked at the horizon.
His journey had just begun.
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"…Let them come."
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🔥 END OF EPISODE 3
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🎯 Hook for Episode 4:
Hunters arrive—and Kian faces his first real battle against elite cultivators sent to kill him.