The room was silent.
The floating screen still hovered in front of Kairo Vance's eyes.
⸻
[Relic Bond Established]
Ashborn Wraith has accepted your presence.
⸻
Kairo exhaled slowly.
"…So it's real."
A soft movement came from the corner of the room.
The shadow-like creature crawled forward again.
But this time—
It wasn't just a shape.
It felt aware.
Alive.
The system screen flickered.
⸻
[System Notice]
First Relic: Ashborn Wraith
Type: Forgotten Entity (Unclassified)
Status: Weak Form (Sealed)
⸻
Kairo's eyes narrowed.
"Sealed?"
As if responding, the creature tilted its head.
Then suddenly—
A sharp pulse of energy burst from it.
WHOOM
The lights in the room flickered.
Kairo stepped back slightly.
"…What are you?"
The creature's body began to dissolve into smoke—
Then reform again.
Stronger.
Darker.
More stable.
⸻
[Relic Evolution Detected]
Ashborn Wraith is reacting to host presence…
⸻
Kairo frowned.
"Evolution… this early?"
The system continued.
⸻
[Warning: First Awakening Trial Triggered]
Survive or lose the relic permanently.
⸻
Kairo's eyes sharpened.
"…Trial?"
The room temperature dropped instantly.
The walls darkened.
Like reality itself was bending.
Then—
From the shadows on the floor…
Something else began to rise.
Not his summon.
Something else.
A second presence.
Low growl.
Then a distorted voice echoed.
"…Failed awakeners… should not exist."
Kairo turned sharply.
Three shadow-like figures emerged from the walls.
Their eyes glowed red.
⸻
[Hostile Entity Detected]
Class: Shadow Enforcers (Low Rank)
⸻
Kairo's heartbeat slowed.
So this is what the system meant.
A trial.
One step forward—
Or complete erasure.
The Ashborn Wraith moved instinctively.
It positioned itself in front of him.
Protective.
Kairo looked at it for a moment.
Then spoke quietly.
"…So you choose to fight for me."
The creature didn't respond.
But its shadow expanded.
The air cracked.
And then—
It moved.
Fast.
Like a collapsing darkness.
The first Shadow Enforcer rushed forward—
But before it could strike—
The Ashborn Wraith pierced through it.
Silence.
The enemy disintegrated instantly.
Kairo's eyes widened slightly.
"…That's F-rank?"
The system flickered again.
⸻
[Relic Experience Gained]
Ashborn Wraith strength increasing… slightly.
⸻
The remaining two enemies froze.
For the first time—
They hesitated.
Kairo slowly stepped forward.
His voice was calm.
"…You came into the wrong room."
The second enemy lunged.
The Ashborn Wraith moved again—
But this time, Kairo raised his hand.
"Stop."
The creature paused instantly.
Kairo's eyes narrowed.
"…Let me try something."
The system flickered.
⸻
[New Command Detected]
Host attempting synchronization.
⸻
Kairo focused.
The air around him trembled slightly.
Then—
A thin thread of darkness connected his hand to the Ashborn Wraith.
Energy flowed.
Not borrowed.
Shared.
The creature grew slightly larger.
Its eyes glowed brighter.
Kairo smirked faintly.
"…So I can control your growth too."
The last two enemies hesitated.
Too late.
The Ashborn Wraith moved like a collapsing storm.
One strike.
Two strikes.
Everything disappeared.
⸻
Silence returned.
The room slowly became normal again.
The system screen reappeared.
⸻
[Trial Completed]
Reward: System Stabilization + First Growth Unlock
⸻
Kairo exhaled.
For the first time in his life…
He didn't feel weak.
He looked at his hand.
Then at the shadow creature beside him.
"…Ashborn Wraith."
The creature tilted its head.
Kairo's expression sharpened slightly.
"…We're going to get stronger."
The creature melted into his shadow.
Bound.
Permanent.
⸻
Outside the room—
Far beyond human perception—
Something opened its eyes.
"…A Forgotten Relic has awakened."