Vin continued blazing through the next couple of trials, his determination and strength carrying him through the challenges. After defeating his perfect replica in the last hidden trial, he seemed to have undergone some type of evolution.
His mind felt freer than ever before, his physique felt lighter and his body felt stronger. The next couple of trials felt like a walk in the park, but he knew that wasn't the case.
After the last hidden trial, he knew that the reason the rest of the next few trials seemed easy was because it was meant to serve as some type of break for him.
And the reason was because he had figured out the pattern of the trials, due to the so called mysterious higher force that was meddling with his trials, he was going to face a hidden trial every ten floors in the Tower.
And that was exactly what he was going to face next.
"Trial 39 ~ The Clandestine Ridge. Success" The storm cloud reappeared, its voice booming. The moment he heard the voice he breathed a deep sigh.
As the scenery changed again, this time he was thrown into the same cracked earth desert where he met the gruesome creatures from before in the 20th trial.
The storm cloud reappeared again, its voice booming as he repeated words Vin remembered "Due to interference from a higher force, hidden trial has been unlocked. Trial 40 ~ Objective ~ SURVIVE"
And soon enough, Vin could see why he was asked to survive, and he felt it was incredulous as this seemed even more impossible that fighting himself.
Unlike in the 20th trial, there were hundreds of portals that appeared this time around, and from within thousands of creatures that seemed to run on all fours.
When Vin laid eyes on his opponents this time, his heart almost leapt out of his chest as he took a step back while muttering "We.. We.... WENDIGOS!!!!!"
Vin's eyes widened as he gazed upon the horde of Wendigos emerging from the portals. These abominable creatures were the stuff of nightmares, their twisted forms inspiring dread.
Wendigos stood between 7-10 feet tall, their bodies a grotesque fusion of human and wolf. Their skin was deathly pale, pulled taut over skeletal frames. Eyes glowed with an otherworldly green light, as if infected by a malevolent force.
Their bodies were covered in thick, matted fur, with razor-sharp claws and teeth. The air around them seemed to distort, as if reality itself was warped by their presence.
Wendigos possessed supernatural strength, speed, and agility. Their claws could tear through steel, and their bites carried a deadly, corrupting poison.
Their gaze could petrify even the bravest warriors, and their howls could shatter the resolve of those who dared oppose them.
Legend spoke of the Wendigos as ancient, cursed beings born from human darkness. They roamed the land, seeking to devour the living and spread their twisted influence.
In ancient times, tribes believed that Wendigos were the manifestation of humanity's darkest aspects: greed, gluttony, and cruelty.
To become a Wendigo, one had to succumb to these darknesses, embracing the beast within. Once transformed, they would forever roam the earth, seeking to consume and corrupt.
Vin knew that facing thousands of Wendigos would be suicidal. His only hope lay in exploiting their weakness: vulnerability to sacred artifacts and purification rituals.
With a deep breath, Vin steeled himself. He would need all his skills, strength, and cunning to survive this trial.
"I'll need to find a way to exploit their weaknesses," Vin thought, "or create an opportunity to use my sword techniques effectively."
As the Wendigos closed in, their eyes fixed on Vin like a hive mind, he readied his sword.
"Seven Sins of Chaos ~ Blossoming Candense," Vin whispered, focusing his energy.
The battle was about to begin.
The Wendigos charged forward, their twisted forms blurring as they moved with unnatural speed. Vin stood firm, his sword shimmering with a faint, ethereal glow.
With a swift, horizontal slash, Vin unleashed "Blossoming Candense." The sword strikes released a whirlwind of petals, each infused with runic energy.
The Wendigos recoiled, their corrupted bodies repelled by the pure energy. Vin exploited the opening, striking down several Wendigos with precision blows.
But the horde was endless, and Vin soon found himself surrounded. The Wendigos' claws tore at his robes, seeking to expose his vulnerable flesh.
Vin leapt and dodged, avoiding the worst of the attacks. His sword flashed in the dim light, slicing through Wendigo after Wendigo.
Despite his valiant efforts, Vin began to tire. The sheer number of Wendigos wore him down, their relentless assault draining his strength.
As the wendigos surged forward, Vin charged into their fray, his sword flashing in the dim violet light. He unleashed his battle control skill.
"Nine Chronicles of Hell ~ Second Chronicle ~ Wails of the Forgotten"
Summoning a maelstrom of whispering voices that disoriented and confused the wendigos. The creatures stumbled and faltered, their attacks becoming wild and uncoordinated.
Vin seized the opportunity, activating "Sword Two" and slicing through the beasts with precision and deadliness. He danced through the chaos, his movements a blur as he struck down beast after beast. The "Wails of the Forgotten" continued to rage around him, amplifying his sword strikes and further disrupting the wendigos' coordination.
As the battle raged on, Vin began to feel the strain. His breathing grew ragged, his muscles aching from the relentless assault. Yet he refused to yield, knowing that he couldn't falter here no matter what it takes.
Just when it seemed that Vin would be overwhelmed, he unleashed another large scale skill, the second move of his self created sword technique.
"Seven Sins of Chaos ~ Burial Flower"
Plunging his sword into the ground and unleashing a whirlwind of razor-sharp petals. The petals tore through the wendigos, dealing massive damage and further disrupting their coordination.
The beasts recoiled, momentarily stunned by the ferocity of Vin's assault. Vin took advantage of the reprieve, striking down any beast that dared to approach him. He fought on, his determination and resolve driving him forward.
Just when all seemed lost, Vin focused on his thoughts as his gaze snapped to towards the portals, still spewing forth the wendigos. He spotted a glowing core within each portal pulsing with dark energy.
With renewed determination, Vin targeted the portals. His sword strikes resonated with runic energy, disrupting the dark cores.
The portals began to collapse, their Wendigo spawn dissipating into nothingness. Vin's burden eased, and he pressed his advantage.
Trial 40 ~ Objective ~ SURVIVE" seemed less impossible now.
But Vin knew better than to underestimate the Tower's challenges.
As the last portal dissolved, a colossal Wendigo emerged from the shadows. Its eyes blazed with malevolent fury, and its presence shook the earth.
"The Alpha," Vin whispered, recognizing the monstrous creature.
Vin faced the Alpha Wendigo, his heart pounding with anticipation. The creature's presence was overwhelming, its dark energy suffocating.
The Alpha's eyes locked onto Vin, burning with an ancient, malevolent fury. Its massive claws flexed, ready to tear Vin apart.
Vin drew his sword, its blade shimmering with a fierce determination. He had faced countless trials, but this battle would decide his fate.
With a thunderous roar, the Alpha charged forward. Vin met the attack, their clash shaking the earth.
The battle raged on, Vin's sword flashing in the dim light. The Alpha's claws tore through the ground, sending Vin flying across the desert.
Vin rolled to his feet, his sword still clutched in his hand. The Alpha's assault intensified, its blows raining down like a tempest.
Vin dodged and parried, his sword slicing through the Alpha's attacks. But the creature's sheer strength wore him down.
Vin focused his thoughts, connecting with the higher force. A surge of energy flowed through him, imbuing his sword with sacred power.
With renewed strength, Vin struck back. His sword sliced through the Alpha's defenses, striking true.
The Alpha howled in rage as Vin's sword bit deep into its shoulder. The creature's claws flailed wildly, but Vin dodged each blow.
The battle reached its climax. Vin's sword clashed with the Alpha's claws, their energies locked in a struggle for dominance.
In a burst of light, Vin's sword prevailed. The Alpha stumbled back, its claws releasing a deafening screech.
Vin stood tall, his chest heaving with exhaustion. He had faced his greatest challenge yet.
But something changed, as the Alpha's body turned red immediately, entering beserk mode, becoming faster and more stronger than before.
And Vin decided he wouldn't hold back anymore as he raised his hand, a very large violet-colored runic circle, had appeared above the Alpha.
And then a voice sounded out, like a command, or a declaration.
"Celestial Authority ~ Dio Graze"
And with a downward motion of his hands, a large ball of concentrated violet colored runic Flames phased out of the runic circle.
The temperature of the entire battlefield increased by a few hundred degrees immediately as the the ball of flames descend on the Alpha.
And then.....
"BOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!"
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