Kian's body still pulsed with energy as he stepped out of the trial chamber. The dungeon had changed.
The air was heavier, the walls darker. What was once a green light now flickered with blue flame. The temperature shifted subtly, cold at first, then oddly warm, like something alive breathing from within the stone.
On the inside of his wrist, a glowing mark had appeared—a circle surrounded by jagged patterns, like a seal. It shimmered with silver-blue light, fading in and out with his heartbeat.
He didn't understand what had happened in that trial.
He didn't understand why he had survived it.
But one thing was clear now: he wasn't the same.
He was no longer unawakened.
He was Soulbound.
A low hum echoed through the corridor. It wasn't a voice. Not words. Just a deep, resonating sound that vibrated in his bones. He turned quickly, eyes scanning the corridor.
Nothing.
The silence returned.
Kian moved forward, his footsteps echoing across the stone. At every turn, the dungeon seemed to react to him—walls shifting subtly, runes lighting up as he passed. It wasn't random. It was leading him somewhere.
Soon, he entered a circular chamber, smaller than the trial arena. At the center stood a pedestal carved from obsidian, and on it rested a simple weapon: a short spear with a dark wood shaft and a blade made of translucent crystal.
He approached slowly.
As his hand reached toward it, glowing letters formed in the air around the weapon:
[Soulbound Weapon: Echoblade]
Type: Spear
Bound to: Kian Ansel
Effect: Increases synchronization with soul energy. Unlocks upon combat initiation.
Without hesitation, he gripped the weapon.
A sharp pulse ran through his arm, hot and cold at once. The spear felt weightless in his hand, like it had been forged for him alone. The runes on its blade shimmered faintly, as if waiting for battle to awaken them.
Behind him, a gate opened.
From the shadows, a shape emerged—eight feet tall, broad-shouldered, its skin like cracked stone. Its face was hidden behind a jagged mask, and its hands ended in claws stained with dried blood.
A guardian.
[Enemy Detected: Dungeon Watcher—Class: Elite]
Combat Initiated. Survival Rate: 41%
Soul Energy Sync: 67%... 78%... 94%...
READY.
The creature roared and charged.
Kian barely had time to react. He spun, ducking the first swipe, the blade of his spear catching the edge of the creature's claws. Sparks flew. He pivoted back, striking low. The Echoblade cut deep, cleaner than it should have.
The creature stumbled but didn't fall.
It retaliated with a heavy backhand. Kian flew backward, slamming into the wall hard enough to knock the breath from his lungs. He hit the ground, coughing.
Get up. Move.
The creature lunged again. Kian rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the impact. His instincts screamed at him to run—but something inside him pushed forward.
He leapt back in, thrusting the spear upward into the creature's side. The blade sank deeper this time. The runes along the weapon flared bright blue, and with a crackling sound, the creature shrieked.
Soul energy exploded outward.
Kian was thrown back again—but this time, the creature fell with him. It crashed to the ground, twitching, smoke rising from its wounds.
Silence returned.
[Victory.]
Soul Energy Absorbed: +3%
Sync Rate: 97%
New Ability Unlocked: Phantom Pulse
Description: Temporarily phase through attacks. Duration: 1.5 seconds. Cooldown: 12 seconds.
Kian collapsed to one knee, breathing hard, sweat dripping down his face.
His hands shook. Not from fear—but from the rush of power. The spear was still warm in his grip, like it remembered the fight.
So did he.
He wasn't just surviving the dungeon anymore.
He was adapting to it.
And whatever lay ahead, he wasn't turning back.
To Be Continued....