Ye Tian stood at the gate of the ancient ruin.Behind him, the glowing patterns on the stone walls faded.
"We did it," he said softly.
Yue Qing walked up beside him, her eyes sharp.Her breathing was calm, but he could feel her power shifting again.Her curse was growing.
"Let's go. I don't like this place," she said.
They walked through the dark path back into the Abyss tunnels.But this time… something had changed.
The Ground Trembled
BOOM.
The tunnel shook. Dust fell from the ceiling.
Ye Tian stopped. He placed his hand on the wall.
"Something big is coming."
Suddenly, his system window opened.
⟨SYSTEM WARNING⟩
Abyss Guardian DetectedPower Level: ???Type: Trial PredatorDistance: 200 metersAdvice: Run or prepare for battle.
Yue Qing's expression turned serious.
"A Guardian? Why now?"
"We must've triggered it after taking the weapon," Ye Tian said.
He pulled out the dark blade he earned in the trial.It glowed faintly, as if hungry for battle.
"We can't run forever," he added."Let's fight."
The Creature Appeared
The tunnel ahead darkened.A loud growl echoed.
Out of the shadows came a giant black beast, shaped like a wolf, but covered in hard stone-like armor. Its eyes glowed red.
"Trial intruders detected," it said in a deep, cracked voice.
"You're the one trespassing," Yue Qing muttered.
She raised her hand, dark mist swirling around her.
Ye Tian smiled. "Let's test our new strength."
The Battle Begins
The wolf leapt forward.
Ye Tian dashed to the side, slashing with his new blade.The metal sparked as it struck the beast's leg—but didn't cut deep.
Yue Qing released a wave of cursed energy. Black vines shot from her arms and wrapped around the beast's neck, slowing it.
"Now!" she shouted.
Ye Tian jumped high, spinning in midair. His sword glowed with system energy.
Shadow Blade – Level 2 – Execution Slash!
He slammed it down on the creature's head.
BOOOOM!
The beast roared, crashing into the wall.
Victory – But A Warning
The wolf guardian twitched, then fell still.The system window popped up again.
⟨SYSTEM NOTICE⟩
Victory Achieved.Partial Trial Cleared.Reward: 150 EXP, New Passive Unlocked: Abyssal InstinctWarning: Higher-level enemies are now aware of your presence.
Yue Qing leaned against the wall, breathing hard.
"This is only the beginning, isn't it?"
Ye Tian nodded.
"They know we're alive now."
He looked up toward the tunnel's ceiling, toward the surface.
"Let them come. I'm not the weak boy they threw away anymore."