The city skyline shimmered under the afternoon sun, but Onex barely noticed. Every pulse of the Eclipse Halo Farming System hummed in anticipation, whispering, "Trial detected. Prepare for extreme challenge."
[Ding!]
[Eclipse Trial Available – Recommended Level: 4+]
[Objective: Complete all Trial stages to unlock Legendary Halo Fusion]
Nix leaned against the rooftop railing, arms crossed. "You really think you're ready for this?"
Onex tilted their head, letting the Shadowlight halo flicker. "Ready? I've been waiting for something like this. Finally, a challenge that matters."
Nix raised an eyebrow. "You say that now. Just remember, this isn't some alley fight with Syndicate mooks. The system designed this trial. It's supposed to test you… to the limit."
Onex smirked. "Perfect. Limits are meant to be broken."
The system projected a translucent doorway of light, hovering in the middle of the rooftop. Stepping through felt like plunging into another dimension. The city noises faded, replaced by a low hum of concentrated aura energy.
[Ding!]
[Stage 1 – Shadow Corridor]
[Objective: Navigate maze using Shadowlight halo only]
The walls of the corridor pulsed with faint light, flickering shadows crawling along the floor. Onex narrowed their eyes, feeling the aura within the walls. Each pulse represented a hidden trap, a minor aura drain if misstepped.
Nix whispered, "Don't overthink it. Trust the halos."
Onex flexed their fingers. Shadows coiled like living tendrils, wrapping along the walls to map the corridor. The system pinged each time they found the safest path:
[Ding!]
[Aura Mapping Successful – Shadowlight Efficiency +10%]
Minutes later, they emerged unscathed. The corridor had tested their control, precision, and ability to sense energy. A soft voice echoed in the trial chamber:
"Stage 1 Complete. Prepare for Stage 2."
Stage 2 was an arena filled with floating platforms, each glowing with faint halo energy. Several simulated elite rivals appeared, halos flickering with different colors. They moved with pre-programmed AI patterns, but each one tested a different skill—dodging, absorption, combination strikes.
[Ding!]
[Stage 2 – Combat Simulation]
[Objective: Farm 3 Elite Halo Units]
Onex smirked. "Finally, some action."
The first simulated rival charged, halo crackling with golden light. Onex let the Shadowlight halo absorb a fragment mid-strike, redirecting the energy into the Eclipse Flicker halo, creating a dazzling counterattack.
[Ding!]
[Aura Absorbed: +25 Shadowlight Energy]
[New Combo Ready: Shadowlight + Eclipse Flicker]
Nix clapped lightly from the side. "That's… actually beautiful. And terrifying."
The second rival tried a coordinated attack. Onex merged Voidlight with Shadowlight, creating a swirling vortex of light and shadow that absorbed and amplified the aura of the enemy. They moved fluidly, exploiting the simulation's weaknesses.
[Ding!]
[Aura Absorbed: +30 Aura]
[System Alert: Hidden Ability Unlocked – Shadow Pulse Max]
Even in the simulated environment, Onex felt exhilaration. Every absorbed aura, every counterstrike, fed not just the system, but their confidence.
Stage 3 tested strategy. A series of platforms suspended over an endless void required precise aura management. Each step released pulses of energy designed to knock Onex off balance. The system pinged constantly, highlighting extraction points, weak zones, and halo-enhancement nodes.
Nix muttered, "This… is basically a death trap."
Onex smirked, fingers dancing in the air, manipulating the halos. "Exactly why it's fun. Watch."
Shadowlight halos extended into protective walls, while Voidlight halos formed tethered bridges between unstable platforms. Each movement was precise, each aura extraction feeding their growing pool.
[Ding!]
[Stage 3 Complete – Aura Mastery +40]
[Next Stage: Legendary Rival Simulation]
The final stage loomed ahead: a massive, swirling arena. A single, towering figure materialized—the Eclipse Core Rival, their aura radiating energy that warped the surroundings. Even in simulation, Onex could feel the pressure.
System pinged urgently:
[Ding!]
[Stage 4 – Eclipse Core Rival]
[Objective: Survive & Farm Halo Energy]
[Warning: Extreme Difficulty – Legendary Halo Potential]
Onex exhaled slowly, feeling shadows wrap around them protectively. "Time to farm history."
Nix leaned forward, whispering, "Don't underestimate it. Even simulated, this is… insane."
The rival charged, aura blazing. Onex dodged, absorbing minor strikes mid-air, letting the system guide the timing of Eclipse Flicker + Voidlight fusion. Energy crackled, shadows and light dancing across the arena.
[Ding!]
[Aura Absorbed: +50 Aura]
[New Halo Technique Unlocked: Eclipse Fusion]
Onex grinned, mid-jump, fully aware that every strike, every dodge, was feeding not just power, but reputation. "You don't know who you're farming," they muttered under their breath.
Nix shook their head, half in awe, half in terror. "You're insane… but I love it."
The chapter ends with Onex in midair, halos spinning furiously, ready to land the decisive strike against the Eclipse Core Rival, system pinging:
[Ding!]
[Stage 4 In Progress – Legendary Halo Fusion Possible]
The trial had only begun, but Onex was already feeling the thrill of unlimited growth.