Day 1 – The Briefing
The gauntlet pulsed against his wrist as he listened to the ethereal voice of the trial overseer. "Five monsters. Level 20. Each of a different species. Eliminate them all. No assistance. No retreat."
He studied the projection hovering above his gauntlet: vast forests, swamps, cliffs, volcanic ridges. Normally, each monster required at least twenty Level 10 hunters to defeat—but he had neither allies nor reinforcements. Only his skill, the gauntlet, and his mind.
"Impossible… but not if we plan," he muttered. The gauntlet hummed, almost approvingly.
He spent the day poring over intelligence: habits, weaknesses, habitats, and terrain. He marked blind spots, patrol patterns, and areas where environmental hazards could be exploited. Every detail mattered.
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Day 2–5 – Reconnaissance
The first lair: a stone-scaled dragon in a valley that shimmered with residual mana. He watched from a ridge, timing its sleep cycles, noting weak spots around the forelegs and eyes. The gauntlet pulsed, highlighting potential strike angles.
The second monster: a giant hydra lurking in a swamp. Its multiple heads struck unpredictably, venom dripping into stagnant water. He mapped the swamp, noting every obstacle, deadfall, and choke point.
Third: a shadow wraith that teleported through darkness. Observing it required patience; he followed patterns, marked teleportation trails, and placed subtle mana traps.
Fourth: a corrupted forest giant. He studied the ravine nearby, realizing it could be used to restrict movement.
Fifth: a phoenix-like fire elemental, high above a volcanic ridge. He calculated wind currents, lava flows, and flight paths, planning every attack before ever drawing a weapon.
The gauntlet whispered, guiding, teaching, reminding him of timing, positioning, and focus. "We cannot afford mistakes."
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Day 6–8 – Dragon & Hydra
The dragon stirred beneath the valley, unaware of the shadow above. He leapt into action, gauntlet morphing into dual blades, slicing through a leg joint with precision. When the tail whipped toward him, it became pulse guns, blasting a concussive wave to stagger the beast. As the dragon lunged, the gauntlet surged into massive hammer form, smashing a soft scale and bringing the creature down.
Swamp waters churned as the hydra struck. Multiple heads snapped at him, fangs glinting with venom. He shifted seamlessly: tonfa for defense, crossbow for long-distance strikes, and finally dual blades to sever the last head. Every strike used the terrain to his advantage, forcing the hydra into shallow water where movement was restricted.
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Day 9–11 – Shadow Wraith & Forest Giant
The wraith flickered in darkness, teleporting unpredictably. He anticipated its paths, luring it into traps—shards of enchanted metal embedded in the ground. Gauntlet morphed fluidly: bow → pulse gun → dual blades, striking mid-teleport and finally crushing it with a hammer strike as it attempted to flee.
The forest giant swung massive limbs. He baited it into the ravine, limiting its range. The gauntlet became mace and shield, blocking colossal blows while slamming the giant's joints with precision. A strategically toppled cliffside rock pinned its limbs, allowing a final hammer strike to finish it.
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Day 12–14 – Phoenix Elemental
The fire elemental soared above volcanic terrain, heat distorting the air. He danced across jagged rocks, gauntlet shifting constantly: dual blades for close strikes, gun for bursts, tonfa for blocking, bow for guided fire arrows. Every maneuver countered flame, every strike exploited timing.
Finally, after a fluid, synchronized sequence, he struck the elemental mid-air with dual blades while firing a pulse gun from the other hand, destabilizing it. A final hammer strike sent it crashing to the volcanic ground, light fading into glowing embers.
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Day 15 – Completion & Breakthrough
Breathing hard, he surveyed the remains of the five Level 20 monsters. Energy flowed into the gauntlet as per trial rules.
"Leveling complete," the gauntlet announced, pulsing brightly. "Lv.10 achieved. Breakthrough unlocked."
The gauntlet expanded and rippled across his arm. New energy shapes formed: a mini-barrier generator, faster weapon morphing, and subtle mana-enhancing abilities.
"Impressive," it murmured. "You've proven intelligence, skill, and adaptability. This is only the beginning."
He flexed his fingers, exhaustion and exhilaration mingling. For days, he had prepared, studied, and fought monsters far beyond his previous limits. And somewhere deep inside, fragments of memory stirred—the feel of hammer on steel, metal yielding to his hands. A life forgotten, yet remembered in motion, guiding him forward.