Newbie Trials Begin
Every conversation died instantly. Every laugh caught in a strangled throat. The figure from the rift radiated authority—absolute and unquestionable.
"Silence, Initiates."
The voice pressed against Jin-Seok's chest, a reminder of the power the Tower demanded. Today, the Newbie Trials would begin, and his preparation would finally be tested.
---
The Waiting Room
The Tower Trial Waiting Room hummed with nervous energy. Rookie climbers sat on metal benches, fidgeting with gear or staring at the massive portal gates. Anticipation and fear hung thick in the air.
A sharp chime echoed. The Administrator stepped forward—a middle-aged man in pristine Tower robes.
> "I am Quoros… of the Split Hour. One of the Tower's administrators and temporal overseer of these Newbie Trials. Welcome to the first of five trials."
> "The Maze."
He gestured toward four glowing portals, each pulsing with colored light.
White Portal – Low Difficulty: basic traps, no monsters. Safe.
Green Portal – Mid Difficulty: moderate traps, minor illusions, low-tier monsters.
Orange Portal – High Difficulty: rotating hazards, aggressive monsters, layered structure.
Crimson Portal – Nightmare Difficulty: shifting layouts, intelligent monsters, illusion zones, reality warps, and deadly traps.
> "Choose wisely. You can only choose once. No second chances."
A tense silence followed.
---
Rumors and Tension
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
> "Nightmare mode hasn't been cleared in decades."
"Even heirs and guild elites avoid it."
"Someone tried last year… couldn't surrender. They say he's never the same."
The atmosphere grew heavy with unspoken fear.
---
Kael of Iron Fang Appears
Confident footsteps echoed. Silver-haired, finely equipped, Iron Fang's emblem gleaming. The tension in his stride betrayed his polish.
> "Kael of Iron Fang… Rank 15 rookie, invited to the elite strike team of Iron Fang's 4th Division."
Kael approached the orange portal.
> "High Difficulty," he said, steady and controlled.
The crowd buzzed. Kael's choice carried weight—he was a known quantity.
Before stepping through, his eyes flicked toward the back of the room—drawn to an unnerving stillness.
---
Spotlight on Jin-Seok
Jin-Seok sat quietly in a corner, suit crisp, mask covering the lower half of his face. Despite his stillness, all eyes gravitated toward him.
Kael's jaw tightened.
> "…You're here too."
> "Seems like it," Jin-Seok replied, calm and unreadable.
> "Guess I'll see you in there," Kael said after a pause. No mockery, no challenge—just a tight acknowledgment.
---
Aris Telvhan's Bet
A familiar voice echoed in Jin-Seok's mind. The world shifted into an ethereal space, Aris Telvhan appearing—undead, regal, and imposing.
> "How about a bet, kid? Choose Nightmare. I guide you. Clear it in under ten minutes. One favor owed, and a promise to raise my Sync when you have the points."
Jin-Seok stared.
> "No one's cleared this in decades. You want me to do it in ten minutes?"
> "Do I look like I joke about important things? Didn't I promise to help?"
> "Even Kael only chose High Difficulty."
> "Trust me, kid. When have I ever misled you?"
Jin-Seok hesitated, lips twitching beneath his mask. Aris's confidence was infectious.
> "Alright," he said. "You're on."
---
The Choice
Reality snapped back. Kael had entered his portal.
Jin-Seok approached the crimson portal calmly. Every conversation died as he reached out.
> "Nightmare Difficulty."
The room erupted.
> "Is he insane?!"
"A no-name rookie chose Nightmare?!"
"Does he want to die?!"
---
Kael's Reaction
Kael paused mid-step, eyes narrowing at Jin-Seok's choice.
> "Tch… show-off," he muttered under his breath, knuckles whitening.
---
Legacy Sync
Aris whispered in Jin-Seok's mind.
> "Sync with me. Even at 1%, you'll feel power for the first time."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION – LEGACY SYNC ACTIVE]
Legacy Character Synced: Aris Telvhan (Eternal Necromancer)
Sync Rate: 1%
[STATS UPDATED]
Health: 100 → 394
Strength: 10 → 70
Speed: 10 → 60
Stamina: 10 → 72
Endurance: 10 → 75
Mana: 10 → 110
Intelligence: 10 → 98
> Passive Boost: Physical Awareness Heightened
Reflex Sync: Active
Aris Telvhan (Mental Link): Stable
Jin-Seok felt his body sharpen, senses heightened, movements lighter, and heartbeat steady.
> "You could've told me about this earlier," he muttered.
> "And ruin the surprise? Never," Aris replied with amusement.
Confidence replaced uncertainty. Jin-Seok stepped toward the portal.
> "Let's see what Nightmare Difficulty can do."
---
Inside the Maze
Crimson light enveloped him. Then—darkness.
Stone corridors, flickering torchlight, and shifting walls greeted him. The ground rumbled as the maze adjusted.
> "First lesson," Aris guided. "Trust your enhanced senses. The maze will confuse your eyes; rely on the rest."
---
First Encounter – Goblin Ambush
Three goblins leapt from hidden alcoves, weapons ready. Jin-Seok moved fluidly, enhanced reflexes slowing their movements.
Sidestepped first strike, redirected into a wall.
Neutralized second with a precise throat strike.
Kicked the third into the shadows.
> "Warm-up," Aris remarked.
---
Second Encounter – Goblin Archers
A chamber with platforms and shadowed alcoves. Six archers positioned strategically.
Jin-Seok flowed between arrows, used a loose stone as a projectile, grabbed a fallen arrow, and neutralized the rest while climbing the wall effortlessly.
Silence followed.
---
Third Encounter – Illusion Trap
A circular room of mirrors. Reflections moved independently, creating false corridors and phantom enemies.
> "Close your eyes," Aris instructed. "Trust your other senses. The illusions can't fool everything."
Jin-Seok obeyed. Listening, feeling air currents, distinguishing echoes, he navigated with confidence.
Silence fell. The illusions dissolved. Ahead, an ancient archway awaited.