The morning sun rose over Greenhollow, spilling warm light across the village's cottages. T Ken stepped out of his modest home, carrying the memories of yesterday's lessons. The Ω∞D System pulsed faintly in his mind, a constant reminder of the power he now held — and the responsibility it demanded.
He knew that mastering the system would require more than simple experimentation. It required understanding, strategy, and the courage to face threats far beyond ordinary villagers. Today, he decided, he would begin his first real trial.
Walking toward the forest that bordered the village, he passed by mocking villagers, their eyes sharp with curiosity and lingering malice.
"Look at him… strutting around like a hero," one sneered.
T Ken didn't flinch. He had learned to ignore them, focusing instead on the whispers of the system in his mind. Each icon glowed softly, waiting for his intent. He reached toward one labeled "Combat Training" and felt a rush of energy surge through him.
The world shifted briefly, and suddenly the familiar forest transformed. Trees grew taller, shadows deeper, and glowing markers appeared on the ground — targets set by the system itself.
> "This simulation is your first trial. Eliminate threats while minimizing harm. Your choices affect the system's alignment with your intent," the calm voice intoned.
T Ken's heart pounded. The forest was now alive with glowing, shadowy figures, moving with unnatural speed. They were illusions, yet they felt real. One misstep, and he could be injured.
He summoned a simple wooden sword, enhanced by the system. It gleamed with a faint aura, sturdy yet light. Moving cautiously, he tested his reflexes, blocking strikes from the first shadow. Each movement was precise, guided by instinct and system instructions.
Minutes stretched into hours. T Ken dodged, parried, and countered with increasing confidence. The system offered subtle advice:
> "Focus your intent. Strength alone is meaningless. Strategy and empathy guide true power."
He realized then that the system wasn't just a tool of destruction. It tested his character, gauging his morality and decision-making. When a shadow "villager" tripped in the simulation, he instinctively lowered his blade instead of striking. The system pulsed in approval.
Sweat ran down his brow, but T Ken felt a sense of accomplishment unlike anything before. Each target he neutralized reinforced his control, and the forest shimmered back into its natural form.
Exhausted, he leaned against a tree, catching his breath. But even in the quiet, a presence lingered: Hyung Fyi.
"You are progressing well," the mentor said, his tone even and composed. "But this is only the beginning. Real threats are far less predictable than simulations."
T Ken nodded. "I understand. I… I want to protect everyone, not just myself. The system… it helps me, but I need to make the right choices."
Hyung Fyi's gaze was piercing. "Intent guides power. Strength without conscience is destructive. Remember this, T Ken, as you face the world."
Their conversation was interrupted by a distant cry. T Ken's heart leaped. He sprinted toward the sound, following the noise through the forest. A small group of villagers had accidentally wandered into a den of magical beasts — fox-like creatures with glowing eyes, similar to the one he encountered the day before.
Instinctively, T Ken activated a shield from the system. Energy flared around him, forming a barrier just as one of the beasts lunged at the frightened villagers.
He focused on his intent: protect, not harm. The system responded immediately. Tools appeared — nets, tranquilizing darts, and temporary binding barriers — all designed to neutralize the creatures without causing fatal injury.
With swift movements and clear thought, T Ken guided the villagers to safety while subduing the beasts. His mind raced, but he felt the system's support, a calm voice in the chaos:
> "Align your intent with purpose. Every action has a consequence."
When the last villager was safe, T Ken collapsed to his knees, heart pounding. The adrenaline subsided, replaced by awe. The Ω∞D System was more than power; it was a guide, a teacher, a reflection of his own morality.
As he returned home, T Ken's thoughts drifted to Princess Elara. He imagined telling her of his first trial, hoping that one day, she would see not just the poor boy from Greenhollow, but a protector capable of standing by her side.
That night, T Ken sat outside his cottage, gazing at the stars. The gentle hum of the system filled his mind as he reflected on the day. He had faced simulations, real threats, and even his own fears — and survived. Each step brought him closer to mastering the legacy of Hyung Fyi, and each decision reinforced his resolve.
> "I will protect my family, my village, and Princess Elara," he whispered. "I will grow stronger. I will become worthy of this system."
A soft glow enveloped him as the Ω∞D System pulsed in acknowledgment. T Ken smiled, the first genuine smile since his life of hardship began. The path ahead was daunting, filled with mysteries, dangers, and challenges beyond imagination. But for the first time, he felt hope.
Tomorrow, he would train harder. Tomorrow, he would explore more of the system's abilities. And tomorrow, he would begin to understand the full weight of the legacy entrusted to him.
The poor village boy from Greenhollow had begun his journey — not just as a protector, but as a chosen heir capable of shaping destinies.
End of Chapter 3.
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