Dawn arrived quietly
Mist clung to the mountains like a pale veil as Kael stood at the edge of the Outer Trial Grounds.
A towering stone gate loomed before him, its surface covered in claw marks and dried blood. Beyond it lay dense forests and jagged terrain—home to savage beasts and discarded disciples.
No guards escorted him.
No supplies were given.
This was not a trial.
It was a test of death.
"Enter," an elder said indifferently.
The stone gate rumbled open.
Kael stepped forward.
The moment he crossed the threshold, the gate slammed shut behind him with a thunderous boom.
Silence followed.
Then—
A low growl echoed from the trees.
Kael's muscles tensed. He slowed his breathing and scanned his surroundings. The forest was thick, visibility limited. Sunlight barely reached the ground.
"This place is perfect for ambushes," he thought.
He bent down and picked up a sharp stone, gripping it tightly.
Moments later, bushes rustled to his left.
A dark shadow lunged.
Kael rolled aside just in time.
A Black Fang Wolf landed where he had been standing, its red eyes glowing with hunger. Saliva dripped from its sharp fangs.
[Beast Detected.]
Name: Black Fang Wolf
Threat Level: Low–Moderate
Condition: Injured (Old wound)
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"Injured," he murmured. "My chance."
The wolf snarled and charged again.
Kael did not retreat.
He rushed forward instead.
The wolf was faster. Its claws slashed across Kael's chest, tearing cloth and flesh. Pain flared.
Kael gritted his teeth and slammed the sharp stone into the wolf's eye.
A shrill cry rang out.
The beast staggered.
Kael tackled it to the ground. They rolled across dirt and roots, biting, clawing, struggling.
Kael felt teeth sink into his arm.
Blood poured out.
But his grip tightened.
He drove the stone down.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The wolf's body went limp.
Kael collapsed beside it, gasping for air.
[Kill Confirmed.]
[First Beast Kill Achieved.]
[Rewards Granted:]
— Body Tempering +5%
— Pain Resistance Increased
— Minor Qi Sensitivity Unlocked
Warmth flooded Kael's body.
His wounds stopped bleeding as fast. His muscles felt denser, heavier.
He slowly pushed himself up.
"So this is real cultivation," he said hoarsely.
For the first time since his rebirth, Kael felt it.
Qi.
Not flowing yet—but responding.
His eyes burned with excitement.
Before he could rest, another sound echoed.
More growls.
Not one.
Several.
Kael turned.
Three pairs of glowing eyes stared at him from the shadows.
More wolves.
Kael smiled grimly.
"No rest," he muttered. "Good."
[Warning!]
[Multiple Targets Detected.]
[High-Risk Combat Opportunity.]
[Bonus Condition:]
— Survive without retreating
Kael tightened his grip on the blood-stained stone and took a deep breath.
"Come," he whispered.
The forest erupted with movement.
And Kael stepped forward to meet it.
The wolves attacked together.
Two came from the front, their fangs bared, while the third circled silently from behind. Their coordination was crude but effective—this was how they hunted weaker prey.
Kael exhaled slowly.
"Not bad," he murmured. "But you're still beasts."
The first wolf leaped.
Kael sidestepped, barely avoiding its jaws, and slammed his elbow into its ribs. The impact sent pain shooting through his arm, but the wolf yelped and stumbled.
The second wolf lunged immediately after.
Too fast.
Its claws tore across Kael's thigh, ripping flesh open. Blood flowed freely, and his leg buckled.
Kael fell to one knee.
The third wolf seized the chance.
It sprang from behind, aiming straight for his neck.
Kael twisted at the last second.
Sharp teeth sank into his shoulder instead.
Pain exploded.
Kael roared—not in fear, but fury.
He grabbed the wolf's head with both hands and smashed it into the ground with everything he had.
Once.
Twice.
The wolf loosened its grip.
Kael seized the stone again and stabbed downward.
The beast convulsed, then went still.
[Kill Confirmed.]
[Combat Chain Maintained.]
[Rewards:]
— Body Tempering +3%
— Muscle Density Increased
Kael didn't stop.
He rolled to the side as the remaining two wolves attacked again. His vision blurred from blood loss, but his mind stayed sharp.
"Fight," he told himself. "Don't stop."
One wolf pounced.
Kael met it head-on.
They crashed together, tumbling across roots and dirt. Kael felt claws rake his back, skin tearing open.
But his hands found the wolf's throat.
He squeezed.
Hard.
The wolf thrashed violently.
Kael's arms trembled, muscles screaming.
Then—
Something clicked.
A faint warmth surged through his limbs.
[Body Tempering Progress Reached 10%]
[Minor Breakthrough Achieved!]
Kael roared and twisted.
The wolf's neck snapped.
He rolled away just as the last wolf lunged.
Kael staggered to his feet, breathing heavily, blood dripping from his body.
The final wolf hesitated.
It sensed something had changed.
Kael looked at it.
His gaze was calm.
Predatory.
He stepped forward.
The wolf backed away, then turned and fled into the forest.
Silence returned.
Kael stood alone, surrounded by corpses.
[Combat Evaluation Complete.]
[Kills: 3]
[Survival Bonus Granted.]
[Rewards:]
— Body Tempering +5%
— Qi Sensitivity Enhanced
— Bleeding Resistance Increased
Kael collapsed against a tree, sliding down slowly.
His body was battered.
Broken.
Yet inside, something burned brightly.
Power.
Real power.
He looked at his trembling hands and laughed weakly.
"So this is only the first day…"
Kael closed his eyes, controlling his breathing.
Three days.
If he survived—
he would no longer be a cripple.
Night fell quickly in the Trial Grounds.
Cold wind swept through the forest, carrying the scent of blood.
Kael forced himself to stand.
"Rest later," he muttered.
He tore strips from his ruined clothes and bound his wounds tightly. Pain flared, but he welcomed it—it kept him awake.
As he moved deeper into the forest, a strange feeling crept into his chest.
Danger.
Not from beasts.
From something watching.
[Alert.]
[Unknown Presence Detected.]
Kael stopped.
His hand tightened around the stone.
In the darkness ahead, a pair of eyes opened—
not red like a beast's,
but cold,
and intelligent.