Kael's eyes adjusted to the dim corridor. The massive shadow from before had vanished—but its presence lingered, like a heartbeat in the walls. He didn't have time to think. The System pulsed in his mind, guiding him.
"Objective: Survive the Trial. Unlock potential."
His hands tingled as he concentrated. The black energy from yesterday surged again, stronger this time, forming a sharp, curved blade of pure magic. Not just a weapon… my power.
A sudden crash echoed from the far end of the hallway. Kael sprinted toward it, dodging falling debris as the ceiling shook. A group of humanoid creatures, eyes glowing like molten gold, blocked his path. Their claws scraped the stone floor, sparks flying.
"So… the dark mage returns," one hissed.
Kael smirked. Then let's see who's stronger.
He swung the magical blade. Shadows collided, and the creatures screeched. Energy rippled across the corridor, walls cracking from the force. With every strike, Kael felt his old instincts returning—the thrill of battle, the hunger for revenge, the satisfaction of reclaiming power.
But then, a low, guttural roar shook the entire floor. The shadow from earlier had returned—bigger, faster, more terrifying. Kael's heart raced. He had faced monsters in his past life, but this… this was different.
The System flashed:
"Warning: Boss Encounter. Probability of survival < 50%."
Kael grinned. Probability doesn't scare me.
The shadow lunged. Kael spun midair, dodging razor-sharp claws, and stabbed his energy blade straight into its chest. The creature let out a howl that echoed like thunder, then dissolved into a swirl of black smoke.
Kael landed on the floor, chest heaving. For a moment, relief washed over him… until he heard a whisper behind him:
"You think that was the worst? This world… has just begun testing you."
Lightning flashed outside the broken windows, illuminating a towering figure in the distance—a silhouette Kael knew he would never forget.