Kaito took a deep breath and stepped forward, his boots echoing against the stone floor as he approached the massive door. The symbols on its surface seemed to shimmer and shift as he drew closer, as if the door itself was alive, watching him.
Taro followed closely behind, his expression calm but unreadable. Kaito could sense the weight of the moment pressing down on them. This wasn't just another training session or a simple test—it was something far more significant. The Rift, with its legendary challenges and untold rewards, was about to reveal itself fully.
As Kaito reached the door, the symbols flared brightly, and with a low rumble, the door creaked open, revealing the path beyond. The air was thick with tension, charged with a strange, almost palpable energy. The temperature dropped slightly, and the faint sound of whispers seemed to come from nowhere.
"This is the first floor," Haruto's voice echoed in Kaito's mind. "Be prepared. You'll encounter your first test shortly."
Kaito's heart raced, but he steadied himself. This was the beginning of something much bigger than him. Every step in this Rift would push him to his limits, but he was determined to succeed.
The floor beyond the door was a vast arena, the stone ground cracked and uneven. Massive, jagged rocks jutted out from the floor, creating natural barriers and obstacles. The sky above was a swirling canvas of dark clouds and occasional flashes of lightning, giving the area a foreboding atmosphere.
Kaito's eyes scanned the surroundings, every sense heightened, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his sword. He wasn't sure what awaited him here, but he was ready for anything.
A sudden movement caught his attention, and before he could react, the ground trembled beneath his feet. From the shadows of the rocks, massive creatures began to emerge—beasts with bodies made of stone and earth, their eyes glowing with an eerie light.
"Earth Golems," Taro muttered, his gaze focused on the approaching monsters. "They're not particularly fast, but their strength is immense. Be careful."
The Golems lumbered toward Kaito with an unrelenting pace, their heavy footsteps causing the ground to shake. There were three of them, each standing nearly ten feet tall, their rocky bodies adorned with veins of glowing magma. Their fists, made of solid stone, cracked the earth as they swung toward Kaito.
Kaito immediately summoned his Celestial Fox. A wave of ethereal light poured from the portal, and the fox materialized beside him, its silver fur shimmering in the darkened atmosphere. Its glowing blue eyes locked onto the incoming Golems, and a quiet growl of anticipation rumbled in its throat.
"Let's do this," Kaito muttered to the fox, his voice filled with resolve.
The Celestial Fox darted forward with incredible speed, its long, wispy tail trailing behind like a streak of light. It nimbly dodged the Golem's massive fists, its silver fur flashing as it moved like a blur.
Kaito took a deep breath and activated his Flame Dash++, closing the distance between himself and the Golems in the blink of an eye. His sword crackled with fiery energy as he slashed toward the nearest Golem. The blade bit deep into the stone-like hide, sending cracks through its body. But the Golem retaliated with a massive backhand that sent Kaito flying several feet backward.
"Damn, they're tough!" Kaito grunted, quickly getting to his feet. His Mana was already being drained with the use of his abilities, but the Golems were proving to be formidable opponents. Kaito glanced at the Celestial Fox, who was already preparing to make her next move.
"Starfall," Kaito commanded.
The Celestial Fox responded immediately, his body glowing brightly as the sky above seemed to darken. A low hum filled the air, and suddenly, a barrage of fiery meteors rained down from the heavens. The meteors crashed into the Golems with explosive force, sending chunks of stone flying in all directions. The Golems staggered, their rocky forms cracking and splintering from the impact.
But they weren't defeated yet.
With a roar, the largest Golem swung both of its arms down, creating a shockwave that knocked Kaito and the Celestial Fox back. The two of them tumbled across the ground, but Kaito quickly regained his footing. The fox, however, seemed momentarily stunned.
"Not good…" Kaito murmured, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. The Golems were relentless, and their durability made them a serious threat. He couldn't afford to waste time.
He glanced down at his Celestial Fox, who was already shaking off the effects of the attack. Her fur glimmered with renewed light, and her eyes burned with a fierce determination.
"Celestial Shield!" Kaito called out, activating the ability.
A radiant aura surrounded the Celestial Fox, shimmering with protective light. The aura spread outward, creating a bubble of energy that enveloped both the fox and Kaito. As the Golems charged, their blows were deflected by the shield, the force of their strikes dissipating harmlessly against the barrier.
Kaito's heart surged with energy as he saw the opening. The Celestial Fox had bought him the time he needed. It was time to end this.
He pointed his sword at the remaining Golems, focusing all of his energy into one final, devastating move.
"Dimensional Blink!"
In the blink of an eye, Kaito vanished from sight, reappearing directly behind the largest Golem. Before the creature could react, he slashed his blade downward with all his might. The sword cut through the stone like butter, and the Golem's massive body collapsed into rubble.
The remaining two Golems, now leaderless and weakened, were soon dispatched by the combined efforts of Kaito and the Celestial Fox. The battle ended in a flash of light and force as the last of the Golems crumbled into dust.
As the dust settled, Kaito stood panting, his sword still crackling with residual energy. The Celestial Fox stood beside him, her fur gleaming with a soft, celestial glow, her body radiating power.
"You did great," Kaito said, giving the fox a grateful look. "We make a good team."
The system's voice echoed in his mind, confirming their victory.
Floor 1: Completed. Reward: Star Rank 3 Equipment, 100,000 Gold, 1,000 EXP.
*Ding* exp boost activated 10,000 exp received
Kaito smiled. The reward was a welcome surprise, but it wasn't the treasure that mattered most—it was the fact that he had passed the first test. He wasn't sure what challenges awaited him on the next floor, but he felt ready. He could feel the Celestial Fox's power growing with each battle, and it made him more confident than ever.
Suddenly, the massive door that led to the next floor creaked open, revealing the path forward.
"Congratulations, Kaito," Haruto's voice came from behind him, his tone calm but tinged with approval. "You've passed the first floor. Now, prepare yourself for the second. The real challenges are just beginning."
Kaito turned to face the Headmaster, his heart racing with excitement. "I'm ready for whatever comes next."
With the Celestial Fox by his side, Kaito stepped forward into the unknown.