Ethan's body was still humming from the adrenaline of the previous trial. His heart pounded in his chest, the weight of the trial's demands pressing down on him, but he could feel the excitement building. The Shadow Beasts had been tough, but they were only the beginning. Something greater awaited him in the heart of the vault. A prize, perhaps, but also a test he could not afford to fail.
The passage ahead stretched out, dark and oppressive. The walls seemed to close in with each step he took. He had no idea what the next trial would be, but he knew one thing: it would not be like anything he had encountered so far.
His hand instinctively rested on the hilt of his blade. The Shadow Blade felt lighter now, as though it too had grown stronger in the wake of his battle. It hummed faintly with dark energy, as though acknowledging its master. The system had granted him the strength to wield it, but now, it was as much a part of him as his own body.
[System Alert: Host's Current Power Level: 15% Increased.][Shadow Blade Power Boost: Active.]
Ethan frowned, the message flashing across his vision. An increased power level? He hadn't expected that. He wondered if the trials themselves were amplifying his abilities, or if the system was responsible for his steady progression. Either way, the boost in strength was welcome, though he knew it could be fleeting. The next challenge might push him beyond his limits.
The light ahead grew brighter, pulling him forward. As he walked, the shadows seemed to part, revealing a massive chamber at the end of the tunnel. The walls were adorned with symbols that pulsed with ancient power, and at the farthest end of the room stood a pedestal, bathed in a soft, golden light.
Ethan's breath caught in his throat. The heart of the vault. This was it.
He stepped cautiously into the room, every muscle in his body tense, ready for any threat that might emerge. The light from the pedestal was mesmerizing, as if it held the answers to everything. The system had said nothing about what lay ahead. He would have to figure it out for himself.
As he neared the pedestal, a deep voice suddenly reverberated through the room. It was not a voice he could hear with his ears, but one that seemed to echo directly in his mind.
"Foolish mortal, do you think you are worthy?"
The voice was calm, almost serene, but there was an underlying menace to it. Ethan's pulse quickened, and his hand tightened around the hilt of his blade. The trial was not over. Far from it.
"You who seek the heart, do you understand its power? Do you understand the cost?"
Ethan's mind raced. The voice was part of the trial. It was trying to test him, to break him down before he even reached the pedestal. He had no intention of backing down.
"Show yourself," he demanded, his voice unwavering.
There was a long silence before the voice returned, its tone now tinged with amusement.
"You are brave, young one. But bravery alone will not save you. You will face the heart's judgment. Succeed, and you will gain the power to rewrite your fate. Fail…"
The voice trailed off, leaving the threat hanging in the air like a sword poised to strike. Ethan steeled himself. He had been through enough pain and suffering in his previous life to let this moment deter him.
Suddenly, the pedestal before him shifted, the golden light flaring up in intensity. The air around him crackled with power, and the temperature in the room dropped. The walls, once smooth and decorated with intricate symbols, now began to shift, their shapes twisting and distorting. The symbols glowed brighter, flashing like the eyes of the Shadow Beasts, as though they were alive.
From the center of the pedestal, a beam of light shot up into the air, spiraling and expanding, until it formed a swirling vortex of golden energy. Ethan staggered back, the sheer force of the light nearly knocking him off his feet.
And then, emerging from the vortex, was a figure—a tall, imposing form cloaked in golden armor. The figure's face was hidden beneath a helmet, its features obscured by shadows. A massive sword, twice the size of Ethan's Shadow Blade, was slung across its back.
The figure spoke again, its voice now carrying an undeniable authority.
"I am the Guardian of the Heart, chosen to protect its power for eternity. You who seek it, prove your worth."
Ethan's stomach tightened. This was no simple trial. This was a fight for survival.
"I will pass your trial," Ethan declared, the words leaving his mouth with more conviction than he had expected.
The Guardian stepped forward, its armor gleaming with otherworldly energy. A pulse of power radiated from it, like a shockwave crashing against the very air around them.
"Then prepare yourself, mortal. The test begins now."
In a flash, the Guardian's massive sword swung down toward Ethan, its speed faster than anything he had ever seen. He barely had time to react. He dodged to the side, his heart racing as he narrowly avoided the lethal blade. The sword cut through the air with a terrifying force, sending a shockwave that shattered the stone floor beneath him.
Ethan scrambled to his feet, the battle instincts from his past life kicking in. He had faced worse. This Guardian, however, was different. Its power was beyond anything he had encountered, even in the most brutal of duels. He would have to think quickly, or he would die.
The Guardian swung again, this time in a horizontal arc, its blade cutting through the air with deadly precision. Ethan's shadow blade met the Guardian's sword with a loud clang. The force of the impact sent a shock through Ethan's arms, and he gritted his teeth, his feet slipping slightly on the slick stone.
He had to keep moving. If he stayed in one spot for too long, he was dead. Using Phantom Step, he vanished from sight, reappearing behind the Guardian. Without hesitation, he struck with all his might, the Shadow Blade aimed for the Guardian's back.
But the Guardian anticipated his move, spinning around with terrifying speed. It blocked the attack effortlessly with its massive sword, the force of the blow knocking Ethan back several feet. He hit the ground hard, the air rushing out of his lungs.
He gasped for breath, his body aching from the impact. The Guardian was relentless. Ethan could feel the weight of the trial bearing down on him with every passing second. He couldn't afford to make mistakes.
[System Alert: Host's Health: 600/1000.]
The numbers flashed across his vision, reminding him that time was running out. He was hurt. His energy was depleting. But there was no turning back.
The Guardian advanced again, its movements swift and precise. Ethan's mind raced. He had to end this quickly.
His eyes flicked to the pedestal, the source of the light and the power he sought. It was still glowing, pulsing with the promise of unimaginable strength.
He gritted his teeth, determination burning in his chest. He would not fail.
The Guardian's sword came down for the final strike, but this time, Ethan didn't dodge. He stood his ground, his mind connecting with the system, drawing on all the strength he had gained. He activated everything he had left.
[Skill Activated: Shadowstorm.]
A blast of pure shadow erupted from Ethan's body, a storm of darkness swirling around him. The Guardian's sword collided with the blast, but the force of the shadowstorm was too much. The sword was knocked from its hand, and the Guardian staggered back, momentarily disoriented.
Ethan seized the opportunity. With all his remaining energy, he charged forward, Shadow Blade in hand. He slashed across the Guardian's chest, and with a final, brutal strike, he pierced its armor.
The Guardian let out a guttural cry, its form flickering like a fading light before collapsing to the ground, disintegrating into nothingness.
[Trial 3: Complete.][XP Earned: 500.][Level Up: Host Lv. 4.]
The chamber grew silent. The pedestal before Ethan pulsed one last time before a soft, radiant light enveloped it. The heart of the vault was now his.
End of Chapter Four