.
.
Frosthold.
A city built on steel, snow, and secrets.
Kael stepped through the towering gates just before sunset, boots crunching over frost-bitten stone. Merchants shouted prices, mercenaries sparred in the open, and guild banners flapped overhead like war standards.
The city was alive.
More importantly — it was dangerous.
> This is where it begins…
---
[System Notification]
> Region: Frosthold (Outer Ring)
New Passive Triggered: Awareness – Urban Instinct Lv.1
➤ Slight boost to reaction in crowded spaces.
Kael scanned the square. Thieves. Hunters. Watchers.
And them — the guild scouts.
He spotted Garen Rhys again, leaning by a fountain, cloak fluttering.
"You made it," Garen said without turning. "Did the wolves on the road bark too loud?"
"More like bounty dogs," Kael replied.
Garen smiled. "Oh? So they're already sniffing around. That's fast."
He tossed Kael a scroll.
"Guild Trial. Tonight. Midnight. Only those who survive get a real token. You've got yours — but they'll still make you earn it."
---
⏳ Midnight — Trial Grounds, Frosthold Underground
Kael stood in a circular chamber lit by torches. Around him: fifteen others. Young warriors, mages, and wannabe killers.
At the center: a stone gate with old runes glowing faintly.
"Welcome to the Trial of the Black Gate," a deep voice boomed.
A masked guildmaster stepped forward.
"No rules. No teams. First five to pass the gate move on. The rest… don't."
The gate rumbled open.
Behind it — a maze. And inside?
Monsters.
---
[System Notification]
> Objective: Survive and reach the Gate Core
Live Combat Area Activated
System Sync Boost: +5% (Due to high stress)
Kael dashed in. Behind him, footsteps echoed, shouts rang out, and steel clashed.
From the left, a Bonefang Hound leaped at him — fangs like jagged swords.
He rolled under, slashed across its underbelly, spun, and severed its spine in a clean upward arc.
[Kill Confirmed]
> Sync: 23%
Burst Mode Available
A mage tried to blast him with wind — Kael ducked, used the wall to flip forward, and knocked the mage out cold with the hilt.
> Too slow.
Another fighter — this one skilled — came at him with twin axes. Kael activated Burst Mode.
---
[Emotion Surge: Burst Mode Lv.1]
➤ Speed +40%
➤ Focus +20%
➤ Duration: 10 seconds
In a flash, Kael was behind the axe-user.
WHAM!
One strike to the spine. The boy dropped.
Kael didn't kill him. He didn't need to.
He wasn't a butcher.
Not yet.
---
At the heart of the maze, a pulsing red crystal floated above a stone altar.
Kael stepped into the final chamber — bruised, panting, blood dripping down his arm.
Only two others had made it.
One was unconscious.
The other — a girl with silver hair and a frost blade aimed at Kael's neck.
"You're fast," she said. "But are you fast enough?"
Kael smirked. "Let's find out.
Next chapter:- Blades and bonds