Chapter 6: Leaving
The soft hum of the interface still lingered in his mind as Ethan stood motionless. His eyes hovered over the system prompt floating in the air:
> [Would host like to:
▸ Continue Challenge
▸ Exit to Continent: Velerath – Human Region]
He exhaled slowly.
"Leaving… huh?"
His gaze shifted from the prompt to the treeline beyond, where the wind whispered like breath through ancient lungs. The Vhar'thael Expanse—this trial ground—had nearly killed him more than once. Fire hounds, monstrous serpents, and the suffocating silence of being hunted… yet, it had also given him purpose.
Freedom meant survival, but this place… it had taught him something primal. Still, could he afford to linger?
"If I leave… will I be able to return?" he asked aloud, not expecting an answer.
> [System Response:
Affirmative.
Host will be summoned to the Trial Grounds at each Class Advancement Quest.]
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
"Wait... I thought advancement required going to a divine temple—those scattered across the continents for the followers of various gods," he said, recalling fragments of the knowledge the system had forcibly injected into his brain.
> [System Correction:
Host is a unique case.
Due to non-native origin and Hollow Crown integration, all advancement trials will bypass traditional temples.
Host will be transported directly to designated quest domains—based on internal synchronization.]
"...So no prayer circles or kneeling before a statue, huh?" He paused, then clicked his tongue. "Guess I should've expected as much. But what if—"
His expression darkened. "—I get thrown back into a jungle next time? No gun. A half-cracked knife. No armor. If that happens, I'm just monster food with a crown."
As if anticipating the concern, the system chimed again.
> [System Update:
Shop function now available.]
A faint shimmer rippled across his vision, and a new panel unfolded before him—faintly glowing with ancient geometric symbols lining its borders.
---
■ [System Shop – Trial Tier Access] ■
> [Kill Log Recorded]
• Mutated Forest Hare ×2 → +4 SP
• Fire Hound ×2 → +8 SP
• Crimsonscale Serpent ×1 → +5 SP
Total Kill Accumulation: +17 SP
Starter Points: 100 SP
Available Points: 117 SP
(Item quality limited by current Sync Level)
Weaponry:
• Rusted Dagger (25 pts) – "Dull but serviceable."
• Iron Shortsword (50 pts) – "Commonly used by footsoldiers of old. Balanced grip."
• Wooden Spear with Iron Tip (45 pts) – "Decent reach; prone to break under pressure."
• Throwing Knives ×3 (40 pts) – "Not the sharpest, but silent and quick."
Armor & Accessories:
• Reinforced Trail Boots (30 pts) – "Flexible leather. Reduces noise and terrain fatigue."
• Traveler's Tunic (30 pts) – "Simple cloth imbued with minor mana resistance."
• Leather Bracers (25 pts) – "Slight impact resistance. Good for parrying."
• Vagrant's Cloak (30 pts) – "Provides concealment in forests and shadows."
> [Tip: Bundling gear will not provide a discount.]
---
Ethan muttered under his breath, "System currency's worse than real-life inflation…"
Still, it was better than nothing. He'd been walking around like a post-apocalyptic intern with a cracked phone and a tattered suit. Now at least, there was a chance for basic survival.
He flicked through the options.
Weapons first. The dagger was cheap but probably useless after two stabs. The spear gave range, but it felt too unwieldy for his current agility. His eyes landed on the Iron Shortsword.
"Fifty points... standard, solid. Not ideal, but better than broken glass and wishful thinking."
He tapped to confirm the purchase.
> [Iron Shortsword acquired. Item transferred to Inventory.]
A glint of steel materialized before him, hovering mid-air before phasing gently into his system space.
Next—armor. His legs were blistered and sore from trudging barefoot through gnarled roots and broken ground. The Reinforced Trail Boots caught his eye.
> [Boots purchased.]
Down to 37 points.
"…Could go for the tunic or cloak, but…" He weighed the options quickly. Concealment would help in forests and cities alike. If he was stepping into the unknown, he preferred the ability to vanish over a few points of defense.
> [Vagrant's Cloak acquired.]
Balance: 7 Point
A dull shimmer traced over his body as the items automatically equipped—his worn suit faded beneath the tunic and cloak, now appearing more like a wandering swordsman from some forgotten order. The sword at his hip glinted as if approving of the change.
Ethan rolled his shoulders. The boots were snug, the cloak light but warm, and most importantly—he felt like a survivor now. No longer a corporate casualty dumped into a fantasy hell.
Just a man standing at the edge of something bigger.
He looked once more at the trial ground beyond… then to the system prompt still waiting patiently.
"hmm..done. Lets go-" he whispered.
> [Destination Confirmed:
Warping to Velerath – Human Region…]
Standby...
A soft rumble echoed beneath his feet. The trees shimmered like mirages, and the air became liquid. The Trial Ground's bitter wind faded into warmth.