Meanwhile, unaware of everything happening within the outside word, Alden was sleeping peacefully with a small smile on his face.
His crimson eyes snapped open as he yawned like a cat.
Man, that was refreshing.
Who would've thought that sleeping alone in a creepy shadow-chamber could beat a bed with silk sheets? Honestly, it was five stars.
I would definitely recommend it.
He wasn't sure how much time had passed but he didn't need a clock. His body told him everything he needed to know.
His skill cooldown was gone. His mana was completely replinished and even all of his injuries vanished like they didn't exist at all.
He had learned how to keep his healing skill running passively even while asleep when it reached Intermediate level.
Still, keeping it active during combat was a hellish idea.
Shadow mana and light mana didn't like each other at all. If he tried forcing them to play nice mid-fight, it felt like a volcano was erupting from the inside.
So, he shelved that genius plan… for now. Not forever though.
Because that conflict—that tension—was exactly what the next level of his mana tome demanded.
He could only form Eclipse Core, once he found balance.
But that's a future problem.
Right now, he had a door to open and a chamber to clear.
He took one last glance around the quiet space.
Hmm. Elva's still not back.
Maybe her body hasn't finished reconstructing yet.
He stretched for a few moments before he walked toward the massive door at the far end.
It stood impossibly tall—etched with some unreadable symbols and golden runes.
He pulled out the "key" from his pocket. The same thin shard of obsidian he received after he defeated Elva.
But there was just one small problem.
Where the fuck is the keyhole?
Seriously? Is this one of those metaphysical trial things?
Maybe it needed intent or some similar bullshit.
As soon as he pointed the obsidian shard at the door, the golden runes on it stopped moving.
A low rumble echoed through the chamber. Then a small keyhole appeared.
Okay, that's not creepy at all.
He inserted the key in and turned it. With a click sound, the door opened.
Let's see what the next chamber is about.
As soon as he stepped through, the world shifted.
The cold stone chamber behind him vanished. In its place an endless open field of green greeted him.
The grass swayed gently under a breeze that didn't exist. The sky above was a soft blue but something about it was... off. Like a painted ceiling.
And at the very center of it all stood a pillar of light, stabbing straight into the fake sky.
But he had an even more important question.
Okay. Where the hell is this wind coming from?
Someone was standing behind him.
He didn't hesitate. He turned on instinct and jumped back in the same motion, ready to react—
And froze as he saw the enemy.
The figure wasn't human.
It wore a traditional Yukata, with a katana strapped to its hips. It had a small toothpick, shifting in its mouth ever so slightly. A wide wooden bamboo hat shadowed his face.
Before Alden could even say anything, the figure chuckled.
"Don't worry, kid. A true man never strikes from behind."
The voice sounded like a battle hardened warrior who had fought for centuries.
So, after a talking lizard with a tragic backstory… it's a warrior frog wearing a Yukata.
At least they aren't dancing weirdly like Gretta.
"Don't look at me like that kid." The frog grinned. "I'm but a guardian of this lonely hell."
What's that supposed to mean? A metaphor? A warning? Or just dramatics?
He shook his head and asked the question that actually mattered.
"So, what's the trial? Do we fight?"
No point overthinking when I could just get to the point.
The guardian frog wasn't surprised, its eyes flashing with wisdom of someone who had seen lots of such people.
"No," the guardian replied calmly. "A true warrior doesn't just battle with his blade. He must temper his mind, lest the world break it in ways no wound ever could." Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
He didn't say anything for a moment before continuing.
"The trial is simple: you must walk toward the pillar of light… while blindfolded."
Alden narrowed his eyes.
He wasn't a fool who'd think, it would be something easy… especially since he had seen how strong Elva had been. If not for his poison resistance, he would have died without resisting.
So he didn't have any intentions to underestimate the chambers anymore.
The frog smiled softly. "You're cautious. That's good. But there is no trick. No hidden blade. It's exactly what I said."
Alden stared for a moment longer.
"So you're not planning to attack me the moment I can't see?"
He didn't trust the guy.
"A true warrior never deceives." The frog replied proudly.
A soft ding sounded in Alden's mind.
[Trial Of The Second Chamber Initiated.]
[Defeat The Guardian Of Loneliness]
A system window appeared immediately.
"Do you trust me now?" The frog asked, looking at him again.
Alden didn't answer immediately. Something still felt… off.
"You walk," the frog said simply. "toward the pillar. That's it."
The frog's voice turned slightly serious.
"But you must keep walking, no matter what happens. No matter what you hear, what you feel or what calls to you. Do not stop. Do not speak. Do not remove the blindfold."
He tilted his head slightly, as his voice lowered. "If you do… the trial ends. And so will you."
A black blindfold appeared before Alden as soon as the frog finished speaking.
"Do you want some time to prepare?"
Alden didn't hesitate as he reached out and grabbed the cloth.
Just for a second, his [Eyes Of The Supreme] activated, as he saw something shimmering within the air.
But before his expression could slip, he shut the thought down.
As soon as he tied the blindfold around his eyes, the world vanished.