Rain appeared back in the forest, standing next to the staircase that led him into the Trial of Champions. He looked down at the bag he had fashioned before entering the trial. It was on the ground next to him, untampered with. The meat inside was still fine to eat, which was good. Rain grabbed a handful of the meat chunks and gulped them down, satiating his hunger. After eating, Rain set off into the forest, heading back to the strange man.
Rain trekked through the forest, wondering what the man would give him. He knew he would figure it out once he arrived. As Rain continued his march through the forest, he noticed some weaker monsters observing him but not engaging. He even saw one of those gray creatures he had fought when he first arrived. As he continued through the forest, he saw a familiar face.
A tall, gray moose man stood in front of him. Its armor was different now, but Rain could tell it was the same guy. The moose man pulled its sword from its sheath, and Rain jumped back into a stance, readying his staff. They both stood unmoving, holding eye contact. The moose man backed off, deciding that Rain wasn't worth the trouble, and stomped back into the forest. Rain watched as the moose man stomped away, but the look on its face ensured that this wouldn't be the last time they met, and next time wouldn't end in peace.
Rain started walking again and looked down at where the moose man had stood. There was a bloodstain on the ground and bloody footprints leading in the direction the moose man had gone. It was injured, and it probably realized he didn't want to fight in the first place. Rain kept walking. He could probably beat it right now, but he didn't want to stall and continued his trek back to the strange man.
After what felt like hours, Rain finally arrived at the familiar glass wall and approached it. Before he could even knock, the man appeared before him with a strange smile on his face. Pressing his hands together, the man finally spoke.
"So, it appears you made it through the trial successfully. I'm glad you decided to come straight back here because I have an important gift for you."
Before Rain could reply, the man lifted his hand, and Rain suddenly appeared right outside the glass, standing next to him. Taken aback by his sudden transportation, Rain leaped backward, clearing some distance.
But the man stayed calm and spoke softly.
"Do not be alarmed, this is a gift that requires you to be in here, now, follow me."
The man turned around and started walking away. Rain followed behind him at a distance. There was nothing he could do but listen for now. The man was too strong and practically held Rain's life in his hands.
The man stopped as they entered a room. There was a small table in the middle with some tools and other things scattered around the room. Rain stepped into the room and the man said something again.
"Now for your gift, this might hurt a little so get ready."
The man raised his hand and Rain felt himself lose control of his body. He couldn't even control his limbs. He was floated over to the table and placed down. The man grabbed a small box, pulled out what appeared to be an eye, and placed it on a tray to the side. He then grabbed some tools and approached Rain.
He leaned over Rain and a tool began to dig into Rain's eye. Pain shot through Rain and he wanted to let out a scream, but no sound came from him. The man slowly loosened Rain's eye and pulled it out exposing the optical nerve. The man did something and the eye detached. Pain ran through Rain's body, it was overwhelming he could feel his consciousness fading as the man grabbed the other eye he took from the box.
The man attached the eye to the nerve and slowly pushed his eye back in. A green aura enveloped Rain and the pain subsided. Rain adjusted to the new eye and sat up regaining control over his body he turned to the man and spoke.
What did you just do to me?"
Rain kept his temper under control, making sure not to offend the man.
The man simply smiled at Rain and held up a mirror, showing Rain's reflection. His right eye was different: the pupil was a bright blue star while his left eye remained normal.
"I simply gave you a gift. You'll know what it does soon enough."
Rain felt anger boil up inside of him but stayed quiet. The man couldn't be trusted; he was too unpredictable. Rain didn't plan on accepting any more gifts from the man anytime soon.
"Well, now that you've accepted my gift I'll send you back. I assume you won't be visiting again, so I'll see you again in a year."
The man clapped his hands, and Rain appeared back in the forest. He glanced back at the glass window before striding into the woods. Annoyance surged through him, and he unleashed it on a nearby tree, punching a fist-sized hole clean through. Rain pressed onward through the forest, focused on reaching level five and finding Rajan. As he recalled his objective, he regained control over his temper, returning to his usual stoic demeanor.