In front of Evan stood a towering structure, seemingly pieced together by countless blocks. These blocks exhibited an unnatural rhythm, shrinking and expanding unpredictably, as though defying the very laws of physics. For a moment, he stood still, unsure of what to do, the enormity of the challenge before him leaving him momentarily paralyzed.
"Mm… now that it has come to this, what should I do?" he murmured under his breath.
As if in response, a phantom image of Jacob materialized out of thin air. His voice carried a blend of authority and mischief as he began to speak.
"Oh, my dear disciple, though your bravado amuses me, it won't be enough. To be recognized, you must pass my trial. This challenge is about mastering the secret to extreme control of the body. All you have to do is take the first step and reach the top of the tower."
Evan's brow furrowed, his lips curling into a smirk. "What's so difficult about that?" he said aloud, the words tinged with disbelief.
Still brimming with confidence, Evan decided to start the climb, dismissing the challenge as something he could handle. Yet, after hours of relentless effort, his body ached with exhaustion, and he hadn't even scaled one-tenth of the tower's height. Desperation began to creep in as he paused, his mind racing to find a solution.
Determined not to fail, he turned his attention to the tower itself, analyzing its bizarre design. The outer walls, composed of the ever-shifting blocks, seemed climbable, albeit perilous. The higher he climbed, the faster the blocks moved, their rhythm growing more erratic with each step.
After countless failed attempts, Evan started to find a rhythm in his movements. Slowly but surely, he adapted, honing his balance and timing. As he progressed, Jacob's voice echoed in his memory, his words a lifeline in this grueling ordeal:
"If you want to pass, you must master the center of gravity. Shift all your weight to your front leg and leap with momentum. Generate the impulse, force your body forward, and control your upper body's weight. This is my art—an extreme mastery of body weight and footing. With it, you can traverse any surface, no matter how impossible it seems."
Inspired by Jacob's teachings, Evan pressed on, each movement more precise than the last. The path ahead was daunting, but with every step, he inched closer to unraveling the secret that would define his mastery and his fate.
---
At the base of a colossal, luxurious building—its sheer height and vast size almost beyond comprehension—sprawled a lush, verdant garden, so immense it resembled a forest. Amidst this breathtaking scene stood three distinct figures.
The first, a person clad in regal emperor's robes, exuded an overwhelming aura of might and arrogance, each movement a testament to unyielding authority. In stark contrast, the second figure, a younger individual with a gentle demeanor, radiated calmness and humility, an enigmatic counterbalance to the emperor's commanding presence.
Beside them stood the third, a man whose aura mirrored that of a refined scholar, his posture exuding wisdom. Yet, the rings of gold and the glittering gems adorning his fingers betrayed a different side—an overt display of wealth and opulence, as if to flaunt his success in worldly pursuits. Together, they created a striking tableau of power, grace, and affluence against the grandiose backdrop of the towering edifice and its forest-like garden.
The man with the gentle demeanor spoke first, his voice calm yet tinged with an undercurrent of subtle amusement.
"Black Emperor, for you to take the time to meet me and grace me with your presence—I am utterly delighted."
The Emperor's eyes narrowed, his commanding tone cutting through the pleasantries like a blade.
"Stop with your pretense. If I didn't know you better, I'd almost believe I was speaking to some naive and ignorant young man. Don't you think so, Soldier King?"
His voice grew sharper, his words laced with mockery. "You, who managed to survive after entering the Red Zone of Damnation Forest in the Abyss. Even an army of a thousand knights from the kingdom couldn't avoid annihilation in that cursed place."
The younger man chuckled lightly, waving a hand in mock dismissal, his demeanor remaining as unshaken as ever.
"Hey, hey, it's just luck, just luck," he replied, his tone playful yet calculated, as if the very notion of his survival being sheer chance was a jest meant to deflect the weight of his accomplishment.
The scholarly man adjusted his stance, his gaze steady as he spoke in a measured tone.
"I think we should focus on the movements of the Blood Clan. The actions of the Blood General are not something we can afford to ignore."
The Emperor's piercing eyes shifted toward him, his voice carrying a blend of authority and suspicion.
"For someone like you, the esteemed Head of the Golden Magic Tower, to personally come here... there must be something you're after. Whatever it is that's caught your attention surely isn't ordinary. So, spare us the riddles and spill the beans—what is it you know?"
"Mm, it's nothing much," he began, though the weight of his words betrayed the gravity of the situation. "The Blood Clan is most likely attempting to promote someone to the Supreme Rank. But as we all know, that is not something one can achieve merely by desire or effort. The path to supremacy is far more treacherous."
He paused briefly, letting his words settle before continuing.
"Currently, there are seven major factions vying for power:
The Blood Clan
The Undead Clan
The Black Magic Tower
The Demon Clan
The Black King
The Apostles of Darkness
The Dead Sea Clan
Of these, the Dark King is closest to achieving the Supreme Rank, while the Demon King's existence is shrouded in mystery, possibly hidden within the Demon Clan. The others are making their attempts, but they lack the momentum to succeed. The Dead Sea Clan, in particular, is the least likely to act after their king's death in the war over sea territory."
His voice grew more serious as he leaned slightly forward, emphasizing his next point.
"The Blood Clan must be growing uneasy. Three of their generals have been observed making movements—spotted near the Black Cave, no less. This is not a coincidence. Something significant is brewing, and we must not overlook it."
After some time Emperor Spoke-"Now, this going to be amusing".
---
After countless attempts, marked by failure and exhaustion, Evan finally stood atop the tower, his breaths ragged but his spirit unyielding.
Jacob's laughter echoed across the summit, loud and boisterous. "Hahaha! Although this trial is a particularly easy one, its purpose was merely to test your endurance and determination. For a normal person to climb to the top is nearly impossible. Yet, you've proven your qualifications."
Jacob's tone shifted to one of solemnity as he continued, "Now, I shall pass on the accumulation of my martial arts. Do not underestimate its simplicity. The deeper you delve, the more you'll uncover its unparalleled uniqueness."
With those words, Jacob extended his hand, and a torrent of memories flooded into Evan's mind.
Evan clutched his head, groaning as the sudden influx of knowledge brought a sharp, searing headache. "In the game, this would've been super easy... but reality is far harsher than I imagined," he muttered, his voice tinged with both awe and frustration.
The Soul Domain began to collapse, its ethereal surroundings shattering like fragile glass, and in the blink of an eye, Evan found himself back inside the dimly lit cave.
"Looks like I should return to the city first," he murmured, brushing off the lingering haze of the trial.
Just as he was about to take a step forward, a sudden jolt surged through him. A message resonated deep within his mind—not through sound, but as if etched directly into his very soul.
Black Cave Dungeon is cleared
Player is not Awakened.
Player first attempt is identified.
Player solo clearing is identified.
Player does not posses the core.
No magic element is found.
Player Soul met the Standard
....
...
Player has satisfied Hidden conditions
The equivalent reward is being generated...
Synchronization...
"Based on the desire of the Player the One-time reward is generated: Core creation technique- Please Select"
Draconic Heart Enkindler
Oblivion Core Symbiosis
Luminous Core Transcendence
...
Chimeric Core Synthesis
Anima Core Weaver
Evan's eyes widened in amazement as the realization struck him. The reward wasn't just significant—it was extraordinary. His heart raced with excitement, but after a moment, clarity dawned on him.
He recalled the tales: conquering a dungeon always bestowed something akin to a world's blessing, a boon of immense value.
Without hesitation, he steadied himself, his gaze resolute. "I will choose this".
"Primordial Core Triad Matrix-
A core that resonates across three planes of existence: physical, spiritual, and astral. The resonance ensures a continuous flow of energy, providing both stability and immense power potential. A legendary formation technique that utilizes three interlocking matrices to stabilize, amplify, and evolve the soul's essence. The resulting core is a masterpiece of spiritual engineering."