As soon as Kale regained his bearings, he realized he was in a Mana Forest. This was no ordinary place; the trees pulsed with mana, and every breath he took felt heavy with the energy around him. Normally, this place wouldn't appear until the fifteenth floor, but here he was on the third. With his cursed talent, nothing surprised him anymore.
He had prepared for this, bringing all the supplies he'd need for survival. But something still felt off. Among his skills, there was one he couldn't even read. The system displayed it as a jumbled mess of symbols: šļæ½ āā° š ¶ļæ½ šļæ½ āā° āā āā ā āā āā. Kale decided to figure it out later, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was at play.
{Day 10}
Ten days had passed. Kale had made a camp, set up traps, and managed to keep the creatures of the Mana Forest at bay. His Trap Master skill made it easier than before, and he even leveled up a few times. Yet, the strange skill remained a mystery, and the Information choice he made didn't seem to have provided any immediate benefits. He wondered if his talent somehow blocked it. It wouldn't be the first time his talent complicated matters.
He found himself questioning the purpose of his diary entries. Maybe someone would read them someday and understand his strugglesāor perhaps, if he became famous, he could sell the diary for extra coins.
{Day 34}
Today was different. Kale found an elf lying near a tree, covered in blood and struggling to breathe. She looked like she had been through hell. Unable to leave her in such a state, he patched her up and gave her a place to rest for the night.
Her presence was almost ethereal, as if she didn't belong there. Kale hoped she might have answers to help him clear this trial.
{Day 35}
The elf introduced herself as Ellie, a pureblood elf, which explained her severe condition. Vampires had been hunting her, drawn to the power in her blood. Ellie revealed that the trial was more complex than Kale had realized. There were multiple species, each with their own kingdoms, and all were embroiled in a power struggle. Ellie had been caught in the crossfire.
{Day 47}
Ellie and Kale arrived at the Kengir Kingdom, one of the human strongholds. The streets were bustling with life. What struck Kale wasn't just the humans but the other races walking freely among them. Elves, dwarves, and beastkin all coexisted peacefully. The city felt like a paradise compared to the harsh environment of the Tower.
{Day 50}
Three days had passed since their arrival in Kengir. Kale was reluctant to leave. The people's kindness felt almost too perfect, too good to be real. Despite the seemingly flawless environment, he found solace in the city's warmth, momentarily forgetting the cruelty of the Tower and his brother's betrayal.
{Day 57}
Kale and Ellie visited the temple, where they met the Saintess. The Saintess greeted Kale with an air of expectation. "You are the hero," she said, her voice firm. It wasn't a question but a declaration. Kale's role in the trial was to defeat the Demon Lord. In this context, "hero" meant player.
{Day 60}
Since the Saintess's proclamation, Kale had been treated with reverence. The people's kindness had increased, and he was showered with gifts and help. Yet, despite the warm reception, Kale felt uneasy. Everything seemed too easy, too perfect.
{Day 74}
Tomorrow, the march to the Demon King's lair would begin. The entire kingdom was abuzz with anticipation, treating the battle as though victory was assured. Kale should have felt relievedāthis was the end of the trial. But a part of him hesitated. The place felt like home, more than anywhere else had. Nevertheless, he knew he needed to uncover the truth and confront whatever lay ahead.
{Day 75}
The Demon King's lair was everything Kale had imaginedāa desolate, blood-soaked wasteland. The stench of death was overwhelming. A group of soldiers from the kingdom accompanied him, all eager and full of hope. Today, he thought, would be the day he finished this trial and went home.
{Day 76}
Today, Kale died