As soon as Kale entered the trial grounds, he made his way toward the place where he had first met Ellie. What was once a serene and quiet area was now filled to the brim with monsters. The air reeked of blood, and the ground shook beneath the weight of creatures lurking in the shadows.
Kale's grip tightened on the sword he had received from the kingdom. The blade felt familiar in his hand, but he knew that this trial would not be as easy as the last.
He immediately plunged into battle, slashing through the first wave of goblins. His blade cut through them effortlessly, and they dropped one by one with each swing. The motion became almost mechanical—the arc of his sword, the dull thud of bodies hitting the ground, the rush of air as he moved swiftly.
Just as Kale began to establish a rhythm, a sharp notification rang in his ears.
Ding! [Talent Greater Risk, Greater Reward activated]
Kale's stomach twisted with dread. Before his eyes, the goblins he had easily dispatched began to change. Their bodies swelled, muscles bulging as they grew larger and more monstrous. The goblins had evolved into hobgoblins, and their eyes gleamed with malevolent intelligence.
The air grew heavy with danger as the hobgoblins charged toward him. Kale's body reacted instinctively. He quickly drew mana into his blade, bracing himself for the attack.
"Aura, activate!" he shouted.
Aura (B1).
Beginner Survival Instinct (C2).
Kale's senses heightened. His breathing slowed, and every movement around him became sharper. He felt attuned to the battlefield—the hobgoblins' heavy footsteps, the tremors beneath his feet, the slight shifts in the wind. It was as though he had become one with the battle.
But before he could strike, a sharp pain exploded in his shoulder.
An arrow.
Kale gritted his teeth as the poison from the arrow began to spread through his body, paralyzing his muscles. His movements became sluggish, but he refused to let the paralysis take hold. He focused through the pain, determined not to fall.
The hobgoblins pressed their attack. Their skin, now as tough as iron, deflected his strikes. His usual tactic—aiming for their heads—no longer worked. They had adapted, becoming more cunning. They anticipated his moves, shifting to defend themselves.
Adjusting his strategy, Kale aimed for their hearts. His sword, charged with mana, plunged into the chest of the nearest hobgoblin. It let out a guttural roar, collapsing in a heap as blood poured from its mouth.
The remaining hobgoblins didn't hesitate. They advanced with coordinated strikes, their strength overwhelming. Each dodge and counterattack drained Kale's energy. The poison sapped his strength with every passing moment.
His vision blurred at the edges, and his breathing grew labored. Desperation gnawed at him. He couldn't afford to slow down, not when the hobgoblins continued to press him. He had to keep moving.
With a final burst of energy, Kale cut down the remaining hobgoblins, their blood staining the ground. He was almost at the clearing—the place where Ellie had once stood. But when he arrived, he found something far worse waiting for him.
In the clearing stood a kobold. But not just any kobold—this one was different. Its scales gleamed a blood-red color, and its eyes radiated a terrifying intelligence. Its presence was overwhelming, far beyond that of any creature Kale had faced before.
Without warning, the kobold attacked.
Kale barely managed to dodge its strike, its claws swiping just inches from his face. He retaliated, slashing his sword toward the kobold's side. But when the blade connected with its scales, it didn't even leave a mark.
The kobold smirked, as if mocking his efforts. It moved with blinding speed, faster than anything Kale had encountered. Before he could react, the kobold kicked him in the gut, sending him crashing into the ground.
The impact knocked the wind out of him, but Kale forced himself to stand. His body ached, and his breaths came in ragged gasps, but he refused to back down.
Again, he attacked, swinging his sword with all his might. The kobold dodged effortlessly, sidestepping every blow. It struck back, its claws raking across Kale's chest. He blocked the attack with his sword, but the sheer force of the blow sent him stumbling.
Nothing he did seemed to work. His sword couldn't penetrate the kobold's tough scales, and his attacks were becoming more and more sluggish. His mana was nearly depleted, and his body was reaching its limit.
In a final, desperate attempt, Kale turned and ran into the forest, using the trees as cover. He could hear the kobold following close behind, its movements swift and precise. No matter how fast he ran, it was faster. No matter how far he went, it closed the distance effortlessly.
His lungs burned, his legs felt like lead, and his vision was starting to fade. But he couldn't stop. He had one last plan.
He gathered the last of his mana, concentrating it all into his sword. The blade pulsed with raw energy, the edges glowing faintly. He turned to face the kobold, determined to strike a killing blow.
But before he could release the attack, the kobold moved faster than he could react. Its claws tore through his chest, shredding through his armor and flesh. Kale collapsed onto the ground, blood pooling around him as darkness consumed his vision.
{??? hours later}
Kale awoke, numb and broken. His legs refused to move, and his mana reserves were completely drained. He had nothing left. His body was too damaged to continue, and he knew there was no way out.
He was going to die here.
But if this was the end, he would make sure the kobold went down with him.
{Skill Sage's Eyes (S1) activated}
{Skill Nandaki (S1) activated}
{Talent Greater Risk, Greater Reward activated}
Kale knew the end was near. His strength was gone, and death loomed over him.
{??? has blessed you}
A blessing? What use was that now?
Take it back, Kale thought bitterly. It's too late.
But something strange happened.
{Talent Greater Risk, Greater Reward deactivated}
Kale's eyes widened. This had never happened before. His curse, the one that always increased the danger, was suddenly inactive.
Could it have been the blessing?
Then, in the distance, he felt something unsettling.
{??? smirks}