Su Bai had explored the cave in search of answers, making sure there were no immediate dangers left. With the dim light from the walls illuminating the area, he began to gather the scattered coins and equipment from the ground. While doing so, a slight tremor ran through the floor, but Su Bai, distracted by the sheer amount of loot, barely noticed.
"This is a real treasure trove..." he muttered as his backpack filled with more and more coins. The equipment that shimmered in shades of grey and green confirmed that many of them were of excellent quality, although what intrigued him most was the possibility of finding something more valuable. The rumors about Eryndor's hidden caves had prepared him for anything—or so he thought.
As he picked up a strange amulet lying next to the head of the gigantic serpent, something changed. The air in the cave grew heavier, and a dark energy began to seep from the ground beneath his feet.
Ding!
A sharp sound echoed in his interface, and the game's system appeared before his eyes.
System Warning!
[You have touched an object sealed by an ancient curse. The special mission "The Treasure Guardian's Trial" has been activated.]
Su Bai frowned, but before he could react, the serpent he had believed to be dead began to stir. Its enormous silver scales glistened with an intense light as its eyes snapped open, fixed on him. The massive body of the serpent slowly rose, as if time had not touched it.
Rumble!
The entire cave shook as the serpent completed its transformation, now alive and glowing.
You have triggered combat with the Cave Guardian!
[The serpent will adjust its level to match yours. The reward will only be granted if you survive the trial.]
"What the hell?" Su Bai backed up, gripping his Celestial CloudSword tightly. He could feel the serpent's power rising, but he knew the system had adjusted it to his level, which meant he had a chance—though a slim one—of survival.
Mission Activated: The Treasure Guardian's Trial
• Objective: Defeat the Guardian Serpent.
• Reward: Guardian's Token + Collected Coins.
The system message hovered in his vision as the serpent let out a thunderous roar. Dark mist began to pour from its mouth, quickly filling the cave. The air turned frigid, and Su Bai felt the pressure on his chest intensify. The battle had begun, and there was no turning back.
Su Bai took a deep breath, mentally preparing for what lay ahead. The air inside the cave seemed to vibrate, and the presence of the gigantic serpent was overwhelming. There was no retreat. He had touched one of the cursed treasures, and now he faced a trial that many might not have survived. The mission had begun.
FWOOSH!
The serpent launched its massive body toward him like a deadly arrow from the shadows. Su Bai barely had time to react, dodging the attack by mere inches. The ground beneath his feet trembled from the force of the impact, kicking up dust and debris all around him.
Alert!
The serpent has adjusted its level to match yours: LV7
• HP: 5000
• Physical Attack: 180
• Magic Attack: 100
• Special Ability: Poisonous Miasma – Inflicts continuous area damage and reduces the opponent's movement speed by 15%.
"This is going to be a problem!" Su Bai growled as the poisonous mist spread through the cave, wrapping him in its toxic shroud. He could feel his movements slowing, but he couldn't let that stop him.
Endless Icy Cloud, activated!
A cold vapor erupted from his sword, creating a freezing mist around him that slowed the serpent's movements. Though the poison still affected him, now they were both trapped in a game of time, with their speeds reduced.
CLANG!
Su Bai blocked the serpent's strike with his Celestial CloudSword, feeling the overwhelming weight of the beast against his arm. He barely withstood the blow, but he knew he wouldn't last much longer if he didn't find a strategy.
"I need to attack with everything I've got!" he thought, as the serpent prepared for another strike.
In a quick motion, Su Bai launched a counterattack, aiming directly at one of the serpent's larger scales on its flank.
SLASH!
-350 HP
A deep gash opened in the side of the serpent, but it barely seemed fazed. Its body coiled and let out an earth-shaking roar, causing the walls of the cave to shake. The poisonous mist thickened, and Su Bai's HP began to drop steadily.
HP: 990/1500
The poison was doing its job. He couldn't stay in the mist much longer. He knew the only way forward was to strike harder before the poison weakened him completely.
Mystical Frozen Cloud, activated!
A flash of icy light enveloped his sword, and he delivered a direct blow to the serpent's neck. The freezing mist momentarily confused the creature, slowing its reflexes and creating a small opening.
-520 HP · Freezing Critical!
The serpent recoiled, its body now covered in frost. Su Bai seized the opportunity and charged at the creature, but he knew he needed more time. The poison was still draining his energy, and he was losing the battle against the clock.
HP: 720/1500
"I need a potion... now," he thought, quickly pulling an uncommon recovery potion from his backpack and downing it in one gulp.
HP: +400
With his energy partially restored, Su Bai focused on finishing off the serpent. This time, he changed his strategy. If he could keep the serpent at a distance, he could avoid the poison and its most lethal attacks.
The serpent lunged at him again, but Su Bai was ready. He used the rebound technique he had practiced during his previous hunts. At the last second, he deflected the serpent's attack, causing it to crash into the ground with its own weight.
CLANG!
The serpent lost its balance for a moment, and Su Bai took advantage of that instant. His sword came down with all his might, aiming directly at the creature's head.
-820 HP · Weakness Critical!
The blow was devastating. The serpent let out a roar of pain and recoiled, its massive body writhing violently. Despite the serpent's immense power, the battle was beginning to tip in Su Bai's favor. He knew the fight was far from over, but at least he had gained some ground.
As the serpent recovered, the game's system projected a message onto his interface.
Guardian's Trial Mission: 50% Complete.
[Defeat the Guardian to claim the hidden treasure.]
"I'm almost there!" Su Bai shouted to himself, sweat dripping down his face. But the poison was still an obstacle. The air in the cave was suffocating, and time wasn't on his side. He knew that if he didn't finish the fight soon, his own endurance would be his downfall.
The serpent, now enraged and weakened, prepared for its final attack. Its eyes glowed with ancient hatred as it lunged at Su Bai with the full force of its body. Su Bai knew he wouldn't survive this strike if it landed.
Endless Icy Cloud!
With one last burst of icy energy, Su Bai slowed the serpent once more, dodging its attack at the last moment. With his sword raised, he delivered a final slash, aiming directly for the creature's head.
-1200 HP · Fatal Critical!
The serpent let out a final agonizing roar before collapsing to the ground, its massive body twitching once more before becoming completely still.
With the serpent seemingly defeated, Su Bai cautiously approached the treasure scattered throughout the cave. His breathing was heavy, and though the atmosphere remained oppressive, he felt a small victory as he saw the gleam of coins and equipment littered across the floor. The Guardian's Token lay in the center of the chamber, emitting a soft, mysterious glow.
Everything seemed perfect. The treasures, the weapons, and the coins sparkled under the dim light of the cave. Su Bai allowed himself to be swept up in the excitement, thinking about the wealth he could carry back.
But as he bent down to pick up the token, something changed. A subtle vibration ran through the ground, and the air around him began to stir. A deep, low growl echoed through the cave.
Warning: The Guardian's Trial is not yet complete.
Su Bai jumped back, alerted by the sudden shift. The eyes of the giant serpent, which had remained dim until that moment, glowed with a fierce red light. The body of the serpent, which had appeared lifeless, began to twitch, slowly rising once more.
Phase 2 of the Trial has been activated.
"How is this possible?" Su Bai muttered as he watched the giant serpent come back to life, surrounded by a dark energy.
It was now clear that the battle wasn't over. The mission wasn't complete, and the real challenge had just begun.
With the Celestial CloudSword in hand, Su Bai prepared for the second phase of the fight, knowing he was about to face an enemy that would match his own level. The Guardian would not give up easily.