The path ahead was narrow and jagged, cutting through a dense forest of dead trees. The air was thick with the scent of decay, and an unnatural silence blanketed the surroundings. Every step Chen took echoed ominously, as if the ground itself protested his passage. Fenrir padded silently beside him, its golden eyes scanning the eerie landscape.
Chen's body ached from the last battle. His clothes were torn, and blood smeared his arms and face. Yet, the glowing interface hovering before him was a stark reminder that there was no time for rest.
---
Chen Xian
Human Realm: Level 4 (Adept)
Health: 45%
Soul Energy: 15%
---
The numbers weren't promising. He needed to recover, but the constant threat of ambush left no room for respite.
"Fenrir," Chen murmured, his voice low. "What do you make of this place?"
The wolf huffed, its tail flicking in irritation as if to say, It stinks of trouble.
"Yeah, I got that vibe too," Chen replied, forcing a wry smile despite the tension coiling in his chest.
The dead forest stretched endlessly, its gnarled branches resembling skeletal fingers reaching for the sky. Occasionally, a faint rustle would break the silence, but every time Chen turned to look, he saw nothing.
They're watching us. The thought prickled at his mind.
As if to confirm his fears, the interface flickered suddenly, a single message appearing.
---
[Caution: Host is being tracked.]
---
Chen froze, his grip tightening on the hilt of his Growth Sword. Fenrir growled low, its ears flattening against its head.
"Tracked by what?" Chen muttered under his breath.
The interface didn't answer. Instead, the forest seemed to shift around them, the shadows deepening. A cold wind howled through the trees, carrying with it a haunting whisper.
"Turn back… or be consumed."
The voice was distant yet chillingly clear, like a hundred murmurs overlapping.
Chen squared his shoulders, his resolve hardening. "I've come too far to turn back now."
Fenrir barked sharply, as if to second his defiance.
The forest responded. From the shadows, figures began to emerge—pale, emaciated creatures with hollow eyes and twisted limbs. They moved in jerky, unnatural motions, their mouths opening to reveal rows of jagged teeth.
"Perfect," Chen muttered, drawing his sword.
The creatures let out a collective screech before charging toward him. Chen leapt into action, his blade slicing through the first wave with precision. The Growth Sword hummed with power, each strike sending pulses of light that temporarily held the creatures at bay.
Fenrir darted around him, its jaws snapping at the attackers. The wolf's movements were a blur, its ferocity unmatched as it tore through the creatures.
But for every one they defeated, two more seemed to take its place.
Chen's muscles burned, and his breath came in ragged gasps. His health was dropping steadily, the interface flashing warnings.
---
Health: 25%
---
"Damn it," Chen hissed. "There's no end to them!"
Fenrir growled, its golden eyes locking onto something in the distance. It barked sharply, motioning with its head.
Chen followed its gaze and saw it—a glowing sigil etched into the base of a massive, dead tree. The sigil pulsed with a faint, eerie light, and the creatures seemed to avoid getting too close to it.
"That must be their source," Chen realized.
He gritted his teeth. Reaching the sigil meant plowing through the horde, and he wasn't sure if his body could take the strain. But there was no other choice.
"Fenrir, cover me!" he shouted.
The wolf barked in acknowledgment, launching itself at the nearest cluster of creatures. Chen surged forward, his sword cutting a path through the writhing mass. The creatures clawed at him, their jagged nails raking across his arms and legs, but he pressed on.
His health continued to drop.
---
Health: 12%
---
Pain blurred his vision, but the sigil was close now. Just a few more steps.
A creature lunged at him, its claws aimed for his throat. Chen barely managed to block with his sword, the force of the attack sending him to one knee.
"Not now," he growled, pushing back with all his strength.
Fenrir appeared out of nowhere, slamming into the creature and tearing it apart. The wolf growled at Chen, its eyes fierce as if to say, Get up. Keep moving.
Chen nodded, forcing himself to his feet. With a final burst of energy, he reached the sigil and plunged his sword into its center.
The effect was immediate. The sigil shattered, releasing a shockwave of light that engulfed the forest. The creatures let out piercing screeches before dissolving into ash.
Chen collapsed to the ground, his sword falling from his grasp. His chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath.
---
Health: 5%
Soul Energy: 20%
---
Fenrir trotted over, licking Chen's face with a mix of concern and annoyance.
"Yeah, yeah," Chen muttered weakly. "I'm fine. Thanks for the save."
The wolf huffed, lying down beside him.
Chen forced himself to sit up, his gaze drifting to the now-empty forest. The dead trees remained, but the oppressive darkness had lifted slightly.
The interface flickered again, a new message appearing.
---
[Congratulations, Host. Trial Complete.]
[New Path Unlocked.]
---
Chen glanced ahead and saw it—a narrow staircase carved into the side of a cliff, leading upward.
"Another climb," he said with a tired laugh.
Fenrir barked, its tail wagging slightly as if to say, Let's go.
Chen pushed himself to his feet, gripping his sword tightly. The journey was far from over, but for the first time in a while, he felt a glimmer of hope.
With Fenrir at his side, he stepped onto the staircase, ready to face whatever lay ahead.