Hyun Woo barely had a moment to recover from the previous tension when he heard rustling in the underbrush ahead. Emerging from the shadows were three creatures — small, humanoid figures with ashen gray skin, elongated claws, and jagged teeth. Though these monsters were smaller and seemingly less formidable than the previous beast, their eyes blazed with unrestrained fury, and their rapid, unpredictable movements conveyed an unsettling agility.
He tightened his grip on the branch he wielded as an improvised weapon, recognizing that escape was no longer an option.
"Alright, three of you..." Hyun Woo muttered, forcing his mind to focus. "This is manageable. Just stay calm and don't panic."
The first of the creatures lunged forward, but Hyun Woo reacted swiftly. He activated "Evasion", sidestepping the sudden charge and narrowly avoiding the outstretched claws. With practiced precision, Hyun Woo brought the branch down on the creature's head, the force of the blow sending it sprawling backward with a pained yelp. Before he could regain his stance, the remaining two monsters surged towards him.
Hyun Woo felt sharp claws rake across his shoulder, the pain cutting through his concentration. Ignoring the throbbing sensation, he activated "Dash", propelling himself backward in an instant. The burst of speed granted him a brief respite, just enough time to reposition himself. With his adversaries closing in, Hyun Woo countered swiftly — he swung the branch at one of the creatures, aiming directly for its exposed neck. The impact was decisive; the creature crumpled to the ground, a hoarse squeal escaping its lips as it lay still.
Now only one remained, its movements growing more erratic as it approached. Hyun Woo, however, felt his confidence solidify. His body moved in harmony with his intentions; each swing, each dodge was precise, a testament to his training and sheer determination. Leveraging his stamina and skills, Hyun Woo dispatched the final monster, leaving its lifeless body on the forest floor.
As the battle concluded, he fell to his knees, gasping for breath. His hands trembled from exhaustion, his shoulder burned fiercely, but a fire of determination burned bright in his eyes.
System Notification: "Timer: 3:46:21" "Experience Bar: +30%"
Hyun Woo glanced at the timer and understood that this was merely the beginning. His struggle for survival in this hostile environment was far from over, but now he knew he could hold his own.
"Alright, system," he muttered, slowly pushing himself back onto his feet. "If this is your game, I'll play along. On your terms... but with my own rules."
Soon, Hyun Woo found himself embroiled in yet another skirmish against a fresh wave of monsters. His body began to betray him — muscles quivered with exhaustion, and every movement became a laborious effort. His breaths grew shallow, each inhale tightening his chest as fatigue threatened to overwhelm him. Yet he pressed on. His strikes were deliberate, each swing of his weapon calculated, even as his stamina waned.
Then, something changed. The monsters, who moments earlier had fought with relentless aggression, suddenly froze. Their gaze collectively turned towards the depths of the forest, their expressions shifting into something akin to unease. Slowly, they began to back away, emitting strange noises — low growls mingled with frightened whimpers. Their aggression dissipated, as though they were now facing something far more threatening than Hyun Woo.
"What's happening?" Hyun Woo whispered, glancing from one creature to the other, confusion washing over him. "Are you afraid of me? Or..."
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted as something emerged from the dark depths of the forest. The figure was massive — taller than any human, with a body covered in sleek black scales that reflected the dim forest light. Its eyes glowed a fierce, almost malevolent red, and dark plumes of smoke curled from the edges of its mouth. In its hands, it held a long staff, crowned with a crystal that emitted an icy blue luminescence.
The creature halted before him, and the entire forest seemed to still. The air grew heavy, almost suffocating, as even the rustling of leaves ceased. Its presence was terrifying, an aura so powerful that it commanded silence and fear. Instinctively, Hyun Woo took a step back, his knuckles white from gripping his makeshift weapon.
"System, you've got to be joking," he whispered under his breath, his eyes darting briefly to the timer.
"Timer: 00:14:12"
Hyun Woo's heart pounded in his chest as he stared at the imposing figure before him. The seconds ticked away, each one a reminder that his trial was far from over. He forced himself to take a steadying breath, ignoring the pain in his shoulder and the exhaustion pulling at his limbs. He had come this far, and he wasn't about to back down now.
If the system wanted to break him, it would have to try harder.
"Whatever you are," Hyun Woo muttered, narrowing his eyes at the creature, "I'm not done yet." He raised his makeshift weapon, his stance firm despite the tremor in his muscles. The forest fell utterly silent, the creature's gaze fixed upon him, its crimson eyes filled with an unreadable intensity.
The showdown was inevitable. And Hyun Woo was ready to face whatever was coming — determined to prove, once and for all, that he would not be broken.
He realized this was the culmination of his trial — a final test that would determine his survival. The creature regarded him with an unwavering gaze, its eyes full of predatory intent. Slowly, it raised its staff, and the crystal at its tip glowed even more intensely, pulsating with energy.
In the blink of an eye, a surge of raw magic burst forth from the staff, hurtling toward Hyun Woo with deadly precision. He barely managed to evade the blast by activating "Dash" at the last possible moment. The ground where the magic struck erupted violently, shattering into shards and leaving a deep, smoldering crater.
"Magic..." he muttered between labored breaths, his heart pounding. "Just great. One more problem to deal with."
The creature began to advance, each step slow but deliberate, exuding a palpable menace. Every movement seemed carefully measured, each one a calculated threat. Hyun Woo quickly understood that retreating wasn't an option. The timer was too close to reaching zero, and the only way to survive now was through confrontation.
With fierce determination, he clenched his teeth and charged, swinging his makeshift club with all his might. Yet, just as he approached, the creature raised its hand, conjuring a barrier of dark energy that shimmered before it. Hyun Woo's strike was deflected effortlessly, and the force of the rebound sent him sprawling backward, crashing onto the hard ground. He groaned, pushing himself back to his feet, his body aching from the impact.
"Alright," he whispered, his voice resolute as he gripped the club even tighter. "I need to find a weakness."
The creature unleashed another barrage, this time firing multiple magical projectiles that cut through the air like arrows. Hyun Woo dodged one, then another, but the third projectile struck his shoulder with a searing pain. It felt as if an icy blade had sliced through his flesh, and he staggered but managed to stay upright.
"Damn it..." he hissed, stealing a quick glance at the timer.
"Timer: 00:09:47"
Nine more minutes. He only needed to last nine more minutes. Hyun Woo pushed himself harder, relying on "Dash" and "Evasion" to stay ahead of the creature's relentless attacks. He soon realized that the creature needed a brief moment to charge each magical strike, and this window, however small, offered opportunities to counterattack.
Utilizing "Dash", he closed the gap swiftly and swung his club at the creature's leg. The strike made the monster stagger slightly, but it was hardly enough. The creature snapped its head toward Hyun Woo, swinging its staff and releasing a wave of dark energy. Hyun Woo managed to evade most of the attack, but the residual force still clipped him, sending him tumbling across the ground.
"I have to hold on..." he muttered under his breath, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "Just need to survive a bit longer."
The next several minutes were an exhausting cycle of dodging, evading, and seeking openings. Each second stretched into an eternity as Hyun Woo fought to stay alive. The creature was clearly superior in raw strength and magical prowess, but Hyun Woo knew that endurance was his key to victory. If he could last until the timer hit zero, he would win by default.
"Timer: 00:03:12"
The creature's demeanor changed, its attacks growing more erratic, yet also more ferocious. There was an edge of desperation in its strikes. Hyun Woo noticed this shift and exploited it — dodging with increased precision and landing small but effective blows on its limbs, seeking to slow its movements.
"Timer: 00:00:59"
One minute remained. The creature raised its staff high, and several orbs of magical energy began to coalesce around it, each glowing with a baleful, eerie light. The orbs lifted into the air, hovering menacingly as they charged with power.
"Not now..." Hyun Woo whispered, his voice filled with urgency. He tightened his grip on the club, his knuckles turning white. "Not now!"
At that moment, the timer finally reached zero, and a message flashed across his vision.
System Notification: Punishment completed.
System restoration in progress...
A blinding flash of light erupted around Hyun Woo, enveloping him completely. The creature, caught off guard, hesitated, its attacks ceasing. The light spread outward, illuminating the entire forest, and gradually, the world around him began to dissolve. All Hyun Woo could hear was the deep, resonant voice of the system echoing in his ears:
"Trial completed. Rewards will be granted."
As the light receded, Hyun Woo found himself lying on the floor of his hospital room in the Association. His chest heaved as he gasped for air, every muscle aching — but he was alive.