---
Hours turned into days, and days stretched into weeks. The eerie silence was broken only by the faint sounds of breathing from the slumbering children. Slowly but surely, more of the young ones succumbed, their bodies collapsing into lifeless husks scattered across the warped wooden floor.
At the one-month mark, exactly 1,000 children rose to their feet. Each of them wore a twisted expression, their faces etched with emotions as varied as the fears they had overcome. Some looked elated, as if they had conquered the world. Others were somber, with eyes heavy with sorrow. Still more stood utterly numb, as if their spirits had been hollowed out. A few bore the unmistakable marks of trauma, their faces frozen in silent screams.
For some, this transformation was disturbingly literal. What becomes of a child whose deepest fear is being consumed by time itself? The answer lay in the hunched forms of those whose youthful features had withered into those of the elderly, their bodies prematurely aged.
And the remaining 2,508 children? They lay motionless on the ground, their bodies devoid of life or soul.
---
As the newly awakened regained their senses, chaos erupted.
Some wept uncontrollably, their sobs echoing in the surreal space. Others stood in stunned silence, as though their minds were still trapped in the trials. A select few displayed little more than quiet resignation, neither joyful nor broken—simply empty.
Dreamer's masked visage remained expressionless as he surveyed the survivors. He marked each child who displayed emotion—whether happiness, sadness, or even anger—as a true victor of the Trial of Fear. Those who stood blankly, devoid of humanity, were cast aside in his judgment.
"Ugh, more work for me..." he muttered under his breath.
Asmodeus, observing silently from a corner, reached a similar conclusion. The emotional ones were indeed the true winners. Yet, ever the opportunist, he couldn't help but view the hollow children as potential tools.
"I feel like I just walked into a chess shop," he mused with a sinister grin. "Look at all these potential pawns."
His thoughts, as dark as the abyss, would have sent shivers down the spines of even the most hardened demons.
---
Two hours later, Dreamer raised his hand. An oppressive aura swept through the room, silencing the remaining cries and forcing all attention onto him. His voice, rich with mockery and triumph, rang out.
"Congratulations on finishing the Trial of Fear!"
If looks could kill, Dreamer would have perished a thousand times over.
"Why the gloomy faces?" he asked, his grin audible behind his mask. "Shouldn't you be happy to pass the first trial?"
The silence thickened as his words hung in the air, a cruel reminder of the ordeal they had survived.
"Anyway," Dreamer continued, "I, your benevolent overseer, will now explain a few things."
He gestured dramatically, as though addressing an audience of admirers rather than a group of traumatized children.
"First, let's talk about the crimson energy you all manifested during your trial. It's called Will Manifestation. As the name suggests, it's the physical manifestation of your willpower. The deeper and stronger your will, the more crimson it becomes. You can refine it further by overcoming fear or facing life-and-death battles."
Some children perked up at this, their eyes flickering with a faint glimmer of hope.
"Second," Dreamer continued, "you are all now officially E-rank Awakeners. Of course, don't let that go to your heads. Compared to demons, you're still as weak as ants. But hey, you've improved from F-rank to E-rank in one month! Isn't that cool? Some of you might have stayed F-rank forever without us cultists."
Asmodeus snorted internally. "Pah! How could anyone chosen to enter the Awakening Realm by the third most powerful faction have anything less than C-rank potential?"
The other children, however, weren't as optimistic. Many of them harbored doubts about their worth, especially those who had received F-rank talents. They couldn't help but wonder if they were nothing more than cannon fodder for the cult's grand schemes.
Dreamer either didn't notice their unease or didn't care. He pressed on, his tone growing even more theatrical.
"A little spoiler for you: by the end of these trials, all of you—well, all of you who survive—will reach C-rank! Isn't that awesome?"
His announcement was met with mixed reactions, from disbelief to faint glimmers of hope.
"Now, as much as I'd love to keep talking about how amazing I am, I'm required to give you a glimpse of the next trial."
He paused for dramatic effect before continuing.
"The next trial is about energy control. After all, even though you're E-rank Awakeners now, you can't compare to true Awakeners. You reached this rank through our completely ingenious, unorthodox methods. No, scratch that—our methods are so insane even unorthodox organizations would call us lunatics!"
Dreamer laughed, the sound sending chills through the children.
"Oh, and before I forget, check your system panels. They've been updated."
---
Asmodeus narrowed his eyes. "System?"
[YES?]
"Open panel."
[UNDERSTOOD.]
A translucent screen appeared before him.
[STATUS]
Name: Asmodeus
Nickname: ???
True Name: Monstrosity
Power Level: E-rank
Energy Manipulation Level: Beyond S-Rank
Race: Demonic Dragon
Form: Human
Bloodline: Dragon
Talent: Pure
Extensions: The Words of the Purity God
Mana Purity: A-rank
Physique: Corruption
Goal: Epitome of Corruption
Stats:
Fleshly Strength: 50
Agility: 50
Endurance: 50
Willpower: 10,000 (S-rank, boosted by a clear goal.)
Vitality: 40/50
HP: 200/100
MP: ??? (Mana has not been used, unable to estimate its value.)
System Note: Other information is obscured due to the Talent: Pure.
Asmodeus smirked. "Oh, cool. New stuff. But what does the Talent extension do?"
[The Words of the Purity God is a byproduct of the host's immense will, clear goal, and understanding of the laws of Pride and Corruption. It grants subconscious control over willpower and aura pressure.]
"Heh, unfair treatment if I've ever seen it. System, change my nickname to 'Master.'"
[YES, MASTER.]
Asmodeus winced. "Uncomfortable… but good for the ego."
---
An hour later, Dreamer's tone shifted. Gone was the playful mockery, replaced by cold authority.
"Now that you've all reviewed your status, let's begin the next trial."
---