The massive stone doors groaned as they slowly creaked open, revealing a pitch black passage that seems to stretch endlessly. Jin stood at the threshold, his breaths uneven. His injuries still ached. But the strange energy coursing though his body keep him standing.
The words echoed again in his mind:
"The Trial of Blood beings. Survive, evolve, or perish.
Jin clenched his fist, stepping forward. The moment he crossed the threshold, the door slammed shut behind him with a deafening boom.
"No turning back now", he muttered.
Touches along the wall flared to life, their crimson flames casting eerie shadows. The air felt heavy, thick with tension.
Suddenly, a low growl rumbled through the corridor. Jin froze, his eyes scanning the darkness ahead. From the shadows emerge a creature-distorted humanoid figure with jagged claws, glowing red eyes, and twisted, gaping mouth.
"What are these things" Jin hissed, unsheathing his blade.
The creature lunged. Jin sidestepped the first, and slicing through its neck in one swift motion. Black blood splattered the ground, but the creature dying screech was quickly drowned out by the other howls of the others.
"So this is the first trail", Jin muttered, tightening his grip on the sword. "Then come at me"
The beast came in waves, swarming Jin from all sides. His blade danced through the air, cutting down the grotesque creature one after another.
Each kill sends a pulse of energy through his body, strengthening him. His movement becomes sharper, faster, more precise.
"I see..." Jin muttered, dodging a clawed swipe. "The trail feeds my strength with every fight. Fine, I'll take all of you on!".
He leaped forward, driving his sword into another beast chest and kicking his body aside. The energy surged Within him again, pushing his body past its limits.
But the enemies keep coming.
Jin stumbled into the larger monster emerged-hulking brutes covered in dark, spiked armor. Their eyes glowed like embers, and their growls vibrated through the room.
"Stronger ones now?" Jin spat, wiping blood from his face. "Let's see if you're tougher than me."
One of the armored beasts charged. Jin barely dodged its massive claws, rolling to the side as it slammed into the stone wall. Dust and debris exploded outward.
"Damn, that's fast!"
He countered, slicing at its exposed joints. The monsters howled but don't Fall. Instead, it spun around, Slammed jin with his tail and sent him crashing into the wall.
Pain erupted through his body, but Jin forced himself to stand.
"I can't stop here, he growled, gripping his blade.
The beast lunged again, this time Jin ducked low, driving his sword into the exposed stomach. It roared, thrashing violently, but Jin twisted the blade deeper, ending it.
He fell to one knee, panting. The energy pulsed through him again, sealing some of his wounds and restoring his strength.
But he had no time to rest.
A low rumble filled the chamber. The far wall shifted, revealing another door. Jin breath hitching as the temperature plummeted.
Stepping through the new doorway, he entered a vast hall. Strange markings glowing along the walls, the treasure chests littered the floor. Weapons, armors, and shimmering crystals gleaming in the light.
But Jin's eyes looked onto the statue at the center of the room. It depicted a man clad in intricate armor, his hand resting on the hilt of a massive sword.
Suddenly, the statue's eyes flared red, and the ground trembled. The voice echoed once more:
"The guardian of the Trail awakens. Prove your worth or be consumed."
The statue began to move. Its stone exterior cracked, revealing glowing veins of molten energy beneath. It reached for the massive sword at its side and stepped down from its pedestal.
Jin raised his blade, sweat dripping down his brow.
The Guardian struck first, swinging its massive blade. Jin barely dodged, the force of the attack shattering the floor where he stood.
"Too fast!" Jin gritted his teeth, trying to find an opening.
He dashed forward, aiming for its legs, but the guardian blocked his strike and sent him flying back with a single swipe.
Blood trickled down Jin's lip as he forced himself up. "I need to outlast it."
He attacked again, this time Targeting its joints. The Guardian molten vain pulsed, but Jin's relentless strikes barely chipped at it's armor.
"This isn't working,: Jin spat, backing away. He scanned the treasure piles, his eyes locking onto something -a massive battle axe with intricate carving along its hands.
The Guardian charged, but this time Jin didn't retreat. He swung the axe with all his strength, meeting the guardian's sword head-on. Sparks exploded from the clash.
"This is more like it!" Jin roared, punching forward.
The Guardian staggered, but Jin didn't stop. He spun the axe, slamming into the creature's chest. Crack spread across its body, light pouring out of the fractures.
The Guardian let out a final, earth-shaking roar before collapsing into rubble.
Jin fell to his knees, gripping the axe tightly. He was covered in sweat and blood, but his eyes burned with determination.
The voice echoed again: " you have passed the first trail. The path ahead remains perilous."
Jin staggered to his feet, staring at the axe
"This.... This will do just fine."