Alden slept on the cold stone floor of the cavern; his damp black hair stuck to his forehead.
His face was twisting as if seeing a nightmare. His dream replayed his last battle with the tortoise, its spikes piercing him and killing him over and over.
His crimson eyes snapped open, his breathing rough. He blinked his eyes, looking around in a frenzy.
"F*ck, it was just a nightmare," he cursed out loud.
He took a deep breath, calming his mind as his fear faded.
He slowly got up to his feet. His exhaustion had vaished, and now his mind felt refreshed and sharp.
He slowly walked towards the lake as he washed his face. After wiping his face, Alden stretched and walked toward the glowing plants. He plucked a few fruits and ate them quickly, their sweet taste refreshing him.
After he was done eating, he quickly walked towards the golden door. The door stood before him, glowing as inviting as ever.
But this time he didn't reject its invitation as he touched the door, slightly pushing it.
[Hidden Quest: Claim the Sword of Chaos initiated ]
As soon as he saw the notification, a shimmering blue vortex formed on the door. He got sucked into the portal without even being able to resist.
When the world finally stopped spinning, Alden found himself standing in an empty chamber with only a single altar present.
A sword was floating above the altar. The sword was pitch black coloured with streaks of red, like blood flowing down through it.
Alden instinctively knew that was the Sword of Chaos he was meant to claim.
Alden scanned the chamber for any dangers or traps. Even going as far as activating his aura detection.
But there was nothing, no hidden traps, nothing. There was only the sword, as if waiting to be claimed.
Alden slowly started walking towards the sword, fully alert. He didn't trust the hidden trial would be so easy.
He soon stood in front of Altar, but still there was nothing. He didn't feel any danger.
He hesitated a bit as he stretched out his hands to touch the Sword of Chaos.
Just as he was touching the sword, he felt his mana drain all of a sudden as his vision shifted, and he started seeing many colours.
He had seen this scene before, when his spirit eyes had first awakened.
[Ability: Spirit Eyes is activating strongly.]
[ Sub-Skill: ??? Has been activated temporarily. ]
As soon as he heard the notification, Alden's instinct screamed as he saw a faint humanoid outline attacking him with a sword.
Alden quickly rolled on the ground, dodging the attack, as he could now see a humanoid mass of energy that seemed to have appeared out of thin air.
[ Defeat the Fragment of Chaos ]
A new notification popped up as the creature attacked him again, this time launching a projectile of reddish-black mass towards him.
Alden quickly used [Shadow Steps] as he vanished from his spot. Appearing a bit away from the altar.
His eyes were bleeding as the Spirit Eyes temporary sub-skill was taking a huge toll on his body. As most of the sub-skills were only sealed because his current body couldn't handle those skills yet.
But it seems one of the sub-skills activated temporarily sensing danger to his life.
He didn't know what the sub-skill was, but his senses were sharp as he could feel even the smallest twitch of muscle in his body. He could sense everything within a 10 m radius from his body very clearly.
He quickly understood the Fragment of Chaos existed somewhere beyond where his senses could perceive, and he could only see it now because of his sharpened senses due to Spirit Eyes.
It was clear that the ability was taking a huge toll on his mind as his mind throbbed with sharp pain.
But despite everything, Alden felt calm, almost too calm. He didn't feel any other emotions than to defeat the Fragment. Perhaps also the effect of ability.
He sorted all his thoughts in just under a second as he prepared an optimised plan in his mind. The most efficient plan that could kill the Fragment.
He quickly teleported in front of Fragment as he slashed his sword in one fluid motion. His sword cut through the air with precision. The Fragment, as if predicting his attack, quickly retaliated with a strike of its own.
As both of their swords met in the air, sparks flew from their clash.
The fragment was soon pushed back. Alden understood that the Fragment specialised in surprise attacks, as it didn't seem much strong in direct confrontation.
The fragment, understanding its weakness, soon started firing projectiles from afar.
The projectile of dark red energy came towards Alden from many different directions.
But Alden at this moment could perceive everything as he dodged those projectiles effortlessly.
He manipulated the shadows of Fragment to bind it. A feat that was difficult and taxing for him before was done with ease in his current condition.
But he wasn't even surprised, as his mind was solely focused on defeating the Fragment. The fragment resisted his shadow bind as it fired its energy towards it, intending to break free from the bind.
A moment later the chains binding it shattered, but that moment was all Alden needed, as he had used [ Shadow Steps ] to teleport in front of the Fragment.
Alden moved like a machine, calculating and precise, as if every motion was a part of his grand strategy.
There was no hesitation in his movements. Just the goal of defeating his opponent
He could see its vital point without even activating the Weakness Detection.
As he quickly slashed at it, the fragment realising its invertible fate quickly attacked Alden with attack of its own.
Alden's sword swiftly cut through the vital point of Fragment. But he wasn't left unscathed, as his other arm had been sliced off by its counterattack.
But Alden didn't even flinch to his hand being sliced off as he saw the Fragment of Chaos vanishing, turning to dust.
The battle took no more than a minute since his Sub-Skill activated. His eyes were bloodshot as a trail of blood flowed from his eyes.
"Thank you, young man" Alden heard a quiet voice filled with gratitude before the fragment completely vanished.
Alden didn't even react to the grateful voice as he soon turned around, disregarding his missing arm from where blood was heavily flowing as if he didn't even care. He barely registered his pain.
He quickly went to Altar and picked up the sword. The sword reacted to his touch humming with energy.
As soon as he picked it up, he felt a cooling sensation spread throughout his body.
[Awakening Trial Completed Successfully]
[Hidden Trial: Completed.]
[Returning the challenger back to reality]
[Healing all the injuries of Challenger]
[Ability ??? Is being deactivated]
As soon as the notification popped up, Alden vanished from his spot, seemingly teleported somewhere…