In the vast dark space illuminated by only the start flickering in the distance, a rift appeared out of thin air. From the rift a boy with jet-black hair and piercing red eyes stepped out.
The boy was Alden, who had just been transported here after his trial was completed.
He looked at his arm, which had been sliced some moments before. But the arm was back without even a scratch as if it had never been sliced.
After he had completed his trial successfully his arm had been regenerated by system.
It was not that hard for system to heal him as his real physical body was still in the awakening chamber, and this was just a projection of his mind.
But that did not shock him most. He was shocked by his sub-skill, which he had unlocked temporarily.
"What was that?" He couldn't comprehend that skill at all. While the skill was active, he felt refreshed but calm, too calm..
His senses were amplified beyond limit.
He felt the world had slowed,every detail clear and vivid.
And most importantly his emotions were suppressed.
'No, not suppressed,' Alden thought. 'It wasn't that I didn't feel any emotions. I just felt unnecessary to express them.'
For the first time, it felt as though he had truly been alive, free from any hesitation or fear
If he had to compare that feeling, then it would be like he was walking underwater every day, but after the skill activated, he felt like he was walking on land.
But the cost of it's use was unbearable to current him. The skill put a huge burden on his body as well as his mind which would have killed him, if system had not healed him. The skill was powerful but beyond his reach for now.
'I'll unlock it again when I'm stronger.'
Alden quickly thought about the other thing that bothered him. The fragment said something before it vanished. It said thank you to him.
He couldn't understand why.
"Was the Fragment a living person and not a monster?" As soon as the thought came to his mind, Alden jaw tightened as he felt nauseous.
He had no problem killing monsters.
but the thought of killing a human being made him feel nauseous.
"No, it doesn't matter." He shook his head violently as he spoke with a firm voice.
"It was kill or be killed." Alden knew this world was not the same peaceful world like his previous life. This world followed the rule of survival of the fittest.
He understood it better than anyone how cruel this world and it's resident were.
Alden knew that he had to get used to it…to survive in this world. But it still didn't make him any more comfortable in doing so.
Alden quickly distracted himself with other thoughts, not thinking about it anymore. He can't just adapt immediately, but he knew he had to eventually.
Alden soon looked around and knew where he was. He was currently inside the awakening space. Where the system evaluated and rewarded the challenger.
The system was by no means sentient; it was more like artificial intelligence from his previous world. Well, at least according to the information he knew from the novel.
As Alden was waiting for his evaluation, his focus was shifted towards his right hand, which was holding a beautiful long double-edged sword.
The sword shone with an unnatural darkness, its pitch-black blade was covered with glowing crimson lines. The crimson line pulsed like living blood.
It exuded a cool energy that made the air around it hum faintly, as if eager to taste some blood.
The sword was very light, and it had sharp edges. The edges glinted with danger as if being able to cut the fabric of space like butter. He for sure wasn't eager to test its edges on himself.
[ EVALUATION COMPLETE ]
As Alden was thinking about sword, a notification popped up in front of him as he saw his evaluation was done.
[Awakening Trial Complete (Rating: S+)]
[Achievements - Slayer of Ruler]
Alden's eyes widened as he looked at his trial evaluation; it seemed that killing the tortoise had increased his rating.
He had even unlocked an achievement.
[ Hidden Trial Completed (Rating: S+) ]
[Achievements: Vanquisher of Chaos]
Alden looked at the new notification, blinking his eyes; it seems that defeating that Fragment had also unlocked an achievement.
[Evaluating the overall rating]
[ Overall rating: S++ ]
[ The challenger had performed exceptionally well in the trial. ]
[Initiating the awakening of the special ability]
[Initiating the awakening of soul ability]
"Finally," Alden muttered with a grin forming across his face, feeling all the struggle he went through in trial was worth it.
He had expected the awakening of his special ability. But soul ability? No.
He wished to awaken his soul ability, but he wasn't sure if he would awaken one. As even if one completed the hidden quest, there is only a 1% chance of even awakening soul ability.
There are less than 1000 people in this world in the current generation who have awakened a Soul Ability, while most people didn't even know something like this even existed.
And now he was going to be one of them.
He felt immense joy at that revelation. But his joy was cut short as he felt pain more intense than his joy coursed through his body.
The pain was so intense that Alden felt his soul was being inserted with hot molten lava.
He couldn't bear the pain as his body went limp and he fell unconscious.
As Alden's body gave in to the pain, his body started vanishing as his consciousness was returning to the real world.
_________
In the real world, inside the awakening chamber of the Draven Family, a man with black hair and red eyes appeared from the shadows.
Every shadow in the room seemed to come alive just from the mere presence of the man.
The man was none other than Alaric Draven, Patriarch of Draven family, the one referred to as Shadowbane due to his mastery over shadow elements. He was a cold and ruthless man.
But the same man had a very concerned look on his face as he looked at the sole person sitting inside a protective magic circle.
There was no one else in this whole chamber except his son, Alden.
Others had long finished their trial long ago and only Alden was still stuck in his trial.
"It's been thirty days now," Alaric spoke in a quiet voice. He didn't understand what was taking Alden so long.
It had become a routine for him to check on Alden. Yet, Alaric remained careful to make sure no one noticed his frequent visits.
'I can't afford to draw attention to him' he thought. 'Not yet '
"You'll wake up soon, won't you Alden? If not…" He stopped, unwilling to finish the thought
Just as he was leaving not seeing Alden awake today either his inhumane senses picked up some movements from Alden's direction. He felt mana being sucked in Alden.
He quickly turned around as he saw the protection circle around Alden shattered as his body started to float in air, shining in bright golden light. The light seemed divine.
Soon the light was also absorbed into Alden as his figure started falling to the ground.
Alaric vanished from his spot as he quickly caught the falling figure of Alden.
He placed Alden's unconscious body on ground as he inspected Alden for any sign of injuries. Concern was etched on his face.
"What the golden light was and why was Alden floating?" Alaric's mind raced trying to comprehend the situation.
But his thoughts were interrupted as he saw the faint twitch of Alden's fingers. It was a sign of him waking up.
Before Alden's could open his eyes, Alaric melted into the shadows, vanishing as silently as he had arrived