"This trial… I will end it right now."
Saying that, Arun grabbed a cocoon fragment. It was sharp yet elastic, shaped like a knife. He tightened his grip and gathered his strength while walking through the narrow path between the cocoons.
Each and every one of them had a human figure trapped inside… They looked lonely and helpless, their faces adorned with expressions of despair.
Seeing them, Arun's stomach churned. Not long ago, he had been one of them—trapped in the Void, performing a task assigned by someone who could control everything and anything about these individuals.
Forced to decipher the runes while thinking it was the greatest blessing of all time…
Just thinking about it sent a shiver down his spine. Never again. He never wanted to experience that white hell again.
And the one who had put him through it was at the center—he could feel it. An unexplained connection had formed between them, though he didn't know when or how.
"Fucking bitch… just wait for me. Your hell is waiting. Your eyes will be my trophy, your skin my collection, and your bones my fucking weapon…"
But then—
"What the hell…"
Arun suddenly stopped as he reached the center.
The sight before him was too shocking.
There, in the middle of the cavern, was a pool of glowing water, Various colorful particles were flowing from the cocoons into the pond, traveling within it, and converging toward a floating figure in the center—being absorbed into them.
This figure…
The one who had put him through hell.
The cause of his misery.
Without hesitation, Arun walked into the pool, unguarded.
The glowing water lapped at his ankles, its icy chill seeping through his skin, intensifying the shivers already coursing through his frail body. With every step, the cold seemed to penetrate deeper, as if the pool itself sought to freeze his resolve. Despite this, Arun's eyes never left the cause of his misery.
The figure floating above the water was a woman with a seductive, hourglass figure. Her blonde hair drifted in the water, her black clothes drenched and clinging to her body highlighting her medium shape breasts and alluring frame. A strange, enchanting aura surrounded her…
But her skin was unnaturally pale—like a bloodless corpse. That eerie lifelessness only added to her haunting beauty.
"Bitch… it's time for you to die…"
Walking deeper into the water, which now reached his knees, Arun tightened his grip on the sharp fragment.
Splash.
The sharp edge of the crude weapon pierced through her chest, while a shower of crimson droplets tainted his face red.
He didn't stop.
He remembered the horror of the white space—the haunting feeling of forgetfulness, like his very existence was being erased. The confusion, the doubt, the insanity of that void…
Every stab increased his fury. The act of venting his anger fueled a strange desire for gruesome violence.
A dark, ominous aura escaped from the lady as her eyeleads trembled, affecting Arun's mind—urging him toward madness and insanity.
The once-clear water began turning crimson.
Like a scarlet flood bursting forth from the center itself.
The woman shook, struggling desperately to wake up. A charming air surrounded it, as if trying to seduce an insane beast.
But Arun didn't stop.
Then—
A pale soft jade hand gripped his throat.
Silver eyes appeared in his vision glaring into his red pupil.
The once-lifeless corpse had awakened from its eternal slumber.
Her breath was extremely weak, yet her hoarse voice echoed with authority.
"You… peasant…" The melodious voice charmed his mind.
The words had an effect. Arun froze, his red eyes blanking for a moment the sharp weapon slipped in the water as he became a mindless puppet at mercy of eerie beauty.
Then, the woman leaned in—
A soft sensation appeared on Arun's lips as the lady who had named him peasant kissed him.
[You have been chosen by the Witch of Calamity.]
A faint whisper echoed in his mind, momentarily clearing his thoughts.
But it was enough.
With a sharp inhale of cherry scent, Arun thrust his hand into the witch's already-injured chest. Bones cracked and broke apart beneath his fingers as his hand closed around her heart—
Splash.
[You have slain a Grade 4 Apocalypse Creature: Witch of Calamity.]
[You have received a Relic: Promise of Calamity.]
[Congratulations. You have conquered the First Trial: 'Forgotten Humanity.]
***
Once again, the atmosphere changed. The walls blurred, and everything around him transformed into stars, each one pulsating in a rhythm, transferring glowing white light from one to another.
The gigantic net of glowing orbs covered every expanse of the black void.
Arun, in his daze, floated in the middle of them.
He murmured, "Maya…"
Instinctively, he understood—this cosmic structure was the almighty Maya. The one who governs and preserves. That was the feeling he was getting from it.
---
[Aspirant, prepare for appraisal.]
[The lowly servant defied the Witch and broke free from her will. Instead of inheriting the Blessing of Wisdom, he destroyed the Chamber of Salvation and crushed her delicate heart…]
[You have comprehended Yam Rune Alternation.]
[You have comprehended Yam Rune Alternation.]
[You have comprehended Yam Rune Control.]
[You have comprehended Yam Rune Control.]
[You have comprehended Om Rune Command.]
[You have destroyed Chamber of salvation.]
[You have been chosen by the Witch of Calamity.]
[You have slain Grade 4 Apocalypse Creature: Witch of Calamity.]
[You have achieved the impossible.]
[Final Appraisal: Superior.]
---
Arun watched as the Maya Spell flashed a rune screen in front of him. Then, he came out of his daze.
A heavy sigh escaped his lips.
The appraisal was outstanding. It was rare for any individual to surpass Excellent, and the rewards were just as remarkable—various enlightenment abilities and relics.
Yet, Arun couldn't feel happy about it. A deep conflict stirred within him.
He had changed. He could feel it.
Not because of the extraordinary power he had gained.
Not even because he had killed someone for the first time.
But because he felt a strange thirst.
A thirst for slaughter and gruesome violence.
He wanted to grab someone and skin them alive, to feel the warmth of blood on his face.
To inhale the metallic fragrance of spilled life.
He who once craved peace and tranquility had become one of the individuals destined to be in chaos.
Arun shook his head, trying to force away these thoughts…
[Aspirant Arun, receive your boons.]
[Receive?]
Without hesitation Arun tapped on receive Rune.