Kalem stared at the interface, his mind racing to comprehend the surreal events that had just unfolded. The symbols and text shifted and reformed, displaying lines of data that felt alien yet instinctively familiar. A deep hum resonated in his chest, as if the dragon-demon hybrid power he had accepted was stirring within him, eager to be unleashed.
[Welcome, Vessel.]
[System Initialization: 2% Complete.]
[Trial Phase Engaged.]
"What trial? What is this?" Kalem muttered, his voice trembling. Before he could make sense of the situation, the room around him began to distort again. The walls cracked and splintered as his apartment dissolved into a swirling void. He stumbled backward, but there was no ground to stand on—only an endless abyss.
Then, with a deafening roar, he was plunged into a new reality.
Kalem landed hard on a rocky surface, the air knocked out of his lungs. The landscape was desolate, barren, and bathed in a blood-red light. Jagged cliffs rose around him, and in the distance, an ominous black tower pierced the sky like a blade. The air smelled of ash and ozone, heavy with an unnatural energy.
[Trial 1: The Hunter's Pursuit]
Objective: Survive the pursuer. Time remaining: 15 minutes.]
Before Kalem could process the warning, a bone-chilling howl echoed through the air. He spun around, his heart pounding as a monstrous figure emerged from the shadows. The creature was enormous, its hulking form covered in blackened fur and jagged bone-like protrusions. Its eyes glowed a sickly green, fixed on Kalem with predatory hunger.
"Oh, come on," Kalem muttered, stumbling back. He felt his pulse quicken as panic threatened to take over.
[Hint: Tap into the Hybrid System to defend yourself.]
"How?!" he shouted, glaring at the floating text.
[Beginner Ability Unlocked: Static Burst]
Command: Focus and release.]
The creature lunged, closing the distance with terrifying speed. Kalem's instincts kicked in, and he dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the beast's claws. He hit the ground hard, his hands scraping against the jagged rocks.
"Focus and release? What does that even mean?" he growled, scrambling to his feet.
The beast snarled, circling him like a predator toying with its prey. Kalem clenched his fists, feeling a faint hum of energy coursing through him. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to concentrate. A flicker of lightning sparked in his palm.
"Come on," he whispered, his voice trembling.
The creature roared and charged again, its claws raised to strike. Kalem raised his hand instinctively, and a surge of electricity exploded outward. The lightning struck the beast head-on, sending it flying backward with a pained howl.
Kalem stumbled, the energy leaving him momentarily drained. He stared at his hand, where faint arcs of electricity still crackled.
"Did I just...?"
The creature wasn't down for long. It rose to its feet, snarling with renewed fury, but its movements were slower now, its body smoking from the attack.
[Time Remaining: 10 minutes.]
Kalem's chest tightened. There was no way he could survive like this for another ten minutes. His breathing was labored, and his legs felt like jelly. He needed more power.
[New Ability Available: Draconic Embers]
Command: Summon the flames within.]
The beast charged again, and Kalem had no time to think. He thrust his hand forward, willing the power to emerge. This time, a surge of crimson flames erupted from his palm, forming a fiery barrier that engulfed the creature. It howled in agony, retreating as the flames licked at its body.
Kalem fell to his knees, panting. The effort of using these abilities was taking its toll, but he couldn't stop now.
[Time Remaining: 5 minutes.]
The creature circled him again, its movements more cautious now. Kalem rose to his feet, his hands trembling but charged with power. He could feel the hybrid system awakening within him, its draconic strength and demonic cunning guiding his movements.
"Is that all you've got?" Kalem taunted, his voice steadier than he expected.
The beast lunged one final time, but Kalem was ready. He summoned both abilities, lightning and fire merging into a devastating attack. The energy struck the creature with a deafening crack, consuming it in a burst of light. When the dust settled, the beast was gone, leaving only scorch marks on the ground.
[Trial 1 Complete.]
[System Initialization: 10% Complete.]
Kalem collapsed to the ground, his body aching and his mind reeling. He had survived, but the implications of what had just happened were overwhelming.
"What have I gotten myself into?" he whispered, staring up at the blood-red sky.
As the landscape began to dissolve around him, the system's voice echoed in his mind once more.
[Prepare yourself, Vessel. This is only the beginning.]