Chapter 3 – The Nature of the Infinite Trial
The sensation of falling through space lasted only a moment before Kairo's feet touched solid ground once again.
His vision adjusted to the new floor, and the surroundings immediately felt different.
Instead of the vast, enclosed chambers of the previous floors, he stood in what appeared to be a darkened forest. Towering trees stretched endlessly into the sky, their twisted branches blocking out any light. A thick fog covered the ground, swirling unnaturally as if it had a mind of its own.
There was no glowing portal or stone tablet in sight—just an endless, eerie forest.
A new message appeared, but unlike before, it didn't float in front of him. Instead, the words whispered in his mind, carrying an unsettling weight.
________
[Third Floor: The Realm of Instinct]
[Objective: Survive until sunrise.]
[Additional Challenge: The Watchers have begun their Hunt.]
__________
Kairo's breath caught.
This trial was different.
No puzzles. No fights. Just survival.
And what were the Watchers?
He scanned the area, but the fog made it impossible to see more than a few meters ahead. His instincts screamed that something was watching him, hidden within the shadows of the trees.
This floor was a test of primal instincts—not strength, not intelligence, but pure survival awareness.
He crouched low, his mind racing. If the trial had already begun, then…
He wasn't alone.
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Understanding the Mechanics of the Trial
Kairo took a slow, controlled breath, forcing himself to stay calm.
He needed to think.
From what he had seen so far, each floor had a distinct purpose:
1. First Floor: Combat Trial – Testing his ability to fight.
2. Second Floor: Intelligence Trial – Testing his ability to think logically.
3. Third Floor: Instinct Trial – Testing his ability to sense danger and react.
It was a pattern, and patterns could be understood.
This meant the next floors would likely test different aspects of survival.
But that wasn't the only thing he realized.
The Infinite Trial wasn't just a series of battles.
It was something much deeper.
Who—or what—designed it? What was its purpose? And why could he leave and return at will?
If this trial was meant to train or test people, was it a selection process?
And if so… for what?
__________
New Concept: The Watchers
A sound broke his thoughts.
A low, guttural clicking echoed from the distance.
Kairo's body tensed immediately.
Something was moving through the fog.
And it wasn't human.
His pulse quickened.
"The Watchers…" he muttered under his breath.
He crouched lower, barely breathing, as the fog shifted unnaturally.
________
[The Watchers are drawn to movement.]
[Their vision is limited, but their senses are sharp.]
[They will hunt anything that breathes.]
________
Another message appeared in his mind.
But this time, it wasn't the Trial's system.
It felt… different.
Almost like a warning from something else.
And that terrified him.
Because if there was something beyond the Trial's system—something that could communicate directly to him—then there were forces at play he didn't understand.
Kairo clenched his fists, focusing on what mattered:
1. The Watchers are drawn to movement means, Stay still unless necessary.
2. They have limited vision but sharp senses means, Use sound to misdirect them.
3. They hunt anything that breathes means, Control breathing, hide body heat.
This wasn't just a survival test.
It was a stealth-based challenge, forcing him to master the art of evasion and patience.
He had no weapons. No skills. Just his own instincts.
And if he failed?
He didn't want to find out.
________
The Hunt Begins
Kairo pressed himself against the base of a massive tree, slowing his breathing to a near standstill.
The clicking grew closer.
Then, he saw it.
A silhouette moving through the fog.
At first, it looked humanoid—until the limbs bent the wrong way. Its head twisted unnaturally, and its glowing red eyes pierced through the darkness.
It wasn't just one.
Two more figures emerged, each moving in silent synchronization. Their bodies twitched and jerked, like puppets on invisible strings.
Kairo fought the urge to run.
One wrong move, and he was dead.
He needed a plan.
He spotted a cluster of stones a few meters away.
If the Watchers were drawn to sound…
He slowly picked up a small pebble, careful not to make noise. His fingers were trembling.
One chance.
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it far to the left.
The moment it hit the ground, the sound echoed in the silent forest.
The Watchers snapped toward the noise instantly, their bodies moving in a disturbing, inhuman lunge.
Kairo didn't wait.
He moved.
________
A Deeper Understanding of the Infinite Trial
As he crept through the mist, Kairo's mind raced.
The Infinite Trial wasn't just about power.
It was designed to teach.
Each floor introduced a new fundamental survival skill:
Combat → Strength & Reflexes
Intelligence → Logic & Decision-making
Instinct → Awareness & Stealth
This meant every floor would shape him into something more than just a fighter.
It would forge him into a survivor. A warrior.
And the thought sent a chill through his spine.
Because if this Trial was preparing him for something, then it meant there was a greater battle waiting at the end.
And he had no idea what it was.
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End of Chapter 3
To be continued-