Chapter 7 - Trial of the Forsaken

The shrine’s air thickened, pressing against Akari’s chest like unseen hands. The Guardian stood motionless, its form a shifting mass of black mist and bone, the glow of its hollow eyes locked onto her.

Then, it moved.

A blur of darkness surged toward her.

Akari dodged just in time—the Guardian’s skeletal claws ripped through the air, barely missing her throat. The shockwave from its attack sent cracks splintering through the stone beneath her feet.

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.

Fast. Too fast.

The wolves lunged. One from the left, one from behind.

The Guardian barely reacted. With an eerie stillness, it raised one hand, and a pulse of energy erupted outward.

BOOM!

The wolves were blasted backward, their bodies slamming into the shrine’s walls with a sickening crack. They whined, struggling to rise.

Akari gritted her teeth.

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Her summons were strong—but this thing was stronger.

And yet, the system had given her a choice.

> Trial of the Forsaken has begun.

Defeat the Guardian or die trying.

She had to fight.

She tightened her grip on the Forsaken Blade, her mind racing. The Guardian was too fast, too strong. A direct attack was suicide.

Then I won’t fight head-on.

Akari shifted her stance, lowering her center of gravity. Instead of charging in recklessly, she circled the Guardian, forcing it to track her movements.

It turned slowly, watching her.

Waiting.

Akari suddenly threw a rock at its face.

The Guardian didn’t flinch. The stone passed through it, as if it wasn’t fully solid.

But that was the opening she needed.

NOW!

She sprang forward, pivoting mid-step. Instead of slashing at the Guardian’s torso—where she now suspected it was least vulnerable—she sliced downward, aiming for its shadow.

The moment her blade pierced the darkness, the Guardian jerked violently, its form flickering like a dying flame.

Akari’s eyes widened.

Its weakness isn’t its body—it’s its shadow.

The Guardian let out a hollow roar, the shrine trembling in response. Black chains erupted from the floor, lashing toward her.

She twisted away, barely avoiding them. One grazed her arm, and a searing pain shot through her skin. Her vision blurred for a second, the edges of the world darkening.

> Warning: Soul Corruption detected. Prolonged exposure will result in permanent damage.

Akari clenched her jaw. No time to hesitate.

The Guardian’s shadow rippled like ink in water. Wounded.

She had to finish this now.

With a deep breath, she tapped into the bond with her wolves. Their instincts, their anger—it all flooded into her veins.

She dashed forward. Fast.

The Guardian lunged at her, its claws descending like a guillotine.

Akari dropped low, sliding beneath it. As she passed through its flickering form, she twisted her blade and drove it straight into its shadow.

SHHK!

A piercing screech filled the shrine. The Guardian’s form convulsed, its shape collapsing inward as cracks spread through its body.

Akari pulled her sword free and jumped back.

The Guardian shattered.

Dark mist exploded outward before vanishing entirely.

Then, silence.

Her breath came in ragged gasps. Sweat dripped from her forehead.

She had won.

> Trial Completed.

You have defeated the Forsaken Guardian.

> Reward: Forsaken Cultivation Manual (Sealed)

You have taken the first step. The path ahead is dark—embrace it or be consumed.

Akari collapsed to her knees, staring at the ancient scroll now resting on the pedestal.

She didn’t know what lay ahead.

But one thing was certain.

She was no longer just a player.

She was a cultivator now.

And this was only the beginning.