The clearing was a haven of relief and recovery. The Awakened, their spirits lifted by the unexpected respite, were tending to their wounds, sharing tales of their close encounters, and expressing gratitude for the momentary peace. But amidst the collective sigh of relief, Lleyn's thoughts were consumed by a memory from his past life.

Deep within the forest lay a hidden shrine, dedicated to an enigmatic god. The shrine was not just a place of worship; it was a test, a trial for those deemed worthy. And at the end of that trial, a reward awaited. Lleyn recalled the tale of an Awakened who had stumbled upon the shrine while fleeing from a wave of monsters. The Awakened had faced the trial and emerged victorious, receiving a pair of boots that grew in power alongside its user. The name of the god remained a mystery, but Lleyn was confident in his abilities. He believed he could complete the trial and claim the reward for himself.

As the others settled back into the village to rest, Lleyn made his move. Activating his Shadow Veil skill, he became invisible to the naked eye. Moving stealthily, he bypassed the lookouts and ventured deeper into the forest. The map feature he had received from the Tasha quest guided him, the path illuminated by a faint glow.

The forest was a labyrinth of towering trees, their canopies so dense that they blocked out the moonlight. The air was thick with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, their calls echoing through the woods. Every rustle, every distant hoot, heightened Lleyn's senses. He moved with purpose, his steps light and silent, but the journey was not without its challenges.

At one point, Lleyn stumbled upon a group of wild boars, their eyes glowing menacingly in the dark. These were simple beasts, not monsters, and he made quick work of them. He cleaned one up and hung it onto a tree. He not only procured some food for his small group, but also a decent reason for his disappearance.

As he delved deeper into the woods, the atmosphere grew eerier. The trees seemed older, their trunks gnarled and twisted. The air was thick with a palpable energy, and Lleyn could feel the power emanating from the heart of the forest.

Suddenly, a soft, melodic hum reached Lleyn's ears. It was faint at first but grew louder as he approached its source. Following the sound, Lleyn came upon a clearing bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. At its center stood a large, ancient tree, its bark covered in intricate carvings that pulsed with a gentle light.

Lleyn approached the tree cautiously, his hand instinctively reaching out to touch one of the carvings. As his fingers made contact, a rush of memories flooded his mind. Visions of past Awakened, inhabitants of worlds different from his own, their trials and tribulations, their victories and defeats, played out before him. It was as if the tree was a living record of all those who had lived and ventured into this world where the first phase of the Tutorial took place, Vileria, as well as how it met its end.

Shaking off the overwhelming flood of memories, Lleyn continued his journey, the melodic hum now a constant companion. The path grew steeper, and the terrain more treacherous. At times, Lleyn had to rely on his agility and dexterity to navigate the obstacles that lay in his path.

Hours seemed to pass, and Lleyn's determination was put to the test. The forest was a maze, and more than once, he found himself retracing his steps. But the melodic hum, ever present, served as a beacon, guiding him towards his destination.

As dawn approached, Lleyn reached the base of a steep hill. At its summit, silhouetted against the first light of day, stood the outline of the hidden shrine. The journey had been long and arduous, but Lleyn was on the cusp of discovering the secrets that lay within.

Taking a deep breath, Lleyn began his ascent, the promise of the trial and the reward that awaited spurring him on. The path to the shrine was within reach, but the final leg of the journey promised to be the most challenging yet.

Lleyn's journey through the dense forest was fraught with challenges. The underbrush was thick, and the canopy above blocked out most of the sunlight, casting the forest floor into a dim, eerie twilight. Every rustle, every distant growl, kept him on edge. But Lleyn pressed on, guided by the map feature he had received from the Tasha quest.

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After what felt like hours, the forest began to thin out, revealing a clearing bathed in a soft, ethereal light. At the center of the clearing stood a dilapidated shrine, its once grand structure now covered in moss and vines. The air around it was thick with an ancient, mournful energy.

As Lleyn approached, a soft, melancholic voice echoed through the clearing. "Who dares approach the sanctuary of a forgotten god?"

Lleyn paused, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his sword. "I am Lleyn," he replied cautiously. "I seek the trial of the god of this shrine."

A translucent figure materialized before the shrine. It was a tall, regal-looking spirit with flowing robes and a crown of ethereal light. His eyes, filled with centuries of sorrow, locked onto Lleyn's. "I am the guardian of this place, the last remnant of a god once revered and loved by the people of this village."

Lleyn bowed slightly, a sign of respect. "Why have you been forgotten?"

The spirit let out a sigh, the weight of countless years evident in his voice. "I was born from the wishes and prayers of the villagers. I protected them, cared for them, and in return, they revered me. But then the system arrived, and with it, an Observer. He saw me as a threat, a being not under his control. He used his powers to diminish me, to reduce me to this state. Since then, I could only watch helplessly as the village I once protected was destroyed by monsters. The very land I loved, now a playground for the system's cruel games."

Lleyn's eyes narrowed. "The Observers... they have much to answer for."

The spirit nodded. "Indeed. But now, all I wish for is release. The trial I offer you is simple. Destroy this shrine, and with it, my soul. There is no one left for me to protect, and it is time for me to leave this world."

Lleyn hesitated. "Are you certain? Once I do this, there's no turning back."

The spirit smiled sadly. "I have been trapped in this state for far too long. It is a mercy you would be granting me."

Lleyn took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. "Very well. I will grant you your wish."

As he approached the shrine, the spirit spoke one last time. "Thank you, Lleyn. May your journey be filled with purpose and meaning."

With a determined swing of his sword, Lleyn struck the shrine, causing it to crumble into dust.

The spirit of the unnamed god appeared before him, its form translucent and shimmering. "You have freed me," it whispered, its voice echoing with gratitude. "For your compassion and understanding, I bestow upon you a gift."

From the dissipating light, a pair of boots materialized, landing softly on the ground before Lleyn. They were intricately designed, with patterns that seemed to shimmer and change as he looked at them. Picking them up, Lleyn could feel a surge of energy coursing through them.

"These are the Boots of Ethereal Stride," the spirit explained. "They will aid you in your journey, adapting and growing with you. Use their power wisely."

[Boots of Ethereal Stride]

Type:

Boots

Stats:

+7 Agility

Physical Defense: 8

Elemental Defense: 8

[Skill:]

Gravitational Grasp Lv 1: By focusing on an object or enemy, the user can increase its gravitational pull, making it heavier and harder to move. As the skill grows, larger objects or multiple targets can be affected simultaneously. When used on enemies, their agility and strength are reduced by 15%.

Effect Duration: 5 minutes

Cooldown: 2 hours

Lleyn nodded, slipping the boots onto his feet. They fit perfectly, molding to his feet as if they were made just for him. He could feel the added agility they provided, and the unique skill they possessed, Gravitational Grasp, resonated within him.

"Thank you," Lleyn whispered, looking up, but the spirit had already faded away, leaving him alone amidst the remnants of the shrine.