Chapter 6: Ghastly Trial
Niko trudged through the rocky tunnel, his steps slow, his mind churning. A complex expression crossed his face as he glanced around, scanning the walls and ceiling for signs of danger. The orb had warned of traps—traps everywhere, it had said—and yet, nothing. No pitfalls, no spike-filled chasms, no sudden blades swinging down from the ceiling. Just endless stone and eerie silence.
The tunnel stretched ahead of him, seemingly endless, its walls a glossy, uneven gray. Lumps of stone protruded at irregular intervals, creating strange shadows that danced across the surfaces as though alive. Despite the lack of a clear light source, the tunnel wasn’t plunged into total darkness. Instead, there was a strange, ambient glow, like the stone itself was faintly illuminated from within, casting the path in a ghostly light.
Twenty hours left, Niko thought, checking his status. The clock was ticking down, but his spirits were higher than before. He had already acquired a skill—Celestial Probe—but as valuable as it was, it wouldn’t help him in a fight. And he needed something more. Something that could give him the strength to defend himself, or perhaps, to survive.
Then, suddenly—
Swoosh
A blast of cold air hit him with the force of a sudden gale, ripping through the tunnel and sending a shiver down Niko’s spine. His clothes flapped violently against his body, the bitter cold biting into his skin. The gust was so strong, it nearly knocked him off his feet.
"Where the hell did that come from?" Niko muttered, pulling his arms closer to his body. His breath was visible now, a thin cloud in the air. The temperature had dropped dramatically, and the tunnel seemed to hum with an unseen energy.
Could this be the exit? he wondered, his eyes narrowing as he pressed forward.
With each step, the wind grew stronger, colder. It seemed to howl as it blew past him, as though the tunnel itself were alive, exhaling a breath filled with malevolent intent. Niko’s pace slowed as the resistance grew. His face tightened, the chill biting into his skin like needles.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
The wind lashed at him again, this time more violent. His legs felt heavy, and each step was a battle against the invisible force trying to push him back. His thoughts turned inward, focusing on his sister. I need to keep going. I need to find her.
Gritting his teeth, Niko fought against the wind, the icy chill creeping through his clothes and sinking into his bones. His body trembled with cold, and the stone tunnel ahead seemed to blur as the wind whipped at his face. He raised an arm to shield his eyes, the relentless gust making it harder to see.
"I need... to keep moving," he muttered through chattering teeth. He wasn’t just walking anymore; he was struggling with every inch. But he kept going, even as the cold sliced through him, even as his legs threatened to give out beneath him.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, he saw it.
A gate.
It shimmered faintly in the distance, a gleaming silver door at the end of the tunnel. It stood out against the cold stone like a beacon of hope, though its aura was anything but inviting. A faint green mist coiled around the gate, tendrils of energy flowing from it like strands of ethereal fabric, twisting and drifting through the air. The green aura flickered and danced, almost alive, beckoning and repelling at the same time.
"The wind… it’s coming from there," Niko whispered to himself. His heart pounded in his chest, the sight of the gate filling him with a strange mixture of dread and determination.
“Come on…” he urged himself, taking another step forward.
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With every step, the wind grew more vicious, tearing at his clothes, cutting across his exposed skin. Small cuts appeared on his arms and face, the cold so sharp it felt like shards of ice slashing at him. Blood trickled from the shallow wounds, but he barely felt it—his body was already numb from the cold.
Step.
His breath came out in ragged gasps, the air so cold it burned his lungs. His muscles screamed for relief, but he forced them to move.
Step.
The wind intensified. The very air seemed to scream, a cacophony of voices—whispers at first, then wails. Niko could hear the ghostly cries of children, women, men, all blending together into a terrible, haunting chorus. Faces formed in the mist, their hollow eyes staring at him, their mouths twisted in eternal anguish. The sound was deafening, yet distant, as if coming from another world.
“Just one more step.”
The silver gate loomed ahead of him, so close now. But the wind was ferocious, battering him from all sides, and the whispers had grown to shrieks. It felt like the air itself was alive, trying to force him back.
Niko gritted his teeth. I will not fail. Not now.
Step.
The freezing wind lashed at him again, cutting through his clothes, his skin, his very spirit. His vision blurred. His mind filled with the screams of the spirits, their faces crowding his thoughts. But he kept going, driven by the thought of his sister. Of finding her. Of surviving.
With one final scream, he pushed forward, his trembling hand reaching for the gate.
“SWOOSH!”
Suddenly, the wind stopped. The voices ceased, and the tunnel fell into an eerie, deafening silence. Niko’s hand fell limply to his side as the gate creaked open before him, the sound of old, rusted hinges groaning into the still air.
For a moment, he stood there, frozen in place. His entire body was trembling from the cold, his clothes tattered, and his skin raw from the relentless assault of the wind. But as the gate swung open, a strange warmth enveloped him. The green aura that had once surrounded the gate now flowed toward him, wrapping around his body like a comforting embrace.
Niko sank to his knees, the warmth healing the cuts on his arms and face, soothing the deep chill in his bones. He felt the tension in his muscles begin to melt away, the exhaustion slowly replaced by a sense of calm.
It’s over. Relief washed over him, and for the first time in what felt like hours, he allowed himself to breathe deeply, the warmth filling his lungs.
Then, a familiar sound echoed in his mind.
Ding!
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[For passing the Spirit King's trial, you have been awarded.]
[Unique Title Awarded: One Surrounded by Spirits]
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Niko’s eyes widened. He quickly opened his status screen.
"Status!"
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[Name: Niko Lazar]
Level: 1
Exp: 0%
[Stats]
Strength: 1
Constitution: 1 (+2)
Agility: 1
Intelligence: 1
Mana: 1
Mana Power: 3/3
[Unique Titles]
* One Surrounded by Spirits (Passive)
* +2 Constitution
* +1 Mana Power
* Detail: This unique title allows the user to surround themselves with the aura of spirits. Those who are lower level than the user may experience side effects, depending on their affiliation with the user. The effect is influenced by the user’s mood.
[Skills]
* Celestial Probe I
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Niko stared at the screen in disbelief. This was… incredible. The title alone was rare enough, but the added constitution and mana power could save his life. His strength was still low, but this was progress. He was becoming stronger, bit by bit.
The description of the title began to fade, leaving behind only the name. A faint, almost imperceptible green aura now surrounded him. He could feel it—like a whisper on the edge of his consciousness. The spirits were there, watching him, waiting.
He stood up slowly, feeling the newfound energy surge through him. His body had healed, and he felt… ready. Ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Turning toward the next door—a silver door carved with intricate ghostly figures—Niko took a deep breath.
"This must be the end of the cave," he said to himself, stepping forward.
As he pushed the door open, the hinges creaked loudly, and a cold white mist spilled out, swirling around his legs like smoke. His eyes widened in surprise as he saw what lay beyond.