The cave was hidden at the bottom of a deep ravine. There were carvings of twisted humanoid faces depicting expressions of pain and fear above the entrance. The stone around the cave was smooth and did not appear to have eroded over the years.

I could hear agonizing screams and wails coming from within the cave. Occasionally, there were also what sounded like whispers in an unknown language. These carvings and sounds were the main reason I called it The Trials of the Tormented Souls.

I was sure one would go insane if they stayed inside the cave for too long.

Julian clutched his ears.

"Let’s go." I walked into the cave.

I did not know whether Julian heard me, but he followed me inside.

We had left our weapons and baggage outside the cave since we would lose them if we brought them with us.

I knew a lot about the Trails of Tormented Souls since I was the one who had written about them, but just like anything else in this world, there were numerous details I hadn't included in the novel. Those details were unknown factors for me. There was a chance that the Trials in this world had a history and purpose that I didn't know about.

The light from the entrance of the Trials disappeared as we moved deeper, and we were enveloped in complete darkness.

Simultaneously, the sound of screaming and wailing also completely vanished, as if someone had hit a switch to turn it off.

I could hear Julian’s footsteps beside me. "Where did you learn about this place? It's really eerie."

"It was written in an old book." I told the lie that I had already thought about.

"Is it some kind of forbidden book?"

"Kind of. A traveling mage found this place. He wrote all his observations in the book."

"I see." Julian didn't appear to doubt my statements. "Do you know much about the Yukretia Theocracy?"

"I know a little. What’s the matter?"

"Do you think Ur and the warriors from the tribes can win against them?"

"It’s slim, but there is a chance." I answered honestly.

"So Yukretia is just that strong," Julian said. "Can we help Ur after we get out of this place?"

I understood what Julian meant. Even though it had only been a short while, Lea and Ur had treated us well. The only exception was when I had to fight Lea, but even that ended up being a valuable experience for me.

"Well, if we can change the tide of the battle with our help, Otherwise, we will just be throwing our lives away," I said.

"You’re amazing, you know?"

"What do you mean?"

"The way you are always so calm and rational, I can never be like that."

I did not think it was anything impressive. I was just selfish and practical with my decisions.

"I also have something I want to ask you," I said. "When Ur asked you why you wanted to enter this place, you said you wanted to protect your mother and me. But you’re already strong. Why're you taking such a huge risk to gain power?"

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

That was something I did not understand. In the novel, it made sense since Julian wanted vengeance badly. Why was he taking such a huge risk when he had no enemies? I was taking a calculated risk since I knew about the Trials. For Julian, it should be a risky place he knows nothing about.

"I’m not sure myself. I just feel like I’ll get left behind if I don’t follow you." Julian said.

Some kind of instinct?

I didn’t really mind Julian getting stronger since I had a good idea of what his personality was like. I would not say that I trusted him completely, but I knew that as long as I didn’t harm his mother, I wouldn’t become his enemy.

There was some kind of liquid underneath my feet.

The First Trials were right in front of us.

There were three parts to the Trials of Tortured Souls. The first trial was the same for everyone. The second and third trials, however, were different. The power one gained after clearing the Trials was also unique to every person.

I had a general idea of what the Trials would test, but as for what exact kind of Second and Third Trials I would have to face, I had no idea.

As I moved forward, the floor of the cave sloped downward, and the mysterious liquid rose up to my knees.

"What is this?" Julian asked.

"It's part of this cave. We have to submerge ourselves in this liquid." I told him.

Julian followed me deeper into the liquid.

"It will be excruciating. Remember not to swim up to the surface, no matter what. Get out only when the pain is completely gone," I added.

"Okay. How about for breathing?"

"You don't have to breathe."

"Really? That sounds scary."

"Yes." I was being serious.

Then I reached a part of the cave where my feet could no longer reach the floor of the cave.

It was like a sea of absolute darkness spreading out infinitely in front of me.

This was the First Trial.

"I'm going in."

I stepped into the sea of dark liquid and slowly sank.

After a while, a burning sensation spread through my body, starting from my feet. My clothes slowly dissolved and disappeared. My flesh was now in direct contact with the liquid.

This is where one’s body gets reconstructed. Every part of the body—bones, organs, skin, nerves, and blood—gets destroyed and restored in the sea of jet-black liquid.

The reconstructed body was far superior to a regular body.

Improved sight, improved hearing, night vision, faster reflexes, and much more. The First Trial was very beneficial, but the process was long and painful. The excruciating pain was sufficient to drive people to insanity. If one could not endure the pain and try to get out of the liquid, they would die.

The liquid entered through my nose and mouth. Soon after, my insides started burning.

An intense pain seared through every part of my body. I lost consciousness.