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C38: The Shadow's Choice

[Hidden Trial Activated: Guardian's Challenge]

[Warning: Ancient Trial Detected]

[Difficulty: Unknown]

[Special Requirements Met: Advanced Pattern Recognition]

The guardian's patrol created an intricate pattern across the coliseum floor—not random movements, but deliberate strokes of an ancient script. Eren's Observer's Eye activated automatically, the familiar blue glow intensifying as it analyzed the scene before him.

[Observer's Eye Activated]

[Analyzing Pattern...]

[Warning: Complex Magical Formation Detected]

[Pattern Density: Extreme]

[Eye Level: 12]

[Resonating with Ancient Script...]

A slight tingling sensation pulsed through his Eye as it struggled to process the density of information before it. The magical formation seemed alive, its patterns shifting and flowing in ways his Eye had never encountered before.

[Observer's Eye Straining]

[New Patterns Detected]

[Processing...]

[Temporary Enhancement Active]

Through his enhanced perception, the guardian's form radiated with visible magical streams, and the script on the floor revealed layers he wouldn't have noticed otherwise. Not full comprehension, but glimpses of deeper meaning that his Eye was slowly beginning to grasp.

"You see more than most," the guardian's voice echoed in his mind, ancient and deep. "Though your Eye is young, it strives to understand. Few possess even this much insight into these patterns, fewer still the wisdom to comprehend their true meaning."

The creature's misty form solidified into something both beautiful and terrifying—a wolf crafted from living shadows and starlight, its eyes holding centuries of wisdom. Even with his strained vision, Eren could see how the guardian's essence seemed woven into the tower's very foundations.

"Show me your understanding," the guardian commanded. "Read the pattern. Walk the path. But know this—some knowledge cannot be unlearned."

[Special Trial: Pattern Walking]

[Requirement: Trace the Ancient Script]

[Warning: Pattern Must Be Perfect]

[Time Limit: None]

[Note: Wisdom Over Speed]

With his enhanced perception, Eren began to understand. Each line wasn't just a marking—it was a story, a law, a fragment of power written into reality itself. His Observer's Eye revealed depths that would have been invisible otherwise, even if it couldn't fully comprehend everything it saw.

[Pattern Analysis Active]

[Hidden Meanings Partially Revealed]

[Magical Resonance Detected]

[Warning: Knowledge Threshold Approaching]

Hours passed. Or perhaps minutes. Time seemed to flow strangely as Eren wove through the pattern, his straining vision guiding each step. The script told a story—of light and darkness, of life and death, of powers that existed in the spaces between.

[Pattern Progress: 100%]

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[Ancient Knowledge Unlocked]

[Warning: Choice Required]

[Note: Choose Wisely]

As Eren completed the final stroke, the entire pattern erupted in brilliant light. The guardian's form shifted, splitting into two distinct manifestations—one radiating divine light, the other wreathed in shadow and starlight.

"You have proven your understanding," the guardian spoke, its dual forms moving in perfect synchronization. "Now comes choice. Two paths open before you, each ancient, each powerful, each demanding in its own way."

[Advanced Class Options Revealed]

[Warning: Choice is Permanent]

[Note: Both Paths Require Dedication]

The light-wreathed form stepped forward first. "The path of the Divine Paladin. Where others must climb from Priest to High Priest, from Divine Warrior to Apostle, begging favor from the gods—you are offered a direct path to divinity itself. Not through worship or patronage, but through understanding of divine law. Your essence would become an instrument of sacred power, and with each trial overcome, your being would inch closer to the divine."

[Divine Paladin]

- Extremely Rare Advanced Class

- Bypasses Traditional Divine Progression

- Focus: Self-Cultivated Divinity

- Special: Divine Law Comprehension

- Note: Independent Path to Divine Power

- Warning: Must Uphold Divine Laws Without Direct Divine Guidance

The shadow form moved next. "The path of the Shadow Lord. Not a mere death mage toying with borrowed power, but one who walks the boundary between light and darkness. The tower has seen Death Mages and Death Lords before, but your understanding..." The guardian paused, its starlit eyes studying Eren's straining Observer's Eye. "It could unlock depths that others have only glimpsed."

[Shadow Lord]

- Extremely Rare Advanced Class

- Focus: True Death and Shadow Mastery

- Special: Boundary Walker

- Warning: Tests Mortal Limits

- Note: Potential Beyond Traditional Death Magic

"Choose," the guardian commanded. "Divine Paladin—forging your own path to divinity through merit rather than faith. Or Shadow Lord—mastering powers that others only borrow. Neither path promises ease. Neither guarantees ascension. But both offer truth, if you have the strength to grasp it."

[Current Status]

- Base Power Level: 63

- Observer's Eye Level: 12

- Pattern Recognition: Enhanced

- Mana Capacity: Very High

- Special Note: Perceiving Ancient Scripts

Through his straining Eye, Eren could see fragments of each path's true nature—their requirements, their potential, their hidden costs. The divine light seemed to resonate with something deep within him, promising a road to power through understanding rather than blind faith. Yet the shadow path called to him as well, offering mastery over forces that most could only glimpse.

His enhanced vision revealed one final detail—these weren't just class choices. They were ancient legacies, paths walked by legendary figures whose names had been lost to time. Whatever he chose would shape not just his powers, but his very understanding of reality.

[Warning: Choose Your Path]

[Option 1: Divine Paladin]

[Option 2: Shadow Lord]

[Note: This Decision Will Shape Your Future]

Eren closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and spoke:

"I refuse."

The guardian's dual forms froze. Then, to Eren's surprise, the shadow manifestation's mouth curved into a smile.

"Perfect," it said. "The Shadow Lord it is— "Wait, what?"

Eren's eyes widened. "I said I refuse."

[Chapter End]

[Status: Unresolved]

[Guardian: Confused]

[Choice: Interrupted]

[To Be Continued...]