The future is a river, ever-flowing, unpredictable. Its currents pull some toward greatness, while others are swept away, forgotten. Each decision, each step forward, shapes what comes next.
For those who dare to dream, the future is both a promise and a challenge. A path paved with trials, triumphs, and losses. But in the end, only those who endure will see their destiny unfold.
---
A Year Later
The world had not stood still. Time moved on, indifferent to the pain and triumph of those who lived within it.
The Trial of the Arcane Flame—a test designed to separate the worthy from the weak—had commenced.
This trial was no ordinary challenge. It was the gateway to greater power and recognition. For those who survived, it meant a shot at becoming a true adventurer. For some, it meant climbing to the top of the guild hierarchy.
Bram had survived the investigation following the ambush. Though scarred by the events of that day, he had pushed forward.
The trial had drawn many, but only a few names stood out.
Leopold, Hunter Finch, Ronan Pendragon, and, of course, Bram.
But the Trial of the Arcane Flame wasn’t just about new faces. It was also watched closely by the other adventurers.
One name stood above the rest: Lucian Valemont.
At just 17, Lucian was the youngest Gold Rank adventurer in the West. His skill with the blade was said to be unmatched, his presence on the battlefield like a storm. He was affiliated with The Immortal Revenants, one of the most powerful guilds in the West.
Lucian’s reputation was more than just stories. He had faced monsters that could destroy cities. He had led missions into cursed dungeons where others wouldn’t dare step foot.
---
The Eight Guilds of the West.
The West was divided among three great kingdoms: Cindralis, Valdrithia, and Orynthar. Each kingdom hosted powerful guilds, eight in total, tasked with maintaining peace and order.
Cindralis: Home to the guilds Ironclad Phoenix, The Silverthorn, and Ashen Vanguard. Known for their discipline and tactical brilliance.
Valdrithia: Host to the Immortal Revenants, Shattered Veil, and Zeil. Fierce, relentless, and often considered the most dangerous guilds in the region.
Orynthar: Smaller but no less formidable, with Fangs and Onyx. Their members were known for their resilience and adaptability.
Each guild played a vital role in the West’s stability. Together, they ensured that threats—whether from monstrous beasts, rogue factions, or even ancient relics—were swiftly dealt with.
For adventurers, joining a guild was more than just a career move. It was a badge of honor. A testament to their strength, skill, and dedication to protecting the realm.
~
The heavy wooden doors of the Adventurer’s Guild creaked open, the sound cutting through the bustling chatter inside. Heads turned as Bram stepped in, his boots echoing softly against the stone floor.
"Look, it's him."
"The sole survivor…"
"Or maybe the traitor."
The whispers started immediately, some hushed, others loud enough for him to hear.
Bram ignored them. He had learned to drown out the noise. It had been like this for the past year.
---
A clerk stood behind the counter, her eyes narrowing slightly as Bram approached. "What do you need?"
"Beginner rank quest. Something for an Iron." His tone was flat, practiced. He knew how this went.
The clerk glanced at him, then shuffled through a stack of papers. She didn’t comment on the murmurs, but her expression said enough. Even here, the stigma followed him.
"Here," she said, sliding a quest sheet toward him. "A simple delivery to the outskirts of town. Should be easy enough."
Bram nodded, taking the paper without a word.
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
---
As he turned to leave, the murmurs grew louder.
"I heard he faked his age during that job."
"That’s why he’s stuck at Iron for another year."
"Some say he ordered to kill the others and made up the ambush story."
Bram’s grip on the quest sheet tightened, but he didn’t stop. He wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of a reaction.
He had heard every theory by now. That he was a coward, a liar, a murderer. The truth didn’t matter to these people. They needed someone to blame, and he was convenient.
One Year Ago
The ambush had been brutal. 15 individuals set out on an escort mission; only Bram returned.
The guild's investigation found no solid evidence of wrongdoing. There were no signs that Bram had betrayed his comrades. No proof that he had killed them.
But the lack of evidence didn’t clear his name in the eyes of the public. Rumors spread fast, and soon, the title of sole survivor became a curse.
The guild couldn’t promote him due to the unresolved nature of the incident. As punishment for faking his age during the mission, he was stuck at Iron rank for a year.
It didn’t matter. Bram wasn’t looking for recognition. He needed to survive, to keep moving forward.
As Bram walked out of the guild, his thoughts drifted back to that day.
Alistair.
He had seen him fall, sliced open by Obrak’s cursed axe. By all accounts, Alistair should be dead.
And yet…
Bram couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. He had survived the aftermath of the ambush, but he wasn’t sure if he had survived the truth.
Was it guilt? Or was it something more?
--
Meanwhile, on the island of Ebonfall...
[Monster slain: 200/1000]
Bing!
[Level Up!]
[Nice, you hit your quota for today. That’s enough.]
Swish!
Swishhh!!
[Hey, I told you to stop, idiot. You're pushing yourself too hard.]
"Yeah, yeah, I’ll stop at 220. Just give me a sec, Xyric."
[You're unbelievable. Are you trying to kill yourself out here?]
Monsters slain: 219/1000
"HAAAAA! Just one more!"
Swinggg!
[If you wanted to die, you’re on the right track, Goofball. You know that rest is important, right?]
"I get it. Sorry, I’m just... really hyped up right now. Won’t happen again."
[For the thirtieth time. But whatever, I’m getting used to it. If you die, I’m gonna be eating your corpse.]
It’s been a year since I left home. A year, and somehow, I’ve changed. I’m stronger, sure, but also... calmer. More focused. More mature, maybe.
I owe it to Xyric. He’s been with me this whole time, his voice constantly in my head, guiding me. Now, here I am on this isolated island, Ebonfall.
A year earlier.
"Hey, about the blackout—can I really steal huge power from my enemies? Like with Obrak, when he died and his stats just... transferred to me? If I can use that power, I could be the strongest, right?"
[The strongest? I wouldn’t go that far. There are always stronger people out there. But yeah, if you keep leveling up, you could definitely hold your own. But about that blackout thing? Don’t get your hopes up. Like I’ve said before, it’s a curse. Use it too much and... well, you’ll end up completely blind. No sight, nothing.]
[That’s why you need to train more, get stronger, before you try to handle that kind of power.]
"Right. I get it now. So, It’ll take longer to come back to this place, won’t it?"
[Hmm. Maybe. It’s up to you. You can speed up the process if you really push yourself—but remember, balance is key. Train hard, but rest too, or you’ll burn out.]
-
Present day.
And I’ve also learned that some of the system features disappeared when Xyric showed up. I used to have this awesome feature that let me check out the stats of my opponents, but now? It's gone, and even the part where I could see what people really thought about me—poof, erased. And don’t even get me started on the menu for tracking my abilities. All of it… wiped out because of his appearance.
But then I can still level up every day from the monsters I face. Most of the monsters here are between level 50 and 100, but even though I’m fighting them, Xyric’s been teaching me swordsmanship.
[Hey kid, I told you not to go there. That area’s full of monsters beyond level 100. Don’t be stupid.]
"I’m just gonna take a quick look."
[Yeah, right. I can never win with that thick skull of yours. When I first showed up, you weren’t this stubborn. Ugh, this is so frustrating!]
[Fine, but listen—if anything stronger than you shows up, you better run.]
"Of course, sir! I’m not planning on dying just yet, haha."
And with that, I set off.
Heading deeper into Ebonfall. I have no idea what’s waiting down there, but I’m going to find out.
"This is gonna be sweet!"
It’s easy to go deeper with my agility. Jumping off rocks and darting through tight spaces feels like second nature. But as I move further in, the terrain starts to change. The rocks get sharper, turning jagged and spikier the deeper I go. No more jumping around here—I’ll have to run or walk carefully.
[Warning: Level 100-300 zone detected.]
[Your current level: 85.]
"This is it."
As I stood still, a low growl echoed through the cave. The ground trembled beneath me.
Grrrrrrr... Rumble... RUMBLE...
[That’s a damn monster, Alistair. Go in there, and you’re signing your own death certificate.]
"Good. I’ve been planning to head in from the start."
[Tsk.]
Grrroooooowwwwwwwwwl...
This felt like the time I faced that undead skeleton boss. But this? It was different—way more intense. I crept forward to get a better look, and then I saw it.
A dragon.
Not just any dragon—a massive, ancient beast. Its scales shimmered faintly even in the dim light, and every slow breath made the ground vibrate. It was sprawled out in front of a huge stone gate, clearly guarding the entrance to where even stronger monsters must be lurking.
[That’s an ancient dragon. Been there for centuries, probably longer. And you? With your current level? You can’t even scratch it. Forget about opening that door—it’s not happening.]
"Let’s give it a shot, Xyric!"
[Fine. Here’s your ‘motivation.’ If you wake it up, that dragon is going to hunt you down no matter where you run. It’ll stop at nothing to kill you. Still think this is a good idea?]
"You’ve really hyped me up now, Xyric. Thanks a ton!"
"HEYYYYYYYY, DRAGOOOONNNNNNN!"
[YOU ABSOLUTE IDIOT!!]
ROOOAAAAARRRRRRRR!
Its growl shook the cave so hard, I thought it might collapse. The dragon’s massive eyes snapped open, glowing like molten lava. It lifted its head slowly, and I could feel its rage rolling off in waves.
But for once, I wasn’t scared.
I used to freeze whenever I saw a stronger opponent. My hands would shake, my mind would go blank, and all I could think of was nothing.
Not this time.
If I keep avoiding the strong ones, I’ll never grow. Yeah, it’s risky. Yeah, it’s stupid. But I’m done being afraid.
"Let’s do this!"