CHAPTER 10: The Descent into Darkness

Benji stepped forward, straight into the mouth of the cave looming before him. Shadows spilled out to grasp him but the flames from his torchlight urged them to retreat to the cold damp walls and the ground, creating a boundary that seemed almost tangible. Taking a shaky breath, Benji continued, the crunch of gravel under his boots muffled as the darkness closed in around his torch, deep and absolute. The cave was tinged with a suffocating silence, thicker than he’d ever experienced.

“Okay, I’ve got this,” he muttered in an attempt to encourage himself. Trying to ignore the chill working its way up his spine he took another step, and immediately the System chimed in his vision, a notification blinking to life:

[You have entered the Tutorial Trial Domain: Strak’t Leader’s Lair]

Benji froze, his eyes glued to the message. A Trial Domain? What is this all of a sudden?

He’d barely survived the hare-like creature outside; he didn’t feel ready to face something more formidable yet. Every nerve screamed for him to turn around and run, to escape back to the slivers of daylight outside. His fingers twitched as he took a cautious step backward.

The moment he tried to step out, his foot hit an invisible barrier. As soon as he came in touch with it, it thrummed against his skin making a high pitched jingling sound. He pressed hard, feeling his heart rate spike as he slid his palms against what felt like smooth glass.

“No... no, come on!” he said, thumping his fist against the invisible wall. "Let me out. I… I’m not ready for this." What did I get myself into?

The System message flickered again, lines of faint text scrolling in his vision:

[Exit is possible only through Completion]

“Are you kidding?” he hissed to the air. His voice barely made a dent in the heavy silence. The System somehow forced this upon him.

After a few moments of contemplation, Benji accepted the message’s reality. He was locked in, and the only way out was through. He flipped open his inventory with a quick swipe of his hand, surveying the results of his last, draining encounter. His HP bar was a sliver, his Stamina wasn’t much better, and Mana… well, that was nearly empty, too. A reminder of just how fragile he was here, in a world governed by rules he was still barely grasping.

Great. Guess I’m learning the hard way, he thought, biting his lip.

His stomach growled, and the pang was more than hunger—it was a reminder that, in this place, he couldn’t afford to go unprepared. Reaching back, he adjusted his cloak, cinching it more securely over his T-shirt and jeans, reminding himself that he wasn’t properly armored. His torch still flared steadily as he illuminated the rough stone walls with it. With his other hand, he clutched the [Survivor’s Knife]. He only now noticed that its blade had scratches and red spots from his encounter with the hare, and he sighed, hesitating only for a moment. There was a chance he’d never make it out of here, but that was better than doing nothing. He squared his shoulders. He didn’t want to look like a weakling to whatever lurked inside this cave.

“Okay, Benji,” he whispered, his voice drifting all around the cavernous walls.

And then a flash of his mother’s face filled his mind, a grim reminder of why he was in this perilous situation. Panic surged through him as he considered the possibility that she too had been transported to this unfamiliar world. How could I have been so oblivious? The realization struck him with a force that tightened his grip on the knife. "I'm going to find you, Mom."

The atmosphere turned thick quickly; musty even. His torch’s flame barely cut through the blackness, illuminating only what seemed like jagged patches of bare, uneven rock. As he went deeper, the cave walls seemed to close in, encompassing the place, making it feel both vast and constricting, like he was wandering through the belly of some monstrous creature.

He froze when a loud crunch was heard from beneath his feet. His pulse quickened as he looked down to see his boot resting on a bleached bone, cracked and splintered, its surface marred with old, yellowed stains. Extending his arm, he used the torchlight to scan the surroundings, only to be met with the edges of more remains scattered across the floor—splinters of wood, shards of metal, the remnants of some unlucky person’s armor. He nudged a bent sword fragment with his foot, noting the jagged break where it had once met a formidable force.

Benji felt a hollow weight settle in his gut. So… I’m not the first one to try this, he thought, swallowing hard. Should I loot? He merely thought and the System flickered to life.

[Scrap Metal: Crafting Material]

[Bone: Crafting Material]

The metal bits clinked as he slipped them into his pouch. The bones though… Well, they’re crafting material. Nothing weird about that, he told himself, trying to stave off the unsettling thought that he was looting remains, perhaps of those who had stood where he now stood, facing what he was about to face. He thought while urging them into his inventory too.

The torchlight revealed a cracked helmet near the edge of his path, its metal discolored and twisted. He reached for it, noting how it crumbled slightly in his hands holding the mangled metal. He wasn’t sure if it was from a human or something else, but the struggle was evident, and it wasn’t encouraging.

Just then, the cave shook with a sound so raw, so deeply visceral, that it felt as if the growl vibrated from within his own chest. The torch wavered in his hand as he instinctively took a step back, heart thundering against his ribcage.

“Oh, crap,” he whispered, the echo still rippling through the cavern. He clutched the knife tight, the blade catching the torch’s light with a dull gleam. The growl reverberated through the cave like a warning, as though whatever was waiting up ahead knew he was there.

The deeper he went, the more fragments he found—scraps of armor with jagged tears, bent swords, and even the occasional boot sole, all pointing to fights that ended in defeat. The thought made him twitch. All of these people failed.

Just then, another low, rumbling growl echoed from deeper within, like a distant, primal heartbeat. It settled into the stone, creeping into his bones, and Benji felt the weight of the trial press on him.

Benji’s stomach growled. He rarely thought about eating, but he now felt the pressure of hunger closing in. Adding to his unease the cold cave seemed to sap his stamina further.

Then, his gaze caught on something unusual, almost otherworldly, tucked along the stone wall and along the edges of the dimly lit tunnel—a soft, blue glow, spreading like veins across patches of rock.

He drew closer, holding his torch aloft. It was an ethereal sight. A delicate network of moss, pulsating with a faint blue light, clung to the stones, casting a soft luminescence that turned the dark, lifeless cave into a strange, almost magical place. And before he could do more, the System flashed in his peripheral vision:

[Blue Glowing Moss: Alchemical Ingredient (Consumable)]

[Description: It can be used in the process of crafting Mana Recovery Potions or it can be consumed to restore a small amount of Mana.]

Benji frowned. Alchemical… and consumable? He hesitated, glancing at the moss, then back at the System notification. The word "consumable" blinked insistently, as though it were daring him to take a bite. His empty stomach clenched at the thought, and the ache gnawing at him finally overcame his reservations.

“Well… here goes nothing,” he whispered to himself, reaching out to pluck a small piece from the wall. The moss felt wet and soft, almost delicate, between his fingers, and the faint glow seemed to dissipate quickly after the harvest. He took a cautious sniff, noting a faint, earthy smell—not unpleasant, but not pleasant either.

Without further delay, he closed his eyes, braced himself, and took a bite. It had a stringy texture, unlike any greens he ate before, and it tasted like… “Lemons?” His eyes closed shut and his tongue shot out of his mouth from the sourness. But, what followed made him appreciate the moss and even bare the sourness.

Almost instantly, a tingling sensation spread over his tongue and a strange warmth blossomed in his chest and radiated outward. His eyes shot open as a surge of energy swept through him, banishing the creeping fatigue that had weighed him down before.

[5 Mana Restored]

The System message popped up, validating the strange warmth filling his veins, and he felt a small grin spreading across his face. “Well, that’s a surprise,” he said to himself, glancing at the moss-covered wall with new appreciation. Well not an actual surprise. The System told me already, but still.

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Benji reached for more of the moss, stripping a few patches off the stone, tucking them into his pouch. Then, he stuffed some into his mouth, chewing quickly, each bite filling him with a faint warmth, a subtle but welcome boost of energy. His mana bar inched up with each mouthful, and the ache in his stomach dulled a little.

Okay, so maybe this System thing isn’t all bad, he thought, wiping his hands on his jeans. If glowing moss can keep me going, maybe I can really make it through here.

The more he ate, the more comfortable he became with the strange mechanics at play. He could almost sense the System’s quiet presence, watching and waiting as he used it to survive. It wasn’t just about weapons and armor; it was an entire ecosystem that offered tools—even if they looked like nothing at first, they helped him adapt and thrive. It felt odd, almost as though the System were guiding him in ways he hadn't anticipated.

He took one last look at the moss, feeling the energy hum in his limbs, and let out a slow breath. “Guess you’re my new snack of choice,” he said, half-jokingly. The faint sound of his voice echoed, and though he stood alone in a dark, treacherous cave, he felt the weight of that loneliness lessening.

The deeper he ventured, the atmosphere became thick with a growing scent of decay.

The rocky walls were scarred by faint, almost imperceptible scratches. Curiosity took over, and he leaned in. They weren’t natural fractures; they were deliberate. As he brought his torch closer, the scratches began to form symbols, words in a language that looked both old and worn, as if chiseled centuries ago.

And the System pulsed.

[Hidden Lore Uncovered: The Trial Domains are remnants of ancient tests created by the gods to forge the worthy. Those who succeed shall gain power; those who fail shall perish.]

The words carved in Benji’s mind, triggering a feeling he couldn’t fully grasp. Created by the gods... He glanced around the empty, haunting silence of the cave, feeling the gravity of those words sink in. This was too much. An ancient legacy of trials forged for some higher purpose. He felt puny and insignificant.

He ran his fingers over the jagged carvings, wondering. This wasn’t the work of some mere adventurer; it bore the marks of someone or something greater. His thumb caught on a fresh-looking scratch, and he moved closer, reading the decipherable parts of the message left behind:

"...the worthy live… their grave."

A chill ran down his spine. His torch flickered as he shivered. He could almost hear the echoes of those challengers’ voices. Of those who’d come before him. Of those who’d faced the same terror, the same challenge, and had left behind traces of their struggles. He couldn’t help but imagine each of them—whether they’d been brave or fearful, hopeful or resigned. And he wondered how many of them had succeeded… and how many had failed.

What kind of power is at the end of all this? he wondered. The idea of becoming “worthy” felt suddenly significant. He’d allow himself to delve into both danger and allure. Would power even be worth it if it came at the price of my life?

His eyes wandered over the carvings again, picking out more fragments of a more recently carved message.

"If you find this, know that I failed. But may you succeed where I could not. Evander"

The words stirred something inside him. Evander? This situation instantly became more real. Is he dead then?

Benji could feel his heart pounding, the echo of the fallen adventurer’s lost voice reverberating into his soul. He’d never believed in destiny or purpose, but here, with these words chiseled into the rock, it felt like he was part of something much bigger than himself. Something he couldn’t turn away from.

Taking a steadying breath, he whispered to the cave, “I will succeed for you too, Evander.” Right there and then, an oath was made. Its weight was almost unbearable, yet it steeled Benji’s resolve.

He let out a long held breath and pressed forward.

Not long after, he was stopped short as the passage stretched narrower before him. With just enough light filtering from his torch he could make out the faint outlines of irregular stones on the ground. Protruding the torch he then scanned his surroundings, noting the marks and grooves in the walls, worn down by some form of force. He let out a squeal much to his embarrassment, when the System chimed into life once again.

[Trial Sequence: The Path of Traps]

Benji took a steadying breath. "Trial Sequence?" he whispered. He didn’t expect the trial to be exactly straightforward, but each step seemed to deepen its complexity.

He cautiously took a step forward and his foot sank. A grinding noise echoed from somewhere above, and suddenly, a large stone rolled from a groove in the wall, hurtling toward him.

React!

He felt his feet stuck to the ground; he couldn’t move. Fear’s tendrils had wrapped around his heart sinking him into despair.

He urged himself to dodge to the side but it was futile. The boulder kept whistling downwards when his legs finally moved and he managed to lunge himself forward into a clumsy tumble. He heard and felt the boulder roll past him and smashing against the wall behind him. He felt his heart hammering as he tried to control his breathing; his nerves in disarray.

Standing up, he watched the floor carefully, noticing a subtle pattern in the rocks. “Trigger stones…” Some of them seemed deliberately placed to mislead him. If he was going to get through, he’d have to act smarter.

Benji tried to calm down, as he studied the uneven pathway. He crouched low, testing his weight on one stone before placing his foot completely down. A faint click sounded, and he instinctively leapt forward just as the wall beside him fired a volley of small, sharp stones. To his dismay, one of the stones struck him on his ribcage, forcing out the air off of his lungs. He gasped in shock. He desperately tried to breathe in, but he found himself unable to. A few long moments passed before he could do so. And then, a searing pain shot up from his ribs. He winced and crouched down to prevent himself from falling.

"I have to be more careful," he muttered, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow.

Standing back up, he felt somewhat better, but still the pain was a big setback. With every few steps, he grew more cautious, but it didn’t stop the traps from activating when he made even the smallest misstep. A trigger stone here, a loose rope there. His agility and stamina were waning. And just as he thought he’d been safe, his foot slipped on one particularly smooth stone, and he felt his ankle twist painfully as he stumbled forward.

Pain shot up his leg, but he gritted his teeth, willing himself up and forward. "Gotta get through this…" he panted, trying to put his weight on the twisted foot.

After what felt like an eternity, he reached a large stone blocking his path, one side of it marked with deep gushes.

Think, Benji. Think..

Then, he scanned the narrow tunnel with his torchlight, while also looking back at the stone block, carefully observing its surface. As he lifted the torchlight, he noticed that the flame flickered by an oncoming breeze. Benji narrowed his eyes. A small opening rested just above the boulder. With no other options, he pulled himself up, using his strength to squeeze through the narrow gap. His body strained with the effort, but once through, he landed softly on the other side.

The sudden quiet was overwhelming. And for the first time since entering the cave, he let himself relax just a little. He sat down, stretching his arms and legs, trying to assess the condition of his twisted ankle. But the System chimed again, this time louder, and a familiar light began to glow around him, warm and bright.

[Congratulations! You have completed the Path of Traps. Experience gained.]

And as he lay there, a surge of energy overtook him, lifting him slightly off the ground as shining azure motes enveloped his body. He felt warmth rush through him, filling every fiber of his being with new strength. He could feel his ankle relocate, the aches and bruises heal, his stamina replenish, and his mana pool recharge, restoring his vitality.

[New Level Achieved: Level 2]

[Rewards: + 1 to all attributes]

Once he was back on the ground, unexpectedly invigorated, he pulled up his [Status Screen]:

[Status Screen]

Name: Benji Thorn [Level 2]

Rank: Bronze [Initiate]

Race: Human

Guild: None

Planet of Origin: Earth

Class: Survivor

Health: 160/160

Stamina: 110/110

Mana: 55/55

Attributes:

Vitality: 11(+5)

Strength: 11

Willpower: 11

Intelligence: 11

Endurance: 11

Agility: 11

Skills:

Ignite [Basic]

Conditions:

Prometheus’ Minor Blessing: +5% Mana Recovery

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The plus-one to all attributes, along with his healed body, gave him a thrill of accomplishment, one he couldn’t suppress even in the face of such harsh trials.