Chapter 82 : The trials begin

Noah leaned back against the stone wall of his academy dorm, a quiet chuckle escaping his lips. The world outside was buzzing with excitement over the upcoming Ancient Dungeon Trials, but he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of amusement at the thought of it all.

Unlike the others, he didn't need to spend weeks or months preparing for this trial. They would have to hone their skills, improve their techniques, strengthen their bodies, and level up just to stand a chance. Yet, for him, none of that was necessary. The power he carried was innate—a product of his class, his bloodline, and the years of accumulated knowledge and experience from his past life. The dungeon's dangers? A trivial matter to him. The monsters? Not even a challenge.

The reason for his confidence was simple—he was already **level 10**.

He'd long since evolved his class from **Night Lord** to **Night Sovereign**, a rare and legendary-grade evolution that granted him power far beyond his peers. His current strength was the product of the class evolution, which already gave him more power than most hunters ever dreamed of. To the others, reaching **level 5** would be an accomplishment, a mark of their growing prowess. For Noah, that was just the beginning. His current level and class were far superior to anything they could hope to achieve in the same timeframe.

The trials? **A cakewalk**.

He could already picture it: a trail of slain beasts, each marked with his mastery and precision. The rest of the participants would struggle, fighting for every point, hoping to make a name for themselves. But for him? It would be like a stroll through a meadow. He didn't need to *train* for the trial. He had already surpassed the point where training mattered. **Noah** was beyond such trivialities now.

His class, **Night Sovereign**, gave him a wealth of abilities—strength, speed, regenerative capabilities, and a mastery of darkness. His bloodline, long believed to be extinct, allowed him to sustain himself without relying on the same methods others did. While the others spent time honing their skills and preparing, he would simply *walk in* and take what was his by right.

Noah's lips curled into a small smirk. The others would be underestimating him. But he couldn't afford to underestimate them. **Not yet.**

He needed the rewards more than the glory. The **mana crystals**, the **legendary armor**—these were the things that would elevate him, that would fuel his ascent, not just in strength but in influence and resources. If he truly wanted to dominate this world, he needed to amass wealth first, and the trials were his ticket.

Still, he couldn't afford to win in a way that exposed his full potential—not yet, not when Darius and the others were already watching. A victory, yes, but one that seemed just within the reach of others. A careful, controlled triumph that would cement his position as a force to be reckoned with without giving away the depths of his power.

Noah knew the dungeon would expose him, no matter how well he hid his abilities. Even if he played it safe, his skills would be far above the average hunter. His **Legendary Class** alone would give him a massive advantage, and once he reached **level 20**, the gaps between him and the other participants would only widen. But for now, he would hide in plain sight, allow them to think he was a powerful but not *unstoppable* hunter. He could afford to hold back.

His thoughts wandered back to the **Abyssal Maw**, the dungeon that awaited him. He could already imagine the monsters, the traps, the challenges. The other hunters would likely get themselves caught in traps, struggle with the beasts that lurked in the dark, and face challenges they were ill-prepared for. But Noah? He would move through the dungeon like a shadow, striking only when necessary, letting the others exhaust themselves while he took his time.

Then, when the time was right, he would face the **Abyssal Wyvern**, the guardian of the dungeon. Its bloodline was formidable, and its power was undeniable. But even a beast of that caliber was nothing more than a stepping stone in Noah's path.

Noah's lips curled into a small smirk. "It's almost too easy,"** he muttered to himself. "But I suppose even a game like this has its fun."

He had no intention of overpowering the other participants. He needed them to see him as someone just on the edge of greatness, someone with undeniable skill but not quite an untouchable force. And once the trial ended, once he had secured the **mana crystals** and **legendary armor**, he would vanish back into the shadows, biding his time until the next opportunity to strike.

The more he thought about it, the more he realized how carefully he had to play the game. Too much exposure, and he'd become a target. Too little, and he wouldn't get what he wanted from the trials. He would need to win, but not in a way that made him seem *too* powerful. A balance, a subtle show of dominance.

Noah's mind drifted to Siena Avaros and her ever-present scheming. She thought she could use him. Perhaps she could. But Noah was beginning to think that keeping her at arm's length might not be such a bad idea. He had no intention of becoming anyone's pawn. In the end, the only person he cared about controlling was himself. And if she continued to press, she would find that out the hard way.

But that was a problem for later. For now, the trials awaited, and he had his plan in motion. He would win—undeniably, unquestionably—but not in a way that shattered the illusion of his true capabilities.

With a final chuckle, Noah stood up and glanced toward the door. "Let the games begin."