Chapter 5: The Trials of the Ascendant

As Lucas moved deeper into the dungeon-like corridors, he felt the oppressive weight of the world pressing down on him. The ancient halls seemed to stretch forever. But something felt different now. His body had already started to adapt to his new role as a Rogue. Every step was lighter, every breath more deliberate. He was becoming one with the shadows.

Suddenly, the air shifted, and the temperature dropped. A low hum filled the space, followed by a voice echoing in his mind.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Trial 1: The Test of Shadows

Objective: Pass through the Shadowed Corridor without being detected.

Time Limit: 10 minutes

Failure: Immediate Disqualification.

Lucas glanced down at his hands, now steady and sharp. His pulse quickened in anticipation. A stealth challenge. This is what I've trained for.

The shadows ahead seemed to deepen, growing more intense as the trial began. Lucas stepped forward, every muscle in his body attuned to the sounds around him. He crouched low, using the [Stealth] skill instinctively. His footfalls were silent on the cold stone floor as he moved deeper into the darkened passage.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

You have activated [Stealth].

Visibility reduced to 30%.

Remaining Time: 9:50

The corridor ahead was filled with traps—laser-thin threads stretched across the walls, triggering alarmed, deadly creatures if disturbed. But Lucas was calm. His rogue instincts kicked in as he skillfully navigated the obstacles, his body fluidly dodging and weaving through the narrow passages. He could feel his Luck stat guiding him, giving him an edge where others might falter.

Time seemed to stretch as he approached the final hurdle: a pit with dozens of spiked, razor-sharp stakes.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Warning: Pitfall ahead.

[Trap Making] skill activated.

Lucas paused, his eyes narrowing as he spotted the faint outline of a mechanism on the floor. With a quick flick of his wrist, he pulled out a small pouch of items he had looted earlier—the Scaled Scorpion Lizard's claws, the poison gland, and bits of stone from the Behemoth. Using his new skills, he crafted a rudimentary trap-disarming device.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Trap disarmed. Pitfall neutralized.

Trial passed.

As Lucas made his way through the final stretch, the darkened corridor began to brighten. He could see the entrance to the Ascendant's Hall ahead, bathed in a soft, golden light. The trial had been a success. He had completed the first of many challenges.