Mystery behind the black system…

 Just as Jiho had expected, the moment he stepped outside the safe zone, the hunger that had been gnawing at him began to fade. At the same time, a black system window appeared before his eyes.

[You have failed to complete the hidden trial...]

From the looks of it, the hidden trial required staying inside the safe zone until time ran out. Since those who left the safe zone could no longer re-enter, the trial was automatically marked as failed.

"You were right… Now that I'm outside, I don't feel as hungry anymore," Kalyira said, glancing at Jiho.

"See? You should've trusted me from the start," Jiho replied with a playful grin, trying to lighten the mood. But deep inside, his mind was already occupied with what they needed to do next.

Simply put, staying outside the safe zone is the true third trial. Night had already fallen, enveloping everything in darkness, and monsters roamed the area. One careless mistake could cost them their lives.

[Personal Profile…]

Name – Han Jiho

Titles: ??? (Mythic), Trial Survivor (Common)

Abilities: [??? Lv.max], [Clear Mind Lv.3], [Combat Mastery Lv.6], [Weapon Mastery Lv.2], [Adaptability Lv.6], [Enduring Will Lv.2], [Muscle Memory Lv.4], [Echo of the Fallen Lv.1]

Skills: [System Codex Lv.1], [Energy Harmony Lv.max]

Overall stats: [Strength Lv.6], [Agility Lv.6], [Stamina Lv.8], [Willpower Lv.4], [Aether Lv.1]

Jiho looked at the changes in his [Personal Profile…] and became lost in thought.

Echo of the Fallen Lv.1 – Grants the ability to hear the whispers of vengeful spirits and see fleeting glimpses of them before they vanish. The user inherits fragments of their memories and abilities, allowing brief access to the knowledge and power once possessed by the fallen.

This ability was gained after he absorbed a spirit for the first time. He never expected that absorbing a spirit would grant him an ability.

Since the ability was only at Lv.1, he could only see the vengeful spirits of those who had died filled with hatred. However, that wasn't important. What mattered most was that he could also absorb fragments of their memories and abilities.

Absorbing and merging with someone else's memories was dangerous, but since they were only fragments, it remained within a controllable range. As a result, the bodybuilder's memories did not affect him much.

Muscle Memory Lv.4 – The ability to understand muscle coordination and movement patterns, gained from years of disciplined training.

This ability was something he acquired after absorbing the bodybuilder's spirit. Techniques involving the efficient use of strength and body control that the bodybuilder had mastered over the years were now Jiho's to use.

Enduring Will Lv.2 – The ability to increase the user's resistance to fatigue, pain, and mental stress, enabling them to endure and push through even the most challenging situations.

Aside from these two abilities, another new one had emerged — [Enduring Will Lv.2]. It seemed to have manifested after the fierce battle during the final moments of the second trial.

Other aspects hadn't changed much. His [Combat Mastery] had increased to Lv.6. However, there was no mention of the rewards he had received: [Void Pouch] and [Horizon Compass].

"Grragh..."

"Woo..."

Jiho, lost in thought while reviewing his [Personal Profile], was snapped back to reality by the sounds of approaching monsters. Kalyira, who had been sticking close to him, remained completely silent, casting a questioning look that seemed to ask, What should we do next?

Jiho gestured for silence and then pointed toward a nearby alleyway.

After that, the two slipped into a narrow alley, their steps light and cautious. Pressing themselves into the shadows, the cold walls on either side sent a chill through their backs. The air was thick with tension, and neither dared to breathe too hard.

Outside the alley, monsters prowled the streets, their low growls rumbling through the night. Heavy footsteps echoed off the buildings, sending chills down Jiho's spine. Any sudden movement, any misplaced sound, could be the end of them.

Then—

A sudden scream tore through the silence.

It came from somewhere far away, but it was enough to catch the monsters' attention. Their heads snapped toward the sound, and in an instant, they charged in that direction, their growls turning into frenzied roars.

Jiho and Kalyira remained frozen, watching as the horde of creatures disappeared into the distance. The moment the last monster was out of sight, they finally exhaled, their shoulders relaxing.

For a second, they just looked at each other—then, almost at the same time, they chuckled.

"That was close," Jiho whispered, shaking his head.

Kalyira nodded, still catching her breath. "For a second… I really thought we were done for," she murmured, her voice unsteady. She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I saw a convenience store while I was running toward the safe zone earlier… There might still be supplies left."

Jiho considered it for a moment before nodding. "Let's check it out. But we have to be careful."

With silent agreement, they moved forward, making their way through the dark streets. Every step was measured, every corner checked before turning. They avoided open spaces, hiding behind wrecked cars and broken walls whenever they heard movement in the distance.

The stench of blood lingered in the air. Along the way, they passed several corpses—some torn apart, others barely recognizable. A man lay slumped against a crumbling wall, his eyes lifeless, his fingers still curled around the hilt of a sword. Jiho hesitated for a moment before kneeling beside the body.

Jiho pried the sword from the dead challenger's grasp, showing little concern for the lifeless body. The sword was stained but still sharp. He gave it a quick test swing, nodded to himself, and moved on.

Twice, they had to stop—once when a group of goblins skittered past, their low growls filling the air, and again when an imp shifted near a streetlamp, forcing them to take a longer route.

After what felt like an eternity of sneaking through the ruined city, they finally saw it—the convenience store.

Its glass doors were shattered, and the inside was dark, but it still stood.

Jiho and Kalyira exchanged a glance.

They had made it.

Now, they just had to see if anything useful remained inside.

Inside the convenience store, everything was in disarray. Items had fallen off the shelves and were scattered on the floor—it seemed like monsters had already made their way here.

Even Jiho and Kalyira, who had grown accustomed to navigating in the darkness of night, accidentally stepped on the fallen items as soon as they entered, unable to spot them right away. Afterward, the two split up to search for any useful supplies.

For Jiho, there wasn't much need to think. With the void pouch hanging from his waist, all he had to do was scoop up everything he came across and store it. The store itself was likely dark... Kalyira probably wouldn't notice either.

The void pouch was small enough to hang from the waist, appearing no different from an ordinary pouch at first glance. However, the moment an item was placed inside, it would vanish without a trace, as if swallowed by an unseen space. There was no weight change, no bulging of fabric—just emptiness.

Jiho tested it several times, first with food and supplies, then with the sword he had taken earlier. He hesitated for a moment before sliding the blade inside. In an instant, it disappeared, leaving the pouch just as light and unassuming as before.

Curious, he reached in and willed the sword back. As if responding to his thoughts, the hilt met his fingers, and he pulled it out effortlessly. A slow grin tugged at his lips—this would be useful.

It wasn't just a pouch—it was a space of its own, a bottomless storage that defied logic.

However, why would the Black System provide such an item? Based on Jiho's experiences so far, even after absorbing dark energy in the Soul Realm, creating such a thing should have been impossible.

Lost in thought, Jiho had unknowingly reached the back of the convenience store when he suddenly heard noises. Judging from the sounds, monsters were heading in this direction.

Reacting quickly, he moved silently, trying his best to get back to Kalyira as fast as possible.

"Zaelric… run!"

Unfortunately, before he could finish his thoughts, Kalyira's shout echoed through the store. Without hesitating, Jiho gripped his sword tightly, ready to fight.

By now, the convenience store was completely overrun with goblins.

End - 20