Chapter 28: The Guardian’s Trial
Jian moved cautiously through the forest, every step calculated, every sound analyzed. His senses were on high alert, and the tension in the air was palpable. The shadows around him had thickened since the fight with the Iron Vanguard, as if the forest itself were alive, watching, waiting for the next challenge.
The ground trembled again, this time with greater intensity. A low, rumbling growl vibrated through the trees, followed by the distant crash of something large moving through the underbrush. Jian's instincts screamed at him to be ready, to prepare for the worst.
He drew his blade, its edge shimmering with frost as he took cover behind a large, gnarled tree. His Frost Nexus activated automatically, a protective barrier forming around him. The temperature dropped sharply as the forest seemed to freeze in anticipation.
Then, it emerged.
A massive figure, easily towering over Jian's height, stepped into the clearing. It was a beast unlike any he had seen before—an enormous, four-legged creature with a body covered in thick, bark-like armor, its eyes glowing a fierce gold. Its horns were sharp and twisted, curving outward like branches of an ancient tree, and its claws were as long as Jian's arm, tipped with what looked like jagged obsidian.
[Warden's Guardian - Rank: Mythical]
Jian's breath caught in his throat. The Guardian of the Wilds was no mere beast; it was a force of nature, a living embodiment of the forest's wrath. He had heard of such creatures before—protectors of the Spirit Cores, bound to their sacred duty to test and challenge those who sought the core's power. But facing one head-on was a different matter entirely.
The Guardian snorted, shaking the earth beneath it as it approached. Its gaze locked onto Jian, and for a moment, there was only silence. Then, in a voice that rumbled like the wind through the trees, it spoke.
"Foolish challenger. You have claimed the lives of many, but you will find no easy path to the Spirit Core. Prove your worth, or be consumed by the Wilds."
Jian didn't hesitate. He could feel the energy building around the creature, a force that was almost tangible. He wasn't sure how this trial would unfold, but he knew one thing for certain: he wouldn't back down.
The Guardian let out a deafening roar, and the ground beneath its feet cracked, sending splinters of wood flying into the air. It charged forward with terrifying speed, its massive claws tearing through the earth.
Jian was already moving, his blade raised high. He met the Guardian head-on, his Frost Nexus flaring as he intercepted the beast's first strike with a burst of ice. The blow sent shockwaves through his body, but he held firm, his footing steady as he used Shadow Stride to vanish and reappear to the side.
The Guardian turned, its eyes narrowing as it followed his movements with deadly precision. It was fast—far faster than its size suggested.
Jian dashed forward, aiming for its exposed side. His blade slashed across its bark-like armor, but the impact barely left a mark. The Guardian's skin was nearly impervious, reinforced by ancient magic that flowed through its body like lifeblood.
The creature retaliated, its massive tail whipping through the air like a deadly scythe. Jian twisted, narrowly dodging the attack, but the force of the blow sent a gust of wind that knocked him off balance. He recovered quickly, but the Guardian was already closing in.
He could feel the weight of its presence, a constant pressure that threatened to crush him. This wasn't just a physical fight—it was a test of endurance, of willpower.
He needed to find a weakness.
As the Guardian lunged at him again, Jian activated Abyssal Cleave, striking with a surge of shadow and ice. The blade connected with the creature's flank, but it was only a glancing blow. The Guardian roared in fury, its eyes flashing with golden light.
Jian didn't relent. He pressed the attack, using his speed and agility to stay one step ahead. He weaved between the creature's strikes, constantly searching for an opening, for a sign of weakness.
Then, he saw it.
The Guardian's underbelly, where the bark-like armor was thinner and more vulnerable. A fleeting opportunity, one that would require perfect timing and precision.
He activated Shadow Stride once more, vanishing from the creature's line of sight and reappearing beneath it. With a single, powerful thrust, Jian drove his blade upward, aiming for the heart of the Guardian.
The Guardian let out a mighty roar, twisting in mid-air to block the attack. But Jian had already anticipated the move. With a flick of his wrist, he activated the Frozen Rift—a skill that encased the area around the Guardian in a flash of ice and shadow.
The creature struggled, but the frozen rift held it in place, momentarily immobilizing the massive beast.
Jian didn't waste the opportunity. With all his strength, he struck again, his blade piercing deep into the Guardian's vulnerable underbelly.
The Guardian let out one final, agonizing roar before collapsing to the ground with a resounding thud.
Silence fell over the clearing, the only sound the wind rustling through the trees. Jian stood over the fallen Guardian, his chest heaving with exertion. He had won, but the cost was clear. The battle had pushed him to his limits, and he could feel the toll it had taken on his body.
As he caught his breath, a glowing light emerged from the Guardian's chest, coalescing into a swirling orb.
[Guardian's Essence – Mythical]
Jian reached out cautiously, his fingers brushing against the orb. As soon as he touched it, the orb shattered, and a rush of energy surged through him. The power of the Guardian flowed into his body, enhancing his abilities and fortifying his spirit. It was a reward for surviving the trial, but Jian knew it wasn't enough to simply survive the Wilds. The forest still had more to offer—and more to take.
He turned toward the deeper forest, where the Spirit Core awaited. But something in the air had shifted. The forest wasn't done with him yet.
The true challenge had only just begun.
End of Chapter 28