Chapter 5: The Weight of Survival

[63:47:21 Remaining]

The dim glow of the system timer cast faint shadows across the cave walls. Elric sat with his back against the stone, hands gripping his knees. His breathing was unsteady, his eyes darting between the darkness outside and Kaelen, who remained still.

Silence had settled between them, heavy and suffocating.

Then Elric spoke.

"...We can't just sit here."

Kaelen's gaze shifted to him, unreadable.

"Why not?"

Elric hesitated, caught off guard by the calm response. "B-Because if we don't act, we'll be next! The trial isn't going to end just because we hide!"

Kaelen exhaled lightly. "And what do you suggest?"

Elric swallowed, forcing himself to think. "We need to find out what happened to Lirien and Jorik. If they're still alive, we should—"

"They're dead."

Elric froze.

Kaelen leaned forward slightly, his expression neutral. "You heard the scream. You saw what happened to Brann. The trial is designed to eliminate the weak. Whether it's by creatures, illusions, or something else, it doesn't matter. They're gone."

"But… we don't know that for sure."

Kaelen tilted his head. "Then go look for them."

Elric flinched.

(There it is. That hesitation.)

Kaelen had been testing him. If Elric had the will to act, he would have left immediately. But he didn't. Because deep down, he already knew the truth.

He just didn't want to admit it.

"...We should at least try to move," Elric muttered, his voice weaker now. "Sitting here… it's just waiting for death."

Kaelen's lips curved slightly. "You're right."

Elric looked up, surprised.

"But we need a real plan this time. Not a reckless search. If you want to survive, you need to think ahead."

Elric nodded quickly, latching onto the hope that they could still make it out.

Kaelen watched him closely.

(He's useful. For now.)

---

A New Path

They moved cautiously through the ever-shifting landscape, marking their way with small carvings on rocks instead of fabric—testing if the markings would also disappear.

They did.

Elric cursed under his breath. "This place is messing with us…"

Kaelen remained silent, observing. The trial wasn't just about fighting. It was about understanding the rules of this space. If the terrain kept shifting, then there was no point in trying to navigate like normal.

Elric turned to him. "What do we do?"

Kaelen glanced at the system timer.

[62:58:09 Remaining]

He still didn't know the full conditions for passing. But one thing was clear—the trial wasn't going to let them wander aimlessly. There had to be a pattern. A test.

Something they were meant to figure out.

"Stay close," Kaelen said, taking the lead.

---

The First Realization

After an hour of walking, they found something new. A twisted structure stood in the distance—half-formed, like it was unraveling and reforming at the same time.

It looked like… a door.

Elric's eyes widened. "That—! That has to lead out of here!"

Kaelen stared at it, frowning. Something wasn't right.

He looked around. There was nothing else in sight—no signs of other survivors, no enemies, no traps. It was too… convenient.

Elric stepped forward. "Come on!"

Kaelen grabbed his wrist.

"Wait."

Elric turned, startled. "What? Why?"

Kaelen's voice was quiet. "Think."

Elric hesitated, but Kaelen's grip didn't loosen.

"If the trial wanted to eliminate us, it wouldn't give us an easy exit. Look at the door. It's unstable. If that's the way out, why hasn't it closed yet?"

Elric swallowed. "Maybe it's waiting for us—"

"Or maybe it's a trap."

Elric paled.

Kaelen finally let go, but his gaze remained sharp. "Do what you want. But if you step through that door, you're gambling your life on a guess."

Elric hesitated. He looked back at the door, then at Kaelen.

"...Then what do we do?"

Kaelen turned away from the structure, scanning the environment. "There has to be another way."

Elric let out a breath, forcing himself to trust Kaelen's judgment.

As they walked away from the door, Kaelen's thoughts churned.

(If I had stepped through first, I would have been the one to disappear. If Elric had, I could've observed the results. But I can't afford to take blind risks yet.)

He clenched his fist.

(I need more information. And I need to ensure that when the time comes… I'm the one who makes it through.)