Chapter 8: The First Trial
The rhythmic clatter of hooves had long faded, yet the weight of Kael Veyne's words lingered in the crisp morning air.
Ezren turned the Provisional Registry Clearance badge over in his palm, its metal edges cool against his fingertips. The small insignia of the Awakener Association gleamed under the rising sun, its presence a reminder that he had willingly thrown himself into deeper waters.
A test.
They wanted to observe him. See what he truly was.
Good.
Because Ezren had no intention of being a passive subject. If the Association wanted to assess him, then he would use them just as they sought to use him.
Seraphine crossed her arms, watching him with unreadable eyes. "You really think you can outplay the Association?"
Ezren met her gaze. "Not outplay. Just make sure I'm not a disposable piece on their board."
She let out a short breath, shaking her head. "You've got nerve, I'll give you that."
Ezren smirked but didn't reply. Instead, he pocketed the badge and adjusted the strap of his gear. The hunt had barely begun, and there was much to do.
---
A New Battlefield
An hour later, Ezren found himself at the outskirts of the Verdant Expanse, one of the designated hunting zones under the Association's jurisdiction. Unlike the dense forests of the previous night, this region stretched wide, a mix of rolling terrain, jagged rock formations, and scattered thickets providing cover.
He studied the holographic map displayed on his system interface.
[Threat Level: C-Rank (Active Variance Possible).
Dominant Beasts: Dire Wolves, Ravager Serpents, Emberfang Predators.
Association Outposts: Three within a 10-kilometer radius.]
Ezren frowned slightly. Active Variance meant Rift anomalies or unexpected mutations could occur. Whatever energy still lingered from the last Rift might have left behind some unstable effects.
A perfect testing ground, then.
He took a deep breath and activated [System Combat Mode].
A translucent blue overlay highlighted his vital stats.
[Status Panel]
[Name: Ezren Veydrion
Level: 3 (900 EXP / 1500 EXP)
Class: Locked (Requires Level 10)
HP: 120/120
MP: 85/85
Strength: 14
Agility: 18
Endurance: 15
Intelligence: 12
Perception: 16]
[Skills:
(Short-range teleportation through shadows)
(Blend into surrounding darkness, reducing detection)
(Allows weapon to phase in and out, making attacks unpredictable)
(Enhances physical abilities with shadow energy)
(Increases lethality of ambush attacks and backstabs)]
Ezren's eyes lingered on [Phantom Edge] for a moment.
This ability was unlike the raw power he had begun tapping into—it was a technique, a weaponized deception. When wielded properly, it could disrupt an enemy's perception, making counterattacks far more lethal.
His B-Rank dagger gleamed in his hand as he took his first step into the hunting zone.
The wilderness swallowed him whole.
---
The Hunt Begins
The first hour passed in quiet observation. Ezren moved with calculated steps, letting his senses adjust to the environment. The Verdant Expanse pulsed with life—the rustle of unseen creatures, the distant calls of predators, and the ever-present feeling of being watched.
Then, the system pinged.
[Alert: Hostile Presence Detected.]
Ezren's body tensed. His vision sharpened as his instincts flared. Something was here.
He pivoted, dagger ready—just as a low growl rumbled through the trees.
A shadow flickered between the foliage.
[Dire Wolf – C-Rank]
The beast emerged—a massive, sinewy form cloaked in dark fur, its amber eyes locking onto him. Its maw dripped with saliva, sharp fangs bared in a predator's grin.
Ezren exhaled slowly. Fast, strong, but predictable.
The Dire Wolf lunged.
Ezren twisted to the side, narrowly avoiding the snapping jaws. His dagger flashed—a precise slash aimed at the wolf's exposed flank.
But the beast reacted faster than expected, twisting mid-air to avoid the strike.
His eyes narrowed. Adaptive behavior.
This wasn't an ordinary Dire Wolf.
[New Trait Detected: Instinctive Counter]
Ezren barely had time to process before the beast attacked again, its claws raking toward him in a vicious arc. He raised his dagger in time to parry, the impact sending a sharp jolt through his arm.
The wolf's strength exceeded its normal classification.
Ezren gritted his teeth. Fine. If you want to play like that—
[Shadow Surge: Partial Activation]
A pulse of dark energy flickered beneath his skin. Not a full manifestation—just enough to enhance his speed.
The world slowed.
The wolf lunged. This time, Ezren moved first.
[Phantom Edge: Active]
His dagger flickered—phasing out of existence for a split second before materializing mid-strike.
The wolf reacted to the initial trajectory, attempting to evade—but the real strike wasn't there.
A clean slice tore through its front leg, severing the tendons.
The beast collapsed with a pained snarl.
Ezren didn't waste a second. He whirled—his dagger vanishing, then reappearing an inch from the wolf's throat.
[Silent Reaper: Active]
The execution was flawless. A shadowed strike aimed at a vital point.
A wet gurgle. The Dire Wolf convulsed before falling still.
[Skill Proficiency Increased: Phantom Edge - Lv. 1 → Lv. 2]
Ezren exhaled, flicking the blood off his blade. His pulse steadied as the system confirmed the kill.
But something felt… off.
His gaze shifted to the wolf's corpse. A faint, black mist curled from its wounds, dissipating unnaturally.
Ezren frowned. This wasn't normal.
Then—
A whisper.
Not from his surroundings.
From within.
"More will come."
Ezren's breath hitched. The Shadow's voice—faint, but undeniable.
He clenched his jaw. No time to dwell.
A second system notification appeared.
[Association Trial Quest: Prove Your Worth]
Objective: Survive an incoming horde assault.
Time Limit: 30 Minutes.
Ezren stiffened. Horde?
A distant sound cut through the trees.
Howls.
Not just one or two.
Dozens.
His grip tightened around his dagger. The test had begun.