Chapter 3: The First Trial

Chapter 3: The First Trial

I ran.

The cavern blurred past me as my feet pounded against the uneven ground, my breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps. Behind me, the heavy grinding of stone and metal echoed through the chamber, each step of the Ruin Guardians shaking the ground beneath me.

[Warning: Hostile Entities Approaching! Evasion Recommended.]

"No kidding!" I gasped, dodging a jagged rock that jutted from the ground. My mind was racing. What were these things? And more importantly, how was I supposed to get out of here?

I risked a glance over my shoulder. There were three of them. Towering constructs of metal and stone, their glowing blue eyes locked onto me with an unrelenting focus. Their movements were slow, deliberate, but with each step they took, the distance between us shrank.

[Analysis Complete: Ruin Guardians - Ancient Constructs designed to eliminate intruders. Weak points detected: Joint mechanisms and core power source.]

"Weak points, huh?" I muttered. "Not exactly helpful when I have nothing to fight with!"

[New Objective: Acquire Weapon.]

Right. Because that was so easy.

I darted through a narrow passage, my mind racing for a plan. There had to be something I could use. The chamber was ancient, littered with debris—there had to be a weapon of some sort left behind by whoever built this place.

Up ahead, the passage widened into another chamber. Unlike the first, this one wasn't empty. Strange, rusted weapons lay scattered across the ground, their designs alien but still recognizable.

[Scanning... Suitable weapon detected.]

My eyes locked onto a long, sleek-looking blade embedded in a stone pedestal. Unlike the others, it pulsed with a faint energy, its surface unmarred by rust.

[Item Identified: Adaptive Relic Blade - A weapon infused with ancient energy, capable of evolving alongside its wielder.]

"That'll do!"

I didn't hesitate. Sprinting forward, I wrapped my fingers around the hilt and yanked. The moment my skin made contact, a surge of warmth spread through my body. The blade responded instantly, its energy syncing with me in a way that felt almost... natural.

[Weapon Acquired: Adaptive Relic Blade. Compatibility: 100%.]

Perfect.

The ground trembled behind me. I spun just in time to see the first Ruin Guardian enter the chamber, its massive arms raised. There was no more running.

"Alright," I muttered, gripping the blade tighter. "Let's see what you can do."

The Guardian swung. I barely had time to react. Instinct took over, and I dove to the side, the blade flashing as I slashed at its knee joint. Sparks flew as the metal groaned in protest, the strike cutting deep. The construct staggered, its movements sluggish.

[Direct hit! Target's mobility reduced by 30%.]

It worked.

Adrenaline surged through me. I had a chance.

The other two Guardians were closing in fast, their glowing eyes filled with silent menace. I had to finish this—quick.

Darting forward, I slashed at the first Guardian's core. The blade met resistance for a split second before slicing through. The construct shuddered, its blue eyes flickering wildly before dimming altogether.

[Target Neutralized.]

I barely had time to celebrate before the next one lunged at me. I twisted, bringing the blade up in a desperate block. The impact rattled my bones, but I held firm. I needed an opening.

Then, something happened.

The blade pulsed, as if responding to my thoughts. The energy around it shifted, growing sharper, deadlier. It wasn't just a weapon—it was adapting.

[New Skill Acquired: Adaptive Strike - Allows weapon to adjust its form based on combat situation.]

I didn't know how it worked, but I didn't care.

With a roar, I launched forward, the blade shifting in my grip. I dodged the next strike, my body moving faster than ever before. I wasn't just surviving anymore.

I was fighting back.

And for the first time since falling into this ruin, I felt something other than fear.

I felt powerful.