Chapter 8 — The First Wave
Chapter 8 — The First Wave
In the sunlit village street, where morning light spilled like golden paint over the cobbled ground, a strange sight caught everyone's attention — a boy walking side by side with a skeleton. Aarav rested his hand calmly on the creature's bony shoulder as they made their way through the crowd. Murmurs followed them, but Aarav didn't care.
His mind wasn't on the stares or whispers. It was on the looming question spinning inside him.
*What exactly is the Grave Trial?*
*What happens if I don't pass it? Is there punishment?*
As thoughts swirled through his mind, Aarav and Ghrol reached the dungeon zone, where stone buildings grew darker, moss lined the walls, and the air was heavier — tinged with ancient power.
"System," Aarav asked, his voice low. "Can you tell me what this dungeon really is?"
"Why not, Host?"
**Dungeon Information:**
This is a multi-tiered testing ground, designed to simulate real-life battle scenarios. These dungeons were built after the rise of awakened warriors and necromancers to help assess and strengthen combat potential.
There are three primary categories:
Low-Rank Dungeon** (Lv 0–49): Designed for beginners and low-tier combatants. Includes weak monsters and basic trials.
Mid-Rank Dungeon** (Lv 50–80): Requires deeper tactical thinking and coordination.
High-Rank Dungeon** (Lv 80+): Only the elite enter. Many never return.
Aarav furrowed his brows. "So... what happens if someone fails to clear the dungeon? Are there consequences?"
"Yes. When you enter, you bind your body and soul. Any injury taken inside is mirrored in reality. Without clearing it, there is no automatic healing — and depending on the dungeon, the pain can be permanent."
Aarav went silent.
*So it's real pain. Real damage. No mercy.*
He clenched his fists, taking a breath. This wasn't just a system tutorial or some dream simulation. It was real — like everything else since that cursed day.
As Aarav wandered deeper, he came upon the entrance to the Grave Trial — an ancient black gate, jagged and overgrown with dry vines. Hanging above was a weathered skull, its hollow mouth wide open as though screaming.
Before he could examine it further, a hunched old man with skin like parchment and a voice like grinding chains hobbled forward.
"Heh… you there, boy. Want to take the trial?" the old man croaked, leaning on a cracked black staff.
Aarav looked him in the eye, then gave a slow nod. "Yes."
"Good. Alone or in a group?"
"I'm a Necromancer," Aarav replied. "This is my undead — Ghrol."
The old man's expression shifted. His eyes narrowed. "A Necromancer… that's rare these days. You're either lucky or damned. Maybe both."
He turned, motioning to a cracked wooden table. "Come. Fill out this form."
Aarav followed him without a word.
He took the parchment and quill, scanning the form:
> Name: Aarav
> Class: Necromancer
> Age: 16
> Level: 1
The old man read it, lips twitching. He muttered something under his breath. *Another arrogant brat.* But he handed over a black bone token, glowing faintly.
"Present this to the gate. It'll open — if you're meant to enter."
Aarav walked to the gate. As he stood before it, the system chimed:
[Host, do you wish to enter the GRAVE TRIAL? Y/N]
He hesitated.
*Do I really need to face this brutal test? If I fail… will I come back broken?*
Images flashed — his mother Veluna, feeding him warm soup… cleaning his bloodied clothes… whispering words of comfort when no one else did.
Tears welled up. Aarav clenched his jaw.
"I need to become strong," he whispered, voice trembling. "Not for me. For her."
He stepped forward.
[Hidden Quest Complete: Participate in a Dungeon]
*Reward: New Skill Unlocked — Necro Pulse**
*NECRO PULSE:* Releases a beam of necrotic energy in a straight line. Damage increases based on user's desire to destroy.
A smirk tugged at Aarav's lips. "So it's fueled by intent? Interesting."
Before he could dwell on it, the world twisted. The sky cracked. Colors bled.
And then — he was no longer in the village.
---
They now stood in a **dead battlefield**.
Bones littered the crimson ground. The sky glowed blood-red. All around them were fragments of forgotten weapons and shattered armor. In the center of the wasteland pulsed a floating monolith of cursed bone.
[Wave One Begins in 60 Seconds]
Ghrol scanned the surroundings, tense and silent.
Aarav nodded to him. "It's time to show me what you can do."
Ghrol looked at him and gave a silent nod, as if saying *I won't disappoint you, Master.*
Aarav quickly used the terrain. He formed spike traps using scattered bones and positioned Ghrol in front.
[Countdown: 10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…]
A distant bell echoed.
From the void emerged **five undead warriors** — no shambling corpses, but battle-hardened revenants, their red eyes burning like molten coals.
Their armor clanked as they marched in unison. Discipline. Rage.
Ghrol stepped closer to Aarav, shielding him instinctively.
"Let's do this," Aarav muttered.
The battle exploded.
Ghrol lunged forward, his massive fist slamming into the first undead. The enemy was hurled backward, crashing into debris.
Another soldier swung a bone blade — Ghrol blocked with his forearm, cracking the bone but staying upright. He retaliated with a brutal kick to the third enemy.
Ten seconds into battle, Ghrol began to glow — a red inferno rising around his bones.
Aarav's eyes widened.
[Ghrol: Hellflame State Activated – Temporary Berserk Boost]
He smashed the first undead's sword with a single punch — then shattered its skull.
Meanwhile, Aarav was engaged with the remaining two.
He blocked the first swing with his dagger — the one his mother gave him, his father's last possession.
The second undead blindsided him with a punch — Aarav crashed to the ground. One enemy raised its blade.
Aarav rolled just in time — the sword sliced across his arm. Blood spilled.
"System! Heal me!" he shouted.
[Denied. Healing restricted inside dungeon trials.]
Aarav gritted his teeth. "Dammit."
[Why not use your first skill: Necro Pulse?]
"Right!"
Aarav pointed his dagger. Darkness coiled at the tip.
"NECRO PULSE!"
A searing black beam fired, burning through the undead's skull. The creature dropped.
The second lunged. Aarav rolled, raised the blade again.
"NECRO PULSE!"
Another blast. Another kill.
Silence.
Ghrol stood nearby — three shattered undead at his feet, his body cracked but standing strong.
[Wave One Survived]
[Auto-Heal: 30% HP Restored]
Aarav collapsed to one knee, panting.
"I… won," he whispered. "I didn't die."
Ghrol limped over, kneeling beside him.
Aarav looked at his hands — burned, shaking.
*This is just the beginning…*
The battlefield was silent once more.
The monolith pulsed again:
[Wave Two Begins in 10 Minutes]
Aarav gathered broken bone pieces, patching Ghrol's arm as best as he could.
He stared into the cursed sky.
"I need more than survival," he muttered. "I need control. Purpose."
The system flickered.
Path Resonance Detected: Deathlord is watching…
Aarav's trial had only just begun.