Joe continued walking while tightly gripping his dual karambits, preparing for the looming danger ahead.
TING!
A shimmer appeared on his chest. The system interface materialized before his eyes.
>[SYSTEM UPDATE DETECTED]
>[Location:] Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve (Dungeon Zone – Tier I)
>[Status:] Unstable
>[Classification:] Nature-Type / Low Threat Level
>[Primary Objective:] Continue Exploration
"So, I've entered Mt. Makiling Forest," he muttered, pushing through the thick underbrush. His breaths grew heavy, his body weighted by fatigue.
HUFF... HUFF... HUFF...
The pain in his arm flared, sharp and constant. He stopped for a moment and glanced at the wound.
"Shit... I shouldn't have looked. Hurts even worse now."
TING!
A familiar metallic chime echoed as the system reappeared, casting a blue glow across the trees.
>[SYSTEM NOTICE]
>[Physical Condition: Rapid Decline]
>[Open Wound – Minor Infection Risk]
>[Stamina: 38% – Dropping]
>[Focus Sync: 52% – Fluctuating]
Advisory: Immediate rest or healing recommended. Continued movement may result in severe fatigue or unconsciousness.
"Tsk... knew something bad would happen," Joe muttered.
He ripped a strip from his shirt and bound the wound tightly. Sweat ran down his brow, but he pressed forward.
Dusk crept in fast. The road ahead would be far more treacherous without light.
He gathered dry wood, leaves, and tree roots, fashioning a bundle. Then, kneeling, he rubbed two sticks together—one grooved and flat, the other sturdy and narrow.
KRRK. KRRK. KRRK.
Minutes passed. Smoke spiraled upward.
"There we go…" he grinned faintly. "Tough bastard to light."
He leaned down and blew gently on the ember.
FFFFF...
The smoke thickened. He pressed dry grass against the glowing ember and exhaled again.
FWOOOSH!
Flames. At last, a fire crackled in the growing dark.
Joe continued walking, torch in hand. But then—
CRUNCH. RUSTLE.
He froze. Footsteps—just outside the circle of firelight.
TING!
The system pulsed again.
>[SYSTEM ALERT]
>[Threat Scan Initialized…]
>[Detecting presence…]
...
...
>[No target found.]
"Nothing?" he frowned.
But he could feel it. A shift in the air. A presence. Cold and watching.
Joe raised his blades. His pulse quickened.
"This isn't some wild animal…" he whispered.
CRUNCH.
KHRRRK… HHHHUUHH…
The sound slithered into his ears. He braced himself, blades ready—not with fear, but with resolve.
And then—nothing. Utter silence. The forest held its breath.
"Gone?" Joe scanned the darkness.
Too quiet.
RAAAAGHHHH!!!
The roar ripped through the woods.
From the black, a massive white beast lunged—its eyes gleaming like frozen fire.
Joe dropped low and rolled.
SWOOSH!
Then launched a counter-kick—
WHAM!
Claws sliced past him, tearing into the earth.
They stared each other down—Joe panting, the creature snarling. It wasn't just a beast—it was something more.
TING!
The system illuminated his peripheral vision.
>[SYSTEM IDENTIFIED TARGET]
>[Species:] Enchanted Direwolf Variant
>[Classification:] Spiritfang (MYTHICAL VARIANT)
>[Threat Level:] HIGH – Combat Potential Exceeds User's Current Stats
>[Status:] ENRAGED
>[Weakness:] Unknown
>[Behavior:] Defensive – Territorial Reaction Detected
"Enchanted," Joe hissed, narrowing his eyes.
"If you're fighting me, then I won't back down."
The Spiritfang lunged.
WHOOSH!
Too fast. A blur of fang and frost. Joe rolled—just barely dodging its swipe. His blade slashed at its side—
CLANG!
The blow glanced off hidden armor beneath the creature's fur.
"Tch—can I even last?" he muttered.
Every breath from the Spiritfang chilled the air. Its presence bent the wind and dimmed the stars.
Joe was exhausted. Injured. But unyielding.
HUFF... HUFF... HUFF...
He struck again, a last-ditch attack—but the beast turned.
THUD!
It kicked him clean into a narra tree. The impact rattled his bones. He collapsed, groaning.
Yet, the Spiritfang didn't strike again. It only watched.
Joe forced himself to his feet, barely.
"Haa... ha... I won't give up that easily. I have to be strong... I will become strong."
TING!
>[SYSTEM NOTICE]
>[Status:] Critical Condition
>[Stamina:] 18% – Warning
>[Focus Sync:] 42% – Fluctuating
Advisory: Continued combat may result in collapse.
Joe ignored it. He rose—then dropped again, legs failing.
The wolf finally spoke.
"Haaah… what a strong aura," it said. Its voice was rough, ancient, and sorrowful.
Joe's eyes widened.
"You can talk…?"
"Why haven't you finished me off?" he croaked, blood seeping from his shoulder.
The Spiritfang stood tall but calm.
"This forest… once belonged to us. Guardians of Mt. Makiling. Spirits, beasts, trees… we thrived. Until one night—"
The air grew heavy. The forest trembled at the memory.
"—A-Rank monsters came. Led by a shadow darker than death. The Demi-God… Nyxul."
TING!
>[SYSTEM NOTICE:]
>[Nyxul – Demi-God of Chaos and Blight]
>[Rank:] SS-Rank
>[Title:] The Black Root of Corruption
>[Status:] Active
>[WARNING:] Life-Weaving Entity – Avoid Direct Contact
"If you are truly the Bearer of the Aura Flame… then you must pass the trial. Not just with strength. But with heart."
"I've seen many stronger than you… but they were hollow inside."
Joe grit his teeth and stood, legs trembling.
"I don't know why I was brought back… but I will find out. I'll fight for it."
The Spiritfang nodded.
"Then let the trial begin. Show me not just your blades—but your soul. Close your eyes. Let the wind read your heart."
Joe obeyed, eyes closing, breath steady.
WOOOOSHHH…
The wind howled. It passed through him—icy and warm, whispering of things forgotten.
The forest vanished. The pain, the blood, the beast—gone.
He stood in an endless white void. Alone.
TING!
>[SYSTEM NOTICE:]
>[You have entered:] Spirit Realm – Trial of Flame
>[WARNING:] Mental strain possible. Prepare your will.
Spiritfang appeared before him—not as a wolf anymore, but as a stunningly beautiful woman. She wore a long red dress, her eyes as magnificent as the cosmos, her hair as white as the sky, and her lips as red as the roses planted in a garden. The shape of her body was like that of a Coke bottle—this was her true form as the tester of Bearers.
"In this world… you have no strength to call upon. No weapons. No system. All you have is yourself," Spiritfang said to Joe.
Around Joe, memories began to appear.
First—the face of his grandfather. Lying lifeless, covered in blood, his body torn apart amidst the burning ruins of Irigan Village. The voice of a scream echoed. "Run, Joe!"
Next—the people of Irigan Village. Screaming in terror and agony. Children and infants crying endlessly as they watched demons devour their loved ones, knowing they would be next. They begged him for help. But he could do nothing for them.
Third—himself. His former self. An ordinary person, stealing food just to survive. Merchants suffered losses because of him.
"This is your true enemy…