Leon led me toward an elevated ptform near one of the combat zones. He tapped a panel on the wall, activating a holographic interface.

  "Here's the deal, Ryzen," he said, scrolling through a list of options. "You've got power now, but power means nothing without control." He selected something, and the arena below shifted—metal panels moving, opening up compartments filled with various weaponry. "So, we're going to test how much you can handle."

  I crossed my arms. "And how are we doing that?"

  Leon smirked, pressing a final command.

  A low, mechanical hiss filled the air. The ground rumbled.

  Then—emerging from the depths of the arena—came a group of monsters. Not illusions. Not holograms. Real monsters.

  D-rank beasts at first. Snarling, cwed creatures with glowing red eyes.

  I tensed. "You're not holding back, are you?"

  Leon leaned against the railing, arms crossed. "This is me holding back."

  I exhaled, rolling my shoulders. Fine. If this was the test, I'd pass it.

  Leon's smirk widened. "Show me what you've got, Ryzen."

  he moment the monsters emerged, the system reacted.

  A familiar chime echoed in my mind, followed by a translucent screen appearing before me.

  ***

  [New Quest: Trial of the Predator]

  Objective:

  Defeat all summoned monsters.

  Survive until the trial is deemed complete.

  -

  Bonus Conditions:

  Eliminate all enemies without damage.

  Avoid taking critical damage.

  -

  Rewards:

  Phantom Step evolves into Phantom Dash (Grants short-range teleportation during combat)

  Temporal Labyrinth Key (A key to a unique C-rank dungeon, exclusive to the system's chosen)

  -

  Bonus Rewards: (Granted if both bonus conditions are met)

  Predator's Instinct (Passive Skill) – Heightens combat awareness, improving reaction speed and instinctive dodging.

  Skill Enhancement Stone (Unique) – A one-time-use item that permanently enhances an exclusive skill of the user's choice, potentially evolving it beyond its limits.

  -

  Failure Penalty:

  Movement skills will be restricted for 24 hours.

  ***

  I barely had time to process the quest before the first creature lunged at me.

  It was a Voidfang Beast—a four-legged predator with serrated teeth, glowing crimson eyes, and obsidian-bck fur that flickered like a shadow.

  Fast.

  I reacted on instinct. Phantom Step. My body flickered, leaving a blurred afterimage as the beast's jaws snapped at empty air.

  Another one—left side!

  I twisted mid-step, shing out with a kick. The second Voidfang crumpled under the force, skidding across the ground with a pained snarl.

  Leon stood above on a raised ptform, arms crossed, watching with mild amusement. "You're keeping up better than I thought."

  The ground trembled.

  More creatures slithered, sprinted, and emerged from the swirling void ahead—some faster, some rger, all radiating a hunger that sent a chill down my spine.

  My system timer had started.

  I exhaled sharply, rolling my shoulders. "Alright," I muttered. "Let's get this over with."

  The moment I steadied my stance, the next wave came.

  A Steel-Fanged Kobold lunged straight for my throat, rusted dagger fshing.

  Fast—!

  I barely had time to react before my body moved on its own. Phantom Step activated instinctively, my form blurring out of reach as the bde sliced through empty air.

  I reappeared just behind it, twisting mid-air. My fist shot forward, enhanced by Adaptive Growth, striking the creature's exposed ribs. A dull crack echoed as the kobold was sent sprawling across the dungeon floor.

  It tried to get up. I didn't let it. My foot came down hard, shattering its skull.

  One down.

  But I wasn't given a moment to breathe.

  More figures emerged from the mist-like darkness—gnolls with crude axes, goblins wielding chipped swords, and another pack of kobolds with hungry, glowing eyes.

  A snarl to my right. A gnoll charged with its axe raised high. My body reacted before my mind did, stepping to the side at the st second. The axe smmed into the ground, and in that instant, I struck.

  My elbow crashed into its snout, breaking cartige, and as it stumbled back, I followed with a brutal kick to its ribs. The beast howled in pain—then colpsed.

  Another came at me from behind.

  I twisted, barely dodging a goblin's dagger aimed at my side. The bde grazed my skin, almost drawing blood.

  I didn't let it go unanswered.

  I grabbed the goblin's wrist, twisting hard until it screeched. My knee drove into its gut, and before it could colpse, I snatched its dagger and drove it into its throat.

  But the monsters weren't stopping.

  Another wave rushed in—a swarm of goblins this time, their shrill cries filling the air.

  I exhaled sharply, resetting my stance. Phantom Step's cooldown was still active. Adaptive Growth had already started working, adjusting my movements—each dodge, each strike felt smoother, more efficient.

  I gritted my teeth, readying myself as the horde closed in.

  If this is the trial, then I'll see it through to the end. And I'd cim every reward waiting at the finish line.

  The hunt was on.