Kiran barely dodged as the **Phantom Blade** came **screaming** through the air.
The spectral energy around it **distorted space**, leaving behind a trail of shimmering blue fire. The moment the blade hit the ground—
**BOOM.**
A shockwave **ripped** through the chamber, sending cracks across the stone floor. Kiran was thrown backward, tumbling across the rubble-strewn ground.
(That’s NOT a normal sword anymore!)
{Analysis: Guardian’s Phantom Blade Ignores Physical Defenses.}
(Meaning if it touches me, I die instantly. Great.)
The **Guardian of the Lost** strode forward, its burning blue eyes locked onto him. Its steps were slow, methodical—like it knew he had **nowhere to run.**
Kiran forced himself up, breathing hard. His entire body **ached**, his limbs heavy with exhaustion.
But his mind was **racing.**
---
(Alright, think.)
The **Guardian** was stronger, faster, and now had a weapon that could **one-shot** him. His previous method of attacking its helmet wouldn’t work anymore—it had repaired itself.
He needed a **new strategy.**
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
His gaze darted across the chamber. The **carvings on the walls**, the collapsed rubble, the glowing **mana lines** running through the stone—
Then his eyes landed on the **massive stone tablet** in the center.
The one that had started this **trial.**
(Wait.)
A thought **hit him.**
(What if… the trial doesn’t end when I kill it?)
His heart pounded.
(What if it ends… when I complete the inscription on the **tablet**?)
It was a gamble. A **ridiculous** gamble.
But if his **bad luck** was going to keep throwing disasters at him—he might as well **use it.**
---
The **knight moved.**
Its burning blade carved an arc through the air, slicing toward Kiran’s **neck.**
Instead of dodging—
He ran **toward** the attack.
At the last second, he **dropped to the ground**, sliding underneath the knight’s swing. The blade missed him by mere inches, **scorching the air above his head.**
The knight turned to **follow**—but Kiran was already moving.
He **sprinted** toward the stone tablet, his legs burning with effort.
The carvings glowed faintly as he approached, the inscriptions **shifting**, rearranging themselves into a **pattern** he couldn’t understand.
{Special Interaction Detected: Inscription of the Forgotten.}
{Chance of Success: 12%}
He slammed his hand onto the surface.
The air **shuddered.**
The entire chamber **groaned**—as if something ancient had just been awakened.
The Guardian **froze mid-step.**
Its fiery eyes flickered—hesitating for the **first time.**
Kiran’s heart pounded.
(It’s working!)
Then—his **bad luck activated.**
The **ceiling cracked.**
A massive chunk of stone broke loose—falling **directly toward him.**
(You’ve GOT to be kidding me!)
---
The **next moments were chaos.**
Kiran barely leaped aside as the **boulder crashed** onto the stone tablet.
A blinding **golden light** erupted from the impact, flooding the entire chamber. The inscriptions on the tablet **flared**, surging with pure mana.
Then—
A **voice echoed.**
{Trial Completed.}
{Calculating Results…}
Kiran gasped for breath, his entire body trembling. The light dimmed—revealing the **Guardian of the Lost.**
It stood **motionless.**
Then, slowly—its burning eyes **dimmed.**
The massive knight **lowered its sword.**
Kiran watched, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
(…Did I win?)
Then, a **notification appeared.**
{Class Advancement Achieved: Survivor → Adaptive Wanderer.}
{Title Earned: Trial Survivor.}
A surge of **energy** washed over him—pure, raw **power** flooding into his body.
His entire **being** changed.
Kiran staggered, feeling something **deep** within him shift. His muscles tensed, his senses sharpened.
{Level Up!}
{Level 7 → Level 10.}
He stared at the notifications, his breath still shaky.
(That… was the worst fight of my life.)
Then the ground **shook** beneath him.
A **new doorway** had appeared.
Beyond it—**a staircase leading deeper into the dungeon.**
Kiran groaned.
"Of course there’s **more.**"
