Chapter 4 - 3 : Test
As Sora turned away from the status panel, the room around him slowly came into focus. He was in a small, dimly lit stone chamber with no windows, the air thick with the smell of damp earth. The only exit was a doorway, flanked by two unlit torches. It was as if he had been dropped into the world with the bare minimum—a fresh start, stripped of everything but simple clothes.
No more regrets. No more dwelling on what had been lost.
Only what lay ahead.
The world outside the chamber was just as quiet as inside. A narrow stone corridor stretched out before him, dimly illuminated by flickering candles set into sconces along the walls. The air was still, and Sora could hear the faint echo of his own footsteps as he walked, each sound amplified by the silence around him.
Suddenly, the corridor opened up into a vast underground cavern. Massive stalactites hung from the ceiling, dripping water that pooled into shallow streams running along the floor. The cavern was bathed in an eerie, bluish light, casting long shadows that danced across the stone.
And at the center of it all stood a single, solitary figure.
Sora froze. He hadn't expected to encounter anyone so soon after his reset. His mind raced as he assessed the situation. The figure was small and heavily cloaked, the hood pulled low over their face, hiding their features in shadow. They stood completely still, as if waiting for something—or someone.
Sora's instincts kicked in, and he immediately dropped into a low, cautious stance. He had no weapon, no armor to protect him. He only had his improved level 1 body and the knowledge gained from his previous life. Hopefully, that would be enough.
The figure spoke, their voice low and gravelly, echoing through the cavern.
"You're my new host, aren't you?"
Sora didn't reply immediately, choosing instead to measure the person before him. He couldn't tell if they were friend or foe, and in this new world, trust was a rare commodity. However, from this person's words, it seemed that he knew him.
"Who are you?" Sora asked, his voice steady, though his muscles tensed as this was all unexpected. Wasn't the whole world supposed to not know his new identity?
The figure chuckled softly, the sound tired. "I am ... a part of you. As long as you don't die."
Sora's eyes narrowed. "And what does that mean?"
The figure stepped forward, their movements slow and deliberate. As they approached, the shadows peeled away from their face, revealing tender features of someone who still did not go through puberty. They were younger than Sora had expected, with their dark hair and a smile that didn't seem like one.
'He looks like a young boy but doesn't act like one' Sora thought to himself
"You've reset," the figure said, their eyes scanning Sora. "I know because I have been watching you since the day you hit level 10. I saw everything you did. You're weaker than most of the others"
Sora's fists clenched at his sides. He hated how exposed he felt, how this stranger seemed to know more about him than he was comfortable with.
"That is impossible... She said no one would recognize me. How can you follow me through death ?" Sora was holding his anger back.
The figure smiled, with no hostility in his voice. "That witch is right. No outsider knows about your power. But I am no outsider. You have potential. Most other Innates can not harm their hosts... But I can. If you are not worthy of my power, don't even dream of using it. I can not kill you myself since I am bound by rules, but I can give you a trial. If you succeed, you'll gain my full support. Since you can die from my test... you have the right to not go through with it, and nothing bad will happen to you. However, I'll look down on you."
Sora's pulse quickened. 'A test? And if I pass, he'll support me ? What does it mean ? From what he says, he seems to be closely related to my prestige ability.'
"Tell me first," Sora said, his voice firm. "What's the test?"
The figure stepped back, raising a hand. A low rumble echoed through the cavern as the ground trembled beneath Sora's feet. From the shadows, three figures emerged—hulking, monstrous creatures that looked like shadows with glowing red eyes and twisted limbs. Their movements were slow and lumbering, but there was no mistaking the raw power in their bodies.
Sora's heart raced. He had no weapon, no skills, no armor. These three beasts were level 3 and 4.
"This is your test," the figure said. "Are you willing to take it ?"
Sora took a look at the quest notification that appeared in front of him, before looking at his body, and stats and thought 'They're not that strong, i should be able to pass. Furthermore, I will not be a coward in this life' before saying "I accept the trial"
The figure seemed surprised at his decision, used to seeing him cautious every day of his last years.
| You have accepted the quest : "Survive the Shadows" (E) |