He faced the swirling, unstable portal in Elder Jian's sanctum. The [Chamber of Echoing Steel], Jian had called it – a dangerous Alvari training ground where phantom combatants lingered. It was a direct path to the Level 20 threshold required for the [Twin Soul Bladesworn] trial. Wasting no time, he stepped through.
The transition was brief, a disorienting flash of silver light. He found himself in a vast, circular arena, its floor made of polished, dark Alvari metal that seemed to reflect an unseen, ethereal sky far above. The air hummed with a low, resonant energy. There were no walls, only an endless, shimmering horizon that suggested the space was a pocket dimension or a highly advanced simulation. And then, the phantoms began to form.
Wisps of silver-blue energy coalesced throughout the chamber, solidifying into translucent, warrior-like figures. Some wielded single swords and shields, others brandished long spears, a few even held the familiar stance of dual-wielders, and occasionally, more ethereal figures shimmered with the tell-tale signs of Mana manipulation, suggesting phantom mages or archers. They were Echoing Phantoms (Level 19-20), each one a remnant of a past Alvari trainee or a simulated opponent, their combat styles diverse and unpredictable. As soon as one fully formed, its ghostly eyes would fix on Drake, and it would attack.
"No time to sightsee. Constant combat, just as Jian warned. Perfect for a quick grind to 20."
A spear-wielding phantom lunged first, its weapon a blur of silver light. Drake met the thrust with his [Rare Guardian's Buckler]. [Defend] << Perfect Defend! Damage Taken: 0! Off-Balance Applied! >> His [Basic Slash] (100% SCR) was an instant counter. << Perfect Execution! +Flawless Strike! Relentless Assault: +21 Stacks! Damage Dealt: 350! >>
The phantom staggered, its form flickering. Drake pressed his advantage, his perfected basic attacks landing flawlessly, each hit adding to his [Relentless Assault] stacks. The phantom attempted another thrust, but another Perfect Defend negated it. Within seconds, it dissipated under Drake's focused assault. << Defeated Echoing Phantom (Spear)! +400 EXP! >>
Almost immediately, two more phantoms solidified nearby – a sword-and-shield warrior and a quick-moving dual-wielder. They attacked simultaneously. Drake used his 92% SCR [Ground Stomp]. << Skill Success! SCR 92%! Moderate AoE Damage! Phantoms Staggered (1.8 sec)! >> The brief stagger gave him the opening he needed. He focused on the dual-wielder first, its flurry of attacks potentially overwhelming. His [Relentless Assault] stacks quickly climbed towards maximum, his attack speed becoming a blur, his damage output terrifying. The dual-wielder phantom, despite its aggressive style, couldn't break through his perfect defense and melted under the pressure. He then turned to the sword-and-shield phantom, which put up a more resilient defense but ultimately met the same fate.
<< Defeated Echoing Phantom (Dual Wield)! +420 EXP! >> << Defeated Echoing Phantom (Sword/Shield)! +380 EXP! >>
"Good EXP yield for Level 19-20 mobs. And they respawn almost instantly." Indeed, as soon as one set of phantoms dissipated, new ones began to coalesce elsewhere in the vast chamber. It was a relentless, non-stop barrage of combat.
Drake fell into a focused rhythm. His [Eidetic Execution] ensured every [Basic Slash] and [Defend] was a perfect 100% SCR execution. [Relentless Assault] stayed at its 1000-stack cap for most engagements, allowing him to dispatch the Level 19-20 phantoms with ruthless efficiency. He used his 92% SCR [Ground Stomp] strategically when facing three or more phantoms simultaneously, its AoE stagger providing crucial control.
He fought phantom archers, using his shield to perfectly deflect their ethereal arrows before closing the distance. He dueled phantom mages, sidestepping their slower-moving bolts of energy and interrupting their casting with well-timed shield bashes (a basic mechanic of the [Defend] skill when used aggressively) or a [Ground Stomp]. Each phantom type presented a slightly different challenge, forcing him to adapt his defensive timings and offensive openings, all while maintaining perfect execution. It was, as Jian had promised, an excellent place to hone oneself.
The EXP bar, already at 90% when he entered, climbed rapidly. Each phantom kill contributed a solid chunk. << ... +400 EXP! >> << ... +390 EXP! >> << ... +410 EXP! >>
He lost track of how many phantoms he defeated – dozens, certainly. The fighting was constant, an intense blur of perfect blocks, perfect slashes, and strategic stomps. There was no rest, no pause, just the endless cycle of combat and the steady rise of his experience bar. His focus was absolute, his movements economical, every action honed by his talent and the pressure of the non-stop assault.
After what felt like a grueling hour or perhaps two of this high-intensity combat (though time felt distorted in this ethereal realm), as he shattered another spear-wielding phantom with a critical perfect slash, the familiar, brilliant chime echoed through his senses.
Ding! LEVEL UP! You are now Level 20! << Base Attributes Increased! HP/MP/Stamina Increased! +2 Attribute Points Available! >> << Class Specialization Trials are now available! Visit your Class Master for details! >>
The moment the level-up notification flashed, Drake stopped. Mid-swing, even. A half-formed phantom warrior was materializing before him, its ghostly sword already raised. Drake lowered his own blade and shield, honoring Elder Jian's strict condition: "Use it only until you reach Level 20, then return here immediately."
The materializing phantom paused, then slowly dissipated as Drake disengaged, its programming perhaps not accounting for an opponent who simply ceased hostilities. Drake quickly assigned his new attribute points, then scanned the vast, shimmering chamber, looking for the portal he had entered through. It remained active, a swirling tear of silver light at the edge of his perception.
He walked towards it, leaving the endless cycle of phantom combat behind. The [Chamber of Echoing Steel] had served its purpose with brutal efficiency.
Stepping back through the portal, he found himself once more in the serene, silent sanctum of Elder Jian. The ancient Alvari master sat on his dais, eyes still closed in meditation, as if no time had passed at all.
Drake approached respectfully, stopping a few paces before the dais. He took a breath, feeling the solid reality of Level 20, the new power thrumming within him.
"I have reached the threshold, Master Jian," Drake announced, his voice steady.
The trial for the [Twin Soul Bladesworn] hidden class was about to begin.