As the weight of sleep dragged me into its depths, I felt my consciousness drift into an endless void.
Then suddenly... I woke.
But this wasn't the world I knew.
A vast, ancient palace stretched endlessly around me—its towering pillars vanishing into the swirling, ethereal mist above. The air was frigid, thick with an unnatural silence that hummed like a haunting melody. Cold marble floors gleamed beneath my feet, reflecting a pale, shimmering light from an unseen source.
At the far end of the chamber sat a throne—elevated and imposing. And upon it... a figure.
A silhouette of a tall adutl girl, cloaked in shadows. Only her eyes pierced the gloom—glowing red, unblinking, inhuman.
She spoke.
"Come closer."
Her voice was soft—almost delicate—but it carried a weight that commanded obedience.
I hesitated only for a moment before stepping forward. But the closer I drew, the heavier my body became—as if the air thickened with each step, wrapping invisible chains around my limbs.
Still... I moved.
One step. Then another.
Until I finally stood before her throne.
"Look into my eyes," she said.
And I obeyed.
I met her gaze—and was pulled into it, like falling into a deep, endless well.
Then I saw it.
My reflection.
But it wasn't me.
It was something… monstrous-something I should never ever be!
Rotting flesh. Hollow eyes. Veins blackened and crawling beneath gray, sagging skin. I looked like... one of them. One of the undead.
Panic twisted inside me.
What is this? Am I seeing my future or is this just all hallucinations you made of!?
As if answering the thought, she rose from the throne, her red eyes narrowing.
"What if you were slowly becoming the very monster you swore to fight?" she asked, her tone chillingly calm.
"What if humanity mocked you, feared you, cast you aside?"
She stepped forward.
"Would you still protect them?"
Her words hit harder than any weapon.
She stared into my soul.
"After all of that... who would you serve?"
I clenched my jaw, heart pounding.
"I serve no one," I said quietly.
Her head tilted.
"Go on," she whispered.
"My choices... my battles... are mine. I don't serve gods or races. I fight to protect peace—and those who threaten it are my enemies. I'll ally with anyone, even with the most unlikely humans just to stop evil !"
She stepped closer—until her blade was at my neck.
"Even if that enemy... is someone you want to protect? Even if that enemy is someone you love!? "
My breath caught and I stood motionless for a moment then I finally decided to speak yet
Before I could speak, she vanished.
And then—
She struck me at the back.
A blur of shadow and steel—her sword swung for my head.
> System Warning ⚠️
Emergency Mission Activated:
Survive for 5 minutes
Reward: Unlock ability to view enemy status
I leapt backward, barely dodging. Adrenaline surged as I activated my Close Combat Warrior class.
> Status Check – Jefford Cliff (Master)
HP: 1300 / 2300
Mana: 250 / 1000
Mana Regen: 1 MP/sec
> Class:
Storeman
Close Combat Warrior
Fort Warrior
> Attack Points: 10 (+45)
Attack Speed: 2 (+0.25)/sec
Speed: B-
Stamina: C+
> Buff: +25% to All Attributes
Duration: 4 minutes, 46 seconds
Special Effect: All Attributes ×200% (Close Combat Warrior)
I pulled out my daggers.
She came again—faster this time.
Our blades clashed.
The impact blasted a shockwave through the hall, flinging me across the marble. I tumbled hard, blood spraying from my lips, but I didn't stop.
> Time Remaining: 4 minutes, 47 seconds
She lunged again. I ducked low, slashed upward—missed.
She moved like lightning. But something inside me... burned hotter than pain.
A promise.
A vow to humanity.
To never let darkness consume the last flickers of hope.
"I will let someone die in front of me again!
I will never surrender!"
> System Alert
New Passive Skill Unlocked – Tenacity
When HP falls below 20%:
All attributes +300%
Attack Power +500%
Duration: 1 minute
(Stacks with existing buffs)
The fire within ignited.
Tenacity activated.
I roared and charged.
This time—I didn't defend.
I attacked.
My daggers became a blur, striking with unnatural speed. Our steel rang out like thunder, sparks lighting the misty air.
> Tenacity Duration Remaining: 3 seconds
I pushed harder—slammed her down.
I pinned her to the floor—my daggers raised, aimed at her throat.
But then...
She changed.
Her form twisted—became familiar.
Ella.
But not the Ella I knew.
Her skin was rotting. Her mouth dripped green blood. Her arms mutated, talons glinting like blades. Her eyes—feral.
But her voice...
"Jefford… are you really going to kill me?"
I froze.
Every inch of my body screamed to act—but my heart hesitated.
And that hesitation gaved her the opening to Pierce my chest with her sword.
" Aghhhh! "
Agony tore through me. Blood spilled from my mouth—but I didn't fall.
I glared at her.
"You're not her," I growled. "I'll destroy anything that dares to wear the face of someone I love... and twist it into a lie."
With a final cry, I drove both daggers into her throat—severing her head cleanly.
> System Notification
Trial of the Red Core – Complete
Reward: +500% EXP Gain
System Level Up: Level 1 → Level 2
The world around me cracked.
I collapsed.
> System: Leveling Up...
1%... 34%... 74%...
As the numbers ticked higher, darkness took me again.
And in that darkness—I dreamed.
Of the monstrous zombie that nearly killed me.
Of the angel who gave me power.
And now... of this strange trial, etched into my soul.
But then—another voice called out to me.
"Help me please" The sound of someone pleading for their life
I slowly opened my eyes.
And what I saw…
Shattered me through the bone.
Ella's neck is being bitten- She is currently being eaten alive by the same type of mutant zombie that brought me to my knees.
Let go of her!
I yelled in fury as I hold my 2 daggers showing that I will never back down even after fighting and defeating 2 power mutant zombies in row. However my mind was already crumbling from all that I just experienced.
> System Emergency Mission ⚠️
Objective: Destroy the enemy
Reward: Save Ella's Life
Penalty of Failure: Ella's death and Your Corruption !