The staircase spiraled endlessly upward.
Kai and Nova climbed in silence.
Unlike the first two floors, the air became noticeably heavier with every step.
Nova's ears twitched uneasily.
"Master..."
"Something feels different."
Kai nodded.
"I can feel it too."
The System displayed a notification.
Floor Three Detected
Trial Type: Courage
Difficulty: High
The staircase ended before a pair of enormous bronze doors.
Ancient claw marks covered their surface, as though countless beasts had tried to break through over the centuries.
With a deep rumble, the doors slowly opened.
A scorching wind rushed outward.
Kai stepped inside.
The room resembled a battlefield.
Broken weapons littered the ground.
The skeletons of giant beasts and humans lay scattered across the plain.
The sky above was blood-red.
A lone figure stood in the center.
He wore battered silver armor, and a massive black sword rested against his shoulder.
His face was hidden beneath a helmet.
"You are the challenger?"
Kai nodded.
"I am."
The armored warrior lifted his sword.
"I am Orion, Guardian of the Third Floor."
He pointed the blade toward Kai.
"This trial..."
"...is one of courage."
Kai frowned.
"What do I have to do?"
Orion smiled beneath his helmet.
"Fight me."
Nova stepped forward.
"We'll win!"
Orion shook his head.
"No."
"This battle..."
"...is yours alone."
A magic circle appeared beneath Nova.
Before she could react, she disappeared in a flash of light.
"Master!"
Kai reached out.
"Nova!"
The System spoke calmly.
Companion Temporarily Sealed.
This trial must be completed without assistance.
Kai clenched his fists.
"So that's how it is."
Orion slowly walked forward.
"I shall use the same level of strength as you."
His aura dropped dramatically.
Level 5.
Exactly the same as Kai.
He raised his sword.
"Come."
Kai took a deep breath.
Although he had fought beasts before, he had never fought another person.
Still...
He couldn't hesitate.
Using Shadow Flash, Kai vanished from where he stood.
He reappeared behind Orion and threw a punch.
CLANG!
Orion blocked it effortlessly with the flat of his sword.
"Too slow."
He countered with a sweeping kick.
Kai barely managed to dodge.
The impact shattered the stone where he had been standing moments earlier.
Kai immediately activated Absolute Beast Link—
Then remembered.
Nova wasn't here.
The skill failed.
"This is going to be harder than I thought."
Orion smiled.
"You rely too much on your companion."
Kai remained silent.
It was true.
Ever since meeting Nova, he had unconsciously depended on her.
The Guardian continued attacking.
His swordsmanship was flawless.
Each strike forced Kai farther back.
Within minutes...
Kai's clothes were torn.
Bruises covered his arms.
Blood dripped from a cut on his forehead.
He breathed heavily.
"I can't win like this."
The System suddenly displayed a suggestion.
Recommended Action
Create a new combat skill.
Kai blinked.
"In the middle of a fight?"
System Creation Workshop Available.
Orion waited patiently.
"I'll give you one minute."
Kai quickly opened the Workshop.
He needed a skill that didn't rely on Nova.
After several seconds of thought, he typed:
Skill Name: Sovereign Step
Type: Movement Technique
Effect: Predict the opponent's movements for one second.
Energy Cost: Low.
The System immediately responded.
Skill Successfully Created.
Rank: Epic
Knowledge flooded Kai's mind.
He opened his eyes.
"Let's try again."
Orion nodded.
"Show me."
Kai activated Sovereign Step.
The world seemed to slow.
For a brief instant...
He could see Orion's next movement before it happened.
The Guardian swung his sword.
Kai stepped aside effortlessly.
Orion's eyes widened.
"You saw through it?"
Kai smiled.
He counterattacked.
His fist struck Orion's chest.
BOOM!
The Guardian slid backward several meters.
For the first time...
He laughed.
"Excellent!"
The battle continued.
Each exchange became faster.
Kai adapted more quickly every second.
His movements grew smoother.
More confident.
He was no longer fighting with fear.
He was fighting with determination.
Finally...
Orion lowered his sword.
"Enough."
Kai stopped.
"Is it over?"
The Guardian nodded.
"You have passed."
Kai looked confused.
"But I didn't defeat you."
Orion planted his sword into the ground.
"The Trial of Courage was never about victory."
"It was about standing back up."
"You were injured."
"You were afraid."
"You knew you might lose."
"But you continued fighting."
"That..."
"...is courage."
Golden light filled the battlefield.
Nova reappeared beside Kai.
She immediately jumped into his arms.
"Master!"
"I was so worried!"
Kai laughed and hugged her.
"I'm fine."
Orion smiled.
"You have a wonderful partner."
Nova proudly puffed out her chest.
"Of course!"
"I'm Master's strongest companion!"
The Guardian walked toward them.
From within his armor, he removed a small silver crystal.
"I have a gift."
Kai accepted it carefully.
Item Obtained
Beast Skill Crystal
Contains one random Beast Technique.
Kai thanked him.
Orion nodded.
"The higher floors will become increasingly difficult."
"The Fourth Guardian..."
"...doesn't believe in mercy."
The staircase to the fourth floor slowly appeared.
Kai looked upward.
Seven floors remained.
As he and Nova climbed, the System suddenly displayed another notification.
Congratulations!
Host has created two original skills.
System Authority Increased.
Current Authority:
Intermediate Beginner
New Workshop Functions Unlocked:
Skill Fusion
Equipment Enhancement
Kai smiled.
"We're getting stronger."
Nova wagged her tails.
"We'll reach the top together."
Neither of them noticed the faint shadow watching from the highest floor of the Beast Tower.
Two crimson eyes slowly opened.
"So..."
"The Heir has reached the Third Floor."
A sinister smile spread across the figure's face.
"Let's see..."
"...whether you can survive what comes next."