Deep within the hidden chamber , Floor 100, darkness ruled everything.
The chamber was vast… ancient… silent.
Black stone pillars rose toward a ceiling that could barely be seen. Cold mist moved slowly across the ground like wandering spirits. At the very end of the chamber stood a massive throne made of obsidian stone.
A throne that looked less like a seat…
and more like the seat of a ruler who had watched centuries pass.
Sitting on that throne was a figure.
A figure made of shadows. His body looked human, yet the darkness around him moved like living smoke. His eyes glowed faintly like two distant stars hidden inside a storm.
This was Noir…..!
The being known as M5 : The Shadow Guide,
Among the legendary Majestic Five.
For centuries, his name had disappeared from the world. But here… deep inside the dungeon… he remained...
Watching...
Waiting....
And now… smiling.....
Noir leaned slightly forward on his throne. His shadowy fingers tapped against the armrest slowly.
"Aragon…" he murmured softly.
"So you finally reached the door"
A faint ripple of dark energy spread across the chamber.
"You fought beasts"
"You survived death"
"You gathered weapons… relics… and power that many mortals would lose their minds over"
His glowing eyes narrowed slightly
"But power alone means nothing."
A quiet laugh echoed across the chamber
"Now I wonder…"
"When you stand face to face with me…"
"What kind of choice will you make?"
The darkness around him twisted like a living storm
"Will you kneel…?"
"Or will you rise?...."
The Door of M5
Far away from the throne chamber…
Aragon stood before the ancient door.
The massive stone structure towered over him like a gate to another world.
Two enormous statues stood on each side. Ancient guardians carved from dark stone. Warriors wearing heavy armor, holding enormous spears.
Yet they did not move they simply watched.
As if judging those who approached.
Aragon looked up slowly on the center of the door… two massive engravings were carved deeply into the stone.
M
And beside it…
5
A strange cold air flowed from the cracks of the door.
Aragon exhaled slowly
"So this is the final floor..."
His inventory ring pulsed faintly.
Inside it were the many treasures he had collected during his climb,
SS-Rank weapons…..
SSS-Rank artifacts...
Ancient magic stones...
Rare evolution crystals...
Treasures powerful enough to make entire kingdoms start wars.
Yet for some reason…Standing in front of this door made all those treasures feel meaningless. He placed his hand on the stone surface.
For a moment…
nothing happened,
Then suddenly….BOOOOOOM…..!!
The door began to open slowly. A wave of cold darkness rushed out. Aragon stepped forward and entered…..
Trial of the Noir
The moment Aragorn stepped inside…
the door slammed shut behind him.
The chamber was enormous,
Dark.....
Silent.....
Then suddenly…CLANG!!!
Black flames ignited across the walls.
Torches lit themselves with shadowy fire. And in the center of the chamber…
something moved.
A massive figure slowly stood up. Armor made of dark metal. A giant sword resting on its shoulder.
Glowing red eyes burned beneath a shadowed helmet. Behind it… dozens of figures emerged from the darkness.
Shadow soldiers.
An entire army....
Then a deep voice echoed through the chamber,
"You seek the throne of shadows"
"You seek the power of M5"
The armored giant pointed its sword toward Aragon.
"Then prove your worth"
"I am the Shadow General"
"And this is your trial"
The army began to move. Dozens of shadow soldiers rushed forward like a black tide. Aragorn drew his weapon instantly.
Steel clashed with shadow. Magic exploded across the chamber,
Fire...
Wind...
Earth...
Water...
Lightning...
The battle became chaos. Shadow blades slashed from every direction.
Aragon dodged… blocked…..countered...
Each enemy was stronger than the monsters from the previous floors.
But Aragon had grown stronger too,
Minutes passed...
Then hours...
His armor cracked...
Blood ran down his arm....
His breathing became heavy, But he kept fighting. Because giving up had never been an option, Finally…
only one enemy remained,The Shadow General.
The giant raised his sword. Aragon tightened his grip on his weapon.
Both charged forward …CLANG..!
The clash shook the entire chamber.
Aragon poured everything into one final strike. The blade , shadowfang ,pierced through the shadow general.
The giant staggered…..
Then slowly…..
the Shadow General dissolved into darkness...…
The shadow army disappeared with him. Silence returned Aragon dropped to one knee.
Breathing heavily....
Barely standing...
But alive...
The Man Behind the Trial
A slow clap echoed across the chamber.
"Impressive…..."
Aragon's head snapped upward. At the far end of the hall…darkness gathered.
A figure slowly walked forward.
The shadows themselves seemed to obey him. His presence alone made the air feel heavier.
Aragon felt it immediately.
This being… was on a completely on a different level.
The figure stopped a few steps away.
Glowing eyes looked down at him calmly.
"I suppose introductions are necessary"
The man smiled faintly
"I am Noir….."
"Member of the Majestic Five"
"M5 - The Shadow Guide"
Aragon stared at him silently, Noir walked slowly around him
"The world you live in…"
"It was shaped by five beings"
He raised his hand slightly
Five small lights appeared in the air
"Aeron - creator of dungeons..."
"Valen - guardian of beasts….."
"Myra - keeper of magic…."
"Eira - watcher of fate….."
"And me…."
The fifth light turned into darkness.
"Noir...."
"The guide of shadows...."
His voice became quieter
"But unlike the others…"
"I chose a different path….!"
The lights vanished
"The gods created our system"
"The elements"
"Fire, Water, Wind, Earth,Lightning,Healing and Darkness."
"Each mortal is given one"
"Sometimes two ,exceptional..Very rarely… something greater"
He stopped directly in front of Aragon
"And then there are people like you"
People the gods ignored, people fate abandoned, but who still refuse to break.
Noir crouched slightly,
Looking directly into Aragon's eyes,
"You fought my army….."
"You reached my door..."
"You survived my trial..."
He smiled,
"So now…"
"I will offer you something…..."
Dark energy began to gather around his hand, the entire chamber trembled,
"The power of shadows….."
"Become my successor….."
"Rise beyond the rules of the gods….."
"Become the one who walks the path of M5…."
His glowing eyes burned with interest.
"So tell me, Aragon…"
"Will you accept the shadows..?"