After finishing the Colossus Assault Battle, Han Yuseong took a break.It wasn't because he was exhausted. At most, he had only gritted his teeth. The reason he rested instead of tackling another difficult challenge or participating in the Battlefield of Stars was simple.
"It's about time the Trial of the Gods collapses."[In your previous life, did the trial collapse around this time?]"Yeah, exactly around now."
It was because the collapse of the Trial of the Gods was approaching.Thinking about what he would face in that trial, he needed to conserve his strength.
[Lord of the Dead's Eye, defeated in the Colossus Assault Battle!][Mercenaries who participated in the challenge say it was a defeat worthy of being recorded in the history of the Colossus Assault Battle. The unexpected loss seems to have left even the Lord of the Dead's oath-bound followers greatly shaken…][There are rumors of a mercenary who led the Shadow's Eye faction to victory all on their own?]
Articles related to the last challenge had started to circulate.It was a hot topic for many reasons: the Lord of the Dead's Eye, known for a dominating win rate in war-oriented challenges, had been defeated.And someone had made a significant contribution in that battle.
[According to one of the participating mercenaries, a lone player managed to defeat an epic monster and turn the tide of battle. But no one knows who they are — not even whether they're an oath-bearer or a mercenary.][All the Shadow's oath-bearers are remaining silent. Still, based on what the observing mercenaries are saying, we can try to make some guesses…][The premier who vanished without a trace — who is he?]
Talk about Han Yuseong was beginning to surface as well.
[Looks like that night fox kept their word.]"Well, there was no reason not to. If I keep my identity hidden, the Lord of the Dead won't bother me. Not yet, anyway — though eventually, they'll track me down."
This time, instead of wearing a mask, he simply wore the hood of the Veil.He figured that since he had been running wild with a mask on back at the Serpent's Ruins, the mask might actually draw more attention.That was also why he focused on ranged combat this time.
'Seems they took measures to make sure no one mentioned my name.'
The Shadow's faction knew that Han Yuseong was the one who had defeated the rare-class monster.Because of the system message — when the opposing faction kills an epic monster, the name isn't revealed, but when your own faction does, the player's name appears.So it seemed someone had made sure neither the oath-bearers nor the mercenaries could speak his name.
[Even so, Lord of the Dead — wouldn't that woman have seen your face?]"Maybe. I didn't wear a mask this time, after all. Still…"
Even if they tried to track him down, it would take time — which meant it didn't matter.All he had to do was build up enough strength before then.And more importantly, from now on, even if he wanted to hide his identity, he likely wouldn't be able to.That was clear when he thought about the trials ahead.
KUUUUU-BOOM!
"Speak of the tiger, and it shows."[The tremor… looks like the Trial of the Gods has collapsed.]
A familiar roar echoed out.The ground shook as if in an earthquake.It was a clear omen of the coming trial.
A message appeared before Han Yuseong's eyes.
[The Trial of the Gods is now open.][This trial will be a confrontation type. Players will be divided into two factions and will clash in pursuit of different objectives. Additionally, in this trial, direct intervention by the 'Lord of the Stars' is prohibited.][Players who wish to participate in the trial, please declare your intent.][The duration is one day. If the required number of participants is not reached, it will be considered a rejection of the Trial of the Gods, and penalties will be applied worldwide.]
Sometimes, the Trial of the Gods selects participants at random, but other times it recruits volunteers.This time was clearly the latter.
[Currently recruiting participants: 62,141 / 700,000.][Do you wish to participate? YES / NO]
The number of players participating in this trial was set at 700,000.The count was rising quickly in real time, which meant one thing:A lot of players were choosing to join voluntarily.
The reason was simple.
'Trials with voluntary participation offer better rewards.'
Compared to forced participation, the rewards are greater, and the reward eligibility pool is broader.Even if you don't perform well, there are still ways to survive.It felt like the system respected those who stepped up willingly.And the second reason:
'If participants aren't recruited, a global penalty is triggered.'
There had been a time in the past when the required number of participants wasn't met.What followed could only be described as a catastrophe.A worldwide calamity erupted — monsters ran rampant, and the damage was unimaginable.The entire world had to pay the price for rejecting the gods' trial.
So then, since they had paid the price once already, would the gods let this trial pass?
[Recruiting participants again.][Duration: 1 day. Be warned — if participants are not recruited this time either, a 'calamity you cannot withstand' will befall you.]
No — they would not.A new message appeared, recruiting participants once more.And that's when people realized: the Trial of the Gods can never be refused.No matter what sacrifice it takes, it must be carried out.
'If participants aren't gathered, they'll just force people in.'
There were many ways to do that.Whatever the case, it didn't really concern Han Yuseong.
[Player Han Yuseong.][Your name has been added to the participant list.]
Han Yuseong had planned to participate voluntarily anyway.With rewards this good, there was no reason not to.Used well, this trial could massively boost his level.Leaning against the wall, he waited for the rest of the participant slots to be filled.Thankfully, he didn't have to wait long.
[Participant recruitment complete.][Initiating transfer.]
The Trial of the Gods had begun.
Everything was swallowed by light.When the blinding radiance—so bright that he couldn't see even an inch ahead—finally faded…
[Oh… so high, so very high!]
Han Yuseong found himself floating beneath an immense sky.As he looked around, he saw countless clusters of light.Tens of thousands—no, perhaps even hundreds of thousands—of shimmering figures.They were the players participating in this trial.
Sssshhhh—
Moments later, the clouds blocking his vision began to part, revealing the land below.
[This place is the
A vast land appeared below.No—perhaps it hadn't originally been an island.Its edges were crumbling in real time. It may have once been a massive continent.But as the world perished, it had broken apart and floated up like an island in the sky.
[At the center of this world lies the Dragon Altar.][Within the altar is the collected power of the extinct dragons. That power is meant for the most powerful of the dragon souls. The altar will recognize and choose the dragon soul that holds the greatest strength.][The chosen soul will become the sole 'survivor.'][The altar is currently sealed and cannot be used by anyone. But one day, when the time comes, the seal will be broken.]
At the center of the island, Han Yuseong saw a massive altar.A towering structure crowned with statues shaped like dragons—it was the Dragon Altar.
The altar was protected by a powerful barrier, and within it, lifeless dragon revenants stood guard, defending it.
[Players in this place will be assigned one of two roles.][The first is
Protect the souls—or destroy them.Depending on your choice, you'd be assigned the role of Guardian or Destroyer, and the nature of your trial would change completely.In his previous life, Han Yuseong had…
[Your assigned role is
Reading the message, Han Yuseong tilted his head slightly.He had been assigned a role he hadn't expected.
"Guardian, huh. That's… unexpected."
[Time limit: 1 day.][You must find a dragon soul within 3 hours. Any Guardian who fails to do so within the allotted time will die.][As the dragon soul grows stronger, so too will you.]
With those final words, his field of vision began to descend.The countless clusters of light floating in the sky all began falling toward the earth.
[All players will now be placed randomly.][Guardian, by your oath, protect the dragon soul.][And claim victory!]
KUUU-ONG!
Han Yuseong, along with all the other players, landed across various points on the ground.After landing, he looked around.
'It's been a while since I've seen this place, but… it's still as desolate as ever.'
He had landed in the middle of a ruined forest.Beyond the trees lay a vast island.Once, it had been home to a thriving civilization—but now, all that remained was rubble and decay.Monsters lurked across the island.And scattered among them were the newly arrived players.
"Damn it, we're already fighting as soon as we land?!""The dragon soul… we need to find one first! Don't block the way—move it!""Should I start with a lower-tier one…? Or maybe…"
Players who appeared to be Guardians were moving urgently.And, of course, on the other side—
"Destroyers, gather around me! We need to regroup!""Don't let them go—if they're running, they've probably found a soul!""Shit! If I don't kill my quota, I'm the one who dies…"
Players acting as Destroyers were moving frantically as well.Just like the Guardians had a quest where failure to find a dragon soul within three hours meant death,the Destroyers had their own brutal quests, just as merciless.
If a Destroyer failed to absorb a set number of dragon souls within 3 hours—or failed to kill a Guardian—they would die.
"There'll be a massive number of casualties."[Indeed. As you say, there will be fierce battles. Very fitting for a Trial of the Gods.]
By assigning merciless missions like this, the trial ensured that players couldn't cooperate with each other.Instead, they would clash, betray, and kill one another.It was all deeply characteristic of the Trial of the Gods.
[So, what will you do now? Didn't you experience this trial in your previous life? Seems like you could put that knowledge to use.]"I did experience it in my past life. Back then…"
Han Yuseong had faced—and even won—this trial in his previous life.But—
"I was on the Destroyer side back then."[Oh? The Destroyer faction? Wait, but now you're…]"This time, I'm in the Guardian faction… the opposite side."
Han Yuseong clicked his tongue in annoyance.It wasn't just that he couldn't use his past experience directly—The real problem was that the Guardian faction didn't suit his style.The Destroyer faction—absorbing souls and hunting Guardians—was much more his pace.
"Annoying, but… it is what it is."[So, what now? Will you go looking for a soul?]"I have to. The issue is, huh…"
Han Yuseong climbed a tree and scanned his surroundings.He saw Guardians fighting among themselves.They were quarreling over a small, beast-like wisp floating in the air.
That was a dragon soul.
'Judging by its size, that dragon soul must be a lower-tier one.'
Dragon souls are ranked from the lowest, F-rank, up to the rare and powerful 5th Tier.The higher the tier, the stronger the soul—and the more skills it has, granting its Guardian far greater power.Naturally, finding a 5th-tier dragon soul was incredibly difficult.
'At least I'm lucky enough to know the locations of a few…'
Like the "Noble Golden Dragon" once bonded to a Guardian named Galbeon.Han Yuseong vaguely remembered where a few 5th-tier dragon souls had appeared.The problem, of course, was the Destroyers.Trying to reach high-tier dragon souls would likely attract their pursuit.
And then, there was another issue:
'Even fellow Guardians can't be trusted in this trial.'
The Trial encouraged conflict between Guardians as well.They could steal each other's dragon souls and absorb them to grow stronger.Anyone known to have bonded with a high-tier soul would become a target—even among allies.
Still, to Han Yuseong, that very system wasn't necessarily a disadvantage.
'First, I need to try and find a 5th-tier soul.'
With only fragmented memories as his guide, he had no choice but to move carefully.He began making his way through the forest in search of a dragon soul.
Just as he was about to step into the thicket—
[The unique effect of
A message appeared—one he had forgotten about until now.It was a reward he earned during the Night of the Hunt, where he had achieved a full 100% contribution for the first time.The "Trial's Blessing" had just activated.
[Hidden Piece, 'Seed of Evolution' has been discovered.][A path to the location of this Hidden Piece is being revealed.]
A long arrow appeared before Han Yuseong's eyes, pointing the way.
His eyes widened in surprise.
"What the…?"[One unexpected thing after another, O Oathbearer.]
Kakasha responded nonchalantly.