In the centre of nothingness, a man looks at the white sky blankly, "*SIGH* I started seeing them again," Leon whined after waking up from the nightmare before standing up.

It has been over 15 years since he saw them last. Whether from looking at that monster's eyes or because of these trials, Leon isn't sure, but he knows something triggered them again. And he's not happy about it.

"Whatever, past is past," Leon said.

Trying to distract himself from these disturbing thoughts, Leon focused his mind on the rewards from the trial and points he gained from the level up.

"Open status screen." Leon commanded.

[LEVEL: 11 (620/12000)]

[HP: 250/250]

[MP: 240/240]

[Qi: 100/100]

[STRENGTH: 55 (+2)]

[AGILITY: 52]

[VITALITY: 24 (+1)]

[INTELLIGENCE: 24]

[INNER ENERGY: 10]

[ATTRIBUTE POINTS: 10]

[SKILL POINTS: 4]

[CURRENT TRIAL-28]

After thinking a while, "System put 5 points into inner energy, 3 points into vitality, and 2 points into intelligence," Leon commanded before a refreshing feeling spread to his whole body.

[CONFIRMED]

[INNER ENERGY: 10>15] [Qi: 150/150]

[VITALITY: 24>27 (+1)] [HP: 280/280]

[INTELLIGENCE: 24>26] [MP: 260/260]

"Now let's look at you," Leon smiled before getting out his new armor out of inventory. The previous one was full of holes, cuts, and some crushed parts. So even Leon's skin can protect him well from his previous armor.

Holding in his hand, looking at the new one, "Oh, look at this beauty," Leon complemented before analyzing it.

[Woldymir Armor Set]

[Rank: 2]

[Material: Reinforced Iron]

[Defence: 150]

[Durability: 100/100]

[(When All Equipped) Effects: +3 VIT +3 AGI]

(A good armor set that is made by a dwarf named Woldymir Mithrilbane.)

[AGILITY: 52 (+3)]

[VITALITY: 27 (+4)] [HP: 310/310]

Feeling the power, "Definitely better than the previous one. And I think I look cool in it," Leon said after equipping the armor.

To test its flexibility, making some movements in it, "Also much more comfortable," Leon said. "I look forward to using it in battle," smirks.

After some time, observing it and doing acrobatic moves in the armor. Opening the system store, Leon decides to use his golds.

[SYSTEM STORE] [CURRENT GOLD: 1600]

(LEVEL 1 AND BETWEEN 20 SKILLS ARE SHOWING)

[FASTER REFLEXES- 100 GOLD]

[SPRINT- 500 GOLD]

[RAGE- 600 GOLD]

[BRUTAL BLADE- 1000 GOLD]

[LOWER MANA ARMOR- 600 GOLD]

'Hmm I will definitely first buy [BRUTAL BLADE]. But which one of them should I buy with the rest? Rage? No, it will give me a minor power but will make me reckless in fights. So there are only two choices left. The first choice is buying [FASTER REFLEXES] and [SPRINT]. And the other choice is buying [LOWER MANA ARMOR].' Leon thought to himself.

After thinking for a while, "System, buy [BRUTAL BLADE] and [LOWER MANA ARMOR]," Leon commands. Why did he buy them? Because protection comes first. What good is it if you run faster and react faster, if you take damage at the end? So these thoughts pushed Leon to make this choice.

[-1600 GOLD]

[CONFIRMED]

[SKILL [BRUTAL BLADE] HAS BEEN GRANTED TO PLAYER]

[SKILL [LOWER MANA ARMOR] HAS BEEN GRANTED TO PLAYER]

"Good, now put two skill points into [SWORDSMANSHIP], and put one into [BRUTAL BLADE] and [VENOMOUS STRIKES]"

[SKILL POINTS: 4>0]

!!![(SWORDSMANSHIP) is now level 6. Every attack dealt by sword will be %24 strengthened]

!!![(BRUTAL BLADE) is now level 2. After activating the next attack player does, will be %225 strengthened.]

[(VENOMOUS STRIKES) [1/3] 1/5]

"Wait what?! Do I need three points to increase the [VENOMOUS STRIKES] by one point? This is a fraud! The system didn't tell me that." Leon felt like someone stole a candy from his hands. "Ugh, these things should be said before you make a choice."

"Whatever, I should prepare for the next trials," Leon said as he unsheathed the Tyrfing to swing it.

...

...

....

"4789!"

"4790!"

Leon shouted before his arms couldn't lift the Tyrfing anymore. He has been doing training for some days, or he thinks it has been some days. Lying on the ground while his whole body trembles in pain, Leon looks at the new panels with a smile on his face.

[STRENGTH: 58>59 (+2)]

[AGILITY: 54>55 (+3)]

"*PANT* This should be enough for the next trial," Leon guessed, not knowing what he will face against.

"Whoever created this place has no sense of fun," Leon complained. "Tsk, why would you create it even in the first place?" questioned before answering his own question "... if you are not a psychopath."

"Maybe this is hell and I don't know. Hmm, but if it was hell, wouldn't I burn to death over and over? If it is not hell, then what is it?"

"Agh, I will really lose my mind if I think about these things more," Leon said before standing up.

"But, one day I will learn everything about this place and complete every trial," Leon said while slapping lightly himself.

"But before making them real, now I have one purpose, and that is completing these trials," Leon said as he pressed the next trial button.

[DO PLAYER WANTS TO GO THE NEXT TRIAL?]

"Yes," Leon said when a flame of his determination ignited in his eyes for a moment.

[TRIAL-28 IS STARTING NOW...]

The panel appeared when everything around him started to gain shape and color, while the light trembled.

Before the creation completed, a heatwave hit Leon's face, "Isn't the air became a little too hot?" Leon asked while starting sweating a little.

"Agh, hot!" Leon said before removing his foot from something hot.

Looking below, "Lava?" Leon said in surprise when lava rivers appeared from nothingness around him.

"Oh, I am fucked," Leon said, just from looking at his surroundings.

After the light completed its job, a 20 meter long stone statue appeared in front of Leon.

Thinking that it is something suspicious, 'Analyze' Leon thought.

[Magma Golem Lv.30]

[Race: Natural Golem]

[STR: 250]

[AGI: 170]

[VIT: 270]

[INT: 150]

"Oh, I AM ULTRA FUCKED!!!" Leon screamed when the giant opened its flaming eyes that were full of hot lava.

[TO COMPLETE TRIAL-28, SURVIVE FOR ONE MINUTE]

-CHAPTER 18 END-