The ruins were silent.
Shattered marble pillars. Vines clinging to crumbling stone. A place forgotten by time—but not by him.
Lohan stood before a faded archway covered in ancient runes.
> [Hidden Gate Detected.]
[Tower Entry Protocol: Solo Mode – Initiating Transfer.]
A flash of blue light swallowed him whole.
---
[Tower – Floor 1: Forgotten Trial Grounds]
He arrived in a circular chamber of obsidian, the air thick with mana. Engraved on the walls were symbols he recognized—his own runes, once carved by his hands as the Godbreaker.
> [Trial Objective: Defeat the Forgotten Champion.]
[Bonus Objective: Complete under 5 minutes.]
The ground rumbled.
From the shadows, a towering figure emerged—a knight in blackened armor, carrying a war hammer crackling with cursed lightning.
Lohan's eyes widened slightly.
"…Mareth."
In life, Mareth was one of his most loyal warriors. Killed by Justine in cold blood during the final betrayal. Now, twisted by divine corruption.
> [Boss: Cursed Champion Mareth – Level 55]
Lohan cracked his neck.
> [Skill Loadout: Windflame Slash, Copy Blade, Echo Instinct]
[Passive Boost: Combat Memory (EX), Battle Trance]
[Bonus Skill Activated: Godbreaker's Intuition (Dormant – Flicker Activated)]
The battle began.
---
Mareth struck first—his hammer crashing down with enough force to crater the ground. Lohan sidestepped and countered with a wind-imbued strike, but Mareth's corrupted armor absorbed the blow.
Lohan adjusted instantly.
He let Mareth swing again, copied his motion, mirrored his form, and countered with a modified version of his own technique.
> [Skill Copied: Hammerfall – Modified to Bladefall]
[Result: Critical Hit x2]
Mareth staggered.
"Forgive me, Commander," the knight's voice echoed faintly beneath the helm.
Lohan's eyes glowed faintly. "Rest now."
He dashed in, spinning, flame and wind converging into a searing cyclone—a technique once sealed in the higher floors.
> [Custom Skill Activated: Cyclone Fang – Tier B+]
[Fatal Hit Delivered.]
The corrupted knight fell, his armor dissolving into stardust.
> [Trial Complete.]
[Time: 3:42]
[Reward: Memory Core (Tier D), Skill Upgrade Token x1, Passive Skill – Unyielding Spirit.]
[Memory Fragment Recovered: The Oath of Flame.]
---
Outside the Gate – One Hour Later
Winter waited, arms crossed.
The portal shimmered—and Lohan stepped out, not a scratch on him.
"Let me guess," she said. "You cleared it faster than anyone else in history."
He smirked.
"Want to race on Floor 2?"
---
Meanwhile – In the Celestial Realm
Justine snapped the wine glass in her hand.
He was regaining too much.
"Send the next trial early," she ordered. "If he won't die… I'll make him kill someone he once loved."
---