The enormous stone gate creaked open.
GRRRRRR…
Grey mist rushed out, swirling around Arin's feet.He stood slowly, still feeling Shadow Arin's power settling inside him.
His heart beat steady—strongerclearercalmer.
He took one step forward.
And the world… changed.
The cracked arena vanished behind him, replaced by a long corridor carved from ancient black stone.Strange glowing lines—like veins—ran along the walls, pulsing faintly with violet light.
Arin swallowed."This place… it feels alive."
A soft chime rang in his ears.
[ System Notice ]
You have entered: Trial 2 — The Whisper ChamberObjective: Learn the Truth Hidden in the DarkWarning: Mental resistance recommended
Arin frowned.Mental resistance?Again mind-related stuff?
He took another step.
The lights dimmed.Cold air rushed past him.
And then—a whisper.
Very faint.Almost like breath brushing against his ear.
"Arin…"
He froze.The voice was soft… familiar.
"Arin… why didn't you save me…?"
Arin's eyes widened.
It was the baby wolf's voice.
He clenched his fists."No… this is fake. You're not real."
The whisper grew sharper.
"You let me die…""You ran…""You were too slow…"
Arin's breath trembled.He shut his eyes tightly.
But the voice multiplied—hundreds of whisperscircling himmocking him.
"You failed.""You killed me.""You're not worthy."
His heartbeat spiked.The corridor twisted, warping around him.
Images flashed—the wolf's small broken bodyits weak crythe goblins surrounding it
"STOP!" Arin shouted, grabbing his head.
And then—
A firm, echoing voice cut through the whispers:
"Control your heart."
Arin gasped.He knew this voice.
Shadow Arin.
A faint outline appeared beside him—not physicalnot alivejust a memory of the shadow self he absorbed.
"You already accepted your pain," the shadow memory said."So why let it control you again?"
Arin looked up, shaking."But… it feels real…"
"Pain always does."
Arin took a deep breath.
Then another.
He opened his eyes—and the illusions wavered.
The wolf's broken body flickered like smoke.The corridor straightened.The whispers weakened.
Arin whispered:
"I didn't let you die.""But I will grow so I never fail again."
BOOOOM!!
A surge of silver-grey aura burst from his body.
The whispers shattered.The hallucinations vanished.The world snapped back to the dark corridor.
A massive system notification appeared.
[ Trial 2 – Completed Instantly ]
Your mental resilience exceeds trial difficulty.Reward Unlocked: Soul Sense (Lv. 1)You can now feel:
hidden presences
danger
killing intent
emotional aura
Arin blinked, stunned.
"Instantly…?"
Shadow Arin's faint silhouette smirked."You're much stronger than you think."
The corridor trembled.Another gate opened ahead, lit with deep red light.
This one felt dangerous.Much more dangerous.
A cold shiver crawled down Arin's spine.
[ Final Gate of the Dungeon Heart Awaits ]
Arin took a long breath.
"Alright… Trial 3. Let's finish this."
He stepped toward the red gate—unaware that something ancientsomething sealedsomething powerful
had finally awakenedand was watching him.