Chapter 11: Ruins of the Blade
The trees gave way to stone.
What had been a dense forest path now opened to a vast clearing choked with mist and twisted, ancient pillars. Thick roots strangled crumbling statues—warriors carved in mid-swing, blades raised high, faces erased by time.
At the center stood a massive stone door, half-buried in earth and moss. The symbol etched on its surface sent a chill down Mano's spine:
A sword piercing a star—the mark of the Heavenly Blade.
Kaela let out a low whistle. "Well. That's not ominous at all."
Juno dismounted, stepping cautiously forward. "These ruins weren't here a month ago. Locals say the ground shook one night... and the next morning, this had risen from beneath."
Mano approached the door. The moment he placed his hand on the stone—
---
[System Alert: Ancestral Trial Detected]
"Ruins of the Blade" – Trial Gate
Level Requirement: 8+
Recommended Party: 3
Objective: Reach the inner sanctum.
Warning: Death within the trial is permanent.
Heavenly Blade Signature Identified—Access Granted.
---
The door groaned, ancient mechanisms grinding as the seal broke. A cold wind spilled out from within, carrying the scent of blood and steel.
"This is your thing," Juno said. "Your system called it."
Mano nodded. "Then I'll see it through."
Kaela pulled out her daggers. "Let's not die, yeah?"
---
Inside the Ruins
The walls were covered in murals—warriors training under a celestial sky, striking down blackened beasts, crossing swords with demons cloaked in fire.
In the center of the first chamber stood three statues—each wielding a different style of sword: dual blades, greatsword, and rapier.
The moment they stepped forward, the statues moved.
---
[Trial Phase 1: Test of Styles]
Defeat the Ancient Sword Echoes using the proper counters.
Bonus Reward for defeating all without taking damage.
---
Juno took the greatsword echo, Kaela danced with the rapier user, and Mano faced the dual-blade phantom. Its movements were swift—precise, aggressive.
But Mano's instincts sharpened.
> Heavenly Blade: Flowing Guard.
Steel clashed. Sparks flew.
He read the enemy's rhythm, then reversed it—cutting through its stance in one perfect arc.
Critical Hit. Echo Defeated.
Moments later, Kaela and Juno finished their foes. A faint hum filled the chamber, and the wall behind the statues cracked open.
They entered the second chamber—darker, colder.
Torches lit by themselves as they approached a single pedestal. Upon it rested a fragment—smaller than Mano's, but pulsing with the same divine energy.
---
[System Alert: Heaven Fragment Detected]
Bind fragment to upgrade Heavenly Blade Talent?
[Y/N]
---
He hesitated.
Then—
Yes.
The moment he accepted, blue flames burst around him. His body trembled as a surge of sword energy flowed into every vein, every muscle.
---
[Talent Upgraded: Heavenly Blade – Awakened Form I]
Passive: Sword Resonance increased.
New Skill Unlocked: Phantom Slash
(Unleash a delayed strike that triggers after movement.)
---
Mano dropped to one knee, gasping. Kaela rushed forward. "What the hell was that?!"
"I'm fine…" he said, voice hoarse. "Just—stronger now."
But the trial wasn't over.
A new tremor rocked the ruins. The walls behind them crumbled—revealing a staircase spiraling downward into blackness.
From deep below, a growl echoed—something ancient... awake.