[Trial Initiated: Survive 60 Seconds Against the Flame Revenant]Time Remaining: 60 secondsWarning: Failure may result in severe burns, system penalty, or death.
The Revenant stood tall, armor cracked and glowing with embers. Flames licked from its eye sockets. It didn't walk — it floated, sword raised high, its presence suffocating.
Kai's breath came shallow. His shirt clung to his skin from the heat.
[Ki Sensory Active – Weakness: Core exposed during overhead swings][Skill Boost: Twin Palm Strike temporarily gains fire affinity during trial.]
Thanks, System.
The Revenant moved—fast. Not just a blur—blazing. A molten arc of its sword sliced down. Kai dove sideways, rolled, barely dodging.
[HP: 30/30 → 24/30]Burn Damage: 6 HP over 10 seconds[You are Burning. Movement Speed -10%]
Pain seared his back. But he grit his teeth. Move. Keep moving.
"Twin—Palm—Strike!"
He caught the Revenant mid-recovery. His glowing palms struck its ribs—flames exploded outward.
Critical Hit! Weak point struck![Twin Palm Strike Mastery: 5.2% → 7.8%][Burn Affinity Synchronization: +10% temporary fire resistance]
The Revenant shrieked.
Time remaining: 44 seconds.
It came again, spinning its sword in a fiery wheel. Kai couldn't dodge this one.
So he met it.
Blade met blade—no, palms. He crossed his arms and caught the edge. Sparks flew. He screamed as it burned through his skin.
But he held.
He kicked off the Revenant's chest and vaulted back.
[Endurance Check Passed – Internal injuries resisted][Remaining HP: 12/30]
Time remaining: 21 seconds.
Smoke filled the chamber. Kai's lungs burned. But he felt something else.
Power. Raw. Unformed. Awakening.
The Revenant prepared one final swing.
Kai dug deep. He pulled every ounce of Ki into his core, focused it between his hands.
He whispered:
"Twin Palm—Burst."
The strike hit like a cannon. Fire met fire. Ki met soul.
Direct hit! Trial boss stunned.
Time remaining: 5 seconds… 4… 3… 2… 1…
The Revenant froze—then shattered like volcanic glass.
Silence.
[Trial Complete – You Survived.]Rewards Unlocked:– Flame Core Integrated– New Skill Gained: Ember Pulse (C)– +300 XP | Level Up: 4 → 5– +3 Stat Points– Passive Perk Gained: Fire Resistance Lv.1
Kai collapsed to his knees, breathing hard, vision blurred.
But he was alive.
More than that—he was changing.
The System pulsed:
[Path Chosen: Ember-Forged Martialist]Your journey has begun.