Chapter Eighteen — The Garden That Hunts
What lay beyond the gate was breathtaking.
Lush green stretched endlessly beneath an open sky, sunlight filtering softly through towering trees. A fresh wind washed over my tense body, carrying the scent of earth, leaves, and distant water. Without realizing it, my shoulders loosened and my guard lowered.
For the first time since entering the Trial Zone—
I relaxed.
BOOM—!!
The gate slammed shut behind me with violent force, the sound echoing across the land like thunder. I glanced back only briefly.
No danger.
The structure radiated no hostility now, as if it had already fulfilled its role. I turned away and stepped forward, drawn deeper into the unknown.
The breeze caressed my skin, warm and gentle, almost comforting.
Too comforting.
As I moved further in, something felt… off.
My steps slowed.
My gaze lifted.
That was when I noticed it.
The trees.
They weren't random.
They formed a perfect circle.
I emerged from the treeline into a vast clearing—a wide, open field of emerald grass stretching across dozens of meters. The trees surrounded it evenly, enclosing the space like a natural arena. Every trunk stood at equal distance from the next, their branches forming a living wall.
This place wasn't wild.
It was designed.
A garden.
A battlefield.
The atmosphere filled my lungs, crisp and alive, a sharp contrast to the oppressive Trial Zone I was used to. The sudden peace threatened to pull my thoughts inward, lulling my awareness—
Then—
My dulled senses flared.
A presence.
Far away.
It hadn't approached.
It had appeared.
The energy was smooth—unnaturally so—like a perfectly still lake without a ripple. Almost invisible. Almost convincing.
Almost.
Nothing could hide so completely that it left no trace of existence.
This presence didn't blend with nature.
It contrasted it.
My gaze snapped toward the source.
I couldn't gauge its power.
But I could pinpoint its location.
And I was certain—it could sense me too.
My presence radiated faintly, restrained and calm, disturbing the environment far less than expected. Still, compared to the stillness of that hidden figure, I was loud.
My pupils burned blue as I stepped fully into the clearing.
The breeze collided gently with my body.
At the far end of the field—
A blur moved.
Even at this distance, it was clear to trained eyes. The figure stood among the trees, partially concealed by branches and shadow. Slowly, deliberately, it stepped forward.
Out of the forest.
Into the open.
Its gaze locked onto mine.
Before I could fully process the situation—
A glowing red screen appeared before my eyes.
Cold.
Indifferent.
Unfamiliar.
Nothing like my system.
> Welcome, Challenger, to the Tower of Trial
> MISSION
Complete the First Stage
The screen vanished instantly, as if it had never existed.
My brow furrowed.
What trial? How do I complete it?
Before the question could settle—
My familiar blue system screen appeared.
> System Notification
Welcome to the Trial Tower
Complete levels and stages to earn rewards and points
> CURRENT TRIAL — STATUS
> Race: Orc
Age: Half Cycle
Realm: Demi-God
Law: Wrath
Title: An Orc Warrior
(A proud race that would rather die than accept defeat)
> Notes:
Threat Level: Low
I exhaled slowly.
"So that's it…"
My gaze shifted back to the figure approaching.
An orc.
The distance between us had shrunk to roughly thirty meters—and continued closing. It walked without urgency, eyes locked on mine, steps steady and heavy.
It wore no upper garment, its thick green skin marked by old scars. Its frame was dense with muscle, power packed tightly beneath flesh hardened by countless battles. Wild hair flowed freely down its back, untamed.
Around its wrists were thick obsidian bracelets carved with runes—ancient, refined.
Obsidian.
The strongest metal.
Its green pupils flickered red intermittently, like embers beneath ash.
Tall.
Broad.
Tusks protruding from a rough, battle-worn face.
Raw strength radiated from it—not explosive, but grounded. Controlled. Hungry.
It stopped a few meters away.
We faced each other.
Silence stretched between us.
I sensed faint killing intent.
And blood.
Old blood.
It lingered beneath the scent of nature.
Our expressions remained neutral.
Then—
Its aura began to rise.
Slowly.
Calmly.
Pressure spread outward, brushing the grass aside in gentle waves as energy flowed like a controlled current rather than a storm.
No wasted motion.
No arrogance.
Only intent.
BOOOOM—!!
It vanished.
The ground shattered beneath its feet as it crossed the distance instantly.
My instincts roared.
I twisted—
BAM!
A fist slammed into my guard.
BAM!
A knee followed, rattling my ribs.
BAM!!
A final blow hurled me backward across the grass.
The trial—
Had begun.