The Trials

It is a cozy room. Sunlight filters through the curtains, casting a gentle warmth across the bed. A girl, no older than sixteen, sleeps peacefully, her long, straight blonde hair spread across her pillow. Beside the bed, a young man with spiky black hair sits slouched in a wooden chair. His head rests gently near her, his dark hair brushing against her arm on the white sheets.

“Levi,” the girl says hoarsely, her eyes fluttering open. She reaches out and ruffles his dark hair, trying to wake him. She looked very pale, almost blending into the sheets.

Levi shot straight up, his lips unsticking from the sheets and his hair standing up straight. “What is it, Mary?”

“I’m a bit thirsty,” Mary said, in a quiet, raspy voice.

“I’ll go grab some.” Levi runs to the kitchen and fills a glass of water from the sink. He stretches his back, rubs his eyes, and tries to fix his hair while waiting for the glass to fill. Returning to the bedroom, he sets the glass on the nightstand, then gently helps Mary sit upright in bed before handing her the glass.

“Here, drink up.” He helps with the glass, tilting it carefully. The water goes down fast—Mary drinks it all in just a few gulps and hands the empty glass back to him. Levi places it gently on the nightstand.

“Are you alright, Mary?” he asks, concerned in his voice as he gently massages her back.

“Yes. I’m alright. I’m a bit hungry, though,” Mary said shyly.

Mary is Levi’s younger sister. It is just the two of them now for ten years..

Ten years ago the towers appeared. It killed their parents and left Mary with a terrible lung disease that made her weak and frail. Since then, Levi has been the only one to care for her. She grew mostly indoors, forgot the feeling of being able to run. Only recent has she been strong enough to walk short distances without help.

“Okay. I’ll go make breakfast real quick.” Levi says.

He walks into his kitchen and opens the refrigerator but it is completely empty.

Levi heads back to the bedroom, “I’ll go out for a bit,” he tells Mary.

Mary nods. Levi gives her a quick kiss on the cheek and ruffles her hair. As he turns away from the door, he sees Mary straightening her hair with her thin fingers.

Levi leaves his single story house with his keys and wallet beside to the framed family photo.

In the photo, his parents are smiling, looking very happy. Six-year-old Mary looks just like their mom, same soft features, same golden hair, and same blue eyes. Their dad is crouched behind Mary, holding both of her hands to keep her still. Levi has his dad's sharp nose and chin, his mom’s eye. But he is the only one in the family with black hair. Behind them the same house he lives in now.

Levi steps into his old Subaru. The morning is warm. He always feels glad when he can see the sun from here.

The neighborhood around him doesn’t look so good anymore. Cracked sidewalks. Potholes everywhere. He drives slowly through it all.

It isn’t long before everything turns black—a clear line dividing light from shadow. To his left, a massive tower rises into the sky, casting its endless shadow across the landscape. Levi lives ten miles away, but even from that distance, the tower always blocks out the sun by afternoon.

Levi made it to a small grocery store. The white, fluorescent bulbs buzzed overhead, casting a sterile glow across the aisles. Not many people were around this early in the morning.

He moved quickly, tossing a carton of eggs, a pack of bacon, and a half-gallon of milk into his small, rickety cart. He added chicken breasts, carrots, lettuce, and a bundle of bananas before heading to the register.

At the counter stood an old man wearing a green vest with a name tag that read Andy.

He doesn’t look like an Andy, Levi thought as he unloaded his items.

“Is that all?” Andy said in a dull voice, scanning each item.

Levi nodded. “Yeah,” he said, handing over two twenty-dollar bills.

Andy handed him the change and mumbled, “Thank you for shopping with us.”

Levi nodded back and walked out.

Levi made his way to his car. As he stood in its shadow, loading the groceries into the trunk, he glanced up at the towering structure in the distance.

Then, without warning, a massive explosion erupted behind him.

A bat-like creature the size of a tiger stands right in front of Levi. Its black, leathery wings twitch at its sides. It locks eyes with him, small, beady, pitch black eyes, then launches off the ground with a powerful flap.

It slams into him, knocking him to the pavement. Its flat, pug-like face snaps wildly, trying to bite, a loud hiss comes from him. Levi braces both arms against its chest, desperately trying to keep its fangs away. He can see its yellowed teeth, long and sharp, bared inches from his face. Every muscle in his body strains just to hold it back.

His arms are about to give out, when the creature is suddenly flung aside.

A tall woman with a sword stands above him, her blade drawn. She extends a hand to help him up. Levi takes it and scrambles to his feet.

“You good?” she asks, her voice calm and cool.

“Ye–” he starts, but she cuts him off.

“Get out of here. Now.”

Levi doesn’t argue. He turns and rushes back to his car. In the rearview mirror, he catches a glimpse of the woman slicing clean through the creature’s neck in one swift motion. Its head rolls to the side as she runs into the fire, disappearing.

As Levi drives through the dark, he turns his head and sees the cause of it all, the massive tower looming in the distance. A strange, silent monolith. Its top is lost in the clouds.

He lets out a long sigh and continues the drive home.

Levi came back and washed his face in the sink to wash off the dirt. Put away all the groceries. He went inside Mary’s room to see her sleeping again. He grabs the glass on the nightstand and leans down and kisses her on her forehead.

When Levi opens his eyes, he realizes he’s no longer in Mary’s bedroom.

He’s standing inside what looks like an ancient Greek temple. Most of the pillars have collapsed, and the ones still standing are weathered and cracked. Rubble litters the cracked stone floor. Above him, a massive hole in the ceiling lets sunlight pour through, casting sharp beams of light across the ruins.

At the far end of the temple sits a colossal bronze statue of a man, completely overtaken by rust. He’s powerfully built, muscles chiseled and sharply defined, face sharp and stern, with two massive horns curling from his forehead, giving him a sinister appearance.

He sits on a throne, wearing only a long bronze loincloth, masterfully crafted to mimic flowing, wrinkled fabric that drapes to the floor. Ornate necklaces hang around his neck, and every finger bears at least one ring, though the gemstones appear to have been pried out.

Where am I? Levi looks around, doing a double take. He notices he still has the glass with him. Mary! A surge of worry floods through him.

Is this some part of the tower?

Not much is known about the towers. He knows they appeared all over the world ten years ago. They awaken super powered individuals, and monsters dwell inside them. But he’s never heard of them teleporting people.

He doesn’t even know if the towers can mimic skies, as he looks up through the broken ceiling, he sees a bright blue sky with a single cloud slowly drifting by.

A blue light appears at the corner of Levi’s eye. It’s a flat, glowing plane—no bigger than a TV screen, hovering directly in front of him. It has no depth, looking 2 dimensional.

Levi reaches out hesitantly, and a synthetic voice suddenly speaks.

Connecting to the World System.

The voice is cold and lifeless.

Choose starting class.

What is this?

In front of Levi, a list of weapons materializes: swords, lances, bows, and even magic scrolls, labeled with the magic it teaches. Levi scrolls through the options, weighing his choices. He settles on the sword.

Out of thin air, a sword materializes in front of him. It’s unimpressive, a simple double-edged steel blade. But once Levi adjusts to its weight, it feels just right.

Starting mission: Defeat Spartoi.

The synthetic voice begins a countdown.

3… 2… 1.

In front of Levi stands a skeleton where there was none before, wearing only a bronze spiked helmet. Each bone is visible, dirty and yellowed. Somehow, it stands upright and wields a ten-foot spear with ease.

Levi takes a step forward, gripping his sword with both hands, blade pointed at the skeleton. Suddenly, the Spartoi’s empty eyes flare to life with an eerie glow.

It lunges straight at him, its long bronze spear aimed to impale. Levi stumbles sideways as the spear whizzes past.

It’s fast. Faster than Levi expected. Each bone held together by some unseen magic, the skeleton moves with unnatural speed and precision.

Levi swings his sword, but misses completely. He’s off balance and uncomfortable; this is the first time he’s ever held a weapon like this.

Holding the sword in his right hand, Levi shifts into a defensive stance. He lowers his body close to the ground, spreading his legs wide, ready to leap in any direction.

The Spartoi whirls its spear with incredible speed. Levi jumps backward, caught off guard by the rapid attack.

The skeleton charges again. Levi sidesteps just in time.

He feels the glass still clenched in his hand. I have to do something.

Levi hurls the glass at the Spartoi. It strikes the skeleton’s skull, shattering on impact. Sharp shards lodge deep into the yellowed bone.

Bullseye. Elated by his success, Levi wastes no time. Gripping his sword with both hands, he swings upward with force.

The Spartoi freezes, stunned by the glass strike. This is Levi’s chance.

He closes the distance and slashes into its rib cage.

The sword only clips a few ribs, bone fragments clatter against the stone floor. It’s not enough. The Spartoi is still standing.

With a sudden lurch, the skeleton grabs a handful of Levi’s hair and hurls him backward. He crashes to the ground, landing hard on his tailbone.

“Ugh.”

Pain pulses through him. The fall knocks the wind from his lungs. A wave of nausea hits, and dizziness blurs his vision. Sweat runs down as he rubs his forehead, trying to steady himself.

It takes him a moment to stand. He plants his sword in the ground and uses it to push himself upright. His legs are shaking.

But as soon as he lifts his head, a spear comes flying straight at his face.

Levi drops instantly, falling flat onto his back, then he rolls to the side just in time.

He scrambles to his feet, gasping.

The Spartoi charges again, twirling its spear in a deadly arc. Levi raises his sword to block, and to his surprise, the impact is light. Too light..

That’s when he realizes: the Spartoi is fast, but it has no real strength behind its attacks. It’s all speed, no muscle.

With renewed focus, Levi deflects the blow and holds his ground.

Levi steps back, one foot after the other, until he feels he’s put enough distance between them. He plants his sword into the ground and leans on it for support. His skin has taken on a grayish hue, his breath ragged, his head swimming, but deep down, he knows he can win.

Just find the right moment.

The Spartoi lunges forward, relentlessly. It hasn’t lost a shred of its speed.

Levi stumbles as he dodges the first few strikes—barely staying ahead of the spear’s point. Then it launches into another spinning attack.

Levi’s heart pounds. He can feel victory just within reach, but his body is failing him.

Each time the Spartoi charges or spins, Levi manages to slip out of harm’s way—but only barely. After every close call, he leans heavily on his sword, gasping for air.

Gotta fight back… he tells himself. Just one clean hit.

Levi takes a deep breath and drops into his fighting stance. Beads of sweat run down his face. One droplet falls to the ground–like a starting gun–and both fighters lunge at each other.

The Spartoi strikes first with a quick, thrusting jab.

Levi parries, pushing the spear to the left. The skeleton’s body twists, opening a clear line to the back of its neck. The spine is fully exposed.

“Gah!” Levi yells, pouring everything he has into a counterattack. He thrusts his sword forward, but it passes straight through, missing its spine entirely.

The strike might’ve worked if the Spartoi was covered in flesh with organs. But it doesn't. The attack fails.

The Spartoi retaliates with a wide slash. Levi blocks it, but even the weak blow knocks him off balance. He stumbles, nearly falling, then wipes sweat from his brow with his dirt-smeared arm, feeling frustration. I should’ve finished it.

The Spartoi charges again.

But this time, Levi’s ready. He’s learning. The attacks are fast, but they’re predictable now.

When it gets close, slice it in half! he hypes himself.

The Spartoi’s yellowed, bony arms dart forward, spear at the ready. As it thrusts, Levi slides his sword along the spear’s shaft, closing the gap between them in a flash. Now just a breath away, Levi breaks to the side.

There. Its spine is wide open. Levi could see it so clearly, so close to him.

With everything he has left, Levi swings.

The blade slices cleanly through the thick vertebrae.

The Spartoi’s skeletal body collapses to the floor in two heavy thuds. Its bones clatter and rattle across the stone for a moment—then fall still. Whatever magic had held it together is gone. The bones begin to loosen, breaking apart and scattering until they lie completely limp and lifeless.

A loud jingle suddenly rings out, sharp and bright, making Levi jump.

You defeated: Spartoi.

Mission completed.

Levi turns to see the blue status window hovering in front of him.

You leveled up.

Level: 1 -> 2.

Glowing blue orbs of light begin to swirl around him, then gently sink into his skin. Each one sends a soothing warmth through his body, washing away the pain and exhaustion. With every orb absorbed, Levi feels lighter, stronger. His muscles tighten and firm, his breath steadies.

He exhales in awe.

Turning back to the window, he sees his stats shifting:

Strength: 2 -> 5

Agility: 1 -> 3

Fortitude: 1 -> 2

Magic Output: 0 -> 1

Stamina: 2 -> 4

Levi barely has time to glance at his stats before the announcement cuts in again:

Next mission. Defeat all Harpies.

Starting in 3... 2... 1.

A sudden burst of blue light flashes above, near the broken balconies that line the upper level of the temple. From it emerge three winged figures, harpies. They spiral into the air, feathered and wild, their sharp eyes fixed on him.

They’re humanoid in shape, their bodies mostly bare but covered in sleek feathers. Each is a different color: one white, one blue, and one brown. Their wings stretch wide as they hover in place, graceful and deadly.

Each harpy holds a massive bow, nearly the same size as their bodies. In perfect unison, they draw their strings back. Levi can see the tension in their arms, the way their muscles tighten with precision.

Three arrows now point directly at his chest.

They’re strong. Levi can feel it in his gut. Definitely stronger than the Spartoi.

Then, without warning, all three arrows whistle through the air, aimed straight at him.

Levi throws himself into a roll. His body moves faster than he expects—his reflexes sharper, his legs more powerful, filled with a strength he’s never felt before.

He crashes into a pile of rubble. Not able to control his new strength. For a moment, everything is silent. Then he sees it.

Two long arrows are embedded deep in his left arm.

He hadn’t even noticed being hit, until now. Pain surges through him like fire, crashing all at once into his nerves. His stomach clenches, his vision flares white.

He opens his mouth to scream, but only broken, scratchy sounds come out, guttural groans escaping from the back of his throat.

Levi clutches his arm. Blood pours freely from the wounds, running down in thick, sticky streams.

So warm, he thinks, staring at the red liquid sliding over his fingers, dripping from the two long shafts still lodged in his flesh.

A gray wash falls over him, not just on his face, but over his spirit. Numbness. Emptiness. He doesn’t want to fight. Doesn’t know why he’s fighting.

I just want to go home. Back to–Mary!

The thought strikes like a lightning bolt, cutting through the fog. He has to fight.

Suddenly, Levi feels it, a shift in the air. Instinct kicks in. He ducks.

An arrow slices past his head and slams into the wall behind him, exploding into shards of stone and splinters.

Levi grits his teeth. Got to fight.

He stands, ignoring the searing pain in his arm. Both hands grip his sword now, tighter than before. His knuckles go white.

The harpies take aim once again. Levi bolts toward the nearest pillar, arrows grazing past him.

Before he even realizes it, he’s there, two giant leaps covering ten feet.

I​​’ve gotten stronger, he thinks as two arrows clang off the stone pillar, shattering nearby.

Levi grips his injured arm tightly. Blood continues to drip steadily, pooling at his feet. His breath comes heavy and ragged, each inhale burning through the pain.

The harpies, holding an overwhelming advantage, begin a flank maneuver.

The blue-feathered one soars higher, seeking a clearer shot. She nocks an arrow from the quiver at her side, eyes locked on Levi.

Levi spots the arrow hurtling toward him and decides to sprint around the pillar for cover.

But before he can reach it, the second harpy, with bright orange feathers and a sharp eagle’s beak framed by human features, lunges forward.

She wields her bow like a staff, bringing it down hard.

Levi raises his sword just in time to block the crushing blow aimed at splitting his head.

Despite his newfound strength, the harpy’s power pushes him to his knees, forcing him to fight desperately just to stay upright.

Levi senses an arrow coming, he sees it streaking straight at him.

It hits.

The arrow strikes Levi in his right arm. Three long shafts now pierce his body, pain radiating like fire through his limbs.

His vision blurs. His legs nearly give out. He’s on the verge of collapsing–

Until something snatches him from below.

The third harpy, white-feathered, silent until now, swoops in from behind. Her talons clamp around Levi’s legs, lifting him into the air.

Levi nearly drops his sword in the sudden rush of wind and pain, but he clamps down hard. This sword is his lifeline. His only chance at survival.

In a blur, the stone floor vanishes beneath him. One second he’s on solid ground, the next he’s soaring upward, the ruined temple shrinking below.

The sunlight slams into him. It takes a moment for his eyes to adjust. The sky here is blinding, far brighter than Earth’s.

He already misses home, a wave of nostalgia washes over him. A yearning for the sky he knew. For the world and home he left behind.

Mary.

Every thought of home ends with her. Always her.

I hope you’re okay.

A sudden gust of wind hits Levi, snapping him out of his daze.

Focus.

He’s high, fifty feet up and rising fast. The temple is shrinking below, its jagged ruins now just small shapes in the distance.

How do I get down?

He cranes his neck and sees the two harpies flying below him, wings outstretched, but their bows are lowered.

They’re not taking aim. They don’t have to.

They’re going to drop me.

Panic floods his chest like ice. Levi survived being shot at three times, but falling is something else entirely. It’s certain death. No chance to block. No sword can help him.

Levi writhes instinctively, struggling in midair. In response, the white harpy tightens her grip. Her claws dig deeper into his legs, slicing through fabric and skin.

He grits his teeth. Pain flares. Blood trickles down his calves.

I have to do something. Now!

“Aagh!” Levi screams, summoning every ounce of his new strength to lift his upper body toward the harpy.

His bloody left arm claws upward, searching for anything to hold. His fingers graze feathers, then talons loosen.

The harpy lets go.

But at the last second, Levi’s fingers catch a handful of feathers along her back.

White feathers tear loose, fluttering past him in the air like falling snow.

He scrambles for a better grip. Panic rising, he wraps his right arm, still holding the sword, around her narrow torso, locking himself against her back.

He’s hanging on for dear life. His feet dangling.

The harpy shrieks in fury. She twists midair, beating her wings wildly. One claw reaches up, pulling at his hair, the other rakes across his cheek, drawing blood.

Levi grits his teeth, his legs swing helplessly, blood soaking into her white feathers.

I can't let go. He repeats to himself. Clinging tighter.

The other two harpies see the struggle and rush upward, quickly catching up.

The blue-feathered one grabs Levi’s legs, stretching his body out midair. Trying to pull him apart. Levi fully exposed, arms gripping to the white harpy while his body is pulled taut.

The orange harpy draws a long, sharp arrow from her quiver, but instead of nocking it into her bow, she grips it like a dagger and lunges, aiming for Levi’s back.

Levi senses the danger. In a split-second decision, he releases the white harpy and twists his body midair, swinging his sword with everything he has at the orange harpy.

A severed hand plummets through the sky, The hand still clutching the arrow as it falls.

The orange harpy shrieks.

At that instant, the blue harpy, seeing Levi’s arms now free, lets go of his legs.

Levi drops.

He’s falling, fast, plummeting straight toward the temple ruins, the gaping hole in its center closing in.

The wind is hitting him hard but he’s focused on the ground below. He doesn’t the harpies diving after him in pursuit.

The ruined temple rushes up to meet him. Levi narrows his focus on the edge of the massive hole in the floor.

Please let this work. Levi plans to catch the edge with his sword.

He twists his body, angling toward it.

Just let the sword catch. Please.

He slams the blade toward the ledge. It scrapes, slips–and fails.

CRACK.

Levi hits the stone hard, the impact rattling through his bones, definitely breaking his leg.

But he’s alive.

He groans, rolling over just in time to see a harpy fire.

The arrow thwips in the air. Levi throws himself to the side. The arrow explodes into shards against the floor where he’d just been.

The blue harpy lunges at him, wings propelling her like a missile.

Levi braced himself.

He steps back, raises his sword, and swings upward with all the strength he has left.

Steel meets flesh.

The blade slices clean through the harpy’s face. Her body slumps midair, crashing down just inches from Levi, twitching once before going still.

Levi has no time to feel anything, not even remorse for the harpy he just killed, laying grotesque on the floor..

The orange one, missing a hand and fueled by rage, dives at him with a scream. Her taloned feet lash out like knives.

Levi raises his sword, doing everything he can to block, but she’s fast. Too fast for his broken leg, limping backwards to fend her off. Her claws rake across his arms and chest, tearing through fabric and slicing skin. Blood streaks down his body.

Then–a feeling. A sharp pulse deep in his gut. His new sense he gained gives a warning.

An arrow.

He doesn’t see it, but he knows it’s there. He throws himself into a roll, trying to escape but he is too slow.

The arrow punches into his right shoulder, embedding deep. Levi crashes onto his side, a sharp cry tearing from his throat.

He scrambles to his feet, limping and panting, putting as much distance as he can between himself and the last two harpies.

His shoulder throbs. Blood pours freely.

Levi is still standing, wobbling.

Levi spots another arrow flying straight toward him, and this time, he’s ready.

He swings his sword up and catches it midair, the steel slicing the arrow clean in two. The broken halves clatter to the ground on either side of him.

Now, he’s gone fully defensive, eyes locked on both harpies, tracking every twitch, every breath. His stance is low, guarded, ready for any upcoming attacks.. He can’t afford a mistake.

My shoulder hurts.

The pain is gnawing at him, throbbing with every heartbeat. He wants to grab it, to tear the arrow out, but he can’t risk it, not yet.

The shaft juts from his shoulder, passing his head in height. The other three arrows, already broken, must’ve snapped off during the fall. Their shattered heads glint dully on the stone floor behind him.

He doesn’t have time to think about it.

Only to survive.

The white-feathered harpy takes to the air, wings spreading wide as she draws an arrow. The orange harpy stays grounded, glaring at Levi, her massive bow held low in one hand like a club.

Levi doesn’t even think about attacking. It takes everything just to hold his sword with his two battered arms. His shoulder burns. His body shakes. But he keeps his feet planted.

The white harpy circles above, tracking his every move.

He knows what’s coming. She’ll fire, then the other will charge in close.

The arrow releases with a sharp twang.

Levi raises his sword and parries, the arrow snapping harmlessly aside.

The orange harpy lunges.

She’s on him in an instant, swinging her oversized bow like a hammer with her only hand. Blow after blow rains down. Levi grits his teeth, blocking, dodging, barely keeping up.

She leaps into the air, using her wings to float, then crashes down with gravity-powered strikes.

She’s too strong…

Another attack comes down.

She’s open.

Levi pivots. He plants his foot. He swings with everything, his whole body twisting, both arms driving the blade.

Slice.

The sword cleaves through her torso.

Her body hits the ground in two separate pieces.

Blood pools fast, dark and thick, staining the stone and Levi’s boots.

One left.

Above him, the white harpy screams and fires again.

Levi deflects it, his reflexes faster now. Without a second thought, he bolts forward.

She’s still airborne—but that doesn’t stop him.

He leaps. His broken leg cringe. He jumps higher than ever before.

Ten feet into the air, he twists mid-jump. His sword arcs downward.

CRACK. The attack cracked open her skull.

The harpy crashes to the ground, screeching and writhing in pain. Levi limps over.

I have to end this.

He raises his sword—and brings it down with a brutal slam.

The harpy goes still.

You defeated all the harpies.

Mission completed.

Level up: 2 -> 3.

That jingle irritates Levi.

The status window flashes in front of him. All his stats have increased by two, except for Magic Output, which stays at 1l.

Blue orbs swirl around him again. As they sink into his skin, warmth spreads through his limbs. Pain fades. Torn flesh begins knitting back together. The arrow embedded in his shoulder is pushed out with a soft pop, clattering to the stone floor. His legs are renewed. New skin and tissue seal the wound shut. In seconds, Levi is whole again, stronger than ever.

Then, the screen flashes again

Next Mission: Defeat the Minotaur.

Starting in…

3.

The glowing blue orbs that just healed Levi now swirl into a massive shape in front of him.

2.

They twist and compress, forming muscle, flesh, and hooves. Levi’s heart sinks.

1.

The transformation is complete.

A twelve-foot-tall Minotaur stands before him, blood-red skin, veins bulging across its monstrous frame. Scars lace its chest and arms. Its long, curved horns glint in the sunlight. A filthy, tattered loincloth hangs from its waist.

But Levi can’t take his eyes off his weapon.

A massive, double-bladed battle axe, jet black and flawless. Not a single chip. The mirrored surface reflects Levi’s pale, frightened face.

The Minotaur snorts. Thick clouds of white air blast from its flared nostrils.

Levi shudders back. His mind is blank.

How the hell do I fight that?

The beast narrows its eyes. It lowers its head, one leg sliding forward. Getting ready to charge.

And then–boom. The Minotaur is already there, right in front of him.

It swings the axe with bone-shattering speed.

Levi is able to catch the incredible speed with his eye. He barely raises his sword in time, but it’s like trying to block a truck.

He’s launched across the hall, crashing into rubble. Rocks digging into his skin.

Everything hurts.

Dazed, he drags himself up. The Minotaur watches him. Unblinking. Then, with slow, heavy steps, it starts walking forward.

Levi stumbles to a pillar and hides behind it, chest heaving. Maybe I can land a surprise hit.

The moment the Minotaur reaches the pillar, Levi prepares to leap, but the axe sweeps clean through the stone, exactly at neck height.

Levi freezes. Mouth open, looking up at the towering Minotaur above him.

Levi flees and slashes wildly. The Minotaur answers with a thunderous chop. Levi barely dodges, but the floor behind him craters under the force. The shockwave makes Levi shudder.

I can't match its strength, Levi realizes. Breathing hard, Levi retreats again behind a pillar.. Focus. Breathe. Think.

Then he makes a choice. He steps out from behind the pillar. Facing the beast directly. He has no hope of winning if he continues to hide.

The Minotaur takes a step forward. He lowers his horns. Dirt kicker up under his girthy hooves.

Levi is getting ready for the attack. Standing stiff, trembling, a bead of sweat sliding down his cheek.

With a thunderous snort, it charges.

Levi waits for the last second, He narrowly avoids the charge and before he runs off. He swings.

HIs blade slices into the MInotaur’s side. Barely a scratch. Levi could barely sees the cut on the Minotaur’s side.

The beast turns slowly. Its brown eyes filled with fury. He stares straight at Levi.

Levi backs off, gasping. He is trying to catch his breath. Levi takes a shaky stance. Both arms on the hilt. Sword pointed forward. Getting ready to dodge at the last second.

But the Minotaur doesn’t go for a charge. He is slowly approaching. This doesn’t detour Levi, he is unmoving.

Then there the towering red beast is. Levi could see his scrunched up nose. Before levi, notices the Minotaur swings–

Levi rolls at the last second. The Minotaur is reeling his heavy axe. He counters with a quick slash, but misses.

A huge kick slams into Levi’s chest. He’s flung across the hall.

He skids across the stone, rolling to a stop. Levi groans in pain. Levi gets back up. Using his sword as a crutch.

He goes to a pillar nearby and slumps down against it.

Then without any rest–boom. The entire pillar explodes. Rubble flying everywhere.

Levi covers his face. He crawls away, weaving through broken stones, getting back on his feet.

Another swing crashes down behind him. Levi is able to roll forward.

The Minotaur lifts its axe again.

Levi rolls left, dodging the attack. He charges straight at the Minotaur.

Levi thrusts his blade.

The sword pierces clean into the back of the Minotaur’s chest.

“HRAAAGH!” the beast roars in agony.

Levi thrusts deeper. Ignoring his desperate flailing. The beast stumbles. Its full weight collapses.

The Minotaur crashes to the ground. Still.

Dead.

Levi falls to his knees, panting.

Then, that jingle plays again.

You defeated the Minotaur.

Mission completed.

Level Up: 3 -> 4 -> 5

The blue orbs return. They seep into Levi’s skin, flooding him with strength and vigor.

Stats Updated

Strength: 7 -> 11

Agility: 5 -> 10

Fortitude: 4 -> 9

Magic Output: 1 -> 2

Stamina: 7 -> 11

He exhales slowly. Pain gone. Blood gone. Scars fading.

Please... let that be the last one. Levy prays, hoping.

But the window flashes again.

Next Mission: Head to Heliopolis

“Heliopolis...?”

He doesn’t know what or where that is, but glad it’s not another monster.

The temple around him is quiet again.

He glances at the remains of his five slain enemies still lying where they fell, no more than an hour ago.

He heads toward the double door at the far end of the temple.

Only one half still stands. The other is shattered in pieces.

Through the gap, golden light pours in.

He steps forward and emerges outside.