The bell tower creaked as Jorik rose to his feet, the moon casting silver light across the stone floor. Below him, the four auras closed in, silent as death.
> [WARNING: Assassins Detected.]
[Trial of Kingship: Survive the Assassination – 0/4 Eliminated.]
> [Rewards:]
– +1 Level
– Unlock: Bloodline Skill – Vaelgard's Wrath
– Title: "Child of the Sword"
– Access to Kingmaker Path: Throne Tier I
His heart didn't race. His breathing stayed even.
Calm. Calculating. Deadly.
The rooftop door behind him exploded open, and the first assassin lunged forward—a lithe figure dressed in tight leather, twin daggers gleaming with poison.
Jorik moved.
In a blur, he stepped into the strike, parrying one dagger with the flat of Chrono-Banisher, pivoting behind his enemy and slicing diagonally upward.
Shhhhkt.
The assassin's torso split from shoulder to hip.
> [Enemy Eliminated – Level +1.]
[Level Up: 1 ➝ 2 | Stats Slightly Increased.]
Another emerged from the shadows, this one carrying a short spear. He lunged with expert precision.
Jorik didn't block—he ducked beneath the thrust, spun low, and swept the assassin's legs out. As the man fell, Jorik stabbed his blade through the chest.
> [Enemy Eliminated – 2/4.]
He exhaled.
Two more to go.
> [Skill Unlocked: Quickstep Lv. 1]
– Temporarily boosts movement speed and reaction time by 50% for 3 seconds. Mana Cost: 10
Behind him, a soft click echoed.
Crossbow.
He turned—too late.
The bolt flew straight for his heart.
Time froze.
> [Passive Skill Triggered – Chrono Reflex Lv. 1]
– Auto-activates when fatal damage is detected. Halts time for 0.5 seconds.
He stepped aside mid-air, the bolt whistling past his cheek.
"Beautiful," Jorik whispered, before vanishing with Quickstep.
The third assassin didn't even see him.
One strike—neck to shoulder—ended it.
> [3/4 Eliminated.]
The last assassin tried to flee.
Wrong answer.
Jorik raised his sword and muttered, "Chrono Edge."
> [Skill Unlocked: Chrono Edge Lv. 1]
– Slashes through the enemy's future movement path. Mana Cost: 25
He swung once—then sheathed the blade.
A heartbeat later, the final assassin dropped dead mid-sprint, a clean gash across his back.
> [Trial Complete.]
[Rewards Granted.]
– Level +1 | Bloodline Skill Unlocked | Title Gained.]
> [Title Gained: Child of the Sword – Sword-type abilities are 10% more effective. Passive bonus to sword mastery.]
> [Skill Gained: Bloodline Awakening – Vaelgard's Wrath Lv. 1]
– For 30 seconds, all stats increase by 30%. Attacks ignore enemy defense. Cooldown: 24 hours.
Jorik sheathed Chrono-Banisher and looked toward the stars.
"This world already wants me dead. Good."
He smiled.
"Because I plan to conquer it."