The Third Test 1

Shin and the gatekeeper arrived at a desolate temple, its once grand structure now a shadow of its former glory. As Shin surveyed his surroundings, he was struck by the stark barrenness of the land. The area stretched out endlessly, devoid of any greenery or signs of life. The once vibrant temple grounds were now reduced to a wasteland, with the air heavy and eerie silence. Broken columns and crumbling walls hinted at a glorious past, but now, only desolation remained. The absence of life and color painted a somber picture, emphasizing the temple's abandonment and neglect.

"This is where the third test will take place," the gatekeeper announced, his voice echoing through the vast space. "Monsters will be summoned by magic circles spread out across the area. Each wave will bring forth a hundred creatures."

No sooner had the gatekeeper finished speaking when blinding lights erupted from multiple directions. Shin shielded his eyes against the sudden brilliance. When the light subsided, he saw a hundred goblins materialize, scattered throughout the grounds. Each goblin, snarling and brandishing crude weapons, prepared for battle. The tension in the air was palpable as Shin braced himself for the onslaught. The test had begun, and he would need every ounce of his strength and strategy to survive the waves of monsters that awaited him.

The gatekeeper tore through the fabric of space, creating a swirling vortex of energy. "The test begins now," he declared, his voice reverberating with authority. No sooner had he spoken these words. He vanished, leaving behind an ominous silence that hung heavily in the air. The space where he had stood moments before was now empty, a lingering reminder of the challenge that lay ahead.

Shin swiftly summoned his abyssal scythe, its blood-red blade gleaming ominously as he gripped it tightly. His eyes quickly scanned his surroundings, assessing the positions of the goblins. Without hesitation, he dashed towards the area with the fewest goblins, his movements precise and calculated. Every step he took was filled with purpose as he prepared to confront the approaching threat.

With almost no cover available, Shin decided to take a direct approach. He aimed to dispatch this initial wave swiftly, but he planned to leave one goblin alive. By doing so, he hoped to test his theory that the next wave wouldn't begin until all enemies were defeated. If his assumption was correct, he could use this strategy to control the timing of the monster waves. If a new wave started regardless, he estimated it would occur at regular intervals, possibly every 30 seconds. This tactic would allow him to manage the battle more effectively and prepare for the challenges ahead.

As Shin reached the goblins, he transformed his entire body into electricity. Arrows flew toward him, and the front-line goblins charged with their swords, but their attacks passed harmlessly through his electrified form. In an instant, the goblins holding weapons were electrocuted, their bodies convulsing from the shock. Shin quickly reverted to his solid form, his abyssal scythe gripped tightly in his hand. With a swift motion, he swung the scythe in a wide 180-degree arc, unleashing an abyssal slash that cleaved through the air. All eight goblins were bisected, their bodies falling lifelessly to the ground as Shin stood amidst the carnage, he felt nostalgic.

[Killed 8 goblins and gained 80 SP]

Shin found himself in a dilemma. He knew that devouring every monster was the most logical and beneficial choice for gaining strength, but the thought of consuming these grotesque creatures repulsed him. Despite his disgust, he wrestled with his internal conflict, ultimately deciding to proceed with devouring the goblins.

Bracing himself, Shin initiated the devouring of the eight goblins. A towering monster materialized above him, its imposing presence scaring all the goblins that were approaching away. With pitch-black fur and razor-sharp teeth, the creature swiftly consumed all the goblins. To Shin's delight, the devouring process yielded unexpected benefits, gaining new abilities he hadn't anticipated.

[Gained bloodline Ancient Goblin(Mortal(Evolvable))]

[Integrate bloodline Yes/No]

"Yes"

[Integration successful host gained following bloodline skill]

[Evolution: This extremely rare bloodline ability can evolve almost anything]

As Shin read this, a smirk spread across his face. Now, he was more determined than ever to devour all the remaining goblins. He hoped to unlock the potential of his new bloodline and possibly even evolve his evolution skill in the process.

Neutralizing all immediate threats in the area, Shin gathered the remaining goblins, leaving just one aside. He then uses his technique, poison field, enveloping himself in its toxic aura, transforming into a poisonous mist. He observes the goblins struggling to breathe within the field and intensifies its potency, weakening their defenses even further.

With a sudden shift in position, Shin appeared beside a goblin, extending his elemental claws and imbuing them with lightning. Swiftly, he tore through the creature, causing bolts of lightning to leap from one goblin to the next due to their proximity.

Suddenly, he notices an arrow hurtle toward him, seemingly extending the distance between himself and the projectile. With graceful ease, he sidesteps. Then, in a swift movement, he shrinks the space, materializing behind the goblin who had launched the arrow. His claws sliced through the creature, cleaving it in two.

Killing all the goblins in the poison field. He hopes the next waves will be more challenging to make him learn and use more of his abilities.

[Killed 91 goblins and gained 910 SP]

He then devoured all the dead goblins.

[Bloodline Ancient Goblin(Mortal) evolves into Ancient Goblin(Master)]

[Host gained Enhanced Instincts]

After receiving the system message, Shin felt a surge of heightened awareness, as if he had gained a sixth sense with his newfound bloodline ability. It was akin to intuition but more profound and instinctual. With this enhanced perception, he could sense the subtle shifts in energy around him, anticipate the movements of his adversaries before they acted, and detect hidden dangers with uncanny precision. This new ability imbued him with a heightened state of vigilance.

***

After patiently waiting for an hour, keeping the last goblin alive, Shin concluded that the new wave began only after every monster from the previous wave had been slain.

Without hesitation, he dispatched the last goblin and swiftly devoured it. Turning his attention towards the magic circles, he prepared to face the creatures of the next wave.

[Killed 1 goblins and gained 10 SP]

Blinding light emanates from the magic circles once more, but his anticipation turns to dismay when a hundred more goblins materialize before him. Hoping the next wave will bring new monsters, he decides to refrain from using his techniques. Instead, aiming to use his bloodline abilities to kill the goblins this time.

Enhancing his body with Physical Augmentation and Volt Surge, he dashes from one goblin to the next. As a master of hand-to-hand combat, he strikes each goblin right between the eyes, defeating them with a single blow.

Swiftly dispatching goblin after goblin, he received a flurry of system notifications but ignored them. His focus was solely on reaching the next wave of monsters.

Finishing the last goblin, he finally checked his system notifications.

[Killed 100 goblins and gained 1000 SP]

feeling dissatisfied with the amount of SP he gained, he devours all the goblins.

[Bloodline Ancient Goblin(Master) evolves into Ancient Goblin(Lord)]

"I hope the next wave brings new monsters, or at least stronger goblins like hobgoblins," he muttered with a sigh. After training intensely for half a year, it would be disheartening if he didn't face a challenge or at least an enemy he couldn't defeat with a single blow.