The Trial End

Chapter 7: The Final Trial

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Gannet struggled to rise, his body trembling from the pain coursing through him.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, his eyes glistening red, sharp with desperation and rage.

The bruises covering his face and body seemed to scream the agony he was in. His breaths were shallow, and every movement sent jolts of pain through his limbs.

But as Gannet pushed himself off the ground, determination flickered in his gaze. If he didn't stand now, he'd be executed later by the Organization—better to die fighting.

Adam observed Gannet's struggle to get back on his feet, taken aback by the young man's sheer willpower.

Just moments ago, he had felt a wave of relief at the thought of Gannet being too injured to continue.

Yet now, seeing the resilience and fire in his opponent's eyes, Adam felt a pang of empathy and understanding. They were both here to survive, each a pawn in this brutal system.

Taking a deep breath, Adam steadied himself. He knew what needed to be done. 'If I don't finish this, I'll be the one who dies here.'

There was no mercy in this world, only the unyielding law of survival. With that thought, he readied himself for the fight once more, locking eyes with his battered but unwavering opponent.

Gannet's expression had shifted. Beneath the pain and exhaustion, a newfound fear and anger burned.

His earlier confidence had been replaced with caution as he eyed Adam, knowing now that this opponent was far more formidable than he'd first assumed.

He couldn't just charge forward recklessly, yet neither could he stand idle; Adam would only close the distance and end him if he waited.

After a long exhale, Gannet seemed to reach a decision. "I have no other choice… I have to use that," he muttered under his breath. Raising one hand towards Adam, Gannet's lips began to move in a low chant, his words inaudible.

Adam's brow furrowed, confusion evident in his eyes as he watched Gannet's peculiar gesture. Just then, Gannet's voice suddenly grew louder, his words clear and forceful.

"In the name of the Earth God… Paralyze!"

Instantly, Adam felt an intense weight seize his body, immobilizing him from head to toe. His muscles locked, unresponsive, as if bound by an invisible force. A system notification flared before his eyes.

[SYSTEM: Host's physical movement is restricted. Host has been paralyzed by a medium-level spell. Movement will remain locked until spell effects dissipate.]

Understanding dawned on Adam. Gannet had just cast a powerful spell, something he'd never anticipated from his opponent.

A wave of regret washed over him as he realized he should have attacked first. Now he was at Gannet's mercy.

Adam struggled internally, his mind racing as he watched Gannet close the distance, his expression set in grim determination.

He attempted to activate his skill, Kinetic Enigma, hoping it might save him. To his relief, another system message appeared:

[SYSTEM: Skill Kinetic Enigma has absorbed the paralysis spell. Physical movement restored. Restriction lifted.]

There was no time to rejoice or even fully register the message.

Gannet was already upon him, launching a kick aimed directly at Adam's face.

But Adam's skill had activated just in time, and as Gannet's attack connected, the Kinetic Enigma absorbed every ounce of momentum. To Gannet, it felt like kicking a solid wall.

Gannet's face twisted in shock as his foot struck Adam without the expected effect.

But before he could comprehend what was happening, he noticed Adam's arm shooting toward him with lightning speed.

With a desperate surge of energy, Gannet raised his arm to block Adam's punch just inches from his chest.

A flicker of satisfaction crossed his face at having managed to intercept the blow.

Yet a gnawing confusion lingered—how had Adam broken free from the paralysis? That spell was medium-level magic, powerful enough that it should've left Adam immobile, and Gannet knew he could only use it in dire circumstances as it strained his mana reserves significantly.

Adam's voice cut through his thoughts. "Kinetic Enigma, 15% Potential Energy."

A split second later, a surge of stored energy pulsed from Adam's hand into Gannet's chest. The force was palpable, almost visible, as it erupted with a burst of transparent power.

The strike was swift, ruthless, and precise. The impact sent Gannet hurtling backward, his body crashing into the training arena wall with tremendous force.

Dust billowed from the impact site, and a one-meter depression was left where Gannet's body had struck.

Blood trickled from his mouth as he lay motionless, utterly defeated.

The shock of the attack was not lost on those present. Even Ryker, who stood outside the training area observing, felt a chill at the display of raw power.

He hadn't even been able to see Gannet's final moments before the wall stopped him.

A mission completion window appeared before Adam:

[MISSION: Survival Complete.

Objective: Eliminate Opponent and Survive.

Rewards: 300 SP, Legendary Skill Learning (Default).]

Adam stood, breathing heavily, his gaze locked onto the notification. The sheer power of his 15% potential energy attack was beyond anything he'd expected, leaving him slightly dazed. 'I didn't realize that kind of energy could cause this level of destruction.'

Realization hit him like a cold wave. Gannet was gone—he had crossed the line into lethal force, having taken a life to secure his own.

Slowly, Adam turned his head towards Ryker, who regarded him with an expression of mixed relief and fear.

Ryker's voice broke the silence. "You've passed the trial." His tone held an edge of apprehension as if he were suddenly aware of Adam's growing potential.

Stepping closer to Gannet's unmoving body, he examined the damage with a wary gaze.

'This child could become incredibly dangerous in the future,' he mused inwardly.

Ryker turned away from the scene, his face neutral as he gestured for Adam to follow. "Come. I need to introduce you to your training batch and your new teacher."

Adam trailed behind in silence, his mind churning with thoughts.

Adam says status.

__________________________

Name: Adam Bak

Level: 5

Health: 800/800

Mana Points: 80/500

Experience: 0/500

Attributes-

Strength: 13

Agility: 14

Intelligence: 15

Endurance: 11

Luck: 3

Unassigned Stat Points: 12

Skills

Kinetic Enigma (Legendary)

Mana Eyes (Unique)

Learning (default)

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He had taken two lives in a single day, a grim toll that weighed heavily on him despite the necessity.

Each step felt heavier as he tried to reconcile what he had done. There was no going back, only forward, into the unknown depths of the Organization's harsh, unrelenting world.