[] Chapter Twenty three:

Its gaze is so intense that Tanvir struggles to even breathe.

" Mortal , What do you desire?" It spoke again, and this time the sound was more intense, causing Tanvir's ears to bleed. But there's a strange feeling that stopped him to never look away from it. He had a nagging feeling that something terrible will happen if he does, so he remains steadfast, not daring to retreat or even blink.

Its head gets closer, and Tanvir can already feel its breath. The dragon's eyes glow more intensely.

" What do you desire, mortal?" it speaks once again, increasing the pressure even more. The weight of its presence is too much for Tanvir to bear, and he feels as though he's about to be blown away like a kite whose string has been cut.

—clank!

In that split second, Tanvir feels the weight of his katana changing.

—boom!

The katana transforms into a heavy sword, sinking deep into the earth, creating a temporary foothold for Tanvir to hold onto.

" Tell me, mortal, what is your desire?" The dragon speaks again, increasing the pressure. As expected, the moment Tanvir looks away for even a second, the pressure intensifies.

Luckily, the heavy sword expands and turns into a big black shield, reducing the air pressure coming from the dragon's mouth. The invisible pressure still lingers, making it nearly impossible for Tanvir to breathe.

" Tell me, mortal, what do you desire?"

This time the pressure increases even more, causing Tanvir to lose his balance and fall. The shield changes and turns itself into a transparent black dome. The pressure remains relentless, and Tanvir struggles to catch his breath.

His mind races to find a way to respond, and he desperately wants to say anything that will release him from this intense pressure.

" Tell me what do YOU DESIRE?"

The pressure increases once again, and it's overwhelming.

—Crack

—Crack

Soon, Tanvir's bones start cracking, and he can hear the sound of metal bending coming from the transparent dome. He quickly uses his remaining strength to activate HP potions. Thankfully, they work.

" TELL ME, MORTAL, WHAT DO YOU DESIRE!!!?"

The pressure increases even more, and Tanvir is practically buried in the ground.

—crack

—CRACK

He spits out a mouthful of blood, and with the last spark of strength, he mutters, "Strength."

The moment he says that, the pressure disappears, and Tanvir is finally able to breathe. He quickly uses dozens of HP potions, and the warmth spreads throughout his body. He gains the strength to stand up, and the katana changes back to its original size, standing between him and the white dragon, which is now looking at the katana.

Sensing Tanvir's gaze, the dragon looks directly at him, sending a chill down his spine. He falls to his butt but manages to get back up, blood trickling from his mouth.

" I desire strength," Tanvir grits his teeth and looks into the dragon's eyes.

The dragon doesn't speak, and time passes slowly as they are locked in a staring contest. Tanvir's instincts scream at him, warning of danger.

An unknown amount of time passes, and Tanvir's eyes start feeling itchy as he doesn't dare to blink. But suddenly, the dragon closes its eyes.

Unconsciously, Tanvir closes his eyes as well, and his heart skips a beat. He quickly reopens his eyes.

As he does, he finds himself in a completely different setting. The intense pressure, the white dragon, and the arena have all disappeared. He stands in a serene garden, surrounded by blooming flowers and a gentle breeze.

A beautiful figure stands and gazes ahead. Judging by the body shape, Tanvir figures it's a woman.

The woman turns around, and her ethereal beauty leaves Tanvir speechless. Her pure white eyes hold an intense, captivating gaze that seems to pierce his very soul. Her long, flowing white hair cascades down her back, adding to her enchanting appearance. She wears a black gown adorned with intricate patterns and delicate embroidery, hugging her slender form gracefully. Two elegant horns emerge from the top of her head, curving upwards with regal beauty. Her pointed ears subtly peek out from her hair, hinting at her supernatural heritage.

An air of ancient power surrounds her. Tanvir realizes she's looking at him with the same eyes that previously made his bones crack from pressure.

The thoughts of the alluring woman disappear as she speaks. Tanvir clenches his katana, ready to be on guard. He looks down, not daring to meet her gaze again.

" You can look up," she suddenly says.

Tanvir calms his mind and looks at her.

" I'm the sole Guardian Of the Nexus Realm. I have been in slumber to guard the Chaos Energy and to find the worthy one who can control it. Now I finally found the one," she speaks calmly.

" Wow, is she talking about me?" Tanvir wonders.

" Is it me?" he asks with great expectations, as the name "Chaos" sounds intriguing.

She looks at him, sighs, and mutters, "No."

" Ah, I see. Can I know who it is?" Tanvir asks politely, even though he feels a sense of disappointment and felt odd. Thinking why is she even telling her.

" You already met her. She has already left this star field and cleared up some of the dark forces. They may seem weak to her, but I suppose it's for you to grow safely," she explains as she walks back and forth with a calm expression.

Hearing her, Tanvir thinks for a moment. " I met her? Is it Valentine... No, wait, the old man. She mentioned it, so it must be her," he says, his expressions changing.

" It seems you realized who she is," she speaks, and Tanvir nods his head, thinking about what she said.

He's about to ask about the dark forces, but she stops him. "Don't ask. I won't give you any information, as it's better for you not to know with your current powers. Here's your rewards for passing the Will Trial," she says coldly and flicks her hand. A wooden box appears and floats toward Tanvir.

He grabs it before he can say anything, and she continues, "If fate allows, we shall meet again. No matter what, enter the Towers to get stronger.You might not have the chance to grow before you die if you don't."

Tanvir's vision starts to become blurry, and he reopens his eyes with struggle, realizing he's back in the forest once again. The same warm wind touches his skin, confirming his return.

He looks at the sky "What are the dark forces?" This question lingers in his mind.

He snaps out of his daze as he senses movement from his left. Three figures appear on the scene...

[ To be continued... ]