The Sin-Eater's System

The air was heavy, suffocating, as if existence itself had been condensed into a singular, oppressive force. Arion Valerius opened his eyes, only to find himself enveloped in darkness—a void so absolute it felt alive. He blinked once, twice, but the darkness did not recede. His body ached as if it had been torn apart and reassembled, though imperfectly.

The last thing he remembered was the battle. His kingdom had fallen, his allies had scattered, and he, driven by pride, had charged into an unwinnable fight. He had thought himself invincible. He wasn't.

Pain surged through his chest as a realization hit him: he was dead.

"Initializing System…"

The disembodied voice echoed in his mind, cold and mechanical.

> Welcome, Arion Valerius.

You have entered the First Circle of Hell.

Sin Detected: Pride

Arion's head throbbed as the words imprinted themselves into his consciousness. "A system? In Hell?" he muttered, his voice hoarse. It was absurd, yet the weight of the situation left no room for denial.

A translucent interface appeared before him, faintly illuminating his surroundings.

> Status:

Name: Arion Valerius

Sin: Pride

Level: 1

Abilities: None

Traits: None

> Objective: Survive.

The message lingered ominously before vanishing, leaving Arion with a sick feeling in his gut.

Before he could process it further, the darkness around him shifted. Shapes began to emerge—twisted trees with bark that writhed as if alive, a crimson sky stained with streaks of black lightning, and a barren, cracked ground that glowed faintly with an eerie red light.

"Welcome, sinner."

The voice was low and mocking, dripping with malice. Arion turned to see a figure emerging from the shadows. It was humanoid, but its features were grotesquely exaggerated—a tall, skeletal being with hollow eyes that burned with blue flames.

"I am Morgrim the Deceiver, your guide and judge in this Circle. Congratulations on making it this far."

"Guide?" Arion asked, his voice sharp despite his confusion. "What kind of guide mocks the lost?"

Morgrim's skeletal grin widened. "The kind that enjoys watching the mighty fall. Tell me, Arion Valerius, how does it feel to know your pride brought you here?"

Arion clenched his fists, his anger flaring. "I don't need your commentary. If you're supposed to judge me, then get on with it."

Morgrim laughed—a hollow, echoing sound. "Oh, but the judgment has already been passed. Now, you must prove you deserve another chance. Or…" He gestured to the ground, where skeletal hands began clawing their way out. "You can let the damned claim you. Your choice."

The hands grew in number, attached to grotesque figures that dragged themselves from the earth—shadows with faces twisted in eternal agony.

> System Notification:

Quest Unlocked: The Trial of Pride

Survive the Wretched.

Reward: 10 System Points

"System Points?" Arion muttered. He didn't have time to think. The Wretched lunged at him, their shrieks deafening.

Instinct took over. Arion grabbed a broken branch from the ground and swung it with all his strength, shattering the first creature's head. Black ichor sprayed, sizzling as it hit the ground.

He gritted his teeth. "So, this is Hell."

The battle was relentless. Every swing of his makeshift weapon sent shockwaves through his arms, but he refused to fall. Not here. Not like this.

Finally, as the last Wretched crumbled into ash, Morgrim clapped slowly. "Impressive. You've survived—for now. But tell me, sinner, will you last when the trials truly begin?"

Before Arion could respond, his interface lit up.

> Quest Complete: The Trial of Pride

Reward: 10 System Points

New Ability Unlocked: Sin's Resolve

Temporarily boosts strength when facing overwhelming odds.

The power surged through him—a faint, fiery warmth in his chest. It wasn't much, but it was something.

"Good," Morgrim said, stepping closer. "You'll need every scrap of strength you can muster. The First Circle is merely the beginning. If you wish to climb out of this pit, you'll have to face yourself—and your sins."

Morgrim turned, his skeletal form dissolving into the shadows. "Survive, Arion Valerius. Perhaps you'll entertain me yet."

As the demon disappeared, Arion stood amidst the ashes of the Wretched, his breathing ragged. He looked at the crimson sky above, fists clenched.

"Whatever this place throws at me," he said through gritted teeth, "I'll make it out. Even if I have to tear Hell apart."