The Sin-Eater's System

The path ahead was no longer the oppressive abyss of shadows but a vast expanse of dunes. Sand as black as night stretched infinitely in all directions, shimmering faintly under a blood-red sky. A hot, dry wind swept across the desert, carrying whispers so faint they might have been tricks of the mind.

Arion paused, squinting at the horizon. The air shimmered with heat, distorting the distant landscape into ghostly mirages. Yet even through the distortion, he could see something—a towering structure carved into a mountain of obsidian rock. It loomed over the desert like a sentinel, a destination that was as inviting as it was foreboding.

[System Notification]

You have entered the Realm of Pride: The Shifting Sands.

Objective: Traverse the desert and reach the Obsidian Citadel. Beware of trials ahead.

"Figures," Arion muttered. "It's never a straight path."

With a determined stride, he began his trek across the sands. The heat was suffocating, pressing down on him like a physical weight. Sweat dripped down his face, evaporating almost instantly in the blistering air. The iron blade he carried felt heavier with every step, its weight pulling at his resolve.

As he walked, the whispers grew louder, taking on distinct voices.

"You failed them."

"Do you really think you deserve redemption?"

"Your pride destroyed everything."

Arion clenched his fists, trying to block out the voices. He knew they were meant to weaken him, to break his will, but they still struck deep.

"Shut up," he growled under his breath.

The wind howled in response, carrying with it grains of sand that stung his skin. The terrain beneath his feet shifted unpredictably, forcing him to fight for balance with every step.

Hours—or perhaps days—seemed to pass. Time had no meaning in this place. Arion's body screamed for rest, but the Obsidian Citadel was no closer than it had been when he started.

"Is this another trick?" he muttered, scanning the horizon.

His instincts screamed danger, and his hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of his sword. The ground beneath him trembled, a low rumble growing louder by the second. He spun around just in time to see the sand behind him erupt in a massive plume.

From the shifting sands emerged a creature unlike anything he had ever seen. It was a serpent, its body made of obsidian shards that glittered like dark stars. Its eyes burned with an intense golden light, and its mouth revealed jagged, blade-like teeth.

The serpent coiled itself, towering over Arion. Its voice echoed like a thunderclap, shaking the very ground.

"Another wanderer, blinded by their arrogance," it hissed. "You think you can escape the Realm of Pride? Prove your worth or be consumed by your hubris!"

Arion raised his sword, the iron blade gleaming faintly in the red light. "I'm not in the mood for speeches. Let's get this over with."

The serpent lunged, its massive body cutting through the air with terrifying speed. Arion barely dodged, rolling to the side as the creature's jaws slammed into the ground where he had been standing. The impact sent a shockwave through the sand, nearly knocking him off his feet.

He countered with a slash of his sword, aiming for the serpent's head. The blade struck true, but instead of cutting through, it glanced off the creature's obsidian scales, leaving only a faint scratch.

"Of course," Arion muttered. "Why would it be easy?"

The serpent reared back, its golden eyes narrowing. "Is that all you've got, mortal? Your pride will be your downfall."

Arion gritted his teeth. "We'll see about that."

The serpent lunged again, its movements faster than before. This time, Arion stood his ground, sidestepping at the last second and slashing at the creature's underbelly. The blade struck a softer section of its body, drawing a spray of molten black ichor.

The serpent roared in pain, thrashing wildly. The sand beneath Arion's feet shifted violently, threatening to swallow him whole. He leapt onto the serpent's back, using the jagged scales as footholds.

"Let's see how you like this!" he shouted, driving his sword into the base of the serpent's skull.

The creature screeched, its body convulsing as it tried to shake him off. Arion held on, using all his strength to push the blade deeper. Finally, with a final, ear-splitting roar, the serpent collapsed, its body disintegrating into shards of obsidian that scattered across the sand.

[System Notification]

Trial Completed: Guardian of the Shifting Sands defeated.

Reward: Skill Unlocked – Obsidian Slash.

Arion blinked as the notification appeared. A new ability? He focused on the system prompt, bringing up the description.

Obsidian Slash: A powerful attack that channels the destructive energy of obsidian. Deals massive damage to enemies with hardened defenses.

"Well, that's convenient," he said, flexing his hand as he felt the new power course through him.

The sand around him began to settle, and the air grew eerily calm. The Obsidian Citadel, which had seemed impossibly far away, now loomed directly ahead. Its towering spires reached into the crimson sky, and its gates were adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to shift and move under his gaze.

Arion wiped the sweat from his brow, his grip tightening on his sword. "One trial down. Let's see what else you've got for me."

With renewed determination, he strode toward the citadel, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him within its dark halls.