The voice from the other side of the door was like grinding stone, a sound that commanded obedience. It was the Great Guardian. I had written him as a silent, masked enforcer, his face forever hidden, his loyalty to the Patriarch absolute. For him to come personally was a statement in itself.
The script in my mind scrambled.
"Enter," I commanded, my voice forcibly steadied.
The door opened, and the Great Guardian filled the frame. He was a mountain of dark, polished armor and a flowing black cloak. The expressionless white mask that covered his face was more intimidating than anything.
"The Patriarch has summoned the young master to the Main Hall," he intoned, his voice echoing slightly within the mask. "An announcement is to be made."
I gave a single, curt nod. "I will attend."
The walk to the Main Hall was silent and tense.
Patriarch Cheon Mu-Won sat upon his throne, his face a mask of cold, impassive stone. He was a man I had written to be largely devoid of emotion, his humanity sacrificed for power long ago. My brothers were already there.
Ra-In stood with poised calm. Jin-Woo stood slightly behind, but I could see the keen focus in his downcast eyes.
I took my place, standing tall but with a respectful bow.
"The Barbarian King has named his successor," the Patriarch's voice was flat, devoid of ceremony. "He holds a grand banquet. As one of the Five Strongest, my presence is required."
He paused, letting the weight of that statement settle.
"I will be departing in ten days' time. One of you will accompany me." His eyes swept over us. "The opportunity is earned. The one who shall pass the blood cult's trial will earn the right to stand at my side."
The five chambers. I remembered them. I had designed each one as a unique test of mind, body, and spirit. This was no simple fetch quest.
He dismissed us with a flick of his wrist. As I turned to leave, his voice stopped me, colder than the mountain wind.
"Tae-Hyun."
I turned back, meeting his gaze. "Father?"
His expression did not change, but the pressure in the room intensified. "Do not disappoint me."
The words were not a challenge. They were a warning. He had sensed the calculated ambition, the ruthless intent coiling inside me, and he was drawing a line. "Whatever you do in that trial", the subtext screamed, "do not kill your brothers".
Back in my quarters, the game was clear. The original Tae-Hyun would have seen this as a free pass to arrange a fatal "accident" for his siblings. But I knew that was a fool's path. The Patriarch would know. And his punishment would be far severe.
The Blood Cult's Trial. Five rooms. Five challenges that i had made.
Jin-Woo's system would guide him, insulating him from the worst of the mental attacks and highlighting weaknesses. He would pass. It was his destiny.
But I knew the secrets.
I couldn't overpower it with strength or cheat it with a system. But I could navigate it with a perfect walkthrough.
This was my chance. I would not kill my brothers. I would simply be better. Faster. Smarter. I would win this fairly, by cheating in the most undetectable way possible. I would pass the trial, go to that banquet, and step into the role that was meant to for the main character.
The story was about to change.