Reborn with the SSS-Rank Creator System-Chapter 26: Second Test - 2

Xiphos stood on the 500th step, his breaths ragged as the weight pressing down on his body intensified. The faint energy that had once rejuvenated him now seemed to amplify the strain. Each step forward demanded not only physical endurance but an unyielding strength of mind. Yet, as he steadied himself for the next step, a wave of dizziness washed over him, and his thoughts scattered as he was pulled into a dream.

The world around him changed. He was no longer on the stairs but standing at the edge of a small, dilapidated hut near a small city. He felt the weight of the family sword at his side, its presence a constant reminder of his burden. The air was heavy with something else: a sense of hopelessness and despair that cut deeper than any blade.

In this dream, Xiphos had never met Theos or even his master. The warmth and camaraderie that had guided him were absent, replaced by an oppressive loneliness. He lived alone, eking out a meager existence by tending to the hut and training endlessly in the hope of restoring his father's tarnished name.

Xiphos's father had been a swordsman of unmatched skill, revered throughout the land. But after defeating a powerful opponent in a duel, that opponent manipulated events to disgrace his father's reputation. They claimed the victory was achieved through dishonorable means, branding him a fraud. Xiphos's father's name was ruined, and he was cast out of society.

In this vision, Xiphos's days were consumed by relentless training and tireless efforts to uncover the truth. His life was a solitary march of bitterness and determination. Without his master's guidance, Xiphos lacked direction. His movements were unrefined, his understanding of swordsmanship incomplete. Yet, he refused to give up.

He saw himself challenging the very man who had framed his father. That man's disdainful laughter echoed in Xiphos's mind as he mocked his efforts and dismissed him as a weakling. But Xiphos pressed on, fueled by the burning desire to clear his father's name. Over time, he gathered fragments of evidence, small pieces that hinted at the larger conspiracy.

Years passed in the blink of an eye. Xiphos's swordsmanship improved, but his body bore the scars of countless battles. He became a lone avenger, striking down those who stood in his way. His resolve never wavered, but the world seemed intent on breaking him. Everywhere he turned, doors were shut in his face, and allies were nowhere to be found.

Finally, he reached the gates of the man responsible for his father's downfall. Exhausted but unbroken, Xiphos fought his way through his guards. Blood stained his blade and body as he carved a path toward his enemy. The duel was fierce, a clash of wills as much as skill. Xiphos fought valiantly, but the wounds from years of hardship had taken their toll. The man struck a fatal blow, piercing Xiphos's chest.

Xiphos collapsed to his knees, blood pooling around him. The man's mocking laughter filled the air as Xiphos's vision dimmed. "You were never meant to succeed," he sneered.

Yet, in his final moments, Xiphos's lips curled into a faint smile. His voice, though weak, carried a strange peace. "So, this is what could have been... if I had not met my master."

With those words, the dream shattered like glass, and Xiphos awoke.

His body trembled, drenched in sweat as he opened his eyes. The stairs came back into focus, their radiant glow a stark contrast to the dream he had just experienced. He realized he had climbed far beyond what he thought possible. A quick count of the remaining steps revealed that there were only 300 left. He had reached the 700th step.

But now, the pressure was overwhelming. It crushed down on him, making every breath a struggle. His limbs refused to obey, and his mind felt as though it were teetering on the edge of collapse. Xiphos knew he could climb no further.

With a deep sigh, he sat down on the step, his back leaning against the next one. The energy around him was still present, faintly pulsing, but it no longer entered his body. He closed his eyes, letting his breathing stabilize.

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His thoughts drifted to Theos. "I wonder if he can make it to the top," Xiphos mused aloud, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "He's reckless enough to try."

If Xiphos had not been able to overcome the dream, he would have been left at the 500th step. But reaching the 700th step had increased his Spirit Energy by more than twofold.

Meanwhile, Theos struggled as he stepped onto the 700th step. His breath was heavy, and his entire body was drenched in sweat, yet his eyes remained vibrant and filled with determination. He had already endured multiple dreams, each testing his resolve. The last dream was about how his mother died and unable to revive her. He became incarnation of the devil himself. Killing everyone and anyone related to the leader who killed his mother. Despite the emotional toll, he pressed forward.

"I am going all the way. No way I am stopping here" Theos declares.

"ARRGHHHH!" Theos grunted as he lifted his left foot, veins bulging on his forehead, and blood trickling from his eyes and nose. The effort was immense, yet he refused to falter. As soon as he planted his foot on the next step, his reality shifted once more.

In the endless expanse of space, surrounded by infinite stars, a mysterious figure stood facing his former companions—Arcturus, Selene, and Lysander. The space around them trembled with immense power as their betrayal culminated in an explosive battle that fractured reality itself. Arcturus's blade, forged by valor turned bitter, Selene's knowledge twisted into malicious cunning, and Lysander's compassion corrupted into devastating force—each struck mercilessly at their creator. The figure fought valiantly, sorrow mingling with shock and anger, until finally, pierced by a sword thrust by Arcturus, he found himself suspended in the void, starlight reflecting faintly off the blade embedded in his chest. The betrayal felt like a cold blade twisting deeper than the physical wound, shattering trust, and leaving behind an indescribable emptiness, more painful than death itself.

The scene reset, and the event played out again, only with feeling betrayel in a different way.

This horrific cycle repeated thousands of times, each death etched into Theos's mind.

Though he knew it was a dream, the pain was unbearable. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! what is this? Who are these people? Why do I feel so much pain" he screamed, his voice raw with anguish. But nothing changed. Each time the dream reset, the mysterious figure's death occurred anew, unrelenting and unchanging.

Finally, before the dream restarted once more, Theos let out a maniacal laugh. "Enough!" he roared. He began punching the empty space around him, his fists colliding with an unseen barrier. His hands bled from the impact, but he continued, each strike stronger than the last. Pouring every ounce of his Spirit Energy into his muscles and bones, Theos pushed himself beyond his limits. Crack after crack appeared in the space, until finally, it shattered like glass.

Theos found himself back on the stairs, his body collapsing under him. Blood streamed from his mouth, eyes, ears, and nose. "Cough... cough," he choked, spitting out more blood. He lifted his head, his eyes shockingly clear despite the torment he had endured. Looking up, he realized he was on the 900th step.

Theos forced himself to stand, his body trembling from the effort. He smiled faintly and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before reopening them. His gaze locked onto the platform at the top. "I guess this is it. But mark my words, next time I will reach you," he said resolutely.

His body was battered and broken, but his spirit remained unshaken. Sitting down, he leaned back and began to admire the view, waiting for the next instructions.

After a few seconds, Theos disappeared from the space and landed heavily on the waiting ground. Everyone was already there, their eyes turning toward him. Theos managed to land on his feet but quickly collapsed, unable to keep standing. Sensing this, Xiphos rushed to him. Selene, Arlen, Eryk, and Lyra followed, their faces filled with shock as they took in Theos's battered condition.

"Hey, are you alright?"

"What happened to you?"

"Who hurt you?"

Their questions came in rapid succession, worry and confusion evident in their voices. Suddenly, a loud BOOM echoed behind them. Everyone turned to see Xiphos slamming his foot into the ground, his expression dark and furious.

"Enough. Get away from him," Xiphos commanded, his voice low but laced with authority.

Selene stepped forward, her tone cautious but irritated. "Hey, we were just asking. Why are you acting like this?"

Xiphos didn't respond verbally. Instead, his hand moved to the handle of his sword, his grip firm. The sharp movement sent an icy chill through Selene, who instinctively stepped back, her earlier confidence faltering.

Xiphos didn't say another word. He turned his attention back to Theos, kneeling beside him and extending a hand. "Can you stand?"

Theos, his voice weak but steady, replied, "Yes."

Though it was clear he was in no condition to move, Theos pushed himself to stand, not wanting Xiphos to worry further. Xiphos, however, didn't believe him and firmly helped him to a tree nearby. Once seated, Theos began channeling his Spirit Energy, focusing it on healing his injuries.

A few curious onlookers attempted to approach, their eyes filled with questions about Theos's state. But seeing Xiphos standing guard with his hand resting on his sword, no one dared to get too close. His silent, imposing stance spoke volumes, warding off any interruptions.

Xiphos's concern deepened as he watched Theos struggle to recover. He had never seen Theos this injured—not even after the grueling battle with the leader of the group that had attacked his village. Xiphos's jaw tightened as the realization hit him.

"He tried to go to the platform," Xiphos thought grimly. "Even after reaching his limits... he still pushed himself."

A second later, the head instructor appeared, his gaze sweeping over the aspirants before settling on Theos. His expression darkened with anger as he realized Theos had clearly overstepped his limits. "Chewing more than you can swallow," he muttered under his breath. But when his eyes shifted to Xiphos, a hint of pride flickered in his otherwise stern demeanor.

After a few moments of silence, the instructor clapped his hands, the sharp sound gathering everyone's attention. "Listen up," he announced, his voice carrying effortlessly across the space. "Get ready for the next challenge. In the next hour, you will each be teleported to a forest individually. Your task is to survive."

A murmur of anticipation spread through the crowd, but the instructor's raised hand silenced them. "The forest contains three categories of monsters: bronze, silver, and gold. Defeating a bronze monster earns you 10 points, silver gives you 100, and gold will reward you with 500 points."

Just as he finished speaking, a hand shot up into the air. It was Xiphos. "Sir," he called out, his voice calm yet firm, "can my friend take the final exam later, or can we delay it for everyone? He was injured in the last round."

The instructor's eyes narrowed as he turned back to Theos, his voice rising in irritation. "If he's injured, it's because he didn't know his limits. That's his responsibility to bear, and it will remain so for the rest of the tests."

Hearing this, Xiphos's face darkened with anger, and he opened his mouth to argue, but a firm hand landed on his shoulder. It was Theos. "Don't say anything," Theos said, his voice steady despite his evident weakness. "He's right. I'll handle it."

Xiphos turned to protest, but Theos shook his head, his eyes locking onto Xiphos's with quiet determination. "We both knew this journey wouldn't be easy," Theos added, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "And are you worrying about me? Don't you know me? Heh, heh."

Xiphos exhaled sharply, his anger subsiding. "Fine. But don't push yourself too much in the next test," he said, his tone laced with concern.

Theos nodded, his grin widening slightly. "Deal."

Before they could say more, the head instructor clapped twice, his voice booming over the crowd. "Go now! You have seven days to survive." With that, the aspirants began disappearing one by one, teleported into the forest. As Theos and Xiphos exchanged a final nod, they vanished, ready to face the next trial.