Breakthrough Trials were amongst the first things Marlon learned when he first transmigrated into Arden.
It was a complex trial that all hunters had to go through before attaining a new rank. It was triggered upon reaching the required level and contained a series of difficulties that came with a wide range of rewards.
When a newbie hunter reached level 16, they were required to undergo a breakthrough trial to become an F-rank hunter and gain the right to accumulate more experience for higher levels. Without completing this trial, they would remain stuck at that level indefinitely, no matter how hard they tried to grow stronger.
However, these trials were feared for many reasons. One of the greatest was the possibility of death. A hunter who died inside the trial didn't simply vanish—their body would twist and mutate into a mindless monster.
An FF-rank hunter would become an F-rank monster after dying within the trial, while an A-rank hunter's death could create an S-rank threat. Because of this, breakthrough trials were dreaded not only by those attempting them but also by everyone living nearby.
And at this moment, Marlon was about to undergo such a breakthrough trial.
[ You've reached a Breakthrough Moment ]
[ Your first breakthrough trial will now begin. ]
[ Please select the difficulty of your Breakthrough Trial ]
[ 1-Star Difficulty:
Survival rate: 100%
Reward: You can level up further ]
[ 2-Star Difficulty:
Survival rate: 70%
Reward: A random skill will be upgraded ]
[ 3-Star Difficulty:
Survival rate: 40%
Reward: Two random skills will be upgraded ]
[ 4-Star Difficulty:
Survival rate: 20%
Reward: Three free stat points with future level-ups and three random skills will be upgraded ]
[ 5-Star Difficulty:
Survival rate: 2%
Reward: Five free stat points with future level-ups, all available skills upgraded, and a new skill might be added ]
These lines of text appeared the moment he slayed his last opponent. His eyes stayed fixed on them, scanning the details as the usual smug look on his face faded into a serious one.
A chilly wind blew across his stern face, spreading through the area littered with beast corpses. The metallic scent of blood lingered faintly, frozen by the cold temperature.
At the moment, except for the two ice wolves still engaged with Lyra, every other monster had fallen.
"Thanks, Marlon." Ashton and Logan walked closer to him to thank him, but he ignored them.
The two of them quickly figured out that he was interacting with his system when they saw his gaze fixed on seemingly empty midair.
"Did you level up?" Logan asked. "What's your new level?"
Marlon turned toward them with a serious expression, which was rare, and replied, "Level 16."
"Level 16? That's grea—wait, what!" Logan's words caught in his throat as his eyes widened. "Level 16?! That means you have to take the breakthrough trial!"
His tone changed instantly, going from excitement to worry. Ashton beside him also wore the same anxious look — they both knew what happens after level 16 and the danger tied around it.
"You should attempt the two-star difficulty," Ashton suggested quickly. "Once you succeed, one of your skills will be upgraded, and its survival rate is manageable. At least for someone with your talent, you should be able to survive it in a short time."
Logan nodded immediately, agreeing with his friend.
Only a handful of hunters had ever attempted 3-star and above difficulties and succeeded. More than ninety percent of those who tried either got lost within the trial or died and mutated into monsters.
Once a hunter turned into a monster, they had to be slain—there was no way to turn them back into humans.
The two of them reminded Marlon of these facts to convince him to choose the easiest difficulty.
At that moment, Lyra slayed the last ice wolf and walked toward them.
While fighting, she had overheard that Marlon had reached level 16 and was about to attempt his breakthrough trial to become an F-rank hunter.
She was dumbfounded the moment she heard it. When and how did he reach level 16? She knew for a fact that he had only entered the danger-zone once since arriving, and that was yesterday. Even then, he and his two friends had boldly denied facing any real monsters. So how could he have reached such a high level so quickly?
Her immediate conclusion was that he had spent millions to purchase EXP orbs—but she knew that was impossible too. His parents might be wealthy, but they neglected him and would never spend that much on him.
She wanted to ask him so many questions, but for now, she could only rush over to warn him to take an easier difficulty.
Even her father, Walter Whitlock — a well-known B-rank powerhouse — had nearly died after spending three years inside his trial world. And that had only been a 3-star difficulty.
"Take their advice," she said the moment she arrived.
"Yeah, see? She agrees too," Logan and Ashton quickly added.
They all looked at Marlon, waiting for his response.
Marlon turned to face them.
His answer had already been decided the moment he saw the difficulty options and their rewards.
"I've made my choice," he said firmly. "I'll take the 4-star difficulty breakthrough trial."
"What?!" Ashton and Logan barked together.
"Are you suicidal?" Lyra shouted, stomping forward to grab his collar. "Even a 3-star difficulty is nearly impossible to complete, and you're picking a 4-star one?!"
Marlon was a head taller than her so he looked down slightly to meet her furious eyes filled with anger and concern.
'She really does know how to care for others, but she's good at hiding it,' he thought with a faint smirk but didn't say it out loud.
"You guys can rest assured," he said confidently. "I'm sure I can handle it. And if by some miracle I fail—which is very unlikely—Lyra, I'll give you the honor of slaying the Obsidian Fist."
Obsidian Fist.
The words echoed in Lyra's mind for a few seconds before her eyes widened.
"Y-you're that masked fighter…" she gasped, tightening her grip on his collar.
But before she could demand an answer, Marlon clicked on the 4-star breakthrough trial.
A bright golden glow enveloped his body, and in the next instant, he vanished into the dangerous world of his trial.
"He really took the 4-star difficulty!" Logan and Ashton shouted together, both swallowing nervously.
Copper light represented 1-star difficulty, bronze for 2-star, silver for 3-star, and gold for 4-star.
Everyone in Arden knew this. The golden glow that wrapped Marlon before he disappeared confirmed his choice without question.
Coincidentally, their interaction and Marlon's disappearance was as being displayed to the outside world. Everyone witnessed the golden light, recognizing immediately that he had taken a 4-star breakthrough trial.
It sent ripples across the entire coliseum. Spectators stood up from their seats shock, their trouble and concerned chattering filled the entire area.
Marlon's parents jumped from their seats in shock. What was their son thinking?
A few high-ranking hunters cursed under their breath as they knew what followed such a blatant choice.
Norian Sterling even ordered his secretary to send a squad of expert E-rank into the Survival Matrix, ready to intervene if Marlon failed and turned into a monster.
Yet even as he took precautions, a strange feeling lingered in Norian's chest. Deep down, he believed Marlon might just succeed.
If he did, he would become the one hundred and first person in history to ever attempt and clear such a high-level difficulty.
And anyone who could succeed such a challenge has already solidified his stance amongst the world greatest, becoming a bright star that could not hidden.
...
NEW WEEK CHALLENGE
100 Power stones = 2 Bonus Chapters
10 Golden Ticket = 2 Bonus Chapters
Any gift above 500 coins = 1 chap