[[You have been bestowed a Ruin Name.]
[Ruin Name: ∎∎—forge—∎∎]
[Status: Fragment — Unrecognized]
Edward stared ahead, his expression calm, but his eyes sharper than before.
"…Ruin Name… and this status—Fragment… Unrecognized?"
"…what is that supposed to mean?"
His thoughts drifted back to what the village elder had once told him.
There was a vast world beyond this village—a world of people living inside fortified strongholds called bastions. Unlike this small, fragile place, bastions were protected by powerful individuals. Those left behind—like the people of his village—were the ones who couldn't make it there. Lost. Separated. Abandoned after the Ruins appeared.
This village had been nothing more than a refuge for the forgotten, a place where they tried to survive on their own.
But beyond it… there were bastions.
Places where people with extraordinary abilities lived.
They were called superhumans.
They entered Ruins, faced trials, and gained mystical power. Some were even favored by the Ruins—marked, strengthened… and in rare cases, granted something greater.
A Ruin Name.
Most believed it was just a myth.
Edward remembered what the elder had told him—marked individuals were those who had survived their first Ruin Trial. Chosen by the Ruins. Different from ordinary humans. Stronger. Capable of surviving what others could not.
He had asked once, unable to hide his curiosity.
"How do you even know about all this?"
The elder had simply replied,
"I lived in a bastion once."
He had been Marked. He had sought greater power, aiming to challenge a second trial. But during a monster gate outbreak, he had been separated from his group… and ended up here.
Stranded.
He stayed to protect the villagers, but his strength was limited. Stronger than ordinary people… yet not strong enough to cross the dark forest and return to a bastion.
So he remained.
At the time, Edward hadn't believed him.
But now…
It all made sense.
His jaw dropped slightly.
"Ruin… a Ruin Name. I received a Ruin Name… after my first Ruin Trial."
His voice trembled—not from fear, but disbelief.
Never in his wildest imagination had he expected this.
Only those who achieved something extraordinary… something impossible during a first Ruin Trial… were acknowledged by the Ruins.
"How can I…?"
He paused, then shook his head.
"…doesn't matter."
A faint grin appeared.
"If it makes me special, I'll take it."
His eyes darkened slightly.
" I'll grow stronger. Strong enough to survive… strong enough to protect someone I care about."
But the rewards didn't stop there.
[You have received an artifact: Blade of Darkness]
Edward blinked.
"An artifact…"
His thoughts raced.
"People usually get these after killing monsters inside a Ruin… and even then, it's rare."
He stared at his hand.
"I got one… on my first kill… in my first Ruin Trial?"
A short breath escaped him.
"…yeah, right."
Then he let out a quiet laugh.
"No way… but still… this is insane."
[You have received an Aspect]
Edward rubbed his forehead.
"And an Aspect too…"
He exhaled slowly.
"Aspect? Aspect rank… don't remember hearing that from the elder."
"…whatever. If it's free, I'm okay. It can't be useless. I'll check it later."
Aspect/Title Name: Nameless Slayer
Aspect Rank: Omnipotence
Aspect Description:
You are a Slayer who once served a powerful entity. As an Omnipotent Slayer, you possess mysterious and unknown power. You are capable of killing anything. A Slayer is a solitary being, born to kill and bring destruction.
"…served a powerful entity? I don't remember agreeing to that."
"…capable of killing anything…? I'll believe it when I see it."
Innate Ability: Dark Covenant
Ability Description:
Once you come to know yourself, death and darkness begin to heed your call—yet only in whispers, as if the shadows themselves have already claimed you as their own.
"…darkness, huh…"
"…sounds like trouble."
As Edward came back to himself, the sound of his footsteps echoed faintly before being swallowed by the vast, ruined hall. Dust drifted through the broken ceiling, catching dim light like suspended stars.
Then—
Something inside him pulsed.
A sharp pain struck his chest.
His body stiffened.
"…what—"
The pain spread from his heart, deep and relentless, forcing his vision to blur. His thoughts scattered as darkness crept into the edges of his sight.
But he didn't fall.
He endured.
His teeth clenched.
"Not… now…"
The pain intensified—
Then suddenly—
A voice.
"Nameless Slayer… your Core of Origins has stabilized."
The voice was calm. Distant. Unavoidable.
The pain began to fade.
Slowly.
Edward exhaled sharply, his body finally relaxing.
"…damn…"
His breathing steadied as the last traces of pain disappeared.
Relief washed over him.
"…so that's what completing a Ruin Trial feels like."
He stood there in silence for a moment.
Alive.
Changed.
And no longer the same as before.