The sounds of fighting and growling reverberate through the dark, empty passageways.

* clap*

*swishhhhhhh*

*splash*

*thud*

Siphex murmured as he hacked open the headless body and consumed its heart, "and that would be the 74th."

< Heart consumed +1> 

< Souls+ 14 >

As Siphex progressed deeper into the zone 6 tunnels, he encountered additional mobs that were similar to bacats but slightly different and also higher leveled; after killing all of the zone 6 mobs, Siphex was rather happy with the number of souls they yielded. Getting to level 18 and halfway to 19

< Status >

Name: Siphex

Race ( Arachnoid: Rare )

Class ( null )

Level ( 18 )

Souls ( 431/960)

< stats >

STR ( 15 ) VIT ( 15 )

WIS ( 15 ) INT ( 15 )

DEX ( 15 ) CHA (15)

- available points (4)

< Skills >

 Active ( 1/3 )

- < Venomous Touch: Active >

 ( your physical attacks deal 200% of your INT + DEX as poison damage over 30 seconds. this effect stacks to a maximum of 3 stacks. cooldown 20 seconds. ).

- < lesser nightmare >

( inflict a lesser nightmare at the targeted enemy putting them to sleep while leaving them vulnerable for the next attack. attacking an enemy under the effect of will break the effect. cooldown 1min )

-

passive ( 2/3 )

- Arachnoid insight :

 ( the pure blood of the Ancient Reishalion runs through your veins, you gain the blessing of your ancestors: you are 100% resistant to poison & cold. 25% resistant to illusions).

.

- Nimble :

(your movement is partially muffled, your movement speed is increased up to 25% the closer you are to your target ).

 Utility (1)

< bloodlust ( Racial passive )>

( as an apex predator, consuming hearts will increase overall Stats by 1%, but will also increase skills cooldown by 5%. this effect lasts for one hour and stacks to a maximum of 10 stacks).

< >

Now that he had covered all of the tunnels in Zone 6, he was approaching the deepest area of the zone. Siphex was standing in front of a broken-down gate, which he then stepped through, skipping the fallen debris and greeting him in a larger space, something that wasn't a tunnel for once.

When he entered the large room, he noticed that it had many gleaming crystals on its roof and a massive hole through which several rays of light pierced, lighting down in the midst of the gloomy area.

There was a stone hexagonal platform with spiral engravings and weird symbols in the middle, where the rays touched the rocky ground.

" This is it, I'm sure of it, and I can't wait to get out of these tunnels," As he approached the stage, Siphex said excitedly.

As he approached the platform, he noticed many skeletons, bone remains, and dried blood scattered across the platform, which were illuminated by the light. As he stepped onto the platform, the engravings and symbols lit up in a hazy purple light, and he felt his body freeze once more.

A phantom voice interrupted him as he was attempting to understand the current scenario.

"You've finally come, and... oh my goodness, what is this? I can't believe it, my challenger this time is an arachnoid, I've only heard of your species before, how magnificent! "As it echoed through the empty tunnels, a voice said.

"Who is it?" siphex inquired as he attempted but failed to move his body.

As an ethereal figure emerged in front of Siphex, the voice stated, "ahh Silly me, we haven't met yet, let me introduce myself."

"I'm Zuliqar, the First Dimension's Guardian, and I work for Lord Zurich. You see, I'm the boss of this tiny maze and the more to come, and you're in my playground now "Zuliqar chuckled as he said this.

Siphex quickly used inspect.

< Name: Zuliqar >

< Race ( wraith: Boss ) >

< Class ( Guardian of the 1st Dimension )>

< Level (40***) >

"Does that mean...?" if you're one of the Guardians. enquired Siphex, concerned...

" Correct, I am one of the Guardians you must vanquish before ascending any higher. Tell me now, how was your first trial, your first taste of blood" Zuliqar remarked as he began flying and circling the petrified Siphex.

"It was simple, now that I've cleared every mob in this maze trial, does it imply we'll fight?" Siphex grumbled as he grew tired of his predicament.

"Oooooow, you're becoming cocky, aren't you?" We've just just begun. Let me tell you, even if you're an Arachnoid, you're still a bug that I can crush with a gaze; don't think that just because I'm only level 40 means you can even touch me; I'm out of your league... ' at least for the time being hehe ' ....

Do you realize how much potential your bloodline possesses?" As his ghostly wraith body swirled about Siphex, he inquired.

"I'm not sure what you mean by potential; all I know is that I'm a beast with slightly higher stats," Siphex responded, pondering what he had worked out after months of hunting.

" A beast? a slightly higher stats? HOW naive yet innocent are you? lol, allow me to extend your horizons a little " while performing a formal bow, Zuliqar continued. 

 " do you see those stars next to my level? Those stars are there for a reason; they're known as <Cycles of Rebirth>, and the number of them represents how many times you've gone through the cycle. When a being reaches his natural maximum level cap, if they have potential, they can opt to enter the Cycle of Rebirth.

As they return to their level cap, they lose a lot of their present level in exchange for more powers and stats, and three stars means I've done it three times and my power is several times that of even level 70 starless beings, let alone what you thought of me as a level 40. As for why I stopped at 3 stars, it's because as a wraith, that's my limit; I can't go any higher unless lord Zurich Allow me to evolve into something stronger than a wraith. So That brings us to the subject of potential; your race was said to have the potential to even break through the 5th star; I don't know, I haven't seen it, but it's magnificent, isn't it? You realize now how much potential you have in your blood." Zuliqar, who was having a good time lecturing the oblivious noob.

"And how do I do that, since your trial has been so simple so far?" Siphex responded

" Don't get too far ahead of yourself now, tsk tsk tsk, the process isn't easy, but you'll find out as you continue to grow, hahaha " Zuliqar laughed.

" As for fighting me, For now focus on growing stronger, Until you evolve and at least go through your first cycle of Rebirth, then you have a chance facing me." Zuliqar clasped his arms together, causing a shockwave that summoned black mist and then vanished.

"But how do I grow if I've already killed everything in this place?" replied urgently as the room trembled violently.

"You did. I did not expect your fast growth....But don't worry, there are more trials and beasts to keep you busy, but first here's a a little challenge to test someone like you: let me see how you do against a real threat, challenger, try not to die haha ".. As his laughter faded, Zuliqar said.

As the surrounding space distorted and bent, siphex felt numb and light-headed.

* zzzzzzz wizfffffffffffffffffffffff

Siphex felt danger when he found himself in the middle of a dark graveyard and heard a loud savage growl that shook his surroundings. He couldn't figure out where the enemy was because his vision couldn't highlight anything. He took a combat stance and looked around when he heard something step on the ground behind him and turned around in fright. 

A tall but skinny humanoid figure on all fours stood in front of Siphex. gleaming red eyes, long claws, and a deadly aura

quickly using inspect, Siphex became stiff at what he saw

(Ghoul: undead: uncommon: level 40*)

'This thing is strong; is this how it feels to face a high-leveled enemy with a single star?' i dont know if Im excited or scared, I have to be careful or I'll get in big trouble.' As the ghoul made the first move, Siphex became concerned.

Rushing right, Siphex dodged and stepped backward as the ghoul claw demolished the ground beneath him.

* Bang* 

* Badufffffffffffffffffffff*

*Bang*

After dodging several blows, Despite its incredible strength, Siphex noticed that he was still faster than the ghoul to some extent; he didn't know if it was because he had eight legs, was much smaller, or was just naturally faster; it didn't matter because he was glad that he could at least keep up and dodge the ghoul's attacks because he couldn't afford to take a hit.

'One hit and I'm dead,' siphex thought as he jumped and avoided another claw swipe that smashed a tombstone in its path.

* budufffffffffffffffffffffffffff

* Holy fuck*

*Growwwwwl*

'Venomous claw is no longer useful because undead are immune to poison, but I can try this,' said Siphex as he kept a safe distance and tried lesser nightmare.

< target is too powerful for this skill >

" There goes my active skills.... So you want me to stab you to death?" siphex muttered angrily.

* baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang *

Dodging another destructive attack, Siphex leaped and slashed at the ghoul's leg with all his strength, leaving a tiny but noticeable cut

'I need more strength,' he said, having spent all of his pending points on strength.

< 4 available points spent >

< STR +4 > STR (19) > 

Going after the ghoul again, dodging and waiting for an opening. Siphex rushed and slid behind the Ghoul as he spun and slashed again, leaving a slightly bigger cut.

"Well, now, we could take all day, bad for you, I don't get tired easily," Siphex said confidently as they both rushed at each other.