Chapter 3: The Forsaken Guardian
The skeletal figure loomed over Lin Tian, its hollow eye sockets flickering with eerie blue flames. The oppressive aura it radiated sent shivers down his spine, like a predator sizing up its prey.
"Who dares trespass upon the land of the forsaken?"
Its voice was deep and guttural, echoing through the ruined temple as if the very air trembled under its power. Lin Tian took a deep breath, forcing his body to steady itself.
His instincts screamed at him to run. This entity was clearly far beyond his current capabilities. But where would he even go? This world belonged to him now—if he fled, he’d be running from his own domain.
And if he wanted to rebuild this world, he couldn’t afford to be weak.
Lin Tian clenched his fists and straightened his back. “I’m the new ruler of this world.”
The blue flames in the skeletal figure’s eye sockets flared, as if enraged.
"A ruler?" The entity’s voice carried a sharp, mocking tone. "This world has long been abandoned. It has no ruler, no life, no future. Only I remain to witness its demise."
Lin Tian narrowed his eyes. “Then what are you? A guardian? A remnant of the past?”
The skeleton’s bony fingers twitched. "I am the last protector of a forgotten age. I was bound to this land when my people fell, cursed to stand vigil until the end of time."
A cursed guardian.
Lin Tian processed the words carefully. If this entity had been bound to the world, then it might still be connected to the world’s core. And if that were true…
A bold thought crossed his mind.
“Then serve me.”
The blue flames in the skeleton’s sockets flashed dangerously.
"You are arrogant, mortal."
“I’m pragmatic,” Lin Tian countered. “You said this world is dying. You’re the last of its protectors, cursed to remain here. But what if I told you I could change that?”
The skeletal figure went unnervingly still.
Lin Tian continued, stepping forward cautiously. “I wasn’t lying when I said I’m this world’s ruler. I’ve been chosen to cultivate it, to bring it back from the brink. That means I have the power to shape its future—and yours.”
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The air grew heavy. Lin Tian could feel an unseen pressure pressing against him, testing him, judging him.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, the skeleton finally spoke.
"Prove it."
A system notification flashed in his vision.
> [Trial of the Forsaken Guardian Initiated]
Objective: Withstand the Guardian’s Judgment.
Failure Penalty: Immediate Expulsion from the Temple Grounds.
Lin Tian barely had time to react before the skeletal guardian moved.
It was fast—too fast.
A bladed arm swung toward him in a blur of motion, aiming straight for his throat. Lin Tian’s body reacted instinctively, throwing himself backward. The blade sliced the air inches from his neck, kicking up dust from the ruined floor.
His heart pounded. He had no weapons, no abilities—nothing.
Yet, the system had given him a challenge. That meant this trial was possible to overcome.
Lin Tian’s mind raced. What was the trial’s objective? “Withstand the Guardian’s Judgment.” Not defeat it—survive.
That was his key to winning.
The Guardian didn’t stop. It lunged again, slashing with its blade-like bones. Lin Tian dodged, rolling across the ground. Too close. One mistake and he’d be skewered.
He needed to think—fast.
Then he remembered:
This world was his now. And the system had game-like functions.
“System!” he called out. “Are there any abilities I can unlock right now?”
[Scanning…]
A second later, a new prompt appeared.
> [New Ability Unlocked: Adaptation Reflex]
Rank: F
Effect: Enhances bodily reactions to external threats, increasing dodge efficiency.
Lin Tian felt a sudden shift in his body. It wasn’t overwhelming, but his movements felt a little sharper, a little more precise.
The Guardian lunged again.
This time, Lin Tian saw it coming.
He twisted his body just enough to barely evade the blade. It still nicked his shoulder, but compared to before, the improvement was obvious.
The Guardian paused, observing him. It had noticed the difference.
Lin Tian smirked despite the situation. “What’s wrong? Not as easy as you thought?”
The skeleton let out a hollow, echoing laugh.
"Perhaps there is hope for you yet."
It disengaged, stepping back. The system notification updated.
> [Trial Complete: You Have Withstood the Guardian’s Judgment.]
Reward: Guardian’s Recognition + 5 World Energy Points.
Lin Tian’s chest rose and fell as he caught his breath. He had done it.
The Guardian lowered its weapon and knelt before him.
"From this moment forth, I acknowledge you as this world’s ruler."
Lin Tian’s eyes widened. That easily? No, this wasn’t easy—he had earned it.
[You have obtained your first World Guardian.]
> [Forsaken Guardian: Orros]
Rank: ???
Status: Bound to the World Core
Loyalty: Acknowledged
A Guardian… his first ally.
Lin Tian straightened, his confidence growing. “Then as this world’s ruler, I have my first command.”
He turned his gaze to the black crystal at the center of the ruins. The very object that had started this trial.
“I need to restore this world’s core. That crystal—it holds energy, doesn’t it?”
Orros stood, his gaze shifting toward the relic. "Indeed. It is a fragment of the past, a remnant of my people’s power. If you wish to reclaim this world, it will aid you."
Lin Tian nodded. He stepped forward and placed his hand on the crystal.
This time, instead of rejecting him—it responded.
A pulse of energy surged into his body. The system chimed.
> [World Energy Absorbed: +10 Points]
Lin Tian grinned. Finally, he had the first step toward rebuilding his world.
He turned to Orros. “Let’s get started.”
The Guardian bowed. "As you command, my ruler."
And so, with a ne
w ally and his first source of energy, Lin Tian took his first true step toward becoming a ruler of worlds.
End of Chapter 3.
