Novel Full Chapter 68: Blood Heart Challenge, Unique Item
Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Blood Heart Challenge, Unique Item
[Challenges] were something extremely rare in [Universal Ascension]. Rare enough that most players would never see one in their entire lifetime.
Even in the [Higher Domain], where elites gathered, and in the [Eternal Domain], where monsters walked among legends, challenges were still spoken of more like myths.
Some people doubted they even existed. Others believed they were reserved only for those favored directly by the system.
And just as rare as they were… They were terrifyingly difficult.
Every [Challenge] came with strict rules, brutal conditions, and consequences that could permanently lock players out if they failed.
Many didn’t just test strength, they tested awareness, judgment, and understanding of the world.
This was Leon’s first challenge since his rebirth. And he had no intention of losing.
Fwoosh!
The moment the system acknowledged the [Blood Moon Crystal] and judged him worthy, the massive gate before him reacted.
The crimson symbol carved into its surface pulsed once, then cracked apart as the stone doors slowly began to open.
What lay beyond wasn’t a dark corridor. Nor was it another narrow chamber filled with traps.
Instead, Leon found himself staring into something completely different. Beyond the gate was a sanctuary.
Bright vegetation covered the ground, strange plants glowing faintly under the crimson light.
Vines wrapped around white stone structures, and the air itself felt heavy, saturated with power.
In the center of the sanctuary stood a monument, ancient, weathered, and unmistakably important.
Above it all, the sky was dark.
The [Blood Moon] hung directly overhead, positioned perfectly above the monument, as if the entire space had been built around that exact alignment.
Its crimson light poured down, bathing the sanctuary and focusing entirely on the structure below.
Leon paused at the threshold.
“Can you stay back?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder. “I don’t think I can take you with me.”
Emilia smiled easily.
“It’s fine,” she said, unfazed. “I’ll take the time to level up too.”
Leon nodded, “Thanks.”
With that, he stepped forward.
The moment his foot crossed the boundary—
Ding!
[You have entered the “Blood Heart Challenge”]
[Challenge: Defend the “Blood Heart” from the monster tide. Do not allow it to be destroyed.]
[If destroyed, it will kill you as well as stop you from ever attempting this challenge again.]
Leon exhaled slowly.
“Hm.”
Tolkien had mentioned this challenge.
According to him, the [Moon Sect] had attempted it countless times over the years, and failed every single time.
No matter how many elites they sent, no matter how well they prepared, none of them had succeeded.
That alone told Leon everything he needed to know. This challenge was no joke.
Still, he moved forward.
The instant his entire body entered the sanctuary, the gate behind him shut with a heavy boom, sealing itself completely.
’…Can’t go back, I guess.’
Leon didn’t panic. Instead, he studied his surroundings carefully.
The sanctuary was circular, its edges defined by four tall marble pillars that held up a domed structure.
Each pillar was etched with ancient carvings, worn down by time but still faintly visible.
Whatever this place was, it had existed long before players ever arrived in this world.
At the center stood a pedestal. And on top of it… A heart.
A massive crimson heart, pulsing slowly, rhythmically.
Each beat sent waves of red light outward, absorbing the glow of the [Blood Moon] above.
Thick chains extended from it, binding it to the four pillars, as if preventing it from escaping, or being taken.
No matter what anyone did, those chains couldn’t be broken. Leon knew that already.
To claim it, you had to pass the challenge. He stepped closer and activated [Appraisal].
[Blood Heart (Unique): Holds the power of the “Blood Moon” within it. May be extremely useful to whoever possesses it.]
That was all the system showed him. But Leon didn’t need more.
The moment he saw the word “Unique,” his decision was already made.
Unique items were absurdly rare in [Universal Ascension]. Each one carried power far beyond normal equipment.
More importantly, they were one-of-a-kind. Once claimed, they were gone forever.
In his past life, Leon had seen players rise to unimaginable heights simply because they had acquired a single unique item early on.
This heart… He needed it.
Leon tightened his grip on his sword and staff.
And then—
Ding!
Three beams of crimson light slammed down into different corners of the sanctuary.
The ground trembled as the beams solidified, and from each one, a powerful presence began to emerge.
“Looks like it’s starting,” Leon said with a grin, “Guess I just need to protect the [Blood Heart] no matter what.”
His eyes sharpened as the monsters fully revealed themselves.
—
[Rotten Moon Devout (Mutated)]
[Level: 25]
[Combat Power: 39,000]
[Details: A moon sect devout that has rotten in this sanctuary for far too long.]
—
[Blood Archer (Mutated)]
[Level: 25]
[Combat Power: 40,000]
[Details: An archer that forms arrows out of blood, extremely powerful.]
—
[Blood Bear (Mutated)]
[Level: 25]
[Combat Power: 41,000]
[Details: A bear that had its body completely changed by the power of the blood moon.]
—
All three were mutated. All three were strong.
And all three appeared from different positions around the sanctuary.
Leon clicked his tongue.
’No wonder this is a challenge.’
The [Blood Bear] moved first, charging forward with terrifying speed, its massive claws gleaming under the crimson light.
Leon prepared to intercept—
Fwoosh!
But before he could move, the [Blood Archer] had already drawn its bow. A blood-red arrow condensed instantly and was released without hesitation.
BAM!
The arrow struck the [Blood Heart] directly. A small crack formed on its surface.
Leon’s eyes widened slightly. Thankfully, the heart wasn’t destroyed.
But now he understood.
’I see…’
His expression darkened.
’Two close-range monsters to force engagement… and one long-range attacker targeting the heart directly.’
Since the challenge had to be completed alone, managing all three simultaneously was brutal. Any moment of hesitation meant another arrow.
This setup would overwhelm almost anyone… but Leon wasn’t anyonre.
Because unlike most others, he could use both a sword and magic!
Leon moved.
Storm of Lightning!
A violent surge of lightning erupted outward, striking all three monsters at once.
Electricity danced across the sanctuary, momentarily disrupting their movements.
Powerful Fireball!
A blazing fireball followed immediately, slamming into the [Blood Archer]. The explosion scorched its body, interrupting its aim and forcing it back.
But in that same instant—
The [Blood Bear] and [Rotten Moon Devout] closed the distance.
Claws and blade came down at the same time.
Leon blocked, deflected, and twisted aside, his expression tightening.
’They’re buying time…’ His eyes flicked toward the archer, ’They’re creating openings for it to fire again.’
It was a coordinated assault. But they had miscalculated.
After deflecting both attacks, he leaped backward, creating space, then turned in one smooth motion.
Crescent Slash!
Fwoosh!
A crescent-shaped blade of energy tore through the air, slicing straight toward the [Blood Archer]. It cut through its body effortlessly, splitting it in half.
The archer collapsed without even making a sound. Silence fell.
Leon turned slowly toward the remaining two monsters, a wide grin spreading across his face.
The [Blood Bear] and [Rotten Moon Devout] glanced at each other. They swallowed.
It didn’t matter. Leon closed the distance and ended them both swiftly.
Their heads hit the ground moments later.
“Phew,” Leon exhaled, “I guess it’s no wonder nobody could complete it.”
Ding!
[You have killed “Blood Bear” and gained 8,000 experience points.]
[You have killed “Rotten Moon Devout” and gained 7,700 experience points.]
[You have killed “Blood Archer” and gained 7,900 experience points.]
[100% Drop Rate has triggered…]
He would have ended it there. If it actually was the end.
But suddenly, the [Blood Moon] above reacted. Its light intensified, pulsing violently, as if something had finally noticed him.
Ding!
[The “Blood Moon” does not like your presence. It will send its strongest foe.]
Leon’s grin vanished.
“Oh shit.”
BOOM!
A massive crimson beam erupted from the sky, easily ten times larger than the previous ones.
The ground shook violently as something enormous began to descend.
ROOOOAR!
[The “Blood Wyvern” has appeared.]