Elves
Average Height: 170 cm to 178 cm (5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 10 inches) - No discernible height difference between males and females.
Average Weight: 45 kg to 50 kg (100 pounds to 110 pounds) - No discernible weight difference between males and females.
Physical Capabilities: Low, except for pulling strength.
Magical Capabilities: High.
Elves are unique beings with a half-spiritual existence, relying heavily on Mother Trees for survival. Their low fertility and diminished carnal desires, combined with the necessity for younger elves to absorb the vitalizing aura of a Mother Tree, often prevent them from leaving the forests of their birth. Each elf forms a profound connection with the Mother Tree nearby, seeing it as their true mother.
According to elven sages, the origin of elves is a tale of tragic love. Long ago, two elemental clans¡ªone of Wind and one of Earth¡ªwere locked in an endless conflict over a cause long forgotten. Amidst the strife, love bloomed between a Wind Elemental and an Earth Elemental. Their desire to be together transcended the war, and they sought refuge in the mortal realm to escape their clans¡¯ hatred.
When the clans discovered the lovers¡¯ betrayal, they cursed them to ensure they could never be together. The Earth Elemental was bound to the ground, and the Wind Elemental to the sky, forever separated. However, their love proved stronger than the curse. The sky wept endlessly, and the earth soaked in the tears until a miraculous sapling sprouted, growing into a massive tree that bridged the earth and sky. This tree, born of love and sorrow, became the first Mother Tree. From its fruits, the first elves emerged, carrying the legacy of the elemental lovers in their veins.
Due to their unique heritage, elves have weak bodies except when it comes to pulling strength, which they use to draw their bows and climb trees. However, their senses are excellent, and their mana control and pool are massive. Most elves channel their magical affinity by contracting with elemental spirits, a skill that comes naturally due to their origins.
Elves often have difficulty relating to other sapient races, a challenge attributed to their long lives, unique and hard-to-learn language, and their deep connection to the elemental plane.
Hybrids
It is believed that all three races can interbreed and produce viable offspring, but only human and beastkin hybrids have been recorded. This is attributed to the low libido and fertility of elves, coupled with their isolated lifestyle.
Human-Beastkin Hybrids:
Human-beastkin hybrids are relatively common. Their origins are often steeped in violence, but some hybrids are born to loving families. Most characteristics of the child come from the mother. A hybrid with a beastkin mother may be indistinguishable from a full-blooded beastkin, except for the inability to use Primal Evocation. Conversely, a hybrid with a human mother may look fully human except for their eyes. These hybrids often hide their heritage and live among the race they resemble most.
Most hybrids have either animal ears or tails. Those with only ears sometimes claim their tails were cut, while those with only tails sometimes hideor cut them to live without prejudice among a single race.
Hybrids typically possess innate physical and magical capabilities that fall between their parent races, making them slightly stronger physically than humans and better mana controllers than beastkin. They also have better senses than humans but less acute than full beastkin, which helps them avoid sensory overload.
Unique Traits:
- Primal Evocation: Hybrids cannot use Primal Evocation, but they may possess Sparks. However, due to the sealed nature of Sparks, how this works is unknown.
- Hybrid Vigor: One in ten hybrids exhibit what is dubbed "Hybrid Vigor." This trait allows them to grow taller and bigger than both parents while gaining physical capabilities matching a beastkin using Primal Evocation without any external aid.
Mental Characteristics: It is difficult to accurately assess the mental quirks of hybrids. Due to the circumstances of their birth and lack of acceptance from both parent races, many hybrids grow up to be spiteful and cynical loners. This is more a result of their upbringing rather than their nature. Those raised in healthy families usually embrace the culture of one of their parents, depending on their personality, after initial struggles fitting in during their teenage years.
Afterlife Beliefs: Where a hybrid goes after death is a question often asked. Supremacists from both sides claim that a hybrid¡¯s soul will never be accepted by Ancestors or the Stars, and they are bound to be consumed by demons. However, more tolerant shamans and priests argue that this is not true. It is said that neither Ancestors nor Stars would let a mortal who lived a good life be devoured by demons. It is possible that a hybrid¡¯s afterlife is determined by the culture they chose to embrace or an agreement between Ancestors and Stars.
Intra-Beastkin Hybrids: A child born from the union of different types of beastkin, such as a fox and a lion, is not considered a hybrid by nearly all beastkin groups, save for extreme purists. As with other hybrids, the child will most often take after the mother, being her type three out of four times.
193-The Arrival of Destiny
The air was thick with mana and anticipation just like many times before. The council chamber built several hundred years ago was no stranger to suspense as it had seen many meetings and housed many great warriors and commanders ever since it was first built. Of course, it didn¡¯t only serve figures greater than life. Some people who walked, spoke, and gave orders were cruel and incompetent. Under their rule, countless lives were unjustly lost, and even more suffered in pestilence and poverty.
However, today was special, distinct from other days when tribe leaders were gathered. They weren¡¯t here to discuss how much taxes should be gathered or make a decision about whether they should wage war No, today they stood on the precipice of a new era, their purpose grander than mundane politics. They were here to receive the Champion of Aliera, chosen by their patron Goddess.
The long-awaited expeditions had borne fruit at last. Skilled warriors, seasoned mages, and wise priestesses had scoured the far reaches of the realm, searching for any sign of the Champion. Now, as the sun dipped below the horizon, they were approaching Quipax, heralding the arrival of a figure who could alter the course of fate itself.
The council chamber stood as a monument to both grandeur and solemnity. Its walls were lined with intricate tapestries, each woven with threads of gold and silver, depicting the previous queens who led the Amazons. The air was imbued with a sacred aura, a blessing from Aliera herself to strengthen her followers.
Beneath the majestic vaulted ceiling, an array of flickering lambs powered by magic itself cast warm, dancing shadows, illuminating the faces of the leaders seated at the heart of the room. At the center, a colossal table crafted from the heartwood of ancient trees commanded attention. Its surface was polished to a reflective sheen, adorned with elaborate carvings that spiraled and intertwined, telling tales of unity and conflict.
Around the table sat the leaders, each one different and unique to themselves. They represented their clans, schools, or business. Some were young geniuses while others were experienced veterans. Some had eyes and faces hardened by training and conflict while some had skin fair and pale as a newborn. They were the nobles, leaders, mages, priestesses, and merchants of Quipax and each single one of them waited for the arrival of their Champion with anxiety.
The reasons for their anxiety were as varied as themselves. They didn¡¯t know a thing about the Champion. What they looked like? How old were they? What power did they hold? The last Champion, Rodrick was killed hundreds of years ago. No one alive in the council knew him personally.
Many of the council members hoped that the new Champion was female just like the Second Champion who founded their city. They were in Quipax after all, Amazon city was founded so that woman could live their lives as they wanted to. The idea that they would have to accept a male to lead them made them grit their teeth.
As the council members exchanged anxious glances, the weight of uncertainty pressed down upon them like a gathering storm. Whispers filled the chamber, laced with speculation and hope, as each leader pondered the identity of the Champion.
The tapestry of emotions woven among the council members reflected their diverse backgrounds and aspirations. Young geniuses, fresh from the arcane academies, fidgeted in their seats, their minds racing with the potential of magic yet untamed. Weathered veterans, scarred by the trials of battle, sat with arms crossed, their gazes fixed on the door as if willing the Champion to appear.
The Queen wasn¡¯t like her subjects. Seated regally upon her throne, she faced the door with an air of quiet authority, her eyes closed, a serene expression gracing her features. Her presence radiated a calmness that contrasted sharply with the palpable tension in the chamber.
¡°Commander of the first army Artemeni, Head Priestess Thalia, and Archmage Aurora arrived with the Champion!¡±
The proclamation rang out like a thunderclap, slicing through the tension that had gripped the council chamber. A hush fell over the leaders, their anxious murmurs silenced by the weight of the moment. Every gaze shifted toward the imposing doors, where shadows danced in the flickering light, heralding the arrival of a new destiny. The Queen slowly opened her eyes and mouthed.
¡°They may come in.¡±
With her permission the doors creaked open slowly, revealing a sight that made hearts quicken and breaths hitch. Commander Artemeni, a figure of steel and valor, strode forward, her armor glinting with the light of the enchanted lamps. Beside her, Head Priestess Thalia moved with an ethereal grace, her robes flowing like water around her, a serene smile gracing her lips as if she were a bridge between the mortal realm and the divine. And then, the Archmage Aurora, draped in robes of midnight blue adorned with constellations, followed, her presence commanding respect and awe.
Each one of them greeted the council with respect and formality. The council members answered back the same way as all three held authority and respect even though not all of them were sincere with their feelings.
Artemeni took a step back, presenting the Champion with a gesture of respect. ¡°Noble leaders of Quipax,¡± she began, her voice strong yet laced with reverence, ¡°I present to you the Champion of Aliera, chosen by the Goddess herself. Myself, Lady Thalia, and Aurora all confirmed his strength, character, and the divine blessing he received.¡±
The Champion came forward with silent steps. His messy, brown hair moved with each step, sometimes covering his common brown eyes. He was young, even younger than the youngest and most talented council member. He couldn¡¯t be older than 17 and only thin and white hairs spread across his face. He could be called tall for his age but the shape of his body was hidden under loose garbs he wore.
The Council Members tore holes in his face with their intense gazes yet despite his common appearance the Champion didn¡¯t shrink. He inched closer to the table, meeting the intense gazes of members with empty, almost tired eyes.
¡°Hello, I am Poyraz Karabulut and the Champion of Aliera. I greet members of Council.¡±
There was a second of silence. It was heavy like ocean water. Many of the council couldn¡¯t tear their eyes off Poyraz. However, their fascination wasn¡¯t fueled by awe or respect; it simmered with skepticism and disbelief. A murmur rippled through the chamber, whispering doubts and uncertainties that hung thick in the air like the scent of rain before a storm.
Poyraz stood at the table¡¯s edge, the weight of their scrutiny pressing down upon him. He felt their gazes dissect him, searching for signs of greatness, expecting the kind of majesty they had envisioned for their savior. Yet, what they saw was an unassuming youth¡ªhis attire plain, his bearing modest, and his demeanor devoid of the grandeur one might expect from a Champion. Yet, heavy as their gazes were, Poyraz was used to it. This wasn¡¯t the first time he received eyes like this.
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.Instead of shying away, he locked eyes with the Queen. She was young, barely in her thirties but that wasn¡¯t what he focused on. He focused on her long red hair and calm green eyes. His gaze was curious at first but after a second he closed his eyes and smiled as if he understood something.
The Queen herself was also surprised. She was used to gazes of other people. She was strong and beautiful. Receiving admiring, envious, or even lust-filled gazes was something she had to put up with daily. Yet, someone locking gazes with her was unusual. People avoided that, avoided getting the attention of someone so powerful but he was different. And that knowing smile. What did it mean?
¡°Alright, I had enough. Let¡¯s end this show, shall we?¡±
One of the council members rose from her chair as she ignored the member sitting on her right trying to stop her. She was a large, burly woman. Her presence was commanding, and the air around her seemed to shift as she stood, muscles rippling beneath the massive wolf pelt she wore over her shoulders which were big as cannons. Her bare arms were covered with scars and burnt under the sun, signs of the battles she survived. The moment she rose, the chamber felt charged, as if the very walls held their breath, awaiting the storm she was about to unleash.
¡°If you couldn¡¯t find the champion you should have just admitted it! Instead, you found a boy from the local brothel and say that he is the Champion.¡±
She boomed, her voice echoing against the chamber walls. Gasps rippled through the council, a mix of disbelief and indignation painting their faces. Poyraz, for his part, remained calm, his expression unfaltering as he faced the onslaught of scrutiny.
She walked towards Poyraz but Artemeni and Thalia quickly cut her path.
¡°Be careful how you talk, Ilaria. You are speaking to a hero.¡±
Thalia interjected with a harshness unexpected from her status. Poyraz raised his hand.
¡°It is okay. We expected this.¡±
He walked between the two of them to stand face-to-face with Ilaria. She was a giant of a woman, forcing Poyraz to look up to see eye to eye-with her.
¡°Looking close you don¡¯t look so bad. You could fit well with my boys if you took care of yourself. They must have paid good coin for you.¡±
With those insulting words, she reached down for his crotch, giving it a tight squeeze. The sudden assault caused Poyraz to jump back, clearly not expecting this kind of behavior. Thalia¡¯s hands shone brightly with light as she rushed to his side while Artemeni pointed her spear towards her, hazel eyes burning with killing intent. Ilaria made the motion of grasping something while laughing.
¡°He has some size too. Where did you find him? I should go there.¡±
Some of the council members laughed with her while others scowled with disapproval. Artemeni got ready to open her mouth but Poyraz gently grabbed her shoulder as he moved forward.
¡°Excuse me. Where I am from, even touching someone without their consent can caught as assault, let alone touching inappropriate places. I require an apology.¡±
Poyraz demanded with a soft voice. Ilaria¡¯s smile widened as she searched for something in her belt. After a short search, she pulled a piece of coin and flicked it to Poyraz. He made no effort to catch it, the coin bouncing off his forehead.
¡°Here. Your payment.¡±
A charged silence fell over the council chamber. Thalia tried to charge towards her but was stopped by Aurora stopped her with an understanding nod. This was something Poyraz had to deal with if he wanted the Council¡¯s respect.
¡°I am still willing to forgive you if you apologize.¡±
Poyraz declared as softly as before yet traces of restrained anger could be heard in his voice.
¡°What will you do if I don¡¯t?¡±
Poyraz took a deep breath, his chest filling with air as if a frog was getting ready to make the loudest croak the world ever heard.
¡°Very well then.¡±
With those words, a loud snapping voice filled the council chamber. It was so quick and sudden that some of the council members jumped in their seats. Ilaria stumbled back while holding her left cheek. She glared at Poyraz with a mix of shock, anger, and pain. She touched her cheek several times as if not believing what happened but the searing pain was there.
Council members gasped when she removed her hand from her cheek. A solid print of Poyraz¡¯s backhand was carved into her cheek.
The imprint of his hand burned vividly against her tanned skin, a stark contrast to the calm, almost serene demeanor Poyraz maintained. The silence that followed was heavy, a collective intake of breath as the council grappled with the gravity of what had just transpired.
Ilaria¡¯s eyes blazed with a mixture of disbelief and fury. Her fingers lingered on the mark left by Poyraz¡¯s backhand, her chest heaving with anger. She looked around the room, seeking support or perhaps a sign that she was still in control of the situation.
¡°Your insolence will not go unpunished,¡± Ilaria growled, her voice low and dangerous. Her hand grasped the greatsword on her back.
¡°I wouldn¡¯t do that if I were you.¡±
Poyraz walked forward towards her, his hair greying.
¡°You think you can insult me like this! I¡¯ll kill you!¡±
She gripped her sword tightly and swung it. A wave of blood washed the council chamber and Poyraz who looked unbothered with the scarlet liquid covering him. Something fell to the ground and Ilaria looked down, not believing her eyes.
It was her hand. Her hand which was just gripping her sword a second ago. She raised her arm and saw the stump where her hand was just a second ago. Blood poured out of the wound, painting the ground red.
¡°You are the rulers of this city.¡±
Poyraz slowly stepped towards her. She looked at his eyes and saw purple, animalistic eyes staring back. They were no longer empty or weary.
She walked backward in fear as she doubled over, holding her arm to slow down the bleeding.
¡°People live and die with your orders.¡±
The air suddenly grew cold enough to turn breath into mist.
¡°You are meant to be a paragon of honor, justice, and valor.¡±
With every backward step she took Ilaria felt her body shrink. She felt as if she was leaving her strength, vitality, and skill with every retreating step. Yet, she couldn¡¯t stop herself. The man in front of him woke up things she had forgotten. Things she buried deep inside as she rose through the ranks and gained power most envied.
Fear.
Weakness.
Death.
Her back hit the table. She had nowhere to go. The hand of death reached for her. Cold spread all around her, covering every inch of her being like a cruel blanket. She let out a scream as ice covered most of her body.
Poyraz pulled her, causing her to fall. He then sat down on her back like a chair and crossed his legs.
¡°Now that you are taking me seriously, shall we talk?¡±
194-In the Presence of Power
A hush fell over the council chamber, thick with an uneasy tension that coiled in the air like a serpent poised to strike. Ilaria lay on the floor beneath Poyraz, the cold bite of fear and humiliation mingling with the pain she felt. The council members shifted in their seats, eyes wide with disbelief at the display of power they had just witnessed. Some of them covered their noses to avoid the metallic scent of the blood quickly overtaking the room while others shivered as the room got cooler and cooler.
¡°Let me introduce myself again. My name is Poyraz Karabulut. I had many ranks and honors a long time ago, in a faraway place. None of it matters now.¡±
The council members exchanged wary glances, some clearly regretting their earlier laughter at Ilaria¡¯s taunts. It was a brutal lesson: beneath the facade of bravado, they all understood the truth. The Champion was no mere boy; he was something else entirely.
¡°Wanna know why it doesn¡¯t matter?¡±
They didn¡¯t answer. Most of them tried to avoid his gaze, instead focusing on the shadows wrapping around him as if they were alive. The warm shadows cast down on them from the lamps were drawn towards him, clinging to his skin like obedient beasts.
¡°Because everyone is dead. Everything is destroyed. There is no one to remember who I am or what I am. And the worst part is we didn¡¯t lose because we were weak. We didn¡¯t lose because we were cowardly. We lost because our rulers were greedy and they focused on their own gains and agendas instead of focusing on the greater good.¡±
His voice was steady, echoing off the chamber walls as he spoke the words that hung heavy in the air. The council members sat in silence, their expressions a mix of curiosity and trepidation, each feeling the weight of Poyraz''s gaze as he surveyed them.
¡°They were so consumed by power and control that they allowed their subjects to suffer, and ultimately, they brought ruin upon themselves.¡± He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in.
¡°I was given another chance to right my wrongs. To do what I couldn¡¯t do. Saving people.¡±
He slowly got up from on top of Ilaria, still recovering from her shock and the icy grip of fear.
¡°Thalia, please heal her.¡±
Thalia stepped forward, her expression serious yet compassionate. ¡°Of course, Champion,¡± she replied her voice a soothing balm amid the tension. She knelt beside Ilaria, whose cheeks were still flushed from humiliation and anger. Thalia placed her hands over Ilaria¡¯s wound, a gentle glow emanating from her fingertips as she channeled the healing light.
¡°Stay still,¡± Thalia instructed softly. ¡°You¡¯ll feel a bit of warmth, and the pain will subside.¡±
Ilaria flinched at first but then surrendered to the priestess''s touch, the glow wrapping around her like a protective shroud. The icy chill that had permeated the air began to recede, replaced by the warmth of Thalia''s healing. Gradually, the color returned to Ilaria''s face as the pain dulled, leaving only a faint ache behind.
As Thalia worked, Poyraz turned his attention back to the council. He reached into his shadow and pulled a massive, black skull with horns. He casually threw it, the massive bone landing on the middle of the table with a loud thud.
¡°This is the skull of Bloodbane who commanded Asmoneal¡¯s armies before Rodrick, my precursor wounded him. He attacked Whifur, a city my friends cherished with an army of demons. If it wasn¡¯t for the bravery of the townfolk and the arrival of their forces, thousands would have died.¡±
Poyraz pointed to Artemeni, Thalia, and Aurora. He then bowed his head.
¡°I thank every one of them and you who sent them.¡±
The council members stared at the skull, the weight of its presence serving as a stark reminder of the potential horrors they faced. The room grew heavier, the flickering magical lamps casting elongated shadows that danced ominously across the walls.
¡°This is just the beginning. Moloch, the demon king imprisoned by the Goddess of Freedom is about to break out of its cage. ¡°While you bicker among yourselves,¡± Poyraz continued, ¡°while you scheme and plot, the world outside your walls is changing. Threats rise, and darkness gathers, waiting for the chance to strike.¡±
Poyraz stopped to take a breath, his purple eyes growing weary just like before.
¡°I wish I was strong enough to defeat every threat. I wish I could save everyone. But I am not. No one is. If we want to survive, if we want to stop demons from overtaking our cities, slaughtering and raping millions we have to unite. I have seen a world end. I don¡¯t want to see it again.¡±
He gazed at all members of the council, forming eye contact with each of them.
¡°You have every right to question my qualifications. If it makes you fight against the darkness, I am ready to prove my strength, sword, and heart to you. But,¡±
He looked at Ilaria who was trying to move her stitched hand.
¡°Not like this. Aliera told me that I would find brave and honorable warriors here not uncivilized barbarians. Act like it.¡±
He continued his sentence as he pulled a sword from thin air. Despite seeing many master-crafted weapons, the eyes of council members widened. The blade was long and simple, forged with a dull, grey metal. Their gazes were drawn to the shining rune etched on the blade. It was in a lighter grey but it gave out a small hue. Those knowledgeable in history quickly recognized the rune even though not even one could read it. It was the rune of Stars. The leather-wrapped hilt molded perfectly to his grip, while dark chains intertwined around his arm, symbolizing the bond between man and weapon.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.It wasn¡¯t flashy or beautiful. Rather, it was simple. Yet every single one of them could feel the divine power radiating off the sword. The very same power their Goddess has bestowed upon them, only more potent and stronger. They knew what it meant. Even a few who had no interest in religion and gods were raised with stories of it.
The Sacred Sword of Selection. The mark of Aliera¡¯s Champion. Its shape was different from what¡¯s described in the stories but no one paid no mind to it. Every Champion had their own Sacred Sword.
¡°What will have us do, Champion?¡±
The Queen who hadn¡¯t spoken a word since the beginning asked. She looked directly at him, not avoiding his blood-covered face. Poyraz felt the weight of the queen''s gaze.
¡°Nothing you can¡¯t do. I only ask you to do what a good person would do in times of darkness.¡±
He answered quickly and with confidence. The council chamber remained silent, the weight of Poyraz''s words settling over them like a heavy shroud.
¡°There will be people who cannot fight for themselves. People who lost their homes. People have no food or water. I will fight for them. I want you to fight with me.¡±
Poyraz took a deep breath, his mana slowly overwhelming the council chamber.
¡°If you don¡¯t, if you think this is not your fight, if you think they deserved it, if you think it is not your responsibility you will join them. I was told about your relationships, both inside and outside. I know that putting aside years of conflict is too much to ask. But if you don¡¯t, you will die.¡±
Council members shifted uncomfortably in their seats as they looked at each other.
¡°Everything you said is true and valid. However, the last recorded appearance of a demon king in our world was hundreds of years ago. Just like you said it was only stopped by the combined efforts of several countries after destroying 3 countries and killing millions of people. I pray that our Goddess has given you a way that doesn¡¯t involve the same method.¡±
The Queen sounded neither warm nor cold. Poyraz met the Queen''s gaze, the intensity of her scrutiny not lost on him. He could sense the skepticism woven through her words, and he understood the gravity of her concerns. Her voice was measured, and cautious, reflecting the weight of leadership she bore.
¡°Yes. I was instructed to conquer War God¡¯s Battle Area. I was told there was something Goddess of Freedom left that could help us seal Moloch again.¡±
The council members exchanged glances, uncertainty swirling among them.
¡°May I inquire what that thing is?¡±
Poyraz took a moment, the weight of the council¡¯s gazes bearing down on him like an impending storm. He could sense their apprehension.
¡°I wish I knew. The Stars are¡ cryptic.¡±
It was a lie. Yet Poyraz didn¡¯t even blink when he told it. Technically, he was telling the truth, at least most of it. Aliera nearly always gave her crumbs of information and the solution to their problem was the Goddess of Freedom.
The council members exchanged glances, the silence hanging heavily in the air as they absorbed Poyraz¡¯s words. The Queen, her regal composure unwavering, leaned forward slightly, her dark green eyes piercing through the uncertainty in the room.
¡°You wish to venture into the War God¡¯s Battle Area,¡± she stated, her voice calm but tinged with caution. ¡°It is a treacherous place, filled with trials that have broken many before you. It is almost like you want us to sponsor you for the raid.¡±
Poyraz nodded, a smile spreading across his lips.
¡°I expected Quipax to be able to support a single raid. Was I wrong?¡±
He answered cheekly. Ilaria, now visibly healed but still simmering with resentment, pushed herself to her feet.
¡°You think that conquering a dungeon is child¡¯s play? Especially one as difficult as War God¡¯s Battle Area? You would need at least 50 well-trained warriors, 20 mages, and 10 priestesses! You would need the gear needed for the dungeon! You would need potions, tents, food, and water for at least 80 people! Do you think all of that is easy? You would need the money, connections, and time for it!¡±
Poyraz slowly turned to Ilaria, his face still covered with her blood. She shrunk back under his gaze.
¡°Why would I need all that?¡±
Ilaria¡¯s challenge hung in the air like a charged arrow, and for a moment, the council fell into a silence that buzzed with tension. Poyraz regarded her, the remnants of the icy chill still palpable in the room, but he was unfazed. His expression was calm, almost amused.
¡°Why would I need all that?¡± he repeated, his voice steady and unwavering.
¡°Honestly, I would prefer going alone but Thalia probably wouldn¡¯t let me.¡±
Poyraz shrugged as he looked at Thalia who was giving him a stern look. Poyraz¡¯s nonchalance seemed to ignite a spark of outrage in Ilaria.
¡°You underestimate the dangers of that place!¡± she snapped, taking a step forward, her posture radiating defiance. ¡° I have been in dungeons for my entire li-¡°
¡°Enough.¡±
Poyraz¡¯s cold voice cut through her hot words.
¡°The only one who¡¯s underestimating something is you. I was chosen by Aliera, Goddess of War. The Star who slain a demon king the day she was born. Out of millions currently living in this world and billions who lived before, she chose me as her champion.¡±
Ilaria¡¯s defiance faltered, her fierce expression wavering as she tried to comprehend the enormity of what he had just claimed. The other members were in a similar condition as her. All of them heard this kind of boast before, some even spoke similar words to this yet the conviction in Poyraz¡¯s voice pushed them to think this was no arrogant bragging.
¡°Those who want to support the Champion, raise your hands.¡±
With the queen¡¯s words started to rise. They were few in number at first but slowly every raised their hands.
Quipax welcomed their champion.
195-The Duel of Equals
Poyraz followed the Queen together with others. Poyraz was happy that he was out of the council chamber, away from the countless gazes. Just because he could take all the gazes on didn¡¯t mean that he was comfortable with it.
¡°May I ask why you hid your strength when you entered the chamber? If you were to release all of your mana, no one would have dared to disrespect you.¡±
The Queen inquired, glancing at him with her keen green eyes. Poyraz took a moment to consider her question, his thoughts lingering on the moments before the council meeting.
¡°Because you can learn more about one¡¯s personality by observing how they treat someone weaker than them. It is common to see people treat those strong and high rank with respect but a person of genuine virtue would treat everyone with respect just because they are human beings like them.¡±
He replied, his voice steady as he walked alongside the Queen and the others.
¡°Plus, it was a good lesson for them. I assume you liked it since you didn¡¯t do anything to stop me when you could easily do so.¡±
The Queen chuckled softly, her laughter a melodic sound that broke the tension of the earlier council meeting.
¡°You are quite astute, Champion. But do you really think I could stop you easily? Or are you being humble?¡±
Thalia, Artemeni, and Aurora exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from curiosity to concern. They had witnessed both the Queen''s and Poyraz''s strength, yet the question of who held true supremacy lingered. In a world on the brink of chaos, certainty in power dynamics was crucial.
Poyraz held the authority as the Champion of Alira, the patron Goddess of Quipax but The Queen was the ruler of Quipax. Two heads in one body. If it wasn¡¯t for Poyraz¡¯s rejection of ranks and lack of greed, things could lead to a civil war. But even though Poyraz rejected a ruling position now, it didn¡¯t mean he would keep that mindset. Even if he stayed unchanged, if the people loyal to him wanted him to rule, things could get really bad.
That¡¯s why establishing a power dynamic from the beginning was the most important.
¡°Well¡¡±
Poyraz touched his chin, patting his non-existent beard as he thought.
¡°I am not sure how much stronger you are than me. The only thing I know is I wouldn¡¯t want to clash you in a real battle.¡±
The Queen raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Poyraz¡¯s candidness.
¡°Is that so? Many warriors, especially men would find what you said difficult to admit.¡±
Poyraz shrugged, a small smile creeping onto his lips. ¡°I¡¯ve learned that recognizing your limits is just as important as knowing your strengths. It doesn¡¯t make me any less of a warrior to acknowledge that someone else might be more powerful. One can only climb higher if they realize there is a bigger peak.¡±
The Queen regarded him with a newfound respect, her keen green eyes narrowing slightly as she considered his words.
¡°Wise words, Champion. But I can¡¯t help but notice that you are a little bit too happy with that fact.¡±
Poyraz let out a small laugh.
¡°Perhaps. The strongest takes the heaviest of responsibilities. Maybe I am happy that I don¡¯t have to shoulder many burdens this time.¡±
The Queen¡¯s gaze hardened for a slight second.
¡°I hope you don¡¯t plan on me killing Moloch alone. I will be angry if that¡¯s the case.¡±
Poyraz let out another loud laugh when she heard her fake anger.
¡°Hmm. I should change my plans then.¡±
The Queen smirked, her earlier expression softening at Poyraz''s banter.
¡°I never expected what I wouldn¡¯t do from other people. If I order others to march, I will march with them. If I order them to bleed, I will bleed with them.¡±
The Queen quickly noticed Poyraz¡¯s expression shifting to serious maturity in the span of a second. It had happened in the council room too. She felt as if the lightheartedness and humbleness were masks worn to cover his seriousness and the giant amounts of experience he had. The real Champion was the one who cut Ilaria¡¯s hand and scolded the Council and he kept that version under a heavy blanket of humor and charm. The Queen found it intriguing, if not a little unsettling, how easily Poyraz shifted between these two sides.
¡°Where exactly we are going? I am a little bit tired from all that traveling. Larve is also not really used to dealing with strangers alone.¡±
To tell to truth, Poyraz wasn¡¯t tired physically. The way they traveled from Whifur to Quipax was mostly magical. The road had several magical terminals which allowed mages to teleport so the only road they had to travel was from terminal to terminal. It was quite fast and convenient except for the nausea teleportation caused. Poyraz couldn¡¯t complain, however, not after he saw the state of mages after they teleported them. Some of them collapsed and required several days of rest to continue, even Aurora who impressed even Ama and Methild with her magic skills barely could walk by herself after it.
However, he was mentally tired. He wanted to lie down after traveling for more than a week. He also worried about Larve who he left behind with the priestess.
¡°To my training grounds.¡±
The Queen answered. Poyraz raised an eyebrow, intrigued. The heavy oak doors opened in front of them and they left the walls adorned by paintings depicting battles behind. The air was different outside¡ªa fresh, invigorating breeze brushed against his skin, carrying with it the scents of damp earth and blooming flowers.
The passageway opened into a sprawling courtyard, where sunlight spilled over the cobblestone paths, illuminating the vibrant greenery that framed the training grounds ahead. Several warriors clad in armor which covered them head to toe guarded the entrance. They looked more like statues or golems than living, breathing people.
¡°Do not let anyone else enter. I will be sparring with the Champion.¡±
The warriors nodded in unison, their expressions hidden behind their helmets. Poyraz felt a thrill of anticipation surge through him at the thought of sparring with the Queen. He liked sparring, it had the excitement of a real battle without someone dying.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.As they stepped into the training grounds, Poyraz took a moment to observe the area. It was vast, with various training dummies, combat rings, and obstacles designed to challenge even the most seasoned warriors. He felt a magical barrier cover the area, probably erected to keep the surrounding area safe. There was no one else but them.
The Queen slowly walked into a wide circle. She tapped her ring and an armor covered her body as a shield and spear appeared on her hands. Poyraz couldn¡¯t help but admire the Queen¡¯s readiness. He wondered what kind of item her ring was to allow this kind of thing. It surely had a subspace but equipping right away was something he hadn¡¯t seen before. Poyraz couldn¡¯t help but admire the Queen¡¯s readiness. The armor she donned was resplendent, catching the light with a gleaming sheen that spoke of both elegance and functionality. The spear she wielded was a finely crafted weapon, its shaft, and blade imbued with various enchantments.
She looked like she came out of the movie 300. Poyraz hoped that she wouldn¡¯t kick him down an endless hole while screaming ¡°This is Quipax!¡±
¡°No helmet?¡±
Poyraz asked. Only two places in her body were unarmored. One was her upper arms which exposed her massive biceps. While it could be protected by leather just like her thighs, Poyraz could justify it by saying it was for mobility. However, her head was also fully exposed, only covered by a silver tiara.
The Queen''s gaze met Poyraz''s with a hint of amusement, her lips curling into a knowing smile.
¡°I prefer my face being the last thing my enemy sees. And with Thalia and Aurora here, we don¡¯t really worry about taking too much damage.¡±
Poyraz chuckled, nodding in understanding.
¡°I suppose it does make things more personal.¡±
He could sense her confidence and readiness, a testament to her skill and experience. He slowly walked towards the circle, shadows wrapping around him to form his armor. The grey armor covered his entire body in less than a blink of an eye. It was made out of a metal that absorbed the light even Queen couldn¡¯t recognize. Purple lights shone out of his helm, staring down her.
¡°I am Penthesilea Battleheart, descended from Valiera Battleheart and Queen of Amazons! I challenge you to a duel.¡±
She stabbed the butt of her spear to the ground.
¡°I, Poyraz Karabulut, Champion of Aliera accept your challenge.¡±
He stared down her. The distance between them was vast but both of them could close it with a single step. Yet, none of them took that one step. The Queen had two reasons; the first one was she wanted to see how strong Poyraz was and how he would move. The second one was much more personal, it was due to her pride. She was the ruler of this city and Poyraz was an outsider, a challenger. He had to move first.
So, that¡¯s what he did.
A massive thing appeared on his hand. Queen could recognize it as a shield but it looked like it was torn apart by a furious crustacean beast. Poyraz gripped the rocky texture of the shield with one arm with no difficulty. Queen expected him to charge towards her, using the shield as its intended purpose, blocking her attacks.
However, the Champion of Aliera was nothing but normal. Instead of hiding behind it, he threw the shield weighing several tens of kilos with a single arm. Queen¡¯s eyes widened with surprise and amusement for a tenth of a second but she raised her shield to block it. She could easily dodge it to the side but this was a challenge and she would take it. So, she raised her shield high and got ready to swat the massive chunk of rock to the side.
However, it never came in contact with her shield. At the same moment, her shield touched it, and it dissolved into shadows and scattered in the air. This would have taken anyone by surprise. Anyone but the Queen of Amazons. She knew that this was a distraction to close the distance without her doing anything or seeing which direction he came from.
She had 3 options to choose from. She didn¡¯t even consider Poyraz coming straight to her. He felt too experienced for that. This left her right side and left side. Her left side held her shield which was big enough to cover most of her body. So she eliminated it too. This only left her right side which held her spear.
The Queen''s instincts proved accurate as Poyraz materialized from the shadows on her right side. He moved with a speed and grace that seemed to blur the line between reality and illusion. With his sword drawn, he swung in a clean, fluid arc, aiming directly at the exposed part of the Queen''s upper arm.
The Queen¡¯s response was immediate. Her spear swept in a wide, defensive arc, catching Poyraz¡¯s blade. The spear which could pierce through steel plating clashed against the sword which could cut through a boulder. The resonating clang shook the training grounds.
Thalia tried to stop her robes from flying away while Aurora dispelled the wind coming her way with a smug face. Artemeni took the wind head-on, not letting it distract her from the clash of the titans in front of her.
Queen tried to slam her circular shield to Poyraz¡¯s face. He pivoted to the side, avoiding the strike while clearing himself a better angle but Queen, predicting his movements pivoted with him, matching his movements perfectly. This led to a fierce dance of sword and spear where each swing was calculated. Their weapons clashed tens, hundreds, and thousands of times, neither one giving an inch.
Poyraz clicked his tongue. He had realized that Queen was like himself, a tactical fighter who moved based on experience and training and not instinct. He could see gears turning behind her green eyes, taking in every step, stance, and feint to calculate, predict, and counterattack. The only difference they had was she was more talented than him and he was more experienced than her.
As their skill and tactics were similar levels, this left their mana, physical capabilities, and gear to decide who was superior. And Poyraz did not feel confident about his physical capabilities against Queen.
¡°Your body is like Valeria¡¯s.¡±
Poyraz allowed his body to be pushed back by Queen¡¯s thrust, putting some distance between himself and her.
¡°What do you mean by that?¡±
Queen asked, raising her eyebrows.
196-Stellar Blades, Blood Red Spears
Poyraz gestured to his sword.
¡°To be able to wield Sacred Sword of Selection, one needs to prove themselves to its previous users. Valeria¡¯s Trial was to fight her. Her body was special. Her skin, muscles, and bone were much more denser and stronger than normal.¡±
The Queen raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Poyraz''s revelation.
¡°You fought Ancestor¡¯s spirit? That must have been quite an experience. What was it like?¡±
Poyraz¡¯s helmet melted down into shadows, revealing his face.
¡°Very, very intense. And loud. And wild.¡±
The Queen¡¯s interest piqued further as Poyraz recounted his experience. ¡°That sounds exhilarating. I can only imagine what it would be like to face the spirit of my great ancestor. Every Amazon grew up with her stories. Did you feel her presence, her strength, during the battle?¡±
Poyraz sighed, recalling the brutal beating he¡¯d endured and how casual she had been about it. While Quipax revered her as a legendary figure, he still heard her laughter ringing in his ears as she sent him flying several meters away.
¡°The best way I could describe her is a giant, untameable lioness. A being that won¡¯t change her decision or ideals regardless of what happens. Honestly, I am glad you inherited her physique and not mentality.¡±
The Queen chuckled at Poyraz¡¯s description, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
¡°A giant, untameable lioness? I like that imagery. It fits Valeria¡¯s legacy well. But aren¡¯t you afraid that your words offend me? I am directly descended from her after all.¡±
Poyraz met the Queen¡¯s gaze, his eyes turning serious.
¡°No. Valiera¡¯s mentality is fit for a warrior and perhaps for a conqueror. Her mind and heart burned with the power of a thousand suns. A ruler must have a cold mind and a warm heart.¡±
Penthesilea closed her eyes, contemplating his words. After a moment of silence, she opened her eyes and regarded Poyraz with a newfound depth of understanding. ¡°You¡¯re right¡ªboth in your assessment of my physique and your views on leadership. Those descended from Queen Valeria have inherited her physique, but over the centuries, her blood has diluted. Individuals like me are rare, and even those who share her physique are not on my level.¡±
Poyraz lifted his sword higher.
¡°Okay, the break is over.¡±
His helmet closed on his head as purple mana covered his blade. Queen tightened her stance as she got ready to clash against massive amounts of mana Poyraz radiated. The mana, wild and powerful moved like a barely contained river on his blade.
But that didn¡¯t last long.
The Sword of Selection absorbed all the mana coating like a desert drinking rain. The raging river was imprisoned in it, not leaving proof that it existed just a second ago.
Despite her being out of his reach, Poyraz swung his sword. Suddenly, the purple mana escaped the very shackles it was bound, now stronger and fiercer, baring its fangs to Queen. The beautiful arc looked like it contained a stellar stream, housing hundreds of stars each one brighter than the other.
The moment the sword swung, the air crackled with energy, and the light from the purple mana illuminated the training grounds. The Queen''s eyes widened as she felt the immense power behind the strike, the raw force of Poyraz¡¯s mana weaving through the air like a celestial storm.
¡°Watch out!¡± Thalia shouted, her instincts kicking in as she stepped forward, ready to intervene if necessary. But the Queen raised a hand to signal her to hold back.
Penthesilea¡¯s expression shifted, a mix of determination and excitement. She could sense the power contained within that strike, and it was a challenge she couldn¡¯t resist. She planted her feet firmly, focusing her energy as she prepared to counter.
Blood red mana, the very color of life, warmth, and anger roared alive and enveloped her spear. It crackled with raw power, responding to her determination as she steadied herself against the incoming onslaught.
¡°Let¡¯s see if you can keep up, Champion!¡± she called her voice a mix of challenge and exhilaration.
She released her mana using the same skill Poyraz used: Mana Erupt. The moment the two forces collided, the air exploded with energy. The clash of purple and red mana sent shockwaves rippling through the courtyard, shaking the very ground beneath them.
The Queen''s spear met Poyraz''s sword with a resonating clang, the force of their combined energies creating a shockwave that pushed back Thalia, Artemeni, and Aurora. Dust and debris swirled around them, the impact echoing like thunder.
But even as the trio struggled to keep their footings after the first wave, both Poyraz and Queen¡¯s weapons were clad in their respective mana, ready to fire again.
¡°Boom!¡±
The training grounds were now a tempest of swirling mana, dust, and debris. Poyraz and Penthesilea stood at the eye of the storm, their weapons glowing with intense energy. The two warriors were locked in a silent battle of wills, their auras flaring as they measured each other¡¯s resolve.
¡°Their mana output is simply insane.¡±
Aurora gasped.
¡°Yes. But they are evenly matched.¡±
Thalia said as she erected a golden shield to protect herself from the shockwaves.
¡°No. They are¡¡±
Artemeni couldn¡¯t finish her sentence before a third clash rang out. This one broke the stalemate as the red mana overpowered the purple one and hit Poyraz, albeit weakened. Poyraz staggered back as the Queen''s red mana crashed into him, the impact resonating through his body like a hammer strike. It threatened to send him flying back but he managed to hold his ground, planting his sword firmly into the earth to steady himself. His armor absorbed most of the blow, but he could feel the raw power behind Penthesilea''s attack.
The Queen, on the other hand, remained poised, her eyes locked onto Poyraz as she gauged his reaction. Despite the intensity of their clash, there was a hint of satisfaction in her gaze. His power was fit for the title of Champion of Aliera. And on a more personal and selfish note, she was happy she had someone this powerful to spar against.
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Poyraz flicked his wrist, sending three daggers flying towards the Queen. She raised her shield to block them but just like before, they dissolved back into shadows. A distraction. One that¡¯s so obvious and predictable.
Even before she could sense him, Queen spun around on her heel and smashed her shield into Poyraz¡¯s face who exited out of her shadow. She activated the option of her shield, releasing all the kinetic energy stored in the shield to her strike. The kinetic energy unleashed from the Queen''s shield strike sent Poyraz reeling back, a crack forming in his helmet as he skidded across the ground as blood poured out his nose and forehead. The sheer force of the impact which held the power of all the strikes blocked by it during this duel was powerful enough to explode a bull¡¯s head like a watermelon but Poyraz''s experience and tenacity kicked in almost immediately letting himself fly back to disperse some of the damage.
The Queen didn''t waste a second. She surged forward, her blood-red mana flaring as she swung her spear in a deadly arc aimed at Poyraz''s midsection. But despite her speed, Poyraz''s reflexes were honed by countless battles. He brought his sword up just in time, deflecting the spear with a powerful parry that sent sparks flying.
The air around them cooled down. She noted it instantly as the cold air hit her warm, sweaty body. She wasn¡¯t really surprised, at least by the skill itself. What surprised her was how late Poyraz used it. Then again, maybe he wanted to avoid using a skill Queen already knew. Poyraz''s breath came out in visible puffs of steam as he held his sword steady, his eyes locked onto the Queen''s. The ground beneath his feet began to freeze, creating a thin layer of ice that spread outward in all directions. The cold was intense, biting through the Queen''s armor and sending a shiver down her spine.
Recognizing he wanted to limit his mobility by binding her feet, she brought her feet down using her skill to counter his. The ground shook with a cone-shaped shockwave, the ice covering it scattering everywhere. Poyraz moved through the ice shards hitting his body, getting closer to Queen.
Three more daggers flashed through the air, cutting through the dust and ice clouds to reach the Queen. Once again she raised her shield to swat them to the side. But this time, they didn¡¯t dissolve into the shadows. Instead, they bounced off her shield.
¡°Ah, come on now. I was sure you would not react to them.¡±
Poyraz sounded almost frustrated. Penthesilea smirked, her eyes narrowing as she studied Poyraz.
¡°I never let my guard down.¡±
Poyraz was ready to throw the towel. This wasn¡¯t a life or death battle and he had nothing to lose. But he wanted to at least make Penthesilea bleed, to land a clean hit on her as a payback. He knew that he wouldn¡¯t be able to do that with flashy moves. He had to rely on his swordsmanship. Poyraz tightened his grip on the Sacred Sword of Selection, the weapon humming with anticipation as if it too desired a decisive strike. He could feel the weight of the battle pressing on him, but his resolve was unshaken. If he was going to land a clean hit on Penthesilea, he would need to rely on more than just raw power or flashy maneuvers¡ªhe needed to outthink her.
Penthesilea was not just powerful; she was incredibly disciplined and perceptive, the product of generations of warriors. She had seen through his feints and distractions with ease, which meant that he would need to employ a different approach. So, he slowly inched towards her with his sword on his chest level.
Poyraz took a deep breath, centering himself. His movements became more calculated, his stance tightening as his heartbeat and breathing slowed down. He let the silence between them hang, the only sound the distant crackling of residual mana and the slow, rhythmic breathing of two warriors sizing each other up.
Penthesilea watched him carefully, her muscles coiled and ready to spring into action. She knew he was up to something, but she couldn¡¯t quite pin down what it was. He was constantly trying to create an opening until now and this sudden shift made her lose momentum. And that¡¯s what Poyraz was looking for. Poyraz¡¯s eyes caught that moment¡ªher slight shift in weight, the minute relaxation of her grip on her spear. It was enough.
He surged forward with a burst of speed, closing the gap between them in an instant. Penthesilea reacted, bringing her spear up to block, but Poyraz didn¡¯t aim for her weapon. Instead, he twisted his body, dropping low to the ground as he slid past her, letting his sword go as he grabbed her knee. Despite her armored form weighing over 100 kilos and the solid center of gravity, Poyraz was able to perform a takedown, taking her to the ground. He ended up on top of her, the chain connecting his sword to his forearm rattling as he summoned it to his hand.
Both warriors stopped their weapons just hair away from their opponent¡¯s throat.
¡°Looks like we have a stalemate.¡±
Poyraz huffed as his blood dripped down Queen¡¯s face.
¡°Hmm. I don¡¯t think so.¡±
Poyraz¡¯s helmet disappeared from his head, revealing his confused face.
¡°Why is that? If we move even a little our weapons would cut into each other¡¯s throats. I say this is a draw.¡±
Queen smirked.
¡°Try to push your sword a little.¡±
Poyraz looked hesitant for a second but seeing Queen¡¯s confident face, he pushed it ever so slightly. To his surprise, an invisible barrier stopped his sword from cutting her throat. Poyraz traced the mana source and found out that the tiara she wore was the source.
¡°Fuck.¡±
He pushed himself to the side and lay down. Penthesilea chuckled softly, the sound vibrating through the air as she rolled onto her side to face Poyraz, who was still lying on the ground beside her. The tension that had hung between them dissipated, replaced by a camaraderie forged in the heat of battle.
¡°You fought well, Champion,¡± the Queen said, her voice softer now, almost playful. ¡°But I must admit, I had this little trick up my sleeve from the start.¡±
¡°Should have figured it out when you didn¡¯t wear a helmet.¡±
With that, their spar ended, and both of them were satisfied with each other.
197-A Wasps Touch
The public bathhouse exuded an aura of ancient tradition, with steam curling lazily from the heated waters and mingling with the rich scent of mineral salts and natural oils. The moment I stepped inside, a wave of warmth enveloped me, dispelling the chill from the outside world.
Amazons had public baths. Amazing.
Despite coming from a country famous for its public baths, I have only been in one rarely but I couldn¡¯t dispute the relaxation they brought. The bathhouse was a large, open space, its high ceilings supported by thick wooden beams that creaked softly with age. The walls were lined with smooth stone tiles. The air was thick with moisture, clinging to my skin and making every breath feel heavy yet cleansing.
Thalia and some maids were rather too insistent on helping me bathe but I managed to reject all of them. Seriously, I can bathe myself.
¡°Splash!¡±
G?kb?r¨¹, who was sleeping inside my shadow until now woke up and threw himself into one of the pools.
¡°Your habit of waking up when you want to is really something.¡±
He slept through my talk with the council and spar against the Queen but he opened his eyes as soon as I entered the bath. G?kb?r¨¹ resurfaced with a contented snort, his fur slicked back and glistening from the water. He paddled around lazily, clearly enjoying the warmth of the bath. The sight made me smile.
¡°Enjoy it while you can. We will be working hard.¡±
Settling down, I let the hot water engulf me, feeling the tension in my muscles begin to melt away. The warmth seeped into my bones, soothing the aches from the earlier battle with Penthesilea. I was the only person there. The bath was closed for my own use. While a part of me felt bad for closing an entire bath for my own personal use, another part of me felt like I deserved it.
Closing my eyes, I allowed myself to simply be present in the moment. The sound of water lapping against the edges of the pool, the occasional drip from the ceiling, and the faint hum of activity elsewhere in the bathhouse all blended into a tranquil symphony. It was almost as good as the elven baths.
I scrubbed my skin, letting the coarse sponge glide over my skin, washing away the grime and dirt. It was almost impressive how dirty I got even though our travel didn¡¯t last long. I should ask Thalia to bring Larve to a bath too.
Larve¡
I wondered if bringing her here was a mistake. Her appearance blended well with beastkin at Whifur and she had friends there. She probably would be isolated here due to her horns. But on the other hand, Quipax had better security and the mage guild here could help me understand her powers more effectively. Yet a part of me was afraid someone discovered she was part of a Calamity.
I poured cold water down my head, shocking myself. It is okay. It will be okay. Aurora and Thalia will surely help me. Larve is a smart and good girl. She can also handle herself well.
I will get the Amazons to support me. I will conquer War God¡¯s Battle Area and rescue the Goddess of Freedom. I will defeat Moloch. Everything will be fine. I stood up, water dripping off my body. I moved towards the shampoos and soups. Water couldn¡¯t get all the dirt by itself.
¡°Damn. It is nice to know even in another world, in a warrior society, females still have unnecessary amounts of bath products.¡±
Guess some things never change but which one I should use? I surveyed the rows of bottles, each labeled in the Amazonian script, which while I could read I could barely decipher. The variety of scents was overwhelming¡ªfloral, herbal, and even some that seemed more exotic, like spices or woodsy aromas.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹,¡± I called softly, watching as he lifted his head from the water, ears perked.
¡°Which one I should use?¡±
He exited the pool he was swimming with a single leap and rushed to my side, sniffing the rows before touching one with his nose.
¡°Let¡¯s see.¡±
I muttered, picking up a bottle with a symbol that looked like a tree. The scent was earthy, with a hint of sweetness¡ªprobably something like cedarwood and honey. Not bad. I lathered up, feeling the tension in my muscles ease even further as I worked the shampoo into my hair.
¡°Bork!¡±
¡°You want it too? Okay.¡±
I massaged the back of his ears, making sure that he had no fleas or something like that. His wet tail slapped the ground as he clearly enjoyed it.
¡°Greeting, Champion. May I help you bathe?¡±
I was so focused on washing G?kb?r¨¹ that I nearly jumped when a voice called out for me. I quickly grabbed a towel to cover my private areas. I cleared my shock with a cough.
¡°I said I can bathe myself-¡°
My voice stuck in my throat as I gazed upon the owner of the voice. She wore a towel that barely contained her sensual figure and showcased her fair, smooth skin.
A fucking honey trap was the first thing I taught, my experience and coolheaded managed to overcome my lust. This wasn¡¯t the first time something like this happened. I was a high-ranking official after all. I took a breath too deep for my liking, showing the lack of experience my teenage body had.
¡°I already told that I want to bathe myself.¡±
I managed to speak with a strong voice. Yet, the newcomer didn¡¯t seem to be heartbroken with my tone.
¡°This is my duty, Sweet Champion. I was assigned to make sure you look clean and presentable. I am sure someone as wise as yourself knows that first impressions are important. If you don¡¯t look your best, how can you attract respect and awe from others?¡±
Her voice was soft, fit to be an ASMR artist and I felt some of my resistance melt when I heard it. She made sense too. Maybe it was-
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¡°Growl!¡±
(Your partner wants to share the skill Abnormal Status Resistance.)
G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s growl snapped me out of my trance. I regained my composure quickly, thankful for G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s timely intervention. The woman tilted her head slightly, a knowing smile playing on her lips as she stepped closer and I noticed that I couldn¡¯t tear my gaze off her. That was unusual. Yeah, she had huge boobs and thick thighs but I never was the gawk at people. G?kb?r¨¹ also loves beautiful women and he was behaving hostile.
This isn¡¯t a simple honey trap.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹, don¡¯t be rude to the nice lady.¡±
The best way to trap a trapper is to make them think their prey fell into their trap. I pushed G?kb?r¨¹ inside my shadow with my hand while transmitting what I was thinking.
¡°You¡¯re right,¡± I admitted, keeping my voice steady. ¡°First impressions are important and there are some places I can¡¯t really clean properly myself.¡±
I winked and shot my most lecherous smile. Let¡¯s see what will she do.
The woman''s eyes glimmered with satisfaction as she stepped closer, the scent of jasmine and some other intoxicating fragrance wafting from her skin. She reached out, her fingers grazing my arm with deliberate slowness, her touch sending a shiver down my spine. I could feel the subtle pulse of mana within her, barely noticeable yet insidious in its allure.
"You''re very wise, Sweet Champion," she murmured, her voice smooth as silk. "Allow me to assist you. It would be an honor to ensure you are at your best."
I nodded, playing along with the ruse. As she began to move behind me, I let my gaze drop, focusing on the pattern of the stone tiles beneath my feet. My mind worked quickly, assessing the situation. Whoever sent this woman underestimated me. But this was no ordinary seduction attempt. There was something else at play here¡ªsome kind of seduction skill. The way her presence seemed to command attention, the subtle haze that clouded my thoughts, and G?kb?r¨¹''s reaction were all signs of something more sinister.
I let her hands move to my shoulders, her touch feather-light as she began to massage my tense muscles. Her fingers danced with practiced ease, and I allowed myself to relax slightly, drawing in deep breaths as I prepared to stop whatever she was about to try.
¡°You are pretty good at this. Where did you learn it?¡±
The woman¡¯s hands paused for a fraction of a second before continuing their gentle ministrations, her voice never losing its sultry tone. "I''ve been trained in many arts to serve those who come to our lands, Champion. It¡¯s important to make guests feel welcomed and¡ cherished."
I let out a low hum as if savoring the sensation. My mind, however, was elsewhere, focused on sensing every movement of her in case of an attack.
"Really now?" I replied, injecting a bit of playful curiosity into my voice. "And who exactly decided I needed this kind of¡ attention?"
She leaned in closer, her breath warm against the back of my neck. "Our Queen values your alliance greatly. She wishes for you to feel at home, and what better way than to ensure your utmost comfort?"
So, it was Penthesilea¡¯s doing¡ªor at least that¡¯s what she wanted me to believe. But I could smell the lie easily. She was already stronger than me. If she wanted something from me she didn¡¯t need to use this kind of underhanded method.
"Interesting," I mused, shifting slightly under her touch as if to get more comfortable. "But you know, comfort can be a poison to warriors like me. It leads to complacency and softness. A warrior can only be forged in a solid anvil, beaten by countless hammer swings.¡±
Her fingers hesitated, just for a second, before resuming their slow, deliberate movement. "Wise words, Champion. But you should also realize that a sword must be left to cool down to be properly used. So, just relax and let me take care of you.¡±
I leaned back slightly, letting her think she had me where she wanted as her hand traveled towards my private areas. The bathhouse''s soothing warmth combined with her skillful touch could easily lull anyone into a state of complete relaxation and I closed my eyes.
At the same time, I watched her pull a needle from thin air through the eyes of G?kb?r¨¹. The needle she produced, hidden within her elegant fingers, glinted ominously even in the dim, steamy light of the bathhouse. Its sleek design suggested it was meant for something precise¡ªperhaps a quick injection or a targeted strike to incapacitate.
"Just a little more, Champion," she whispered her voice a soothing lullaby that almost masked the danger she posed. I could sense the mana imbued in the needle, a subtle and insidious enchantment woven into its tip. Whatever she intended to do, it wasn''t good.
G?kb?r¨¹, still within my shadow, tensed, ready to strike at a moment''s notice. His awareness was now mine, and I could see through his eyes as he tracked her every movement. The slightest twitch of her muscles, the way her breathing subtly quickened as she prepared to strike¡ªnone of it escaped my attention. She was trained for this, I could see it clearly. But even trained individuals weren¡¯t perfect.
Her body tensed ever so slightly before she struck the needle. I saw it through G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s vision, and then, with a burst of speed, I grabbed her wrist with one hand and twisted her arm behind her back. G?kb?r¨¹, exiting out of my shadow froze her legs together. The needle fell from her grasp, clattering harmlessly to the stone tiles. I saw the confidence in her face disappear as she tried to bite something in her mouth.
Some kind of poison that would kill her in case of capture so information couldn¡¯t be leaked out. I already predicted she would have something like this.
With a swift motion, I snatched the object from her mouth by forcing my hand into her mouth, revealing a tiny vial filled with a dark, viscous liquid. The woman¡¯s eyes widened with a mix of anger and resignation even as she bit me while retrieving the capsule, the allure in her demeanor dissipating like mist in the morning sun.
¡°Will you speak?¡±
I asked, letting the cold spread her naked body. Despite starting to shake due to the cold, she silently glared at me.
¡°Very well then.¡±
I dragged her out of the bath and called the guards. Looks like relaxing was not an option this night.
198-The Politics of Blood
I watched the people behind my attempted assassination get beheaded publicly with emotionless eyes. 12 people, all of which had different expressions on their faces waited for the executioner¡¯s blade on their knees. Some accepted their fates and tried to meet their death with with dignity, their eyes closed as if in silent prayer. Others trembled uncontrollably, fear etched deep into their features, their last moments consumed by the terror of the inevitable. A few whispered final words¡ªperhaps apologies, curses, or pleas for mercy that would never be granted. The executioner stood resolute, his massive form shrouded beneath a black garb obscuring his features.
I didn¡¯t like it.
Calling the previous night hectic would be the understatement of the century. Needless to say, I got no real rest even though I did nothing. Most of the job was done by others while I was escorted by others like a treasured puppy. I had no part in capturing them, interrogating them, or giving them their sentence.
It felt wrong.
Making other people work for me still felt awkward for me even after rising through the ranks. Maybe what felt awkward was not making them work but me not working with them. However, the main source of my discontent was not it. The thing was the process of capturing them felt too fast, too quick. Were the people waiting for the executioner¡¯s blade really the masterminds behind the attempt on my life? Or were they simple spacegoats or maybe worse the political rivals the Queen wanted gone? Without diving into the interrogation process myself, I had no way of knowing.
The assembled Amazons, their expressions a mixture of solemn respect and steely resolve, observed the proceedings in silence. It was clear that justice¡ªor the appearance of it¡ªmattered greatly here. I could jump in there and demand talking to them alone but doing that would undermine the authority of Penthesilea and the justice system of Quipax and mess up my relationships with them. Considering I needed their cooperation against Moloch, how smart was it to risk it for the possibility of an injustice?
God, I hate political bullshit.
The executioner raised his blade again, and I forced myself to watch, to absorb the gravity of what was happening. With a swift, practiced motion, the sword came down, severing another life from this world. The crowd remained still, their discipline unyielding. The Queen¡¯s justice had to be seen as absolute, unerring.
¡°They were found too quickly and the decree was given too sharply. Are we sure they are the ones?¡±
I turned to Thalia, who stood by my side, her expression unreadable. She had been a constant presence ever since what happened last night.
Thalia''s eyes met mine, her gaze steady and unwavering. "The Queen''s investigators are thorough," she replied, her voice calm but carrying an edge of finality. "They wouldn''t act without sufficient evidence. We value justice, but they also understand the importance of swift action, especially when the security of our Champion is at stake."
I nodded, though the unease in my chest remained. The final execution was carried out, the last head rolling onto the blood-stained platform. The crowd, stoic and disciplined, watched in silence as the bodies were removed.
¡°Champion. We should go inside. Our Queen is waiting for you.¡±
I took a deep breath. It will be okay. Everything will be okay.
¡°Champion,¡± Thalia¡¯s voice was softer now, more insistent. ¡°We should go inside. Our Queen is waiting for you.¡±
I tore my gaze away from the now-empty execution platform and nodded, allowing her to lead me back into the palace. The corridors were as grand and imposing as ever, lined with intricately woven tapestries and statues of Amazonian heroes. The silence between us was thick, only broken by the echo of our footsteps against the marble floors. When we finally reached the grand chamber where Penthesilea awaited, the doors opened with a slow, deliberate creak. Inside, the Queen sat around a desk together with Artemeni and Aurora.
The air in the grand chamber was heavy with the weight of recent events, and as I stepped inside, I could feel the intensity of their gazes on me. Penthesilea, ever the imposing figure, sat with a regal composure that barely masked the underlying tension in the room. Artemeni¡¯s sharp eyes studied me carefully, while Aurora¡¯s expression was softer, more concerned.
"Champion," Penthesilea greeted me, her voice carrying the authority of her station. "I trust you found the outcome of the executions satisfactory."
I nodded wordlessly as I took a seat together with Thalia.
¡°Not all who would want you dead is gone, of course. But I will personally make sure that they will be rooted out. But this is a job for me as the Queen. For you, we have to make sure that you are fit to conquer War God¡¯s Battle Area and fight Moloch. ¡±
The Queen''s unwavering resolve was apparent, yet beneath it, I could sense a trace of concern¡ªa subtle acknowledgment that the recent assassination attempt had shaken the foundation of trust between us, however slightly. I tapped the desk lightly and decided to let go of my doubts. If the attackers aimed for Larve too, I would pursued the situation more deeply but for now, I had to focus on coming up with a plan for defeating Moloch.
¡°Are we talking about gathering resources? I already said I don¡¯t exactly need much. I am pretty self suffice- G?kb?r¨¹.¡±
As I was talking G?kb?r¨¹ jumped on the desk, inspecting and sniffing everyone. He already knew Thalia, Artemeni, and Aurora so he focused on Penthesilea.
¡°This is a curious beast. He radiates strength.¡±
Penthesilea reached for G?kb?r¨¹ and being a sleazy bastard he quickly accepted her, settling into her lap while I hid my face due to his actions.
The Queen''s fingers gently traced the contours of his fur, her hardened exterior briefly giving way to a rare smile. "He¡¯s quite the companion," she remarked, her tone more relaxed. "A beast with the instincts of a warrior. You¡¯ve chosen your allies well, Champion."
The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.Seriously, this fleabag.
¡°Yes. He is. But as I said before I don¡¯t really need that much. Plus, it would be more impressive if I conquered the dungeon with minimum preparation.¡±
Aurora and Penthesilea exchanged glances.
¡°That¡¯s correct, Champion. But what we are worried about is your skills. Or to be exact, your overall control over mana.¡±
Aurora fixed her glasses. Hmm. My overall control over mana? I guess I never exactly thought about it. I learned how to control mana by reverse engineering my Armor Collapsing Claw and nearly dying during G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s birth. Both Lily and Morrigan gave me pointers about it but I never got a proper education on it. It was about instinct and brute force rather than finesse. It got the job done, sure, but it wasn¡¯t always the most efficient or reliable.
¡°What is exactly wrong?¡±
I asked. Aurora cleared her throat, her eyes narrowing slightly as she gathered her thoughts. She raised three fingers.
¡°Three things are important when it comes to the use of mana. Capacity, output, and control.¡±
Aurora paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. "From what we''ve ob, served, your output is immense¡ªfar beyond that of most warriors, only rivaled by Her Majesty. Your capacity is acceptable, greater than many warriors but lesser than great mages. Your control on the other hand¡¡±
Aurora let her voice trail off, her gaze sharp and analytical. I could feel her scrutinizing every detail of my expression, waiting for a reaction.
¡°It is not a big problem. Those with high outputs usually lack the finer control and you are not a mage so bringing your control to acceptable levels could be achieved in 6 months to a year.¡±
Aurora continued casually but I couldn¡¯t help to frown. Even 6 months felt too long since we had a blade dangling above our necks named Moloch.
¡°That¡¯s nearly as much as time I could control mana¡¡±
I muttered to mostly myself. Honestly, on paper, it wasn¡¯t that much time. I have been here for slightly more than a year and I learned to manipulate mana around 6 to 8 months ago. Acquiring respectable mastery over any skill in 1 to 2 years was expected. I touched my nonexistent beard and lifted my head to ask Aurora what I needed to do only to meet with her bewildered expression.
¡°Hm? What happened? Do I have something in my face?¡±
Aurora blinked, her confusion quickly shifting into a more analytical gaze as she leaned forward slightly. "Champion," she began cautiously, "are you saying that you''ve only been manipulating mana for the past six to eight months?"
I nodded, feeling a little uneasy under the weight of her stare.
¡°Well, I was summoned here roughly a year ago. I ran around like a headless chicken, trying to understand what was going on in the first half without mana. Only after I got some pointers from others I was able to learn how to manipulate mana.¡±
Aurora exchanged a glance with Penthesilea, who raised an eyebrow but remained silent. The Amazon Queen was rarely surprised, but even she seemed taken aback by this revelation. Aurora''s lips pursed in thought, her eyes narrowing as she processed the information.
"Your progress is... astounding," she finally said, her tone a mixture of admiration and concern. "Most warriors spend years¡ªdecades even¡ªhoning their control over mana to the level you''re at now. The fact that you''ve achieved so much in such a short time is impressive. But did you say you only learned how to control mana after coming to this world?¡±
Damn. Looks like I awakened a mage¡¯s curiosity.
¡°Yeah. My world didn¡¯t have mana. It was a place much, much different than here.¡±
Aurora leaned back in her chair, the intensity of her gaze unwavering. "A world without mana... It''s hard to imagine such a place. And yet, you''ve adapted to ours with remarkable speed." She paused, her analytical mind clearly racing with possibilities. She muttered things to herself as she drew things into the air.
¡°It probably has more to do with the body Aliera gave to me and less with my talent.¡±
I moved my fingers, inspecting the calluses on my hands with a hint of pride. Finally. They were like a baby¡¯s ass when I first came here. It was nice to have tough hands.
¡°This body is based on my original body. I have the same face, same moles, same everything. But according to Aliera, it is optimized to be better.¡±
I turned to others and saw Thalia¡¯s eyes burn with religious zeal. Oh, no.
¡°Your flesh is sculpted by our Goddess?¡±
I chuckled awkwardly at Thalia¡¯s sudden fervor. Her eyes gleamed with something bordering on reverence, and I could almost see the wheels turning in her mind, likely connecting my abilities to divine favor. It wasn''t that Aliera created my body with her own hands but it was too complicated to explain when I had this many things on my plate.
¡°Uh, yeah, something like that,¡± I replied, trying to downplay the situation. ¡°Aliera might have done a bit of tweaking, but it''s still just me.¡±
Penthesilea cleared her throat, drawing everyone''s attention back to her.
¡°I highly suggest that you keep that fact to yourself, Champion. Unless you want to be busy every night, of course.¡±
I tilted my head to the side as I tried to understand what she meant.
¡°You are already strong, handsome, and carry a great deal of authority. Many Amazons would throw themselves to your feet given the chance. If they also learn that your flesh is divine, I doubt we could stop them from acquiring your seed.¡±
¡°Ha?¡±
I blinked, trying to process what she just said. This sounded like a dream if I were still a teenager. Now that I was an adult or even an old man in a teenager¡¯s body, it sounded like a nightmare. Keeping a stable and healthy relationship with a single person was hard, especially for someone like me and you are saying that there are multiple ready to jump my bones? I would be lying if I said a part of me didn¡¯t enjoy it but honestly, it was more trouble than it is worth.
¡°Okay. We are closing this topic and never opening it again. Aurora. How can I improve my mana control?¡±
Aurora straightened her body.
¡°Seeing as your rate of development is simply beyond what could be considered fast, I have an idea but we need some time to prepare.¡±
She sounded weirdly excited.
¡°What is it?¡±
I asked hesitantly, not liking the mad scientist smile she wore on her face. She fixed her glasses and to my horror, her smile just widened.
¡°Time Dilation Chamber.¡±
199-In the Bubble of Time
Both G?kb?r¨¹ and I scanned our surroundings, watching as mages in robes hurried about, making last-minute preparations. It was oddly nostalgic. It reminded me of scientists checking my power armor to make sure it was at 100 percent capacity. It was somewhat comforting. Except what these mages were working on was much, much more advanced.
Time Dilation. It was something the science of Earth had knowledge of. As a being moved faster, they experienced time slower than those slower than themselves, at least putting it in a very oversimplified way. However, humanity of Earth never had the chance to use it in a meaningful way. On Earth, the velocity needed to achieve meaningful time dilation was only possible in the immense gravitational fields of stellar bodies like black holes. But this world had other laws and magic.
G?kb?r¨¹ sniffed the air, his ears twitching as he tried to make sense of the strange energy that filled the room. I couldn¡¯t blame him; the atmosphere was thick with an unfamiliar pressure, the kind that made my skin prickle and my instincts scream that something extraordinary was about to happen. The mana required for activating the chamber was simply massive. No wonder Aurora wanted some time.
I watched the mages work with a mixture of curiosity and unease. Their hands glowed with a soft, ethereal light as they inscribed runes into the air, weaving intricate patterns that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. The ¡°chamber¡± was a metal box covered with runic words, floating in the air. It looked small on the outside but at this point, I knew better than to assume things were the same size as what they looked outside. Three heavy metal rings like the ones biblically accurate angels had surrounded it.
¡°I see that you are interested in our little thing.¡±
A mage, her face wrinkled with age approached me. She relied on a staff to walk but I could feel massive amounts of mana she had, nearly more than twice than me.
¡°I wouldn¡¯t call a structure capable of controlling time ¡°little¡±.¡±
She let out a laugh, revealing a mouth full of pristine white teeth despite her age.
¡°Oh, My Champion. Control? No, no. Look at me. Do you think I can control time? We mortals can nudge the time slightly like setting a dam to a river. Do you think we control the river because we set up a measly dam? No, we can¡¯t.¡±
The mage''s words were laced with a humility that belied the power she wielded. She might not control time, but the fact that they could even influence it, however slightly, was nothing short of miraculous. I studied her more closely, noticing the lines of age on her face contrasted sharply with the strength of her aura. She was a living testament to the depth of magic in this world, a reminder that power and wisdom often went hand in hand.
G?kb?r¨¹ trotted closer to the mage, sniffing her robes cautiously. She reached out a gnarled hand, and after a brief hesitation, he allowed her to scratch behind his ears. I could see his tail wag slightly¡ªseemed like she had his approval.
"Time is a river, and like any river, it can be diverted, slowed, or quickened. But it cannot be stopped, and it certainly cannot be reversed," she continued, her voice gentle but firm. "This chamber does not control time; it creates a bubble within which time flows differently. Twice as fast to be exact.¡±
1 day to 2 days and 2 days to 4 days. Hmm.
¡°How long can it operate?¡±
¡°30 days.¡±
So I had one extra month. It didn¡¯t sound that long but one month more was certainly better than one month less.
¡°You said that time cannot be reversed. But I heard someone with that ability.¡±
Both Lily and Morrigan told me that William could reverse time to heal his wounds. The mage''s eyes narrowed slightly at my words, her hand pausing mid-scratch on G?kb?r¨¹''s head.
¡°Are you sure about that? Not that I don¡¯t trust the Champion of Aliera.¡±
She replied, doubt clear in her voice.
¡°Yes. He is someone I must kill.¡±
The mage''s face grew more serious as she contemplated my words.
¡°Tempering with time is dangerous even with well-trodden paths. If what you say is true, then the individual you''re speaking of is playing with forces that could unravel much more than just their own fate. Time is not something that can be manipulated lightly, even in this world where magic is abundant. To reverse time, even on a small scale, is to challenge the natural order itself. Such a power could easily spiral out of control, leading to consequences far beyond the intended effect.¡±
I clenched my fist. Damn you William, how long will you risk others without a care?
"Do you think this chamber will be enough to improve my control over mana?" I asked, shifting the conversation back to the task at hand.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.The mage smiled, a glint of confidence returning to her eyes.
"Time Dilation Chambers are designed for theoretical studies and time-consuming experiments. Archmage Aurora will be with you, guiding you through every aspect of mana control. That will be your sole focus."
Ah, so that¡¯s why she was so excited.
"Theoretical? Shouldn''t I be focusing on the practical side of things?"
She chuckled softly. "If someone as powerful as you released even half of your strength in the chamber, it would destabilize and collapse. As I said, you''ll be learning and practicing control and the basics¡ªnothing more."
Oh. I could feel the enthusiasm burning in my chest dim slightly. That sounded a little bit¡ Boring. Yet, I knew the importance of honing my skills, especially with Moloch on the horizon. The mage noticed my contemplation and gave a reassuring nod.
¡°You¡¯ll have plenty of time to test your limits and explore the depth of your abilities within the chamber. And while it might seem mundane, remember that mastery over the basics is what will allow you to wield your power more effectively in critical moments.¡±
She inhaled a sharp breath.
¡°Maybe it is better if you are not too keen on using Time Dilation Chambers. You are young and I don¡¯t want you to end up missing out on your youth. Many mages, me including me think that they can acquire knowledge and mastery by entering them at every possibility.¡±
She tapped her staff to the ground.
¡°It may be cliche but you don¡¯t understand the importance of many things until you lose them. Your health and youth are two of them.¡±
I smiled. She had no way of knowing but I knew exactly what she meant. I was nearly 80 after all.
She suddenly covered her face.
¡°Oh, this oldness! I forgot to introduce myself. I¡¯m Elara, Head of the Time Department at the Mage Tower. It is an honor to serve the Champion of Aliera.¡±
I nodded appreciatively at the mage''s words.
¡°The honor is mine.¡±
Aurora appeared moments later, her usual intensity replaced with a focused determination. Books so thick that they could be used as weapons and scrolls containing words I had difficulty understanding flew beside her. It was more likely that they were for her studies, rather than mine. Artemeni also walked behind her, carrying a mountain of weights and sandbags on her back.
"Champion," she greeted with a nod. "I assume that Elara has explained the basics of the Time Dilation Chamber?¡±
¡°Most of it.¡±
I answered. She nodded.
¡°Good. Are the food, water, and oxygen stored?¡±
She turned to Elara who nodded.
¡°Yes, Archmage. Even with the appetite of warriors like Champion and Commander taking into consideration, you should have more than twice as required.¡±
Aurora''s eyes flickered with a mixture of satisfaction and anticipation as she looked back at me.
¡°Good. Then we should begin before that priestess somehow finds us.¡±
I let out a silent sigh. Thalia was pretty adamant about joining us but one more person joining us would create problems with how delicate the chamber was. Aurora was with me to teach me about mana and Artemeni was here for my physical fitness. G?kb?r¨¹¡ Well, he was G?kb?r¨¹. Thalia didn¡¯t have many things she could teach me, at least when it comes to becoming stronger.
Artemeni was first to step into the chamber and I followed her, stepping to stairs created by magic to reach the chamber. I could feel mana growing thicker as I got closer to the entrance of the chamber, like a dungeon. The circles started to spin as we closed the door but I could hear them getting faster and faster. As they spun louder and louder I felt something press down on my body like I was in a fast-moving vehicle. The sound of rings spinning grew into a booming degree, making my body vibrate.
Vibration, mana, and the force made me feel light-headed and I stumbled several steps to find my balance. From the corner of my eye, I saw Artemeni on her knees but I was in no condition to help her. G?kb?r¨¹ growled, the loud noise scratching inside his head due to his Enhanced Senses.
The force pressing down on me suddenly disappeared, replaced by a sense of weightlessness and I found myself floating in the air. However, it was gone as suddenly as it came and I hit the ground.
¡°Ouch.¡±
I lay there for a second, realizing the noise created by circles spinning was gone. I also couldn¡¯t feel the outside.
¡°Congratulations. You experienced your first-time dilation without passing out. It is a rare achievement but it is expected.¡±
I straightened my body to look at Aurora who seemed unaffected by whatever just happened. She was standing with no sign of difficulty and even her books were still flying in the air. Artemeni on the other was on her hands and knees and looked like she was about to throw up.
Aurora snapped her fingers and a chair appeared behind her. She sat down and opened one of the heavy books.
¡°Please inform me when you are ready for the lessons.¡±
I put my head back to the ground.
200-Balancing the Flow
I gritted my teeth with frustration as another crystal shattered violently, its fragments scattered across the chamber floor. The burst of energy that had surged through it was uncontrolled, erratic, and far from the precision I needed.
¡°Take a deep breath, Champion. We have many more of them.¡±
Aurora tried to assure me with a patient tone.
¡°Your impatience and frustration affect your performance. Take a deep breath and try to calm down.¡±
I clenched my fists, feeling the heat rising within me¡ªnot just from the effort, but from the growing frustration gnawing at my focus. I took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from my face. Despite just sitting motionless for an hour, my body was drenched with sweat. The air in the chamber was thick, saturated with mana and the remnants of shattered crystals, but I forced myself to breathe slowly, deeply.
I thought that I could have no problems with focusing thanks to my Unwavering Focus skill yet as my failures started to pile up, it became harder and harder to focus on the task on my hand. The task was simple enough, I just had to channel enough mana to create light. The difficulty stemmed from if I channeled more mana than necessary, even just slightly more the crystal would shatter. If I didn¡¯t channel enough, well it created no light.
I sighed. It was like opening a bag of chips. If I put little power it wouldn¡¯t open and if I put more power then it would spill to the ground. I stared at the scattered fragments, feeling the weight of each failure. The simplicity of the task only made it more infuriating. I had faced countless battles, taken down foes far stronger than me, yet here I was, struggling with something as basic as creating a little light.
Aurora¡¯s voice cut through my thoughts. ¡°This exercise isn¡¯t just about creating light. It¡¯s about precision, control, and restraint. You¡¯re accustomed to using your power in large bursts, but here, you need to focus on the smallest details.¡±
I took another deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. The Unwavering Focus skill was supposed to help me maintain concentration, but it was clear that even it had its limits, or rather I simply wasn¡¯t able to fulfill the requirements. Even though it was a passive skill, I had to make a conscious effort to focus on it to show its full effect.
Aurora handed me another crystal, her expression calm and encouraging. ¡°Try again, but this time, don¡¯t think about the end result. Focus solely on the flow of mana. Feel it, guide it gently. Don¡¯t force it.¡±
I nodded, closing my eyes and taking the crystal in my hand. I cleared my mind of distractions, pushing away the frustration and focusing entirely on the task. I imagined the mana within me as a steady stream, not a raging river. This was drastically different than how I wielded mana before. To survive against even the most dire odds, to acquire victory off the jaws of my enemies and protect others I always tried to image and channel the most destructive forces.
A wolf that¡¯s been starving for weeks closing its jaws around its prey. A winter so rash that it freezes the running water. My sword splitting a mountain apart.
By engraving those images in my head, I aimed to surpass the limitations of my mind, to bring out a force transcending my current self.
And now, it only caused me problems.
So I had to change how I thought. Change the images I engrave on my head.
I visualized the mana as something softer, gentler¡ªa calm breeze rustling through the leaves, a stream flowing smoothly over rocks, the delicate touch of a feather landing on water. My grip on the crystal tightened just slightly, enough to maintain a connection but not enough to impose force upon it. I allowed the mana to flow, guiding it with care, with a sense of harmony rather than dominance.
The crystal began to glow faintly, a soft, steady light emanating from its core. It wasn¡¯t a blinding flash or a violent eruption like before. This was different¡ªcontrolled, measured, and, most importantly, sustainable. I could feel the mana balancing perfectly within the crystal, neither too much nor too little, just the right amount to create a stable light.
Aurora¡¯s voice was quiet, almost reverent. ¡°Good. Very good. Now, hold it. Keep the flow steady.¡±
An urge popped into my head. To push more mana into it. To make the light brighter. It called me weak and soft. It whispered to me how what I was doing right now would weaken me somehow. It was my insecurity, my mindset to ruthlessly destroy myself to achieve what I needed. I pushed the urge away, refusing to give in. The temptation to make the light brighter, to channel more power, was strong¡ªit was what I was used to, what I had trained for. But this exercise wasn''t about power; it was about control.
The crystal continued to glow softly in my hand, a testament to my newfound control. I focused on keeping the mana flow steady, resisting the impulse to do more, to push further. The light remained constant, unwavering, as I maintained the connection between my mana and the crystal.
Aurora watched me with a satisfied smile, her eyes reflecting approval. "You¡¯re doing well, Champion. Remember this feeling, this balance. Power is important, but without control, it becomes a double-edged sword."
Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.I held the steady light for a few moments longer, then carefully released the mana. The crystal dimmed and finally went dark, but it remained intact¡ªa small victory that felt monumental at this moment. I let out a slow breath, feeling a mixture of relief and accomplishment.
¡°So. What is the next step?¡±
I asked, happy that this part was over. Aurora gave me a symphatic smile.
¡°We are going to repeat this several times to make sure you grasp it fully.¡±
I made a noise that was half laugh and half cry.
¡
¡°48, 49, 50!¡±
My quads burned as my core muscles strained to balance Artemeni who was on my shoulders. She wore a weight vest just like me but the main difficulty I was having was due to gravity magic pressing down on my body. I squatted down once again and felt my body lighten up. I looked at Aurora with questioning eyes.
¡°I can do more.¡±
Aurora held her head.
¡°I can¡¯t, Champion. I still have enough mana but maintaining gravity magic for this long requires a lot of mental power.¡±
I lifted Artemeni off my shoulders like she was a child who made a weird face, clearly not used to people treating her as if she weighed nothing.
¡°Sorry. I forgot about that.¡±
I watched Artemeni adjust the weight vest as I controlled my breath to recover my stamina. Physical training was what I focused on besides mana control training and the moment I learned Aurora could control gravity I took advantage of it. Even without using mana to reinforce my body, I was too strong so even the weights Artemeni brought didn¡¯t help that much unless I did many repetitions. But with Aurora increasing the gravity, I could get a good workout in.
It was good. Even though I worked out and trained my body, I wasn¡¯t able to solely focus on physical fitness. My weakness at that part showed itself when I was fully pushed to the brink, like the time I fought against Morrigan.
¡°Alright. You ready?¡±
I breathed in deeply and took my fighting stance.
¡°Yes. Thanks for the lessons!¡±
Artemeni squared, facing me as Aurora pulled a wine bottle from somewhere. I was doubtful that wine would help with headaches and mental power but hey, I wasn''t the Archmage.
Artemeni darted forward, her movements fluid and almost graceful despite the added weight. I parried her first strike to the side but she quickly followed with a series of rapid strikes at my torso. I blocked the first few, feeling the impact through my arms, but she was relentless. She was strong. Maybe not strong as me or talented as the Queen herself but she definitely deserved her title as a Commander.
However, she had a flaw. This world wasn¡¯t like Earth. Back on Earth, with the Internet and global travel, information was shared widely and instantly. That included fighting techniques. We could take the best aspects of various styles and evolve them into something more complete. Her style was something simple, more akin to how prizefighters fought before boxing was a real sport. While it was clear that she knew what she was doing and had been in real fights, it was too rigid to work against me.
Artemeni''s strikes came in quick succession, each one precise and calculated. I deflected another blow aimed at my ribs, using the momentum to pivot on my heel and create distance between us. Artemeni narrowed her eyes, chasing me down with the intensity of a bull. Just as I expected.
I lowered my stance, ducking under her cross and delivering a strike powerful enough to make her frown even though the weight vest. She answered with a hook which I answered by raising my shoulder, letting it roll off harmlessly as I slammed my fist into her liver. She took several steps back, clearly hurt. I followed her, angling myself to cut her path, and delivered a brutal low kick to her thigh. Her eyes widened with shock and I remembered my Muay Thai instructor telling me how Western kickboxers weren¡¯t able to deal with low kicks when they first encountered them.
Artemeni grunted as my kick connected, her balance wavering for a split second. That was all the opening I needed. I surged forward, capitalizing on her momentary loss of composure. My fist lashed out, aiming for her sternum, but Artemeni recovered quickly, raising her forearm to block the strike. The impact resonated through both our arms, a testament to her strength and resilience.
But I wasn¡¯t done. I followed up with a swift combination¡ªjab, cross, and then another low kick aimed at the same spot. This time, Artemeni anticipated the move, shifting her stance to absorb the impact more effectively but not raising her leg to ¡°check¡± the kick. She countered with a powerful overhand right, aiming straight for my head.
I leaned back just in time, feeling the air displaced by her punch as it whizzed past my face. She had power, no doubt, but it didn¡¯t mean jackshit unless it connected. I feinted a low kick, and when she braced for it, I switched my center of balance, turning it into a head kick. The blow connected with the side of her head, sending her staggering to the side. Artemeni barely managed to stay on her feet, shaking her head to clear the daze.
She lunged at me again, but this time, her movements were more fluid, more unpredictable. She was finally adapting. Her strikes came in from unexpected angles, forcing me to stay on my toes. I blocked, dodged, and countered as best as I could, but Artemeni¡¯s newfound adaptability was putting me on the defensive.
I was impressed. She was learning quickly, adjusting her style in real time. Good. Things would get boring otherwise.
201-Echoes of Growth
I sat down on the ground, breathing heavily, and wondered if I was going crazy. We have been in the chamber for a month now and I came to the conclusion that this place was somehow worse than the training I received to become a super soldier which was saying a lot since it sucked really bad.
The chamber itself was as big as an average-sized house which gave us a relatively wide area to move around or at least that¡¯s what I thought at the beginning but now it felt way, way smaller. The place had no windows and even if it had windows, I doubted I would be able to see refreshing things.
Artemeni was handling it about as well as I was, which was to say, not great. She was a warrior, used to being out in the open, moving freely, feeling the wind on her face. Here, she was caged, confined to this suffocating space, and it was wearing on her. She tried to keep her frustration in check, out of respect for me, but it was obvious in the tightness of her jaw, the way her eyes would narrow at the slightest provocation. She was a ticking time bomb, and I could feel the tension radiating off her like heat from a fire. She tried to hide it but it was hard to hide things from others when you were locked in the same limited space.
G?kb?r¨¹ constantly whined, pestering me to play with him at every chance he got. I couldn¡¯t blame him, though. He was used to running free, hunting, and playing. Being cooped up in here was driving him nuts, and his incessant need for attention was starting to get on my nerves.
Aurora was the only one who was handling herself well. She was reading her books and taking notes when she wasn¡¯t teaching me or helping me train. Maybe it was expected since she had previous experiences. But to me, it was almost annoying. It was as if she had built an invisible shield around herself, protecting her from the oppressive atmosphere that was affecting the rest of us.
I sighed and looked at the weird straw thing in front of me. It was insanely thin and twisted in weird shapes. The goal, just like the many exercises I did before was simple enough. To thread a thin strand of mana through the twisted straw without touching the edges. It reminded me of a game I played as a child, where you had to guide a loop through a wire without setting off a buzzer. Except this time, the stakes were much higher, and the "buzzer" was my frustration building up to dangerous levels.
Just like a lazy student, a voice in my head asked me how what I was doing would be helpful. I pushed it back of my head and focused on my task. Slowly, carefully. Then, something shifted.
I felt a change in the flow of mana, a subtle but distinct improvement. The mana moved with more precision, more ease as if my previous frustrations had been a necessary part of the process, honing my control to a finer edge. The strand of mana slipped through the twists without touching the sides, a seamless flow of energy that felt almost effortless.
(Mana Manipulation ranked up to B rank. Your control over your mana has sharpened, granting you smoother and more refined dominance over your mana.)
¡°Fuck, yeah!¡±
I threw my hands into the air, startling everyone. Aurora looked up from her book, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she observed my sudden outburst. Artemeni raised an eyebrow, her expression caught somewhere between curiosity and amusement. Even G?kb?r¨¹, who had been lazily sprawled out in a corner, perked up at the sound of my voice, his ears twitching.
"Finally," I muttered, feeling a rush of relief wash over me. The grind of training in this claustrophobic chamber had finally paid off. The system notification echoed in my mind, affirming the breakthrough in my Mana Manipulation.
¡°I assume that your Mana Manipulation ranked up?¡±
I nodded to Aurora¡¯s question.
¡°B rank. It is actually nice that this world tells you about improvements to your face. It makes the training more satisfying.¡±
Aurora closed her book with a soft snap, her smile widening. "Congratulations. Achieving B rank in Mana Manipulation is no small feat, especially in such a short amount of time. Most would take years, if not decades, to reach that level of control. I am actually a little bit jealous.¡±
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.G?kb?r¨¹ trotted over, sensing my excitement. He nudged my hand with his nose, a clear sign that he wanted to share in the moment. I gave him a pat and suddenly he flipped in the air, dropping a piece of ice into my palm. I tilted my head as I inspected what he created and noticed that it looked like a¡ Wolf? It looked like a children¡¯s drawing of a wolf but it was surely a wolf. I looked at him and he was wagging his tail, waiting for my praise. Was he training too while I was focused on my task? While it was still primitive, his ice manipulation was never this precise.
I looked at his status window to see if his Ice Wolf¡¯s Breath was ranked up but it was at the same rank. However, I noticed a new skill: Mana Manipulation E.
¡°Ha ha! You lazy fleabag! You were training too?¡±
I flipped him over and scratched his belly. G?kb?r¨¹''s tail wagged furiously as I scratched his belly, his excitement infectious. I couldn¡¯t help but laugh at the sight of him squirming under my touch. Aurora observed the interaction with a thoughtful expression, her book now forgotten in her lap.
¡°What is that Champion?¡±
I showed her the ice sculpture G?kb?r¨¹ made.
¡°He learned Mana Manipulation! Look at this.¡±
Her eyes widened.
¡°Are you sure, Champion? Even though he is a familiar, it is very difficult for monsters to acquire Mana Manipulation.¡±
Well, G?kb?r¨¹ wasn¡¯t really a monster. Both Wolf King and his sons were intelligent and sapient so was G?kb?r¨¹. Aurora studied the ice wolf with a mix of curiosity and admiration.
¡°It¡¯s not just the skill that¡¯s impressive; it¡¯s the way he¡¯s applied it. Most monsters use mana instinctively often through their natural born skills, without much thought or precision. For G?kb?r¨¹ to focus it into something as delicate as this... it suggests a level of intelligence and discipline beyond what I¡¯ve seen in most familiars.¡±
G?kb?r¨¹, still basking in the attention, let out a soft bark, clearly pleased with himself. I couldn¡¯t help but grin, ruffling his fur.
¡°Don¡¯t compliment him too much or his ass will leave this planet behind.¡±
Aurora ignored my joke, nodding thoughtfully as she adjusted her glasses.
¡°I heard that you can share each other¡¯s senses?¡±
She asked, sounding like she wanted to confirm something. While sharing all of my abilities was something I wanted to avoid, I trusted Aurora and Artemeni.
¡°Even more than that. Feelings, mana, and skills too.¡±
She froze before starting to murmur. I could hear gears turning in her mind.
¡°Unlike civilized species, monsters have a more innate relationship with mana. Their ability to ¡°sense¡± mana is greater than ours however, they usually lack the understanding or self-awareness required to achieve the same mastery as us. This. This explains your growth. Both of you.¡±
I glanced at G?kb?r¨¹, who was still wiggling on his back, enjoying the belly rubs. Hmm. G?kb?r¨¹ could sense mana in a way I couldn¡¯t and I had the maturity and self-awareness necessary to control it. By sharing our sensations we acquired things we lacked.
¡°How did you manage to form your familiar bond?¡±
The sparkle in Aurora¡¯s eyes told me that she really hoped she could replicate what I did.
¡°I don¡¯t think it is replicateable. Plus, even I am not sure how it happened.¡±
Well, she could start by finding the heart of a Calamity Candidate and try to create a new offspring by fusing your mana into it and nearly dying in the process. But I wouldn¡¯t say that.
¡°Shame. Many mages would kill to acquire something like that. May I perform some tests on him?¡±
Tests. The word didn¡¯t awaken nice memories. When scientists told me they wanted to perform tests it usually involved them cutting me open or putting something in my body. Aurora must have noticed my hesitation because she quickly added, "Nothing invasive, of course. Just some non-intrusive tests to understand how he''s developed this level of control. It could help us all grow stronger."
I weighed her words carefully. Aurora had been nothing but supportive, and her knowledge had been invaluable to our progress.
¡°It is G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s decision.¡±
Aurora turned to G?kb?r¨¹, her expression softening as she crouched down to his level. ¡°What do you say, G?kb?r¨¹? Would you mind if I ran a few tests? I promise it won¡¯t hurt. Just a few simple exercises to see how much you''ve grown.¡±
G?kb?r¨¹ looked at me, his bright eyes seeking my approval. I gave him a nod, trusting that Aurora wouldn¡¯t do anything to harm him. He let out a small bark and stood up, signaling that he was willing to go along with it.
¡°Alright then,¡± Aurora said, standing up and brushing off her robes. ¡°We¡¯ll start with something simple.¡±
202-The Weight of Guardianship
| Strength |
54(64) |
| Agility |
45(53,4) |
| Vitality |
64(70) |
| Mana |
50(58) |
| Charisma |
45(48,6) |
| Defense |
40(65) |
| Spark: Fallen Knight¡¯s Armor( Intermediate Grade, growing) |
*Can generate armor around the body.
*Increase all stats by 20 percent.
*Increases defense further by 15.
*Will form armor automatically in danger.
*Gives resistances:
-Darkness 35 %
-Fire 25%
-Curse 26 %
-Instant death 70 %
-Poison 28%
-Ice 30% |
| Spark Skills |
Night Vision B(Passive)
Shadow Melt A (Passive&Active)
Shadow Walk D (Active)
Armory of the Fallen D (Active)
Shadow Storage E (Passive&Active) |
| Personal Skills |
Full Combat Mastery C (Passive)
Combat Sense A(Passive)
Iron Will A(Passive)
Monstrous Strength B(Active)
Rapid Healing B (Passive)
Indomitable Marksmanship C (Passive)
Armor Collapsing Claw B (Active)
Mana Erupt C (Active)
Synchronization ?(Passive & Active)
Mana Manipulation B (Active)
Unwavering Focus D (Passive)
Beastification E (Active)
Roar of War Goddess E (Active) |
| Titles |
The One Who Have Seen The End
Mythical Beast¡¯s Partner
Divine Touched
Aliera¡¯s Champion
Dragonic Slayer
Guardian of the Forest |
I looked at my status screen as Larve slept, her head on my chest. She haven¡¯t stopped clinging to me after I got out of the time dilation chamber. It was normal, she was in a new place and she hadn¡¯t seen her only guardian in a month.
G?kb?r¨¹, very uncharacterically wasn¡¯t sleeping with us. He has been running around non-stop ever since we exited that damn chamber. Again, I couldn¡¯t blame him. Larve stirred slightly, her tiny hands gripping my shirt. I squeezed her tighter and gave a soft kiss on her forehead. I was going away soon again so I wanted to spend as much as time I could with her even though it was inconvenient for me. For example, I only needed sleep around 3 to 4 hours a day unlike her who needed at least 8 hours. Of course, I could just leave her to do my own thing but it didn¡¯t seem right.
So, I lay down and inspected my status window. Roar of the War Goddess was the new skill I was barely able to acquire on the last day in the chamber. It was the same skill Artemeni used to buff Arslan and me against Bloodbane. According to Artemeni, learning it was like a rite of passage. Unlike many other skills, it required Aliera¡¯s divine power instead of mana. While Amazons were blessed by Aliera, not all had enough divine power to cast it which made the ones who could cast even more impressive. I on the other hand was basically overflowing with her power so it was rather easy for me to learn.
(You can let out a powerful battle cry infused with Aliera¡¯s divine power, capable of cleansing all debuffs from the User and their allies while boosting combat skills by 40% until the end of the battle. This skill also temporarily increases Strength and Vitality by 20%, making the User a formidable force on the battlefield. If one has Aliera¡¯s divine power embedded in them, hearing this roar will increase their stats by 5 percent.)
Mine was slightly weaker than Artemeni¡¯s as her¡¯s was C ranked according to her. I also managed to learn what exactly counted as ¡°combat skills¡± as it was really vague.
1-Full Combat Mastery
2- Combat Sense
3- Indomitable Marksmanship
4- Armor Collapsing Claw
5-Mana Erupt
Those were counted as combat skills according to her. I wasn¡¯t sure why Monstrous Strength or Mana Manipulation didn¡¯t count but I kind of accepted that this world was weird at this point.
A soft sigh escaped Larve''s lips, and I looked down at her peaceful face. She was so small, so vulnerable, and yet she held so much trust in me. It was a reminder of why I fought, why I pushed myself to the brink in that chamber, and why I would continue to fight, no matter the cost.
¡°You said the same for your own sister.¡±
A drop of poison dripped into my mind. It was like a loose tooth making itself known every time I tried to enjoy a treat.
¡°It is okay.¡±
I tried to assure myself but the voice lashed out, snarling and barking in hatred.
¡°Okay? Okay? You were nearly assassinated. How long until they came for your obvious weakness, for her? What would you do if she disappeared when you were gone?¡±
The voice in my mind felt like a dagger twisting in a wound I¡¯d tried to forget. It was a voice I¡¯d grown accustomed to¡ªone that reminded me of my failures, of the people I couldn¡¯t protect. When I was roaming the ruined Earth as the last human alive it was loud but it was diminished to a quiet whisper when I first arrived here. Yet, as I spent more time here, it started to grow louder and louder.
¡°It won¡¯t happen,¡± I whispered to myself, though the words felt hollow. I¡¯d made promises like this before, and the weight of those broken vows still hung heavy on my soul. Larve stirred again, her tiny fingers gripping my shirt even tighter as if sensing my unease. I took a deep breath, letting the warmth of her presence ground me. The world outside was unforgiving, and I knew the dangers all too well. But I couldn¡¯t let fear paralyze me. I had to be strong, for her, for every soul unable to defend themselves.
This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.Gently, I shifted my position, careful not to wake her. She mumbled something incoherent, her breath warm against my chest, but she didn¡¯t stir. I allowed myself a small smile. She was safe, here in my arms, and I would keep it that way. I closed my eyes, letting the exhaustion of the past month finally catch up with me. The whispers in my mind faded, drowned out by the steady rhythm of Larve¡¯s breathing. For now, at least, I could rest.
¡
¡°Rise and shine, Champion! Waking up late is a sign of a bad leader! A good leader must wake up before their subjects!¡±
Memories of being waken up by our drill sergeants when I was still a low-rank soldier filled my head as I gasped awake. The first thing I saw was a middle-aged maid with a mean-looking mug looking at me. 3, younger and much softer-looking maids were behind her and it looked like they wanted to avoid her fury.
The sudden intrusion of the maid¡¯s voice jolted me from the brief, comforting silence that had surrounded Larve and me. I blinked, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep, as the older maid stared down at me with a stern, almost disapproving expression. Her iron-gray hair was pulled back into a severe bun, and her uniform was immaculate as if she took great pride in every detail of her appearance.
"Good morning," I managed to say, my voice still groggy from sleep. Larve stirred in my arms, her little face scrunching up as she began to wake as well. I could feel her reluctance to leave the warm cocoon of sleep, and I couldn''t blame her.
The older maid¡¯s expression softened just a fraction when she saw Larve, but her tone remained firm.
"It''s already past dawn, Champion. There''s much to be done today, and you have responsibilities to attend to. The same goes for little lady too. She has lessons to attend.¡±
I gently stroked Larve''s hair as she groggily opened her eyes, the light of the new day slowly filtering into the room. Her grip on my shirt relaxed as she yawned, blinking up at me with a bleary gaze. She still seemed half-asleep, her tiny body slumping against me as I swung my legs off the bed. The maids moved efficiently, the younger ones stepping forward to help with Larve, but she clung to me, not yet ready to let go.
¡°Little lady. Let your father go. Both of you need to be bathed, groomed, and prepared for breakfast.¡±
The older maid demanded, her harsh tone waking up Larve.
¡°Do I have to go to lessons today?¡± she asked, her voice still thick with sleep. The old maid seemed to take a personal offense to Larve¡¯s question.
"Proper ladies must always attend to their lessons with diligence," the older maid said sternly, her eyes narrowing as if she were addressing a room full of disobedient recruits rather than a sleepy child. "Education is the foundation of a strong and capable mind, and we cannot afford to neglect it."
Larve frowned, clearly not pleased with the idea of leaving the warmth and safety of my embrace for another day of rigorous lessons. While I personally didn¡¯t ask for it, most people here seemed to see her as my daughter and treat her like nobility. With that came lessons about etiquette, history, and a bunch of nonsense stuff.
"Lessons are important," I said gently, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "But if you¡¯re not feeling up to it today, we can take it slow. How about that?"
The older maid¡¯s eyes narrowed further, but before she could say anything, I added, "Of course, we won¡¯t neglect her education. Perhaps a more relaxed lesson plan for today, something that eases her back into the routine after such a long separation?"
The maid pursed her lips, clearly not pleased but unable to outright dismiss my suggestion. She nodded curtly. "Very well, Champion. We shall adjust the schedule for today, but tomorrow it¡¯s back to the full program. Little lady mustn¡¯t fall behind."
Larve¡¯s eyes brightened a little at the compromise, and I could feel her body relax against me. I stood, still holding her close, and nodded to the maids. "Thank you. We¡¯ll be ready soon."
I entrusted Larve to younger maids and got ready to move to the bath for myself.
¡°Where do you think you are going, Champion?¡±
The older maid¡¯s voice halted me in my tracks. I turned to face her, a slight frown tugging at my lips. "To prepare for the day, as you said," I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral. The maid¡¯s expression remained stern, her eyes narrowing with the kind of authority that brooked no argument.
"You may be a Champion, but that doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re exempt from the proper protocols of this household," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "As the one who oversees the care of the little lady and the household under your charge, it¡¯s imperative that you set an example. You¡¯ll be groomed and prepared in the manner befitting your station."
I sighed. Damn, this thing again. Why are people so eager to help me bathe?
¡°I can bathe myself.¡±
The older maid¡¯s stern gaze didn¡¯t waver. She was clearly a woman who took her duties seriously, and it seemed she had no intention of letting me slip out of the routine she had meticulously crafted for me. But I also was pretty keen on bathing myself. If I had to battle her for the right to scrub my own body, that¡¯s what I would do.
203-Reunion of Fox and Wolf
I shook my head to get rid of the sensation of other people scrubbing every part of my body, making me wear clothes like I was 5 years old, and putting on makeup on my face.
¡°I see that you met with Mrs. Griselda.¡±
I raised my head and for a second my mouth was agape but I quickly recovered myself. The Queen stood before me, her presence commanding as always, but today she seemed even more imposing in her elegant dress. It was a deep shade of red, almost black, with intricate silver embroidery that shimmered in the light. Her hair was perfectly styled, and her piercing eyes bore into me as if searching for any sign of weakness.
¡°I have a weird suspicion that you are quite amused with my predicament, Your Majesty.¡±
I said as I crossed my arms. She let out a soft giggle.
¡°It is funny because I was in the same predicament when I first became the queen.¡±
She signalled me to link up with her arm and I complied. Standing side to side with her made the height difference between us even more obvious but I didn¡¯t say anything. Even though I was taller than when I arrived in this world, I was still growing and the Queen was a tree of a woman.
¡°Huh, your hair hasn¡¯t been made. How did she allow it?¡±
She tried to push a thread of hair to the back but it came back as soon as she pulled her hand away.
¡°She tried. This was the most she could do after an hour.¡±
The Queen raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by my rebellious hair. Her fingers traced the unruly strands with a mix of amusement and curiosity.
¡°Trust me, people, more stubborn than she tried to shape my hair. Whatever style or shape they wanted to create always failed after an hour or so.¡±
Technically speaking it wasn¡¯t the first time people tried to prepare me so I would look ¡°presentable¡± to others. I made some appearances on the TV so all this dress nice and wear make-up that wasn¡¯t new. Except for most people, they were afraid of my super soldier physique.
As we walked through the grand corridors of the palace, her arm still linked with mine, I felt Queen¡¯s arm tightening around my bicep and forearm. She was clearly checking to see if I slacked off during my stay at the Time Dilation Chamber. In the end a satisfied smile bloomed on her face.
¡°I see that chamber benefited you greatly.¡±
She remarked. I smirked.
¡°That was the least I could do. When you are stuck in a closed area, that¡¯s was the only thing I could do.¡±
She let out a soft sigh.
¡°Your resolve is impressive. I have seen many people come up with various excuses to avoid training when they don¡¯t want to. Artemeni reported to me how vigorously you trained.¡±
I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant.
¡°The more you sweat while training the less you bleed on the battlefield.¡±
I glanced down at the clothes they had dressed me in¡ªa finely tailored suit that felt both constricting and out of place on me. It was a far cry from the armor and practical attire I was used to. It also didn¡¯t help that I was noticeably bulkier than before.
¡°Plus, I prefer training to this stupid party.¡±
She glanced down at me with a sympathetic smile.
¡°Is this the part you asked me if you could skip it?¡±
I raised my eyebrows.
¡°Do I have a choice?¡±
She answered my question with a loud laugh.
¡°Hell no.¡±
I felt her grip my arm tighter as if to stop me from escaping. The Queen''s laughter echoed through the grand corridors, a rare sound that seemed to lighten the otherwise tense atmosphere. Despite her imposing presence, there was something almost comforting in her laughter, a brief glimpse of the woman behind the crown. I couldn''t help but crack a smile, even as I resigned myself to my fate.
"You really thought you could get out of it, didn''t you?" she teased, her voice laced with amusement.
"Well, it was worth trying, I replied dryly, earning another chuckle from her.
As we approached the doors leading to the grand ballroom, the sounds of the party became more distinct¡ªthe murmur of conversations, the clinking of glasses, and the soft strains of classical music. My heart sank a little, knowing that soon I''d be thrust into the midst of it all.
The Queen must have sensed my reluctance because she stopped just before the doors, turning to face me fully. Her expression softened, and for a moment, she looked more like a concerned friend than a monarch, despite not knowing me for a long time. I felt like she also shared what I felt. She was also a warrior and being entrusted to this political bullshit must be unpleasant to her.
"Listen," she began, her voice quieter now, There are nobles from other countries behind that door.¡±
The Queen''s voice took on a serious tone as she continued, "Many of them have come here with their own agendas, looking to size up potential allies or rivals. They''re sharp and observant, and they can be ruthless in their judgments. Tonight isn''t just a party¡ªit''s a battlefield, and the weapons are words and appearances. I know this isn''t your preferred arena, but it''s just as important as any physical fight. You¡¯ll need to keep your wits about you and trust me, they¡¯ll be watching every move you make."
I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
¡°If we want to get their help against Moloch or any other threat, we can¡¯t make mistakes. We can¡¯t look too soft or too aggressive. This means that no cutting limbs.¡±
I pouted.
¡°No promises.¡±
The doors to the grand ballroom were opened, and a wave of warmth and light washed over us. The room was filled with elegantly dressed nobles, diplomats, and other high-ranking officials, their eyes turning toward us as we entered. The murmurs of conversation quieted for a moment as the Queen made her entrance, her presence commanding respect and attention. I followed closely, trying to mirror her poise and confidence, even though every fiber of my being wanted to be anywhere but here.
This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.As we walked deeper into the room, I felt the weight of countless gazes on me, evaluating, judging. Some were curious, others skeptical, and a few openly disdainful. It was clear that not everyone here was pleased with my presence. I could hear snippets of whispered conversations. Many wore clothing I recognized as traditional fancy stuff while some others had exotic attires.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹.¡±
I called out in my mind, feeling better as I felt his presence in my shadow, currently napping without a care in the world. I traced the ballroom, taking a breath of relief as I saw Thalia, Artemeni, and Aurora though they all seemed to be battling their own problems as they were surrounded by several people each. Not that surprising since each one of them was high-ranking.
The Queen and I continued our slow procession through the ballroom, each step drawing more attention. It felt like walking through a field of landmines¡ªevery word, every gesture, had to be perfectly calculated. The nobles surrounding us were a mix of wary allies, potential enemies, and those who would switch sides if it suited their interests. The political landscape was as treacherous as any battlefield.
However, as I gazed upon the countless nobles gathered here, I felt a familiar presence. I traced the presence and locked eyes with a blue gaze. My lips curled into a smile. Her eyes weren¡¯t cold and calculated as I had last seen her. Instead, they were full of shock and surprise. She stood across the room, almost blending in with the crowd, her attire far from the traditional gowns that adorned the other women in the ballroom. Dressed in a tailored military-style outfit, dark blue with silver accents, she looked every bit the warrior I remembered. Her silver hair was tied back in a simple braid, and her piercing blue eyes were locked onto me, widening in recognition. Honestly, her expression was priceless and I wanted to let out a wild howl of a laugh.
It made sense that she was surprised. Who would have thought that the peasant boy she employed to conquer dungeons was the Champion of Aliera and stood beside the Queen of Quipax?
Queen, probably sensing my amusement, looked where I was looking at.
¡°A Silverfox. Do you know her?¡±
I suppressed a grin as the Queen''s question hung in the air.
A slaver who Morrigan and Ama wanted dead.
A comrade who has been life or death situation with me.
A superior I obeyed.
A member of a noble house.
I took a deep breath, maintaining my smile as I met the Queen''s gaze.
¡°Yes,¡± I said, my tone steady. ¡°We¡¯ve had some... shared experiences.¡±
G?kb?r¨¹, who was sleeping woke up as he sensed Blanche¡¯s presence. He popped his head out of my shadow and sniffed the air. As soon as he saw Blanche, he bolted towards her with his tail wagging fast enough to create gusts of winds strong enough to lift skirts into the air.
I touched my temple and sighed. The Queen raised an eyebrow at G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s enthusiastic response. ¡°Seems like someone is quite excited to see her,¡± she remarked with a hint of amusement.
¡°That casanova does this every time he sees a beautiful woman.¡±
As G?kb?r¨¹ bounded toward Blanche, the room¡¯s atmosphere shifted subtly. Nobles exchanged curious glances and whispered among themselves, clearly intrigued by the interaction. G?kb?r¨¹, not having a shred of social anxiety didn¡¯t even notice countless gazes watching him.
He nuzzled to her legs and while initially hesitant, Blanche quickly recovered her composure. Her hand reached out to steady G?kb?r¨¹ as he nuzzled her affectionately. The person on her side, who I assumed to be another Silverfox due to his hair and skin color looked confused.
I closed my eyes and sensed their presence.
¡°Hmft.¡±
When I first encountered Blanche I didn¡¯t know jackshit about mana and other stuff so I couldn¡¯t sense it but now it was obvious. Their mana and presence were similar to Wolf King and G?kb?r¨¹ only much weaker and diluted. Honestly, it was a miracle that no one was able to figure out that they somehow acquired power from Wolf King¡¯s essence but I guess I was only able to feel it since I was soulbound with G?kb?r¨¹. I walked towards them.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹. Please do not pester our guests for pets.¡±
G?kb?r¨¹ tilted his head like he didn¡¯t understand what I said before turning back to nuzzling Blanche. I sighed.
¡°It¡¯s been some time, My Lady.¡±
I remembered how she ordered me to call me that. While I held no real grudge, a part of me wanted to see what her reaction would be. She looked up from G?kb?r¨¹, her blue eyes meeting with mine.
"Indeed, it has," she replied, her voice steady and calm.
¡°Guess the world is really as small as they say.¡±
The Queen took our interaction with calculating eyes. Blanche bowed down to the Queen.
¡°Your Majesty. I, Blanche Silverfox, and my cousin Albus Silverfox came here to greet the Champion of Aliera and give our respects to the ruler of Quipax.¡±
She forced her cousin to bow with her who looked suspicious of G?kb?r¨¹. It was probably related to how dogs behaved around the Silverfox family.
The Queen nodded with regal grace, acknowledging Blanche¡¯s introduction with a curt but polite smile. ¡°Lady Blanche, Sir Albus,¡± she said, her tone formal but not unkind. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to have you both here.¡±
Blanche straightened, her eyes flickering briefly with curiosity as she took in the Queen''s demeanor. "Thank you, Your Majesty. The honor is ours."
204-Dressed for War, Masked for Peace
I watched as Blanche navigated the formality with the ease of someone accustomed to high society, though the underlying tension in her voice didn¡¯t escape me. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if she, too, found this whole charade as tiring as I did. A part of me, the part that spent time with her when she was vulnerable wanted to believe that but another part, the one who listened to all things Silverfox did to beastkin didn¡¯t agree.
Meanwhile, Albus remained quiet, his eyes darting between G?kb?r¨¹ and me, suspicion lingering in his gaze. It was clear he wasn¡¯t thrilled about the situation, likely wary of the sudden attention our interaction had drawn. He looked like he was in his early twenties so he was most likely inexperienced yet he had somewhat of an arrogant look on his face, even more so than Blanche when I first her.
The Queen seemed to find the situation amusing, a glint of mischief in her eyes as she glanced between Blanche and me. ¡°It seems your companion has taken quite a liking to Lady Blanche.¡±
I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly. ¡°He has a habit of doing that, Your Majesty. You yourself experienced that.¡±
The Queen let out a soft chuckle, clearly remembering her own encounter with G?kb?r¨¹''s overwhelming affection. "Ah, yes. It seems he has a talent for making quite the impression."
She leaned towards him, touching his ears.
¡°So, G?kb?r¨¹. Which one of us do you prefer?¡±
G?kb?r¨¹ looked between the Queen and Blanche, his ears twitching as if contemplating the decision. His tail wagged furiously, but instead of choosing one, he nuzzled both of them in turn. The Queen laughed, the sound genuine and light, while Blanche managed a faint smile, though her eyes revealed a flicker of discomfort. Albus, on the other hand, looked even more perplexed, as if he couldn''t understand why such a creature had been showered with attention by the Queen.
"Ever the diplomat," I muttered, shaking my head in amusement as G?kb?r¨¹ basked in the attention.
The Queen straightened up, her regal demeanor returning, though the playful gleam in her eyes remained. "It seems G?kb?r¨¹ is the true master of diplomacy here," she remarked, turning to me. "Perhaps we should let him handle the negotiations tonight."
I chuckled, though the reminder of what lay ahead¡ªthe real reason behind this gathering¡ªsobered me slightly. "He might just do a better job than me."
Blanche narrowed her eyes.
¡°You were pretty cunning when we fought together.¡±
I met Blanche''s gaze, her narrowed eyes holding a challenge. The tension between us had always been a delicate balance, a mixture of respect, mistrust, and something neither of us had ever truly acknowledged. She probably felt like I lied to her since I was the Champion of Aliera but she couldn¡¯t say anything as I knew her secret and currently held a higher rank than her.
"Maybe," I replied, keeping my tone casual, though I could feel the weight of her words. "But all of us have their own secrets and half-truths, aren¡¯t we?¡±
Blanche raised an eyebrow as if considering my words. "I suppose we all do.¡±
Albus inspected both of us with an annoyed expression on his face, clearly frustrated with being out of the loop.
¡°Did our expedition manage to help?¡±
I asked. It was a way to assert my dominance by letting her not forget that I knew the ¡°sickness¡± plaguing the Silverfox family due to gaining power from a monster.
Blanche¡¯s expression tightened for a brief moment, but her composure returned just as swiftly. She was good at masking her emotions, a trait likely honed by years of navigating court politics. Yet the flicker of vulnerability beneath her confident fa?ade wasn¡¯t lost on me.
"The situation is... improving," she replied, her voice measured. "Though I wish you told me what that liquid was. We could have an easy time replicating its effects.¡±
Hah. She knew that it was blood. I could see it from her tone. But no. I will not let my partner be experimented with and used as a blood bank for a greedy slaver family. No matter what empathy I held for Blanche, it wasn¡¯t enough for that.
I met her gaze, my jaw tightening just slightly. "Some things are better left unspoken, Blanche. For everyone''s sake."
I emphasized her name to make sure she understood that we weren¡¯t in the same relationship as in the past. Blanche¡¯s eyes flashed with a brief spark of resentment, but she quickly suppressed it, her mask of calm slipping back into place. She wasn¡¯t a fool, and neither was I. The tension between us wasn¡¯t just about the past but the future as well. What we had shared¡ªthose moments of vulnerability¡ªwas a fleeting respite in a world where trust was as fragile as glass.
Albus, meanwhile, seemed on the verge of exploding with frustration. His arrogant demeanor couldn¡¯t hide the fact that he was clueless about what had happened between us. Before I could say anything further, Queen¡¯s hand wrapped around my waist.
¡°Ah, politics and power. Such delicate games we play,¡± she mused, her voice as smooth as velvet. ¡°But let¡¯s not forget we are all allies here, united against the greater threat.¡±
She said loud enough to make everyone hear what she said. Everyone turned their heads towards us. The Queen smiled, satisfied with getting everyone¡¯s attention.
¡°I am sure you heard the prophecy flying around. Some of you may consider it a hoax even. But it is true. A real darkness is coming upon us.¡±
The room fell silent at the Queen''s words, a heavy tension settling over the gathered nobles. Even those who had been quietly chatting or trading subtle glances of disdain now focused entirely on her. There was something about the gravity in her tone, an unshakable conviction that demanded attention.
The Queen¡¯s gaze swept over the assembly, her eyes lingering on each face as if daring anyone to challenge her statement. ¡°We are on the brink of war,¡± she continued. ¡°Not between kingdoms, nor over political rivalries, but against something far older, far darker.¡±
Blanche, remained still, her eyes narrowing once more, this time in contemplation. It was clear she had heard whispers of this before, but perhaps not with such certainty.
I let my gaze wander across the room. Many of the courtiers wore expressions of shock or disbelief, but a few¡ªthose with sharp eyes and even sharper minds¡ªlooked more prepared. They knew, just as I did, that the Queen wasn¡¯t one to entertain rumors or falsehoods. If she spoke of a looming darkness, it was real.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.Yet, I knew that even when the threat was visible, people still would think for their own benefit. And one person thinking his own benefit and own benefit only came forward. A figure emerged from the crowd, stepping forward with an air of pompous arrogance that immediately soured the atmosphere. He was tall, taller than the Queen. He was also wide with muscles bulging out of his every limb. He wore the hide of a massive canine beast over his shoulders.
¡°King Agamemnon. It is a pleasure to see you among us.¡±
He smiled, yet I felt like calling it flashing his teeth was more appropriate.
¡°The pleasure is all mine, darling. Yet it is not pleasant to see what you focus on.¡±
Agamemnon began, his deep voice reverberating through the room. Queen shot a sharp look at him, making me think that they had a history and not a good one.
"The world is filled with many dangers, Your Majesty," Agamemnon continued, his tone mocking and filled with condescendence. "But if we were to listen to every prophecy about the end we wouldn¡¯t go a day without fear.¡± He sneered, making a sweeping gesture to the assembled nobles.
A murmur of agreement rippled through a few of the nobles, but others remained silent, their gazes fixed on the Queen, waiting to see how she would respond.
But I couldn¡¯t just sit back and let her do all the work. I stepped forward.
¡°What if that prophecy came from a Star, Your Majesty? What if I told you I was ordered by Aliera, Goddess of War herself to fight against Demon King Moloch?¡±
The room fell silent once again, the weight of my words crashing down on the assembly like a tidal wave. Eyes widened, and whispers began to spread, punctuated by the occasional gasp of disbelief. Even King Agamemnon, for all his bravado, was momentarily taken aback, his sneer faltering as he processed my claim. The Queen''s hand around my waist tightened ever so slightly, a silent acknowledgment of the boldness of my declaration.
Agamemnon recovered quickly, of course. His eyes narrowed at me, suspicion etched across his face. ¡°Aliera, Goddess of War, you say?¡±
He chuckled a little.
¡°I wondered what this Champion of Aliera looked like. I must say, I did not expect you to be so¡ Young.¡±
He let the words spin around his mouth a little. An obvious attempt to piss me off.
¡°I get that a lot. Youth does have its own advantages, does it not? Potantial, energy and...¡± I slicked my hair back while staring at his balding cap.
¡°Hair.¡±
Two can play that game, bitch. I felt Queen''s hand tighten once again and I saw a sliver of a smile on her face.
Agamemnon¡¯s face turned a shade darker as the insult sank in, and I could see the fury boiling beneath his stoic expression. His wide frame stiffened, and his nostrils flared slightly. It was the kind of reaction that someone who wasn¡¯t used to being ridiculed would have, especially in front of an audience.
Before he could retaliate, however, the Queen cut in, her tone smooth and commanding. "Gentlemen, this is neither the time nor the place for personal squabbles. We have far more pressing matters at hand, wouldn¡¯t you agree, King Agamemnon?"
Her words dripped with authority, and even the imposing King had to swallow his pride in response. He straightened up, his eyes locking onto mine for a brief, tense moment before he turned back to the Queen.
¡°Of course. Of course. I was merely jesting. A light joke to lighten the mood. You know me, I like to mess with those who I love. And whether I believe the prophecies or not how can I not like the very Champion chosen by the patron Goddess of Quipax? I even brought gifts.¡±
King Agamemnon clapped his hands, and several attendants rushed forward, each carrying intricately wrapped items. The nobles craned their necks, eager to see what the imposing king had brought to this tense gathering. Agamemnon''s lips curved into a smirk as his eyes flicked to me, clearly relishing the attention.
"I thought it only fitting," Agamemnon began, "to offer tokens of goodwill, in honor of the coming... struggle." His words carried a heavy implication, the mocking undertone of his earlier statement still lingering. "After all, it would be unwise not to lend aid when our very world is at stake."
The attendants unwrapped one of the gifts and I saw that it was a greatbow. For a second I saw a flash of anger redden Queen¡¯s face.
¡°Champion. Can you hear me?¡±
A voice rang in my head. I noticed that it was Aurora communicating mentally.
¡°Yes.¡±
I answered without moving my mouth.
¡°It is an insult. Gargareans see fighting with bows as cowardly. He is trying to mock you.¡±
I touched my chin and nodded lightly. If I rejected the gift outright, I''d be playing into Agamemnon''s hands, allowing him to claim a moral victory, as if I couldn''t handle the "pressure" of a simple gesture. If I accepted it, I''d be seen as a coward.
I glanced at the Queen, who shot me a sideways look, her eyes warning me to tread carefully. Then I looked back at Agamemnon, who had that smug, insufferable grin plastered across his face, no doubt already savoring the idea of how this exchange would end.
Very well then.
I took a deep breath, stepping forward from the Queen¡¯s grasp. I walked over to the attendants and reached for the great bow. For a moment, the room was so silent that I could hear the rustle of the attendants¡¯ clothing as they shifted uneasily. Agamemnon''s smile widened, probably thinking he¡¯d won.
¡°That¡¯s a fine bow. May I give it a go?¡±
I asked.
¡°Of course. Of course. It is yours after all.¡±
He answered without thinking. I smiled and took a proper stance, taking aim at his chest even though I had no arrows.
¡°Haha! Be careful, Champion! You might shoot me-¡°
His laughter died out as I activated Monstrous Strength and used mana to reinforce my arms and back, causing the bow to creak under the strain of my strength. I pulled with slightly more strength all while keeping my face as still as possible. With a sharp crack, the bow snapped in two, the sound echoing throughout the chamber like a thunderclap. The room erupted into gasps and murmurs, nobles exchanging shocked glances as the broken weapon fell to the floor. I kept my expression neutral, not looking at Agamemnon directly, but I could feel the tension radiating from him. His face had gone pale, the smile completely wiped away. I clicked my tongue.
¡°Shame. It was a good bow. It could have been used to teach a boy how to hunt.¡±
205-Toys Won’t Save You
I looked down at the suit-wearing man. I had to strain my neck down in an uncomfortable angle to look at his face and I was just a second away from behaving like he doesn¡¯t exist. However, it would be really hard since the expensive perfume he wore tickled my nose. It was almost like he had to make sure he wore copious amounts of it in case people didn¡¯t notice him.
¡°I know that you have a very serious training schedule but he promised serious support to Power Armor Project! Just humor him a little!¡±
I glanced over at the man who''d interrupted my training for the day, his flashy suit and overpowering cologne making him impossible to ignore. The frustration bubbling up inside me was hard to contain. My guys already tried to find every opportunity to get out of the training and I was wasting my time with this garbage.
His eyes, though small and shielded behind designer glasses, sparkled with a confidence that came from money rather than strength. He had no clue what kind of world he was stepping into.
¡°Normal people can¡¯t keep up with super soldiers. I am sure you can see it yourself.¡±
I said as I waved towards my men. Seeing Lily slack off, I grabbed a stick and threw it as hard as I could and ignored his cries.
¡°If he wants to be one of us, he first needs to go through the tests, training, and surgeries. We have no time to entertain children.¡±
The man flinched as the stick whizzed past him, his posture stiffening at the display of raw power. His confidence faltered momentarily, but he quickly composed himself, adjusting his glasses with a smug smirk.
¡°His compatibility with the modifications is the highest ever recorded. He already had his heart and hormonal gland surgeries, not counting the experimental modifications. I am sure he would prove¡¡±
He stopped and rubbed his hands together in a way that made me feel sick.
¡°Useful.¡±
I listened to him while glancing at others.
¡°Move, maggots! Make sure to finish your 50th rep before I come there! Otherwise, I will tear all of you new ones!¡±
The squad immediately scrambled into action, their bodies already slick with sweat from earlier drills as the man jumped. His reaction to my roar amused me despite his recovery speed. I turned my attention back to the man in the suit, his sleazy smirk doing little to hide the sense of control he believed he had over the situation.
¡°Useful?¡± I repeated the word leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. "You think you can throw in some fresh meat with some ¡®record-breaking compatibility¡¯ and everything will be just fine? You don''t get it, do you?"
His smirk widened. "I''m simply saying that this individual is a rare specimen. If given proper support¡ª"
I cut him off, stepping forward so my shadow loomed over him. He reeked of arrogance, but that didn¡¯t mask the slight tremor in his hands when I closed the distance.
¡°You can put a golden saddle on a donkey and it will still be a donkey. What we train, what we acquire, what we want isn¡¯t the body. It is the mind.¡±
I smacked where my second heart sat on my chest loud enough to turn heads.
¡°This? This is just a tool.¡±
I pointed to my head.
¡°My mind is the real weapon. We fight a war out there. Have you ever been on a battlefield? It is no place for a spoiled brat.¡±
The suit-wearing man¡¯s smug expression flickered, just for a moment, but it was enough. I could see behind his mask of confidence and arrogance ¡ª the fear. He didn¡¯t belong in this world of blood, sweat, and war. The boardrooms and polished floors of corporate offices were where he thrived. Not here. Not with me. And certainly not with my men.
He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure.
¡°He, he¡¡±
He trailed off as some snobbish bastard entered my vision like he owned the place.
¡°Hey! You took a lot of time so I figured I should check out!¡±
I turned to face the newcomer, a younger man than the suit-wearing lackey, but just as polished and insufferable. He wore a custom-fitted jacket, perfectly coiffed hair, and an air of self-entitlement that made me want to punch him square in the jaw.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.He strode toward us like this place was a playground, flashing a smile like we should all be thrilled he even bothered to show up. I could tell from the way he moved that he had never been knocked the fuck out.
¡°Ah,¡± the suit said with a new wave of oily enthusiasm. ¡°This is William. William Trueman. He is-¡°
¡°I can introduce myself.¡±
He stepped forward and offered his hand to shake. I didn¡¯t take it. I inspected him from head to toe and noticed his bulky frame. It wasn¡¯t on level as full-blown super soldier level but he was way more muscular than an average person. He also had solid balance.
¡°I am a big fan. I heard that you killed two Hornets in close combats before becoming a super soldier?¡±
There was a gleam in his eyes, a glint of challenge as if he thought he could prove himself here, among us, like he was some kind of savior ready to revolutionize the way we fought. His words hung in the air like a desperate plea for validation, but I could see past the fa?ade.
"Yeah," I said flatly, my voice void of the enthusiasm he probably expected. "Two Hornets. Close combat."
He threw his jacket to the side and took a fighting stance, all while ignoring the suit-wearing man¡¯s plea.
¡°You probably think that I am an arrogant asshole. I really am not. You are only arrogant if you can¡¯t measure up to it.¡±
He threw a punch straight into my face. Guts on this motherfucker. To his credit, he was fast, real fast. But it was too straightforward. I waved my head to the side as I moved my fist where his body would go. If I really counter-punched him my fist would have gone through his torso.
His own momentum smashed his liver to my fist. To my surprise, he was considerably hard. Experimental modifications, huh?
I watched his smile turn into an agonized furrow as he fell to one knee.
¡°Timing beats speed and precision beats strength. If you were in real combat against Horde you were dead. If you were a soldier under my command you were beaten to half-dead for your disrespect.¡±
I felt both of my hearts beat faster.
"You don¡¯t just become one of us, boy. You earn it." I glanced at the others still training. They were the best of the best, selected from the most elite, and broken so many times until they became unbreakable.
¡°Surgeries and mods,¡± I repeated, stepping closer. I towered over him, close enough that I could see the faint sweat beading along his hairline. ¡°That¡¯s all it takes, huh? Let me ask you something, William.¡± I spat his name like venom. ¡°Have you ever seen a guy you just ate and laughed together torn in half by a creature ten times your size? Have you ever felt their blood splash on your face, the warmth turning cold in seconds as you¡¯re trying to stop your own guts from spilling out?"
His face went pale, but he stayed quiet. The arrogance was still there, buried deep behind his eyes, but he wasn¡¯t dumb enough to respond.
¡°You think you can just stroll in here, throw some cash around, and get handed a gun? You don¡¯t know shit about what it means to be us.¡± I stepped back. ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a pampered brat with fancy toys. And out there,¡± I gestured toward the battlefield beyond the training grounds, ¡°your toys won¡¯t save you.¡±
He didn¡¯t flinch, to his credit. He silently got up and to my annoyance, his smirk was back. His pride was wounded, but his eyes now carried something else. Hunger. Not for power, but for understanding. He was eager, desperate even, to prove himself. And that¡ that could be dangerous.
¡°I can handle whatever you throw at me,¡± he said, his voice no quieter than before despite the injury he sustained to his pride. I locked eyes with him, considering the challenge.
¡°Very well then.¡±
1 curse is equal to 10 advices. Let¡¯s see if he can keep his smirk after a day with us. ¡°Fine,¡± I said, my voice low and commanding. ¡°You want to prove yourself? You¡¯ll go through exactly what the rest of these maggots go through. No special treatment, no shortcuts. If you survive, then maybe ¡ª just maybe ¡ª you¡¯ll earn my respect.¡±
He straightened up at that, a flicker of hope in his eyes. ¡°Deal.¡±
I motioned to one of the nearby instructors. ¡°Get him started. Full regimen. If he¡¯s still standing by the end of the day, we¡¯ll talk.¡±
The instructor nodded, a grim smile on his face. He knew what was coming. William didn¡¯t. Yet.
206-Night of Wine and Remembrance
¡°Hahahah!¡±
The Queen¡¯s laughter snapped me out of the memory lane I was walking.
¡°I wish I could have taken a picture of his face in that moment and hung it in my room!¡±
I sank deeper into the couch as I gazed upon her laughing face. It was a nice view.
¡°He really didn¡¯t think you could snap the weapon he brought into two!¡±
After her calm and collected state, seeing her laugh this freely brought pleasant feelings to my chest. Even though the memory that flashed in my mind wasn¡¯t a good one, her laughter made me feel better. Plus, it was kind of my fault for thinking of William when I was drinking wine together with a bunch of beautiful women.
Honestly, I wanted to rest after that stupid ball, especially after dancing together with 20 noble ladies but the Queen pulled me to her side for a ¡°celebrity drink¡±. I know I wanted some stunning babes but all the perfumes and make-up they wore really made me sneeze my brains out.
¡°Well,¡± I said, settling deeper into the couch, ¡°I¡¯m glad my misadventures can provide you with such amusement.¡±
The Queen¡¯s laughter finally subsided into a soft chuckle. She leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. ¡°Oh, you were magnificent. The look on Agamemnon¡¯s face when you broke that bow¡ªit was priceless. And the way he tried to recover from it? Hilarious.¡±
I tilted my glass slightly and watched the blood-red liquid move before taking a sip.
¡°You should thank Aurora. She was the one who informed me mentally about their traditions.¡±
Ranged combat is seen as cowardly, huh? I understood wanting to get close and personal but they just sounded like losers who couldn¡¯t get into the striking range due to concentrated fire and complained about it. Agamemnon probably would have gotten an aneurysm if he had seen the guns back on Earth.
The Queen smirked, her green eyes gleaming as she turned to archmage. ¡°Aurora¡¯s always been sharp, hasn¡¯t she? Knows how to play the game. Still, your reaction was perfect. You didn¡¯t even flinch.¡±
Aurora, who was sitting nearby with a glass of wine of her own, gave a small, knowing smile. I straightened my body.
¡°I noticed that you two had a history. He seemed almost¡ jealous of me.¡±
The Queen''s eyes flickered with annoyance as she gave a knowing nod.
¡°He tried to court me before I became the queen. After I became queen, his advances only became worse. Even if he was a better man, I wouldn¡¯t marry my own cousin.¡±
¡°Cough, cough!? He is your cousin?¡±
The wine nearly went down the wrong pipe as I coughed, my eyes widening. I mean, I guess it wasn¡¯t so unusual for royals to marry your own cousin. Yet, what really surprised me was him actually being related to her. They didn¡¯t look or behave similarly at all.
¡°Yes. He is the half-brother of Artemeni. Her mother was my aunt and his father was one of her consorts.¡±
I looked at Artemeni but her eyes were closed. She hiccuped several times in her sleep. It looked like alcohol hit her really hard. Wait. That made Artemeni her cousin as well though I could see the similarity. They both had green eyes and red hair. Honestly, I didn¡¯t know how I hadn¡¯t thought of it.
I leaned back and took another sip of my wine, trying to digest the whole "cousin" revelation. It wasn¡¯t entirely uncommon for royal families, but Agamemnon¡¯s overzealous attempts to woo the Queen definitely added an extra layer of awkwardness.
¡°Doesn¡¯t seem like you¡¯re too fond of him,¡± I said, glancing at the Queen, who now seemed to have a more somber expression as the laughter slowly drained from her face.
¡°I¡¯m not,¡± she said plainly.
"Males and females can''t live entirely separate lives. That''s a fact. So, even though Quipax was originally founded as a safe haven for women, it wasn¡¯t long before men became part of it too. And when enough of them gathered, it was only natural that some would want to join the ruling body. That led to a civil war."
I inspected her face. She was clearly disturbed by the unnecessary blood spill. Good.
¡°In the end, a part of them founded their own city. They called themselves Gargareans. Unfortunately, my aunt couldn¡¯t help to sleep with them and gave birth to Agamemnon.¡°
The room quieted as the Queen spoke of the history between the two factions. Her tone had shifted, and I could tell this was more than just a personal grudge ¡ª it was a wound that had scarred Quipax deeply.
"Agamemnon always had ambition in his blood," the Queen continued, her voice laced with distaste. "Raised among the Gargareans, he always believed that men should hold power in Quipax. When he returned here after my coronation, he thought he could use his blood ties to gain influence. And when that didn¡¯t work... well, you saw how he acts."
¡°Thud.¡±
Our heads turned as Thalia knocked down a battle, her face as red as a tomato.
¡°Those infidels! Turned their back to the light of our Goddess!¡±
The Queen sighed as she watched Thalia fumble with the bottle, her passionate outburst breaking the somber mood. Despite her sigh, she seemed almost relieved with Thalia¡¯s drunkness as a smile crept on her face. Thalia''s eyes, half-glazed with wine and zeal, looked like she was ready to launch into another tirade. Instead, she hiccuped and sank back into her seat, grumbling something about the "righteous light" and "betrayal."
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.I glanced at Aurora, who was observing the scene with a bemused smile of her own. Considering her relationship with Thalia, I am pretty sure she wished she could film it somehow so she could embarrass her at a later date.
I chuckled to myself, watching Thalia try to right the bottle, her fervor dampened by alcohol. It was hard not to appreciate the absurdity of it all. One moment, we were discussing serious politics and the next, Thalia was declaring holy war on a bottle of wine. It reminded me of Earth when I still had my squad.
I drained the rest of my wine, letting the warmth spread through me. Raised in a conservative family and not seeing the point of muddying my own mind I was never one to consume alcohol. That was until I finally understood that I was the last remaining human. That day I turned off my toxin-filtering nanomachines and drank until I was blackout drunk, hoping that Horde would kill me in my drunken state.
It didn¡¯t happen.
¡°Those who want to live die and those who want to die live.¡±
I murmured myself, screams for help filling my head. The Queen¡¯s soft laugh began to fade as the weight of history and personal grudges settled back into the room. I swirled the glass in my glass, taking a deep breath as the memories started to scratch at the edges of my mind again. The laughter, the wine, the company of these powerful women¡ªit was all a temporary reprieve from everything else.
¡°You alright?¡± Aurora asked, her voice soft, but with a hint of concern that pierced the warm haze.
I looked at her, blinking away the ghosts of the past. ¡°Yeah, just thinking about the past. The older you get, the more you do that.¡±
The Queen gave me a long, searching look as if she could see past the veil I¡¯d thrown over those memories. Her eyes held a quiet understanding that went unspoken, and she didn¡¯t push for more. Instead, she laughed.
¡°How old are you really, Champion? Your body is of a teenager¡¯s but what about your mind?¡±
I let the question hang in the air for a moment, a crooked smile forming on my lips as I reached for the wine and filled my glass.
¡°Around 70. Maybe a little more, maybe a little less. There was no one to count and most things lose their meaning when you are alone.¡±
The Queen''s eyes widened, her laughter fading into a contemplative silence as she processed my words. Aurora seemed to notice too, the air growing heavier in the room.
¡°What was it like? Your world I mean?¡±
Aurora tried to lessen the tension and for a second it worked. The question she asked was something I wanted to speak about. Not being able to speak about the place you spent your entire time got really old after a while. It was nearly everything I knew and people in this world had no idea about it.
Yet, when I tried to utter something nice about Earth my brain filled with static.
¡°It was¡¡±
I trailed off as a sky blackened by radioactive smoke filled my vision.
¡°I¡ don¡¯t remember.¡±
The static grew louder.
¡°I can tell you about the war. For days. About the weapons. About how many last stands we had. About how we waited for hours under rain and sun for a sign of the enemy. But I can¡¯t remember the peace. The good times.¡±
I could feel their eyes on me, the weight of their curiosity mingled with something deeper¡ªsympathy, maybe. But sympathy was the last thing I wanted. I shifted in my seat, trying to escape the memories that were clawing at the surface.
The queen was the first one to move, touching her glass to mine.
¡°We¡¯ll have to make sure that you acquire new good memories then.¡±
I waved a hand dismissively, forcing a smile.
¡°Yeah. I¡¯m here now, aren¡¯t I? Besides, I¡¯ve got plenty to look forward to in this world. It¡¯s not all bad.¡±
Her toast was followed by a soft murmur of agreement from Aurora and a clumsy cheer from Thalia, whose fervor seemed to have been channeled into a slurred attempt at camaraderie.
¡°Cheers to that,¡± Aurora said, raising her glass with a sincere smile. ¡°To new beginnings and old friends.¡±
We chugged the wine at the same time and Aurora stood up.
¡°Her Majesty, Champion. It is time for us to retire.¡±
With a single gesture both Artemeni who was sleeping and Thalia who was hugging the bottle raised in the air. I also tried to stand up but Queen grabbed my arm with an iron grip. Her eyes held a spark of mischief, and her smile was as enigmatic as ever.
¡°The night is still young, Champion,¡± she said, her voice warm and inviting. ¡°We have plenty more wine to drink, and I have no intention of letting this night end so soon.¡±
I couldn¡¯t help but smile at her insistence. For once, I allowed myself to let go of the burdens I carried and embrace the present moment. The Queen, Aurora, and even Thalia, with her enthusiastic drunkenness, were a reminder that life, despite its trials, still had moments of joy and connection.
¡°Alright,¡± I said, raising my glass once more. ¡°To the night and to new memories.¡±
207-Daily life of the Champion
¡°Grh!¡±
I rolled on the massive bed as I felt how sore my body was. My head was fine despite the massive amounts of wine we drank together, something I probably thank my high Vitality and Mother Tree¡¯s root for but other parts of my body were a different story.
¡°Still, worth it.¡±
I muttered to myself, rolling over on the massive bed. Not many could boast about what had transpired between us. Yet, despite the satisfaction, there was a small pang in my chest. She was gone by the time I woke up. I knew she had her duties as a ruler, but waking up to an empty bed left me feeling... slightly used like I was just another distraction in her world of endless responsibilities.
Then again, maybe she was like that for me too. A moment of respite in a world of struggle. I sighed. I should just learn to enjoy things as they are and not overthink stuff.
As I scolded myself the door opened and a familiar figure entered the room. The view of immaculate uniform and harsh look on her face sent shivers down my spine. I pulled sheets up to cover my naked body.
¡°Good morning, Champion.¡±
Several maids followed Mrs. Griselda, tidying the room as if I didn¡¯t exist.
"Good morning, Mrs. Griselda," I mumbled, my voice still groggy. Her sharp, disapproving gaze lingered on me for a moment, making me feel like a delinquent schoolboy caught misbehaving.
"You should be up by now," she said in her usual cold tone. "Her Majesty me to allow you to rest but that doesn''t mean your duties can be neglected."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair.
¡°Very well. If you guys allow me, I would like to dress up.¡±
She inspected me with her usual eyes and I felt like this was about to go in a way I wasn¡¯t going to like.
¡°I have seen how you dress yourself. Girls, hold him.¡±
¡°Wait! Not again! Oi! Stop!¡±
I scrambled to sit up as the maids swarmed me with military precision, their hands working faster than I could react. Sheets were pulled from my grasp, and before I knew it, I was being lifted out of bed, half-naked, flailing in a futile attempt to escape.
¡
I stared at the maids putting the food on my table with the grumpiest expression I could make. The high collar chafed against my neck as I turned my head around to look at Griselda.
¡°You know I have the capacity to fully resist being dressed up like a doll, right?¡±
Mrs. Griselda met my grumpy stare with her trademark icy indifference, arms crossed behind her as she oversaw the maids like a military commander inspecting her troops. Honestly, she felt like she had a military background.
¡°Capacity, perhaps. Discipline? Clearly lacking,¡± she replied curtly. Her sharp eyes scanned me from head to toe as if silently critiquing every aspect of my appearance. ¡°You may possess strength, Champion, but your station requires more than mere brute force. Appearances must be maintained.¡±
I grumbled under my breath as I poked at the food they had laid out for me. It wasn¡¯t that the clothes were uncomfortable¡ªwell, they were, but that wasn¡¯t the point. It was the way they went about it like I was some royal puppet to be dolled up.
¡°I kind of expected you to chew the food for me too.¡±
I said as I picked up my fork. G?kb?r¨¹ poked his head out of my shadow as he smelled food. G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s nose twitched as he poked his head further out, his sharp eyes scanning the spread of food with clear interest. I could feel his hunger like a gnawing echo in my chest, and I felt like he was about to snatch my food in front of me.
Mrs. Griselda¡¯s gaze narrowed even further if that was possible.
¡°Considering how much you complain like a baby, I might have to resort to that.¡±
She retorted back while calling one of the maids closer.
¡°Bring proper meat for Champion¡¯s companion. High-tier monster meat. They should have it in cooler 3.¡±
The maids scurried about, and one of them nodded before disappearing to fetch G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s meal. At least he was getting the royal treatment, even if I felt like a prisoner in my own skin at the moment.
G?kb?r¨¹ looked up at me, his sharp blue eyes full of mischief as his tail wagged ever so slightly. I could almost hear his silent laughter in my head. He seemed all too pleased with the turn of events, knowing he¡¯d be feasting on some high-tier monster meat soon.
¡°Thanks.¡±
I said. No matter how grumpy I was, I wasn¡¯t ungrateful.
¡°No need to thank me, Champion. I was ordered to ensure both you and your companion are well taken care of," Mrs. Griselda responded her tone still as cold as ever. "Her Majesty values your strength and the bond you share with your mythical beast, so it is only fitting that you both are maintained in prime condition."
I gave her a sideways glance. How did she know that G?kb?r¨¹ was a mythical beast?
¡°It is a very easy conclusion to come, Champion.¡±
She stated as if reading my mind.
¡°No mere beast can be called a companion by the Champion of Aliera, not to mention the mana and divine power he has. He is also too intelligent for a puppy.¡±
I shot a mocking smirk to G?kb?r¨¹.
¡°Well, he is not that smart.¡±
He let out an annoyed bark and I chuckled.
¡
¡°Alright. What the hell do you have in store for me, Mrs. Griselda?¡±
I stretched happily since I now wore training clothes. They were much more comfortable than those stupid clothes. Plus, I didn¡¯t even understand why I wore them. The only things I did with those on was eat breakfast and approve and disapprove some documents while I drank tea and digested what I ate.
¡°These are some of the candidates who showed the most promise. The only reason they are not counted as proper Amazon Warriors is they can¡¯t use Roar of War Goddess.¡±
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.I crossed my arms as I inspected the girls in front of me. The oldest seemed to be in her early 20ties while the youngest looked younger than the body I inhabited. They had differing expressions on their faces. Some looked at me with admiring gazes while others avoided eye contact.
¡°They were given the honor of sparring with you by the Queen herself. Obviously, they cannot match you. So you will be given restraints to limit your stats and the goal of them will not be to beat you. It will be to land you a clean hit. They will be awarded 50 gold for every hit they land.¡±
I saw their eyes lit up when the gold was mentioned. It wasn¡¯t a small amount of money. Mrs. Griselda came closer, holding 4 bracelets. She handed them to me. They were heavier than they looked. While it didn¡¯t bother me that much right now, sparring with them will make things harder.
(You are in a state of Suppression. All of your stats decrease by 20.)
(Your Mana Output decreases greatly.)
As soon as I put them on my wrists and ankles I felt something weighing me down.
Ow shit. This may prove more challenging than I thought.
¡
¡°How did they do?¡± Mrs. Griselda asked, her tone slightly softer than usual.
¡°You were there,¡± I answered without raising my head about the documents I was reading.
¡°I am a mere maid, Champion. How can I know?¡±
I raised my eyebrows to her words as if saying bullshit.
¡°All four of them who managed to hit me were good. Though only the spear and short sword were taking the spar seriously while the other two just tried to touch me to get the money. The one with the glaive, does she have financial problems?¡±
She shook her head.
¡°No. All of them are sponsored, paid, and well-fed.¡±
¡°Very well. Tell her instructors to punish her. She was trying to get a hit regardless of how she got hit in return. It is not a mentality fit for a warrior.¡±
She nodded.
¡°The twin sword wielder was good too. If she had stronger core muscles or used lighter swords she could have gotten a hit. I have no comment for the others.¡±
Mrs. Griselda nodded approvingly as she noted down my feedback. Her cold demeanor didn''t waver, but I could tell she valued my judgment.
¡°I will pass your recommendations to their instructors. The Queen will be pleased to know her future warriors are progressing,¡± she replied, her tone devoid of emotion.
I lifted my head when I heard a knock on my door.
¡°Champion. Blanche Silverfox is here.¡±
A maid informed me.
¡°Sent her in.¡±
The door opened, and in walked Blanche Silverfox, her silver hair cascading down her shoulders, her sharp eyes immediately locking onto mine.
¡°Hello, Blanche. I am glad I was able to catch you before you returned to your home. Mrs. Griselda, could you make coffee for both of us?¡±
She looked hesitant for a second, not about doing what I asked but about leaving me alone. I gave her a reassuring smile.
¡°What is that you want from me, Poyraz?¡±
Blanche sat down and asked me as Mrs.Griselda left the room. I smiled even wider.
¡°Getting to it directly? I can respect that. I am sure you heard about my plans. I plan on conquering the War God¡¯s Battle Area. I want to employ your services.¡±
Blanche arched an eyebrow, her sharp gaze never leaving mine. She looked intrigued but not entirely surprised.
¡°Employ my services, you say? What kind of services are we talking about?¡± She leaned back in her chair, her posture relaxed but alert. At that time a maid entered the room, bringing coffee and snacks before leaving.
¡°You are a capable spellblade and I have experience working with you.¡±
I answered as I took a sip of my coffee.
Blanche picked up her coffee, her eyes still fixed on me, the silver strands of her hair catching the light. She took a deliberate sip before speaking, the steam swirling around her face.
¡°I¡¯ve heard of your ambitions, Champion. Conquering the War God¡¯s Battle Area isn¡¯t something one does on a whim. It requires not only strength but strategy and the right allies. What exactly do you need from me?¡±
I set my cup down, leaning forward slightly.
¡°I have your secret and solution to the problem the Silverfox family is facing. So I have leverage on you.¡±
I inspected her expression. Blanche¡¯s expression shifted subtly, her eyes narrowing slightly as she processed my words. She set her coffee cup down with a measured grace, her posture still relaxed but now tinged with a hint of tension.
¡°Is that so?¡± she said, her voice even but carrying an edge. ¡°And what exactly do you propose?¡±
I leaned back in my chair, touching my fingers together.
¡°I will get something at there that will help me greatly against Demon King Moloch. It needs to be kept hidden as possible and with the leverage I have on you, I can make sure that I can get both your help and keep you silent.¡±
Blanche¡¯s eyes flashed with a mixture of curiosity and guarded caution. She studied me for a moment, her silver hair catching the light as she pondered my offer. The silence stretched between us, filled only by the faint clink of porcelain cups.
¡°And what do I get in return? I hope the Champion of Aliera doesn¡¯t plan on blackmailing me into working for him?¡±
Instead of answering with words, I opened my hand and borrowed Ice Wolf¡¯s Breath. Ice crystals formed around me as the temperature dropped drastically.
¡°I am the answer to your problem. Unlike your family, I can control the power of the Wolf King without any problems. My blood is the solution.¡±
I lied. It was G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s but I wasn¡¯t going to risk him like that.
I watched as the gears in Blanche¡¯s head spun. She was probably connecting the events that happened in Wolf King¡¯s Tomb. Blanche studied me for a moment, her gaze intense and thoughtful.
¡°And what assurances do I have that you¡¯ll hold up your end of the bargain? Words alone won¡¯t be enough for me to risk my family¡¯s future on or enter one of the most dangerous dungeons.¡±
I smiled.
¡°Let¡¯s sign a Geass then. Mrs. Griselda, would you be so kind to call Archmage Aurora?¡±
208-Storm Clouds Ahead
¡°I always sucked at saying goodbyes.¡±
I said as I touched the back of my head awkwardly. After spending nearly 3 months, I was ready to depart to War God¡¯s Battle Area. I didn¡¯t feel too attached to Quipax, especially not as Whifur. Not only did I spend less time here, but I was also cooped in the palace during the duration. Even when I managed to get out and mix with the people, I was treated as a divine and important figure which made things needlessly complicated.
Well, it was over. Time to shed this cumbersome political shell and become a simple warrior once again.
¡°I am sure you will return without much time passing.¡±
The Queen smiled as she lightly touched my face. I shot her a confident smile.
¡°Of course I will. But I may waste my time on the road if you plan on burying me under documents as soon I return.¡±
Both of us laughed. She was to remain here. Not only a ruler leaving her country to join dungeon expeditions was incredibly risky and irresponsible, but she also had to prepare for the battle against Moloch.
¡°The bordering countries are in unrest,¡± she said suddenly, her tone heavy with concern.
I raised an eyebrow. "Good. They should be if they want to survive against Moloch."
She sighed. ¡°I wish that were the case. They¡¯re on edge because we¡¯re mobilizing troops.¡±
I clicked my tongue. Of course. If you raise your sword people will be afraid you will bring it down to them. But we did warn them about Moloch. I understood not trusting prophecies as I also believed that the future wasn¡¯t set in stone but it shouldn¡¯t be so hard to believe the possibility of a demon king returning. I mean, you live in a fantasy setting, for fuck¡¯s sake.
¡°Good luck navigating through the political shitstorm.¡±
Well, I wouldn¡¯t be one to take care of it. She chuckled softly, but there was still a shadow of worry in her eyes. ¡°Just stay alive out there, Champion. We need you.¡±
I gave her a mock salute, hoping to lighten the mood. ¡°I plan to.¡±
The truth was, I had no idea what awaited me in the War God¡¯s Battle Area. While I had access to information related to War God¡¯s Battle Area thanks to Quipax¡¯s intelligence web, because of its difficulty the expeditions to it were rare and the successful ones were even more so.
¡°I¡¯ll send word as soon as I find something useful,¡± I promised, my voice more serious now.
The Queen nodded, her gaze softening. "I believe in you."
And with that, the conversation ended. It was time to go, to cast aside the burdens of a royal advisor and immerse myself in the thrill of combat, where things were simpler. You either win, or you die.
I turned my back to the palace, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. No more titles. No more divine figure nonsense. I was heading to where I truly belonged¡ªwhere the only thing that mattered was strength.
As I made my way toward the gates, my companions¡ªG?kb?r¨¹, Artemeni, Thalia, and Aurora¡ªstood waiting. Each of them had a look of anticipation on their face. Blanche was also there and looked a little bit unsatisfied with our group.
¡°Will we have enough resources to last the trip?¡±
Instead of answering her with words, I reached into my shadow and pulled a bag of holding from it. It was Shadow Storage, a skill I acquired after defeating\absorbing that corrupted elf. It allowed me to store things inside my shadow. While the storage area wasn¡¯t big, I was able to cheat the system by storing bags of holding there.
Blanche raised an eyebrow as I casually pulled the bag from the shadows, her skepticism giving way to a begrudging nod of approval.
"That should suffice," she muttered, crossing her arms. She still seemed unsatisfied, but at least now it wasn''t about the supplies. Maybe it was the group itself, or maybe just the situation we were headed into. Either way, she was coming along, whether she liked it or not.
I jumped on my horse and offered my hand to Blanche.
¡°Normal horses would be too slow and durable but these guys won¡¯t accept you as their rider. So, you are coming with one of us.¡±
Horses descended from the horse of the First Champion of Aliera chose their own riders and Blanche wasn¡¯t one they would accept. Blanche hesitated for a moment, looking up at me with a frown before accepting my hand. Her touch was as cold as her demeanor, but I¡¯d gotten used to it by now.
Others, especially Thalia looked at her with what I assumed was jealousy but I did not comment.
Blanche settled in behind me, her grip light but firm, and we set off. The rhythmic thudding of hooves against the dirt road was almost soothing, a welcome contrast to the constant tension that had settled over us for the past few weeks. The journey ahead was uncertain, but for now, it was just us and the road.
Aurora, riding beside us, broke the silence. ¡°The War God¡¯s Battle Area¡ We¡¯ve heard stories, but what do we actually know?¡±
I glanced at her. Unlike us, the wind didn¡¯t mess with her hair. She must be using magic. I wondered how sustainable it was.
¡°You out of all people didn¡¯t read the intel?¡±
Aurora gave me a small shrug, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. ¡°I read it. But I want to hear what you think about it.¡±
I sighed, closing my eyes to focus on summarizing everything.
¡°War God¡¯s Battle Area is made up of three floors. To conquer the first floor we need to complete 5 trials and get 5 key items. Not all trials require us to fight but with our luck, it will probably devolve into fighting nevertheless. We will be given a base to defend on the second floor. We will be supplied with constant minions and given some objectives that can help us to destroy the enemy base. We don¡¯t have a lot of information related to the last floor but it is something like a boss rush. We will need to defeat 10 enemies back to back without any rest.¡±
Aurora nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the information. ¡°Sounds like a grind. Do you have any plans for conquering each floor?¡±
I cast a glance over at G?kb?r¨¹ who was having the time of his life, his mouth agape as he enjoyed the ride.
¡°One or two. But no plan survives first contact with the enemy. Plus, the last full conquest happened 20 years ago. Who knows how things changed with that amount of mana gathered there.¡±
While many things about the dungeons were unknown, it was obvious that things would change and get harder as the dungeon was gone unconquered for a long time.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
The ride continued as we fell silent. The War God¡¯s Battle Area was still a few days away, but already, the landscape was changing. The once clear skies began to darken, storm clouds swirling on the horizon as if nature itself was warning us to turn back. Or maybe it was just my pessimistic ass reflecting what I felt about my environment.
I couldn¡¯t help to think about Larve and how I left her in a place she didn¡¯t know well. Yeah, she has been in Quipax for 3 months but¡
Shit. I am not really fit to be a caretaker, aren¡¯t I?
I shook my head. It is okay. It will be okay.
As we made camp that night, the mood was strangely calm. Thalia and Artemeni set up the tents while Blanche and I gathered firewood. Aurora stood at the edge of the camp, creating a magical barrier so we wouldn¡¯t wake up to an unpleasant surprise.
As we settled into the camp, the crackling fire cast long shadows around us, mingling with the remnants of twilight. I inspected the faces of my group to see how were they doing.
Thalia''s eyes were focused as she muttered prayers and mantras but as the most physically weak among us, I knew that riding horses all day was hard on her. Yet, she was still an Amazon and the smile she wore was proof of her resilience.
Artemeni, with his ever-steady hands, set about sharpening his weapons, his eyes flickering to the horizon every now and then. Her shoulders were tense but I felt like she was impatient about jumping into the combat rather than being in unease. She was probably eager to use what she practiced in the Time Dilation Chamber.
Blanche sat a little apart from everyone, staring into the flames. Her face was unreadable as usual, but something told me she had her own fears. Well, at least she wasn¡¯t suffering from the curse of her family like our previous expedition.
Aurora was probably the most relaxed one among us. She calmly drank tea while reading the book she brought.
I gave each one of them a bag of holding after we ate. Everyone had their own bag of holding they brought but it was an insurance.
¡°It has food, water, healing potions, and signals in it. In case we ever split up.¡±
I explained before everyone went to sleep.
As I lay down, staring up at the stars that peeked through the thick cloud cover, I tried to shake off every bad thing in my mind.
¡
I opened my eyes wide open as soon as G?kb?r¨¹ sent a warning through our bond. I wasn¡¯t one to sleep heavy on the field and I immediately borrowed G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s Enhanced Senses and Combat Instincts. From the looks of it, we had around 1 or so hours until dawn. I quietly nudged Blanche, who was resting nearby, and she awoke with a sharp intake of breath. Her eyes met mine, instantly alert. I motioned for her to stay quiet. Without a word, she began to scan the surroundings as well, her senses finely attuned to danger.
I rose slowly. The others were still asleep, oblivious to the growing threat in the darkness. But how? Aurora¡¯s barrier should have at least warned us. G?kb?r¨¹''s senses pulsed through me, giving me a better understanding of the situation. It wasn¡¯t a large group¡ªmaybe four or five¡ªbut their movements were too precise to be mere bandits or wild creatures. Trained.
I moved silently toward the others, gently tapping Aurora on the shoulder first. She blinked awake, the faint glow of mana already lighting in her palm before I shook my head. No magic. Not yet. I quickly woke Thalia and Artemeni, whispering short commands as they nodded and armed themselves.
I approached them first as Shadow Melt was active thanks to the darkness. It would be really hard for them to sense me approaching. Their outlines became clearer as I moved closer yet even with my Night Vision and G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s Enhanced Senses their forms seemed to blur at the edges, like they were partially slipping out of reality itself. Some kind of skill or item if I had to guess. Their weapons were already drawn. Damn. Whoever they are, they¡¯re not here to negotiate.
I manifested one of my daggers, gripping it tightly. Its dark steel glinted faintly in the moonlight, eager for a taste of action. With G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s senses guiding me, I pinpointed the nearest target and moved in swiftly, activating Shadow Walk. My body became one with the darkness, and before they could register my approach, I was behind the closest one. With a single precise motion, I put it through their neck.
The figure dropped instantly, their body catching fire violently. The heat licked my body harmlessly as my fire resistance was through the roof.
I felt a shift in the air behind me. Instincts flared. I spun just in time to parry a downward strike aimed at my head. My blade clashed against theirs with a sharp, metallic ring. Up close, I could see more details now¡ªtheir eyes, obscured beneath hoods, glowed faintly. Their weapons were coated with a faint shimmer, likely mana-infused.
My group joined the battle, the night gave into flashes of magic and mana. The remaining attackers realized they were outmatched. Their movements became more erratic, less precise as panic seeped into their formation. One of them attempted to retreat, but Aurora¡¯s magic flared to life, trapping him in place with a binding spell. His body froze mid-step, unable to escape as glowing chains wrapped around his legs.
Another tried to flee in the other direction, but G?kb?r¨¹ pounced from the shadows, his sharp fangs tearing into their throat. I approached the last standing figure slowly, sword still in hand.
¡°Who sent you?¡±
They didn¡¯t respond. Instead, the figure raised a hand, something small and dark glowing in their palm. G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s instincts screamed for me to take cover and I manifested a shield in front of me. A massive explosion rang, sending me flying backward. The explosion hit like a sledgehammer, hurling me into the air. I slammed into the ground, skidding across the dirt before coming to a stop.
¡°Fuck.¡±
I was fine despite the dull ache creeping upon my body. I staggered to my feet, blinking away the dizziness. Thalia and Artemeni were already up, weapons drawn, scanning for any more threats. Blanche dusted herself off beside me, her face impassive despite the chaos. Aurora was muttering a spell under her breath, her magic forming a shimmering protective barrier around us.
The figure who had triggered the explosion was now nothing more than a charred silhouette, reduced to ash and smoke. A suicide attack, meant to cover their escape or take at least one of us. I grunted, brushing off the dirt. "Everyone alright?"
Nods all around. The ambush had failed, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth. These weren''t just random attackers¡ªthey were trained, equipped, and prepared to die if necessary. Whoever sent them wasn¡¯t playing around.
¡°Pack up quickly,¡± I ordered, turning to the others. ¡°We¡¯re leaving before the sun rises. No sense in sticking around for more of them.¡±
209-Scent of Blood, Taste of Lies
The silence hung heavy between us as we rode, no one speaking a word. The others kept their eyes on the horizon, alert. I gnawed on a piece of jerky, though my appetite had long faded. The taste was bearable, but the attack left a bitter taste in my mouth. Someone was trying to stop us. It was expected, yet it didn¡¯t make it less unpleasant.
¡°Champion.¡±
Aurora broke the silence. I turned my head to her.
¡°About last night. My barrier couldn¡¯t detect them. I am truly sorry.¡±
I waved my hand dismissively.
¡°No plan survives the first contact with the enemy.¡±
I repeated what I said yesterday.
¡°It wasn¡¯t random. Those guys were prepared and trained. Most importantly they were ready to die.¡±
Aurora bit her lip, her frustration evident. But she let it drop, at least for now. There was no point in dwelling on failures. All we could do was prepare for whatever came next.
¡°Maybe we should have brought an escort group with us as many had advised.¡±
Artemeni chimed in. I shook my head.
¡°Three reasons: It would been slower. We also would have taken from the defense force of Quipax. Also, also neighboring countries wouldn¡¯t take kindly to an elite force moving. They are on edge already.¡±
Artemeni sighed but nodded in agreement. The decision had been calculated, as most things were in times like these, but second-guessing now wouldn¡¯t help anyone.
¡°Do you think they were doing the bidding of demons?¡±
Thalia asked.
¡°I didn¡¯t sense demonic force. Did you?¡±
As a priestess, it was possible that she would recognize demonic presence better than even me, the Champion of War Goddess even though I could guess the answer. Thalia¡¯s gaze shifted away from the horizon and met mine, her eyes clouded with thought.
¡°No, I didn¡¯t feel anything overtly demonic,¡± she admitted, her brow furrowed. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean they weren¡¯t influenced by something else. Sometimes, the forces that corrupt are subtler than demonic magic. Hatred, greed¡ they work just as well.¡±
I nodded.
¡°I am asking this to all 4 of you. What are the chances of them being connected to Agamemnon?¡±
The silence that followed was palpable. Each of my companions mulled over the question, their expressions tense, as the wind brushed against us. He was the most likely suspect. Not only did he see me as a rival for the Queen¡¯s affection, but he also wanted to get revenge for the humiliation he suffered. Aurora was the first to speak, her voice quiet, and thoughtful.
¡°Gargareans look down on every type of combat that¡¯s not a mindless mele. Or at least that¡¯s what they say about themselves. But it wouldn¡¯t be the first time he tried something underhand. He has enough resources and influence.¡±
Thalia nodded in agreement, though her face was still clouded with thought.
¡°It is very possible but we have no evidence and it would be a sin to accuse someone without any proof, no matter how hateful of a person they are.¡±
I looked at Artemeni, half-sibling of Agamemnon. I knew that they weren¡¯t close but it was probably hard to speak ill of your own blood. The silence stretched as I waited for Artemeni''s response.
¡°Agamemnon doesn¡¯t need a reason to act dishonorably,¡± she said, keeping her gaze fixed on the horizon. ¡°He thrives on his power and his pride. If he thought undermining you would give him an advantage, he wouldn¡¯t hesitate just like many times he did before.¡±
She paused and gripped the reins tighter.
¡°But as Thalia said, we don¡¯t have proof. He was always good at hiding his tracks.¡±
I nodded, appreciating her candor. We didn¡¯t need proof to suspect, but we needed more than suspicions to act.
¡°Very well. We will take turns to watch. Aurora, is there a way to reinforce the barrier?¡±
Aurora considered my question, her eyes narrowing as she mulled over the possibilities. ¡°I could try layering the barrier, adding another layer of detection, or strengthening its core,¡± she said after a moment.
I nodded in response. With that, our group fell silent again.
¡
The wind picked up, rustling the grasslands around us. For a brief moment, I thought I caught the scent of blood, faint but unmistakable, carried on the breeze. I narrowed my eyes but saw nothing out of the ordinary. I shifted in my saddle, snapping out of the automatic pilot.
G?kb?r¨¹ let out a soft growl, assuring me that what I smelled was really blood.
¡°Be careful, everyone. Something is coming.¡±
The sun was close the setting and we were looking for a place to camp. The atmosphere tensed immediately as everyone straightened in their saddles, alert. Aurora¡¯s eyes flickered with mana, her hand rising as she muttered incantations under her breath, preparing the barrier. Artemeni¡¯s hand instinctively moved to her blade, while Thalia closed her eyes for a brief moment, a silent prayer on her lips. G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s growl grew more pronounced, his eyes gleaming with sharp awareness.
¡°Looks like we won¡¯t get a rest this night.¡±
I said, scanning the horizon for any potential threat. The blood in the air meant only one thing¡ªtrouble was near, and it wasn¡¯t far off. The shadows were growing longer as the sun dipped closer to the horizon, casting a dull orange glow over the land.
I patted the mane of my horse.
¡°Can you bear it, girl?¡±
Even though they were tougher than normal horses carrying people all day was tough on them. The horse nickered in response, her breathing steady but quick.
The silence returned, now even more oppressive, with tension running through the air like a taut wire ready to snap. The fading light cast long shadows across the plains, distorting the horizon and playing tricks on the eyes. The grass rustled in the wind, but every sound seemed sharper, more deliberate as if something unseen was inching closer. The scent of blood grew stronger, undeniable now.
Aurora finished her incantation, the familiar hum of mana surrounding us as the barrier shimmered briefly before fading into invisibility. It was a subtle yet powerful shield, layered to detect anything approaching. Artemeni¡¯s gaze remained locked forward, her muscles tense as she tightened her grip on her blade. Thalia¡¯s prayer lingered in the air like a blessing, fragile but filled with determination.
Two figures, one male and one female appeared, slowly walking towards us.
¡°Growl.¡±
¡°Calm, boy. Not yet.¡±
The two figures moved with deliberate strides, their silhouettes elongated by the setting sun. They weren¡¯t hurrying, but their confidence was palpable as if they knew we had already sensed them and that a confrontation was inevitable. The scent of blood hung heavier now, sharper, and I wondered if it was theirs or someone else¡¯s.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.Aurora glanced at me, waiting for the signal. Her barrier was in place, but we still didn''t know what kind of threat we were dealing with. G?kb?r¨¹ growled again, low and dangerous, his hackles rising as he fixed his eyes on the approaching figures.
Soon, I felt the unmistakable sensation of demonic energy. The divine power inside me reacted violently, urging me to get rid of them. I didn¡¯t move. 2 against 5. Weird. No way demons would attack without a clear advantage. I inspected both of them.
I first focused on the male one as he oozed more demonic force than the female. He was tall, even taller than the Queen. Yet, from the looks of his ring-filled hands, he didn¡¯t have the mass to back it off. His face was sharp and angular, giving him an aristocratic air. His skin was pale which contrasted sharply with his dark red eyes. His hair is long, silvery-white, and impeccably kept. The dark cloak resting on his shoulders and the white tunic he wore gave me the impression of a vampire.
¡°Count Dracula looking ass.¡±
I muttered as I turned my attention to the female. She felt as if weaker than the male but I felt like she was still a great threat. The first impression I got was Morrigan but sharper and more sinister. Most of her was covered with her black hair, exposing only her wide, sadistic smile. Contrary to her face, most of her body was exposed, only covered with a black leotard that clung to her skin. Considering I spent 3 months in an Amazon city, it didn¡¯t affect me. Intricate black markings covered her arms and legs like tattoos.
¡°I greet the Champion of Aliera and his companions. I am Aldric Vorne, Third Apostle of Demon King Asmoneal. And this is the Nephara, the Seventh Apostle.¡±
I locked eyes with the male figure¡ªAldric. His demeanor was calm, almost relaxed as if this was all just a formality. The woman next to him, however, was all tense, her smile promising violence. I could feel her eyes studying each one of us, waiting, eager for the moment she''d be unleashed.
"Apostle," I said, keeping my voice even. "You¡¯ve traveled a long way just to die here."
Aldric chuckled, a deep, throaty sound that echoed in the stillness of the plains. ¡°I assure you, Champion, death is the farthest thing from my intentions tonight.¡± His eyes gleamed with something close to amusement as he continued, ¡°In fact, I come bearing an offer of alliance.¡±
¡°Have you lost your mind, foul beast! An alliance with you?¡±
Thalia roared behind me, golden light seeping out of her body. As a woman of cloth, she was the one who reacted violently to their presence.
¡°My companion is right, Apostle. Asmoneal put a target on my head before. Why turn to me now? Why lick what you spat?¡±
Aldric¡¯s smile widened, showing a hint of fangs as he glanced toward Thalia, then back to me. He took a slow, deliberate step forward, his posture unthreatening, yet his presence oppressive. The demonic energy radiating from him prickled at my skin, but I kept my stance firm, my eyes locked on his.
¡°My master believes you and him got a rough start. You see, the reason for your previous clash with us is because of an eager servant trying to prove himself. We would never try to antagonize a noble person like you.¡±
Bullshit. His voice was smooth, too smooth like a predator luring prey into complacency. I met his gaze, unflinching.
"Bullshit," I repeated aloud, the word coming out with the cold finality of a blade. I manifested my sacred sword, enjoying their flinch.
¡°Your owner corrupted the mentor of my friends, created a monster with souls of 666 tortured beastkin, threatened me and nearly destroyed Whifur while I was there. I am the Champion of Aliera, the archenemy of demons. Do you really want me to believe Asmoneal wants to form an alliance with me?¡±
Aldric¡¯s expression didn¡¯t falter, but there was a glint in his eye that told me my words had hit home.
¡°Like I said before, our relationship had a rough start. But my master is a pragmatic ruler. He recognizes a threat for both sides.¡±
I tightened my grip on the hilt of my sword, my instincts screaming not to trust a word out of his mouth.
"Speak plainly," I said, narrowing my eyes. "What is this greater threat?"
Aldric exchanged a glance with the woman, whose smile only widened. Then, he spoke, his voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial tone. "Moloch. One of the oldest Demon Kings. He''s close to breaking free from his prison."
I raised an eyebrow. It wasn¡¯t that big of a surprise that they knew about it. It wasn¡¯t like we kept it a secret but why would they see Moloch as a threat?
¡°And why would he care?¡±
Aldric¡¯s eyes sparkled as if he got me to bite his bait.
¡°Moloch isn¡¯t like my master. My master may be evil but he recognizes that mortals are a necessary part of life. Moloch isn¡¯t like that. He wishes for total annihilation.¡±
I chuckled.
¡°He is afraid of his food running out?¡±
Demons fed off emotions and souls. So he was trying to save his own skin. Typical.
His smile was as wide as ever but I could see the flicker of annoyance in his eyes. He had clearly expected me to take his offer more seriously, but I wasn¡¯t about to be lured into any demonic schemes.
¡°Call it what you will, Champion,¡± Aldric said smoothly. ¡°But know this: when Moloch breaks free, the world will burn. His wrath is indiscriminate. He doesn¡¯t care about the delicate balance we demons and mortals maintain. If he succeeds, everything¡ªmortal and demon alike¡ªwill be consumed in his hunger.¡±
¡°Or perhaps your master is just afraid of being overthrown. The competition to become the sole ruler of the demons is tight as it is. He doesn¡¯t want another piece on the table, especially one that¡¯s possibly stronger than him.¡±
Aurora commented. Aldric tilted his head slightly, his smile fading as his expression turned more serious.
¡°I will be honest with you, Archmage Aurora. Yes, it is one of the reasons we want to form an alliance with you. However, should it really matter? After all, isn¡¯t an enemy of your enemy your ally?¡±
One truth to make us believe 9 lies.
"Call it what you want, Champion. But know this¡ªif Moloch escapes, he will not differentiate between humans, beasts, or demons. He will reduce everything to ash and feed off the carnage. Asmoneal values power and control, not mindless destruction."
The wind picked up again, carrying with it the scent of blood that clung to the air, heavier now as if a storm was about to break. G?kb?r¨¹ growled low. I didn¡¯t need to glance at him to feel his readiness, his eagerness for battle. But I held firm, keeping my sword raised, its glow casting long shadows across the ground.
The female apostle, who had remained silent up until now, licked her lips as she stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with malice. ¡°You could let your pride get you killed, Champion,¡± she purred. ¡°Or you could think rationally for once and consider the bigger picture. Or are you afraid that fighting alongside demons would tarnish your precious reputation?¡±
210-Shadows of Gloom Eclipse
¡°You shouldn¡¯t antagonize our allies. I am sorry. My companion is just very eager to test her strength.¡±
Oh, I see. They are playing good cop, bad cop. One would play nice and the other play rough.
"Champion," he said softly, "I expected resistance, but you are a warrior who understands strategy. Sometimes, one must make alliances with those they despise to survive the greater war."
I tilted my head as he pulled a sword from his cape.
¡°This is our gift, whether you accept our offer or not. It is a sword capable of imprisoning shadows, a counter to Moloch. A sign of our goodwill.¡±
I eyed it warily, the promise of power mingling with the stench of deceit.
¡°A weapon forged in darkness, yet capable of harnessing it. You must understand, Champion, that not all shadows are evil, and not all who wield them are your enemies.¡± His voice was smooth, but there was a thread of something sinister beneath.
I could feel Aurora''s apprehension next to me, her mana humming faintly as she prepared for any sudden moves. Thalia, still simmering with righteous anger, glared at Aldric and his companion, while Artemeni''s expression was unreadable.
¡°A gift from a demon is rarely just that,¡± I replied, keeping my tone steady. ¡°What¡¯s the catch, Aldric? You think I¡¯ll simply accept this and your offer of alliance without a second thought?¡±
He smiled as if my words were just a challenge to overcome. ¡°Of course, I expect skepticism. That is wise. But consider this: Moloch''s threat looms larger than our differences. You¡¯ve felt it, as have I. It¡¯s only a matter of time before he makes his move.¡±
¡°Very well.¡±
I said as I demanifested my sacred sword. Thalia looked at me with shock and betrayal, opening her mouth to protest.
¡°Champion, you cannot!¡±
¡°I agree with the priestess, Champion.¡±
Despite disagreeing most of the time both Aurora and Thalia were against it. Artemeni kept looking at them, waiting for a signal.
¡°Poyraz, demons are not to be trusted.¡±
Blanche whispered from behind me. With a deep breath, I stepped forward.
¡°If it is going to decrease the innocent lives lost, I am willing.¡±
I extended my hand out to shake, my gaze locked into Aldric¡¯s wide smile. I could see his smug satisfaction. He grabbed my hand and gave it a tight squeeze. But when it was time to break the contact, I tightened my grip and gave him the same smug smile he was giving me and threw him towards Artemeni.
¡°Kill him!¡±
I roared as I ran towards the female. I could see Artemeni and Blanche surrounding Aldric. I needed them to at least hold them until I got rid of the weaker link.
(Ferocity of Wolf King is activated. Your speed and reflexes increases by 20 percent for 3 minutes.)
I used 5 stacks of Ferocity of Wolf King to blitz the female. Her skin was rippling, wings and a tail popping out of her body as her nails grew into razor-sharp claws. Or at least, they were in the process of it.
But I wasn¡¯t about to let her transform. I manifested Bite of Binding Centipede, aiming for her throat. She barely raised her arms to block, my dagger piercing through her forearm. I didn¡¯t bother to pull the dagger, ducking under her claw swipe and manifesting my sacred sword. I channeled my mana and Armor Collapsing Claw into it and swung it to her stomach, releasing all of it with Mana Erupt.
As my sword connected, a brilliant flash erupted, the air around us crackling with energy. The force of the blow sent shockwaves through the ground, and I felt the resistance of her hardened flesh give way beneath the weight of my mana-infused strike. The moment felt almost surreal as if time itself had paused to witness the clash of our powers.
The female demon staggered back, her eyes wide with surprise and fury. Her blood and guts fell to the ground with a disgusting noise but I could see the life in her eyes. She would heal. She would regenerate. Quick. Kill her!
I tightened my grip on my sword and charged forward, focusing my energy on another strike. The Seventh Apostle¡¯s wings unfurled fully now, casting a shadow over me as she snarled, revealing sharp teeth. The blood that pooled at her feet sizzled, the ground reacting to the heat of her demonic essence.
¡°Fool!¡± she spat, her voice a guttural growl. ¡°You think you can end me so easily?¡±
I smiled under my helmet.
¡°Yeah.¡±
My sword blurred as I surged forward, the weight of my strike aimed directly at her throat. Her wings flared wide, but they couldn''t shield her from the raw speed of my attack. The blade sang through the air, enhanced by the force of Armor Collapsing Claw and Mana Erupt. Thanks to my training with mana control, the activation of my skills was faster and smoother.
She tried to block, her claws coming up at the last second, but it was too late. My sword cleaved through her defenses, biting deep into her neck. Her eyes widened in disbelief as her body convulsed from the force, dark blood spraying the ground.
With a wet gurgle, she collapsed to her knees, her wings twitching, spasming as if they refused to acknowledge defeat.
(You collected the Soul of the Seventh Apostle of Asmoneal.)
(Asmoneal will be hostile as you stole a soul belonging to him.)
A deep voice rang out from behind me.
¡°Is this what a Champion is? Tricking us and attacking without giving us a chance to use all of our power?¡±
Aldric. He had risen, already breaking free from Artemeni and Blanche. I narrowed my eyes as I saw them struggle against several demons. Bastard. He must have a way to summon them.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.¡°Bark!¡±
G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s warning exploded in my mind, making me turn. The corpse of the Seventh Apostle had turned into pitch black and hands ending with claws exited out of it. The dark claws burst forth from the corpse, ripping through the air as shadows writhed around them. I instinctively took a step back, manifesting my shield and channeling my mana into it.
Horned forms of demons exploded out of her corpse and I threw my shield to them while signifying it. I had to form a barricade and get to Alric. Low-tier demons could be dealt with, got to sever the head of the snake.
I didn¡¯t even look back as the demons exiting out of her corpse got trapped under my massive shield. Through the chaos, I spotted my group still fending off the horde that Aldric had summoned. They looked unharmed but the demons were more than mere distractions¡ªeach strike they landed was precise, calculated to wear them down. Aldric watched with a cold smile, his eyes burning with malicious satisfaction. He was waiting for them to falter, to lose focus.
I launched myself toward Aldric with G?kb?r¨¹. He saw me coming, and his expression shifted from smug confidence to grim determination. With a flick of his wrist, a wave of dark energy erupted from the ground, tendrils of shadow lashing toward me.
¡°Not impressive.¡±
I muttered as I activated Mana Erupt once more. My mana surged in response, flaring outward and obliterating the shadow tendrils in an explosion of light and force. Aldric snarled, his demonic form rippling beneath his robes as his wings unfurled. He wasn¡¯t holding back anymore. With a sickening crack, his transformation was completed, his once human-like face now fully that of a monstrous bat.
¡°Damn. He really is the Count Dracula.¡±
Aldric¡¯s newly transformed face twisted into a malevolent grin, the bat-like features gleaming with a predatory hunger. His wings stretched out, casting a wide shadow over the battlefield as he took a slow, menacing step forward. He was easily over three meters, towering over me. The demonic energy he exuded grew even more suffocating, giving me the sensation of walking in a sandstorm.
¡°Where is your honor, Champion? Are you afraid that I would destroy you in a duel?¡±
He was trying to get under my skin by questioning my honor. Too bad for him, I wasn¡¯t so easily stirred up. I smirked beneath my helmet, rolling my shoulders to loosen up as I felt the weight of my sword in my hand.
¡°It is worthless to treat a parasite with honor. So stop talking and come.¡±
Aldric¡¯s eyes flared with fury, his wings beating powerfully as he launched himself into the air. His claws gleamed under the fading sunlight, and I could see the malice dripping from every movement he made. The sky seemed to darken further as if the air itself was suffused with his corrupt aura.
(You resisted the effects of Gloom Eclipse.)
¡°You¡¯ll regret underestimating me, Champion!¡± he roared, descending like a vengeful god, his clawed hand raised to strike.
"Bring it."
I planted my feet firmly on the ground, drawing in mana from the earth beneath me and channeling it through my body. My muscles burned with power as I prepared for his attack. The moment he was close enough, I sidestepped his strike, feeling the air ripple where his claws barely missed my face. His wings fanned out to stabilize him, but I was already on the move. I moved to his blind spot, slashing at his neck. His predatory eyes narrowed as my sword was stopped by something invisible.
His claws burning with violent energy passed above me, barely scraping my shoulder plate as I spun to dodge and reposition myself. Suddenly, the ground beneath me erupted as dark tendrils shot up from the earth, aiming to ensnare me. Aldric''s eyes gleamed with triumph, his form flickering as he used the shadows to try and bind me in place. It would have probably worked if I wasn¡¯t resistant to the darkness element. With a surge of mana, I exploded out of the trap, shattering the tendrils and sending shards of shadow flying in all directions.
¡°Nice try,¡± I said, my voice cold. ¡°Do you have something that¡¯s more original?¡±
Aldric''s eyes narrowed as he hissed, his wings flapping furiously, sending waves of dark energy across the battlefield. 6 months ago, those waves would have sent me flying back but now I was able to stand my ground by digging my feet deeper.
¡°Mere mutt! Mere pawn of the Stars!¡±
His voice had dropped several octaves, becoming a guttural snarl that reverberated through the air. He swiped his wings in the air, sending more focused arcs of dark energy. I also focused my mana on the edge of my sword, intent on parrying them as I got closer. Flying enemies always posed problems but if I made him think that his ranged attacks didn¡¯t work, he would have to come down to me.
But just as I was about to swat the first arc, the ground beneath me shifted. The very ground seemed to come alive and rise to the air.
¡°Bark!¡±
G?kb?r¨¹ formed an ice shield in front of me, blocking the first arc as I hopped between levitating rocks to reach Aldric. But they moved once again, trapping me between them.
¡°This fuck!¡±
He is controlling them with some kind of telekinesis! He must blocked my strike before with that too! I cursed under my breath as the rocks tightened around me, forcing me into a constricted space. Aldric''s laughter echoed in my ears, filled with mockery.
"Is this truly the best you can do, Champion? Your struggle only amuses me."
I took a deep breath before melting inside shadows, focusing on Thalia¡¯s presence and exiting out of her shadow, leaving Aldric behind. I grabbed one of the demons my group was fighting against and crushed his skull.
¡°Champion? Are you okay?¡±
Thalia¡¯s worry-filled voice filled my ears.
¡°I am okay. Aldric will be here shortly. Group up!¡±
211-Obey No Master
Thalia and the others regrouped quickly, their battle stances sharp and ready as they instinctively closed ranks around me. I cut down several lower-tier demons to help them, my sacred sword cutting their thick hides like hot blade through butter.
¡°Aurora, can you stop demons from coming in?¡±
Even though they were nothing but pests, it could be dangerous if they kept spawning.
¡°I am already on it! Five- no, three minutes!¡±
Aurora nodded grimly as she looked at the demon-spawning rift, her hands already glowing with ethereal light as she began weaving her spell.
¡°Thalia, give us a buff! Then focus on shielding Aurora! Artemeni, you stop demons from reaching them!¡±
Thalia began chanting under her breath, invoking Aliera¡¯s blessings as her aura began to glow faintly, enhancing our fortitude.
(You received Sanctified Aura. You deal 30 percent more damage against demonic beings for 5 minutes.)
(You received Aegis of Radiance. Your Defense and Elemental Resistance increases by 20 percent for 5 minutes.)
(You received Luminous Courage. You will be immune to the next abnormal status effect. Your resistance against all abnormal status effects increases by 25 percent for 5 minutes.)
The feeling of the buffs was different than the ones Methild gave me. But the power was undeniable.
¡°Blanche! You are coming with me! We will cut Aldric down before he reaches them!¡±
I barked as I sent several demons unfortunate enough to be on my way as I ran. I had to create distance from my companions to fight Aldric. While I knew that each one of them was tough, Aldric had area-of-effect attacks and he probably didn¡¯t mind using other demons to make his attacks hit at their expense.
My companions were too valuable for that kind of stuff.
As Blanche and I surged forward, I could feel the power of Thalia''s buffs coursing through my veins. The sanctified energy thrummed inside me, amplifying my strikes and making my movements sharper, and faster. The lower-tier demons that stood in our way didn¡¯t stand a chance; with each swing of my sacred sword, they were torn apart, their corrupted forms disintegrating into ash.
Blanche moved like a whirlwind beside me, her speed and grace unmatched as she struck down any demon foolish enough to approach. Her dual blades shimmered with a dark elegance, slicing through the air in perfect harmony with her movements. Together, we carved a path toward Aldric, who hovered ominously in the distance, his wings spread wide like a malevolent omen.
Aldric¡¯s eyes met mine across the battlefield, a mix of fury and hunger swirling within them. He could sense the intent behind our charge, and with a beat of his massive wings, he descended toward us, his dark form blotting out what little light remained in the sky.
Interesting. I expected him to play safe and fire attacks from a distance but he was coming to me? Very well.
Three long mana claws cut through the air. They were red but unlike Aliera¡¯s divine power or Queen¡¯s mana, they weren¡¯t full of life. If theirs were the color of oxygenated blood, Aldric¡¯s mana was the color of deoxygenated blood.
My sacred sword clashed against his mana claws. The ground beneath me trembled as Aldric landed with a force that cracked the earth. His bat-like face twisted into a hideous grin.
¡°Obey.¡±
He whispered with a voice dripping honey as we locked eyes.
(Luminous Courage fully neutralizes Vampiric Domination.)
Ah, this bitch. Did he really try to mind-control me?
¡°You have to try harder than that, bastard!¡±
Gritting my teeth, I pushed him off me.
¡°Don¡¯t look at his eyes!¡±
I shouted a warning to Blanche who was flanking Aldric, lightning dancing along her sabre and rapier. I joined her quickly, trying to put as much as pressure on him as possible. He moved with surprising agility, raising a twisted, clawed hand to meet the blade. The clash of our powers sent a shockwave rippling outward, shaking the ground beneath us. Aldric snarled, baring his fangs, but I wasn¡¯t done.
As soon as he deflected my strike, Blanche struck, her dual blades flashing as they found their mark, slicing through the dark mana protecting his flank. Aldric let out a low growl, turning his attention to her, his wings flaring in anger. But I was already moving again, forcing him to divide his focus.
His body twisted in unnatural ways to somehow answer both of our strikes but it was in my expectations. G?kb?r¨¹ leaped to his shadow the moment my shadow crossed with his, biting his calf as ice-bound his clawed feet. He let out a startled growl as he noticed his lower half was immobile now.
¡°Blow away.¡±
Just as we aimed for his neck he shouted and an invisible force threatened to send me flying back. It wasn¡¯t a force aimed to harm us but if I allowed it Aldric would gain time to breathe. So I bound my feet to the ground using ice but Blanche and G?kb?r¨¹ weren¡¯t quick as me. Blanche was caught by the force mid-step, and though she fought against it, her smaller frame was lifted off the ground, hurtling backward. A sharp curse escaped her lips as she tried to twist her body mid-air, aiming to recover. G?kb?r¨¹, our small puppy couldn¡¯t even try to resist as his mini body flew the moment Aldric uttered his words.
¡°Cheap tricks.¡±
I muttered as claw and sword clashed again. Once, twice, thrice¡ tens of times before one could even blink.
¡°I don¡¯t need to waste expensive ones on you.¡±
One of his claws scratched through my armor and cut into my skin. It was a shallow cut yet¡
(You are being affected by Exsanguination. Your Strength, Agility, and Vitality decreases by 40 percent.)
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.I fell down to my knees. I could feel the blood leaving my veins. The shallow cut throbbed with a sickening pulse as I felt my strength drain away. What the fuck? I managed the raise my head and see the wounds on Aldric¡¯s body heal despite my blurry vision.
Fucker. Did he absorb my blood with just that mosquito bite? What a bullshit.
¡°Where did your arrogance go, mutt?¡±
He raised his claw high and brought it down, clearly intending to sever my head. But I used Shadow Melt at the last second, his claw passing through me harmlessly.
¡°Lightning Bolt.¡±
The battlefield crackled with tension as Blanche''s Lightning Bolt surged through the air, slamming into Aldric with a sharp, thunderous crack. The spell struck true, causing the demon lord to snarl in pain as arcs of electricity rippled through his body, briefly halting his movement.
I took a deep breath. That stupid attack must have taken 30 percent of my blood if I had to make a guess. It was enough to knock a normal person unconscious but not me. I was used to bleeding. I forced my legs to steady despite the blood loss and channeled my mana into my sword.
¡°I will be taking this!¡±
Aldric¡¯s dark mana surged to block both mine and Blanche¡¯s attacks but a half-assed shield wasn¡¯t enough to save him from my attack. My sacred sword blazed with divine energy, cleaving through Aldric¡¯s hastily constructed shield. The clash of our powers sent sparks flying, but I pressed forward, ignoring the weakness in my limbs as my blade cut through his wing, severing it.
(You managed to absorb some mana.)
Aldric roared in pain as his severed wing hit the ground with a dull thud, twitching slightly as dark mana leaked from the wound. His grotesque face twisted in fury, and for a brief moment, I could see the panic in his bloodshot eyes. But it wasn¡¯t me who he had to focus on.
Lightning crackled out of Blanche. She was in her lightning mode. She moved with a speed that blurred the edges of her figure. Her rapier stabbed forward, aimed directly at Aldric¡¯s heart. But the demon lord wasn¡¯t finished yet. With a snarl, he raised his remaining wing to shield himself, dark energy pooling in the air around him.
Blanche''s rapier struck Aldric''s raised wing with a blinding flash, the force of her lightning-infused attack crackling through the air. Yet Aldric''s dark energy barrier held, absorbing the brunt of her strike. She skidded back, eyes narrowing in frustration as Aldric''s form rippled with ominous power.
"Persistent little pests," Aldric hissed, his voice dripping with venom. His gaze darted to his severed wing and the blood still oozing from the wound. I could see his dark mana trying to repair the damage, but it wasn¡¯t happening fast enough. Divine power must be blocking some of his regeneration.
G?kb?r¨¹ rushed forward, his small form shouting out for Aldric¡¯s ankle like a cannonball. His momentum was so great that he managed to pull Aldric¡¯s leg with him, making him fall to his knees. Aldric was on his last legs. No doubt he would try to push us away like before.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹, now!¡±
¡°Begone!¡±
(War Beast¡¯s Howl fills you with power. You gained Hyper Armor for 10 seconds. Your Strength and Agility increases by 10. Your weapons will carry small amounts of Aliera¡¯s divine power.)
The invisible force threatened to push us again as soon as Aldric uttered those words. But G?kb?r¨¹ was faster thanks to my order. Thanks to hyper armor, none of us moved an inch.
With the surge of power coursing through me, I lunged forward, my sacred sword glowing with the combined might of my mana and Aliera''s divine energy. Aldric''s eyes widened in shock as he realized his attempt to repel us had failed.
"This ends now!" I roared, bringing my sword down in a powerful arc aimed straight at his exposed neck.
Aldric snarled, desperately raising his clawed hands to defend himself. But the divine power infused in my blade sliced through his dark energy defenses like they were mere shadows. The blade bit deep into his flesh, cutting through sinew and bone.
A blinding flash erupted as the divine energy clashed with his demonic essence. Aldric let out a horrifying scream, a mixture of rage and agony, as the wound sizzled and burned, preventing any regeneration.
Blanche seized the opportunity, her blades dancing as she struck from the opposite side. Her lightning-infused sabre pierced through Aldric''s chest, sending arcs of electricity crackling across his body. G?kb?r¨¹ leaped, clamping his jaws onto Aldric''s remaining wing, ice spreading rapidly and encasing it.
Aldric staggered, his massive form swaying as he tried to muster the strength to fight back. But the combined assault was too much. His demonic aura flickered, dimming as his life force waned.
"You... you cannot... defeat me..." he gasped, blood spilling from his mouth. I stepped forward, locking eyes with him one final time. I felt his will trying to invade my mind but it was too weak.
With a swift motion, I pulled my sword free and delivered the final strike, plunging it into his heart. Aldric''s body convulsed, a shockwave of dark energy rippling outward before dissipating into nothingness. His form began to disintegrate, turning into black ash that scattered in the wind.
(You collected the Soul of the Third Apostle of Asmoneal.)
I watched Blanche collect her breath. That lightning mode was as exhausting as ever. I, on the other hand, was mostly fine. The blood I lost was mostly regenerated. But looking at the cloudy sky, I knew that it was far from over.
¡°Champion of Aliera. The tool of Stars. Mutt of War.¡±
Pitch-black clouds swirled and took the shape of a twisted face as a booming voice rang out. I knew that presence.
¡°Asmoneal. ?t only took killing two of your apostles to make you speak to me again?¡±
212-Rejecting Darkness
The air around us grew heavy as the dark clouds coiled tighter, forming the grotesque visage of Asmoneal. His voice thundered across the battlefield, vibrating in the very marrow of my bones. The weight of his presence pressed down on us, even though it was just an avatar of his will. His eyes, burning like black suns, locked onto me with the kind of malice that could crush entire civilizations.
Yet, I didn¡¯t feel threatened. He couldn¡¯t descend into this world. He was nothing but a chained dog barking.
¡°I offered you peace.¡±
He hissed. G?kb?r¨¹ growled beside me. I glanced at Blanche and she looked shook. Even as a harmless avatar, a demon king¡¯s presence was too much for someone without divine power. I infused Aliera¡¯s divine power into my cloak and threw it on her.
The moment the cloak settled over Blanche¡¯s shoulders, Aliera''s divine energy surged through the fabric, instantly dulling the oppressive aura radiating from Asmoneal''s avatar. Blanche took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly as the weight pressing down on her lessened. G?kb?r¨¹, sensing the shift, stood firm at my side, his growl still deep and guttural, but with renewed determination.
Asmoneal''s twisted visage contorted further, the black suns of his eyes narrowing as he realized his suffocating presence no longer affected me or those beside me. His lips curled into a sneer.
¡°Peace?¡± I scoffed, tightening my grip on the hilt of my sacred sword.
¡°Yes. Peace. An alliance against a common enemy and perhaps the first step to a new partnership.¡±
A cold laugh escaped my lips at his suggestion. "An alliance? With a parasite like you? You must be even more desperate than I thought."
Asmoneal¡¯s sneer deepened, and the dark clouds that formed his visage roiled with suppressed rage. ¡°Your arrogance blinds you, Champion of Aliera. Do you think the Stars you serve are so different than me? They are no different from me. Parasites, feeding on the devotion of lesser beings. You are nothing but a tool, wielded by those too afraid to stain their own hands.¡±
I tilted my head and clicked my tongue.
¡°Perhaps they feed off the devotion of mortals but at least they don¡¯t corrupt and torture souls. I have seen what you do, Asmoneal.¡±
The tortured souls of beastkin flashed through my mind. A laughter reminiscent of howling shook the ground beneath me.
"You think your gods are free from the blood of innocents? You think the Stars care about you or your kind? Tell that to those who were summoned before you. Those who got dragged by the same chain on your neck.¡±
Asmoneal¡¯s words slithered through the air, thick with venom and ancient bitterness. His grotesque visage in the clouds loomed above us, daring to challenge the foundations of everything I stood for. The black suns of his eyes burned into me, attempting to sow doubt like seeds of poison in my mind.
Previous summons. I guessed that there were people who were summoned from different worlds before me. Aliera had told me that she summoned with a ¡°system¡±.
¡°And this is your offer? A chain for a chain? A leash for a leash? If I were to be bound the same, I would prefer the one who has similar goals as me.¡±
Asmoneal¡¯s laughter echoed across the sky, a twisted symphony of malice and disdain. His presence was a storm, coiling and lashing out, yet it was still just an illusion¡ªhis true form was imprisoned in the depths of the infernal realm. If he tried to step into here, so could Aliera and he definitely wouldn¡¯t want that.
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The demon king''s face twisted into an exaggerated smirk as if my words amused him. "You misunderstand, Champion. The leash I offer is freedom. Freedom from your shackles to the Stars. I do not ask for your loyalty, only for your strength. Together, we could eradicate those who would enslave us both." His voice was smooth, almost seductive, dripping with the promise of power and liberation.
G?kb?r¨¹ snarled, his wolfish eyes glowing with a fierce rejection of the demon''s words. I chuckled darkly, rolling my shoulders to ease the tension that had been building up. "Freedom? Is that what you call it? You corrupt everything you touch and twist it to serve your own sick ends. I am not working for you, or with you. Fuck off and wait until it is your turn. I am going to kill Moloch then I am going to kill you.¡±
Asmoneal¡¯s burning eyes flickered with rage, the black suns narrowing as my final words struck like venom. The air grew colder, the storm above us intensifying. His grotesque visage, a writhing mass of darkness and malice, twisted into something far more sinister. For a moment, it looked like he might lash out, desperate to exert what little power his avatar held. But it passed just as quickly.
¡°Very well,¡± Asmoneal¡¯s voice was a low hiss, filled with barely controlled fury. ¡°You¡¯ve made your choice, Champion of Aliera. You¡¯ll find that the weight of your righteousness grows heavier with every step. When your allies fall, when your so-called gods abandon you, and when you beg for mercy at the feet of powers far beyond your understanding¡ªremember this moment.¡±
The clouds twisted tighter, his form beginning to dissipate like smoke caught in a violent wind. As his visage faded, the air around us lightened, but not before his final words echoed through the sky, lingering like a curse.
¡°I will be waiting, Karabulut. When your strength fails you, when your precious Stars abandon their pawn, I will be the last face you see before you fall.¡±
Silence followed. The oppressive weight that had hung over us lifted entirely, leaving the battlefield eerily still. Blanche finally exhaled, pulling the cloak tighter around her as if to ward off the lingering chill from Asmoneal¡¯s presence. G?kb?r¨¹, no longer growling, shifted beside me, his blue eyes never leaving the sky where the demon king¡¯s avatar had been.
I let out a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I was holding, my fingers loosening from the hilt of my sword.
¡°Well, that was something.¡±
I muttered to myself as I was Artemeni, Thalia, and Aurora entered my vision.
¡°Champion, that was¡?¡±
Artemeni''s voice cut through the lingering silence, her expression a mixture of awe and concern. She stepped forward, her gaze darting from the dissipating storm in the sky to me, then to Blanche and G?kb?r¨¹.
"Asmoneal," I answered, demanifesting my sword.
"Just an avatar of him, though. He can''t fully manifest here¡ªnot yet."
Three of them wore worried and shocked expressions. It was normal. We were attacked by humans and now demons with a demon king manifesting himself and we haven¡¯t reached to dungeon we wanted to reach. If it went on like this we would be drained of our energy before we could reach War God¡¯s Battle Area.
¡°What will we do, Champion?¡±
Aurora asked, her eyes narrowing behind her glasses as she looked towards the horizon.
"We move," I said, smacking my fists together. ¡°We can¡¯t afford to linger here. The sooner we reach the dungeon, the better prepared we¡¯ll be for whatever comes next.¡±
The resolve in my voice steadied the air around us and we moved towards our destination.
213-The Fivefold Gauntlet
Standing at the entrance of War God¡¯s Battle Area was a weird sensation after all shit we endured to arrive here. The place was larger than any of us had imagined, with towering spires of marble that seemed to pierce the very clouds above. G?kb?r¨¹ growled low beside me, his hackles raised. He sensed it too¡ªthis dungeon had more many than any dungeon we previously entered. It was also dense. It clung to the air like mist, swirling around us, thicker than any we had encountered before. Its entrance was different too. The swirling mana gate was crowned by a golden arch, its surface engraved with symbols that seemed to writhe and shift before my eyes.
The language of Stars, I thought to myself. I could read them but they disappeared from my mind the moment they shifted, like a dream fading when one woke up. I could feel their presence too but it wasn¡¯t Aliera or Zephyrian.
¡°God of War¡¡±
I muttered to myself. The only divine being of war I knew was Aliera and she was a Goddess. Was there a reason for this place was called War God¡¯s and not War Goddess¡¯s? I sighed. Maybe I was overthinking. Maybe the language of this world didn¡¯t make the distinction between God and Goddess but I was hearing it due to translation stuff I had.
I shrugged my shoulders and unclenched my jaw. Alright, no use thinking about all that. I glanced towards my companions. Artemeni wore a determined expression, her eyebrows furrowed behind her helmet. Thalia looked rather peaceful as she muttered prayers under her breath. Aurora looked intrigued by the dungeon gate. Blanche¡¯s face was calm and emotionless as before. All of them looked ready.
¡°Are we ready?¡± I asked, glancing at each of my companions, searching for any hint of hesitation. I saw none.
Artemeni stepped forward, her armor gleaming in the waning light. ¡°Ready as we¡¯ll ever be, Champion.¡±
¡°Just stick close to each other,¡± I advised, my eyes darting back to the swirling gate. ¡°We¡¯ve got to watch each other¡¯s backs in there. If it¡¯s anything like the others, we¡¯ll face trials that will test us both physically and mentally.¡±
Thalia nodded, her expression serene despite the impending danger. ¡°The power of the divine is with us. We must trust in our strength and our bond.¡± She clasped her hands, her fingers intertwined as she muttered another prayer, the words a soft melody that soothed my racing heart.
Aurora, her glasses reflecting the shimmering light from the gate, just nodded. Blanche remained silent, her eyes narrowed slightly as she regarded the swirling mana gate. G?kb?r¨¹ let out an eager bark.
¡°Let¡¯s do this,¡± I said, my voice steady and unwavering. With a deep breath, I stepped forward, the mana swirling around me like a tempest. The moment I crossed the threshold, a surge of energy coursed through my veins, electrifying my senses. We emerged into a road made out of marble. It was wide enough to allow us to walk side by side but I wasn¡¯t sure if I wanted to come close to the edge. Nothing existed there. It was full of nothingness. I wasn¡¯t sure if it was possible to fall into there and I really didn¡¯t want to find out.
We walked forward, our steps echoing in the darkness. The marble road was somehow illuminated by an unknown light source but it didn¡¯t extend to nothingness and I wasn¡¯t sure if there was anything to see. My Night Vision didn¡¯t allow me to see anything after all.
Before long, the marble road widened into a vast circular area, its boundaries marked by 5 alters.
¡°Those altars must be how we will reach the trials.¡±
I said as I got close to one of them, examining it carefully. This one had various monsters carved on it. I touched it lightly.
(Do you want to proceed with the Trial of Unrelenting Onslaught?)
I pulled my hand back as if I just touched something hot.
¡°Okay.¡±
I muttered to myself as I touched all of them, making sure that the trials were consistent with the information we had. Thankfully, they seemed to be more or less the same.
¡°Okay. We have 5 trials in front of us. We will need to retrieve 5 key items and place them in these alters. We can take trials in any order but we must complete all 5 in 24 hours otherwise it will reset.¡±
The marble platform beneath our feet seemed to hum with an otherworldly resonance as I finished inspecting the altars. Each one represented a trial that tested different aspects of a warrior¡¯s strength, mind, or spirit. Or at least that¡¯s what the people who conquered the dungeon before thought.
The engravings on the surfaces of the altars glimmered faintly, pulsating with mana, as if they were alive, waiting for us to make a choice.
"Five trials, five key items," I repeated, turning to the group. "We have 24 hours to complete them all before they reset."
Artemeni¡¯s brow furrowed. "That''s not a lot of time. If each trial is as hard as we expect, we can¡¯t afford to waste a single moment."
¡°Will we split up?¡±
Asked Aurora, adjusting her glasses, the light from the mana gate reflecting off the lenses.
¡°If we have to we may consider it. But for now, we stay as one.¡±
I answered and turned to the Altar of Trial of Unrelenting Onslaught.
¡°This is the Trial of Unrelenting Onslaught. We will be going into this first. It is the most exhausting and most straightforward one so we will get this out of the way. If you are not at a hundred percent, we will rest. We won¡¯t be able to take stamina or healing potions and all buffs related to that will be only half as effective there.¡±
The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.I looked at them for any kind of questions.
¡°What is our strategy?¡±
Blanche asked.
¡°There will be 10 waves. The first 3 waves last 30 minutes each. You, me, and G?kb?r¨¹ will create an ice barrier surrounding us while Aurora focuses on creating a cost-effective mana barrier. We don¡¯t have to waste stamina by killing the monsters during the first three waves because they will spawn constantly. From 4 to 9 we will need to kill 100 monsters, each stronger with the wave. At the last wave, we will either need to survive against super strong boss monsters for 30 minutes or kill them in less. Oh, the terrain will also get rougher in each wave. Easy, right?¡±
Artemeni''s eyes gleamed with a mix of excitement and apprehension, her grip tightening around her weapon. "Easy enough," she replied, her voice steady despite the intensity of the task ahead.
Aurora adjusted her glasses, eyes narrowing as she processed the strategy. "We''ll need to be precise with mana management, especially during those early waves," she said, already calculating the best way to structure the barriers. "I''ll focus on weaving the barrier so it absorbs most of the initial impacts. That should buy us enough time without draining too much mana."
G?kb?r¨¹ gave a low growl of agreement, his massive form bristling with anticipation. He, too, sensed the weight of the task ahead, and though his form was ready to fight, his instincts told him this would be a grueling test of endurance.
Thalia, as always, remained serene. She closed her eyes, clasping her hands together as she quietly invoked a protective blessing over the group. "Divine power will guide us. If we act with faith and precision, we will prevail."
Blanche gave a curt nod, her cold, calculating demeanor never faltering. "Understood. I''ll focus on controlling the battlefield, keeping our formation tight. We can''t afford any gaps during the stronger waves."
"Let''s begin," I said, stepping toward the altar of the Trial of Unrelenting Onslaught once again. My hand hovered over the engraved surface for a moment before I pressed it firmly, allowing the mana within to respond.
(Do you want to proceed with the Trial of Unrelenting Onslaught?)
¡°Yes.¡±
A deep rumble echoed through the marble chamber as the altar activated. The ground beneath our feet trembled, and a blinding light erupted from the engravings. The platform around us shifted, transforming into a new landscape¡ªa barren battlefield littered with jagged rocks and deep craters. The sky above darkened, an ominous red glow settling over the horizon.
(The First Wave will start in 15 seconds.)
(Objective: Survive through all waves.)
(Healing and stamina potions will be unusable for this trial.)
(All healing and stamina abilities will be less effective.)
Good. Things weren¡¯t different from our info.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹, Blanche.¡±
I stomped my feet to the ground, surrounding us with a wall of ice. I left one narrow passage open. I shook my head as the stunt took a lot of my mana. G?kb?r¨¹ transferred some of his mana to me, stabilizing my condition.
¡°Why let an opening?¡±
Blanche asked.
¡°It is possible that they will try to take the path of least resistance. If I covered everywhere, they would try to break it but now they will try to reach us through that opening. We will see if it will work. Depends on their intelligence.¡±
(The First Wave has started.)
The ground trembled, and from the swirling mists ahead, the first horde emerged.
¡°To the position.¡±
Dozens of muscular, beastly shapes surged forward, the ground crying under their claws and hooves. The smallest ones were as big as a mid-sized dog and the biggest ones were the size of our horses which we left at the entrance of the dungeon.
I watched carefully, noting how they moved. They were relentless, yes, but not particularly intelligent nor disciplined. Mere wild beasts. As expected, most of them funneled toward the opening in the ice wall where Blanche and G?kb?r¨¹ waited. Our strategy worked. The creatures surged toward the perceived weakness, only to be cut down or knocked back by G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s powerful jaws and Blanche¡¯s precision strikes. Even when they managed to get past them, I made quick work of them.
Aurora managed to create a small safe zone as Blanche and G?kb?r¨¹ fell back and I and Artemeni took their places to allow them to rest. We kept this rhythm for the first few waves, saving our mana and stamina.
(The Third Wave has ended. The Fourth Wave will start in 60 seconds.)
I rolled my shoulders, the strain of mana use already tugging at my muscles. This was where things would get real.
¡°The next waves will require us to kill. 100 monsters per wave,¡± I reminded them, glancing around. ¡°Stay focused.¡±
(10 seconds remaining.)
The battlefield was still as if holding its breath. Then, the platform beneath us trembled again, fissures cracking through the marble road as it transformed into uneven terrain¡ªsharp rocks, sudden slopes, and jagged edges making movement difficult. The air thickened with a suffocating pressure.
(The Fourth Wave has started.)
From the mists, the creatures returned¡ªbut these were no longer simple beasts. Towering creatures, twice the size of the previous wave, came charging towards us. Their skin was thick, covered in armored scales, and their eyes gleamed with an almost malevolent intelligence.
I took a deep breath. ¡°Let¡¯s begin.¡±
214-No Rest, No Mercy
Blanche and G?kb?r¨¹ moved forward, positioning themselves at the bottleneck once more. Blanche¡¯s lightning bolt crackled through the air, striking the crab-like beast with precise, ruthless efficiency. The creature let out a guttural roar, its massive form convulsing under the surge of electricity. G?kb?r¨¹, ever agile, used the opportunity to scale the creature¡¯s back with lightning speed. His fangs sank into its exposed throat, ripping out flesh in a blur of motion. Blood sprayed into the air as the beast collapsed, and G?kb?r¨¹ leaped down gracefully, already preparing for the next. Despite his small size, he was like a razor-covered cannonball that aimed at the most painful areas.
I felt the familiar weight of Shadowchaser''s Eclipsebow materialize in my hands, the cool sensation of the bowstring thrumming with the flow of my mana. The arrows I summoned gleamed darkly, humming with ethereal energy as I released them one after another. They flew true, piercing the thick hides of the approaching beasts with deadly precision.
Artemeni fought with her characteristic brutality, her spear a whirlwind of death as she hurled it into the horde. It tore through the front lines, skewering beasts before she summoned it back into her hands, the weapon returning with a satisfying thud. She didn¡¯t waste a second before sending it out again, the cycle of destruction relentless.
I looked at her with a hint of jealousy. According to Artemeni, it was a skill that allowed her to do that. While I could also summon my sacred sword to my hand like that, I couldn¡¯t do it with other weapons.
The fourth wave was far more coordinated than the previous ones, the monsters attacking with greater speed and ferocity. Even as we cut them down, more surged from the swirling mists beyond. The terrain shifted beneath our feet, craters forming and jagged rocks jutting out, making movement treacherous.
(50 down. 50 remaining.)
¡°Good.¡±
I muttered to myself. It haven¡¯t been 3 minutes and we managed to get to half of the fourth wave. The sooner we finish it sooner we can get to trickier trials.
(75 down. 25 remaining.)
Thalia stood nearby, channeling her divine energy to provide support when needed. Her soft mutterings filled the air, sending waves of divine power that bolstered our resolve and healed minor wounds. Even with the trial¡¯s limitations, her buffs were life savers, ensuring none of us would fall to exhaustion just yet.
(100 down. Wave Complete. The Fifth Wave will begin in 60 seconds.)
I took a deep breath as the system notification rang in my mind. The short reprieve was welcome, but the relentless pace of these trials left no room for complacency. We had one minute. Sixty seconds to gather ourselves before whatever horrors awaited in the next wave emerged from the abyss. I glanced at the others¡ªBlanche was recharging, her fingers still crackling faintly with residual lightning; G?kb?r¨¹ prowled in a wide circle, his predatory instincts sharp and ever-watchful. Artemeni was stoic as always, gripping her spear with an almost casual intensity as if this endless battle was nothing more than routine.
My gaze shifted to Thalia, her divine glow flickering as she whispered prayers to restore our strength. Even though her abilities were limited by the trial¡¯s restrictions, she¡¯d kept us going through sheer will and timely intervention. Aurora on the other hand looked somehow gloomy.
¡°Something matter, Aurora?¡±
Aurora''s gaze flickered toward me, her expression unreadable for a moment. She seemed deep in thought, her usual confidence shadowed by something heavier.
"It''s nothing," she responded, but the tightness in her voice betrayed her words. Her eyes remained fixed on the ground, the glow of her own magic dimming slightly.
I frowned, unconvinced. While I hadn¡¯t known her for long, I had still been together with her enough to see that she was troubled by something.
(30 seconds remaining.)
I looked at the barrier she had created. It was translucent and I could feel that it operated at full power. Why would she¡ Wait. She has been focusing on this barrier since we started. Even though she was a mage, she was also an Amazon Warrior. Could it be that she saw this as me not trusting her to battle?
¡°Blanche, G?kb?r¨¹. Fall back and rest. Aurora, let¡¯s go.¡±
Aurora blinked, surprise flashing in her eyes as she straightened up. "You want me on the front line?¡±
She asked, her voice cautious but with a flicker of something¡ªhope, maybe?
"Yes," I nodded, meeting her gaze steadily. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen your full capabilities as a mage. I really don¡¯t know much about magic so show me what you can do.¡±
Her hesitation wavered for only a second before she nodded, determination hardening her features. The gloomy weight that had clung to her seemed to lift, replaced by the fierce Amazonian pride.
(The Fifth Wave has started.)
The mists churned before us as the fifth wave began, a new, darker menace emerging from the abyss. The ground quaked under the weight of something massive, its shape still obscured by the roiling fog. The creatures that followed, however, were disturbingly clear: armored beasts with spiked shells, their pincers glinting like blades and hulking, bipedal monsters with molten cracks running along their skin. Their glowing eyes pierced the gloom, locking to us in with unsettling intelligence.
One with legs similar to a grasshopper jumped, clearing the ice walls I conjured before hitting the barrier of Aurora like a fly hitting the glass. Aurora waved her hand and a blue pulse of mana smashed into the chest of the monster. Aurora''s mana pulse hit the beast with a resounding force, causing it to shudder mid-air before it was violently flung backward. The sound of its exoskeleton cracking echoed as it slammed into the rocky terrain. She took a deep breath, her fingers glowing with power as if she¡¯d just unlocked something she¡¯d been holding back.
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A hulking bipedal monster lunged at us, its molten veins glowing an angry orange, but Artemeni was faster. Her spear flashed, cleaving through the air and embedding itself into its chest. As she yanked the weapon back, the creature staggered, molten blood oozing from the wound. Without hesitation, she followed up with a brutal, overhead strike that shattered its skull. Even as it crumpled to the ground, she was already moving to the next target, her relentless efficiency never faltering.
I didn¡¯t join her. My focus was on flying monsters. Until now there were no flying monsters so they had to play with our rules by trying to get to us by the opening I left but now it was different. I pulled back the bowstring of Shadowchaser''s Eclipsebow, the ethereal arrows thrumming with darkness. I targeted the flying ones.
I exhaled slowly, steadying myself as I took aim at the flying creatures. The mists around us made it difficult to discern their exact numbers, but their shapes flickered in and out like phantoms, their wings cutting through the air with sharp, eerie sounds.
The first arrow left my bow in a flash, streaking toward the nearest flyer¡ªa bird-like creature with leathery wings and a maw filled with razor-sharp teeth. My arrow struck it in the chest, and the moment it hit, the ethereal energy of the Soulreaver Strike activated. Its body seized mid-flight, and the creature plummeted to the ground, dead before it could even cry out.
I didn¡¯t stop. Another arrow materialized, the dark hum of mana flowing through it, and I released it toward a second target. The creatures seemed to notice me now, their glowing eyes narrowing as they turned their attention from the ground battle to the archer picking them off from a distance. I could almost hear their silent communication, as several of them suddenly broke formation, swooping toward me with alarming speed.
Aurora, noticing the shift, stepped up beside me. Her hands danced through the air, conjuring glyphs that crackled with energy. ¡°Let¡¯s see how they handle this,¡± she muttered, her voice low but charged with anticipation.
A sphere of pure mana shot upward from her glyph, exploding into smaller orbs that homed in on the flying creatures. The impact was immediate, several of the beasts screeching as they were engulfed in blue flames that ate through their wings, sending them spiraling to the ground in smoking heaps.
Aurora shot me a look, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. I gave her an approving nod before returning my attention back to the monsters.
(100 down. Wave Complete. The Sixth wave will begin in 60 seconds.)
(100 down. Wave Complete. The Seventh wave will begin in 60 seconds.)
(100 down. Wave Complete. The Eighth wave will begin in 60 seconds.)
(100 down. Wave Complete. The Ninth wave will begin in 60 seconds.)
(100 down. Wave Complete. The Tenth wave will begin in 90 seconds.)
90 seconds. Damn. They really don¡¯t give us any time to take a breath, are they? I clapped my hands together.
¡°Alright. Everyone! Take deep breaths and get into your positions. This will be hard.¡±
We either had to survive against the strongest monsters in 30 minutes or kill them in less. I looked around. The ice walls I have created were all destroyed and we were in knee-deep mud as the terrain shifted.
¡°Will we try to kill them?¡±
Artemeni asked, looking eager to battle against strong enemies.
¡°If possible, yeah.¡±
I answered with not so much confidence. I had no doubts that we would be able to kill all of them if we tried but would it be worth it? We could have fought defensively and not risked being wounded. This was the first trial out of five after all. But a part of me wanted to destroy them. Surviving or killing them sounded like a challenge and what small amounts of warrior pride I had wanted to take it head on. Plus, the rewards would also be better, right?
(10 seconds remaining.)
The ground trembled as the monsters stirred within the mist. A heavy presence loomed, different from the previous waves. This was no mindless horde. Something far more dangerous was coming.
"Brace yourselves," I called out, drawing back the string of Shadowchaser¡¯s Eclipsebow once more. The arrows hummed with power, almost eager to be unleashed. Aurora''s glyphs lit up around us, creating layers of magical wards that would absorb the first hits.
(The Tenth Wave has begun.)
The air turned thick as the fog parted, revealing the largest creature we¡¯d seen so far. A gargantuan, centipede-like monstrosity with obsidian-black chitin slithered into view, its body coiling as it raised itself high, towering over us. Its many eyes gleamed like crimson jewels, and its mandibles clicked together, sending vibrations through the ground.
Both G?kb?r¨¹ and I made a noise similar to a cry. Not a bug monster again!
The monstrosity, as if to feel our frustration, let out an ear-splitting screech that rattled the air and echoed through the trial grounds. Around it, smaller creatures¡ªthough still massive¡ªcrawled out of the ground, their hardened shells and jagged limbs ready to tear through anything in their path.
"Focus on the big one," I ordered. "But don¡¯t let the others swarm us."
Blanche nodded, her lightning gathering in her palms. "I''ll keep the smaller ones off you," she said, already aiming her bolts toward the approaching horde.
I loosed my first arrow, aiming directly for one of the centipede''s glowing eyes. The arrow flew true, but just before impact, the creature''s head twisted unnaturally, avoiding the strike by a hair¡¯s breadth. Its intelligence was unmistakable¡ªthis wasn¡¯t just some mindless beast.
Artemeni dashed forward, her spear spinning in a deadly arc. "I''ll break through its defense!" she shouted, leaping high and driving her spear toward its exposed underbelly.
But the centipede was fast¡ªfaster than any of us anticipated. Its segmented body coiled, and with a fluid motion, it slammed one of its massive legs into Artemeni mid-air. She twisted, deflecting the blow with her spear, but the force sent her crashing back toward the ground, a crater forming beneath her as she landed.
¡°Oh, shit.¡±
215-Siege of Fangs and Fury
The centipede''s screech echoed in the air as it reared up again, towering over us, its mandibles clicking in an eerie rhythm. Artemeni was quick to recover, rolling to her feet, but even she looked rattled by the sheer power of that strike.
¡°Stay sharp!¡± I called out, pulling back on Shadowchaser''s Eclipsebow once more. This time, I infused more mana into the arrows, activating Hunter¡¯s Mark. Extra darkness damage and enhanced tracking would help greatly. I released a volley, each arrow splitting through the air. The centipede shifted, but not fast enough¡ªthe arrows struck its smaller eyes with a sharp crack, causing the monster to let out a shriek of pain. Black ichor poured from the wound, but the creature didn¡¯t falter. Instead, it turned its massive form toward me, its many legs clattering against the ground as it charged.
Aurora, standing beside me, extended her hand, glyphs spinning in the air as she focused the barrier surrounding us to focus on its attack. The centipede slammed into Aurora¡¯s barrier with terrifying force, the impact rippling through the protective dome like a shockwave. I could feel the sheer weight of its power through the vibration in the ground, but Aurora¡¯s barrier held¡ªbarely. Her face was strained, beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she maintained the barrier¡¯s integrity. She made hand signs while chanting behind her clenched teeth and the invisible barrier shifted, surrounding the centipede like a net.
¡°I can¡¯t hold it for long!¡±
Before she could finish her sentence, I leaped forward, activating both Beastification and Monstrous Strength while manifesting my sacred sword. As I surged forward, the transformation from Beastification coursed through me, my muscles swelling with strength and power. My senses sharpened, honing in on the centipede¡¯s every movement as the world seemed to slow around me. My sacred sword materialized in my hand with a crackle of energy¡ªits weight familiar yet empowering, humming with the intent to strike.
(You acquired a body similar to Magical Beasts. Duration of Monstrous Strength lengthens by 15 seconds.)
With Monstrous Strength amplifying my movements, I closed the distance between us in an instant. The centipede writhed, its many legs thrashing against Aurora¡¯s weakening barrier, but I could see the opening¡ªjust below its armored head, where the segments of its body were slightly exposed.
I swung the sword with all my might, the blade cutting through the air with a sharp, whistling sound. The edge of the sacred sword collided with the centipede¡¯s carapace, sparks flying as the blade bit deep. I felt the resistance of its thick, chitinous armor, but my enhanced strength, combined with the sword¡¯s innate power, allowed me to carve through it.
Black ichor sprayed from the wound as the centipede screeched again, a deafening, bone-rattling sound that made my teeth vibrate. It twisted violently, trying to throw me off, but I held firm, digging my feet into the mud as I pressed the attack. I unleashed a flurry of strikes, aiming for the same weak spot, each blow widening the wound, sending more of the dark, viscous blood pouring out.
Artemeni was back on her feet now, and she didn¡¯t waste a second. With a ferocious battle cry, she launched herself toward the centipede¡¯s side, her spear glowing with mana as she thrust it deep into the creature¡¯s body. The spearhead sank into one of its joints, and with a twist, Artemeni shattered the leg, causing the centipede to lurch to one side.
¡°Keep it off balance!¡± she shouted, pulling her spear back and immediately going for another strike. Her movements were swift, precise¡ªeach one calculated to cripple the beast further.
G?kb?r¨¹ darted in from the other side, his small, lithe form a blur of motion. He leaped onto the centipede¡¯s back, his fangs gleaming as he tore into its exposed flesh with savage ferocity. Blood sprayed as he ripped into its soft underbelly, the centipede thrashing wildly but unable to shake him off.
Meanwhile, Blanche¡¯s lightning bolts crackled through the air, striking the centipede¡¯s carapace, each bolt sending a jolt through its massive body. The beast convulsed under the relentless assault, its movements becoming more erratic.
"Focus on its head!" I called out, my voice barely audible over the cacophony of battle. I could see the damage we were inflicting, but it wasn¡¯t enough yet. This thing was far too resilient, its size and power making it difficult to take down.
(You managed to absorb some mana.)
(You managed to absorb some mana.)
(You managed to absorb some mana.)
Aurora, still maintaining her barrier, was straining to keep the creature contained. Her face was pale, her breaths coming in short gasps. "I can¡¯t... hold this much longer!"
I gritted my teeth and channeled all the mana I managed to absorb from the creature into my sword and released it with Mana Erupt. The blade connected with a sickening crunch, slicing through the remaining layers of its armor and severing the head from its massive body. For a moment, time seemed to freeze as the centipede¡¯s head tumbled to the ground, its body convulsing in a final, violent spasm before collapsing into the mud with a thunderous crash.
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¡°Fuck.¡±
I gasped loudly as my sword nearly slipped out of my grasp. My arms felt as if they were ready to fall off my shoulders. But looking at the monsters coming out of the mist, I knew it wasn¡¯t time to rest. Regeneration and Rapid Healing worked quickly to heal the self-inflicted wounds as I regrouped with others.
¡°Welp. I haven¡¯t had to use all of my arsenal since the invasion of Whifur.¡±
I manifested Megalithic Ward of the Water and activated Ward of Protection, deflecting spikes shot by some hedgehog-like creature.
¡°Everyone.¡±
I started.
¡°Rest and gather your strength a little. I will be going all out.¡±
Artemeni wiped the sweat from her brow, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths.
¡°Let me join you, Champion!¡±
I grinned, feeling the strain in my muscles loosening as Rapid Healing did its work.
¡°You will. Just rest for a minute.¡±
Aurora, still shaky from maintaining the barrier, shot me a look of concern. ¡°You can¡¯t keep up this pace forever, Champion. Don¡¯t push yourself too far.¡±
I waved my hand dismissively before leaving the ward, G?kb?r¨¹ in my shadow. As the mist began to part, the first wave of creatures charged forward¡ªgnarled beasts with grotesque, spiny bodies, moving with surprising speed for their size. Their claws aimed for my throat but I dodged one while grabbing the other, feeling its bones creak under my grip before I slammed it to others as if it weighed nothing. My hands were more like claws under the effects of Beastification and my armor morphed to fit me better. Increasing the effectiveness of Monstrous Strength was a welcome chance too.
I gripped another beast¡¯s throat and crushed it effortlessly, the wet snap of its spine barely audible over the din of battle. The surge of power from Beastification and Monstrous Strength made me feel unstoppable, my body coursing with raw energy as my claws tore through their ranks. G?kb?r¨¹ entered and exited out of my shadow to tear the throats of monsters who thought they could get a sneak attack on me while manifesting ice walls to limit the directions I could be attacked.
Even though each monster seemed more vicious than the last, their spines bristling with sharp quills and venom dripping from their fangs. But they weren¡¯t the ones who worried me. Through G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s Enhanced Senses I could something bigger and meaner in the mist and it was about to step into my vision range.
I spat out a curse, eyes narrowing as I tried to make out more details. It looked like a hate child of a rhino and a tank. It was smaller than the centipede but the muscles which bulged through heavy plating told me it was not weaker. To my horror, the moment it locked eyes with me it started to charge towards me. The ground trembled as the beast barreled toward me, its bulk shattering smaller monsters with each thunderous step.
At that moment a light bulb lit up in my head.
¡°I can use you.¡±
I muttered, a grin tugging at the corner of my lips. Previous monsters didn¡¯t hurt each other but this one seemed to not give a fuck about friendly fire. Channeling my mana through G?kb?r¨¹, we coated the battlefield in a slick sheet of ice. The smaller monsters around us skidded, some collapsing as their legs went out from under them. But the real target was the charging behemoth. Its massive body, driven by blind rage, was too cumbersome to stop in time. When it hit the ice, its momentum worked against it, and the creature slid uncontrollably, plowing through the ranks of its own allies.
Smaller beasts screeched and scattered, but it was too late for many of them. The monster¡¯s bulk slammed into them, snapping limbs and crushing spines beneath its weight. Quills, fangs, and blood flew everywhere as the beast¡¯s path became a whirlwind of destruction, wiping out anything unlucky enough to be in its way.
Artemeni, picking up on my plan, darted forward, her spear ready. She didn¡¯t attack the rhino beast directly but instead focused on funneling other creatures into its path. Each thrust of her spear drove smaller monsters toward the charging behemoth, where they met a gruesome end beneath its stomping feet.
As the monster skidded to a stop, surrounded by the broken bodies of its own allies, I seized the moment. With a surge of mana, I manifested a copy of the enlarged Wurm-Scale Earthshaker, its weight barely contained in my hands. Coated in maximum amounts of Armor Collapsing Claw, I brought it down. The Wurm-Scale Earthshaker slammed into the beast¡¯s side with a resounding crash, and the impact sent shockwaves through the battlefield. The massive club, amplified by Armor Collapsing Claw and Monstrous Strength, tore through the rhino-like creature¡¯s dense armor, shattering its thick plating with a sickening crunch. A deep, gaping wound opened along its side as blood gushed from the creature, and for the first time, it let out a bellow of pain.
"Artemeni, now!" I shouted, my voice raw with adrenaline.
Without hesitation, Artemeni darted in again, her spear glowing with intense mana as she aimed for the wound I had created. She drove her weapon into the exposed flesh with deadly precision, twisting the spearhead deep into the creature¡¯s side. Another cry of agony tore from the beast as it buckled under the combined force of our assault.
(Monstrous Strength ended. You will not concur any penalties as you acquired a body fit for it.)
As the creature died, I fell down to my knees, ending Beastification. Damn. The stamina drain was too much.
¡°Not now.¡±
I growled as more monsters exited out of the mist. But I felt a familiar warmth on my back. It was Thalia.
¡°We will take this from here.¡±
216-Trial of Darkness, Trial of Self
(You completed Trial of Unrelenting Onslaught.)
(Rating party¡¯s performance¡)
(B+)
(You were awarded with the key item Stone Key of Toughness.)
(You were awarded with the Box of Unbroken Boulder.)
(You will be transported back in 60 seconds.)
The system notifications blinked in my vision as I collapsed onto one knee, sucking in ragged breaths. My whole body ached¡ªevery muscle, every bone¡ªbut a wave of relief washed over me. We had done it. We finished the probably the hardest trial. But B+ huh? Not bad, I guess. It stung a little that we hadn''t reached higher, but after the absolute chaos of that battle, I wasn''t complaining.
The Stone Key of Toughness and Box of Unbroken Boulder appeared in front of me. I put them into my Shadow Storage to later inspect. I glanced over at the others. Artemeni leaned heavily on her spear, her shoulders rising and falling with deep breaths. G?kb?r¨¹ was by her side, trying to eat as much as of the monsters before we got transported back. Aurora had collapsed to the ground, sitting back with a satisfied but exhausted grin.
As the notification indicated, we had 60 seconds before we were transported back to the altars. I clapped my hands together.
¡°Alright. Good job everyone. We will be resting now. Let¡¯s cook some food.¡±
Aurora groaned softly as she stretched her arms, clearly still exhausted.
¡°You can stomach a meal after all that carnage?¡±
I chuckled.
¡°Yes.¡±
G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s attention immediately shifted at the mention of food, his ears perking up as he sniffed the air. Artemeni, leaning heavily on her spear, gave a tired smile. ¡°I could use a good meal right about now.¡±
¡°If Poyraz cooks I also want it.¡±
Blanche said, causing others to turn to her. Guess she acquired a taste for my cooking after our previous adventure. I walked over to one of the nearby stone slabs, pulling out a few provisions from my Shadow Storage. I weighed them in my hands, thinking of a quick and easy-to-made meal. Aurora snapped her fingers, creating a fire. As the fire crackled and the aroma of the cooking food filled the air, I leaned back against one of the altars, finally allowing myself to relax. I pulled The Stone Key of Toughness to inspect.
(Locked)
(Locked)
(Can only be used after conquering the first floor of War God¡¯s Battle Area.)
(Key Item)
(Put it in its respective altar to complete the first floor.)
I would, after completing the rest of the trials.
The scent of sizzling meat filled the air, mixing with the earthy aroma of the battlefield around us. I flipped the skewers, watching as the fat dripped onto the flames, sending sparks into the air. There was something calming about cooking after a fight. After everyone ate their share, I pulled the box out of my storage to see if it contained something that could help us.
It was a heavy heavy-looking chest with a stone exterior, seemingly indestructible. Artemeni glanced over my shoulder at the box. ¡°Think it''ll be something good?¡±
¡°Only one way to find out.¡±
Things inside were good indeed.
I opened the box and was not disappointed. Inside was a greatsword named Boulder Cleaver, boasting a power rating of 25 and two options. I handed it to Artemeni as a backup to her spear. I also gave her a skill book for Rockskin Stance, which she learned on the spot.
Next was the Tectonic Core, a head-sized sphere with intricate runes etched into its surface. It had the ability to summon a golem. I passed it to Aurora for her to study.
The Mantle of the Unbroken, a light but sturdy piece of armor, came next. It had solid defense and granted the wearer the ability to strike twice as hard after being hit. Blanche received that, her eyes lighting up in approval.
Then there was the Potion of Iron Will, a potion that blocked status effects. I handed that to Thalia since she could remove negative effects from others. She would save us if we got hit by an area-wide debuff. I also gave her the Unyielding Boulder Charm, a defense-boosting trinket that could create a protective shield. Since Thalia had the least combat ability in our group, giving her extra protection made sense.
Lastly, the box contained various gems and lesser potions, useful but not noteworthy compared to the rest of the items.
¡°Bark!¡±
I looked at G?kb?r¨¹.
¡°What? You don¡¯t need items.¡±
¡°Bark!¡±
¡°Fine. Fine.¡±
I said, tossing him a chunk of well-done meat from the fire. G?kb?r¨¹ snapped it out of the air, gnawing on it with satisfaction.
¡°Which trial will we next take?¡±
Blanche asked, coming closer and petting G?kb?r¨¹.
¡°Trial of Eternal Night but G?kb?r¨¹ and I will be taking it while you guys rest.¡±
I closed my eyes as soon as I said it and waited for the rest of my team to ask to join me. Just like many times before, Thalia was the first one to do so.
¡°We can still join you, Champion. We are already well rested.¡±
Thalia folded her arms, her brow furrowed in mild disapproval.
¡°Same here, Champion. I am itching to try out my new weapon.¡±
Artemeni quickly followed her. Aurora and Blanche, being more rational looked at me like they were expecting an explanation.
¡°My skill kit is enough for this trial. Both G?kb?r¨¹ and I can see in the darkness. We can also turn into shadows to combat beings that are made of shadows. This is not a decision I made with emotions. I simply calculated that my strength is fit to complete this trial by myself.¡±
G?kb?r¨¹ barked angrly.
"With G?kb?r¨¹."
I corrected myself. I met their eyes in turn, appreciating their concern but knowing this trial would suit my abilities best. Darkness wasn¡¯t just an element to fight against¡ªit was something I had learned to embrace, mold, and manipulate. This trial would be more efficient with just G?kb?r¨¹ and me. My mana reserves, though taxed, would recover by the time we got there, and in shadowy environments, my skills would be at their peak.
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¡°If I haven¡¯t returned in 2 hours, go into the other trials. Aurora, you will be the lead.¡±
I stood and stretched before touching the altar. G?kb?r¨¹ finished his meal, licking his chops with contentment before trotting to my side.
The world around us warped, dark tendrils of energy wrapping around my body and pulling me into the next trial. The light from the fire and the faces of my companions faded, replaced by absolute darkness.
(You entered Trial of Eternal Night. Navigate the labyrinth and reach the end.)
A notification rang in my mind, and I immediately took in my surroundings.
¡°Hmm. This is less than optimal.¡±
Even though I was borrowing G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s Enhanced Senses and had my Night Vision, my vision range wasn¡¯t very large. The darkness in here must be magical, like the one created by a fallen elf back in Mother Tree. I was glad that I didn¡¯t bring my companions with me. They probably wouldn¡¯t even be able to see their noses.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹, give me some lightning.¡±
G?kb?r¨¹ let out a low growl, electricity crackling around his fur as tiny arcs of lightning flickered in the suffocating darkness. However, it did nothing to help me see.
¡°Just like the info. Light sources are useless here.¡±
Well, at least I had a good place to train my Night Vision. It was stuck at B rank for some time.
¡°Let¡¯s move,¡± I whispered, my voice barely more than a breath. Together, we started walking, our footsteps echoing softly against the cold stone floor. Every turn felt the same, every pathway identical to the last. Without G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s enhanced senses, I¡¯d have probably already been lost.
As we ventured deeper, a faint sound reached my ears. A soft, rhythmic scraping, like something being dragged across the stone. I halted, causing G?kb?r¨¹ to stop too. The sound grew closer, accompanied by what sounded like tens of people whispering at the same time. I tried to focus on what was being said or where it exactly came from but it was useless. It came from everywhere and nowhere all at once.
I waited for any signs of a hostile being. Ready to dodge and counterattack. But after I stood as still as I could for a minute nothing came. I unclenched my jaw and realized that I was clenching my jaw hard enough to cause my gums to bleed. Was I that stressed out? It made no sense. Was I under some kind of status effect? It was a possibility but my resistance towards them, especially against mental ones was massive. I also didn¡¯t get a notification.
¡
Wait. What were the notifications and what were those so-called abnormal status effects? For example, I¡¯d never gotten a notification for things like regular bleeding. Yet when Aldric inflicted me with Exsanguination, I did. Why the difference? Both were forms of blood loss, weren¡¯t they? Was the system selective about what it categorized as an "abnormal status effect"?
It started to click.
Maybe it wasn¡¯t just the effect itself but how the effect was applied. When Aldric cast Exsanguination, it wasn¡¯t just causing blood loss¡ªit was a magically reinforced curse designed to accelerate and amplify the process. The system only seemed to recognize and notify me of effects that were bound to magical constructs or supernatural sources. Normal bleeding? It happened through natural damage¡ªan injury causing blood to flow out. The system didn¡¯t interfere with mundane processes like that. But when magic, curses, or any supernatural forces came into play, the system flagged it as abnormal and notified me.
But what about now? Why I was this scared and on edge?
¡°Perhaps.¡±
This trial¡ What if it wasn¡¯t about inflicting some status effect but rather amplifying natural feelings? It didn¡¯t need to break my mind or invade my willpower like some curse or mental attack. It simply nudged at what was already there, beneath the surface. Anxiety, fear of the unknown, the primal human instinct to recoil from darkness and danger¡ªthose were normal. Even with all my training and experience, those feelings still existed deep within me. My logic controlled them. My discipline suppressed them. But what if this place was designed to weaken that control, to awaken those dormant emotions?
It wasn¡¯t an invasion of my mind, not like a spell or status effect I could resist. It was like watching a horror movie late at night¡ªa gradual, creeping fear that thrived on my own natural instincts. Something subtle, a constant whisper in the back of my thoughts that said, Be afraid.
¡°And how one can defend against it?¡±
I asked myself. I couldn¡¯t just break out of it by putting mana into it. The only defence I seemed to have was my passive skill Iron Will but G?kb?r¨¹ didn¡¯t have that and I could feel his stress too. Plus, I just couldn¡¯t go on like this.
¡°Okay, let¡¯s try this.¡±
I closed my eyes. Not that I could see a lot of things anyway. Recalling my experience with Ancestors, I tried to focus on my soul, mind, and self. If something really was touching them, I could feel and dispel it and since G?kb?r¨¹ and I were bonded in theory I could do it for both of us.
I took a deep breath, reaching deep within myself as I focused on the core of my being. My thoughts shifted inward, seeking the boundary between my mind, soul, and body. It was subtle¡ªalmost imperceptible¡ªbut there, in the recesses of my mind, I sensed a faint disturbance. Like a thread of anxiety being tugged, pulling at my nerves with every echo of the darkness.
I concentrated harder, visualizing the tangled web of fear and unease that had been growing since we entered this trial. It wasn¡¯t a foreign entity or curse¡ªjust something gently amplifying what already existed inside me. I had to actively push it away as if I were calming my own turbulent thoughts.
I extended my focus to G?kb?r¨¹, our bond allowing me to reach his consciousness. His stress mirrored mine¡ªnatural instincts of fear heightened by the oppressive darkness. I steadied myself and, with a mental nudge, sent a wave of calm across our link. Slowly, his erratic breathing leveled out, and the tension in his posture eased.
I opened my eyes and the grasp I had on the edges of my being disappeared like sand in the wind, causing the anxiety to return.
¡°Fuck.¡±
217-Walls of Willpower
¡°Okay, G?kb?r¨¹. Here is our problem.¡±
I sat cross-legged on the floor, in complete darkness. I couldn¡¯t fully discern whether the stone I sat on was wet or just cold.
¡°If I don¡¯t focus on the edge of my being, I can¡¯t stop this anxiety from flooding inside me.¡±
I coughed at my phrasing.
¡°But to do that I need to stay still and focus which means I can¡¯t move.¡±
G?kb?r¨¹ tilted his head side to side, looking at me with beady eyes. I could feel that he was as puzzled as me. I sighed, rubbing my temples.
"Exactly. If I focus on holding back the fear, I can''t move forward. But if I try to move forward, I can''t keep the fear at bay."
It was a maddening loop. G?kb?r¨¹ whined softly, his eyes glowing faintly in the oppressive darkness. He sat beside me, licking his paw, occasionally glancing around as if expecting something to jump out of the shadows. His natural instincts were just as on edge as mine.
¡°Jaguar Ancestor could do it while sparring against me like it was as easy as breathing. So it should be possible for me to do it while moving.¡±
Except I wasn¡¯t some thousands-year-old divine being. I sighed and closed my eyes. Obviously, I knew what this trial was before coming here. But I told myself that I could see in the darkness and resist status effects.
¡°Alright. No use sitting here.¡±
I got up slowly.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹, do you know what is the scariest part of horror movies?¡±
He tilted his head to the side once again.
¡°The music and the anticipation!¡±
I grinned, remembering one of the most ridiculous songs from the modern world¡ªthe circus song. Somehow, the upbeat, chaotic tune of Entry of the Gladiators wormed its way into my mind. It was ridiculous, almost laughable, but that¡¯s what I needed.
¡°There are no monsters in darkness waiting to eat my ass!¡±
I yelled into the void, arms spread wide.
With a startled yelp, G?kb?r¨¹ was scooped up into my arms, his eyes wide with confusion. Without hesitation, I began sprinting into the darkness, his warm body pressed against me as we dashed forward.
What I was trying to do was change the ¡°genre¡± I felt I was in. Like how Buggs Bunny did when he faced monsters. Simply be silly. If I become so full of silliness and childish glee, I could push down the anxiety being reinforced by the trial deeper inside.
I nearly slammed into a wall as my range of vision was only several meters but I managed to push myself off it and keep running. G?kb?r¨¹ was enjoying the speeds we were traveling in, despite our close calls with the walls.
As I sprinted into the darkness, the absurdity of my own actions made me laugh out loud, breaking the eerie silence of the labyrinth. The oppressive atmosphere seemed to retreat, just slightly as if taken aback by the ridiculousness of my approach. G?kb?r¨¹''s fur tickled my arm as he squirmed, his confusion turned to excitement. His playful barks echoed off the unseen walls, adding to the chaotic energy I was building.
Yet even as we ran, a small part of me stayed aware of the underlying truth¡ªthe trial was affecting us both. Even as I laughed and G?kb?r¨¹ barked in excitement, I could make out whispers of something on my neck. Something, someone was so close to touching my hair, grabbing my cloak.
It was just behind me.
I didn¡¯t look.
There was nothing there. The sensation of a dry and wrinkled hand touching me was just my brain. The hot breath I felt on my neck was just my paranoia.
There is nothing there. I had no reason to look back.
It will grab me.
If I looked back, I would just be reinforcing the sensation.
It is going to kill me.
I tried to let out another laugh but it got stuck on my throat.
My breath hitched as the imaginary hand gripped tighter around my neck. I slowed down for just a second, my steps faltering as the oppressive fear began to seep back into my bones. The childish glee, the circus song in my head, the ridiculousness¡ªit was all slipping away, like sand through my fingers.
¡°No, no, no,¡± I muttered, desperately clinging to the laughter. I forced a smile, even though my legs felt like lead.
G?kb?r¨¹ barked, sensing my hesitation. He wriggled in my arms, pawing at my chest, his sharp claws digging into my skin just enough to snap me out of the downward spiral. His eyes were wide, filled with a primal understanding. He could feel it too¡ªthe presence that wasn¡¯t really there, but also was.
I swallowed hard. ¡°Right. Can¡¯t stop. Keep going.¡±
I picked up the pace again, my legs screaming in protest as I pushed forward through the darkness. My breaths came out ragged, and uneven, but I forced myself to focus on the rhythm of my steps, the weight of G?kb?r¨¹ in my arms, and the sound of his heartbeat syncing with mine.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.The fear was trying to close in again, but I couldn¡¯t let it. I couldn¡¯t give it that foothold.
I forced the ridiculous circus song back into my head, humming it under my breath. It sounded hollow and thin, but it was something. I had to stay ahead of whatever was creeping behind me, even if it was just in my mind.
Then, just as I began to think I could outrun it, the whispers came. Soft, barely audible, like someone speaking just out of reach. They slithered into my ears, twisting and curling around my thoughts. My heart raced, and my mind screamed at me to stop, to turn around, to face whatever was behind me.
No. Don¡¯t look.
A thousand eyes are watching you.
Hungry for your warmth, your mana, your life.
G?kb?r¨¹ curled into a ball in my arms, whimpering and shaking. I fell down on my knees, my greaves scraping loudly against the stone. I closed my eyes to focus on my being again.
Open your eyes.
They are here.
Just in front of you.
Slithering and crawling towards you.
I opened my eyes. Just for a second. I will open my eyes and see that there is nothing.
Except, there was something. Something that made my legs lose what little power they had. My eyes widened in disbelief. Just a few meters ahead I saw them¡ªcountless eyes, pale and lidless, staring back at me. They blinked in unison, their gaze unwavering and predatory, like wolves circling prey, they¡¯d already claimed. My breath caught in my throat, the air growing thick, too thick, as if the darkness itself was choking me.
I should been relieved. Like how some watching a horror movie would let their breath go after the monster reveals itself. I should been relieved that I had entities I could fight and kill, yet, yet¡
My body refused to respond. My legs, trembling and numb from the creeping terror, felt like they were anchored to the ground. G?kb?r¨¹ barked weakly in my arms, his tiny body shivering uncontrollably. He was strong, but even he couldn''t resist the trial''s overwhelming force. The fear gnawed at us both, a relentless hunger that sought to devour not just our bodies but our will to fight.
¡°Fuck that.¡±
I slammed my head to the stone beneath us with force enough to draw blood and crack it. The pain somehow helped me to forget my fear. I took a deep breath, digging deep into the well of mana that roared within me. Summoning my sacred sword, I channeled it full of mana before releasing it with Mana Erupt. A surge of violet energy flared to life around me, crackling like wildfire in the night. But the moment it touched the monsters, it disappeared.
¡°Wha- What?¡±
The eyes in the darkness blinked, their pale glow reflecting my confusion and frustration. My attack had no effect as if the very space around these creatures swallowed the energy whole. G?kb?r¨¹ whimpered louder, his paws scratching against my chest in panic, but I couldn''t move. I couldn''t feel my limbs. The air was thick with an unnatural pressure, something heavier than just fear¡ªit was despair, a force that gripped my heart and squeezed.
"This... this can''t be right," I muttered, trying to make sense of the situation. But I just couldn¡¯t focus. The whispers were too loud. My heart was beating too thunderously. I had to silence it. I had to draw my focus somewhere else.
I grabbed my right pinky finger with my left hand and broke it with a sharp move. The sharp pain shot through my hand like a burst of lightning, momentarily drowning out the whispers and the oppressive weight of despair. I gasped, my body jerking as my mind cleared just enough to break the hold the fear had on me. The pain was grounding¡ªraw, real, something tangible I could focus on instead of the invisible terror gnawing at my sanity. Using that momentum, I closed my eyes and focused on finding the edges of my own being.
Slowly, I pulled my awareness away from the oppressive whispers and the thousand watching eyes, drawing it inward, to the very edge of my being.
Focus. Focus on the core. Block everything else.
The pressure on my mind lessened just a fraction as I honed in on my own presence. I could feel the fear still pressing in, like a storm trying to break through a fortress wall, but it was outside me now, not consuming me. The edges of my soul, where that anxiety tried to seep in, were clearer. Sharper.
(Unwavering Focus ranked up to C rank. Your mastery of concentration has significantly improved, allowing you to maintain clarity of thought and purpose even in the most chaotic of battles.)
(You acquired the passive skill Soulboundry Awareness.)
I could clearly see the feelings trying to wriggle inside my mind now. I pushed them out and the whispers stopped. The creatures vanished out of my sight as if they never existed at all. I walked forward and navigated the labrything.
(You completed the trial of Eternal Night.)
(Rating party¡¯s performance¡)
(A-)
218-Into the Arrow Storm
(Cloak of Midnight)
(Key Item)
I exited the second trial with the second key item in my hand and the reward box in my storage. Thalia was the first one to notice me. Her eyes widened, flickering with a mixture of pride and relief. ¡°You did it,¡± she said, a hint of satisfaction softening her usually worried features. Of course that quickly changed when she noticed my swollen forehead and broken pinky.
¡°Ow.¡±
She touched it, causing me to groan in pain.
¡°I am sorry. I will be treating it right away.¡±
A soft, warm sensation washed over my forehead, her mana humming through her fingertips as she knitted flesh and bone with practiced care.
¡°It almost looks like a horn. What kind of being was in that trial to cause this much damage to you, Champion?¡±
Artemeni remarked.
¡°I did it to myself.¡±
I answered, drawing in worried looks.
¡°The trial had mind-altering effects. Had to snap it out somehow.¡±
Thalia gave me a disapproving glare before sighing.
¡°Champion, I understand that your ability to heal is beyond many of us but that doesn¡¯t mean you should get used to taking damage. No matter what skill or title you have, a body¡¯s ability to regenerate slows down when it takes damage back to back in a short amount of time. We can¡¯t have you fall unconscious in the middle of an expedition, can we?¡±
She pressed down on my wound as if to emphasize her point.
¡°I understand.¡±
She offered me a smile that was half-approval, half-relief. I held up the Cloak of Midnight, admiring the dark, almost liquid fabric as it shifted in my hands. Its texture was cool to the touch, yet it seemed to move like shadow-given form, slipping through my fingers like mist.
¡°This looks like something you would wear, Champion.¡±
Aurora came closer to inspect the item.
¡°Yeah, it looks like that. Shame I can¡¯t really equip any armor with my Spark. Plus, it can only be used after clearing the first floor.¡±
I laid it on the altar before pulling the reward box.
¡°I think they are a little bit too specific for our use.¡±
Blanche, who was examining the items with me said. I nodded along. Nearly all the items had something to do with shadows and stealth which wasn¡¯t really a good fit for others.
¡°It is not like we can claim ownership over any of this. You were the one who did all the work.¡±
She added.
¡°You shouldn¡¯t think like that. We are a team. There is no I or you here.¡±
She raised her eyebrows slightly before turning away. But before she could turn, I saw a smile blossoming on her face.
¡°If you guys don¡¯t want it, I will be learning this.¡±
I lifted the skill book containing ¡°Enhanced Perception¡±. Everyone gave me their approval and I absorbed it.
(You acquired passive skill Enhanced Perception.)
(Enhanced Perception refines the user''s ability to process sensory information. This skill heightens the mind''s capacity to analyze and interpret surroundings.)
Perhaps thanks to my newly acquired Soul Boundry Awareness, I was able to sense how the skill book worked. It ¡°uploaded¡± the records that made up the book into my soul. Or at least that¡¯s how I interpreted the process.
As the effects of the skill book settled, I could feel a newfound sharpness creeping into my awareness, as if the world itself had become crisper, each detail clearer. I took a breath, letting the enhanced perception sharpen the edges of everything around me. It was subtle, but every movement, sound, and shadow felt more defined.
¡°This is different than Enhanced Senses.¡±
I made a fist, perceiving how the muscles and joints moved. It wasn¡¯t like I was being blasted by more information like when I borrowed Enhanced Senses. It was simply that I was able to understand what I was sensing more clearly.
¡°I wonder¡¡±
I borrowed Enhanced Senses to see how well both of them would go but¡
¡°Ugh.¡±
The amplified perception crashed into me like a wave, flooding my mind with too much at once. Every sound, every flicker of light, even the faintest scent in the air became overwhelming, the layering of Enhanced Senses with Enhanced Perception pushing my mind to its limit. My head throbbed as I struggled to process it all, a sharp pain shooting through my temples.
Despite the sensation of a dagger being thrust into my brain, I didn¡¯t stop borrowing Enhanced Senses. Gritting my teeth, I tried to focus and somehow make sense of all the information flooding in my head. While I was semi-successful, the ache squeezing my head tightly grew too much to bear and I released Enhanced Senses.
¡°That¡was intense,¡± I muttered, feeling a cold bead of sweat trace down my temple. I shook my head and drank some water.
¡°Alright, enough messing around. We are going into the next trial. Oh, by the way, how long I was in the trial?¡±
I got up and stretched. My body made a lot of noise but it was something I was used to.
¡°Around an hour.¡±
Blanche answered.
¡°Eh. Not bad, not good.¡±
With a newfound clarity lingering in my mind, I looked at my companions. Thalia was carefully wrapping up my hand, her fingers gentle but firm, while Aurora was adjusting the straps of her gear, her expression focused. Blanche, having regained her composure, stood nearby.
¡°Alright, let¡¯s move out,¡± I said, shaking off the residual pain. ¡°We have trials to conquer.¡±
I put my hand to the altar of the Trial of the Arrow Storm. The world around me shifted, and the altars and darkness surrounding us were replaced by a windswept expanse of golden plains under a bright sun. The random change in light level caused my eyes to hurt.
(Reach to the statue to complete the trial while avoiding projectiles.)
I looked around. No archers or mechanisms that would fire arrows were anywhere to be found. The only things out of the ordinary were several straight lines drawn on the ground and a stone statue of what I assumed was something divine one to two kilometers away from us. It was probably our target.
¡°I see. Those must be the ¡°breakthroughs¡± info mentioned.¡±
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.I clapped my hands.
¡°When we step past the first line, the arrows will start raining on us. But first I want to try Shadow Walking there. It is far away but it is worth a try.¡±
I closed my eyes and melted into the shadows.
¡°Of course, it wouldn¡¯t be so easy.¡±
Not a second later, I exited the same place I was at a second ago.
¡°Some kind of static is stopping me. What about you guys, Aurora, Blanche?¡±
Both of them could teleport but they shook their head simultaneously.
I shrugged, trying to keep things light. ¡°It was worth testing out.¡±
I motioned for everyone to step back as I put the chain of my sacred sword around my waist and gave the other end to Artemeni. "I''ll try going past the first line alone. If something happens, it¡¯ll be easier to react without all of us tangled in the mess."
Taking a breath, I crossed the first line. And then, from the far horizon, arrows began to appear, flickers of dark steel against the bright sky. They were fast¡ªinhumanly so¡ªand their numbers multiplied until they filled the air in a continuous onslaught. I extended my hand out, grabbing them until I couldn¡¯t hold them all. I chuckled myself.
¡°You can make some money out of selling them.¡±
As if to fuck with me, the arrows dissolved into mist the moment I said that. I sighed and dodged the next volley. They were fast, that much was true but I trained with elves.
¡°You have to step up.¡±
I started to run. As I sprinted forward, each step barely outpacing the barrage of arrows, I found the rhythm of arrows being fired even without Enhanced Senses. It was probably thanks to Enhanced Perception, Combat Sense, and borrowed Combat Instincts. I could trace each arrow¡¯s arc, almost like seeing the future in fractured pieces.
Once I got past the second line I realized something: the arrows were changing. They began to shift direction mid-flight, tracking my movements with unnerving accuracy. So much for seeing the future, I guess.
¡°Champion!¡± Thalia¡¯s voice called out. She was tense, watching, but stayed back as I had asked. I could feel her worry, even from this distance.
¡°It is fine.¡±
I spat out with gritted teeth as three arrows bounced off my gauntlet after I channeled extra mana into it. Despite my caution, I felt the impact in my bones. I could use Shadow Melt to cause them to pass through me harmlessly but G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s instincts told me that it would work one time only. My experience also told me the same. If only a skill could make this trial a cakewalk, it wouldn¡¯t be seen as this difficult of a dungeon.
I pushed forward, weaving between the torrents of arrows, each volley growing smarter, more insistent as if reacting to my movements. I wasn''t just dodging projectiles; it felt like I was playing a deadly game of chess against an unseen intelligence.
Reaching the third line, I paused, catching my breath. My armor was dented in places where arrows had managed to graze me, and the gauntlet still throbbed from that earlier impact. The arrows had become even more complex here, spiraling and ricocheting in unpredictable ways.
¡°I can¡¯t believe they have guided missiles here.¡±
I braced myself and sprinted forward again, this time incorporating feints and sudden directional changes to throw off their aim. The arrows reacted, faltering for split seconds, but only barely. Finally, at the fourth line, I noticed the pace slowing until it stopped completely. I narrowed my eyes. I halted for a moment, listening and scanning the terrain.
¡°This is wrong.¡±
I could hear something cutting through the air. But I couldn-
¡°Grh!¡±
I couldn¡¯t even form a clear thought before getting in three places, my forearm, chest, and thigh. Artemeni was quick to pull me back.
¡°Fucking shit. They are invisible now.¡±
Thalia was at my side in an instant, her face tight with concern as she pressed her hands to my forearm, her healing mana working to close the wounds. ¡°Champion, we need a different strategy. If the arrows are invisible now, just dodging won¡¯t be enough.¡±
Aurora knelt beside me, her eyes scanning the field with a quiet intensity. ¡°It¡¯s more than invisibility. The arrows shifted as you progressed, almost as if they were watching you and changing in response. I wonder if there¡¯s a way to disrupt that awareness¡ Maybe if we divide its attention?¡±
Blanche chimed in, tapping her chin thoughtfully. ¡°I think Aurora¡¯s right. Each line you crossed intensified the trial, but it might also reset if we can break its rhythm. We could stagger our crossing, making it focus on multiple targets.¡±
I nodded, testing my leg as Thalia finished with her healing. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go with that plan. But be cautious; once you hit the third line, the arrows start homing in. Stay alert for that shift.¡±
With everyone ready, we moved into position. Artemeni took the first step, crossing the initial line and triggering the volley of arrows. As they began to rain down, I advanced as well, staying one line behind her. The moment I crossed, the arrows¡¯ behavior shifted again, splitting between us, though they didn¡¯t home in yet. Blanche followed suit, creating three staggered targets, and we moved as a team, each line slowing the trial¡¯s adaptations.
¡°Keep moving!¡± I called out, dodging a close shot that nicked my shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s working, but don¡¯t slow down!¡±
When we reached the third line, I felt the familiar shift as the arrows began to arc and spiral, tracking my movements again. The others were still ahead, the trial dividing its attention between us. My Enhanced Perception helped me catch the faint shimmer of an arrow as it veered in my direction, and I narrowly sidestepped, the increased awareness steadying my breath even in the chaos.
I gritted my teeth, using the Ferocity of Wolf King to reach and pass others. I could regenerate better than them so I had to be one to be one to test out the new bullshit this trial was about to throw at us. I focused on the noise and the vibrations in the air to dodge invisible arrows or just tanked them by focusing my mana on my gauntlets.
Despite the pain increasing as I moved further, I pressed on. I passed one more line and the noise and vibrations stopped. Alarm bells started to ring in my head but I couldn¡¯t stop now. The statue was closer than ever, and I drew on every ounce of strength I had left, allowing Ferocity of Wolf King to stack higher. I could feel the frenzy building, my reflexes sharpening further. I dropped into a lower stance, weaving and ducking around the faintest disturbances in the air but something hit me, throwing me back.
Two more pierced my stomach, none of my senses being able to detect them before they hit me.
¡°What the fuck?¡±
Their power must also be doubled since they were able to pierce deep inside my organs. I tasted iron as Blanche jumped in front of me and erected an ice shield. But it was futile. Both of us were hit by something and thrown away. Did it curve around the ice wall? No, I didn¡¯t hear or sense it!
219-Trial of the Phased Arrow
I felt Artemeni¡¯s strong grip pull me back along with Blanche.
¡°Oi, wait!¡±
It was a second late when I noticed she wasn¡¯t exactly pulling us back, she was throwing us back.
¡°Sorry, Champion.¡±
Before I grasped what was happening, I was flying in the air towards Thalia and Aurora. Air whipped past, and my stomach lurched; for a brief moment, the ground loomed, threatening a rough landing. Thankfully, neither of us fell to the ground since Aurora managed to catch us before we ate the ground. She slowly lowered us as Thalia started to heal our wounds.
¡°Ouch.¡±
I grabbed and pulled the arrows stuck in my body despite the protests of Thalia. It was faster that way. More painful too but something distracted me from my pain. These arrows weren¡¯t invisible, like the previous ones. The invisible ones remained invisible even after hitting me but those ones I could see¡
I looked at the ice wall Blanche erected to defend us. It had no cracks or holes. Did the arrows curve around it? I looked back at the wounds I received. No, the angle was wrong. If they curved around the wall the entry point wouldn¡¯t be so straight. It was almost like they were intangible¡
Hold up.
¡°Aurora. I need to brainstorm.¡±
Aurora¡¯s brow furrowed, but she nodded, setting me down with a slight tilt of her head. ¡°Brainstorm away.¡±
I held one of the arrows up, studying it closely. The shaft was cold to the touch, and although it seemed solid now, there was something unsettling about it. I glanced back at the ice wall Blanche had raised. Not a single scratch. My stomach twisted as a thought started to form.
¡°1- I can¡¯t see the arrows but they are not like the invisible arrows. Those ones remained invisible after hitting us.¡±
¡°2- They don¡¯t disturb the air or make noise while traveling.¡±
¡°3- They bypass any shield we use.¡±
Aurora¡¯s eyes narrowed as she listened. Thalia glanced at me, her hands still aglow with healing light as she stitched up the remaining wounds. ¡°So what¡¯s your theory, Champion?¡± she asked an edge of worry in her voice.
I held up the arrow, twisting it under the light. ¡°If they aren¡¯t invisible and aren¡¯t just curving around defenses, that means they¡¯re likely¡ intangible. They¡¯re ignoring physical barriers because they¡¯re passing through them until they make contact with flesh.¡± I paused, the weight of the realization settling in. ¡°These arrows don¡¯t exist in a fully material form until they hit a target¡ªalmost as if they¡¯re in a suspended state.¡±
Aurora¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°So¡ they phase through anything until they detect a body?¡±
¡°Exactly,¡± I said, feeling the pieces click together. ¡°It¡¯s why they¡¯re undetectable until they hit us. They don¡¯t create vibrations or air disturbance because they¡¯re not technically moving through our plane until they touch flesh. They¡¯re almost like¡ delayed materializations, only taking physical form once they¡¯re certain they¡¯re hitting something solid.¡±
Thalia¡¯s brow furrowed in concentration, her hands momentarily pausing over my wounds. ¡°If they can phase through barriers, then the usual shields are useless. And if we don¡¯t know they¡¯re coming¡¡±
I glanced at Blanche and then back at the others. ¡°We¡¯ll need to think differently to counter them. One way would be stacking every defensive buff and tanking the hi-¡°
Thalia¡¯s hands gripped me tighter and tighter.
¡°Of course, that would be our last option.¡±
She released her grip ever so slightly.. Aurora¡¯s lips thinned as she stared at the arrow in my hand. "Could we create some kind of field or pulse to force them to materialize? If we can make them take shape earlier, it might expose their trajectory."
Blanche, who had been observing with a calculating gleam in her eye, nodded. "That could work but we do not know how its mechanism works.¡±
I stood up, my wounds sealed now.
¡°Blanche, can you move?¡±
Blanche gave me a nod, though her face was strained with effort. "I can move," she replied, determination flickering in her eyes.
¡°What will you do, Champion?¡±
Aurora quickly interjected, moving in front of me to stop me from moving without a plan.
¡°We will get to intangable arrow range together. After that, I will use Enhanced Senses and Enhanced Perception to detect and Shadow Melt the moment they materialize. I probably can do it one or two times. It should be enough. Thalia, buffs please.¡±
Thalia¡¯s hands began to glow brighter, her lips murmuring incantations under her breath. My skin prickled as a surge of energy filled me¡ªmy senses sharpened, strength and reflexes heightened, while my muscles hummed with borrowed power. I caught Blanche¡¯s eye and gave her a nod; whatever she had left in her reserves would need to be enough.
¡°Ready, Champion,¡± Thalia said, her voice low but steady. Her buffs settled over me like a mantle, reinforcing every nerve and muscle.
Blanche and I moved forward, advancing with careful steps towards the intangibility zone, that line where these arrows would begin to phase in. After understanding the gimmicks, it wasn¡¯t that hard to dodge curving and invisible arrows.
¡°Fall back.¡±
I shouted as we arrived at the zone. I activated both of my skills and massive amounts of information slammed into my brain. The second my senses kicked in, the world around me exploded into sensation, every detail amplified a hundredfold. And there, I felt something brush into my skin. It was in my chest. I engaged Shadow Melt, vanishing into the shadows right before they could pierce my chest. The arrow passed through me harmlessly as I kept running forward.
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.One more stung my shoulder. Once again, I melted into shadows to dodge.
¡°Almost there!¡±
I had 100 meters or so more. I could close it in around a second. But something was on the horizon. An arrow coated with light, a counter against my Shadow Melt.
¡°It won¡¯t work!¡±
Fusing more mana into my gauntlet, I extended it to the side but I felt a stinging sensation at the same time. An arrow was about to materialize and pierce the same hand I was using to slap away the light-coated arrow.
¡°Shit.¡±
I had to make a split-second choice. I either Shadow Melt to dodge materializing but take the light-infused one or vice versa.
I gritted my teeth and took the materializing arrow through my arm. The pain was immediate and searing, like fire coursing through my veins, but it wasn¡¯t enough to stop me. I forced myself to keep moving, my feet digging to the ground. ¡°Keep going, Champion!¡± Aurora urged her voice a beacon of encouragement.
With a final burst of speed, I surged forward, aiming to touch the statue and end the trial. The world narrowed to just me, the pain, and the goal ahead.
Then I reached out, fingers brushing against the cold stone of the statue.
(Enhanced Perception ranked up to D rank. Your senses sharpen notably, providing you with a greater depth of awareness in both sight and sound.)
(You completed Trial of the Arrow Storm.)
(Rating party¡¯s performance¡)
(B-)
The air around us settled, the furious onslaught of arrows finally ceasing. I was left panting, my body aching from the trials¡¯ relentless assault.
(Returning back to the altar in 60 seconds.)
I lifted the key item in my hand. It was an arrow reminiscent of a lightning bolt.
¡°Champion! Champion!¡±
I turned around to others, blood dripping out of my nose. At the same time just like a TV being turned off, my consciousness faded.
¡°Champion!¡±
Aurora¡¯s voice sounded distant as I sank into the darkness, the world a dull blur around me. I barely registered the key still clutched in my hand, cold and jagged, the weight a sharp reminder of the ordeal we''d just endured. Darkness wrapped around my mind like a heavy shroud, and I felt myself slip deeper, the fatigue finally overtaking me.
¡
When I came to my senses, my head was on something warm and soft. I blinked repeatedly but my vision was blurry and the light hurt them. I put my hand on my pillow, feeling it since my sight was messed up. Did we bring a pillow like this?
¡°Champion¡ It is not like I am against it but is this the right time?¡±
The soft, smooth surface beneath my hand registered more and more as my vision sharpened, and a familiar voice reached my ears. Blinking through the haze, I found myself staring up at Thalia, who wore a bemused smile as she cradled my head on her lap. Her face was close, her expression caught somewhere between amusement and embarrassment, but a subtle warmth in her gaze made the whole situation a lot less painful.
I cleared my throat and sat up, blinking to clear the last bits of blurriness. ¡°How long was I out?¡±
¡°Not long,¡± Thalia said, handing me a canteen. I drank, cool water washing away the lingering fog in my head. My head hurt like hell. Using both Enhanced Senses and Perception at the same time was too much. ¡°The key?¡±
¡°Right here.¡± Blanche held it up, her fingers brushing over the jagged lightning-bolt shape, sparks flickering along its edges.
¡°3 out of 5 is completed. How long do we have?¡±
I asked while putting the key into its respective altar.
¡°11 hours.¡±
Aurora answered. Damn. Have we been going for it for 13 hours?
¡°Alright, let¡¯s check the rewards and go into the next one.¡±
1- Essence of the Arrow Storm, a swirling silver-blue potion contained in a crystal vial that temporarily increases Agility and Perception by 20% for an hour, enhancing reaction speed and spatial awareness. Given to Blanche.
2- War Paint of the Hawk-Eye, a single-use war paint that grants users a heightened perception and sharpens vision temporarily, allowing them to spot distant or concealed targets with ease and track projectiles more accurately. Given to Artemeni.
3- Amulet of Stamina, A simple, leather-bound amulet that improves stamina regeneration over time and decreases fatigue accumulation. Given to Thalia.
4- A skill book containing the skill Fleeting Mirage. Learned by Aurora.
5- Stone of Resonant Recall, a small, smooth stone with intricate carvings. By infusing mana into it one could repeat the trial in a limited fashion. I kept it to myself for later training.
6- Lastly, an armor for G?kb?r¨¹. I found it weird that this trial gave G?kb?r¨¹ a reward since he didn¡¯t participate in this trial besides letting me borrow his skill. It was called Frostwind Pelt Armor which had the ability to change size. The vest is contoured to his form, allowing full mobility, and reinforced with flexible plating around his vital areas¡ªchest, back, and shoulders¡ªto provide excellent protection without limiting agility. It had two options besides size change one, Blizzard Step: Boosted G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s Agility by 10 percent and increased his speed in cold environments. Arrow¡¯s Blessing: This option provided a slight increase to G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s resistance against piercing attacks, reducing incoming arrow-based and projectile damage by 15%.
And many specialized arrows. It was pretty good. I took a deep breath, savoring the temporary respite as we checked out our hard-earned rewards. Each item seemed perfectly tailored to enhance our chances in the upcoming trials, and seeing the boost to the team lifted my spirits. I patted the Frostwind Pelt Armor, now adjusted snugly to G?kb?r¨¹, who looked up at me with pride gleaming in his blue eyes.
I put my hand on the altar of Two Paths.
¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
220-Gorvaths Challenge
(To complete the Trial of Two Paths you must acquire the key item.)
(The key item is guarded by Gor''vath the Earthbreaker. You can either sneak past it or defeat it to acquire the key item.)
(You have 180 minutes to complete the trial.)
I looked over the trial¡¯s description. It was just like the info.
¡°Champion, we will fight against it, aren¡¯t we?¡±
Thalia spoke up with a voice that sounded like a tired mother of three boys.
¡°Shealth is the safer of the two options. It is also better energy saving wise.¡±
Blanche mulled it over with a calculating tone.
¡°If it¡¯s anything like its name, Earthbreaker implies area control¡ªprobably capable of blocking exits or covering ground in a way that makes retreat hard.¡±
Aurora added.
¡°Let¡¯s scout the area. We first need to find it. We will think about our next action after that.¡±
I decided, looking around. We were in a forest. In theory, unless that creature had some kind of super senses I could sneak around it. But was it the right choice? I needed to grow stronger and it wasn¡¯t going to happen if I avoided fights.
As we moved into the forest, the air grew denser, the canopy above thick with twisted, knotted branches that blocked out most of the light. A low hum filled the air, a faint tremor reverberating through the ground¡ªan ominous warning of Gor''vath¡¯s presence.
¡°Keep close,¡± I whispered, gesturing for the others to spread out in a loose line. A rumble echoed from deeper within the trees. The ground trembled, and the earth shifted beneath our feet as if warning us to turn back. I motioned for everyone to halt, crouching low as we moved forward again with even greater caution. Branches and vines tangled underfoot, but something else stood out¡ªthe faintest trace of mana radiating ahead, raw and unsettling.
Blanche scanned the area, her gaze sharp and assessing. ¡°I sense it. Not close, but the power is¡ oppressive.¡±
I nodded. ¡°Artemeni, can you catch a glimpse of it from the trees?¡±
With a quick nod, she sprang up a nearby tree, her footsteps light on the branches. After a moment, she stilled, gaze fixed ahead, and signaled for us to join her. I leaped up next, trying to keep as quiet as possible, and the others followed suit.
From our vantage, Gor''vath came into view¡ªa hulking beast covered in thick, stone-like scales, its body fused with chunks of earth and rock. It looked like a massive bull, each of its steps heavy enough to shake the ground. It prowled near a massive stone pedestal, where I assumed the key item lay.
I shrugged my shoulders, feeling the mana pressing down on my shoulders. Damn. No wonder the trial gave us the option to sneak past it. This mofo probably could take on the Nidhogg.
Aurora¡¯s sharp intake of breath told me she was equally taken aback. ¡°It¡¯s not just a creature¡ªit¡¯s practically a walking fortress.¡±
Blanche raised an eyebrow, assessing the beast with her usual detached calculation. ¡°If it really can shake the ground to this extent, then even getting close without detection will be¡ tricky.¡±
G?kb?r¨¹ growled with a low voice and my eyes widened.
¡°Spread, now!¡±
I grabbed Thalia and Artemeni grabbed Aurora. We ran opposite ways as a massive boulder struck where we were, demolishing several trees before stopping. The beast¡¯s head snapped towards us, its hostility apparent.
¡°Well, there goes any chance of sneaking around.¡±
Gor''vath snorted, its nostrils flaring as it registered our scattered positions. Chunks of earth rose around its feet, seemingly alive and ready to attack on its command. I sighed. It managed to sense us. How? We were a fairly long distance away from it.
¡°Well, it doesn¡¯t matter. Thalia, buffs please.¡±
Thalia¡¯s hands glowed faintly, her voice calm despite the beast bearing down on us. "Blessing of the War Goddess, guide our blades and shield us from ruin!" As her buffs took effect, a warmth spread through my limbs, hardening my skin like armor, making me feel faster and stronger.
¡°Artemeni, think we can handle this?¡±
I shouted, drawing the Demonic Swordbreaker from my arsenal. The sword¡¯s dark edge gleamed with an otherworldly aura, crackling with latent power. I parried chunks of stone thrown at us. Artemeni landed beside me, her spear drawn and her shield ready.
Artemeni smirked, adrenaline lighting up her eyes.
¡°I will fight alongside you, until my last breath.¡±
Okay, that was too much.
¡°We will hold it here. Everyone else to the pedestal. That¡¯s where the key must-¡°
I stopped shouting the moment I saw the beast rear up. I summoned my shield, gigantifying it while G?kb?r¨¹ erected an ice wall around us.
The beast brought its front hooves down and the ground shook. I grabbed Thalia to stop her from falling as I tried to keep my balance. I glanced back and saw massive stone walls circling us, stopping us from reaching the pedestal.
¡°This shit. You want to fight? We¡¯ll give you a fight.¡±
¡°Bark!¡±
G?kb?r¨¹ let out a fierce bark, his fur bristling, and I could feel the cold mana gathering around him, ready to unleash. Beside me, Thalia steadied herself, her gaze sharp as she extended a hand toward Blanche and Aurora, the glow of her protective wards enveloping us. Gor''vath stomped, sending another wave of tremors through the ground.
¡°Artemeni draw its attention. Blanche, Aurora try to stop its movements. Thalia, stand by. I will try to deal damage with G?kb?r¨¹.¡±
Artemeni nodded, determination set in her features. She darted toward Gor''vath, her movements swift and agile, while Blanche and Aurora circled around, preparing to launch their attacks. Blanche¡¯s hands moved in intricate gestures, lightning and ice swirling around her fingers as she muttered under her breath, and runic letters shone around Aurora. With G?kb?r¨¹ by my side, I charged forward, feeling the cold bite of his mana mixing with my own. The beast locked its eyes on me, snorting as it pawed at the ground, shards of rock breaking free under the force. I raised the Demonic Swordbreaker, I blocked them as I ran towards it. Artemeni didn¡¯t waste a moment, her spear glinting as she struck Gor''vath''s side, aiming for the softer flesh between its stone plates. The beast roared, twisting to swipe at her, but she was already gone, spinning away to keep its attention on her.
With Gor''vath distracted, Blanche took her opportunity, her voice rising above the chaos. ¡°Ice bind!¡± She hurled her hands forward, sending tendrils of frost snaking along the ground to wrap around the beast''s legs. For a second, Gor''vath¡¯s movement stuttered, and I could see the brief falter in its stance as it fought against the freezing bonds.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Aurora¡¯s runes flared to life, casting a blinding light over the battlefield. ¡°Gravity Seal!¡± she shouted, her aura heavy with power as she wove her magic into the ground below Gor''vath. The beast¡¯s limbs buckled slightly, forced to contend with the augmented weight pressing it downward. The earth around it groaned as it struggled to stay upright, every movement slower, every attack hindered by Aurora¡¯s spell.
I met G?kb?r¨¹''s gaze, a shared understanding passing between us. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I whispered, feeling the icy breath of his mana as we closed in, darting around debris and shattered stone. Gor''vath swung one of its forelegs to shake off Aurora¡¯s seal, and I took advantage of the split-second delay, activating Armor Collapsing Claw. The energy surged through my body, covering the Demonic Swordbreaker in a menacing aura, amplified by G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s icy mana.
We lunged forward in unison, G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s breath forming a freezing mist around his jaws. He leaped onto the beast¡¯s shoulder, claws sinking into the cracks in its stone-like armor as he unleashed Ice Wolf¡¯s Breath point-blank, freezing a segment of its scales solid. I didn¡¯t hesitate; with a powerful downward strike, I slammed the Demonic Swordbreaker into the frozen patch, shattering layers of rock with a satisfying crack. The beast roared in pain, its leg buckling beneath the combined assault.
Artemeni lunged back in, taking advantage of the opening. Her spear thrust toward the vulnerable flesh we¡¯d exposed, drawing a deep wound that oozed a thick, earthy fluid.
Gor''vath¡¯s eyes flared, and it twisted to retaliate, its body thrumming with the ominous glow of earth mana. It slammed its hoof into the ground, sending fissures racing toward us. I barely had time to shout, ¡°Jump!¡± before a surge of jagged rocks erupted from below. Blanche and Aurora leaped to safety, but Gor''vath¡¯s attacks were relentless; the beast twisted with a ferocity that belied its size, breaking through Aurora¡¯s Gravity Seal.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹, back to me!¡± I yelled as we regrouped, circling Gor''vath and rethinking our approach. Every moment we kept it on the defensive, our collective attacks chipped away at its defenses, but it was clear this creature was resilient, each blow only wearing it down bit by bit.
¡°Hmpft.¡±
I infused massive amounts of mana into my sword and threw it to the creature. It rose a stone wall to block it but I was already running towards it while manifesting a bigger version of Wurm-Scale Earthshaker, its weight apparent. I also activated Titan Slayer¡¯s Rune. If its hide is made out of rocks, Gaia Burst should work on it.
With a surge of energy coursing through me, I felt the Titan Slayer¡¯s Rune pulse in sync with my heart, amplifying my strength and agility. Wurm-Scale Earthshaker grew heavier in my grip, each step sinking deeper into the ground as I approached Gor''vath. The stone wall it had raised to block my initial strike cracked under the force of the empowered hammer, and as I reached the beast, I activated Gaia Burst.
Mana flooded through the Earthshaker, and the ground responded, erupting beneath us with jagged rocks that burst forth, aiming to crush the monster¡¯s limbs. Gor''vath stumbled, chunks of its rocky armor dislodging as it roared in fury, its massive form struggling to hold against the onslaught.
Artemeni capitalized on the opening, her spear glinting with a sharp aura as she struck, embedding her weapon deep within Gor''vath¡¯s exposed shoulder. The beast¡¯s roar grew deafening, a primal sound that seemed to shake the entire forest. Blanche sent a streak of lightning through the cracks in its armor, sizzling and sparking as it connected with the raw flesh beneath. I raised Earthshaker high, and in a fluid motion, brought it down with all my weight, aiming for the beast¡¯s vulnerable neck.
The blade bit deep, and I could feel the resistance of its rocky hide giving way. G?kb?r¨¹ circled back to our side, his icy breath creating a fog around Gor''vath¡¯s lower limbs, the cold mist slowing its movements even more. The creature swayed and weakened, and I could see its fury turning to desperation. It let out one last bellow and slammed its hooves down, sending a massive shockwave across the battlefield. The ground beneath us split as the beast attempted to shake us off one last time.
¡°No. Arcane Downpour.¡±
Aurora¡¯s voice rang in my ears before a massive pillar of light stuck the beast. The burst of energy from Aurora¡¯s Arcane Downpour struck Gor''vath head-on, the radiant mana searing through its rocky exterior with blinding intensity. Cracks formed along its body as the sheer weight of Aurora¡¯s magic pressed it into the earth. The creature groaned, its once impenetrable hide crumbling under the combined assault of elemental fury, raw strength, and precision.
Gor''vath staggered back, weakened and barely standing, the chunks of earth and stone that once formed its sturdy frame now littering the ground around it. Wasting no time, I drew in a deep breath, calling forth my mana, and let it surge through my veins like a raging river. I raised the Wurm-Scale Earthshaker one last time, bringing it crashing down onto Gor''vath¡¯s exposed body. The strike echoed through the clearing, a thunderous impact that shattered the beast¡¯s final defenses.
With a final, shuddering groan, Gor''vath¡¯s body collapsed, breaking apart into a pile of rubble.
¡°Well, that was some- What?¡±
Before I could do much as to utter a sentence Gor''vath¡¯s body reformed itself.
¡°Ah, fuck that. G?kb?r¨¹, you are flying.¡±
G?kb?r¨¹ let out an overeager bark as he jumped into my hand. I took a deep breath and threw him towards the pedestal. As G?kb?r¨¹ soared through the air, his small frame wreathed in icy mana, his eyes locked onto the pedestal with a keen determination. He let out a fierce bark mid-flight, and with a final surge of power, a frozen trail followed in his wake, an icy path slicing through the battlefield and reaching for the key item.
The beast¡¯s head snapped towards him. From its body language, I felt it was getting ready to charge towards G?kb?r¨¹.
¡°Hold it back!¡± Artemeni shouted as she dashed in again, her shield growing in size with mana. Aurora joined her, magic flaring brightly as she summoned another Gravity Seal, anchoring parts of the creature to the ground. Despite their best efforts, Gor''vath was frenzied by someone getting close to a key item. Its horns smacked Artemeni to the side but Thalia¡¯s golden shield caught her.
Blanche and Aurora unleashed their magic with renewed intensity; Blanche¡¯s tendrils of lightning shot towards the creature, crackling along its weakened body, while Aurora¡¯s gravity manipulation pressed down on its legs, anchoring it just long enough for G?kb?r¨¹ to reach the pedestal.
I gripped the Wurm-Scale Earthshaker, calling upon every ounce of remaining mana, and channeled it into a final Gaia Burst. The ground beneath Gor''vath fractured, forming a massive chasm that threatened to swallow it whole. Despite all that, it tried to climb towards me.
G?kb?r¨¹ ran towards us with a crystal in his mouth. I assumed it was the key item. He jumped into my arms.
(You completed Trial of Two Paths.)
(Rating party¡¯s performance¡)
(A)
221-Ill Face Myself
I inspected the orb in my hand. It had what I assumed was large amounts of mana in it.
¡°A stone key, a cloak, an arrow, and now an orb. Key items are pretty varied in shape it seems. I wonder what the key item for the last trial will be.¡±
I slowly lowered the orb into my lap and leaned back.
¡°It is called Trial of Mirror so it must be some kind of mirror.¡±
Aurora spoke up.
¡°Probably. Blanche, how much do we have?¡±
Just one more trial and we wouldn¡¯t have to worry about the 24-hour limit.
¡°A little it under 9 hours.¡±
She answered. Hmm. We were awake for more than 15 hours and most of the time was spent fighting. Everyone must be tired. Even with our reinforced and trained bodies had their limit after all.
¡°Alright, we will rest for 3 hours. We can take it a little bit easy. The next trial is something that can only be taken individually and only one of us has to enter to get the key item. To get it one has to defeat a reflection that has the same skills, same items, and same stats. You only have to take it if you want it. I know some of you would not miss the chance to battle against an equal but I prefer if you rested.¡±
I looked at my companions. Thalia was the first one to raise her hand.
¡°If that¡¯s the case, I will be resting. My skill set is not fit to fight and I would rather save my energy for healing you after you exit the trial.¡±
I nodded, appreciating her pragmatism. Aurora was the next one to speak up.
¡°Fighting against a copy sounds interesting but I will pass. I will also save my energy for the next floor.¡±
I looked at Blanche and Artemeni. Blanche tilted her head thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing as she weighed the option. ¡°I¡¯m tempted," she said, ¡°It will be an interesting experience to fight against myself.¡±
I nodded my head. Considering her personality she would take every chance she has to improve. I could respect that. I turned my attention to Artemeni. She was looking at me with eyes shining bright with excitement. She smirked and clenched her fists, looking like she could barely contain herself.
¡°If you allow it, I¡¯ll want to take on the trial, Champion.¡±
I chuckled. Considering I roughly thought the same, I had no right to object.
¡°Alright then,¡± I said, sitting up straighter and shifting my gaze to each of them in turn. ¡°Once we¡¯re rested, I, Blanche, and Artemeni will take on the Trial of Mirror. I want you both to be careful.¡±
Blanche nodded, her face set in quiet determination, while Artemeni grinned even wider. I closed my eyes, trying to relax and feel my soul boundary. Thanks to getting it as a skill, I was aware of it nearly always. Perhaps Enhanced Perception also helped. The calming sensation of soul boundary awareness washed over me, a steadying presence amid the ceaseless energy of the trials. With my eyes closed, I let the hum of mana in my core settle, feeling it flow through each limb like cool water.
¡°An ocean.¡±
That was the impression I got from my soul. G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s was somewhat intertwined with it like two rivers flowing into each other. It was smaller than mine, at least I think so. Souls didn¡¯t exist in ¡°space¡± so big or small meant little.
I took a few steady breaths, feeling my mana settle, flowing in steady currents, pooling and then receding, just like tides against a shore. The trials had put a heavy toll on all of us, but I could feel my resolve steadying. Despite the exhaustion, there was a sense of excitement in the air, a buzz of anticipation for the challenge that lay ahead.
After what felt like mere moments, Blanche tapped me lightly on the shoulder, her voice soft but determined. ¡°Time¡¯s up, Champion.¡±
I opened my eyes, feeling refreshed. Three hours had passed like minutes, but they were enough. I looked around, noticing the determined gleam in Blanche¡¯s eyes and the unmistakable eagerness in Artemeni¡¯s expression. She was practically vibrating with excitement, her fists clenched and her whole posture radiating fierce energy.
¡°Alright,¡± I said, standing up and feeling the mana pulse within me, ¡°let¡¯s get this done.¡±
I moved towards the last altar and put my hand to it.
The world around us shifted and twisted just like the previous trials, the colors bleeding into one another like paint in water. When the blur of light and shadow receded, I found myself in a vast chamber, its high ceiling disappearing into the darkness above. The walls were adorned with intricate mirrors, each reflecting not only my images but a multitude of myself¡ªdistorted, exaggerated, and sometimes utterly alien.
¡°That¡¯s not creepy at all.¡±
I muttered to myself. I was alone, Blanche and Artemeni nowhere to be found.
¡°Bark!¡±
What? I looked down and saw G?kb?r¨¹ exit out of my shadow.
¡°Wait a minute. I thought this trial could only be taken individually.¡±
Perhaps it was because I was soul-bonded to him?
¡°Well, it doesn¡¯t matter. I am glad you are with me, buddy.¡±
I leaned down and patted his head.
(To complete the trial you must defeat your reflection.)
I straightened up, scanning the chamber once more. In an instant, one of the mirrors shimmered, the surface rippling like disturbed water. From it emerged my reflection, along with G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s. He wore a cold expression on his face with eyes devoid of joy.
G?kb?r¨¹ growled and his expression answered the same.
¡°You are here.¡±
The reflection spoke up.
¡°You can speak?¡±
I asked as we started to circle each other. Each step taking us the same distance, each step staying in the air for the same duration. The reflection shot me a condescending look.
¡°Of course, I can speak. I am you.¡±
The reflection¡¯s voice dripped with indifference.
¡°So, that means that you will let me win?¡±
I smiled. The reflection¡¯s gaze hardened, a flicker of annoyance breaking through its otherwise stoic facade. ¡°You think you can win? You¡¯re just a shadow of what you could be.¡±
I tilted my head.
¡°And what the hell that does mean?¡±
The reflection¡¯s face stayed as hostile as ever while his voice dripped with disdain. "It means you''re weak, clinging to your failures. You let your past affect your choices. You do not live in today, let alone in the future.¡±
I narrowed my eyes, feeling my grip tighten around the handle of my sword.
¡°You are supposed to take lessons from the past, copy. Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.¡±
The reflection narrowed his eyes just like me.
¡°Huh. Funny how you talk about the past repeating itself. Isn¡¯t that what you are so afraid of? Losing everyone, everything, and blaming yourself for an eternity again?¡±
I clicked my tongue. My reflection''s words cut deeper than any weapon could. The harsh truth behind them lingered like a wound reopening, bleeding regret and fear. G?kb?r¨¹ growled low, his gaze fixed on his own double, mirroring my own contempt for the shade before me.
"Afraid?" I repeated, a cold edge sharpening my voice. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right. I am afraid.¡±
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.I looked at my own blade, half of my face being reflected on it.
¡°But I am still here, aren¡¯t I? Depressed, afraid, and not confident. I am still here and walking, continuing.¡±
I pointed my sacred sword toward the reflection.
¡°Enough talking. Let¡¯s get down to business.¡±
He mirrored my movements, pointing his blade towards me. At the same time, we lunged towards each other, our swords clashing in the middle. G?kb?r¨¹ and his reflection also moved together with us, biting each other.
The clash reverberated through the chamber, echoing off the mirrored walls as if the entire room were a bell struck with raw energy. My reflection¡¯s strength matched mine blow for blow, each parry and strike mirroring my own, creating a brutal symphony of steel against steel. Each impact felt like facing a relentless wave, one that knew my every move, every weakness.
G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s snarls and growls mixed with his reflections, their fangs clashing, tearing into fur and flesh with the primal ferocity of two beasts locked in a duel for dominance. G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s sapphire eyes gleamed fiercely, unwavering, even as he took a bite to the flank. His spirit and sheer defiance mirrored mine.
¡°You are saying that you are moving forward yet you keep looking back! What is the point of moving forward if the only thing you can see is your past!¡±
The reflection took a step back at the same time as me. Armor Collapsing Claw and mana ran across both of our blades. We swung them at the same time, our mana clashing in the middle and exploding.
¡°You talk a little bit too much. Am I really that talkative?¡±
The reflection straightened, brushing a hand along the hilt of his sword as if contemplating his next move. ¡°You really think these little acts of defiance mean you¡¯ve changed?¡± He tilted his head, his cold, mocking stare piercing through me. ¡°You walk forward, yes, but not out of strength. It¡¯s the force of habit, of desperation¡ªa hollow march to delay the inevitable.¡±
I felt something stab my insides. I knew that he was right. Like a shark swimming to not sink. I took on duties to not think about my past, my old dead world. I was eager to accept Morrigan¡¯s letter. I was happy that I could help Ama and Arslan. Because I knew that without something to focus on, I would fall back to nothingness.
¡°If you are really me, you should know that I have regularly had conversations like this in my head. Do you think hearing them out will change anything?¡±
With a scoff, the reflection tightened his grip on his sword. I could see his body transforming. He was using Beastification. If he was truly like me he would follow it with Monstrous Strength and Ferocity of Wolf King. I did the same. The reflection¡¯s muscles bulged, and his eyes gleamed with a feral, cold light, just as mine did when I tapped into my own power. Both of us, transformed into our hybrid states, faced each other in mirrored, savage intensity.
¡°You hide behind that dammed sarcasm when you are cornered. Every time.¡±
He growled, lunging forward. I activated Mana Erupt, pouring energy into my movements and forcing myself faster than I¡¯d ever pushed in combat. My blade whipped towards his shoulder with lethal speed, but he matched it with his burst of Mana Erupt, deflecting the blow just enough to avoid a direct hit. The ground beneath us splintered, sending shards of stone scattering.
¡°What else do you want me to say, man? I know my fear, I know my flaws and I am trying to overcome them! What else I am supposed to do, lie down and die?¡±
The reflection sneered, pushing against me with all his strength, our blades grinding against each other in a clash of stubborn wills.
¡°You don¡¯t get it, do you?¡± His voice dripped with disdain. ¡°This isn¡¯t about lying down and dying¡ªit¡¯s about facing who you are, the parts you keep hiding behind those empty missions and battles.¡± His eyes narrowed, sharp with accusation. ¡°You cling to the past, pretending you¡¯re ready for the future, yet you¡¯re too scared to confront the pieces of yourself you¡¯d rather forget.¡±
I gritted my teeth, feeling a familiar frustration surge through me. "So what if I do? Everyone has scars, things they regret. That¡¯s what makes us human.¡± I braced myself, pushing him back with a surge of my Monstrous Strength, catching a brief edge as he staggered.
But my reflection recovered quickly, rolling back into a defensive stance, eyes still gleaming with that maddeningly cold clarity. ¡°You don¡¯t get it, do you? Why didn¡¯t you ask for Nocturna¡¯s help during the invasion to defend the barrier? Why did you try to stop Morrigan by yourself instead of asking for help? Why do you volunteer to take the hits even when it is not necessary?¡±
"Because that''s my duty!"
I barked.
¡°Duty? Who gave you that duty then? Nobody. Nobody except yourself. And why did you give yourself that duty?¡±
The question hung in the air, laced with accusation, piercing deeper than any blade could. I gritted my teeth, the words caught in my throat. The truth was there, lodged somewhere in the crevices of my soul, but I wasn¡¯t sure I wanted to pull it out.
¡°It¡¯s because¡¡± I started, my voice wavering as I tightened my grip on my sword, feeling the familiar weight steady me. ¡°Because I can¡¯t stand by and watch people suffer¡ªnot when I can do something about it.¡±
The reflection sneered, tilting his head with that infuriating, cold amusement. ¡°Is that really it? Or are you just trying to make up for the ones you couldn¡¯t save?¡±
His words struck like a blow to the gut, nearly knocking the air from my lungs. I could feel the old memories clawing their way back, unwanted yet ever-present, like shadows lurking beneath the surface. Faces I couldn¡¯t forget. Moments I wished I could erase.
¡°Does it even matter?¡±
I took a deep breath.
¡°Does the reason for fighting really matter? Or perhaps couldn¡¯t my reason be both the past and future?¡±
I asked. I knew that my past affected me greatly but was it the only reason why I fought? Would past me try to raise beastkin out of their shackles? Would he try to play political games to gain allies? Would he try to enjoy the same world he was trying to save? The reflection''s sneer faded, and he tilted his head, assessing me with a glimmer of something almost resembling understanding.
¡°I don¡¯t know. Could it be?¡±
He answered my question with his own. The reflection¡¯s sneer faded as he seemed to sense my resolve solidifying. His stance shifted, becoming less aggressive and more guarded.
¡°You are the only one who can decide that. But only if you defeat me.¡±
¡°Very well then.¡±
¡
My sword pierced the reflection¡¯s heart. We have been fighting for over an hour now. My body was covered with so many wounds that my healing couldn¡¯t keep up with it but so was his. Both of us used every skill and every item we had but I was the superior one. And now, with his heart gone, it was over. He shattered into glimmering fragments with a sad smile, dissolving into the chamber¡¯s dim light.
(Full Combat Mastery ranked up to B rank. Your repertoire of combat techniques expands greatly.)
(Soulboundry Awareness ranked up to D rank. You can sense fluctuations in mana and the emotional resonance of souls.)
(Rapid Healing ranked up to A rank. You have acquired the best healing capabilities within your race.)
(Beastification ranked up to D rank. Your ability to connect your instincts grows.)
Beside me, G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s reflection met the same fate, disappearing into wisps of shadow as G?kb?r¨¹ let out a triumphant bark. The weight of the battle lifted, leaving a profound silence in its wake. I stood there, breathing heavily.
(You completed Trial of Mirrors.)
222-Ice and Lightning
Blanche¡¯s heels clicked on the stone floor. Her eyes traced the entire room to assess her situation.
(To complete the trial you must defeat your reflection.)
She glanced at the notification, then turned around to take in the chamber. She couldn¡¯t see the ceiling even when she tried to boost her vision with her mana. The walls surrounding her were covered with various mirrors, each one different size and shape. However, all of them were wrong. They showed distorted, exaggerated, and sometimes utterly alien versions of her. It reminded her of a carnival she visited with her late mother.
She grabbed her rapier and sabre, ready for any kind of ambush. She quickly turned around as one of the mirrors shimmered, her reflection stepping out and facing her. The reflection¡¯s ice-blue eyes were stern. Her grey hair was tied neatly in a bun with a bang falling to her face. Her attire was somewhat formal, featuring a high-collared jacket that fell to her hip level with intricate designs on the shoulders, paired with a fitted top underneath that accentuates her trained physique. She was wearing high-waisted navy blue pants with a wide belt that connected to her sheaths and pouch.
¡°Pitiful.¡±
The reflection spoke coldly.
¡°What was that?¡±
Blanche asked, wearing the same cold expression the reflection had.
¡°You heard me. You are pitiful.¡±
Blanche recognized the eyes the reflection had. It was the same eyes all Silverfoxes had when dealing with common folk or beastkin. A look full of condensation. Blanche didn¡¯t react. This kind of provocation wasn¡¯t something she hadn¡¯t seen before. Different branches of her family always tried to start fights with each other to gain some kind of upper hand in the political game. The first one to make a reaction would be seen as weak so she was trained to not get fired up.
¡°Why is that?¡±
Yet, she couldn¡¯t help to ask.
¡°Look where you are. Look who you are working with. Are you really the same girl who promised herself she would become the family head in the future?¡±
Blanche''s grip tightened on her weapons, her face remaining a mask of composure, but a flicker of something darker passed through her ice-blue eyes.
Her reflection gave a disdainful chuckle, the sound cold and hollow, echoing off the mirrored walls.
¡°You are working with someone who is working with beastkin. Who holds the secret of your family? What would your grandfather think?¡±
Blanche narrowed her eyes, assessing her reflection with a cool, calculated gaze.
¡°It doesn¡¯t matter whether Poyraz works with beastkin or not. He is strong, is the Champion of Aliera, and has the cure for our problem.¡±
She replied, her voice firm yet controlled.
¡°Oh, please.¡± Her reflection rolled her eyes, a sneer twisting her features.
¡°This means that you rely on him! You know how relying on others will end up! You relied on your father and grandfather to cure your mother! How did it end up?¡±
Blanche took a measured breath, feeling something crawl to her throat from her chest. Her eyes held the reflection¡¯s gaze, unwavering.
¡°I heard enough.¡±
She said her voice like steel. Without another word, she lunged forward, both of her weapons drawn. Blanche¡¯s rapier met her reflection¡¯s thrust mid-strike, the blades scraping against each other with a metallic hiss as they locked in a stalemate, each trying to overpower the other.
¡°Then again, what can you do except rely on others? You couldn¡¯t even find the cure! Poyraz did!¡±
The reflection barked as her face twisted into an unnatural grin. Blanche didn¡¯t answer with words. She pressed forward, dropping low and twisting out of the deadlock. She brought her saber up in a sweeping arc, but her reflection mirrored the movement flawlessly, sidestepping and delivering a riposte with inhuman precision. Blanche blocked it and both of them jumped back several meters.
¡°Lightning Bolt.¡±
¡°Lightning Bolt.¡±
Both of them chanted at the same time, their rapiers pointed toward each other. Twin bolts of crackling blue lightning surged from their rapiers, meeting midway and exploding in a blinding flash that rattled the mirrored walls. Shards of electricity danced across the floor, leaving scorch marks in their wake, as both Blanche and her reflection staggered back from the backlash. Blanche steadied herself, her heart pounding, but her face remained composed, eyes narrowed in unyielding focus.
¡°Haste, Surge of Strength.¡±
She chanted under her breath and leaped forward, cutting through the smoke the meet her reflection. The reflection must have thought the same as they met in middle and clashed once more.
¡°Glacial Lance.¡±
¡°Glacial Lance.¡±
Their voices overlapped, and shards of ice erupted from their hands, spearing forward with deadly intent. The frost-laden spears collided mid-air, shattering into a spray of icy fragments that sparkled in the dim light as they scattered across the stone floor. Blanche shielded herself, pivoting gracefully, her every movement calculated to waste no effort or energy.
Her reflection mirrored her, both of them circling each other, steps silent and watchful. The reflection sneered, her eyes never leaving Blanche¡¯s.
¡°You are silent. Is it because you know that I am right? Of course it is.¡±
Blanche''s expression didn¡¯t falter, but a glint of irritation flashed in her eyes. She hadn¡¯t come this far to be taunted by her own shadow. With a sharp exhale, she darted forward, her figure blurring as Haste propelled her faster.
This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.¡°Ice Wall.¡±
An ice wall blocked Blanche¡¯s vision, causing her to slow down to not hit it.
¡°You would have lost control just like your mother if it wasn¡¯t for Poyraz! Your will is weak!¡±
The reflection leaped over the wall with ease, positioning herself behind Blanche. She was able to barely turn around to block the reflection¡¯s strike. However, the force behind the attack sent her flying into the ice wall.
"Is that all your training has brought you? All those books you read under the dim candlelight until your eyes hurt! All the training you did until your bones cracked? Weak, weak, weak! Lightning Surge!¡±
The reflection¡¯s words were drowned in a surge of crackling blue energy that raced down her blade and shot toward Blanche. With no time to fully dodge, Blanche barely raised her saber, focusing her mana to defend herself. The ice wall behind her shattered into a thousand pieces as she fell down to one knee, her magical crest shining beneath her clothing in an effort to supply her with mana.
¡°The magical crest. Pride of Silverfox family. A curse containing the power of Wolf King.¡±
Blanche gritted her teeth, feeling mana circulated through her crest. She forced herself to her feet, her gaze locking with her reflection with an intensity that cut through the biting chill left by the shattered ice.
¡°Every child gets implanted it at the age of 7. If they survive, they are accepted into the family.¡±
Blanche felt her jaw tighten as her reflection¡¯s words wormed their way through her defenses. She had heard enough. With a quick flick of her wrist, she whispered, ¡°Frozen Edge.¡± Her saber¡¯s blade glowed an icy blue, frost crawling along its length, coating it in a thick sheen of ice. She dashed forward, her movements swift and fluid with the aid of Haste, her blades whirling in deadly arcs.
But her reflection matched her blow for blow, each strike met with flawless, calculated counters.
¡°But even for those children, the curse comes. How could it not? We are not like other families! They built their magic crests with knowledge, time, and talent! What did we do? We stole it from a beast!¡±
They moved as if part of a deadly dance, the sharp clang of metal on metal echoing through the chamber. For every strike Blanche delivered, her reflection responded with equal force, their movements perfectly synchronized. Yet Blanche knew this wouldn¡¯t last. The damage she took would affect her as she tired out.
¡°And we can¡¯t even control it like Poyraz does! How pathetic!¡±
A lightning-infused slash sent Blanche stumbling back.
¡°I can now.¡±
Blanche straightened her back as she answered.
¡°Not with you-¡°
¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if I received help or not.¡±
Blanche cut the reflection¡¯s sentence.
¡°A noble may bear titles and command respect by birth, but no ruler, however capable, can oversee an entire land alone. Ruling over people and managing resources takes specialized knowledge and constant oversight. If we did everything ourselves, from governing to farming to fighting, we¡¯d be stretched so thin that we would fail our people.¡±
Blue lightning clad her body like a dress.
¡°I get farmers to sow and harvest my lands. I get blacksmiths to forge my weapons. I trade services with other nobles if my lands don¡¯t have a certain thing. What is the difference between that and getting Poyraz¡¯s help?¡±
The reflection scoffed, rolling her eyes with a dismissive sneer.
¡°Excuses.¡±
She growled.
¡°I have no obligation to convince you. I only have to defeat you.¡±
Blanche moved with deadly precision, her words now behind her, her mind focused entirely on the battle. Her body crackled with power as the lightning danced along her blade, illuminating her figure in sharp, electric light.
"Glacial Barrage!" she whispered, channeling her mana into her blade. Frost-laden projectiles launched from her saber, scattering toward her reflection like a storm of icy daggers. Her reflection mirrored her, but Blanche was faster this time, pressing her advantage and forcing her reflection onto the defensive. The frosty shards cut through the air, several finding their mark as they grazed her opponent¡¯s armor.
The reflection staggered back, her face twisted in frustration, yet she managed to stay composed, conjuring a barrier of her own. Blanche¡¯s icy projectiles shattered against the shimmering shield, splintering in all directions and hitting her, yet Blanche didn¡¯t stop. She raised her hand, and with a surge of energy, she summoned a wall of ice to her left, manipulating the barrier to break into jagged shards, hovering mid-air around her like floating daggers.
(You received a hit. Twice Strike of Mantle of the Unbroken activates. Your next attack will double in power.)
The reflection skiddled back to retreat and catch her breath but Blanche followed her.
¡°Frozen Lance!¡± Blanche shouted, thrusting her rapier forward, and an ice-coated spear shot from the blade¡¯s tip, catching her reflection square in the chest. Her reflection cried out, stumbling back, and for the first time, Blanche saw fear flicker in the cold blue eyes.
With a final surge of mana, Blanche leaped forward, her saber glowing with a vibrant, frost-laden light. She brought it down in an arc, her reflection mirroring the motion but too late to block. Blanche¡¯s strike shattered the reflection¡¯s guard, her blade cleaving through her opponent¡¯s form. The reflection''s face twisted in shock as the icy energy overtook her, freezing her mid-scream before the entire image shattered into a thousand crystalline fragments that scattered across the chamber floor.
The room was silent, the echo of the shattering fading into the distance. Blanche stood still, her chest rising and falling heavily, the lightning slowly dissipating around her. She let out a slow breath, steadying herself as she sheathed her weapons, glancing around at the now-still mirrors that reflected only herself.
A new notification appeared before her eyes:
(You completed Trial of Mirrors.)
223-The Spears Purpose
Artemeni took a defensive stance as soon as her feet touched the trial floor. Her spear poked beside her shield, ready to pierce any enemy she would face. Yet, the only things that greeted her were various mirrors.
(To complete the trial you must defeat your reflection.)
The notification appearing in her vision caused her to take a deep breath. She felt the air travel through her veins and spread out in her body. Her muscles relaxed as she focused her mind, steadying herself. Her gaze traveled across the chamber, noting the many mirrors, each reflecting a slightly distorted version of herself. Some mirrors stretched her form, others shrank it, and a few twisted her reflection into strange, unfamiliar shapes. But Artemeni knew her enemy wouldn¡¯t remain an illusion for long.
Her grip on her spear tightened as a faint shimmer appeared in the largest mirror ahead. Slowly, a figure emerged¡ªher reflection, stepping out from the glass as if passing through water. The figure looked identical to her in every way, down to the smallest scar and the fierce, determined glint in her eyes. Her double''s armor bore the same scratches and wear, her stance was equally unyielding, and her spear and shield gleamed with a cold, steely light.
¡°Hello.¡±
Artemeni called out, her voice containing not a shred of hostility.
¡°You!¡±
The reflection growled as she took an offensive stance in complete opposition to Artemeni.
¡°Me?¡±
Artemeni replied, startled.
¡°Yeah, you. How long will you play second to Penthesilea? Aren¡¯t you ashamed of being inferior to her in every way?¡±
Artemeni''s brow furrowed as she absorbed her reflection¡¯s words. She had expected a clash of strength, not this. The worst part is she understood what the reflection was saying. She was only 2 years younger than her cousin so they grew up together. They trained and studied together. With that much time together, Artemeni became sure of one thing: Her cousin was superior to her in every way. Even with their hair and eyes which were the same color her¡¯s were less vibrant and silky. The gap between them only grew further when she became the Queen of Amazons.
¡°I am a loyal servant of my Queen.¡±
She replied evenly. The reflection scoffed, sneering as she adjusted her stance.
¡°Loyal? You¡¯ve resigned yourself to her shadow. Just another soldier in her ranks, instead of a leader in your own right. Aren''t you tired of being just ¡®the loyal friend,¡¯ Artemeni? Don¡¯t you want to become an equal to her?¡±
A pang of doubt began to worm its way into her heart, but Artemeni shook it off with practiced ease. She had walked this path before¡ªquestions of loyalty, pride, and ambition. Yet, each time, she had chosen her purpose.
¡°The Queen earned her crown with strength, skill, and smarts. I can only follow her.¡±
She planted her feet more firmly, allowing her reflection''s words to slide off her like rain. The reflection''s eyes narrowed, lips curling into a sneer.
"So, you''re just going to let your life amount to servitude, then? Die then.¡±
She launched herself forward, her spear slicing through the air. Artemeni was ready. She blocked the thrust with her shield, the impact ringing through the chamber as sparks scattered across the polished stone floor.
"You think pride alone can sustain you?" her reflection spat, pulling back and delivering a rapid series of strikes, each one deflected by Artemeni¡¯s shield. "When she eventually moves on, conquers more, forgets you¡ªyou''ll be nothing but a ghost. No one will remember you. No one will sing about you! All of your deeds, all of your bravery will go to waste."
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.Artemeni gritted her teeth, pushing her reflection back with a sharp shove of her shield.
"I fight because it is my calling," she said, the words as grounded as her stance. "Not because I need validation or want power. Penthesilea is my Queen, my cousin, and someone I respect deeply. I am proud to stand at her side."
The reflection jumped back.
¡°What about Poyraz? Are you fine she taking her?¡±
Artemeni¡¯s cheeks flushed red.
¡°What?¡±
She coughed.
¡°Oh, please, don¡¯t play dumb.¡± The reflection smirked, twirling her spear casually as if taunting. ¡°You know exactly what I mean. You¡¯ve seen the way he looks at her, the way they laugh together. You¡¯ve always been the loyal shadow, willing to sacrifice your own feelings for the sake of duty.¡±
¡°Champion is someone I respec-¡°
¡°Ah, shut up. Deep down you hoped he would take your hand. You hoped he would make you a queen. Just like your brother, you wish to be on top.¡±
Artemeni planted her feet so hard the ground cracked. She infused her spear with aura and activated Spear of Huntress, dying the entire chamber red. She hurled it towards the reflection. The spear cut through the air like a comet, its aura blazing red as it hurtled toward her reflection. The double''s smirk faltered, her eyes narrowing in sudden apprehension, but she dodged with a swift sidestep, just barely avoiding the strike. The spear embedded itself in the wall behind her, cracks spidering out from the impact, and the glow lingered, casting a bloody hue over the chamber.
"Temper, temper," her reflection mocked, though there was an edge of tension in her tone now. "Did I hit a nerve?"
But even before her sentence finished, Artemeni was running towards her, using her shield as a battering ram. The reflection raised her shield but was unable to stop Artemeni from slamming like a truck. She flew back to the same wall Artemeni¡¯s spear was stuck on. Artemeni opened her palm, her spear flying back to her while knocking the reflection¡¯s helmet and cutting her cheek.
Her double regained her balance, spitting blood and wiping it from her chin with a mocking laugh. ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got?¡±
She spun her spear and lunged, aiming directly at Artemeni¡¯s chest.
But Artemeni sidestepped the attack, parrying with her own spear and knocking her reflection¡¯s weapon wide. She pressed her shield against her double¡¯s, driving her back yet again. They broke apart, circling each other in the red-tinted light. The reflection¡¯s sneer softened, replaced by a look of something like disappointment. ¡°You could be more,¡± she murmured, almost as if speaking to herself. ¡°You could claim your own legacy, make a name that echoes beyond ¡®loyal servant¡¯.¡±
Artemeni took a breath, considering her reflection¡¯s words, the slivers of truth buried in the venom. ¡°Perhaps,¡± she replied, her voice calm but resolute, ¡°but a legacy built on betrayal and selfish ambition would be a hollow one. I¡¯d rather be a steadfast ally, an unyielding shield, than a ruler who sacrificed everything to stand alone.¡±
Her reflection¡¯s expression darkened, and with a snarl, she charged, their spears clashing again and again, each strike reverberating through the mirrored chamber. But as they fought, Artemeni felt a sense of peace growing within her¡ªa clarity that rooted her stance and sharpened her strikes. She wasn¡¯t fighting to prove her strength; she was fighting to uphold her convictions.
With a final burst of aura, she pushed her reflection back, disarming her and sending her sprawling to the floor. The image flickered, cracks forming across her double¡¯s face as the defiance in her eyes faded.
The reflection¡¯s last words were barely a whisper. ¡°Then may your loyalty guide you¡ to either triumph or ruin.¡± With that, the reflection shattered, the fragments dissolving into light, leaving Artemeni alone in the quiet chamber, her spear steady, her heart calm, and her resolve stronger than ever.
(You completed Trial of Mirrors.)
224- Leashes and Carrots
¡°You beat me, Artemeni.¡±
I said as I returned back from the trial. Artemeni was already there, taken care of by Thalia. She looked much better than me, though I wasn¡¯t sure if it was because she was healed or just had an easier time. Thalia turned towards me and frowned as soon as she saw me. I could sense that a harsh scolding was about to rain upon me.
Thalia crossed her arms, her gaze sharp and full of reproach. She pointed towards in front of her. I walked closer and sat down.
¡°I told you to be more careful, Champion.¡±
She stepped closer, inspecting the bruises and cuts across my body with a mix of frustration and concern.
¡°I was fighting against someone as strong as myself. I think I did good.¡±
I replied, attempting a lighthearted grin, though it quickly faltered under Thalia¡¯s unyielding stare.
¡° I didn¡¯t receive the key item. Is it with you, Artemeni?¡±
I asked while Thalia wrapped my wounds and healed my wounds. Artemeni nodded.
¡°It is here, Champion. I took it to inspect it. Though I am afraid I couldn¡¯t appraise it. It is just like the others.¡±
Aurora handed me a large mirror.
¡°Well, it is not important. It will be unlocked after we get to the second floor. So, Artemeni, how was the trial?¡±
Artemeni glanced at the mirror in my hands before looking up at me. Her expression held a mix of satisfaction and lingering intensity, as though she was still processing everything she¡¯d faced in the trial. I couldn¡¯t blame her. I was the same too. Even though I answered my reflection¡¯s words, did I really believe those answers?
¡°It was intense.¡±
She said slowly, her voice thoughtful.
¡°I expected it to be a test of skill but it was more than it. It felt like a test of character. I suppose it wanted me to question everything, but I think I came out with even more certainty."
She stopped, her gaze dropping to her spear, fingers idly tracing its edge. I nodded and patted her hair.
¡°You did good. Better than me. Remember, conviction is not a lack of doubt. It is the ability to continue believing even with them.¡±
Her face grew as red as her hair for a second, though she tried to hide it by focusing on her spear. She mumbled a soft, ¡°Thank you, Champion,¡± barely loud enough to hear, as if she wasn¡¯t used to this kind of praise. Thalia, noticing the exchange, raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t comment, instead continuing to tend to the remnants of my bruises with a sigh.
¡°Champion, we had this talk before but since she is not here I want to ask you again: Is Blanche Silverfox really trustworthy?¡±
Aurora¡¯s question caught me off guard.
¡°She is bound by a geass.¡±
I answered. Aurora frowned, her expression not quite satisfied.
¡°Her family is too shady. They gained power through mysterious means and slavery. Not to mention she is regarded as a mortal enemy by Whifur. She is powerful indeed but if you really wanted to you could have hired an even stronger someone. Why her? Is this related to your past?¡±
I took a slow breath, feeling the eyes of not just Aurora but Thalia and Artemeni on me too.
¡°Two reasons.¡±
I lifted two fingers up.
¡°One is she is bound. Let¡¯s say rudely that I held both the leash and the carrot for her. I know what their mysterious power is and how to control it more effectively. This makes her a perfect ¡°hound¡±.¡±
I paused, meeting each of their gazes in turn. Thalia''s concern, Artemeni''s curiosity, and Aurora¡¯s suspicion all mirrored back at me. They had every right to question my decision, especially in life or death sceniore like this. I continued, my tone calm but resolute.
¡°The second reason is I can¡¯t change things from outside. I can but with too much bloodshed. Even if I gain power in Quipax, I can¡¯t stop slavery and racism in other kingdoms. I need doors to other kingdoms, to nobles. Plus, Whifur and Silverfoxes are bound to fight. Gotta keep your allies close, and your enemies closer.¡±
Aurora¡¯s gaze remained skeptical.
¡°Leashes can snap and carrots can be stolen, Champion¡ But I understand. If it is your order, I will follow it.¡±
¡°Thank you, Aurora,¡± I replied. ¡°And know this: if things do change, if she shows even a hint of betrayal, we¡¯ll deal with her swiftly. But until then, I need you to trust my judgment.¡±
Aurora nodded, albeit reluctantly, mana crackling in her fingertips. Thalia finished patching up my wounds, her hands lingering for a moment longer, almost as if to remind me of her earlier reprimand. ¡°You make things harder for yourself sometimes, Champion,¡± she muttered, shaking her head but unable to fully hide the warmth in her gaze. ¡°But we¡¯ll follow you, no matter how messy things get.¡±
¡°Thank you, Thalia. Now I will rest my eyes until Blanche comes back.¡±
I leaned back towards her. Sigh.
I knew what Aurora meant. It wasn¡¯t necessary for me to take Blanche with me. But I still did. The reasons I¡¯d given Aurora¡ªthey were logical and rational. But was that all there was to it?
I wondered if, beneath it all, I was holding onto the hope that Blanche could change. That maybe, just maybe, she could move beyond the arrogance of her bloodline, the casual cruelty towards beastkin, the cold indifference towards the suffering of those she deemed beneath her. When I was younger, before the trials and tribulations that had hardened me, I would have likely brushed off Blanche¡¯s kind as a lost cause. But if she could change¡ maybe it would mean something for this fractured world.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.But why? Why do I try to change her? Yeah, I give people advice before but I didn¡¯t try to change them. Perhaps the one who is changing is me.
¡
I was an¡ apathic person to people who I thought was wrong or needed help. Not that I didn¡¯t care about them but whatever they changed for better or not wasn¡¯t something I was personally invested in. In the past, I would have let someone like her be, would¡¯ve kept my distance, maybe offered some advice if they were open to it. I¡¯d tell them what I thought, even knock some sense into them if they needed it, but I didn¡¯t get personally invested.
¡°But how did that approach turn out with William?¡±
A voice in my head asked and I agreed with it. It was right. How I did things wasn¡¯t good enough, if it was the Earth wouldn¡¯t have lost. Sigh.
I felt the divine power of Aliera inside me.
Champion.
Guardian.
Hero.
Not just a simple soldier.
God, every day I feel more like Bolverk even though I only knew him for a day or so.
¡°Champion, Blanche is here.¡±
I opened my eyes, blinking the lingering haze of fatigue away, and sat up to face Blanche Silverfox as she entered the chamber. Her silver hair gleamed under the dim lighting, her posture upright, as composed and aloof as always. Her eyes swept the room, noting the wary gazes of the others before settling on me.
¡°Welp looks like we are done with the first floor.¡±
Stone Key of Toughness
Cloak of Midnight
Stormclad Arrow
Orb of Undending Flow
Mirror of Reflection
5 key items for 5 trials. I put all of them into their respective altars.
(You completed the first floor of War God¡¯s Battle Area.)
(All stats increase by 1.)
(Key items are unlocked.)
Rays of light shone from each altar, coalescing together to form a gate. The gate''s light shimmered, casting a warm glow across the chamber. We each exchanged glances, knowing that what lay ahead would only grow more challenging. This was just the first floor, after all.
¡°But first let¡¯s see what the key items are capable of.¡±
(Stone Key of Toughness)
(A key forged from the bones of the earth itself, carrying the unbreakable resolve of the ground beneath every living being. This relic resonates with the strength of ancient stone, urging its wielder to stand firm, unshaken.
(Durability: 1000, regenerates when in touch with ground)
(+10 Defense)
(Martyrdom of Stone: Whenever the User is struck, the key intercepts up to 20% of the damage, reducing its own durability proportionally. It stands as a silent protector, bearing the weight of each blow so its bearer may endure.)
(Tenacity of Mountian: Once per day, the User may draw upon the key¡¯s boundless resilience, gaining a 20% boost to Defense and Vitality for 10 minutes. During this time, User¡¯s stamina will not be consumed.)
(Cloak of Midnight)
(This cloak flows like a liquid shadow, enveloping its wearer in darkness as deep as the void. Its touch is cold, yet comforting¡ªa promise that beneath its folds, one can become invisible, a specter in the night.)
(Defense: 20)
(Durability: 300, regenerates when in darkness)
(Dark Wraiths: Once a day, the cloak grants the User the power to summon up to five shadowy wraiths. These spectral guardians, with the intelligence and loyalty of hounds, grow stronger in dim or dark environments. They will protect their master tirelessly, vanishing only when light overtakes them or their task is done.)
(Watcher in the Dark: All of the User¡¯s senses will increase by 30 percent while they are in a dark place.)
(Stormclad Arrow)
(An arrow humming with the power of a storm, eager to unleash thunder upon those who would stand in its User¡¯s way.)
(Power: 30)
(Durability: 250, regenerates when not in combat)
(Arrow Rain: By channeling mana, the User can split this arrow mid-flight into multiple copies, creating a barrage of projectiles. The number of copies depends on the mana invested, transforming a single shot into a deadly storm of arrows.)
(Lightning Strike: Once per day, the arrow can summon storm clouds that rain down lightning on every target it strikes for three minutes. After the storm subsides, the arrow¡¯s Power is halved as its energies replenish.)
(Orb of Undending Flow)
(A magical orb that continuously stores and flows mana inside. In its depths, one can glimpse the tranquil might of an unbroken current.)
(Violent Flow: The User can tap into the orb¡¯s reservoir of stored mana to fuel destructive abilities. This mana, accelerated by the orb¡¯s nature, amplifies the power of all destructive skills and magic by 30%, allowing the User to unleash devastating force.)
(Calm Flow: Once per day, the User may soothe all mana in the surrounding area, subtly weakening the magical defenses of every creature within range. This pacifying influence leaves them more vulnerable to the User¡¯s magic.)
(Mirror of Reflection)
(This floating mirror is attuned to its wielder¡¯s mana, shimmering with a faint glow that pulses in rhythm with the User¡¯s heartbeat. When called upon, it mirrors their own abilities, a silent and loyal partner in battle.)
(Mirroring: Once every minute, the mirror automatically replicates the most recent mana-based skill or spell used by the User, with a three-second delay. It will only perform abilities for which it has sufficient mana, effectively turning the User¡¯s power against their foes with a spectral echo.)
¡°That¡¯s a lot of words.¡±
Blanche arched a brow at my muttering, clearly unimpressed. ¡°Is reading too much for the Champion?¡±
¡°Perhaps it is. Let¡¯s go. We will discuss how we will distribute them on the second floor.¡±
225-The Minions of Red and Blue
¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want any of them, Blanche? The cloak could be yours if you want.¡±
Man, distributing the rewards between party members was hard. Some items were too specific to be given to anyone and some items were too useful that everyone could use them. As the group leader, I had the final say on which item went to which person, and being fair was really difficult.
Blanche looked at me with an expression I couldn¡¯t read.
¡°I do not need it. Wouldn¡¯t it be better in your hands?¡±
She replied, crossing her arms. Her words were surprisingly selfless but I couldn¡¯t help to think it was her way of trying to not tie herself too tight with us. Huh. Guess that''s what she tried to do when she gave me items way back. It is kind of funny. I could push further but instead, I nodded, accepting her answer for now.
¡°Alright. Artemeni gets the Stone Key. Aurora gets the orb and Thalia the mirror. I get the arrow since I am the only one who has a bow. Guess the cloak stays in my inventory.¡±
As our main close combat specialist, it was easy to decide who would get the key. The orb and mirror were more tricky. Both could gone to Aurora as they would help her magic casting greatly but Thalia being able to stack buffs and healing sounded better than just offensive magic.
¡°Alright. Since everyone is well rested, we can start discussing the second floor.¡±
Even though we were on the second floor, we hadn¡¯t entered the challenge area. We were camping on the ¡°edge¡±. We had been awake for around 24 hours when we finished the last trial.
¡°From what I could gather,¡± I began, ¡°it¡¯s structured like a field battle. We will have constant minion waves on our side but also against us. All of our skills will be de-ranked into E rank and our stats will decrease to 10. We will have to gain them back by gaining experience which is acquired by killing minions, natural mobs, or enemy champions.¡±
The group exchanged glances, some looking intrigued, others wary.
¡°Field battle, huh?¡± Thalia muttered, brow furrowing as she considered the implications. ¡°So we¡¯re basically... starting from scratch?¡±
¡°Yeah,¡± I confirmed, nodding. ¡°All that training, all those ranks and boosts¡ªit¡¯s going to be stripped down. We¡¯ll need to rebuild from the ground up and adapt on the fly. The idea is for us to focus on strategy and resourcefulness. It¡¯s not about raw power but how we apply it.¡±
Aurora looked deep in thought. ¡°If we¡¯re all forced to start at E-rank, then everyone¡ªminions included¡ªis bound by the same limitations. That means we can¡¯t just rely on sheer strength to break through, can we?¡±
¡°Exactly,¡± I replied. ¡°It¡¯s all about coordination. We¡¯ll be balancing offense and defense, pushing forward but also knowing when to fall back. We¡¯ll need a solid plan, especially since there¡¯ll be enemy champions, likely with some nasty tricks up their sleeves.¡±
I cracked my neck.
¡°Well, there are more things. We will each have to take a role. Tank, Ganker, Mage, Ranger and Support. Depending on our role, we will receive some buffs and some debuffs. Artemeni, you will be our tank. Your job will be to soak the damage and block enemies from getting to the Ranger and Mage. Blanche you will be the Ganker. You have to slay the natural mobs and help the others. Aurora will be the mage and Thalia will be the support.¡±
As I assigned each of them their roles, I could sense the shift in their expressions¡ªsome resolute, others a bit hesitant. The challenge ahead was like nothing we¡¯d tackled before. Starting with base stats meant we couldn¡¯t rely on our usual strengths; even the most seasoned among us would be on even footing with lesser enemies. Honestly, I couldn¡¯t help to get excited. Growing strong was good but the stronger I was the fewer opportunities I had to see my flaws and improve.
¡°Bark!¡±
G?kb?r¨¹ headbutted my thigh to get my attention. I patted his head.
¡°Of course, you are with me, you furball.¡±
With the roles set, I gathered everyone in a huddle.
¡°Alright, let¡¯s go. Remember to stay safe.¡±
We stepped forward, crossing the boundary into the second-floor arena. The world around us shifted immediately¡ªa vast battlefield materializing with jagged cliffs, broken fortresses, and barren plains scattered with abandoned siege equipment. Dark storm clouds churned above, casting an ominous light over the terrain, broken only by distant flashes of lightning.
(You entered the challenge of the second floor.)
(All of your stats decrease to 10.)
(All of your skills are lowered to E rank.)
(Choose one role: Tank, Ganker, Mage, Ranger, Support.)
¡°Ranger.¡±
(You choose the Ranger role. Your melee attacks will have no effect on the enemy. All of your ranged attacks increase in effectiveness based on your level.)
(Growth of your defensive stats decreases, and growth of your offensive stats increases.)
(Your precision increases greatly. The effectiveness of your armor decreases greatly.)
(You acquired passive skill Piercing Shot.)
(Your movement speed increases greatly.)
(Destroy enemy towers and nexus while protecting yours to conquer the second floor.)
¡°Artemeni, to the top lane. Aurora to mid. Blanche, you will start from our side of the jungle. Thalia and I will be at the bottom lane. Unfortunately, we won¡¯t to able to communicate. Though it could be possible after Aurora levels up. ¡±
The team took their positions, each member slipping into a role they hadn¡¯t fully experienced before. As we spread out, I felt a mix of anticipation and a twinge of nervousness. Starting from scratch with stripped-down stats and reduced skill ranks was no easy feat, even for us. Artemeni gave a reassuring nod as she trudged up the rocky incline toward the top lane, her massive form already embodying the resilience we¡¯d need from her. Aurora moved toward the center, her eyes fixed forward with determination, clearly ready to test her magic in this altered state. Blanche was already a blur, vanishing into the jungle to hunt natural mobs and level up. Thalia, meanwhile, stood beside me, her gaze steady. We were in sync, each aware of the stakes.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
(You are in close proximity to your Support. You gain a small shield.)
We were at the protective range of our third tower. When I ventured forward, I saw the enemy¡¯s tower and its protective range and came back.
With a deep breath, I notched an arrow, adjusting to the new weight of my stats and the slight dip in power. I couldn''t help the grin tugging at my lips.
¡°Heh. This reminds me of a game back in my world.¡±
Thalia turned to me, clearly surprised.
¡°You had this kind of game in your world, Champion?¡±
¡°Yeah, something like this. We¡¯d call it a ¡®MOBA,¡¯¡± I replied, keeping my eyes on the landscape, picking out potential positions for cover and ambush. ¡°A battlefield split into lanes, enemy waves coming at you, and you¡¯d have to rely on teamwork. Though, I¡¯ve never played it on a field as real as this.¡±
Thalia¡¯s face softened in amusement, though her brow remained furrowed. ¡°Perhaps the gods inspired your people to prepare for this¡ it seems oddly fitting.¡± She shook her head with a small smile.
I doubted that but I didn¡¯t say it. I remember skipping school to go to internet cafes with my friends before the invasion of the Horde started. It felt so far away now.
I shook my head. No point in remising now. Especially not when minions are coming. They looked like what might expect minions to look like. They reached around my waist, holding somehow cartoonish-looking swords, shields, bows, and staffs. Their entire body was covered with robes, obscuring what was under them. I could only see two red lights where their eyes should be. Ours were wearing red robes while the enemy wore blue.
¡°They are, somehow cute.¡±
Thalia said, picking up one of ours. It let out some weird noises and struggled to let go.
¡°What will be our strategy, Champion?¡±
She asked as she let go of the minion. Watching the minion toddle back into formation, I considered Thalia¡¯s question, shifting my gaze to the advancing waves of blue-robed minions marching toward us in the bottom lane.
¡°Our first priority,¡± I said, ¡°is to focus on leveling up as quickly as possible. The faster we grow, the sooner we can push toward their towers without getting overwhelmed by the minions or an ambush from their champions. We need to kill off their minions, gather experience, and stay close to the tower for added protection if they decide to press us.¡±
Thalia nodded thoughtfully. ¡°So, we keep a balance, neither too cautious nor too aggressive?¡±
¡°Exactly,¡± I confirmed. ¡°But once we have some experience and our skills improve, we¡¯ll start pushing forward. For now, let the enemy come to us.¡±
I released my first arrow, aiming carefully at an approaching minion. As the arrow pierced through its cloak, it let out a bizarre, squeaky wail before vanishing into a puff of smoke, leaving a faint shimmer of light as experience filtered toward me.
¡°It is weird seeing them fight each other when they look so cartoonish.¡±
They didn¡¯t bleed or leave a body.
Thalia gracefully weaved her own support magic through our ranks, granting minor buffs that helped our minions hold their ground longer and whittle down the enemy.
¡°Don¡¯t overdo it, Thalia. If we push hard the enemy ganker can catch us. And speak of the devil¡¡±
Two humanoid figures entered my vision. Enemy Ranger and Support, I thought to myself.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹. Can you patrol the jungle on our side? If you meet Blanche, get her to our side. If you see enemy Ganker, run back to me.¡±
He exited out of my shadow. I wasn¡¯t sure how the floor classified G?kb?r¨¹ but I guessed it saw him as a part of me. Wolf pup laid low as he ran towards the jungle, sticking the shadows to the best of his ability while borrowing my Shadow Melt.
¡°Thalia, we will wait for G?kb?r¨¹. Watch them and gain experience.¡±
I watched how they moved behind our minion wave, sometimes shooting one or two arrows to stop them from pushing us back to our tower. Both the Ranger and Support looked like what you would expect from a cheap MOBA. The enemy Ranger had an oversized, feathered cap and mismatched armor, and his partner, the Support, wore an odd mix of robes and metallic armor plates that looked barely functional. The way they moved was cautious as if they knew we were watching, but neither seemed overly eager to commit just yet. Their roles seemed clear¡ªthey were here to probe us, maybe test the waters before launching a full offensive.
I nodded, still scanning the treeline. ¡°They might be stalling. Their ganker could be lying in wait, hoping to ambush us if we get reckless. This phase of the fight is as much about patience as it is about power.¡±
Moments later, G?kb?r¨¹ reappeared from the jungle, his small but fierce form visible as he trotted over, a triumphant look in his eyes.
¡°She is around? Alright. We are going in the offensive.¡±
I checked my stats, seeing that I was in the 20 range. Good. This should be enough. I pulled Stormclad Arrow, fusing mana into it. I activated Arrow Rain as I released, killing the enemy minion wave and forcing the enemy champions to back away.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹, just focus on slowing them.¡±
I activated Monstrous Strength as G?kb?r¨¹ jumped into my arms and I threw him towards the enemy champions. At the same time, Blanche exited out of the jungle, running to cut them off. The enemy Ranger''s eyes widened, clearly caught off guard by the sudden offensive. As G?kb?r¨¹ hurtled toward them, Blanche shot forward in a blur, her movements swift and merciless. The enemy Support scrambled, waving his staff to try and form a protective barrier, but it was too late. Blanche¡¯s blade glinted as she struck, forcing them to retreat, stumbling backward to avoid her ruthless assault.
G?kb?r¨¹ landed with a quiet snarl, nipping at the Ranger''s heels, keeping him on the defensive. My arrow rained down, scattering the enemy minions and allowing our own wave to surge forward, pressing them back toward their tower but I wasn¡¯t going to let them escape so easily. Activating Armor Collapsing Claw, I put most of my mana into my arrow, nailing the enemy Ranger right in the forehead. The Support panicked but Blanche had the same idea as me and finished it off. Both of them turned to mist.
At the same time, I felt a huge increase in experience. Killing champions gave more experience. Who could have guessed?
(You defeated Level 1 Ranger and Support. Level 2 Ranger and Support will spawn in 1 minute.)
¡°Good job everyone. Let¡¯s get the first tower before they arrive.¡±
226-Roles of War
Artemeni couldn¡¯t help but smile when she saw minions awkwardly shuffle. She wondered if she looked like them when she first marched together with the other soldiers when she was just a little pup. It was a long time ago for her, training starting when she started to walk.
She shook her head. She had no time to think that kind of stuff. She was weak right now. She had to be more careful as she couldn¡¯t rely on the strength she built up now. Thankfully, the second floor also gave her extra boosts too.
(You choose the Tank role. Your Defense and Vitality increases. Your ability to resist abnormal status effects increases based on your level. )
(You acquire the active skill Taunt.)
(Your speed decreases. Your ability to use mana-based attacks decreases.)
(Durability and Defense of your shields and armor increases.)
(Destroy enemy towers and nexus while protecting yours to conquer the second floor.)
Standing in front of the first tower in the top lane, she spotted the approaching wave of blue-robed minions, bobbing in a similarly ungainly fashion. She raised her shield, grounding herself, and focused. Their goal was clear: break through her line, push toward the tower, and disrupt their strategy.
¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got,¡± she muttered, her fingers tightening around her weapon. She activated Taunt, feeling a strange pull of energy as the approaching minions momentarily halted, their attention drawn to her.
The enemy minions staggered slightly before charging toward her in a frenzied, single-minded focus. Artemeni braced, blocking the first few blows with her shield, feeling the satisfying thud of impact as they collided with the reinforced barrier. Despite their cartoonish appearances, their strikes had a surprising bite to them¡ªenough to keep her grounded and in the moment. Thankfully, her minions weren¡¯t sitting still and helped her to push the wave.
But something changed when she arrived at the enemy tower. The moment the first minion entered into its range a blue energy orb shot out from the tower, killing the minion. Artemeni¡¯s eyes widened as the blue energy orb vaporized the lead minion in an instant. The tower¡¯s raw power was something she hadn''t anticipated. Adjusting her stance, she retreated a few steps, assessing her options. Though she was accustomed to being a bastion on the battlefield, this role as the frontline tank required her to rethink her approach¡ªshe had no backup strength to rely on, just pure resilience and strategy.
Another wave of minions began to rally behind her, and she let out a slow breath, preparing to press forward with them. They moved as if entranced by some invisible command, their movements precise but predictable. Artemeni raised her shield and nudged the lead minions into formation with a swift gesture, using her bulk to guide them like a shepherd. She needed to let them chip away at the tower while protecting them as best she could.
At the same time, the enemy champion appeared. It was a large, lanky man with some armor covering its body. It had a spear and shield, just like Artemeni. Despite having it in her clear vision, Artemeni couldn¡¯t discern its face.
Artemeni sized up her new opponent, her instincts kicking in as she studied the faceless figure wielding a spear and shield, mirroring her setup. This wasn¡¯t just another minion¡ªthis was a challenge.
Champion vs. Champion. She felt a flicker of excitement at the thought, her warrior spirit flaring up despite her weakened state. The opposing champion wasted no time, stepping forward with a steady, determined gait. Artemeni noticed the efficiency in its movement¡ªit held its shield high, spear angled downward, a textbook defensive stance. It knew how to use its gear, at least on a basic level.
Artemeni narrowed her eyes, her grip firming on her shield as she watched the faceless champion. She could feel the tug of her own Taunt skill nudging at its attention, drawing it to her like a moth to a flame. She¡¯d faced her fair share of enemies in the past, but here, without her full strength, it was all about playing her role¡ªenduring, outlasting, and ensuring her minions had a clear path to chip away at the tower.
The enemy champion lunged, its spear a silver blur as it closed the distance. Artemeni sidestepped, angling her shield to deflect the blow, her feet sliding back to absorb the impact. The hit reverberated through her arm, but she held firm. She took a steadying breath, dropping her stance slightly to stabilize herself against the relentless onslaught.
"Fine, then," she muttered, "let¡¯s play."
The enemy champion locked onto her with a mechanical determination, its movements sharpening as it lunged forward, focused solely on breaking her defense. Artemeni braced, absorbing the blows while her minions darted around, their small weapons chipping away at the tower¡¯s defenses with each wave. The champion was relentless, though its pattern remained relatively simple¡ªstrike, retreat, jab with the spear, raise its shield.
It was predictable and exploitable. But just as Artemeni was about to counterattack an alarm bell rang in her head as someone exited out of the thick jungle behind her, cutting her way towards the ally tower. It was the enemy Ganker.
Artemeni¡¯s eyes darted to the figure emerging from the jungle, an enemy ganker slipping into her flank with deadly intent. She clenched her jaw, calculating her options. A single misstep here could unravel her defenses, exposing her minions and the tower to a brutal assault. Her grip on the shield tightened as she took in the ganker¡¯s form¡ªa lithe, shadow-wreathed figure wielding twin blades that glinted menacingly in the low light.
¡°Not today,¡± she muttered under her breath, a fierce determination igniting within her.
She was already stretched thin, the enemy champion pushing her with steady, forceful strikes that demanded every ounce of her concentration. The ganker, however, added a new layer of urgency.
She was far away from her tower and with her lowered movement speed and the ganker on the way, she couldn¡¯t retreat. She gritted her teeth in determination. She had a huge wave of ally minions on her side thanks to constantly pushing the enemy wave. Would it be possible for her to two on one with their help? The minions seemed to attack whatever was in front of them unless a skill influenced them. If she positioned herself just right maybe she could do it.
Positioning herself just ahead of her minions, she raised her shield, calculating her stance to catch both the champion''s spear strikes and the deadly, fast movements of the ganker. The ally minions flanked her sides, clustering together like a shield wall. She nudged them slightly with her spear and shield, drawing them forward and using them to disrupt the enemy''s pattern and add to her own defense.
The enemy champion came in again, predictable in its pattern. Artemeni sidestepped the first spear thrust, deflecting it toward a minion who immediately swarmed it, briefly halting its advance. But she barely had time to breathe as the ganker appeared, slashing down with its twin blades. Artemeni angled her shield up just in time to catch the first strike, the force jarring her stance but not breaking it. She pivoted, using her shield to redirect the ganker''s second blade just far enough to avoid a critical hit.
Her minions seeing the new enemy in front of them lunged toward the ganker. Some began chipping away at the champion, whose shield buckled under their relentless strikes. Seeing this as her chance, Artemeni summoned every ounce of her strength, stepping forward with a mighty bash that knocked the champion back a few paces. She glanced at her minions and growled, ¡°Push, keep moving forward!¡±
Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!They surged forward, small but relentless, their focus unwavering as they tore into the enemies. But the ganker was cunning, weaving through her line to try and find an opening. Artemeni adjusted her position, planting herself between her minions and the ganker, blocking it from reaching the exposed flank.
The enemy champion, regaining its stance, lunged back into the fray, locking into another clash with her. Artemeni smirked, adjusting her grip. She had one chance. With her shield raised, she drove her weight forward in a concentrated strike that smashed into the champion, momentarily stunning it. Then, with a quick pivot, she brought her shield up to guard against the ganker¡¯s slashing blades while activating Spear of Huntress, mighty skill drawing upon her lowered mana reserves like a desert drinking rainwater. But it was enough. She threw it to the enemy tank, piercing its chest.
(You defeated Level 1 Tank. Level 2 Tanker will spawn in 1 minute.)
The ganker tried to take advantage of her weaponless state but it was quickly overwhelmed by a large number of minions, swarming it like ants and beating it down with their small weapons.
(You defeated Level 1 Ganker. Level 2 Ganker will spawn in 1 minute.)
With that, Artemeni took down the first top lane tower.
...
(Your team destroyed a tower.)
(Enemy minions will be strengthened.)
(Your team destroyed a tower.)
(Enemy minions will be strengthened.)
Aurora frowned. She was in a perfect stalemate against the enemy mage, neither fully committing attacking nor pushing the lane. However, if enemy minions were really strengthened as the notification said, it was inevitable that her minions would be overpowered and she would pushed back to her own tower.
But even more important, the notifications told her one thing: She was the only one who hadn¡¯t destroyed her lane¡¯s tower. That wouldn¡¯t do, even with her lowered stats. The enemy mage looked like what common folk thought female mages looked like with a pointy hat and a staff. She also wore a pointy hat and held a staff but it didn¡¯t matter.
Aurora¡¯s frown deepened as she gripped her staff tighter, watching the enemy mage shuffle her position, clearly anticipating the next move. The notifications loomed in her mind, a constant reminder that her team had already outpaced her. The last one to destroy a tower, huh? She clenched her jaw. That wouldn¡¯t do¡ªnot for her pride, nor her responsibility to the team.
She had the push the lane before the waves of strengthened minions arrived. Her fingers curled around the intricate carvings of her staff, magic humming faintly beneath her touch. She cast a quick glance at the battlefield, calculating. Aurora began weaving a spell, the glow of her mana radiating faintly as she muttered the incantation under her breath. A flicker of pale blue light shot from her staff, arcing toward the enemy mage. It wasn¡¯t meant to hit¡ªit was a feint. As expected, the enemy mage raised her staff, forming a glowing barrier to block the projectile. But Aurora was already in motion, her focus shifting to the enemy minions.
With a sweeping gesture, she unleashed a low-tier area spell, "Blaze Surge," igniting the ground beneath the advancing wave. Flames erupted, swallowing the nearest cluster of minions. The enemy mage hesitated, likely debating whether to counter or push forward. That moment of indecision was all Aurora needed.
Channeling mana through passive ability, Mana Conductor, funneling residual mana from the spell into a swift follow-up: "Arcane Pulse." The pulse rippled forward, striking both the remaining enemy minions and the mage¡¯s barrier. It wasn¡¯t strong enough to break through, but it was enough to stagger her and disrupt her rhythm.
Aurora¡¯s lips curled into a small smirk as she watched the enemy mage flinch slightly, her barrier shimmering with the aftershock of the Arcane Pulse. The enemy mage, recovering quickly, retaliated with a barrage of shimmering magic missiles, each one homing in on Aurora¡¯s position. She raised her staff and created a hexagonal mana barrier, a much more efficient but hard-to-form version of mana barrier to block it. The first few missiles dissipated harmlessly against the barrier while she dodged others despite her weakened physical stats, she was still an Amazon warrior after all.
With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed Mana Surge, a skill designed to amplify her spells momentarily. Energy coursed through her, her staff glowing brighter as she channeled her next spell. She focused on the cluster of enemy minions closest to the front and chanted. A mage of her level normally wouldn¡¯t need to chant or use hand gestures to fire a devastating attack. But now she had to.
¡°Stars above, heed my call,
Burn the sky and let them fall.
Brilliant wrath, unleash your glow¡ª Starfall Nova!¡±
Aurora''s voice carried a steady cadence, the words of the incantation laced with power as her staff crackled with energy. A sigil formed in the air before her, glowing with blue light. Her narrowed eyes locked on the approaching enemy minions and the mage beyond them. A cascade of radiant orbs shot from the sigil, crashing down like meteors upon the enemy minions. Each impact sent shockwaves rippling through the ground, obliterating the clustered minions and leaving craters in their wake. The sheer force of the spell pushed back the enemy wave, and Aurora saw the enemy mage hesitate again, her staff raised defensively.
Aurora couldn¡¯t help but feel a flicker of disdain at the enemy mage''s defensive posture. Among battle mages, hesitation was tantamount to surrender. ¡°Sub-optimal¡± didn¡¯t even begin to describe it. Magic was meant to dominate the battlefield, to seize control of the tempo. A true mage didn¡¯t cower behind their staff¡ªthey dictated the terms of engagement.
But there was no time for smug superiority. She had the advantage now, however slight, and she intended to press it. The enemy mage responded with an incantation of her own, her voice sharp and melodic¡ªa swirling vortex of wind formed at her command, gathering around the base of her staff. Aurora¡¯s instincts flared as the winds coalesced into a visible cyclone, a mid-tier wind spell known for its crowd-clearing efficiency.
¡°Fire Ball.¡±
Another mistake. That spell pulled things to itself before it was fired. ¡°Too slow,¡± she muttered, unleashing a compact yet high-impact Fire Ball directly into the heart of the forming cyclone. The flames collided with the vortex, consuming the air that fueled it. The result was an explosion of heat and pressure that sent embers spiraling outward. The backlash staggered the enemy mage, her defensive stance faltering.
With the path momentarily clear, Aurora pressed forward, her feet digging into the ground as she advanced with purposeful strides. The faint glow of her staff illuminated the smoldering battlefield, and her next wave of allied minions surged past her, eager to close the gap to the enemy tower.
But Aurora wasn¡¯t done. The remaining enemy minions rallied, attempting to slow her push. Her mind raced as she evaluated her options. She couldn¡¯t afford to expend high-tier spells; her mana reserves were finite, and the looming possibility of another enemy champion joining the fray was ever-present.
¡°Let¡¯s simplify this,¡± she said, taking a deep breath. Channeling her Mana Conductor skill once more, she directed the flow of residual mana into her staff, its tip glowing with condensed energy. With a flourish, she unleashed Arcane Stream, a continuous beam of pure magic that swept through the enemy minions like a scythe. They crumbled one by one, their resistance insignificant against the focused assault.
The enemy mage, now visibly desperate, began casting another spell¡ªsomething stronger, more elaborate. Aurora caught a glimpse of glowing runes spiraling around the mage¡¯s staff, signaling the preparation of a high-tier attack.
Aurora¡¯s lips quirked upward. ¡°A gamble? Fine.¡± She planted her feet and raised her staff high. If the mage wanted a contest of power, she¡¯d deliver.
But that never came to be as an arrow cut through the air before neither of them could react, nailing the enemy mage in the face.
¡°Sorry for stealing your kill, Aurora. Figured this would make this easier.¡±
Poyraz Karabulut exited out of the shadows, Aurora now noticing his massive bulk and mana and sighing a breath of relief. If this was several years ago, Aurora could have felt humiliated by his help. But now, she put the benefits over her pride.
¡°No worries, Champion. You are here to take down the tower, I assume?¡±
Poyraz nodded.
¡°Let¡¯s take it and move, Aurora.¡±
227-Tower for a Drake
¡°Looks like all minions get stronger and not the lane in which the tower is taken down.¡±
I murmured as one of my arrows bounced off a minion¡¯s shield. They looked different now. I expected them to be just bigger but they were now more developed. The shields were thicker, their weapons more menacing, and their coordination unnervingly refined.
I loosed another arrow, aiming for a gap in the armor. The shot struck true, sinking into the minion¡¯s shoulder. It staggered but didn¡¯t crumble, hefting its blade with renewed resolve. Their attacks caused our minions to crumble beneath their attacks. If Aurora and I were not here to counterattack, they would have destroyed our tower easily just by themselves.
¡°This won¡¯t do. Aurora, how is your mana and mental power?¡±
Aurora cast a quick glance over her shoulder, her breathing steady but laced with subtle exhaustion. The battlefield demanded relentless focus, and even she couldn¡¯t escape its toll entirely. She brushed a strand of sweat-dampened hair from her face, her brown eyes still gleaming with determination.
¡°I¡¯ve been pacing myself so I am nearly full. What is our plan?¡±
She replied, launching another Arcane Stream to thin out the advancing minion wave.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹. Find Blanche and Thalia. They must be in the enemy jungle. Guide them towards the drake.¡±
The wolf pup exited out of my shadow, running towards the thick jungle. After we took care of the bottom tower and pushed our lane to the second tower, I ordered Blanche and Thalia to invade the enemy jungle, taking neutral l camps on their side to weaken enemy Ganker and possibly catch it. However, I did not expect the power of enemy minions.
¡°We will push this lane as fast as we can and move to the drake. Our bottom tower should go down since no one was there to defend it. That should strengthen our minions a little bit more.¡±
Aurora nodded, her gaze locked on the advancing wave of enhanced enemy minions.
"Understood. But is it okay for us to sack our bottom tower?¡±
¡°It¡¯s a calculated trade,¡± I replied, drawing another arrow and loosing it at a shield-bearing minion. The arrow slammed into its shield, forcing it to stumble but not fall. I clicked my tongue in frustration.
¡°The drake will give us a party-wide buff while the tower going down means will strengthen our minions. We can also catch enemy Ranger and Support if they insist on pushing after taking our tower. 2 vs 4 should be an easy victory for us.¡±
Aurora didn¡¯t argue further. She had trusted my strategies before, and this would be no different. Her staff flared as she began charging a stronger spell.
¡°Then let¡¯s make this quick. I¡¯ll clear a path with this. After that, I¡¯m dry for high-tier spells until I recover.¡±
I nodded. ¡°That¡¯s fine. We just need to break their momentum for now.¡±
Aurora unleashed the spell, her voice ringing clear as a cascade of meteoric orbs rained down on the enemy minions. The impact was devastating, shattering the front line of their wave and forcing the remaining minions into disarray. As if on cue, a faint howl echoed from the jungle, signaling G?kb?r¨¹ had found our allies. That pup moved fast¡ªalmost too fast for his size. His presence would ensure they knew where to go without wasting time.
We backed out before heading down to make sure enemy mage couldn¡¯t see where we were headed.
¡°A member of dragonic subspecies¡ It will not be easy to take down.¡±
She voiced her concerns as we walked through a shallow swamp. My armor was watertight but Aurora looked extra displeased with her shoes getting muddied yet she didn¡¯t loudly complain.
¡°That¡¯s right. The drake actually spawn slightly later than other neutral camps but I waited until now so we can regain some of our strength. I also gave the Dragonic Slayer title so it should be fine.¡±
Aurora sighed, the mud clinging to her boots with every step. "I hope you''re right. A miscalculation here could mean losing both the drake and our lane pressure. That''d put us in a rough spot."
I smirked, nocking another arrow as we moved cautiously through the swamp. "Trust me. This plan hinges on timing and positioning. We just need to coordinate with Blanche and Thalia to ensure we control the area when the fight breaks out."
Aurora nodded, her staff glowing faintly as she prepared a defensive ward around us. "It¡¯s just¡ with enemy minions being this strong, we¡¯re walking a tightrope. If they capitalize on our absence, we¡¯ll lose momentum."
"True," I admitted, scanning the trees for any sign of the enemy ganker. "But the Drake buff will give us a decisive advantage in the long run. That¡¯s worth the temporary risk. Besides, if we encounter trouble, we retreat and regroup. No need to die for it. We have one life, they have infinite."
I appreciated Aurora¡¯s concerns. Both Thalia and Artemeni accepted every decision I took unless it was dangerous for me but Aurora wasn¡¯t like that.
A familiar bark echoed from ahead. G?kb?r¨¹''s sapphire eyes gleamed as he emerged from the jungle, his white fur barely marred by the environment. Behind him, Blanche and Thalia followed.
¡°We managed to clean the entire enemy jungle. No sign of enemy ganker though.¡±
The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.Blanche reported, her voice cool.
¡°What will we do, Champion?¡±
Thalia asked.
¡°We will be taking down the drake and moving to the bottom lane as four. Blanche since you are the Ganker you will be its main target. Thalia will focus on shielding you while I and Aurora will deal damage. G?kb?r¨¹ will scout the area in case of enemy champions.¡±
We arrived at the Drake¡¯s lair, a shallow cave with glowing runes etched into the rocky walls. The air grew heavier, charged with faint traces of mana. At the center of the chamber, the drake slumbered. It was slightly larger than a bus with legs as thick as tree logs. It lacked the wings and intelligence of true dragons but honestly, it was probably stronger than the early bosses I fought at Chimera Garden.
The drake stirred as we approached, its scales shimmering with an iridescent hue that reflected the faint light of the runes surrounding its lair. The creature''s head, adorned with jagged horns, lifted slightly, one amber eye opening to survey its intruders. Its claws dug into the rocky floor, a low rumble echoing in the chamber as it exhaled.
"Looks like it won''t let us get the drop on it," Aurora muttered, tightening her grip on her staff.
I nodded, signaling the team to take their positions. "That¡¯s fine. We have the advantage of preparation. Blanche, get ready to draw its attention."
The drake¡¯s eye locked onto Blanche as she stepped forward, her rapier raised. Her cool expression betrayed no hint of hesitation. "Understood."
Thalia stood just behind her, her hands glowing faintly as she began weaving protective barriers. "I¡¯ll make sure she stays standing, Champion."
Aurora¡¯s staff flared, and she began murmuring an incantation, readying a spell to strike as soon as the fight began.
I nocked an arrow, my gaze fixed on the drake. "G?kb?r¨¹, keep an eye out for enemy champions. Signal us if you see anything."
The white pup barked once, dashing off into the shadows with surprising speed. His presence reassured me; he¡¯d alert us to any ambushes before it was too late.
With everyone in position, I gave the signal. "Let¡¯s do this. Blanche, engage!"
(The first bottom tower is destroyed. Your minions strengtens.)
A notification appeared in my vision just as the drake fell.
(Your team has slain the Fire Drake.)
(All of your team acquires passive skill Drake¡¯s Heartbeat. The rhythm of the drake¡¯s heartbeat reverberates through your soul, fortifying your resolve.)
(All stats increases by 5.)
(All attacks have a 10% chance to deal bonus critical damage, scaling with the Drake¡¯s slain power. You have slain a level 1 drake.)
(Whenever a teammate deals a critical hit, nearby allies gain a temporary speed boost for 2 seconds.)
¡°Alright. Blanche, take G?kb?r¨¹ and cut the way to the second enemy tower. Aurora, Thalia you are with me. Let¡¯s gank those suckers.¡±
We made our way back through the swamp, the damp air thick with the tension of what lay ahead. As we emerged onto the battlefield near the enemy''s second tower, the scene was already chaotic. Blanche¡¯s precise strikes left enemy minions reeling, while G?kb?r¨¹ darted between them, snapping at their heels and creating openings but it was obvious that the level 2 Ranger and Support were too much for them to take on by themselves.
I nocked an arrow, activating Armor Collapsing Claw. The familiar hum of power surged through my hands, the arrow glowing faintly with energy designed to pierce through defenses. The Ranger turned toward the disturbance, their eyes widening as they spotted us.
¡°Too late,¡± I murmured, loosing the arrow.
The battle was ours.
(You defeated Level 2 Ranger. Level 3 Ranger will spawn in 1 minute and 15 seconds.)
(You defeated Level 2 Support. Level 3 Support will spawn in 1 minute and 15 seconds.)
(Your team destroyed a tower.)
(Enemy minions will be strengthened.)
The second tower was tougher and hit harder than the first one but we managed to take it down. The problem now was¡
¡°Goddamn it, I can¡¯t believe we killed a drake but can¡¯t deal with fucking minions!¡±
Damn, minions were so powerful that our minions couldn¡¯t stand a chance. What was worse was we also couldn¡¯t take them down effectively!
The main culprits were the armored minions. They wore what looked like shabby power armor which made them stand taller than me. When I tried to snipe them the arrow I shot was reflected by some kind of energy shield and hit me. I clicked my tongue and tapped into G?kb?r¨¹''s mana reserves to create a massive ice wall that covered the entire bottom lane.
"Aurora, go back to the middle and let the enemy minions push and take our first tower. We need stronger minions. We are not in the early game anymore. They aren''t important."
Aurora frowned.
"Do I need to be in the middle for that? The enemy will push by itself. Wouldn''t it be better if we stuck together? "
I shook my head. She wasn''t wrong but there was something she was missing.
"Our minions can''t put up a resistance. If we leave them to themselves we end up with a massive minion wave we can''t deal with. I need you to thin it down. Blanche will group up with Artemeni and take down Gopchump Mother. It should reside around the top lane on the opposite side of the drake. Thalia, you are with me. Around 5 minutes next Drake will spawn. I need you to finish your tasks and return there. But remember your life is a currency I can''t waste. Understand? "
228-The Gopchump Hunt
Blanche ran towards the top lane, dodging thorned branches and deep pools in the jungle. Thanks to her Ganker role, she gained a movement speed boost outside of combat, allowing her to traverse the map quickly. It also helped that she had gained most of her stats back. Even though she wasn¡¯t a pure warrior, her trained body had enough stamina to deal with the constant running around the map.
Her mind raced with calculations. She has seen the Gopchump Mother while clearing the jungle. While it didn¡¯t seem as strong as the drake they just slayed, it was still powerful. That¡¯s why she had to get the help of Artemeni who was at the top lane. It was also important to get her out of her lane as the stronger minions could cause serious damage to her.
¡°Your life is a currency I can¡¯t waste.¡±
Poyraz¡¯s words rang in her head. He was different now. Guess that should be expected as he didn¡¯t pose as a common squire anymore. He was the Champion of Aliera. But for some reason, Blanche thought that he was less happy now. Trapped, just like herself perhaps.
She shook her head. It was useless to think about those. Her focus sharpened as she approached the top lane. Artemeni was engaged in a tense standoff with the enemy¡¯s enhanced minions. Her spear despite the mastery it was wielded, couldn¡¯t get rid of ever ever-growing minion wave. Blanche called out as she broke through the treeline.
"Artemeni! With me, now. We¡¯re taking down the Gopchump Mother.¡±
Artemeni turned, her scarlet hair catching the faint light as her sharp eyes locked on Blanche.
¡°What about the lane?¡±
She asked, somewhat hesitant the leave the lane she worked hard to defend.
¡°We won¡¯t be able to defend it against those minions. Poyraz said that we should let go of the first towers for the sake of stronger minions.¡±
Artemeni frowned, gripping her spear tightly. She didn¡¯t like abandoning her post¡ªit went against her instincts as a warrior. But if the Champion of the Goddess she followed gave an order, she would follow it with her life.
¡°Alright,¡± Artemeni said, turning toward Blanche. Her movements were smooth but taut with tension, like a bowstring drawn to its limit. ¡°Lead the way. If we¡¯re going to take this beast down, we need to be quick.¡±
Blanche nodded and set off at a brisk pace, with Artemeni close behind. They moved through the dense jungle, its foliage casting fragmented shadows on the forest floor. The sound of distant combat¡ªminions clashing and spells erupting¡ªfaded as they pushed deeper into enemy territory.
The Gopchump Mother¡¯s lair wasn¡¯t far. Blanche had spotted it before while clearing camps, a twisted grove filled with pulsating fungal growths. As they approached, the ambient mana in the air grew thick, suffused with an unsettling vitality. The grove reeked of decay, and the ground beneath their feet felt unnaturally soft.
¡°There it is,¡± Blanche whispered, pointing to the hulking beast that loomed in the center of the grove. It stood nearly the height of them. It looked roughly like a giant toad with an almost grotesque, exaggerated bulk and a mix of amphibian and beastly features. Its hunched body was covered in thick, spiky fur or coarse hair, giving it a rugged and primal appearance. Its limbs were stubby but muscular, ending in sharp claws that hinted at its capability to dig or defend itself. The creature¡¯s face was somewhat squashed, with a bulbous structure and small, glinting eyes that peer from beneath its messy, mane-like fur.
Besides it were several smaller and similar beings, croaking as a choir. They were no bigger than the minions Artemeni and Blanche were used to yet they were various in number.
Blanche''s eyes scanned the grove, calculating their approach. The Gopchump Mother¡¯s presence seemed to embolden the smaller minions around it, their guttural croaks a rhythmic warning. Each croak sent ripples through the mana-rich air, almost as if the creature¡¯s power extended to its environment.
¡°They¡¯re grouped too tightly,¡± Artemeni murmured, her spear held low and ready. ¡°If we charge in, we¡¯ll be overwhelmed before we even touch the Mother.¡±
Blanche frowned, her mind racing. ¡°We need to thin them out first. If we draw the smaller ones away, we can handle them in waves. The Gopchump Mother won¡¯t move until we enter the grove¡ªtoo territorial.¡±
¡°Got it.¡± Artemeni¡¯s eyes gleamed as she adjusted her grip. ¡°I have a skill called Taunt. I can draw them to myself. You focus on cutting their numbers down.¡±
Blanche nodded. She unsheathed her rapier and sabre. Artemeni moved first. She hurled her spear into the nearest cluster of smaller Gopchumps. The weapon struck with a burst of force, impaling one and creating a shockwave that scattered the others. In an instant, she summoned the spear back to her hand, her mastery over the weapon seamless. Blanche darted in as the creatures recoiled. Her weapons flashed as she slashed through the stunned minions, her movements fluid and relentless. The smaller Gopchumps, though numerous, were no match for her agility and precision.
The Gopchump Mother let out a deep, resonant croak, and the ground trembled. The remaining smaller creatures seemed to rally, rushing toward the two women with renewed fervor. Blanche cursed under her breath.
¡°It¡¯s trying to keep us busy!¡± Artemeni called out, stepping forward to intercept another wave. Her spear danced in wide arcs, cutting through the attackers like a whirlwind. Blanche¡¯s mind raced. The longer they delayed, the more minions would spawn to reinforce the Mother. They had to push through. She took a deep breath, drawing mana out of her magic crest. The air around her cooled down as lightning crackled.
Blanche''s rapier began to hum with energy, arcs of lightning dancing along its blade. The crackling sound was enough to give the Gopchumps pause, their guttural croaks faltering for a moment as the oppressive weight of her mana filled the grove.
Stolen novel; please report."Artemeni, cover me!" Blanche called, her voice sharp as thunder echoed faintly in her wake.
Artemeni didn¡¯t hesitate. She stepped forward, her spear whirling in precise, defensive arcs. Every motion was deliberate, a deadly dance that kept the smaller Gopchumps from overwhelming their position. The minions locked onto her, their beady eyes burning with mindless aggression as they surged forward.
Blanche seized the opening. She dashed past Artemeni, weaving between the onrushing creatures with a grace that spoke of years of practice. Her movements seemed almost untouchable, each step calculated to avoid the sharp claws and snapping jaws of the Gopchumps. As she reached the edge of the grove, she thrust her rapier into the air, releasing the stored mana in a sharp burst.
¡°Lightning Spear!¡±
She roared. A brilliant arc of lightning erupted from the tip of her blade, surging through the clustered minions in a crackling wave. The smell of ozone filled the air as the energy leaped from one creature to the next, frying them in an instant. The Gopchump Mother let out an enraged bellow, its hulking frame shuddering as it rose to its full height, its claws digging into the ground.
¡°That¡¯s the opening!¡± Artemeni shouted, vaulting over the few remaining minions to land beside Blanche. The warrior¡¯s spear glowed with a crimson aura as she unleashed her own attack. ¡°Crimson Cleave!¡±
The spear slashed through the air, its arc leaving a trail of shimmering red light that carved through the Gopchump Mother¡¯s thick hide. The creature howled, its stubby limbs flailing as it staggered back, but it wasn¡¯t done yet. A pulse of mana surged from its body, sending tremors through the grove. The remaining fungal growths began to writhe, their twisted forms emitting a sickly green glow.
¡°They¡¯re spawning reinforcements!¡± Blanche shouted, her voice tense. She switched her focus, her sabre slicing through the nearest glowing fungus. Each strike sent a jolt of lightning through the pulsating growths, slowing their spawning process. ¡°Keep it distracted, Artemeni!¡±
¡°I am trying!¡±
Artemeni growled, dodging a swipe from the Mother¡¯s claws. The beast¡¯s movements, though slow, carried devastating force. One misstep could be fatal.
Blanche¡¯s strikes were precise, but she couldn¡¯t keep this pace for long. Sweat beaded on her forehead as the toll of channeling mana and fighting wore on her. Yet, despite the danger, a strange sense of calm overtook her. Poyraz¡¯s words echoed once more in her mind.
"Your life is a currency I can¡¯t waste."
Gritting her teeth once again, Blanche cast her magic again.
¡°Just a little bit more.¡±
The beast seemed to be quite weak to lightning. Perhaps that¡¯s why Poyraz was sure two of them could take it down. The Gopchump Mother let out a guttural roar, its stubby limbs clawing at the air as arcs of lightning crackled through its bulky frame. The surrounding fungal growths glowed brighter, emitting waves of mana that surged toward the fallen minions. Some of the defeated Gopchumps began to twitch, their broken forms writhing as if they were about to reanimate.
Blanche cursed under her breath. ¡°This thing¡¯s regenerating its minions!¡±
¡°We can¡¯t give it time!¡± Artemeni snarled, deflecting a swipe with her spear before driving the weapon deep into the creature¡¯s side. Her Crimson Cleave left a glowing scar across its hide, but the beast hardly faltered. Instead, its eyes gleamed with a vile light, and it retaliated with a ground-shaking slam of its clawed limbs. Artemeni dodged just in time, but the tremor threw her off balance.
¡°I¡¯ll hit it with everything I¡¯ve got,¡± she muttered, her voice steely. "Artemeni, draw its focus for a moment longer!"
Artemeni grinned through the tension. ¡°I hope your everything is enough because I¡¯m about to run out of tricks!¡±
The warrior lunged forward with reckless abandon, slamming her spear into the Mother¡¯s face with a brutal uppercut. The impact forced the beast to rear back, its bellow shaking the grove.
Blanche seized the moment. Closing her eyes, she drew deeply from her magic crest, channeling her remaining mana into a single, devastating attack. The air around her began to shimmer, and her rapier sparked violently as lightning coiled around its blade. Her sabre, meanwhile, glowed with faint energy as she infused it with a weaker charge to handle the fungal growths spawning minions.
¡°Artemeni, clear out!¡± she shouted, raising her rapier high.
The warrior leaped back without hesitation, her instincts screaming that Blanche¡¯s attack wasn¡¯t something to stay close to.
Blanche¡¯s eyes locked onto the Mother as it started to lurch forward, sensing its advantage. She whispered through gritted teeth, the words carrying both defiance and resolve.
¡°Lightning Spiral¡ªExecution!¡±
The charged rapier struck the ground with a resounding crack, sending an electrified spiral of energy rushing forward. The spiral was no ordinary attack¡ªit carried Blanche¡¯s full mana reserve, creating a vortex of crackling energy that twisted through the grove. It carved through the fungal growths in its path before slamming into the Gopchump Mother with explosive force.
The creature¡¯s bellow turned into a tortured screech as its massive body convulsed, arcs of electricity ravaging its flesh. The fungal glow around the grove dimmed, the minion reinforcements faltering and collapsing where they stood.
The aftermath was silent, save for the crackle of fading electricity and the labored breathing of the two women. Blanche¡¯s chest heaved as she lowered her rapier, watching the Gopchump Mother slump forward, its vitality all but spent. Artemeni, panting, raised her spear.
"Let me finish this," Artemeni growled, her weapon glowing with predatory crimson light as she prepared to unleash her Spear of Huntress.
Just as she hurled the spear, another weapon streaked through the air¡ªa blackened trident, wreathed in shadowy flames. It struck first, impaling the Mother¡¯s chest.
The beast let out a final, shuddering croak before collapsing.
(The enemy team has stolen the Gopchump Mother.)
(All enemy minions gain increased attack and attack speed for 10 minutes.)
(All enemy minions gain 20 percent life steal for 10 minutes.)
Blanche and Artemeni spun to see the enemy Ganker emerge from the jungle, flanked by their Tank, whose towering shield gleamed menacingly.
229-Rush to the Rescue
¡°Champion!¡±
Thalia¡¯s worry-filled voice called out for me as I put an arrow through the Elder Lizard, acquiring Crest of Embers buff for the next 5 minutes.
¡°I have seen it, Thalia.¡±
I answered with a calm voice despite it being the worst possible scenario. The fact that notification said ¡°stolen¡± and not slain implied that our team did most of the work which meant that both Artemeni and Blanche were probably drained fighting against the Gopchump Mother and now had the face of whoever stole the kill.
¡°Thalia, use buffs that would increase our movement speed. G?kb?r¨¹, rush to their side. We have to be as quick as possible.¡±
Considering we were at the bottom side of the map while they were on the top, we had to run a long distance to reach them. Fuck. I underestimated the intelligence of the enemy champions. I should have¡
I shook my head. It was useless to think that now.
Thalia, her face pale but determined, drew on her mana. A soft, radiant glow enveloped the two of us, and the air around them seemed to ripple with the effects of her spell.
¡°Steps of Rabbit!¡± she chanted, her voice steady despite the urgency. A surge of mana surrounded our bodies, instantly lightening our steps and amplifying their movement speed. G?kb?r¨¹ shot ahead like a streak of white lightning, his snow-colored fur shimmering under the mana-infused light. His natural agility and enhanced movement speed made him a blur in the dense jungle.
¡°They are still fine. We would have gotten a notification otherwise.¡±
I said out loud though I wasn¡¯t sure if I was trying to convince Thalia or myself. The terrain passed in a blur¡ªdense jungle, rocky paths, and glowing mana pools that shimmered with faint bioluminescence. The sound of battle grew faintly louder with each step. Thalia¡¯s breathing grew labored, but she pushed through, her legs keeping pace with his unrelenting strides. We were close to the mid-lane.
¡°Champion?¡±
Aurora came to our side as soon as she saw us.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹ just passed through here. I have seen the notifications. What is happening?¡±
G?kb?r¨¹''s presence ahead reassured me, but every second counted.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹ is on his way to Artemeni and Blanche. Someone stole the Gopchump Mother kill,¡± I said, my tone clipped and direct. ¡°We¡¯re likely dealing with enemies waiting to ambush them while they¡¯re drained.¡±
Aurora¡¯s expression shifted, her brown eyes narrowing with determination.
¡°Shit. The enemy mage is missing too. I think she will be trying to cut them off!¡±
Without hesitation, she joined our pace, her elegant strides carrying her with uncanny grace.
¡°Let¡¯s see how they like being 5 manned. We are moving. Thalia¡¯s buffs were holding strong, the Steps of Rabbit still enhancing our movement, but I could feel the clock ticking against us. The jungle seemed endless, the terrain more like a gauntlet than a path. Every obstacle¡ªtwisting roots, uneven ground, shimmering mana pools¡ªfelt like a challenge mocking our urgency. I cursed under my breath.
¡°Champion, be carefu-¡°
Before Aurora¡¯s sentence could finish erupted under my feet.
(Your Support¡¯s shield absorbs some damage.)
The explosion caught me mid-stride, flinging dirt and shards of stone into the air as the jungle floor erupted beneath me. The concussive force sent me stumbling, but a shimmering barrier of golden light wrapped around me just in time¡ªThalia''s shield.
¡°Magic landmines.¡±
Aurora¡¯s hand lit up with a blue light. As she waved her hand in the air, several spots on the ground started to light up as well. I took a deep breath, calming myself. Shit. I should have felt them with my Enhanced Perception but since I was in such a hurry I couldn¡¯t.
Damn it. That could have turned really bad.
¡°Enemy mage must have left them to slow us down.¡±
Aurora¡¯s glowing hand traced the outlines of the lit-up traps before us, marking them for safer passage.
¡°We can¡¯t afford to slow down too much,¡± Aurora said, her voice steady but edged with frustration. ¡°Artemeni and Blanche don¡¯t have the resources left to hold out for long.¡±
G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s distant howl broke through the jungle cacophony, sharp and urgent. He¡¯d reached the fight. My stomach tightened as I fought the instinct to push recklessly forward. No. We had to be smart. If the enemy mage had laid traps, others could be nearby, waiting to spring an ambush.
¡°Thalia, save what mana you can. Just keep your shield ready,¡± I commanded. ¡°Aurora, take point. I¡¯ll cover the rear.¡±
Aurora¡¯s lips curled into a determined smirk, and with a flick of her wrist, her mana surged outward in a pulse of blue light. The traps ahead erupted in bursts of mana, setting off a chain reaction that lit up the jungle like a series of fireworks. The explosions reverberated through the trees, shaking the ground beneath us.
From the chaos, a silhouette emerged¡ªa figure cloaked in crimson robes, their staff glowing with sinister energy. The enemy mage. Its face was obscured by a giant hat. I wondered if the faces of all enemy champions being obscured meant anything.
It saw three of us and started to run.
¡°Hell no. You are not getting away.¡±
I drew my bowstring back, manifesting an arrow, mid-drew. I released the arrow, mana surging through my fingers and into the projectile. The arrow shimmered with stellar energy, its trail streaking through the dense jungle like a comet aimed straight at the fleeing mage. The mage turned, their staff swirling with dark energy, and manifested three scarlet crystals. One blocked my arrow before breaking while the other two orbited the mage.
¡°Aurora, restrain!¡±
I barked as I took a deep breath and melted into shadows. My mana and skill levels were enough to close the gap between us with Shadow Walk.
Aurora didn''t hesitate. Her hand shot forward, a swirl of blue mana coalescing into chains that glowed like forged steel. With a flick of her wrist, the ethereal chains surged toward the mage, seeking to bind them in place. The mage responded with a deft motion of their staff, the two remaining crimson crystals orbiting their form like ravenous predators. One crystal shattered on impact with the chains, releasing a burst of energy that severed the bindings before they could fully form.
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.The enemy mage spun on their heel, their dark energy swirling into a dense, ominous barrier. Their intention was clear¡ªthey were stalling, buying time for reinforcements or escape. But I wasn''t going to let that happen. Not now.
The world around me faded into darkness as I melded with the shadows. My form became intangible, my steps silent as I surged forward, closing the distance between us in seconds. The enemy mage didn¡¯t notice my approach until it was too late. Emerging from the shadows, I swung my bow in a wide arc, reinforced with mana to land a concussive strike. The impact shattered the barrier in a brilliant cascade of energy.
The mage stumbled, and their staff raised defensively. I manifested another arrow, its stellar energy thrumming with lethal intent.
¡°Perish.¡±
(You defeated Level 2 Mage. Level 3 Mage will spawn in 1 minute and 15 seconds.)
I sighed, the amount of mana I used for the stunt was significant.
¡°Let¡¯s go. We are close to the top lane.¡±
Aurora and Thalia quickly caught up, their expressions a mix of relief and determination. Thalia''s glow began to dim, her Steps of Rabbit spell nearing its expiration. Aurora glanced at me, noting the tension in my frame as I tried to recover from the mana expenditure.
¡°You overexerted,¡± Aurora remarked with a serious expression. ¡°We still haven¡¯t gained all of our stats back.¡±
I didn¡¯t answer her, instead turning my gaze toward the treeline ahead. G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s earlier howl still echoed in my ears¡ªa reminder that the real fight was just ahead. The three of us broke through the last of the jungle, the path opening into the chaotic expanse of the top lane. The sight was worse than I had imagined. Artemeni was on her knees, her massive shield knocked to the side and her spear was nowhere to be seen. Blood poured from her body but it was hard to see her wounds due to mud covering her. Blanche, her form lit by flickering flames, was visibly drained and wore the same expression she had after she used her lightning mode.
Before them stood two enemy champions¡ªa heavily armored knight wielding a wickedly spiked mace and a lithe spear-wielding guy. I guessed they were the enemy Tank and Ganker respectively.
¡°We¡¯re here now!¡± I bellowed, not bothering to hide the fury in my voice. G?kb?r¨¹ was already there, weaving between the enemies with his natural agility, snapping at their legs and keeping them from fully overwhelming Artemeni and Blanche. His icy breath had slowed the knight¡¯s movements, but it was clear he couldn¡¯t hold them off alone for much longer.
The Tank and Ganker turned their attention to us at my shout, their postures shifting as they calculated their next moves. The knight raised his spiked mace, its head gleaming ominously, while the Ganker crouched low, his spear spinning in a deceptively lazy manner that belied his intent.
¡°Poyraz!¡± Blanche¡¯s voice was strained but filled with relief.
Artemeni¡¯s head lifted slightly, her bloodied face set in a grimace. Even on the verge of collapse, her defiance was palpable. "I am sorry, Champion.¡±
¡°Hold on. We¡¯ll handle this,¡± I said, my voice steady despite the bad match-up. A mage and a ranger against a tank and a ganker were something I would like to avoid. Everyone with a shred of game knowledge knew that.
But we were not in a game.
¡°Thalia, heal them. Aurora hold the tank with G?kb?r¨¹. I take the ganker.¡±
Thalia nodded, her hands already glowing with a soothing golden light as she rushed to Artemeni and Blanche. I turned my attention to ganker. His movements were quick and precise, the kind that made you think twice about rushing in recklessly. But hesitation wasn¡¯t an option. The Ganker¡¯s eyes gleamed with predatory intent as he lunged toward me, his spear blurring in a deadly arc. I sidestepped, manifesting a stellar arrow mid-draw and firing it point-blank. The projectile streaked toward him, but the Ganker twisted his spear, deflecting it with a flick of his wrist. The force of the deflection sent a ripple of energy crackling through the air.
¡°Fast.¡±
I growled. His spear darted like a viper, each thrust aimed to exploit any opening. I focused on reading his movements to dodge and get some distance between us but he was too pushy to let me breathe. I activated the Ferocity of the Wolf King to keep up. Seeing me move faster, his spear erupted in flames.
¡°What a pain in the ass.¡±
If it wasn¡¯t for class restrictions, I could have killed him in a blink. And with flames on his spear, I couldn¡¯t use Shadow Melt to dodge. Sigh. If only I could get one hit of the Crest of Embers buff I had would slow him down while burning him.
I sighed once again, channeling my mana using Mana Erupt. You keep dodging my arrows? Fine. Let¡¯s see if you can slap away an artillery strike, dumbass.
I manifested two daggers in the air, using my knee to launch them while blocking his spear. The ganker pivoted to the left to dodge them but they were simply distractions. I released my arrow which was reinforced by massive amounts of mana, blowing a hole through his torso.
(You defeated Level 2 Ganker. Level 3 Ganker will spawn in 1 minute and 15 seconds.)
I exhaled heavily, turning to assess the battlefield. Aurora and G?kb?r¨¹ were holding their ground against the knight, but it was clear that his endurance wasn¡¯t easily overcome. The massive spiked mace swung in deliberate arcs, each strike powerful enough to shatter the earth beneath their feet. He kept charging through Aurora¡¯s spells.
¡°Aurora, switch to support. G?kb?r¨¹ and I will handle him.¡±
Aurora nodded, stepping back to focus on weakening the knight. Her hands glowed with blue energy, and spectral chains coiled around the knight¡¯s legs, slowing his movements further. I pulled my bowstring back and shot, aiming for the weakest parts of his armor. His armor absorbed the first few shots, but the sheer heat left scorch marks, and his movements grew more sluggish with each strike. Good. Getting Crest of Embers was worth it. G?kb?r¨¹ leaped onto the knight¡¯s back, his fangs sinking into the gaps in the armor. The knight roared, shaking violently to dislodge the wolf, but G?kb?r¨¹ held firm, his icy breath frosting over the joints of the knight¡¯s armor.
¡°Now!¡± I called out, nocking another arrow infused with the last of my mana reserves. The arrow shimmered with a combination of stellar energy and the burning remnants of the Crest of Embers.
The knight raised his mace, preparing for a desperate counterattack. But before he could bring it down, my arrow found its mark, piercing the chink in his armor at the neck. The blast of energy that followed engulfed him, sending shards of molten metal scattering across the battlefield.
(You defeated Level 2 Tank. Level 3 Tank will spawn in 1 minute and 15 seconds.)
But we couldn¡¯t even celebrate our win as more notifications appeared on our vision.
(The first top tower is destroyed. Your minions strengtens.)
(First middle tower is destroyed. Your minions strengtens.)
230-Warrior’s Stratagem
I calmed my breath, feeling oxygen spread to every inch of my body.
¡°4 to 3. Our minions should at least put up a resistance now.¡±
I talked, mostly to myself.
¡°I am sorry, Champion.¡±
Artemeni spoke up while avoiding my gaze. I shook my head.
¡°It is my fault, Artemeni. I should have predicted their movements. I underestimated them and you guys paid the price.¡±
Artemeni¡¯s expression hardened, her guilt giving way to a grim determination. Despite her battered state, she pushed herself to her feet with Thalia¡¯s support, her massive shield dragging slightly behind her.
¡°No, Champion. You trusted us to hold our own, and we fell short. It won¡¯t happen again,¡± she said, her voice steady despite the tremor in her legs. Blanche didn¡¯t join the conversation, watching us with cold eyes.
¡°There is no point in assigning blame. How long until you guys can fight again?¡±
The Drake was about to spawn again. We had to defend our second tower and slay it to get its buff.
Artemeni glanced at Thalia, who was still channeling her healing, the golden glow dimming as her mana reserves dwindled. The shield maiden¡¯s face was pale, but her resolve was unwavering.
¡°Give me three minutes, Champion. I won¡¯t be at full strength, but I¡¯ll hold the line,¡± Artemeni said firmly, gripping her shield as if it were her lifeline.
Blanche, her eyes sharp and calculating, finally spoke, her voice carrying an edge of bitterness. ¡°I¡¯ll manage.¡±
I closed my eyes to think. If our second towers were destroyed we would lose our control on our side of the jungle. That would mean losing neutral mobs and the danger of being ambushed. Considering I only regained half of my stats, losing sources of experience was troublesome.
¡°Artemeni. I need you to defend the second top tower. Don¡¯t push, don¡¯t fight. Just gain experience and recover. Can you do it alone?¡±
Artemeni hesitated, her gaze meeting mine briefly before she nodded. Her grip on the shield tightened, the resolve in her expression solidifying despite the weariness in her stance.
¡°I can hold it, Champion. I¡¯ll play it safe. They won¡¯t get past me.¡±
I nodded in acknowledgment. "Good. Remember, don¡¯t overextend. Your life is more valuable than the tower. If the enemy tank and ganker try to attack you under the tower, back off.¡±
Turning to Blanche, I locked eyes with her. Her cold stare didn¡¯t falter, and I could see the pride and frustration simmering beneath the surface. The failure of her kill being stolen must hit her really hard.
¡°Blanche, I¡¯ll need you in the mid-lane. Focus on clearing waves and slowing their advance. Keep your eye on the Drake pit. If I need you, I¡¯ll send a signal. Run to us as soon as you see it.¡±
She frowned but gave a curt nod. ¡°Understood.¡±
Thalia let out a shaky breath as she finished her healing spell, the golden light fading into embers. She was pale, visibly drained. Even though her mana was recovering pretty fast, mental power was something else.
¡°What about me, Champion?¡± she asked, her voice soft but steady.
¡°Of course, you are with me. I need your support. But hold the buffs. Recover. Aurora, you are also with us. Let¡¯s go and kill that drake.¡±
The path ahead was shadowed, the jungle alive with distant rustling¡ªsigns of the enemy''s activity.
¡°We move fast, but cautiously,¡± I said, glancing at Thalia and Aurora. ¡°The enemy will know we¡¯re going for the drake. If they¡¯re smart, they¡¯ll try to intercept us.¡±
Aurora¡¯s voice was calm but laced with a cold edge. ¡°Then we make them pay for the attempt.¡±
We entered the jungle, the dense foliage providing cover but also making it harder to detect ambushes. Unlike before, I didn¡¯t rush blindfolded, scanning the area with Night Vision and Enhanced Perception. Every rustle of leaves, every faint scent of mana, every distant sound of movement sharpened in my mind.
¡°Drake spawns in twenty seconds,¡± I murmured. The timer ticked in my mind like a second heartbeat. ¡°If they¡¯re planning something, it¡¯ll be soon.¡±
We approached the pit, the ground vibrating faintly as the drake began to materialize. Its form was a massive silhouette against the cavernous hollow, fiery scales glowing ominously. This was no ordinary drake¡ªit exuded raw power, its mana-infused breath capable of obliterating anyone caught unprepared. It was definitely stronger than the previous drake we had killed.
But that wasn¡¯t all.
¡°Aurora, do you see the plants around the Drake pit?¡±
She stepped closer to me, her eyes narrowing behind her glasses.
¡°I can¡¯t really detect anything, Champion. The surrounding area is full of plants.¡±
I narrowed my eyes, the shimmering faintly around the plants catching my attention. They were unnatural, dark green with veins glowing an eerie crimson hue, almost pulsing. They radiated mana¡ªa trap.
"These aren''t ordinary plants. They''re enchanted, likely set up by the enemy," I said. "Aurora, do you recognize this magic?"
One of the problems with this floor was how the abilities of enemy champions changed. When we killed them not only did their stats increase, but their abilities also changed.
Aurora adjusted her glasses, her analytical expression sharpening. She stepped cautiously closer to inspect them, her mana senses probing. "It''s some kind of entanglement magic, Champion. If triggered, they¡¯ll ensnare and potentially drain mana. If someone¡¯s planning to ambush us, these would keep us immobilized while they strike."
I grimaced. "Figures they''d prepare the battlefield ahead of time. They might already be watching us."
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.Aurora nodded, her voice steady. "I can neutralize it, but it¡¯ll take a few seconds but depending on the structure they could notice it.¡±
¡°G?kb?r¨¹. Run around the area. I¡¯ll get high ground. Thalia, get ready to barrier Aurora.¡±
G?kb?r¨¹ darted off without hesitation, his white fur a blur against the jungle''s shadowy backdrop. His keen nose and heightened senses would alert us to any hidden threats. I scanned the area for a vantage point and spotted a jagged rock formation overlooking the Drake pit.
"Keep an eye on the surroundings, Thalia," I instructed, motioning for her to be vigilant. "Aurora, start the neutralization. G?kb?r¨¹ and I will cover you."
Aurora nodded, her glasses catching a glint of light as she pulled out a small crystal. It glowed faintly as she channeled her mana, her focus razor-sharp.
I climbed swiftly, the rough stone biting into my gloves. At the top, I crouched low, drawing my bow¡ªShadowchaser''s Eclipsebow. I notched a Dragon Slayer Arrow, its faint shimmer a reminder of its deadly potency. My enhanced perception swept the area, searching for any signs of movement.
G?kb?r¨¹''s howl echoed from below, sharp and urgent. My heart jumped as I scanned the direction of his cry, catching sight of shadows shifting unnaturally. Three figures emerged from the jungle¡¯s undergrowth, their forms brimming with mana.
"Contact! Three enemy champions, east side!" I shouted down.
Aurora didn¡¯t falter, her hands glowing as the plants around the drake pit began to wither, their ominous energy fading.
Thalia reacted instantly, her hands moving in a practiced motion. "Barrier up!" she called, golden light wrapping around Aurora in a protective cocoon just as an arrow streaked through the air. The projectile shattered harmlessly against the barrier, its force sending a faint ripple through the mana shield.
"Good reaction," I muttered, narrowing my eyes. Our three enemies were reflections of us, mage, ranger, and support. The enemy mage stepped forward, their staff glowing with a sickly green light. They chanted rapidly, glyphs of dark energy spiraling around them as they prepared a large-scale spell. Their ranger, a herculean figure who looked like Conan the Barbarian notched another arrow, this one crackling with electricity. Meanwhile, their support¡ªa petite figure with flowers exiting their body moved their fingers, and plants moved with them.
Enemy ranger let go of his arrow but I wasn¡¯t about to let it reach my comrades. I released my own arrow, cutting it mid-flight before pulling my arrow back again, manifesting three arrows and shooting them at our enemies.
The arrows I loosed streaked through the air like meteors, glowing faintly with the dark energy of the Shadowchaser''s Eclipsebow. They split apart mid-flight, striking with pinpoint accuracy toward the trio of enemies. The mage was forced to halt their incantation to summon a mana barrier, the arrows colliding with it and dispersing into shimmering fragments. The ranger dodged with surprising agility for someone of their size, while the support shifted behind a shield of twisting vines that absorbed the brunt of the impact.
"Stay focused!" I barked, pulling another Dragon Slayer Arrow. The ranger''s next shot would be meant to disrupt us further. I wasn¡¯t about to let that happen.
G?kb?r¨¹ lunged from the shadows, his speed and ferocity catching the enemy off guard. He targeted their support, teeth glinting like ice shards as he sank them into the twisting vines. The plant-wielding figure shrieked, their control faltering momentarily as G?kb?r¨¹''s Frost Breath surged from his maw, freezing the surrounding plants.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹ hold the support down! Aurora, Thalia to the enemy mage. I-¡°
An arrow whistled just beside me, scraping against my armor. I clicked my tongue. He wanted a duel? I¡¯ll give you a duel.
The enemy ranger roared, their frustration palpable as they turned their attention to me. Their bow glowed with a savage red light, and they notched three arrows simultaneously, each crackling with volatile energy¡ªa powerful multi-shot technique.
Shadowchaser¡¯s Eclipsebow thrummed with mana. My own arrow, infused with dark energy, shot forward¡ªa single projectile splitting into three as it met their arrows mid-flight. The impact created a cascade of light and sound as the energies collided, canceling each other out in an explosive burst.
"You''ll have to do better than that," I muttered, my gaze locking onto the enemy ranger.
I didn¡¯t give him time to regroup. Channeling Hunter¡¯s Mark, I focused on him, feeling the bow¡¯s mana harmonize with my senses. A faint shadowy aura outlined his figure, his movements now clear as day. Every step he took, every twitch of his fingers, I could predict. I loosed another arrow¡ªnot aimed at him directly but at the terrain beneath his feet. The impact caused the ground to fracture, throwing him off balance.
Below me, G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s icy assault had effectively neutralized the enemy support¡¯s vines. His ferocious attack pinned them down, sharp claws slicing through their barriers. The petite figure screamed as a chilling frost crept along their body, their attempts to retaliate growing more desperate.
The enemy ranger snarled, notching another arrow. This time, I saw his mana surging into it. This was no ordinary shot¡ªhe was preparing something big.
I had to intercept it.
Drawing on Mana Erupt, I channeled raw mana into my bow and arrow.
The ranger fired.
I fired.
Our arrows clashed in the middle, just like before. The explosion was bigger than before, shockwaves causing both my allies and enemies to stumble back. But this time, I didn¡¯t draw my bow. Instead, I melted into shadow, transporting myself behind the ranger.
(You defeated Level 3 Ranger. Level 4 Ranger will spawn in 1 minute and 30 seconds.)
¡°Time to wrap this up.¡±
231-Outnumbered At Bottom Lane
(Your team has slain the Earth Drake.)
(All of your team acquires passive skill Drake¡¯s Legacy of Resilience. By harnessing the enduring essence of the Earth Drake, your body and spirit have been imbued with its legendary resilience. )
(All stats increases by 5.)
(All healing you receive from every source, including natural healing increases by 15%, scaling with the drake¡¯s slain power. You have slain a level 2 drake.)
(Your resistance against all elements and physical attacks increases by 15 percent.)
The triumphant roar of the Earth Drake''s defeat echoed through the cavern as its colossal body dissolved into golden light. The radiance flowed into me and my allies, its energy saturating our very beings. A surge of vitality coursed through me as if Drake¡¯s indomitable spirit had become my own.
The second drake was definitely stronger than the first one but maybe because it was an earth drake, it wasn¡¯t as aggressive as the first one.
I glanced at the map in my mind¡¯s eye, the layout of the jungle and lanes vivid in my head. The second towers were still standing, even the bottom one we neglected.
¡°Alright. Thalia, I need you to help Artemeni to push the top lane. Aurora, you go with Blanche. Push it past the first enemy towers and move towards the Gorchump Mother. This time, we will be one to get that buff.¡±
¡°What about you?¡± Thalia asked, her eyes filled with concern.
¡°I¡¯ll hold the bottom. Don¡¯t worry, I will not stray too far away from the tower.¡±
Thalia nodded reluctantly, though the concern in her gaze lingered. Aurora adjusted her glasses, her face showing a rare flicker of excitement at the mention of the Gorchump Mother.
¡°We¡¯ll handle it,¡± Aurora said with her usual confidence.
As my team began moving toward their assignments, I turned my focus to the bottom lane. The path was eerily quiet, the jungle around me buzzing faintly with distant mana.
¡°Looks like it is just us and the minions, G?kb?r¨¹.¡±
¡°Bark!¡±
Our second tower was severely battered by countless minion waves it endured but it was still standing. I drew my bow, shooting the enemy wave while avoiding hitting the power-armored minions. Since we also lost 3 towers we also had power armored ones and I left them to duke it out with each other.
Of course, I knew that being alone as a Ranger in this late was just inviting being ganked. However, I had confidence in my ability to retreat. Not only I could borrow Ice Wolf¡¯s Breath to block them and Shadow Walk out of here, but the first drake we killed gave me movement speed when I hit a critical hit. Also if they focused their numbers on me, we were guaranteed to take the Gorchump Mother.
The bottom lane stretched ahead, a lonely corridor of opportunity and risk. My second tower still stood, battered but defiant, its arcane glow flickering with resilience. Around me, the air felt heavy, as if the jungle itself was holding its breath. It was just G?kb?r¨¹, me, and the muted clamor of minion waves clashing in the distance.
"Steady now," I murmured to myself, notching another arrow. I aimed for the weaker enemy minions, picking them off with quick, precise shots while letting our power-armored ones hold the line.
"Anything unusual, G?kb?r¨¹?" I asked, keeping my tone casual.
The pup sniffed the air, his sapphire eyes narrowing. His ears twitched, and he let out a low growl¡ªnot hostile, but cautious.
"Got it. Eyes sharp."
I slowly pushed the lane, gathering experience. My stats passed 45 line around the time I pushed the lane past the enemy''s first tower. Being alone in this lanet his far was like dangling bait before a predator. My remaining tower was so far away now. It could¡
A cluster of leaves shifted unnaturally to my left.
¡°G?kb?r¨¹, position,¡± I commanded softly. The pup darted to my side, his presence a reassuring blur of white.
A glint of steel caught my eye, and a figure emerged¡ªa tank, clad in dark, rune-carved armor that pulsed with ominous energy. Behind him, a rogue shimmered into view, twin daggers glowing faintly with poison. I turned around, seeing a mage exit out of the jungle behind me.
¡°Alright.¡±
They were Level 4s. The amount of mana they had was impressive. At this level, they were a considerable threat even if I was at my full strength. G?kb?r¨¹ growled towards them.
¡°Not now, boy. We are retreating.¡±
The rogue, who I guessed was the ganker started to run towards me with a low stance, reminiscent of a large cat instead of a human. The rogue''s movements were sharp, fluid, and predatory, each step bringing him closer with alarming speed. The tank raised his shield, pushing my minions to the side, and running behind the ganker. I didn¡¯t look back but I could sense mage focusing his mana for some kind of spell from behind my back.
I synchronized with G?kb?r¨¹, drawing on his Ice Wolf¡¯s Breath. Frost spilled across the ground in front of us, forming a slick, treacherous surface. The rogue''s charge turned clumsy as he skidded and stumbled, his momentum working against him. The tank wasn¡¯t much better off, his heavy armor dragging him down as he struggled for traction.
I pivoted sharply, nocking an arrow mid-spin and releasing it at the mage. The arrow wasn¡¯t aimed to kill¡ªit was a feint, a warning shot. He flinched, disrupting his spellcasting as he twisted to avoid the projectile.
Using that opportunity, I melted into the shadows, reappearing just beyond the line of trees to the north. I was no longer sandwiched between them, though with their capabilities I wasn¡¯t out of their reach. With a burst of mana, I jumped on top of a tree. I activated Armor Collapsing Claw, channeling energy into my bow. My next arrow hummed with destructive force, designed to ignore defense. I fired it towards the mage, who should be the squishiest among them.
The arrow streaked through the air like a comet, its tip glowing with the volatile energy of Armor Collapsing Claw. The mage, still recovering from the disrupted spellcasting, barely had time to react. He raised a hasty mana barrier, but the arrow ripped through it like paper, slamming into his shoulder. A cry of pain escaped him as he staggered back, the force sending him sprawling.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.I clicked my tongue. He wasn¡¯t dead.
¡°This is not optimal. We are getting out here.¡±
Even the mage had gotten tanky enough to survive my arrows. If I had taken him down, I could have tried to fight 2 vs 1 but 3 was too much even for me.
The rogue had recovered from the icy stumble, his predatory grace returning as he darted toward my position.
¡°Shit. Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have shot that. I gave away my position.¡±
I took a deep breath, vanishing into shadows. If I retracted all of my mana I could avoid them using Shadow Melt.
¡°Stay close, G?kb?r¨¹,¡± I whispered. The pup silently pressed against my leg, his breathing calm, his instincts as sharp as my own.
The rogue''s movements slowed as he crouched low, scanning the trees. His daggers twitched, ready to pounce the moment I betrayed my position. The tank stomped forward, just behind him. They ignored the minion wave completely. The mage followed them but his left arm was useless thanks to my arrow sticking out of his shoulder. Each one of them looked for me but my eyes were locked on the ganker. Unlike the other two, he wasn¡¯t looking around blindly. At first, his gaze was on the tree I was on when I shot the arrow but now he was for what escape route I could have taken.
Could he actually detect me through Shadow Melt when I was standing still?
Thankfully, that didn¡¯t seem to be the case. But it was too early for me to relax.
The mage muttered an incantation, his mana coalescing into a swirling orb of fire. It hovered above his outstretched palm, casting flickering shadows across the jungle floor. I felt the temperature rise as he unleashed it into the surrounding foliage.
Ah, fuck.
Are they going to destroy the surrounding area to flush me out? Why? For all they know, I fucked off to my own tower. The mage¡¯s fireball roared to life, crashing into the dense foliage and setting it ablaze. Heat radiated through the air, forcing me to retreat further into the shadows with G?kb?r¨¹ at my side. Flames devoured the greenery, making crackling noises.
¡°Do you think we can use Shadow Walk before being detected?¡±
Technically I could get away with it. However, with my lowered stats and skill level the distance I could travel wouldn¡¯t put that much distance between us.
¡°We¡¯ll wait a little longer, boy,¡± I whispered. If I used Shadow Walk now and the rogue caught even a flicker of movement, they could corner me again. The trick was to let them believe their fire strategy had worked¡ªto make them think I¡¯d bolted in panic.
The flames spread, illuminating the rogue¡¯s face as he sniffed the air. His sharp eyes scanned the burning foliage, still looking for any sign of me. The mage, his face pale from pain and exertion, hurled another fireball to the opposite side of where I hid, widening their search radius.
¡°Good. Keep wasting your mana,¡± I muttered under my breath.
I activated Shadow Walk the moment their attention shifted to the freshly ignited area. My mana flowed smoothly, blending me seamlessly into the dimming jungle shadows. I moved silently, circling wide around them with G?kb?r¨¹ at my side. The rogue¡¯s ears perked, and he snapped his head in my direction, but his gaze turned to me as I Shadow Walked out of there.
I started to run.
That fucker ganker. He sensed where I was at the last second. But it was okay. The tank and mage couldn¡¯t keep up with him so I could take him one on one. As I bolted through the jungle, G?kb?r¨¹ kept pace beside me, his small form weaving effortlessly through the underbrush. The rogue was hot on my heels, his movements unnervingly precise, like a predator tracking its prey. His twin daggers gleamed with a faint green hue, no doubt coated with some nasty poison.
"Alright, if it''s a duel you want, it''s a duel you''ll get," I muttered.
I glanced at G?kb?r¨¹. "Distract him for me. But stay agile¡ªdon''t let him land a solid hit."
The pup barked once in affirmation, his sapphire eyes glowing faintly as he darted ahead, weaving through the shadows. I veered slightly to the right, breaking the rogue''s line of sight. The sound of his footsteps hesitated for a split second as he decided whom to chase.
That hesitation was all I needed.
I skidded to a stop and notched another arrow, channeling mana into it until it thrummed with energy. The arrow shimmered with raw power, the mana coalescing into an audible hum.
The rogue burst through the underbrush, his eyes locking onto me immediately. Too late.
I released the arrow.
It shot forward with a deafening roar, like a thunderclap in the jungle''s oppressive quiet. The rogue tried to dodge, his catlike reflexes kicking in, but the enhanced projectile was too fast. It struck his torso dead center, sending him skidding backward with a grunt of pain. His armor, reinforced by some enchantment, cracked under the impact, though it didn¡¯t break entirely.
"Not bad," I muttered, already nocking another arrow.
The rogue staggered but didn¡¯t go down. Instead, he lunged forward, faster than before, his daggers a blur of motion. Poison dripped from the blades, sizzling as it hit the jungle floor.
I sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the first swipe, but his follow-up was relentless. His left dagger grazed my arm, a shallow cut that burned instantly as the poison seeped into my skin.
G?kb?r¨¹ chose that moment to strike.
The pup launched himself from the shadows, his Ice Wolf¡¯s Breath coating his small frame in a frosty sheen. He sank his teeth into the rogue''s leg, frost spreading rapidly across the armor. The rogue cursed, swinging a dagger downward to dislodge G?kb?r¨¹, but the pup was too quick, darting away before the blow landed.
I activated Mana Erupt, letting the raw energy coursing through me. This time, I wasn¡¯t using my bow, however. The restriction said my melee attacks wouldn¡¯t be effective. It didn¡¯t mention any kind of weapon restriction. That¡¯s why I manifested a giant hammer and spun around to launch it.
The rogue''s eyes widened at the sight of the massive hammer appearing in my grasp, its surface shimmering with condensed mana. His predatory grace faltered, a flicker of panic flashing across his face as he realized the sheer force behind my next move.
The rogue crossed his daggers in a desperate attempt to block the blow.
It wasn¡¯t enough.
(You defeated Level 4 Ganker. Level 5 Ganker will spawn in 2 minutes.)
(Your team has slain the Gopchump Mother.)
(All ally minions gain increased attack and attack speed for 15 minutes.)
(All ally minions gain 25 percent life steal for 10 minutes.)
Just as I defeated the ganker, more notifications appeared in my vision.
232-Fractured Frontlines
¡°We killed the enemy Ranger and Support. But the others are nowhere to be seen. Do you think Champion is okay?¡±
Thalia¡¯s question turned every head to her. Blanche quickly shook her head and turned back while Aurora fixed her glasses, pretending that she was thinking.
¡°He is strong. He should be okay.¡±
Artemeni answered with an upbeat tone despite her exhaustion.
No one in their group was dumb. The fact that remaining enemy champions were nowhere to be seen meant that they were somewhere else.
¡°We should retreat. We already took all the first and second towers. All we have to do is break from one side and get their nexus.¡±
Aurora broke the silence first, her analytical nature driving her to strategize rather than dwell on the worst.
Artemeni¡¯s grip tightened on her weapon. "Then what are we waiting for? Let¡¯s find Champion and take the fight to them before they can regroup."
¡°I will join you after clearing out the jungle camps.¡±
The other three narrowed their eyes at Blanche¡¯s words. They exchanged glances, each one of them thinking that regrouping was more important. Yet, they were hesitant to speak up. Blanche wasn¡¯t an Amazon warrior. Without Poyraz being there, none had the authority to order her without any rejection from her.
Thalia¡¯s brow furrowed, as she adjusted the grip on her staff. ¡°Splitting up now¡ it¡¯s risky. What if¡ª¡±
¡°We don¡¯t have time to second-guess,¡± Aurora interrupted, her voice steady but sharp. ¡°The longer we wait, the more time the enemy has to regroup. Blanche, just don¡¯t linger. Finish quickly.¡±
Thalia shot Aurora a mean look. They were not the best of terms but the mage wasn¡¯t the one to step over her in front of other people, especially in a place like this.
¡°I¡¯ll steal their buffs and join you.¡±
Blanche started to run to the jungle and disappeared from their sight quickly.
Artemeni took a step forward, her battle-scarred armor catching the faint glimmer of the evening light. ¡°I don¡¯t like it,¡± she growled, her voice roughened by fatigue. ¡°We should be sticking together, not running off like loose arrows.¡±
Aurora sighed just to pause and realize why the Champion sighed all the time. So this is what he felt all the time.
¡°I think like that too but without Champion, we can¡¯t make her listen to us. It will devolve into pointless discussion and we will waste our time doing nothing. A bad decision is better than no decision.¡±
Thalia gave Aurora a tired smile.
¡°Is that what they say in the mage tower? We say the opposite at the temple.¡±
Aurora met Thalia''s smile with a faint smirk. ¡°Perhaps that¡¯s why mages live longer. We act instead of praying for the right answer.¡±
Thalia rolled her eyes but couldn¡¯t help the chuckle that escaped her lips. ¡°Let¡¯s hope your impatience doesn¡¯t get us killed.¡±
Artemeni didn¡¯t join their conversation, instead starting to walk towards the jungle. Artemeni¡¯s steps were heavy, the wear of the battle evident in her every motion. She swung her spear onto her shoulder and turned back to the others.
"Let¡¯s just get moving. The faster we regroup, the less likely Blanche gets ambushed."
Aurora nodded, adjusting her glasses. ¡°We¡¯ll head towards the enemy base. If we catch their defense weakened, we push. Otherwise, we find the Champion. Agreed?¡±
¡°Agreed,¡± Thalia said, though her voice was laced with doubt. The cleric tightened her grip on her staff, her gaze darting to the shadows of the jungle where Blanche had disappeared. A pit of unease churned in her gut.
The three started moving together, their coordination well-practiced despite their fatigue. As they passed the last wave of enemy minions Artemeni noticed the difference between ally and enemy minions grew once again. It couldn¡¯t be helped. They lost three towers while the enemy lost 6. Artemeni¡¯s gaze swept over the battlefield, taking in the ebb and flow of minions clashing. The enemy¡¯s desperation was evident in the density of their reinforcements, but it was also a reminder of how quickly fortunes could turn if they didn¡¯t maintain their momentum. She glanced back at Aurora and Thalia.
"Keep your eyes sharp," she said, her voice low but commanding. "The enemy¡¯s been quiet too long. I don¡¯t like it."
Aurora adjusted her glasses again, her analytical mind spinning. ¡°They might be consolidating. If they¡¯ve abandoned the jungle, it¡¯s likely they¡¯re reinforcing their base, likely with traps and barriers.¡±
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.Thalia¡¯s eyes widened at the suggestion, her grip tightening on her staff.
¡°Then we should push as fast as possible.¡±
Artemeni shook her head.
¡°We don¡¯t have the minion advantage. They still have three towers left and we need minions to take them down.¡±
¡°And our minions are being overpowered by theirs.¡±
Aurora finished grimly. The trio quickened their pace, moving with caution but urgency. The path through the enemy jungle felt unnerving still, the usual hum of wildlife and distant battle cries replaced by an ominous quiet.
¡
¡°Can you guys fuck off?!¡±
Poyraz shouted as he dodged a massive piece of rock. It shattered against the second bottom tower, further damaging the structure. Poyraz glanced back at it, narrowing his eyes. He knew that it wouldn¡¯t last for long. The enemy minion waves were too tough to be easily killed by him or the tower¡¯s shots. The tower would go down which would spell not so good things for himself.
After killing the ganker he was chased back to his own tower by the mage and the tank and now they were joined by what looked like their support as it managed to heal the mage.
¡°Are they trying to focus on one lane and tear down our defenses?¡±
After the second tower, they would only have one more tower to reach their base. If that happened it wouldn¡¯t matter what tower advantage they held.
¡°No matter how many cuts you give to the body it is useless if they cut your head off.¡±
G?kb?r¨¹ let out a growl of agreement. For now, they were safe under their tower but with how formidable the enemy minions were, it was sure to go down at any moment. There was also the possibility of them diving him under the tower but honestly, he would prefer that. He couldn¡¯t take down three of them by himself but with the tower¡¯s help¡
Poyraz clicked his tongue. That was wishful thinking. They had no reason to do something that risky. The sound of another rock hurtling through the air snapped his attention back to the battlefield. He sidestepped smoothly, the projectile smashing into the ground where he¡¯d just been. Dust and debris swirled around him, but his eyes remained fixed on his opponents.
¡
Blanche watched the enemy ganker fight against a buff, crouched low in a bush to catch him off guard. She crouched deeper into the shadows, her eyes sharp as the enemy ganker wrestled with the jungle buff. She was taking in his movements, already planning how she would strike. Her focus honed in as the ganker delivered a heavy blow to the buff monster, the creature¡¯s roar echoing faintly through the jungle.
With that, she pounced out of the bush she was hiding. Her rapier came alive with lightning sparks as she thrust the weapon into the enemy ganker¡¯s throat. The enemy ganker¡¯s eyes widened as the tip of Blanche¡¯s lightning-infused rapier pierced his throat, delivering a jolt that paralyzed his movements. His weapon fell from his grasp. Blanche''s expression remained cold as she twisted the blade, the sparks crackling like a miniature storm in her grip. The ganker managed a desperate gasp, his hand jerking upward as if to retaliate, but Blanche was already moving. She sidestepped with dancer-like precision, pulling her blade free and slashing across his side in one fluid motion. The enemy fell to his knees, barely alive.
Blanche wordlessly drove her rapier through his chest before killing the jungle camp pivoting toward the nearest jungle camp.
(The second bottom tower is destroyed. Your minions strengtens.)
¡
Meanwhile, Poyraz grimaced as the second tower behind him collapsed with a deafening roar. The wave of enemy minions surged forward, their relentless march a stark reminder of his precarious position. The enemy mage and tank pressed their advantage, stepping into the tower¡¯s remains with confident strides.
¡.
Back with Artemeni, Aurora, and Thalia, the trio approached the bottom lane cautiously. The fact that only the second bottom tower went down meant that the enemy was there too. The trio quickened their pace, the jungle¡¯s oppressive stillness amplifying every rustle and crackle of the underbrush. As they reached the edge of the jungle overlooking the bottom lane, they paused. In the distance, they spotted the destroyed second tower and a massive minion wave pushing towers to their last tower.
¡°He¡¯s still holding,¡± Artemeni muttered, looking at Poyraz shooting arrows from the range of their tower. ¡°But not for much longer.¡±
Aurora squinted, analyzing the enemy¡¯s formation. ¡°The mage is their main damage dealer. If we can take her out, the rest will crumble. The tank and support won¡¯t hold without her.¡±
Thalia nodded, determination setting her jaw. ¡°Then we flank them. Aurora, can you keep the mage occupied? Artemeni and I will focus on breaking their formation.¡±
233-Three Paths to Victory
With the help of others, I managed to kill the trio. Despite their advanced levels, we were still superior.
¡°Where is Blanche?¡±
I asked.
Aurora adjusted her glasses, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the battlefield. ¡°Last I saw, she went into the jungle. She said she¡¯d catch up after clearing camps.¡±
Thalia, clutching her staff tightly, added, ¡°She was supposed to regroup with us by now. I don¡¯t like this.¡±
Artemeni stepped forward, her spear resting on her shoulder. ¡°We can¡¯t afford to lose her. She¡¯s strong, but if the enemy ambushes her¡¡±
I sighed. She shouldn¡¯t have left by herself.
¡°Alright. We are pushing this lane to the Drake level. After that, we will go and kill the drake while G?kb?r¨¹ finds Blanche.¡±
The others nodded at my decision. At this point, we shouldn¡¯t spread. The enemy champions were too strong. G?kb?r¨¹ trotted up to me, his sapphire eyes gleaming with understanding as if he¡¯d heard every word.
¡°Find her,¡± I commanded, resting a hand on his snow-white fur. His ears perked up, and without hesitation, he darted off into the jungle, a streak of white amidst the darkened foliage.
¡°Let¡¯s move,¡± I said, turning back to the others. ¡°The longer we linger, the more time the enemy has to regroup.¡±
We tore through the minions and pushed the lane back. However, a low growl echoing in my mind stopped me from going to the drake right away.
¡°Fight. Danger. 5 champions.¡±
I closed my eyes and allowed G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s vision to flow into mine. Through G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s eyes, I saw the scene unfold like a vivid dream. Blanche was cornered in a narrow part of the jungle, her rapier flashing with electricity as she fended off the relentless onslaught of five enemy champions. G?kb?r¨¹ growled again, his instincts urging him to jump in.
I snapped back to my own vision and opened my eyes.
¡°She¡¯s pinned down,¡± I said sharply, my voice cutting through the tension. ¡°All five of them are on her. We need to move now.¡±
With that, we plunged into the jungle, moving as one.
The enemy did not see us coming as they were blinded by killing Blanche. However, it was hard with G?kb?r¨¹ constantly creating ice walls and making the ground slippery. Artemeni as the tank was the first one to jump into action. She charged into the fray like a living battering ram, her spear sweeping wide to knock back two of the enemy champions who had surrounded Blanche. The clang of steel against steel reverberated through the jungle as she parried a blow from the enemy tank, her stance unyielding despite the barrage.
Blanche stumbled back, catching her breath, her rapier crackling with energy. ¡° I did not expect all of them¡¡± She muttered, though her voice carrying annoyance of once again being saved by others.
¡°Save it for some other time! It is five on five! We will wipe them out!¡±
Artemeni barked, planting her spear in the ground to create some space. Aurora darted to the side, her hands already glowing with concentrated mana. A fiery barrage erupted from her palms, targeting the enemy mage, who hastily conjured a barrier to block the assault. The heat from her spells singed the jungle, filling the air with a sharp, acrid tang. Unfortunately for the enemy mage, I wasn¡¯t about to let this chance go. I fired a quick arrow, aiming for his throat. But the enemy support was already ready and blocked my attack with a mana barrier.
Thalia raised her staff high, invoking a radiant pulse of healing magic that bathed Blanche in warm light. ¡°Stay in the fight!¡± she shouted, her voice laced with determination. I took in a large breath and let out a roar.
(You used Roar of War Goddess. Aliera¡¯s divine power cleanses all of your debuffs. Your combat skills increases by 50 percent in effectiveness. Your Strength and Vitality increased by 30 percent.)
(All of your allies receives the same blessings.)
(You carry Aliera¡¯s divine power. All stats increases by 5 more.)
Each time we killed them they spawned later. If we wiped them out here we probably would have time to destroy at least one of the towers and open a way to their base. Aurora locked eyes with me. She knew that using the Roar of War Goddess was something one couldn¡¯t do on a whim. It was a way to finish this fight quickly and without suffering too much damage.
Artemeni seized the moment, her spear spinning like a cyclone as she drove back the enemy tank with a flurry of brutal blows. The ground cracked beneath her strikes, sending shockwaves that disrupted the enemy''s footing.
¡°Push forward!¡± she shouted, her voice a battle cry that rang through the jungle.
Aurora capitalized on the opening, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air.
¡°Graviton Crush!¡±
The space surrounding the mage and support twisted, collapsing into a dense, crushing force. The mage¡¯s barrier cracked like shattering glass under immense pressure, and the support was dragged to their knees, their movements sluggish and strained.
I saw my chance and nocked another arrow, imbuing it with the power of Aliera¡¯s blessing. It shimmered with divine energy, a streak of light against the shadowed jungle as it shot through the air. This time, it pierced the mage¡¯s shoulder, sending him sprawling to the ground with a cry of pain.
Blanche had regained her footing, her annoyance fading into cold focus. Her rapier surged with lightning as she lunged at the enemy assassin. The blade moved like a whip, striking with pinpoint precision as arcs of electricity danced through the air. Her opponent faltered, their daggers clattering uselessly to the ground as the currents rendered them paralyzed.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.G?kb?r¨¹ circled the battlefield, bringing snow and cold with every lap to slow down our enemies. The enemy ranger tried to snipe him but G?kb?r¨¹¡¯s agility and ferocity made him an elusive target, a phantom in the snowstorm he created.
Artemeni roared, locking her spear against the enemy tank¡¯s shield in a brutal contest of strength. With the divine blessing surging through her veins, she forced the tank back step by step, until they stumbled and left their flank exposed.
¡°Now!¡± she yelled.
Aurora didn¡¯t hesitate. She unleashed a torrent of fire and wind that engulfed the tank, their armor glowing red-hot before they collapsed to the ground. Thalia was quick to follow up, her staff slamming into the earth as radiant chains erupted, ensnaring the fallen enemy and preventing their escape. The support was the next to fall, overwhelmed by Aurora¡¯s relentless assault. Their healing magic flickered out as they succumbed to the crushing weight of the battle. That left the ganker and the ranger, both of whom were cornered with nowhere to run.
The ganker tried to make a desperate move, darting toward me with daggers glinting in the dim light. But Blanche intercepted, her rapier slashing across their chest and sending them sprawling.
The ranger let out a guttural yell and fired a desperate shot toward Blanche, but G?kb?r¨¹ intercepted, his icy jaws snapping the arrow in half. Before they could nock another, I let loose a final arrow, striking true and ending the fight.
¡°We don¡¯t have time to rest,¡± I barked, already moving.
¡°We will take the bottom tower and retreat back to the drake. Quick.¡±
The team didn¡¯t waste a moment. With the enemy champions down, we barreled down the lane, clearing the remaining minions and focusing fire on the enemy''s bottom tower. Aurora unleashed precise mana bolts, each one searing through the tower¡¯s defenses, while Artemeni braced herself against its retaliatory strikes, shielding us with her sheer presence.
Finally, the tower crumbled, collapsing in a cascade of shattered stone and mana sparks. The lane was open.
¡°Fall back!¡± I commanded. ¡°We¡¯re not pushing further without the drake¡¯s buff. Let¡¯s regroup and prepare.¡±
Even though the open base was vulnerable, the enemy champions were about to spawn. While there was a chance that we could take them down just like before, I didn¡¯t want to risk anyone. The team didn¡¯t argue, retreating swiftly into the jungle.
¡°We¡¯ve got a small window. The enemy will be back soon, but we need that drake. Thalia, make sure everyone¡¯s topped off. Aurora, keep your mana reserves steady. Artemeni, you¡¯ll hold the Drake¡¯s aggro. Blanche and I will focus on dealing damage.¡±
Blanche sheathed her rapier, her expression unreadable as she silently fell into step beside me. Her pride stung, no doubt, but there was no time for discussions about her earlier mistake. The battlefield didn¡¯t allow for second-guessing.
(Your team has slain the Water Drake.)
(All of your team acquires the passive skill Tidebreaker¡¯s Fury. Harnessing the fluid grace and adaptability of the Water Drake, your movements flow like water and your vitality surges with every passing moment.)
(All stats increases by 5.)
(Health and mana regeneration increase by 20%, scaling with the drake¡¯s slain power. You have slain a level 3 drake.)
(Whenever you hit an enemy you have a 20 percent chance to decrease their defense by 10 for 5 minutes. It stacks to 5.)
¡°Aurora, Thalia. I need a barrier to hide us.¡±
I said as we retreated back to our side. Aurora quickly raised her hands, weaving the threads of mana with expert precision. Soon a shimmering dome of translucent energy enveloped us. It was a barrier that bent light, distorting our figures, and making us nearly invisible to anyone observing from a distance.
Thalia, ever the calm presence, raised her staff and muttered an incantation, her voice steady. ¡°Radiant Rejuvenation.¡± A soft, golden glow cascaded over the group, restoring our stamina and vitality, and ensuring we were in peak condition for what lay ahead.
¡°Alright. We have three win conditions.¡±
I spoke out.
¡°The first and most unlikely one to get us to win is just rushing to the base, killing all enemy champions and minions then destroying the base. I am sure I don¡¯t need to tell you why this is unlikely and suicidal, even by my standards.¡±
The group remained silent, understanding the gravity of my words. At this point they were exhausted even with drake buffs and our enemy kept spawning back stronger each time we killed them, sapping our stamina lower and lower.
¡°The second one is to wait for the next drake. It will be a wind drake. According to the info we had, slaying all four drakes will give us an immensely strong buff besides the regular drake buff. We may be able to steamroll the enemy with it.¡±
¡°Seems safer,¡± Thalia said, her voice steady. ¡°But it still puts us in danger of being ambushed on the way.¡±
I nodded. She was right.
¡°If we are attacked when we are fighting the drake we might both lose the drake and lose the fight.¡±
Artemeni added, her eyes heavy. She was there when the Gorchump Mother was stolen so she was probably afraid of it happening again.
¡°The third option,¡± I said, locking eyes with each of my team members, ¡°is the most aggressive, but it requires perfect execution. We split into two groups¡ªone to create a diversion, and the other to destroy the enemy¡¯s base.¡±
Aurora tapped her fingers together, considering the third option carefully. ¡°It¡¯s risky,¡± she said, looking at the others. ¡°And we don¡¯t know how they will behave now. They may not bite our baits and stand at full defense.¡±
¡°Agreed,¡± Artemeni said, her voice growing more cautious. ¡°The second plan looks the best.¡±
Blanche¡¯s eyes were cold, and I could see the hint of a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. She had that hunger in her eyes. Was it because she was having a bad time with being caught several times by the enemy team? Or was she simply too individualistic to fully move with a team she wasn¡¯t the leader of?
¡°You have my vote for the aggressive plan. I don¡¯t like waiting around. We finish this now.¡±
Every eye turned to Blanche, questioning her decision.