Castle Of The Vermillion Bird

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[ Scenario #2: A Question Of Trust ]

Objective: Yet to be revealed

Reward: 1000 Glens, ???, ???

Consequence For Failure: Death

Time limit: 1 month

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The second scenario was the first official scenario with the death penalty. If you failed to complete the scenario, the Entertainers would kill you on the spot.

Even though the scenario details were yet to be shown, I knew that everyone inside the safe zone needed to take part in it together.

If my estimation was current, the city's total population was around 500,000 to 700,000. Out of those around three thousand people made it to the XYZ University safe zone.

Valencia Hall contained the same number of survivors. As for those who didn't manage to reach the safe zone, a different scenario was prepared for them.

They could clear that scenario to earn the rewards of the first one before progressing further to the next scenario.

[ Would you like to be transported to the scenario location?

Remaining time: 5 minutes

Yes / No ]

I exchanged a look with Vin. We had five minutes to think of a strategy to proceed ahead.

"Inari must have modified Valencia Hall by now. Do you remember the modification of the building?"

"Hmm, XYZ University was modified into a subway(train station). I don't remember reading about Valencia Hall."

Blue confirmed my statement.

< You never thought about it either. We lack details on how the scenario goes in this location. >

'Maybe I should have bought a house closer to XYZ University back when I still had some money.'

"I think this place will turn into a huge modern castle of sorts," Vin muttered.

I raised an eyebrow at this but didn't say anything. My gut told me her words might come true.

"Try to find me as soon as you can."

"I know."

Together, both of us pressed yes and turned into particles of light.

The second scenario officially began.

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"She told me about her vision indirectly…"

Currently, I stood in the courtyard of something that belonged to a fantasy novel. 

Four walls of a huge white castle surrounded the green field I stood in. The night sky above my head was filled with dark clouds.

Valencia Hall had been changed into a castle from older times with modern touches. For example, the walls of the class contained glass windows found in skyscrapers. 

Speaking of skyscrapers, the main building of Valencia Hall was visible in the distance. The building's size increased by three times its original size.

System windows appeared in front of me. I already knew their contents without needing to read them.

[ Congratulations! You have entered the special zone. ]

[ You can choose any four of the main buildings to clear the first part of the scenario before heading towards the main scenario building. ]

The four walls in each direction represented a different building of the castle. The majority of people were randomly transported inside one of these four buildings.

Once they cleared the first part of the scenario, they were transported to Valencia Hall where the second part of the scenario began.

Some people who showed promise in the first scenario were handpicked by the Entertainers and allowed to choose which building they wanted to visit.

All four buildings had varying levels of difficulty and if you were lucky, you might be able to pick the easiest building.

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[ Please choose from the following list:

1. Castle of the Black Tortoise(North)

2. Castle of the Azure Dragon(East)

3. Castle of the Vermilion bird(South)

4. Castle of the White Tiger(West)

Note: Each building consists of unique buffs and debuffs. Please choose carefully. ]

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I eyed the four options in front of me. The buildings were based on the four mythological beasts in Chinese mythologies.

Each building represented a specific element and provided buffs and debuffs accordingly.

Vin must have chosen the Azure Dragon since it greatly buffed her wind skill. If she was lucky, she might get the chance to obtain some items and additional skills.

"Do you need my help?"

An amused voice entered my ears from behind.

"Inari." I turned around, coming face to face with the Entertainer.

"You don't know this but each building has a different scenario, one more difficult than the other. If you want, I can help you pick the building with the simplest scenario." Inari smiled wickedly.

"What do you want in return?"

"Nothing much. I just want to make a small deal."

A smile appeared on my face. Inari wanted to force me into a deal with her. Entertainers made tempting deals during the scenario but most of the time, the deal turned out to be dangerous for the other party.

"No need. I don't want to become a slave to your streaming channel for 20 years." I rolled my eyes.

A frown replaced Inari's smile. Doubt appeared on her face after hearing my words.

"How do you know about that?"

"I know a lot of things."

I stared back at the screen before pressing the 3rd option. Seeing my choice, Inari started laughing.

"You clearly don't know everything. If you knew everything, you wouldn't have chosen that option."

"I know its the hardest challenge. That's why I chose it." I smirked.

"Huh?" Inari stopped laughing and looked at me with a confused expression.

"I know everything. If you want to know more, stream me personally." 

My body turned into particles of light, leaving behind a confused Inari. The Entertainer must not have expected to hear such a reply from me.

Honestly, I wanted Inari to stream me personally. I had no idea about the other streamers under her and how they might stream me.

To avoid any troubles, having a known Entertainer manage your streaming was the best option.

[ You have entered: The Cast of the Vermilion Bird. ]

[ Scenario details have been updated. ]

I appeared in a dark corner of a corridor of the castle. Candles lit the pathway in front of me and no human was present in sight.

< Is Michael sure that he is making the right choice? >

'Yes, I am sure. I have to change the events here.'

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[ Scenario #2: A Question Of Trust ]

Part 1: Rebirth of the Phoenix.

Objective: Show the worth of sacrifice. 

Each person participating in the scenario can clear it in either of the following two ways.

1. Kill 5 people a day until enough energy has been gathered to revive the bird.

2. Revive the bird using alternate method.

Rewards: A skill from the revived bird.

Consequence: Failure

Time Limit: 10 days(out of the 30 days)

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All four scenarios in the four castles had something to do with the mythical beast associated with it. The main task of the scenario was to gather enough energy to revive a beast inside the castle.

Different kinds of beasts related to the original beast could be summoned depending on the amount of energy gathered.

In the Vermilion castle, birds related to the element of fire could be summoned. Only a limited number of such creatures existed.

The only problem in the Vermilion Castle was the fact that the creature to be summoned required sacrificial energy.

The Vermilion Bird of the North often referred to a Phoenix. It was the strongest Phoenix in existence and ruled over all other Phoenixes.

A Phoenix could be reborn from its ashes. That was the special characteristic of a Phoenix and according to the myths, numerous phoenixes sacrificed themselves to save their companions and were reborn.

To summon a bird, humans needed to be killed. The 'sacrifice' of these humans made up the energy to summon the beasts.

But this was the case in the first option. Things changed if you chose the second option.

[ Streaming has began! ]

[ You are a part of Entertainer Inari's channel! ]

[ The 'Viewers' are keeping an eye on you. ]

It seemed like Inari took the bait I laid for her. Now I just needed to make things a bit interesting in order to ensure her support in the future.

I crossed out all the windows except for one.

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[ Please choose your desired method to clear the scenario:

1. Killing Method

2. Alternate Method. ]

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No information was provided on the alternate method and choosing it was outright stupid.

Without any information, clearing the scenario was impossible.

I remembered the words I spoke to Inari earlier. I did know everything and therefore, I knew the right option to choose.

"I will provide you with the entertainment you need." 

I chose my desired option.