The Bridge

Ethan already knew that there wouldn't be any problem here. His Soul Sense had sensed the presence of a lot of monsters with thick bloodlust surrounding them. He told Irene to prepare herself so that she wouldn't be caught off guard.

Ethan then glanced at his Rune. It indicated that he now had 370/5,000 Soul Essence. He thought that the progress was pretty good.

He didn't feel any changes in his body even though his Soul Essence had increased. That meant his Soul Essence only affected his Talent and wouldn't show any progress until it reached the required amount.

Ethan used his Soul Manipulation to absorb the Soul from the Mist Stalkers around him. He used it twice. Now his Attributes increased again.

[Soul of Mist Stalker (Common) has been absorbed.]

Strength: 13, Agility: 10, Energy: 10

[Soul of Mist Stalker (Common) has been absorbed.]

Strength: 13, Agility: 10, Energy: 10

Now Ethan's Attirbutes is looking like this:

[Attributes]

- Strength: 67

- Agility: 45

- Energy: 50

- Charisma: 19

Unfortunately, absorbing Energy doesn't increase the limit of his Energy, it just replenishes the Energy he has used.

A few minutes later, they found themselves standing at the precipice of a daunting sight: a long, narrow bridge stretching out before them.

The bridge was crafted from sleek black stone that seemed to absorb the very light around it. Below, a river of inky black water flowed with an unnatural stillness, its surface reflecting the dim light of the artificial sun that managed to penetrate the fog above.

The atmosphere was heavy with anxiety and fear as the group surveyed the bridge before them. Its length disappearing into the hazy distance.

The air seemed to hum with an eerie energy, sending shivers down their spines.

Ethan could feel the weight of the Souls trapped in the black water pressing upon him. He frowned because of it. And only him who can feel it.

This was no ordinary crossing. Just like what Ryan had said, this is the place where they need to sacrifice the Invited.

'So, how's he gonna do it?' Ethan looking at Ryan.

Ryan took the first step onto the bridge, his footsteps echoing softly against the smooth stone surface.

Behind him, the rest of the group followed suit with expressions of apprehension.

As they made their way across the bridge, the thick fog seemed to close in around them and wanted to enveloping them in an oppressive silence.

The river below churned with unseen currents, its black waters swirling ominously as if beckoning them into its depths.

A voice suddenly echoed through the stillness. It seemed to emanate from the very air around them.

"Welcome, brave souls," the voice said, its words carrying a weight that seemed to reverberate through their bones. "If you seek the treasure that lies beyond, you must first prove your worth."

All the Invited—except for Ryan, Ethan, and Irene—exchanged glances. Murmurs of confusion emanated from their mouths.

"What's going on?"

"What treasure? Do you know something, Ryan?" One of them asked Ryan. But Ryan remained silent.

The voice continued.

"To claim the prize that awaits you, you must make a sacrifice. Only through sacrifice can you unlock the true power of the treasure that lies ahead."

"We have come too far to turn back now," Ryan began, his words carrying across the bridge to all of the Invited. "But to continue, we must be willing to make sacrifices."

His words hung heavy in the air, the gravity of the situation weighing upon the assembled group. Ethan could see the uncertainty in their eyes, the flicker of fear and doubt as they grappled with the implications of Ryan's declaration.

The voice didn't explicitly say they had to make a sacrifice to pass, but they have to make a sacrifice to get the treasure.

But due to fear and Ryan's convincing expression, no one thought about it any further. So they just looked at each other with fearful faces.

"We must decide who among us will make the sacrifice," Ryan concluded, his voice echoing across the bridge with quiet authority. "It will not be an easy choice, but it is one that we must make if we are to continue our journey."

"B-But... Who will be the sacrifice?" One of the Invited asks.

Ryan let out a sigh. "I don't know."

Behind them, Ethan sensed something stirring under the bridge through his Soul Sense. He was sure that those creatures – whatever they were – only came alive after the weird voice appeared. As if they only came to claim the souls they had to sacrifice.

"Get ready," he said to Irene.

Irene just nodded, taking her daggers and flowing shadows to their blades.

A sudden movement caught their eye. Strange, otherworldly creatures emerged from the depths, just like what Ethan had felt. Their grotesque forms shrouded in darkness as they slithered and writhed their way up the bridge's supports.

Tentacles flailed and wriggled, reaching out towards the startled Invited like wildfire. Their initial shock giving way to a frantic scramble for weapons and defensive positions.

"Wha-what is that?!"

"Fuck!"

"Kill them!"

The Invited watched in horror as the creatures closed in. Their forms twisting and contorting.

The Invited starting to unleashed a barrage of attacks, their weapons slashing and stabbing at the writhing mass of tentacles.

But their efforts seemed futile. The creatures appeared unfazed by their assault, their slippery forms slipping and sliding effortlessly through the barrage of blades.

With each failed strike, the sense of desperation and fear in the group only grew, their fear mounting with each passing moment.

The creatures did not attack them. As if they were waiting for the Invited to throw themselves at them.

And thats what Ryan do.

He kick one of the Invited closes to him then the monster take him to its embrace of its tentacle.

"AAARRHHH! HELP! HELP ME-"

His sound buried under the black tentacles. His body convulsed, then dried up as if all of his essence is absorbed till nothing left.

"If you want to live make the sacrifice!" Ryan said as he pushed another one.

They started to follow his expamples.

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