Chapter 42 Trial Gate Part 02.
The interior of the space is not something that the two of them expected. From the moment they entered the gate, awoken and the scenery that stretched outside clearly resembled the notion of a true Japanese place. Soma thought the gate would also be giving a trial about Japanese culture or something along those lines.
In the Chronicles Saga, many aspects made Trial gates appear on Earth. For example, trial gates usually appear, because of the legend or a folklore that spread amongst the people in the surrounding. It could be Mythology, Ghost stories, and many more. But, the trial gate rarely appears on earth, because the higher being is the one who takes control of its appearance.
The Trial gates that Soma was facing right now had a deep connection with lightning and wind. It was the trial gate that was created based on the Mythology of Raijin and Fuujin, the two Gods from Shinto in Japan.
Soma was shocked after finding out the place it's more than meets the eye. After he opened the sliding paper doors, in front of them, the trial on the first floor inside the castle that they saw outside. There was a long straight path that was made of entirely yellow rocks, it resembled a maze. The distance is about ten meters ahead before there is a junction that leads to both sides. he saw it but refused to believe it.
"What the hell, So big?!".
"Is it a Maze?".
Soma was surprised at how in the hell there was so much difference between the rooms. The tall structure of yellow rocks that spread before his eyes was completely so much bigger than the space he was currently in. Hina on the other side also had a bewildered look at the sight.
[Survive inside the labyrinth]
"?!".
The translucent window appeared before the two pairs of eyes. Then their confusion soon turns into a grave expression. The line about survival means that they had to survive inside that maze they didn't know where the end was and what kind of trap and danger would pose danger for them.
"This was not as easy as I thought. Muttered Soma in his heart. Soma thought that the trial was something he could pull off if he tried, but no the trial seems not to be as easy as he imagined it. Inside his heart, he clapped both hands and said his apology to the mob who cleared this trial gate. "I am sorry for underestimating you".
Hina beside him also understands the grave situation they are in. They didn't know how long they could find the end path and the food that they had was only limited to a month.
"What should we do?"
She turns her gaze to Soma who's still in deep thought. He nodded his head and replied.
"Let's enter, we won't start if we just stand around here. Remember time is essential".
"I understand..".
"Also try to look for each other. We are in this together".
Hina opened her eyes wide as she saw the profile of the boy beside him. Soma inhaled a deep breath then exhaled it in one go and took a step inside. Hina hesitated at first before following him from behind.
Once inside, Soma could see a huge word 'Start Line' up on the wall door. He looked at his surroundings from both sides. He is being blocked by a tall humongous yellow rock wall that resembles the rocks he saw in pyramids for it has the same color, he couldn't believe this space could exist inside that small castle. It stretched up until it touched the blue ceiling.
It was painted in a blue color with a small dot of white caught in their eyes, floating around being carried by a strong wind that resided in the sky. The warm rays from the sun that radiate half of the place give them a sense of relief because at least they can know the passage of time.
"Hey? Where should we go?".
Hina from beside him asked. They now stood on the junction that led to two ways right and left. He could also see another way from both sides making things complicated.
Soma connected his thoughts with the ring in his necklace and took a big notebook and a mechanical pencil to draw some simple maps to give him a better sense of direction.
"What was that for?".
Seeing Soma take some big notebook in this place made her tilt her head. Then she saw Soma on a two-page paper, drawing a small line with bold font. Before answering Hina's question.
"I am making some maps, to make things easier for us in exploring the maze".
He came up with this situation because he recalled the first time entered the dungeon in Meiji Jingu that had a maze for its floor. At that time he luckily received a map from upperclassmen from Hero Academy that he could clear the fifth floor.
So last night he prepared all the things he needed if the trial to be included was a maze. He didn't have any experience in doing it, so he tried to search in Toptube which has many videos that showed him how to make a simple map if you enter an unexplored maze.
"Hmm? I see".
Soma hesitated at first then he chose the left side first l, because he saw a close junction just three meters apart. There are three options, go left, right, or straight. But Soma keeps his walk in a straight line while drawing the map.
Hina beside him didn't open her mouth knowing that Soma was doing his best to find a method that made their journey easier in this maze. She could only hope that the time they needed to finish this maze was not more than a month for them to survive because of food resources.
A couple of hours had passed since both of them explored the labyrinth, Soma who now stood on a new two junction took a left turn while keeping working on his map.
"Do you think how long we have been exploring Maze?".
"I don't know the precise time but..".
Soma turned his gaze up as the sun ray that shone in the sky hit him directly above his head. Showing that the time is probably in the middle of noon.
"I think it was noon".
"..No wonder it feels so hot".
Despite the cold weather that Japan has now. Inside the maze, the temperature spiked up like it was the day in the hot summer because the scorching light from the sun made them sweat. Soma also feels the heat as his clothes begin to drench in sweat, because of the clothes he is wearing. Not wanting to dehydrate himself he set aside the book he was carrying and took off his jacket and tied it up around his waist.
"What are you doing?".
Hina on the side turned her gaze away as she was surprised to see Soma's sudden action.
"I don't want to get a heatstroke".
"I think there is no difference".
"Well, just call it my whim that's all".
Finishing with removing his jacket he again resumed his mapping. Hina hesitated at first before doing the same thing as Soma.
"What you got any problem?".
"Nope. Fuuh, the winds feelss nice".
"Is that so?".
"...Yep, Let's continue".
The soaked shirt that showed her curve and the scent that was carried by the wind entered his nose, made his brain halt for a second.
Soma began to distract himself again toward the book. Then after he turns to the right, there is a huge open space that is caught in their eyes.
"Hey, is that".
"Yeah, let's move carefully".
Hina nodded after hearing Soma's words. As far as they explored the maze they didn't encounter any monsters in their way. However, this was inside a gate. Whether it's trial or not, there must be some monster lurking around that will stand in the way of the awakeners to reach the end path.
So with light steps, both of them approached the open space quietly and true to their thoughts. There is a single monster with four limbs lying in the middle of the space, closing its eyes and basking in the warm rays of the sun.
The two of them stopped their advance but the monster's ear caught their step and the scent radiated from their body because of sweat.
The beast opened its eyes. The eyes were sharp with yellow pupils that looked straight toward the intruder. It began to stand up on four. The monster resembled the wolf for it has the same characteristics as the wolf they know. But the thing before them was much bigger. It had thick fur as it stood imposingly at its two-meter height, and its sharp canine protruded from its jaw giving it a more ferocious vibe.
"Valiant Wolf".
"You know that monster?".
"B-rank monster Valiant Wolf. It lives in solitude and always hunts its prey when it's daytime and rest at night. Had a sharp claw and teeth that could be used as a weapon for hunting, and its thick fur has a strong defense for it can even block a Rare-grade Weapon".
Hina suddenly became so talkative after witnessing the monster that was looking at their way. The wolf didn't make any particular movement but with just stood in its place the wolf already giving the aura of a strong monster. Stronger than the monster He had fought before in the dungeon. Soma stands still while looking at the monster's eyes gulping his saliva.
"...B-Rank, huh. It's troublesome".