Chapter 10: Aerin's Ring

Chapter-10: Aerin's Ring, overpowered ring!!

He enquired about me fighting in the dungeons. I asked him not to worry and I give him all the cores and explained their uses as these could help him in the dungeons for now.

We had dinner and some quality family time.

It was 9:30 when I was back in my room.

"Hey!! Head out, its time for your trial", the system said.

(Let's call the system it from here on out)

"Why now? I wanted to take a rest," I said.

"It's a special trial. It needs to be taken at night.", it said.

Alright…then what can I do if it was like that I thought. So, I headed out.

I saw a map and a marked location at it.

"Head there. The trial will take place there", It said.

I nodded and headed to the location marked on the map.

I had already reached midway when I heard some noises coming from somewhere around me. I focused on the noise and I knew that it was the sound of the battle. I headed towards the source of the sound secretly and cautiously as I didn't want them to notice me.

There were 2 beings fighting in the sky. It was because they both didn't look human. They were fighting far high up in the sky that I only noticed that they weren't humans. I didn't have any appraisal skills or anything. So, I asked the system about it. It showed me something exactly what I wanted.

"Is there anything that can help me to appraise them?" I asked.

"You can try with this skill. I am not sure if it can identify them. It might give you some clue.", it said.

Heavenly Eyes (Level-1) Cost-40 CP

With the Heavenly Eyes, no secrets will remain secret.

Appraise 100 things to get to level 2.

Well…it certainly was expensive and its description looked pretty awesome. I bought it instantly.

I was glad that it showed me some information on the 2 beings figting high up in the sky.

Name:<<Hidden>>

Level:100

HP:<<Hidden>>

MP:<<Hidden>>

Race: High Elf

Name:<<Hidden>>

Level:100

HP:<<Hidden>>

MP:<<Hidden>>

Race: Demon

I was shocked that both were level 100. I hoped that they wouldn't notice me as I really weak. They might think of me as nothing more than a mere ant. This was the first time I felt something like that. Previously I didn't think that there were creatures like that already. I felt the need to reach high level more and more. Today I was a observer and I knew that sooner or later I will join their stage and later transcend them. I believed in myself. I also learned a lot from observing the fight.

I was closely looking at the battle when I felt the Elf turning its head towards me. It also made an eye contact with its deep and calm eyes that chill ran down upon my spine. I didn't know how it discovered me. But when it discovered me I was shocked to see that its information kept changing. Its level actually kept increasing.

Level 101

Level 102

…

Level 200

…

And soon it also became <<Hidden>>.

Now I was really scared. It was actually holding back all this while and toying with its opponent. It then killed the demon it was fighting at a strike and appeared before me in an instant.

When it appeared before me, I knew that it was only possible for me to escape alive if it allowed to or else, I really had no hope today. So, I tried to look as much composed as possible.

"Well…well. Look at we have here.", a melodious and bewitching voice sounded out.

I was shocked to hear such a sweet voice. Only then I discovered the elf was a female. And she looked like a jade beauty I had only heard about from novels.

She looked so beautiful and enticing that I didn't know how to describe it. Only now I knew why even Kings would fight against each other with their everything at stake for beauties. I didn't know if I would be any better. Ha-ha. I was just amusing myself when I heard the danger sign.

Ding

Ding

…Danger…danger…danger…

<<A high being is scanning you. Try if you can stay alive. Ha-ha>>

The system was really my bane. It was slower than me. I didn't know if I should cry or laugh at this moment. The thing that was most annoying was that it was laughing at my situation. So, I just gave a grim smile as I didn't know what to do. I just hoped that she would give me a chance to save myself.

"So, you are the one who got it from here, huh?", She said.

This time I was really shocked because I knew what she was talking about.

"I don't know what are you talking about. I am just a big boy from a small town.", I said trying to cool off the serious situation.

"Ha-ha. You are amusing boy and really brave to dare to spy at me. If you didn't have it, I would have already slain you. Just thank the almighty that you had the system with you.", she said.

I didn't say anything and just looked at her.

"Duel me. If you can survive the battle against me for a minute, I will let you go. ", She said.

Ting

Side-Mission: Survive the Ordeal

Fight <<Hidden>> and survive at least for a minute.

Rewards: Unknown (depends upon the time)

"Is it really good for you to bully me with your high and mighty status?", I said.

"Don't worry. I will fight you at the same level.", she said.

"Is that so? Then you might even lose.", I said excitedly.

"Ha-ha. If I lose, I lose then. But you can't really defeat me. Its not my arrogance. It's just a fact.", she said.

What she said made me realize that she wasn't one of those who bullied the weak and feared the strong.

"I will try my best then to not disappoint you.", I said excitedly.

I was wondering if weapons will be used or not when she dashed towards me with no weapons. I knew that I would lose instantly if we were to clash with weapons. With her unfathomable power and background, I really didn't need to think what type of weapons she would be carrying.

She was coming at me with a punch. It looked very strong that I really didn't dare to meet it head on. Though my male pride was urging me to meet the strike head on, my rationality compelled me to dodge the blow. I didn't realize how naive I was until I tried to dodge it. I noticed that the blow seemed to have a mind of its own. It followed me and hit me right in the gut.

I was thinking of counter when I felt pain surging from the gut. I only noticed then that I was hit. I backed down instantly and created a gap between us.

I knew that it was because of the gap in experiences between us. She must be a veteran fighter, I thought. Still, I wasn't ready to lose just like that to a girl nonetheless.

Bang

Bang

I was getting pummeled by her despite me trying to dodge her blows with my agility build. Soon I started to see dancing stars.

I didn't want to lose without even fighting back with someone of my own level. If she had used her all, even her breath might have killed me. I thought.

I cleared all my thoughts and then my mind. I focused solely on the fight. I didn't try to dodge anymore as I felt that it wouldn't work at least against someone of her caliber. I thought nothing and just focused on the duel. It wasn't a duel with all the one sided beating I was getting though.

I soon discovered a change. It wasn't in the battle. I was still getting pummeled by her. I felt something for the first time. I somewhat felt how the blow would land. I felt enlightened at the moment and for the first time I dodged her blow for the first time ever.

I soon went into a trance. I didn't know how long I was in a trance for. Fortunately, she didn't do anything when I was in a trance. Or I didn't know what would happen. When I came to, she was already gone. I then heard the system announcement which gave me all the answers I needed.

Ting

Congratulations on unlocking <<Heightened Sense>>.

<<Heightened Sense>> (Passive skill)

Heightens all five senses and acts like an instinct. Warns from all the possible dangers.

Ting

Message from the Elfin Princess.

<<Though you didn't exactly survive against me for 1 min. Dodging the blow earned you the right to free. Don't be arrogant though and become stronger faster. Sooner the Better…>>

She didn't say anything else. I was just glad that she didn't attack me when I was in trance. I knew that I couldn't dodge her blow if we fight again now. I was lucky and she was caught off guard with me unlocking Heightened Sense at that moment.

Ting

<<Congratulations on completing the side-mission>>

<<Reward: Calculating>>

<<Calculated>>

I didn't know what I would get. I didn't fight her more than 30 seconds. I just dodged one blow and then went into trance. I didn't know what I would get. I would be happy if I could get a boost in attributes.

Ting

<<Congratulations on getting Aerin's ring>>

Aerin's ring <<Legendary>>

1. 50% boost in attributes.

2. +2 Luck

3. Passive skill

a. Defense: Increase user's defense by 100%

b. Offense: Increase damage done by 50%

The Aerin's ring was really overpowered with all its features. I didn't know if I was lucky or if she was just generous enough to give me such an item. Getting such an accessory at the beginning was really overkill.

Far from me, high up in the sky.

Aerin was looking at me.

"This is all I can do for you. I hope that you won't let me down. This world will depend on you from here on out.", she whispered and disappeared into the clouds.