Chapter 7: The Trial

"Your trial shall begin!"

Throughout the whole message not a single one of the adventurers spoke a word. They listened in silence.

After moment the message ended, the first to speak was Kyle.

"That... what may have been the reason the dragon king's message to be here?"

Tidlen was next.

"No… that's not the question. What… did we just learn?"

"This is dangerous! We will be in grave danger if the fact that we know this is found out!"

Lily exclaimed in shock and fear.

"The demon lord… who actually is he?" Matt wondered.

The Dwarves were allies with the demon nation as they had also been exploited for their construction and rune magic skills. The dwarves even though small in height, had a lifespan almost as long as humans(120-125yrs). They had innate skills with planning and construction; thus, they were constantly exploited, even sold as slaves.

"We are already in so much danger after knowing this and you still want to learn more?!" Lily asked, clearly annoyed.

"Guys…, I don't think… we should be discussing this right now. I am worried because the dragon king mentioned something about… a trial beginning."

Ray reminded everyone. He was also shaken; it was obvious in his voice.

"That's right! Everyone we must stay alert until we get out of the ruins. There have been many cases of casualties because of carelessness."

Kyle had regained her composure and she was back to being the leader.

"Yes, let's leave this room. I don't feel safe in here" Lily agreed.

The group started to head back to the opening of the room, to the hidden passageway.

But just as they a crossed a certain design on the floor, immense mana, erupted.

The violent mana rushed to their bodies. Everyone was blinded for a moment. They suffered an inexplainable amount of pain.

But it stopped just as suddenly as it came.

When they opened their eyes all they could see was darkness. It was a huge arena like place. The fire was lit on the walls but they did not give any warmth or brightness.

They looked around searching for others. Desperate.

***

That message was more of a warning.

He wished to warn the world of my dangerous existence. He even sacrificed his remaining life to make sure that I would not destroy it.

Well even if he hadn't done that; I would not destroy it, as he did not manipulate the contents or anything like that. I will not destroy honesty.

I guess the message left everyone in shock. Its understandable as not everyday you listen to the great Dragon king, especially some thing like this. Even the content must have frightening. I was also quite astonished.

'But I am more worried about the trial thing he mentioned in the end.'

"Guys…, I don't think… we should be discussing this right now. I am worried because the dragon king mentioned something about… a trial beginning."

Listening to me, Kyle regained her composure. While Lily urged us to return.

'She is a good leader'

We began walking toward the hidden passage way. But suddenly quite a large amount of mana engulfed us. Even I couldn't detect it.

The mana rushed towards me. It was blessing as taking in such a large amount of mana at once would increase the total mana, though usually this would cause the body to burst for normal people… but not me.

But I can't say the same for my party members. I'll just absorb mana until only a safe amount remains. This is good for me too.

There is also a transportation spell that transports all the one who absorbed the mana. But if you don't absorb the mana you will die as the body will not be able to stand exposure to such a large amount of mana.

'Its quite the genius idea.'

***

Kyle stood shaken because of the sudden transportation. She searched for her team in the darkness, but she could only see a faint silhouette.

She slowly approached it, her daggers ready. She could finally make out the shape of a human. She called out to them in whispers. It seemed like they finally noticed and started heading towards her.

That person turned out to be Tidlen.

"Whew, thank god. I thought I was alone.''

Tidlen looked tired. His voice was also dry.

"What happened to you? Why do you look so tired?"

Kyle asked.

"I…have been here since an hour. I c-couldn't find anyone."

"An hour! I have only been here for few minutes."

Kyle was astonished hearing Tidlen' s reply.

But Tidlen explained.

"This dark fog muddles our sense of time. You are also sweating and thirsty, aren't you?''

Kyle finally noticed her own condition. She checked her flask for water but it was empty. Only a few potions were left. Even her dagger was chipped.

Tidlen was also in a bad shape. He had only two potions left. But his mana had been completely filled and also increased to the mana exposure. But other than that, he was completely exhausted. Both physically and mentally.

"Let's not try searching for others and wait. If it is as you suspect, then we would only waste our energy"

Kyle decided.

"I agree with you on that. But… I don't know if we can last… till all of the others come. I am starving… do you have any food?''

Both Tidlen and Kyle were starving. It was most probably because of the absorbing of such a large amount of mana. Their bodies were exhausted.

They decided to sit down and wait for others.

Si---ik!!

But suddenly they heard. As if a blade struck a rock. They instantly became alert.

[To be continued]