First Tutorial Stage (3)

Most would think being out in the open on the courtyard was a disastrous decision. The unlimited horde of goblins swarmed relentlessly, replacing fallen comrades in a ceaseless tide. The nature of the event made it clear – they were vastly outnumbered, and the open space only worked to the advantage of the goblins.

But Laplace, indifferent to the perilous situation, hardly cared about the well-being of Ruyi and Calliope. In his mind, they were more than capable of handling the onslaught, and pushing them to their limits served a dual purpose. Little did they know, Laplace's true motivation for being in the courtyard was to engage in a relentless battle against the goblins. This was not just a perilous encounter; it was an opportunity for him to gain an endless stream of experience points.

As goblins fell, Laplace strategically conserved his stamina and mana, knowing that the key to enduring this event was wise resource management. In the chaos of battle, he moved with calculated precision, exploiting the endless goblin horde to his advantage. Laplace saw this as a challenge, an opportunity to test his own limits and emerge from the relentless skirmish stronger than ever.

… 

After another wave of goblins fell to Laplace's relentless assault, he swiftly looked up at the sky, his eyes scanning the digital countdown. The systematic panel of space had transformed, and the clouds now displayed a glaring message: 8 Minutes Left. A sense of urgency gripped the atmosphere as Laplace absorbed the dwindling time.

Meanwhile, Ruyi and Calliope, engaged in tandem combat, fought their way towards the school. The strategic move aimed to funnel the goblins into a more manageable location, alleviating some of the tension. Despite their synchronized efforts, their attention couldn't help but be drawn to Laplace.

Swinging his sword endlessly, Laplace seemed immune to fatigue. The minutes ticking down didn't faze him. In the midst of battle, Ruyi and Calliope exchanged glances, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. The unspoken thought echoed in their minds – "That guy is crazy." Laplace's unwavering determination and seemingly boundless stamina left them both in awe and concern as they faced the relentless goblin horde with time ticking away.

Contrary to their beliefs, Laplace's seemingly boundless stamina was not a result of superhuman endurance, but rather a masterful manipulation of the momentum generated by his large longsword. Drawing on the knowledge accumulated over hundreds of years in his past life, Laplace had acquired the art of exploiting the system's mechanics, even if only momentarily.

With each swing of the longsword, Laplace harnessed the weapon's weight and the fluidity of his movements to create a deceptive illusion of limitless stamina. It was a calculated dance, an intricate manipulation of physics that momentarily defied the conventional limits of mortal endurance. Laplace's experience allowed him to cheat the system, utilizing every ounce of efficiency to make each swing count.

However, he knew the system would adapt. In the distant future, challenges would escalate, and the system would evolve to make the lives of gods and humans more arduous.

Ruyi and Calliope, after a relentless struggle against the goblin horde, reached the sanctuary of the school door. With a collective burst of strength, Calliope busted through the entrance, creating an opening for both of them. Yet, a few cunning goblins managed to slip through the opening, prompting Ruyi and Calliope to swiftly dispatch them, ensuring none could enter the building.

As they pushed deeper into the school, they found themselves in a narrow corridor, the double doors leading to safety looming ahead. Goblins, relentless in their pursuit, attempted to swarm through the entrance, but Ruyi's exceptional strength allowed him to press his back against the doors, holding the horde at bay.

Outside, hundreds of goblins piled on top of each other, their combined efforts aiming to breach the school doors. Ruyi's formidable strength proved crucial in preventing the onslaught, holding the doors just long enough for Calliope to search for a solution.

With a quick search in the janitor's closet, Calliope found a metal crowbar. Aiming to avoid using their own weapons, both Ruyi and Calliope understood the potential dangers awaiting them inside the building. Calliope wedged the crowbar between the handles of the double doors, securing a makeshift barricade that provided a temporary reprieve from the relentless goblin assault.

The chaotic clutter outside the school door gradually subsided the relentless onslaught of goblins relenting as Ruyi's strength and the makeshift barricade held firm. The once deafening sounds of frenzied attempts to breach the entrance began to fade into an uneasy calm.

Just as a moment of tense quiet settled in the corridor, the stillness was shattered by the unmistakable sound of breaking glass echoing through the halls. Ruyi and Calliope, standing in the short hallway that connected the entrance to the main school building, exchanged wary glances.

In the dimly lit corridor, several pairs of glowing red eyes emerged from the surrounding darkness, a chilling spectacle that sent shivers down their spines. The eyes emitted an eerie glow, revealing the presence of unknown entities lurking in the shadows.

Outside on the courtyard, Laplace's gaze once again lifted to the sky, the digital timer displaying a dwindling Five Minutes Left. In response, a wide, ear-to-ear grin stretched across Laplace's face. The sheer delight emanating from him sent an uncanny shiver through even the formidable goblins surrounding him.

"Guild System, create message. Recipient, all." 

[What would you like to tell your guild members?]

"You can now use mana, including your throne world. Go ham… and if you die, I'm coming to hell myself to kill you again," And as his lips finished moving, he let out a long breathy cold stream of air. His smile widened and the goblins around him instinctively let out a fearful screech as Laplace muttered a few more words. "[Throne World: Sherlock's Mind Palace]."

[Message Sent]

"What is this?" Ruyi looked up, with Calliope doing the same.

All he had to do was read the first few words before smiling. He didn't even finish the rest of the message as his skin crackled with lightning and his spear crumbled to ash in his very own hands. 

"[Throne World: Simian Lightning Eminance]."