The Trial Grounds.
Reven felt odd hearing that his innate Abilities were trying to fuse.
But…
The moment they tried to fuse as if something inside his body became a giant wall stopping them to do so, plus his [Seamless Intuition] was also screaming that he should not force or else it will have a great backlash.
At the same time 'Empress' also voiced out that the fusion failed and that his body needed a catalyst.
It was honestly baffling to him but he calmed himself down for the moment.
'Now it is the time to think about it. I have other important things to do right now!'
He forced himself to stop thinking about it for now and looked at the dim path ahead which he was going cross right now.
HAAAFUUU!
He took a deep breath and steadied himself to get going and began to walk.
He walked without making a sound and totally hiding his body signature because he felt that it was better since honestly he didn't felt good about this path.
Though his [Seamless Intuition] was not really ringing any bells but still the eerie feeling was not going anywhere. In fact, it only kept increasing as he covered more and more distance.
Like this, about 36 hours passed.
He also covered a large distance. The path he covered was dim but clean as if it was some kind of a hallway. This also gave him evidences that this path was not natural and rather was created by some intellectual beings.
He also did not come up with any monsters along the way which made him frown.
'Why the hell there are no monsters? Did that Corpse Manipulator forgot to put some monsters here or something?!'
He couldn't understand since he felt that the guy would have definitely put some monsters everywhere so as to defend that specific territory and have some eyes.
Indeed!
The Corpse Manipulator didn't put any monsters here but the reasoning behind this would definitely something that would give Reven chills if her heard it.
-----
A few hours earlier.
In front of the diverging pathways, the Corpse Manipulator could be seen standing.
The undead army had searched the entirety of the dungeon and they couldn't locate him so he guessed that the guy definitely went this way since this was the only are that was left.
But he couldn't help but feel conflicted and dreadful seeing this.
He looked at the pathway in front him with dread as he said "Did he really go into the Trial Grounds!?"
Anxiousness was clearly there in his voice. It felt as if he was scared of something as he looked into the pathway that Reven entered.
"If he really went there then there is no way he is coming back alive!
I guess I should go back and prepare for my breakthrough so that I can get out if this hellhole." He said as he turned back and left the area.
-----
Back to Reven's journey.
While in his deep musings Reven still continued his journey and he finally arrived in front of a gate.
A gargantuan Gate!
The gate had big carvings spread throughout it. The carvings looked ancient and mysterious.
'Record it entirely, Empress.' Reven ordered.
[On it.]
Reven extended his hands and touched the carvings on the walls trying to see if there was something or some handle that could open the door.
But…
As he dabbed at the carvings, suddenly he felt as if enormous amount of his Ardor was absorbed into the gate and…
Rumble!...
BAM-!
The gargantuan gate opened!
At the same time in Reven's mind.
{Welcome to the Trail Grounds, Challenger!}
A voice spoke. The voice was heavy and felt ancient and solemn.
'The hell! How can he speak English? Don't tell me, the Ardor he sucked also contained my information or something!?' He couldn't help but think.
{Fear not. Challenger! Your Ardor was taken so that the communication between us can become easier.}
'Indeed! My guesses are rarely wrong.' He thought as he said-
"Who may you be my lord?"
*Ahem*
The voice coughed in his mind and then continued.
{I am the Trial Overseer of the Trial Grounds. The one who shall judge you whether you are qualified to pass the trial or become a new resident of this dungeon.}
"Is there a way for me to not take the trial?"
{No. Since you have touched the Gate of Trials, you must take the trial or be reduced to a mere skeleton.}
'Skeleton! Don't tell me…!'
{Indeed! The one who hails himself as the lord of this dungeon was a trial taker. Someone who FAILED!]
'I am screwed. Ain't I?!' Reven couldn't help but bitterly question his luck.
'Why the fuck is everything going wrong? It feels like my luck has kicked the bucket and is telling me to kick it as well.'
{Challenger it is but a stroke of fate that we meet. Hence, you may not curse your luck. And focus on the trial that you have to face.}
The voice spoke taking Reven out of his misery.
PHEW-!
'Focus. Reven… Focus!' He took a deep breath and steeled his heart as he said-
"So what is the trial?"
{It is a set of trials taken in 3 different stages.}
"What is the criteria to pass?"
{To pass, the challenger needs to complete all of them.}
"What do I get if I pass?"
{The reward for passing the trial cannot be disclosed.}
"Is there a way to avoid being turned into a fu*king skeleton?!"
{There is not.}
"…"
{Enough! No more questions.}
Reven wished to ask somethings more but the voice cut him off with a little bit of annoyance in his tone.
"Welp! Guess it is time to enter."
{Indeed.}
Reven then moved his feet forward and entered the gate.
{Let the trails… BEGIN!}
= = = = =
> First Stage: The Trial of Strength & Endurance. <
> BEGINS! <
= = = = =
As the old solemn voice said to start the trials, another unemotional voice took over and said in a robotic tone and a blue window appeared in front of him.
It was much like the one Reven usually heard from the Empress!
Rumble!...
The gate through which he entered closed.
And he was greeted with a desert in front of him. The atmosphere here was extremely hot with the sun just above his head totally in contrast to the cold & dim tunnel outside the gate.
'Is it some kind of illusion or something?' Reven could not help but think as he looked at the environment here.
Screech! Screech!
SCREECH-!
It was at this moment huge Earthworm like creatures appeared in front of him out of nowhere.
= = = = =
> Ding! <
> Challenger Guide is activated. <
> Providing the Challenger with data about the monster encountered. <
> Creature: Giant-Sandepede.
- Attributes: Sand (Earth & Metal), Storm (Lightning & Wind).
- Features: Giant-Scaly Body, Tough Sphincter, Sharp Teeth, Venomous.
- Skills: Sand Storm, Sand Wave, Poison Bite, Pierce, Crawl, Ground Smash, Sand Bash. <
= = = = =
'Why does it feel like I am in some kind of a RPG game? Though I don't have that killing monsters to level up function.'
Reven thought as he looked at the bunch of Giant-Sandepedes in front of him and stretched his body.
"Oh Well, it is what it is."
= = = = =
> Ready! <
> The Trial will start in 3… 2… 1…
.
.
.
ENGAGE!!! <
= = = = =
SCREEECHHH!!!
Tens of the Giant-Sandepedes shrieked as they dug into the ground and started crawling towards him with full speed.
Seeing this Reven also covered his entire body with Ardor and took his fighting stance as all of his supressed killing intent also released itself into his surroundings.
His eyes flashed with extremely cold light as he viciously said-
"Let's FIGHT. WIN. AND…
GO HOME…!"
…..