Chapter 52: Legacy Trial Level One
Fully aware of the impending battle, Rasoul summoned 20 skeletons and swiftly equipped them with hundreds of smoke bombs. His plan was to blind the Dark Beasts, providing an advantage for the assassins on their team. Lara and Sabrat also unsheathed their swords, preparing for the upcoming clash. In a matter of minutes, hundreds of Dark Beasts from the Dark Beast Realms charged toward them, signaling the start of the battle.
"Thunder Domain," Rasoul declared, activating his domain. In an instant, the weather on the battlefield underwent a transformation. Sabrat and the three Assassins stealthily moved into position, leaving the roles of tanking and dealing damage to Lara and Rasoul. The stage was set for a fierce confrontation with the Dark Beasts.
As the Dark Beasts approached, Rasoul unsheathed his dual swords, their blades resonating with latent fire and lightning elemental power. Rasoul's eyes glowed with intensity and anticipation. As the beasts drew closer, he dashed forward, his blades twirling as he unleashed chaos onto the battlefield.
The blades ignited, slicing through the hordes of beasts with each forceful stroke. A path of lifeless bodies lay in Rasoul's wake as he maneuvered through the battlefield. Continuing his dance, the earth trembled beneath his feet as he summoned massive spikes, impaling the beasts from below.
Typically, Rasoul focused on his lightning and light elements, but today demanded a different approach. Outnumbered, he needed every available resource.
A few meters away, Lara unleashed her lightning, each bolt piercing through a beast's head. Those that struck their bodies left a roasted sensation wafting through the air. The crackling energy bore holes in the creatures' skulls as she gracefully moved across the battlefield. Her long hair swirled with every swing of her sword, releasing arcs of pure light and lightning that effortlessly cut through the beasts.
Sabrat, a shadowy figure, became a terror for the beasts. Moving with deadly silence, he left a trail of dead bodies wherever he materialized. Emerging from the shadows, he struck unsuspecting beasts and instantly slipped back into the darkness. In a matter of minutes, he took down hundreds of unsuspecting beasts, jumping from one shadow to another while also keeping an eye out for the gate's guardian.
The other three Assassins also played their part effectively. Though their speed wasn't as rapid, their years of experience in killing allowed them to strike precisely, understanding where to aim and how deep to cut to bring down the beasts. They coordinated their movements, ensuring a synchronized assault on the dark beast realm horde.
Meanwhile, the skeletons maintained their formation. As the final wave of beasts approached, they began hurling the smoke bombs. Chaos erupted on the battlefield as the beasts became blinded by the smoke, enveloping the entire area. Seizing the opportunity, Rasoul and his companions went all out as planned. In less than 30 minutes, all 1000 Dark Beasts and the guardian lay dead on the ground, with holes in their heads and severed limbs.
====
Two minutes before the massacre, Rasoul directed Sabrat to position himself near the next gate and handle the guardian. Sabrat patiently waited in the shadows for the Alpha Beast to appear. After two minutes, the Alpha Beast finally emerged – a Lumithrax Roarheart, a lion-type creature with a strong affinity for the ice element. This variant, a Lumithrax Roarheart, boasted shiny black fur and a glowing, colorful mane.
Its bright, sparkling eyes conveyed intelligence and toughness, while its fur displayed a mix of dark colors that glistened in the moonlight. Golden marks adorned its strong legs, giving it a magical and powerful appearance. Standing at 2 meters tall, it was a formidable variant known as the Lumithrax Roarheart, a member of the Lionkin Beasts.
[Lumithrax Roarheart]
[Realm: Alpha Beast]
[Bloodline: Celestial Sovereigns]
[Description: The Lumithrax Roarheart strikes with swift, calculated pounces, its gleaming claws slicing through the air, while its hypnotic, multicolored gaze disorients prey before a powerful, thunderous roar signals the onset of a relentless assault.]
The majestic Lumithrax Roarheart proved to be no match for Sabrat's swift and lethal tactics.
Upon its immediate appearance, Sabrat wasted no time; he hurled two flashbangs that temporarily blinded the beast. Capitalizing on the moment, Sabrat swiftly materialized behind the creature and drove his dagger right through its gut—a quick and precise strike. Sabrat, known for his inclination towards surprise attacks, didn't play games with his targets. His nature as a Hell Assassin dictated his method of swift and deadly efficiency.
In previous encounters in the forest, Sabrat had singlehandedly taken down four Great Beasts with his surprise attacks. He approached his tasks with a no-nonsense attitude. Rasoul observed Sabrat's performance, proud of his first creation.
Recognizing the need for versatility in facing formidable foes, Rasoul had planned to upgrade Sabrat to a stage where he would become a formidable force against beings of any realm.
With a quick and efficient battle, Rasoul and his team successfully cleared the first stage without a hitch. They gathered at the gate, ready to move on to the next level.
******
On the Sundance Heirs' battleground, the lifeless bodies of beasts were strewn across the field. Although there were no casualties, signs of exhaustion were visible among some members. They gathered at the gate, preparing to enter the next stage, mirroring Rasoul's team. One could argue that their performance wasn't stellar, primarily owing to their larger team size compared to Rasoul's.
The Rainy and Porter team had already progressed to the second trial, capitalizing on their larger team size to clear the area in less than 15 minutes.
The remaining teams also successfully completed the first level without encountering any issues. Recognizing the challenges awaiting them, they first attended to the wounded before proceeding to the next level. Soon, all the teams began entering the next stage through the gate.
******
Rasoul and his team hesitated at the entrance of the gate, their usual instinct to progress to the next level restrained by an unshakable feeling that something was off. Despite the knowledge that Dark and Alpha Beasts didn't pose a real threat to him and his team, Rasoul sensed an unusual strength during their battles. It seemed as if the realms of the beasts were artificially suppressed and gradually released as they engaged in combat.
Had they spent more time in battle, the Dark Beasts might have risen to the level of Alpha Beasts. This raised a troubling question in Rasoul's mind: would the same progression occur when facing the Saint Beast? Preparing to go all out against the Saint Beast.
Rasoul was troubled by the possibility that the Saint Beast could ascend to the Sage level during their fight. Since beasts lacked a Semi-Sage stage, the rise to the Sage Realm by the Saint Beast would pose a significant threat to him and his team.
After careful consideration, Rasoul instructed his team to move to the next level. Unable to exit the trial until one of them acquired the legacy, Rasoul's only plan was to move swiftly, recognizing that any delay could lead to unfavorable circumstances.
Upon entering through the gate, Rasoul and his team found themselves on a field with rugged terrain. Immediately, Rasoul put into action a formation he'd learned from the system a few hours prior to the gate opening. Recognizing the effectiveness of formations in battles, Rasoul had invested significant time exploring the extensive list of available formations provided by the system at his current level.
Understanding that advancing in his study of Runes could enhance his ability to sketch formation arrays as he desired, granting him control over the battlefield, Rasoul aspired to take command of every aspect of the fight. He grasped the importance of intricate knowledge of formations and runes.
Rasoul's mind operated like a well-oiled machine, processing multiple scenarios and adapting to the challenges presented to him.
"Keep an eye out and report any unusual changes," Rasoul instructed Sabrat. He then turned to the three assassins, saying, "You three, watch his back. Move swiftly and seize any opportunity to strike."
As soon as Rasoul finished instructing his team, the first wave of beasts arrived. Rasoul quickly assessed them, and what he saw nearly caused him to lose his footing and fall back on his butt.
[Name: Emberflare Phoenix]
[Realm: Alpha Beast]
[Bloodline: Pyroclasmic Emberkin]
[Attack Pattern: The Emberflare Phoenix swoops down from the sky, engulfing its target in searing flames with a scorching talon strike, leaving a trail of lingering fire that intensifies over time.]
[Name: Frostbound Yeti]
[Realm: Alpha Beast]
[Bloodline: Glacial Frostclaw]
[Attack Pattern: The Frostbound Yeti charges forward, leaving frozen footprints in its wake, before delivering a bone-chilling swipe with its icy claws, freezing its prey in place with an arctic breath.]
[Name: Shadowstalker Panthera]
[Realm: Alpha Beast]
[Bloodline: Umbral Nightshade]
[Attack Pattern: The Shadowstalker Panthera stalks its prey with silent steps, lunging from the shadows to deliver swift, precise strikes. Its attacks are accompanied by disorienting illusions, leaving its target vulnerable to subsequent ambushes.]
Three different types of creatures appeared on the battlefield, radiating a threatening presence. Rasoul quickly realized that his initially planned strategy, centered around the ice element, wouldn't cut it against the Frostbound Yetis, notorious for their exceptional affinity for ice.
Activating the formation would only boost the Yetis' strength. Seeing the potential risks and uncertainties in confronting Phoenix and Panthera with the current plan, Rasoul decided not to gamble. He understood the need to swiftly change tactics, adapting to the evolving battle dynamics. Time was critical, as the beasts could progress to the next stage at any moment, and Rasoul couldn't afford to waste a single second.
He addressed his companions directly, "Change of plans. Sabrat, take to the skies and engage the Phoenix wannabe." Rasoul then turned to the three assassins, stating, "You three play hide and seek with the Shadowstalker Panthera's. Lara and I will handle the Frostbound Yetis. Let's take these suckers down now, shall we?"
Upon finishing his instructions, Sabrat's wings propelled him into the sky like Ikaris. The other three assassins entered stealth mode, and Lara charged forward with lightning dancing around her body.
Just as Rasoul was about to take action, the system chimed.
Ding...
[Second Quest]
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone