Kapitel 20: Chapter 20: Trials Beyond Death

Chapter 20: Trials Beyond Death

With little hesitation, I pushed onward, drawn to the hollow promise of glory like a moth to a flame. The translucent timer before me ticked its final moments away:

[Third Trial available in: 00:00:13…]

I tightened my grip, anticipation buzzing in my veins. The moment the timer hit zero, the world twisted, a dizzying swirl of light and shadow. When it settled, I found myself standing in an opulent room, the air heavy with the scent of burning oil and aged wood.

The walls were adorned with ornate tapestries, their golden threads shimmering in the flickering torchlight. Intricate carvings of angelic figures danced along the stone pillars, each detail radiating a sense of divine sanctity. The temperature in the room was cool, almost unwelcoming, and the flickering torches cast shifting shadows that played tricks on my eyes.

I barely had time to absorb the scene before noticing the hooded figures surrounding me. Cloaked in pristine white robes trimmed with radiant gold, they formed a silent circle. Their obscured faces exuded an air of reverence and judgment. From their ranks, a young woman stepped forward.

Her bright smile was disarmingly warm, her green eyes shimmering with an unfamiliar kindness. The floral perfume that clung to her seemed incongruous in this sacred hall, yet it added an oddly human touch to the surreal scene.

"Hi!" she greeted, her voice cheerful and light as she leaned uncomfortably close. "You must be confused, but don't worry, you've been summoned as the hero!"

She gestured grandly as she spoke, her words flowing with impassioned fervor. Though her speech was lengthy, its essence was simple:

Save us from the Demon King.

Before I could respond, a translucent screen materialized before me, its sudden appearance cutting through her fervor like a blade.

[Third to ? Trial]

[Description: Achieve fame and feats. Each feat will be counted as one trial. Field of Swords is temporarily disabled.]

[Progression: Kill the Demon King: 0/1. ???. ???. ???. ???. ???. ???. ???. ???. ???.]

[Time limit: 364 days 23:58:29…]

The question marks unsettled me. What did they mean? How many trials awaited me? My thoughts swirled with unease, only to be interrupted by the girl's insistent voice.

"Hero? Hero!" she called, her words snapping me back to reality. "The king awaits you."

Two armored guards flanked me as I followed her down a grand corridor. The red carpet beneath our feet muffled our steps, leading to a pair of towering golden doors. As they swung open, the grandeur of the throne room stole my breath.

Tall stained-glass windows bathed the room in a kaleidoscope of light, the patterns shifting with the flickering sun. Along the walls, guards stood at attention, their gazes sharp and unwavering. At the far end of the room sat a throne, its surface glimmering with embedded jewels.

Seated upon it was a corpulent man, his white hair stark against his gilded crown. His robes strained against his bulk, and his hands rested heavily on the golden armrests. His eyes bore into me, assessing.

"Welcome, hero," he said, his voice soft yet commanding as it echoed through the chamber. "You've been summoned by the goddess herself to save this world from the Demon King's wrath."

I stared at him, my mind racing. How strong was I compared to this world? Was I a savior, or a pawn? My hand instinctively moved to my side, seeking my sword and shield, but they weren't there. My attire was unfamiliar, stripped of the armor and weapons I had grown accustomed to in the Field of Swords.

Summoning the screen, I visualized my blade. In an instant, it materialized before me, falling from the screen. I caught it midair, its weight reassuring in my hand. Without a word, I charged forward.

Gasps and shouts erupted, reverberating through the hall as I stormed down the crimson carpet. The king's face twisted in terror, his double chin quivering as he raised a pudgy hand in protest. My blade sliced through the air, its edge meeting his neck with unerring precision. The resistance was brief but visceral, and his head tumbled to the ground, leaving a trail of crimson in its wake.

Ding!

A new screen appeared, its words crisp and unforgiving:

[Achievement Complete!]

[Kingslayer]

[Details: Killed a king other than the Demon King.]

"Kill him!" a voice roared, snapping me from the brief euphoria.

I turned to see a man in ornate armor, his eyes blazing with fury. His presence exuded power, a dangerous aura that dwarfed the guards around him.

The soldiers closed in, their polished armor glinting as they drew their weapons. My gaze darted around the hall, searching for an escape. The entrance was too far, but a massive stained-glass window loomed behind the throne. It was my only chance.

I surged toward it, cutting down a few guards who dared block my path. Their pristine white robes darkened with blood, the golden trim stained beyond repair. Summoning my shield, I braced it against my shoulder and crashed through the window.

The fall was longer than I anticipated. The wind roared in my ears as I plummeted toward the ground, my body bracing for impact. When I hit, the earth greeted me with bone-shattering force.

Pain exploded through me, my legs snapping like dry twigs. Agony consumed me, but I lived. Crawling desperately, I dragged myself away, my breath ragged.

A shadow fell over me, blotting out the sun. I looked up to see the commander, his face twisted in grim determination. His armored boot descended, and my world went black.

When I opened my eyes, I was back in the same hall. The girl's cheerful voice greeted me once more, her speech repeating like a broken record.

But this time, the screen had changed:

[Third to ? Trial]

[Description: Achieve fame and feats. Each feat will be counted as one trial. Field of Swords is temporarily disabled. Death is activated.]

[Progression: Kill the Demon King: 0/1. Kingslayer: 1/1. ???. ???. ???. ???. ???. ???. ???. ???.]

[Time limit: 364 days 23:45:58…]

Death?

A cold shiver ran down my spine. The safety net I had relied on was gone.

As the king's voice welcomed me once more, I clenched my fists. There would be no reckless moves this time. Survival was paramount.

I would tread carefully. I couldn't afford to die again.

AUTORENGEDANKEN
Verrinen

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Kapitel 21: Chapter 21: The Sleeping Lion's Path

Chapter 21: The Sleeping Lion's Path

"Welcome, hero," the king said, his voice echoing through the ornate chamber. His corpulent form sat heavily upon the gilded throne, his fingers adorned with rings that glinted in the fractured sunlight streaming through stained-glass windows. "You've been summoned by the goddess herself to save this world from the Demon King's wrath."

This time, I kept my composure. Recklessness would only hasten my end, and I couldn't afford to die, not yet.

The king raised a hand in a grandiose gesture, his robes straining against his bulk. "Now go out, become strong, defeat the Demon King, and liberate our world," he commanded, his voice heavy with self-importance and a practiced authority.

Before I could respond, two armored guards flanked me, and the commander from before approached, his gait purposeful. His piercing eyes met mine, his expression unreadable beneath the sharp angles of his helmet.

"Don't do anything stupid," he said, his gravelly voice carrying an edge of warning. "I can see it in your eyes."

He shoved a finely crafted steel sword into my hands, leaning in close. His voice dropped to a low rumble. "You've got the eyes of a killer."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, but I bit back a retort. Why hadn't he stopped me before when I'd killed the king the first time? My eyes must've carried the same intent then. His recognition of my nature unnerved me, though I couldn't tell if it was a warning, a taunt, or something else entirely.

Outside the castle gates, the capital sprawled before me. I descended a massive stone staircase, each step precise, the weight of the sword at my hip swinging in rhythm with my stride. The city buzzed with life, a stark contrast to the world I had left behind.

Horse-drawn carriages rattled along cobbled streets, their drivers calling out to pedestrians. Vendors hawked wares from colorful stalls, their voices mingling with the laughter of children and the chatter of townsfolk. The scent of baked goods, sweat, and animal musk filled the air, a strange cocktail of vitality and industry.

It struck me as absurd. For a kingdom supposedly on the brink of annihilation by the Demon King, the people seemed blissfully unaware, or willfully ignorant, of their impending doom. Was this the strength of their faith, or the blindness of their privilege?

I walked among them, observing the unfamiliar energy of a peaceful city. The weight of countless battles hung heavy on me, a stark contrast to the lightness of this place. Memories of blood-soaked fields and screams of the dying crept into my thoughts. Was I ever like these people? Had I once lived a life untouched by war?

But if I had, that version of me was long gone. Survival had come at a cost, a piece of my soul lost with every swing of my blade. For a fleeting moment, I envied their naivety.

My musings were interrupted when I spotted a guard in white steel armor, his sword resting against his hip. His attire resembled that of the palace guards, though it was simpler, more worn. He seemed like a good source of information.

"Do you know where I can earn money?" I asked, keeping my tone as friendly as I could manage.

The man stared at me, his brows furrowing before he broke into a polite smile. "You must be new here," he said, his eyes scanning me up and down. "Well, for someone built like you, I'd recommend heading to the guild."

"The guild?" I asked, unfamiliar with the term.

He nodded and gestured down a bustling street. "Just follow that road until you see a sign that says Sleeping Lion. It's the guildhall. You can register there."

I thanked him and made my way down the indicated path.

The sign swayed gently in the breeze, its golden letters glinting in the sunlight: Sleeping Lion. Pushing open the sturdy wooden doors, I stepped into a lively hall.

The room was vast, with long tables arranged haphazardly. Adventurers of all shapes and sizes sat together, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Mugs of ale clinked, despite the sun still shining outside.

Behind a polished desk at the far end of the room stood a woman. Her dark red blouse and white undershirt were crisp and clean, and her warm smile exuded a welcoming professionalism. Behind her, shelves were lined with barrels and bottles of colorful liquids.

As I approached, I could feel eyes on me, curious, scrutinizing. The woman greeted me cheerfully.

"Welcome to the Sleeping Lion! How can I help you?"

"I heard I could register with the guild here," I said, keeping my tone light.

She chuckled softly. "You must mean the guild, right?" she teased. Her tone was playful, her demeanor relaxing.

"Yes," I replied, attempting a faint smile.

"Well, you'll want to head through that door," she said, gesturing to her left.

The smaller hall beyond was quieter, though still bustling with activity. A second desk was manned by another woman, her darker complexion complementing her sharp features.

"Do you wish to turn in a quest or register, sir?" she asked, her voice polished and formal.

"Register."

She nodded and gestured to a bench along the wall. "Please wait while I prepare the necessary documents."

I sat down, acutely aware of the large man beside me. His broad shoulders and scarred face gave him an air of menace. His eyes bore into me, his expression unreadable but intense.

"What do you want?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral.

He didn't answer, his gaze only hardening.

Before the tension could escalate, the clerk's voice called out. "It's ready!"

The room she led me to was small and dimly lit. At its center stood an altar with a crystal orb resting on it. The orb shimmered faintly, its light shifting like trapped smoke.

"Place your hands on the orb and imbue it with your mana," the woman instructed.

Mana? I had no idea what she meant, but I mimicked confidence. Approaching the altar, I pressed my palms against the cool surface of the orb.

A strange sensation coursed through me, like an invisible thread pulling at my core. The orb pulsed with a crimson glow, the light growing stronger as I concentrated.

What is this?

The light intensified, and a sharp jolt of energy left me breathless. My instincts screamed that something was changing, something profound.