章 30: Death Riddle: (2): Trial(Final)

"It's Heart!" When Adam heard Invidia's question, he exclaimed.

"Very well...you did fine abd for your prize..." she said, her fingers snapping one more time in a threatening manner.

The next thing Adam noticed was a pair of empty black beings in armor approaching him.

One if them wielding a sword, while the other was wielding a spear.

Adam, who had been in countless battles, immediately understood what they were going to do next and prepared to dodge their attacks. But at the last moment, his body refused to move!

But, his Insctinst doesn't, he quickly blocked the incoming blow with his hand.

"I won't allow you do not receive your reward. After all, you've earned it." Invidia smacked her lips again as she used her powers to bind Adam to his place.

"You can't do this!" Adam exclaimed.

"Mortal, this is trial, Not some banquet." She said, "You have no clue how 'difficult' it was for me to take the trial... all by myself with no one to help me, or in your case, you are already this powerful and have your golems. So, do your best and pass the trial!"

"You-!" As the darkness drew closer to him, Adam exclaimed. "You're completely insane! There was no mention of this in the rules!"

"True, I never mentioned, what would happen if your answer is correct, now did I? Well now, you know."

Adam was finally within range of the weapons. They instantly drew their weapons from their sheaths, aimed for Adam's helpless back, and cut it twice.

Blood gushed from the wounds where the weapons had pierced his skin, and his wounds looked like a broken water hose, with blood pouring out.

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Adam was in excruciating discomfort. He was soon reminded of the agony he had experienced during his battle with the Black monarch.

This skinning sensation reminded him a lot of it. As the armours walked back to their previous place, he clenched his teeth.

His blood stained the floor, which resembled a night sky. He caught a glimpse of Invidia out of the corner of his eye.

"Tch, what a pity,". Despite witnessing Adam in pain, she had a normal expression on her face "If anything is still unclear, I will clarify it for you. You'll get a cut for each correct answer, and you'll be in pain, but seeing you in tatters after only one riddle... I doubt you'd even make it to the tenth, but that's why it's called a TRIAL!"

'What the hell!? Is she pitying me or encouraging me, what the f*ck is she doing'

'Shit, I don't care what the hell is going to happen anymore'

'I will just answer these shitty questions...and get out of here

"Are... you just... going to talk or... are you going to give... me the next riddle?" Adam panted heavily and straightened his back to face her once again.

"Commendable... commendable indeed..." Inivida murmured, "As you wish, here's your second riddle - Walk on the living. They don't even mumble. Walk on the dead. They mutter and grumble. What are they?"

"I thought... this was... a trial... not some joke." Adam smiled weakly and taunted her, "It is leaves"

"You a puny little mortal, dare to mock me! Guess I need to discipline you a bit more." Corners of Invidia's mouth twitched as she snapped her fingers again. This time not two but three armours came forward to slash and stab Adam.

But, a huge pressure filled over her, to the extent she was nearly kneeling.

"INIVIDA!! THIS IS TRIAL NOT SOME CHILD'S PLAY"

After, leaving the words pressure also went away from them, "I am sorry, Master, I got carried away"

"CONTINUE!!!"

For the second time, the two dark monsters approached him.

Adam, who had been anticipating it, hardly flinched, and once they were done, he used 'Heal' to rapidly heal the wounds.

It was hoped that it might at least slow down the blood loss, but it had no effect.

"NEXT!" He yelled angrily, his jaws clenched.

Adam had no idea that She was sending him easy-to-solve puzzles on purpose so that he wouldn't be able to heal from his past wounds.

She did so even though failure meant death, because He had been sent here by a previous apostle, and she couldn't do anything without him.

Her master, Erebus, who was also watching the trial from his vantage point, had strictly forbidden her from taking Adam's life unless she also wanted to lose hers.

On the surface, it appeared to be a test of intelligence, but in reality, it was a test of willpower.

If one requires the power of darkness, he must first learn to let go of the light, and he must also be willing to sacrifice someone at any time.

Erebus was curious whether Adam would be able to cause hellish pain while still breaking through the illusion shackles.

Which of the following was a requirement for becoming an 'apostle' of Erebus, and could Adam afford it?

When Adam correctly answered a riddle, the number of cuts on his body increased by one, and he began to get more wounds.

He had also attempted to defend himself or attack the monster with his skills, but the dark creature ate his power and ignored his barriers, harming him with ease.

As a result, Adam decided to stop erecting barriers and instead utilize his skills to heal himself but, it only had very little effect.

"NEXT!"

"The Last riddle!- The more there is, the less you see it. What Is It?"

Adam was panting more than hard ever before, wishing to forget about everything and relax... his eyelids were becoming heavy. He could no longer feel his legs.

His entire body went numb slowly, very slowly. He was losing consciousness, but he had to fight through it all to reclaim his power.

He gently raised his brows. 'Just a step away from Erebus's throne...just a step away from Erebus's throne... "DARKNESS!!"

As he shouted these words, darkness enveloped his eyesight, yet in the dying minutes, he witnessed a system prompt appear in front of his eyes.