บท 11: Asking the Middle Boss to Join My Party [P1]
In a world of Magic and Monsters, where many different races live together, the people of this world are fighting and struggling against the monsters of the abyss for the final day.
But not many people cares or still remembers the promising day, until the outbreak comes, and the Evil Dragon is free again.
"Haaah..." I let out a disappointed sigh.
Just how long has it been? About 9,999 years, and the final day is getting close.
In this world, also know as the Forever Land by the common people, there exists a great tower in the south called the Tower of Trial. That tower was built by the great witch mage, The Fallen Witch, one of the former Heroes during the Great calamity 10,000 years ago. She built this tower after her battle against the End Dragon, along with the other Heroes. The purpose of this tower is to find the perfect candidate to be the Last Hero, and the savior of this world.
The Tower of Trial has 100 floors, and each floor contains a trial to test those who are up for the challenge to claim the tower to the end, and to receive the Mythical item that is waiting for the true hero, in the very top tower. The 100th floor, and the final trial.
My name is Eilania, the final trial on the 100th floor, and the Keeper of the Infinite Gem. I am an artificial organic being that was created by the Fallen Witch herself. My job is to wait and test all those who challenge the tower, whether they came for the Hero title, or only for the mythical item. I have been living here in this tower for 9,999 years, waiting, observing the outside world through clairvoyance, watching those who came into the tower, challenging those who reached the final floor.
But until now, no one managed to win or defeat me. None of those who I faced were worthy of being the hero.
"If this keeps going, and the chosen hero does appear. I fear that this world would be hopeless."
I used my clairvoyance again to see the situation outside. The Kingdoms and the cities are still the same, hiring strong peoples and adventurers to challenge the tower or to became hero. But none of those people are taking it seriously.
"They are just looking for fame and money." I frowned at them all. So disappointing.
Not long after, I saw someone was heading towards the tower.
"Hm?"
The person was a human. A young Male human wearing black clothes and grey cloak, with a long sword on his back. He has a white hair and a yellow eyes that is close to golden.
The man stopped in front of the tower gate and then looked up. He had a wide smile on his face.
For some reason, it felt like he was looking at me through clairvoyance. I shook my head, thinking it was just a coincidence, and began watching him entering the tower and challenging it.
Three hours has past, and I watched the mysterious man with a surprise expression... and shock. He was claiming the tower and finishing each trial with incredible speed, much faster than anyone I have ever seen before in the past. He was able to solve every puzzle, defeat every monster, golem, and knights in a short time, as if he has been here before, and for many times.
"How was it even impossible?" I asked in disbelief.
Normally, those who challenge the tower will take some rest and a break after clearing 8-10 floors. But this man has never taken a break, and kept moving forward without stopping. The human is now on the 97th floor, about to go to the next one.
Without knowing or realizing it, a small smile began to form on my face, and my artificial heart is beating with excitement.
...
As I waited, the hero finally reached the final gate and opens it.
He walked in and stopped in front of me.
"Greetings Hero, for what purpose you came here and challenge the Tower?" I asked the same question I ask every time for every hero candidate.
The young man looked at me for a some moment before answering. For what I saw, it looked like he was admiring... my body?
"I am here to retrieve the infinite gem... and to release you from your duty"
"?!" My eyes widened after he said those last words. Release me? Does it mean, he want to free me? Does he know about my role?
He grabbed his long sword on his back and unsheathed it. He then pointed his sword towards me.
"I am here to challenge you, Keeper of the Tower, and I will win" he showed a face of confidence as if he was very sure that he would win.
I wanted to chuckle a little, but I focused myself on fulfilling my job.
"Then, I accept your challenge".
Dark shadow began to spread under my feet, and a long scythe came out from the shadow. I grabbed the handle and spun it around.
*Soo-soo-soo-soo-Swing!*
"I am Eilania. The Keeper of the infinity gem, and the final trial of the Tower Trial." I declared.
"I am Nero. The last hero candidate, a disciple of the great Sage, and the one who will save this world" he said with a wide smile.
'And you too.' Nero.
_______________
(3rd POV)
*BANG!*
*BOOM!*
*BOOM!*
*SLASH-SLASH-SLASH-!*
As they were fighting, Eilania was having a hard time landing a single hit on Nero who was dodging every attack from her, as if it was nothing.
'What is going on? It is clear that I am alot stronger than him, but why can't I land a hit?' Eilania thought.
*Swooosh-!*
Nero dodge another strike from her, and counter attack by slashing her back, destroying another part of the dark armor that covers her.
'It feels as if he is reading my movement or my mind. No, it feels as if he Knows my every move. How is it even possible?' Eilania looked at the Hero with a serious face.
Every time Eilania throws a magic attack or tries to bind Nero with her shadow chains, he keeps dodging and avoiding them at a perfect timing. And when she swings her long scythe at him, he either dodge it perfectly, or parries it with his sword.
*CLANG!*
*SLASH!* ×10
After reaching her limit, Eilania decided to end the battle with a final move.
"Dark Nova" she casted her ultimate spell, and all the mana that's around her began to gather above her, creating a giant dark glowing sphere. The sphere increased in size until it turn into a blast of darkness that headed towards Nero.
Nero had ten seconds to stop her from completing her ultimate spell, but he didn't do that. Instead, he summoned a spirit turtle and then used the magic bracelet that's on his wrist. The big green spirit turtle took the attack head on, while protecting his master on the back. After the attack was over, the spirit turtle disappeared into light particles, and Nero was gone.
"?!... where did he go-!" She sensed a threat coming behind her, but she was too late to react.
*Slash!*
Nero slashed with his sword, destroying her armor completely, and defeating her.
Eilania fell down on her knees and looked at the Hero's back who was standing in front of her, with a satisfied look on her face.
_________
(Eilania)
I lost. Finally, I have lost.
I looked at the man who defeated me. The Last Hero who is destined to save the world. I sat down kneeling on the ground and spoke.
"Congratulations Hero. You have completed the trial. From now on, your are chosen for the title "Last Hero", and your reward will be the Infinity gem."
He looked at me and asked.
"Sooo... what should I do now?"
"Strike me with your sword into my heart, and you will receive the gem." I placed my hands on my chest.
There was a little blush on his face for a moment, but then it disappeared.
"Why?" He asked again.
"Because the Infinity gem is in my heart, and it can only be taken after you stab me here. This way, the gem will transport to your heart, and becomes yours. Kill me, and you will have the gem."
".... can't I just take it without the need of killing you?"
I looked at him with a confusion, and answered.
"No, you can't. It can only be taken by killing me. That is the rule my master, the Fallen Witch placed on the item after she created it."
The Hero scratch his hair for a moment before answering.
"*Sigh*.... I see, in that case--"
I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the next.
"-I won't take it."
'Finally, my job has ended...........'
'..........'
'Wait-what?'
"What?"
I looked at him with a confused face. Did I hear him wrong?
"If I can't have the gem without killing you, then I won't take it."
"Wa-wa-what are you saying?! Don't you understand?! There is no other way except killing me, and you need the gem to defeat the End Dragon. Without it, you don't stand a chance!"
He sheathed his sword and crossed his arms.
"I don't care. I would Never stab such a Beautiful woman like you just for a gem, even if it gives me ultimate power."
"......"
*Blushing~*
*Smoke~*
For some reason, my face turn red and began to heat up.
Wh-wh-What is he saying?! B-Beautiful?? He said I am Beautiful????? I felt very embarrassed.
I shook my head and looked back at him with a serious face, but the blush was still visible on my face.
"You-?"
Before I could say anything, he stretched his hand to me as if he was offering something to me.
"Instead of killing you, why don't I just Take you."
My eyes widened when he said that.
"Would you like to join me in my journey, and become my partner?"
The young man with a golden eyes smiled at me gently.
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง