Chương 215: Final trial

This is a familiar sensation. The feeling of being covered in smelly saliva and being licked all over, I guess I am saved. Still, the smell is kinda unpleasant.

I am probably getting used to it. I can feel my body again. So this is the same as before. My body will be back to the best condition.

Soon I was spat out. Before putting on the clothes I found beside the weird creature, I washed myself.

This water pouch really is handy. After drying off, I put on the clothes. Hmm…the drip is fine. The weird creature seems to have gone to sleep in its tiny form.

What is that anyway? It did save me twice but I don't know anything about it. I will think later. But now I am hungry.

I see a big red octagonal gem. The corpse has disappeared. Where did it go? So, let's eat it. I mean, I already ate a gem. This one should be fine as well.

I pick it up and bite into it. It crumbled easily. I chew it for a bit and swallow it. Nothing unusual happened. It is edible. I can finish this thing.

After finishing the gem, I felt full. It was big and heavy so I guess my hunger is gone. After drinking water, I look around.

As dreary as ever. No sign of life anywhere and the environment is unsuitable for any life. I am not particularly bothered by it now. Guess I got used to it.

I stand up and pack up my things. This place has given me a lot of things but I have to leave soon.

I look ahead towards the center. One thing has changed. The flames by the road have become stronger. So, my final trial is up ahead.

So let's get a move on. I pick up my backpack and the weird creature. I will take it with me. It should come in handy.

I keep walking forward. I pass the place where I fist encountered the big monkey. I keep walking but the road seems never ending. The horizon is unchanged. I guess it really is far. But I have nothing to do. I can only walk ahead.

I see no monsters anywhere. Guess this place is too much for normal monsters. However, I found myself standing at the edge suddenly.

A flame pit. A big pillar of fire is in front of me. I guess this is the end. But how do I get out of here? What even is the final trial?

Just one thought is circling around in my mind. I take a few steps back. I will jump in. The only way to do. I think there's a trick to it.

So I start running and jump straight into the pillar of fire.

It wasn't hot. The pillar of fire didn't even feel real. I keep falling down. The inside is different. I don't know if I am falling down or floating up. But it's better than doing nothing.

Suddenly I felt the heat. Did the heat just soar? Because I felt no heat before jumping in. The more I fall, the hotter it becomes.

My clothes are on fire. My eyes are tearing up. Will I burn to death? Will my burnt corpse hit the ground or will it be carbonized?

I guess I won't be alive to see that. However that did not come to pass.

I fell on something elastic. I hit the surface and was bounced back. After bouncing for about 20 times, I came to a halt. The temperature is back to normal.

The heat is gone. My clothes are back to normal. I look around. It's a well lit cave. There are lights on the walls.

Is this the end of the pit? I only have one way to go so I start walking.

I hope this tedious trial is over. Because I am exhausted. How many hours have passed since I came here? My biological clock says 5 whole days. If that is correct then more than 120 hours have passed.

Did it really pass though? For all I know just a minute could have passed!

Time is relative and fickle. It messes up a lot. After walking through the cave, I arrive at a big room. It's in the cave but it's big.

There's one person sitting on a chair. I see. I had my suspicions but it was true indeed.

"Long time no see, Strauss."

"For me, it wasn't that long. I just saw you a few moments ago." (Strauss)

The person sitting in front of me is a familiar face. Although I have met him only once and even that was in my dream. I can't hear his name yet so I call him Strauss.

"I had my hunch but it was indeed you who sent me to this forsaken place."

"Your deductions are pretty on point. I did send you here but I never thought that you would actually complete the trial." (Strauss)

"I always finish what I start. In this case, I told myself that I will complete this trial and go home. You didn't give me the conditions so I just came here. This is probably the end, right?"

He didn't tell me exactly what to do to complete the trial. I just assumed the goal and finished it.

"I was actually panicking all the way through. I forgot to cast protective barrier on you. This environment is seriously hazardous. And yet, you survived with your human body.

Then you proceeded to defeat and eat the animals. I only predicted that you can beat the death fang and dark terror. So I gave you rewards for defeating them. After that, you completely shattered my expectations and you have surpassed my expectations." (Strauss)

He suddenly became very talkative. So he messed up quite a bit and I seriously could have died. Even so, it was a fun experience.

"You defeated The Naga. That creature is feared throughout all of creation for its venom. You took that venom and survived to tell the tale. I didn't think of what to send you so I sent you the water bag and the recovery pills. However it wasn't necessary." (Strauss)

"That weird black creature kept healing me, didn't it?"

"You knew!" (Strauss)

I mean, it's the only possibility. It has happened three times so I can guess how it happened.

"You even ate the core of The Naga. And after that, you defeated the guardian of this place." (Strauss)

He shivered a bit. So, that monkey was the guardian? No wonder it was strong.

"I have nothing to say to you, Clive. You have successfully finished the trial. I hope you can save my sister." (Strauss)

He disappeared. So, she is in a mess. I guess I gotta go rescue her this time. My body is being transported somewhere as well. I hope I will be back home when I open my eyes. I wonder if they will believe my little story.