Chương 20: Chapter 20 - Another Test ( 1 )
I saw a huge underground area. Why am I sure it is underground?
Because there is no sky visible in the sky. The purple crystals embedded in the walls provide light to this unknown area.
The thing that shocked me most was the huge floating island in the centre of this underground area.
A massive island is suspended perfectly in mid-air without any visible support.
I tried to move around to observe my surroundings but got frightened by some hidden creatures that were nested into the cracks of the wall and noticed my every move.
Suddenly the ground under my feet started to shake. A piece of land where I was standing left the ground and started to float towards the island in the air.
It saved me a lot of effort on how was I gonna reach that island on my own.
A piece floated at a very steady but fast speed. In no time I arrived at the edge of the island.
I stepped onto the island and felt the rich amount of shadow elements present in the air.
The amount Is way richer than on the bottom of this underground area.
I inhaled the air filled with visible shadow elements and felt refreshed.
Is it because I have a high affinity towards the shadow element or because I mainly use shadow elemental skills in my equipment?
Who knows but one thing is sure if I stayed here for a long time my shadow element affinity might get another rise.
Just as I got lost in my thought a light path appeared in front of me. The light path is going much deeper into the island. I stepped on the path and started to walk towards the location pointed by it.
Just like at the bottom some creatures hidden in the shadows kept observing me.
I wanted to use SCAN on them but ultimately stopped myself.
Curiosity kills the cat. I shall keep a low profile and try not to cause unnecessary trouble.
After walking for some time I arrived at a strange place.
In front of me is a huge statue of a woman but most area of Stachu is covered in crystals. The statue is made of stone but from looks it seems it is wearing a robe made up of crystals.
The face of the statue except its eyes are hidden in the crystals. I wonder how those crystals grow on it.
I noticed that a dense amount of purple fog was gathered at the base of the statue. I moved closer to the statue while keeping my guard for any unexpected situation.
The dense fog added a mystery to the statue. Like a mysterious deity is hidden behind the veil of the fog.
As if my arrival disturbed its rest the fog started to disperse and revealed the hidden view.
A huge throne made up of some metal is placed right at the bottom of the statue.
The throne emits a dangerous breath which causes a sense of fear in me. A fear felt at the soul level.
At the top area of the throne, the same symbol I have seen on the key is present with the same letters.
I looked away from the throne as each glance at it caused a kind of mental pressure on me.
I looked at the other area in the hope of finding something useful. At some distance away from the huge throne a slightly smaller throne is present.
It has some similarities to the main throne but it is not as majestic as the one I saw first.
I moved close to it and found something seemed to be sitting on it.
As I got closer I found the identity of the person sitting on the side throne.
Instead of saying it is a person we better call it a humanoid shadow. Because it is entirely made up of the shadows.
I can not even see its true form or is this its true form?
I dare not use SCAN on it on a whim. What if it got enraged and killed me for it?
I mustered the courage and speak to the shadow.
" Hello, I am a lone traveller who accidentally got the key that got me here. I got told that after I complete the trails I will get something amazing. Are you perhaps the owner of this area and key?" ( David )
For some seconds no sound can be heard nor any movement appear on the huge shadow. It just sat quietly on the throne as If everything was beneath its interest.
Just as I was about to speak again a sound came in my ear.
"Hello, adventurer. You have indeed completed the trials and gained the right for the reward. I can reward you now but I have another test for you. If you can pass it not only I will give you the previous reward but also add much more. The reward you can not even imagine. So what do you choose? Take your time and answer. No need to hurry because if you fail to pass my test you will lose the reward you have gained and you will also be kicked out of here with all of your memories till now. So choose wisely." ( Shadow )
A voice so soothing that it may melt your ears. I have never heard a voice as beautiful as this. It is like an angel speaking in a heavenly voice to its devotees.
I understood the hidden implication form the message. It wants me to take a special test to prove my worth or take a reward for my efforts till now and say goodbye to it forever.
I bet once I take the reward I will never see this space and this unknown being again.
But I also have doubts that can I complete the hidden trials and get that special reward. Am I too greedy or should I stay satisfied with what I have?
I may get more chances in future but my current requirement is to get that high-level skill to complete the quest and try to get rid of the curse attached to me.
But then again if I choose to play safe every time the situation gets hard will I ever grow up and complete this story which I get dragged on without my consent?
After a lot of thinking I made a decision. I looked at the huge shadow and spoke in a confident tone.
" I accept your hidden trail, sir. Please give me a chance to show my strength and courage to you." ( David )
" very well adventure. If you are sure of your choice enter the portal in front of you. Be aware that this test may pose a threat to your life. So consider your choice once again" ( Shadow )
As it finished speaking a purple portal appeared in front of me.
I took a deep breath and walked into the portal.
The portal sucked me.
I arrived at the other side of the portal. Unlike my imagination, the area around me is not some type of battlefield or other dangerous location.
It is a lush forest area with tall trees. The warm sunlight brings a new beauty to this area.
I bathed in the warm sunlight and felt relaxed.
As I wondered what is the test A familiar screen appeared in front of me.
[ welcome brave adventure. This is a simple trail. Survive 5 assassination attempts and survive till the sunset. You can kill all the enemies before sunset and complete the trail in advance too. The duration of assassination attempts is fixed. Every 1 hour new enemy shall appear and try to kill you. You can either escape or kill the attacker. Your trial will start in an hour. You are allowed to use anything at your disposal. Good luck to you.]
I looked at the screen and tried to find as much information as I could.
This is a survival test. Quite different than I anticipated. I checked my gear and potions.
After making sure everything was okay I waited till my first enemy appeared. Based on my enemies I will plan my next actions.
I found a spot that gives me 360⁰ Degree view of the surroundings.
Just as the hour passed I started to use SCAN continuously on my surroundings to spot the hidden enemies.
After some minutes I spotted the first attacher.
It is in some sort of stealth mode as it is blended into the surroundings. If not for the scan I can not even know its presence.
Its data is this.
=============
Name – Shadow puppet
Rank – E
Race – Monster ( Common )
Talent – none
Stats
Str – E
Alg – E
Stm – E
Mana – E
Mana recovery – E
Skills –
Shadow shealth ( E ) ( Active ) – blend into the nearby shadows and move silently into the shadows. Upon attacking or getting attacked the shealth will be lifted.
Backstab ( E ) ( Active ) – attack the back of the enemy to cause high damage.
Weakness – left shoulder
Status – Normal
==========
A true assassin. I acted like I did not know its presence and acted carefree. After observing me for some time the shadow puppet moved closer to me.
Suddenly it launched its attack on my 'unguarded' back.
Just as its attack hit my back I turned around and met its dagger with my sword.
The ancient sword gave me a huge boost in strength. I pushed the attacker away. Without giving it a chance to use its skill again I attacked it brutally.
In some seconds under my restless attacks, the shadow puppet got killed and dispersed into the smoke.
The progress bar which appeared after I defeated the monster increased by 1. Only four more times to go.
If these types of monsters are going to appear then this trail is as easy as taking a walk in the park.
Based on my experience with this shadow puppet I made some simple traps around me and waited for my next prey.
Some minutes after an hour passed new enemies appeared around me.
I used a scan on them but got shocked instead.
=============
Name – Shadow puppet
Rank – E +
Race – Monster ( Elite )
Talent – none
Stats
Str – E +
Alg – E +
Stm – E +
Mana – E +
Mana recovery – E +
Skills –
Shadow explode ( E ) ( passive/active ) – upon death use the body as a medium to self-destruct to cause heavy damage to nearby targets. Users can actively use this skill to achieve the same results.
Shadow shealth ( E ) ( Active ) – blend into the nearby shadows and move silently into the shadows. Upon attacking or getting attacked the shealth will be lifted.
Backstab ( E ) ( Active ) – attack the back of the enemy to cause high damage.
Weakness – left leg/ right leg
Status – Normal
==========
Instead of one two shadow puppets showed up. In addition to an increase in both level and rank, they have a new deadly skill.
Any skill related to blowing itself has a high damage ratio compared to other skills. Now, I have to deal with two walking time bombs that may burst at any time.
What is worse is that they might actively self-destruct during the fight, which can catch me off guard and make it hard to defend myself.
I decide not to give them a chance to get closer to me and attack first.
I directly pull out a mana bomb I used to hunt those cat mutants and throw it towards their hiding spot.
The shadow puppets would never expect the attack might appear this suddenly and get caught.
The mana boom exploded and two unlucky puppets bore the full brunt of the attack.
They got thrown in different directions due to the force. Here I did not have to worry about attracting attention from other human rankers or powerful creatures.
During my stay, I surveyed the surrounding area and found no other creature except me and these shadow puppets.
Even I do not know where these puppets are coming from.
One of the shadow puppets started to glow and then similar to the mana bomb it exploded.
The explosion is bigger than the mana bomb and the area of effect is also greater compared to the mana bomb.
My expression grew serious after seeing the self-destruction of the puppet and I decided to end things fast.
Taking the opportunity of its injury I attacked the remaining shadow puppet.
But a horrible thing happened.
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