Chương 3: The Gate of Trials

Now, standing before the ornate gate, the air was thick with anticipation.

"I think we can't figure it out without stepping inside," Kaito said, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Haruto, lost in thought, looked distant as he contemplated their next move. "Are you sure about that, Kaito?"

Kaito shrugged, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "I don't know. But we have to enter to find out."

Haruto took a deep breath, steeling himself, and lifted his long silver sword, its blade glinting in the dim light. "Alright, we enter it. But we should be prepared for anything."

Kaito nodded in agreement, feeling a rush of adrenaline. Together, they pushed through the gate and stepped into the chamber, their eyes widening in shock. The sight before them was awe-inspiring and intimidating—five giant statues loomed, four female figures surrounding one male. Blue light suffused the room, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The statues were made of a smooth, dark stone, their surfaces polished to a gleam. Intricate symbols and inscriptions adorned their bases, hinting at ancient origins.

"What is this place?" Kaito whispered, his voice echoing slightly in the vast chamber.

Haruto stared at the colossal figures, trying to process the bizarre sight. "That statue is huge! What could it possibly mean?"

Kaito's face broke into a teasing smirk, his bravado surfacing in the face of unease. "Maybe it's the chamber of a harem. Look at those proportions! One giant man and four giant women—it fits, right?"

Haruto raised an eyebrow, a mix of disbelief and amusement crossing his features. "A harem? Seriously? How do you even come up with this stuff?"

Kaito chuckled, shaking his head. "Just trying to lighten the mood, you know? But really, we need to figure out why they're here."

Haruto nodded slowly, his eyes scanning the chamber for any clues or hints. "Maybe there's something in their expressions? Or a hidden mechanism somewhere?"

Kaito took a few steps forward, curiosity getting the better of him. "Let's get a closer look. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?"

Haruto winced, his grip tightening on his sword as he followed Kaito cautiously. "Don't say that. You might jinx us."

Kaito smirked, his confidence unwavering—but a flicker of apprehension danced in Haruto's eyes as they drew nearer to the giant statues.

"Either way, we'll find out soon enough!" Kaito said, his voice filled with determination.

As Kaito and Haruto drew nearer to the giant statues, the air seemed to hum with energy. Suddenly, a group of adventurers appeared from the gate, causing Kaito and Haruto to freeze in shock. The newcomers consisted of a knight named Hardi and two sorceresses, Cedonia and Juniper. They were equally surprised to see each other.

Haruto whispered, "Witch Magician Guild members."

Hardi smirked, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. "Well, well, well, what do we have here? Leatherback Sea Turtle Guild members. What are you doing here?"

Kaito's eyes narrowed in response. "We should be asking you that question. We were here first."

Cedonia stepped forward, her expression serious. "We got a quest from our guild to come here."

Juniper nodded in agreement. "Yes, and what about you?"

Haruto replied, "Same here."

Hardi's brow furrowed in frustration. "Maybe you took too long, that's why the quest got reissued. Now our reward will be split."

Kaito frowned, his irritation growing. "We should be the ones feeling that way."

Juniper's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Why did you take so long?"

Kaito sighed, his mind racing. "Actually, we had finished our job, but then this gate appeared."

The atmosphere grew tense as Hardi, Cedonia, and Juniper looked around, their expressions serious. Hardi's voice was filled with disbelief. "This is the first time I've seen a chamber like this in a dungeon."

Cedonia's gaze was fixed on the giant statues. "Yes, and look at those giant statues. They look terrifying."

Juniper hesitated, her voice trembling slightly. "Should we go near them?"

Kaito's mind was racing as he assessed the situation. "The three of them are famous level 4 adventurers like us. I've never seen them fight, but everyone calls them the ultimate survivors because they always make it out of any dungeon."

Haruto walked toward Kaito, his face pale. "Do you feel anything strange?"

Kaito shook his head. "No, nothing. Why?"

Haruto's unease was palpable. "I don't know, I just feel uneasy."

Suddenly, the gate closed with a loud clang, causing everyone to turn in shock. Haruto's voice was filled with dread. "We're trapped."

Hardi's frustration boiled over. "What kind of joke is this?"

The chamber shook violently, and the male statue began to move, its stone limbs creaking ominously. Kaito's voice rang out, filled with urgency. "Everyone, get ready!"

They all prepared for battle as the male statue moved slowly toward them. Haruto tried to attack but was stopped by Hardi, who smirked confidently. "Let me show you the power of our party."

Haruto's frustration was evident. "This is not the time for showing off."

Hardi's confidence was unwavering. "Showing off is my middle name. You two already killed the goblins. Let my team take action too."

Reluctantly, Haruto stepped back, and Kaito and Haruto watched as Cedonia and Juniper prepared their magic. Cedonia's eyes glinted with determination. "Let's show them, Juniper."

Juniper smiled, her hands glowing with magical energy. "Yes, Cedonia."

As Cedonia and Juniper touched Hardi's shoulders, Kaito thought, "Every sorceress has a unique ability to see billions of possible futures. Every guild wants them."

Haruto's voice was filled with anticipation. "Let's see what they can do."

The male giant got closer, its footsteps echoing through the chamber. Kaito and Haruto were sweating, their hearts pounding. Suddenly, Cedonia and Juniper's bodies trembled.

Cedonia's voice was filled with disbelief. "This can't be."

Hardi looked at Cedonia, concern flashing in his eyes. "What's happening?"

Cedonia's voice was shaky. "I looked into one decillion of your possible futures, but…"

Juniper's voice was filled with dread. "We only see your… death."

Hardi, Kaito, and Haruto were shocked, their faces pale. Hardi's voice was filled with defiance. "I don't believe it. There's no way that's happening! Both of you, don't joke around!"

Kaito and Haruto rushed to them, their expressions serious. Hardi glared at them. "Why are you here? We haven't started fighting yet."

Haruto's voice was firm. "Give it up, let's fight together."

Hardi's stubbornness was evident. "Don't be stupid."

Hardi's feet barely touched the ground as he launched himself toward the male giant statue, his body becoming a blur. "Black Flash!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the chamber.

His muscles tensed, veins pulsing with adrenaline. Each movement was a symphony of speed and power, culminating in a forceful strike against the statue. The air crackled with energy as Haruto and Kaito moved in synchrony, their attacks converging with Hardi's.

Haruto's silver blade glowed with an ethereal light as he summoned all his strength. "Stronger Silver Slash!" he cried, his voice a battle cry of sheer will. Kaito picked up a stone from the dungeon floor and tossed it with precision.

Juniper's voice was filled with power as she chanted, "Mystical Shadow Ball!" A dark energy orb formed in her hands, swirling with mystical power before hurtling toward the statue.

Cedonia's voice echoed through the chamber, filled with authority. "Mystical Dark Ball!" Her attack merged with Juniper's, creating a violent explosion of energy that washed over the statue like a tidal wave.

They managed to crack the statue's body slightly, but it remained largely intact. Haruto's voice trembled with frustration. "This statue is tough," he muttered, his confidence wavering.

Kaito looked at Haruto, concern etched on his face. "This is the first time I've seen Haruto like this," he whispered, his eyes never leaving his friend.

The chamber was thick with tension, the silence following their combined assault almost deafening in its intensity. The weight of the battle hung heavy in the air, each of them feeling the strain.

Juniper's voice was filled with worry. "What are we going to do?"

Cedonia's voice was grim. "I feel like its level is over 100."

Haruto's voice was filled with disbelief. "What? How do you know that?"

Cedonia's voice was steady. "My father brought me to level 100 dungeon four years ago, and it felt like this."

Haruto gulped, fear creeping into his eyes. Hardi continued to fight and slash at the male giant. The statue couldn't touch him because of his speed, but Hardi could only manage minor scratches. Hardi's voice was filled with frustration. "Damn you!"

After a long, grueling fight, the adventurers were exhausted. Hardi panted heavily, his voice filled with frustration. "This is crazy!"

Hardi was getting tired. He couldn't use his Black Flash anymore and could barely lift his black sword. Kaito picked up a dungeon stone and hurled it at the statue, but it bounced off harmlessly. "This sucks," he muttered, his voice tinged with despair.

Haruto darted left and right, desperately trying to evade the male giant statue. Cedonia and Juniper, drained of their magical energy, slumped to the ground, their faces pale and defeated. Kaito glanced at the other four giant female statues, his mind racing. What does this mean? Can we get out of here?

Kaito's legs wobbled from exhaustion. He was too tired to stand. "We're just level 4 adventurers. Is this all we can do? Damn!" he exclaimed, frustration and exhaustion evident in his voice.

Suddenly, a sickening crunch echoed through the chamber. Kaito's heart sank as he saw the giant male statue step on something. "Haruto!" he screamed, his voice filled with horror.

Kaito fell to his knees, his body trembling. Hardi, seeing his comrades in danger, mustered his remaining strength. "Take this!" he shouted, slashing at the giant statue's feet. But the statue's massive foot came down, smashing Hardi into the ground.

The giant statue began lumbering toward Juniper and Cedonia. "Run!" Kaito yelled, desperation in his voice. But Juniper and Cedonia clung to each other, their faces resigned to their fate. The statue's foot descended, crushing them both.

Now, the giant turned its gaze to Kaito. He struggled to get up, but his body was too weak. He looked up, seeing the giant's foot poised to crush him. Memories of his loved ones flashed before his eyes: Emma, Olivia, Ava, Isabella, Sophia, Mia, Amelia, Akari, Evelyn, Abigail, Ella, Grace, Victoria, Aimi, Scarlett, Lily, Hana, Aurora, Zoey, Hazel.

"I'm sorry…" Kaito whispered, tears streaming down his face.

The giant's foot came down, and Kaito was crushed.

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