Their Person's P. O. V:
Time passed by in a flash, according to the thoughts of Aniysa and Rosanna who dreaded the passing of each second.
Sharon Whitemore had an amused expression whenever she witnessed the duo's depression.
The Simulation Class wasn't as bad as the online forums made it to be. Sharon saw it to be an exaggeration. Claiming that even if death rates were listed, the Juniors did not need to worry much as compared to the Seniors.
It was true in a sense but Rosanna was assuredly aware that Starfall would soon fall into an apocalyptic state. And the pressure for Frontline warriors would have a tremendous increase.
The higher-ups are aware. But [Chaos Descent] was not something that had preventive measures.
Rather, a stronghold for defense and offense would be enacted. And the need for Elementalists would not make for a relaxing training to both the veterans and novices.
"F*cking hell." Aniysa whispered as she stepped into the classroom.
Rosanna following sideways and letting out a silent gasp in response.
What was assumed to be an ordinary classroom from the outside turned into an ancient batflefield the moment the two stepped in.
To say Rosanna was surprised would be a partially true statement.
At the very least, she expected their training field to be in some sort of apocalyptic stage.
But she did not expect the ordinary looking classroom to take the form of an illusion. Or more accurately, a space-time teleportation array.
Blackness enveloped their vision the moment they stepped in and their surroundings changed.
Soon they found themselves in the middle of an ancient battlefield.
'Where are the others...?' Rosanna thought. Wondering why Kairos or the other students were not sighted.
Two blazing red moons hung above the sky and the sky was tinged with floating dust. Emphasizing the strange atmosphere of the destroyed land.
Holding the urge to vomit, Rosanna was overwhelmed by the thick stench in the air. That was of decaying flesh and blood.
The miasma in the air was so thick, it was visibly seen. Showcasing just how huge it's manifestation is.
Dark-purplish wisps moved freely above their heads in a distorted pattern. Polluting the environment and spreading even further.
But somehow, the Miasma was not as dangerous as Aniysa and Rosanna thought it would be.
Miasma of such level should have delivered a heavy damage to both of them, and even lead to possible death.
But the only thing their six senses could identify was a ruined wasteland, blood, the aura of death and the stench of corpses.
With the cold harsh winds mixed with sand that blew at them. Prickling their skin with numerous jabs and eliciting a cold shiver.
It was an unpleasant surprise.
And the entire transformation set off a warning alarm in both of their minds.
Just as Rosanna and Aniysa began to recover from their shock and analyze the situation, they heard a voice.
[Apocalypse Descent. Players: Two. Criteria: Reached. Status: Initiating...]
A voice came from the clouds, enveloping the entire area.
It was a clear sound that gave off a monotonous, flat and genderless voice. Without any accent to trace it's origin.
"What-" Aniysa's mind went blank, fumbling for the right words to address their situation.
But the voice from above disrupted her words. Leaving the duo to both silently ponder about their situation.
[Player 49, Player 50. Welcome To the 999th Doomsday World- A Maiden's Love.
You have come to a post-apocalyptic era originating from the tears of a heartbroken maiden.
Quest 1: Survive 30 minutes with the comfort of fellow heartbroken demons.
Alternative Quest 2: Kill your companion- a player you entered the quest with or, risk your life and kill your other companion. The depressed little demon.
Environmental effect: Emotional pain and fatigue grows by 1% every 1 minute.
Warning: All equipments are bound.
Start time: 10 Seconds.
Countdown 10... 9,]
"The fu-"
"Why wou-"
[8...]
Aniysa and Rosanna's words were cut short by the ongoing countdown.
The voice they heard seemed to seize whatever words they intended to say.
The same blank, monotonous voice resounding in the entire area with a dark atmosphere.
Each word sent a chill down their spine, the sound of their hearts beating with a similar fast tempo.
Rosanna stared at the blood filled wasteland that spoke of war but evidently lacked a single corpse.
And with each passing moment, her expression became more tense as her muscles maintained a rigid form.
"No, why-" Aniysa began to talk but was interrupted by Rosanna's hasty, almost breathless voice.
"The weakness of a level seven demon lies in their eyes and stomach. Target those areas and keep your distance. They might be strong but their heavy body is a weak-"
A loud bang sounded from afar and dust rose in the air. A horrid shrill pierced the minds of Rosanna and Aniysa.
Inflicting damage into their bodies. Rosanna trembled, falling to the ground as her ears bled while Aniysa released a small groan.
[Beginner Gift: The pained scream of a level seven demon. Enjoy]
And from afar, two demons with red horns were rushing at them.
'This was not mentioned in the novel...'
Rosanna paled, thoughts springing into further chaos as she evaluated the situation.
Three things she identified.
One, beginner level introductional simulation only has level seven demons. So it's safe to say they won't die before they blink.
Two, the rating from this session would determine how much benefits Rosanna or Aniysa would gain throughout a certain period of time in class.
And three, the plotline is different.
Kairos originally set Team Alpha and the other students on a test simulation during the second week or so.
It was a new strategy influenced by the growing pressure of the upper echelons.
'But it wasn't supposed to happen on this week!' Rosanna cried inwardly.
The setting of the test was placed in a battlefield of an apocalyptic world. But that setting and this Apocalyptic stage was evidently different.
Rosanna remembered clearly. The Apocalypse name was [One Lonely Survivor], the first Apocalyptic stage the team encountered.
A simulation setting with rules that required only one survivor to win. To kill your companions and, to kill demons.
But not everyone knew it was a simulation... Because of the 99% virtual effect. The thought of death left many students in despair.
Plus, the words above never mentioned anything about this being a Simulation.
The were times the Dark Forces descend to various worlds on random accord and an Apocalyptic Catalyst could propel Doomsday at anytime, anywhere.
So it was natural to assume this was a true Apocalyptic Descent. But Rosanna knew it was never mentioned that an apocalyptic stage existed in Ultra University.
The similarities between this Apocalyptic setting and the original is to kill a Companion and to kill demons.
Except, one option can be chosen. Both not being a necessary factor for winning.
It's understandable that Kairos would change it. The simulation caused a long lasting discord within the class.
How many killed their companions and how many were being killed in a fake life or death simulation?
Though the Institution's main goal was to accurately choose which students had their desired qualities. That is, the survival traits for an apocalyptic world.
Instincts overtook Rosanna as she rolled to the sides, looking up as the black-haired beast leaped past her and landed in a far area.
Scrambling up, Rosanna had no time to check on Aniysa as she ran to a further distance. The demon hot on her heels in a relentless chase.
Five seconds into running and Rosanna knew she was about to have her heart clawed out. Her speed had reduced significantly, panting heavily while the demon gave a fine pursuit.
'Truly lack of exercise will be the death of me!'
Then Rosanna heard the system's voice. Like open mercy gates from heaven.
"Yes!" Rosanna screamed, not thinking twice to consider. Partially logical and partially in the heat of the moment.
Though this was just a realistic simulation, Rosanna was sure to feel pain if she got attacked. Who likes pain?
Even if you're an M, it's not to demons is it?
And secondly, the level of protection Rosanna would receive from being outstanding would guarantee she doesn't die in reality.
Instantly, a warm current overtook her body as she felt her six senses becoming sharper than she thought possible.
Rosanna's body came alive and she felt innumerable energy fill her body. Her vision widened by far, ears catching hidden sound and her nose becoming a death threat.
Her six senses were sharpened beyond her normal capability. And Rosanna's skin became particularly sensitive to the change of the wind, and becoming hard against the piercing dust filled air.
Rosanna leaped into the air and rolled on the floor, turning to a silent crounch in one swift motion.
Just in time to see the angry growl of the demon whose grey claws swiped at the area she was before. Living an inch dent on the solid earth.
"Ahh!" A sharp scream came from Aniysa.
Snapping her head to the side, Rosanna watched as the other demon plunged it's teeth into Aniysa's shoulder, pressing the young girl's body underneath with it's massive own.
A moment of split distraction resulted in a close call confrontation between Rosanna and a demon's angry pounce.
Ducking to the side, Rosanna exterted her body's maximum speed as she dashed towards Aniysa, stopping a few steps near the demon and Aniysa's injured figure.
Perhaps a foolish move in the heat of the moment. What could she do when she hadn't saved her own a*s?
Coming to a sudden halt in a close range, Rosanna stood and waited for both demons to target her presence and lunge at her.
And as expected, the demon from behind pounced at her with outstretched claws, while the one at the front changed it's target to her, unhesitatingly reaching towards Rosanna with wide open jaws.
Both demons clashed, swiping their claws at each other while Rosanna rolled away from the deadly onslaught. Eating a bit of yummy blood tainted dust from the ground.
The fights were not in the least bit easy. The skill [OverLord] forcefully enhanced her body's senses to enable her react fastly with high reflexes, speed and increased adrenaline.
Amplifying the measure at which Rosanna processed her thoughts. But the accumulating fatigue, soreness and tearing muscles showed that there would soon be a time where she'd exhaust herself completely. And lead to possible death.
Each breath felt like a sip of lava and her muscles trembled insistently.
Was it any better to use this skill? Sooner or later Rosanna would loose every bit of strength to even flee.
Taking advantage of the low intelligence of the level seven demons, Rosanna managed to cause some damage but it wasn't a determined win.
One of the demon had it's eyes clawed out and the other had a large gruesome bleeding line across it's lower eyes to it's mouth.
[Companions has entered
The two demons lunched a frenzied attack on Rosanna, swiping their claws and snapping their jaws around her.
"Ugh..." A low groan came from Aniysa who was barely breathing. Lying helplessly on the hard ground while she bled out with a twitching body.
Her chest heaved up and down with difficulty, green eyes peering spitefully at the demons who focused their attacks on Rosanna.
It was with pure luck and narrow escapes that gave Rosanna the ability to withstand the attacks of the two demons. Who surrounded her from both sides.
But Rosanna's body was long clothed in a dense amount of blood and every inch of her body screamed of an aching pain.
The narrow swipes from the claws and sharp teeths resulted in both surface level injuries and sometimes deep injuries.
All happening before she made a pathetic evasion from the full attack.
Rosanna's internal body was already suffering from bleeding. Whether it was a miracle or not, Rosanna was still standing as the skill
Her eyes were dyed red with her blood and similarly she saw red. Rosanna's senses gradually grew numb from the pain, simply moving like an almost withered plant. Uncaring and dead.
Rosanna's mental state was in an odd disarray. Where she couldn't feel- or better put, where she could not be bothered to feel.
All that engulfed Rosanna's mind was a constant chant of complete subduction of the enemy. It was strange. On what basis was she thoroughly convinced to subdue these beings?
But in this desperate situation,
It was a disturbing sight, Rosanna's blood bathing her in a fitting figure for the ancient desolate battlefield.
And watching the young girl sway and stagger yet still manage to defend against the relentless onslaught of two demons. Like the dance of a drunkard, put it nicely.
Aniysa watched how her friend was close to death and she presumed, that soon enough, she would follow after.
Aniysa knew that unless a miracle happened- but do miracles happen on a wish?!
'One of us must survive. Even if I'm not the one...'
"Ignix!!!" Aniysa shouted, eyes glowing gold as she forcefully channeled her powers.
The two demons lit in blue flames as they released a loud scream of pain. Rolling and moaning on the floor, being burnt alive by a flame more painful than the average one.
It was a fire that burned their spirits.
Aniysa coughed up blood and died. A backlash to casting a high-level spell with an unawakened physique.
It was on thing to awaken your elements. But it was another to use them.
Ms. Ava had made the students aware that Mana sensing and assimilation was not all it took to use your Mana.
Even if the process granted you access to Mana, your physical body is unable to withstand the force of using a spell until a physical awakening.
Aniysa knew that casting a spell- a high grade one at that would indeed kill her, but death was already around the corner and her friend might live to send her flowers during the funeral.
So it was worth the sacrifice.
Rosanna let out a dry smile and fell on the floor, vision going dark into the long awaited rest.
Her and Aniysa's bodies lying motionlessly on the ground.
And the moon setting a nice red glow upon them while the howling of the two demons made for a satisfying lullaby.
[Congratulations! Quest 1 achieved. The maiden has no companions, requesting player to commit sui-]
-Beep! Beep!
[Simulation End. Quest completed. Penalties: None. Rewards: Restoration.]
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