Chapter 9: Myths and Legends
...I remember that I was drowning. Drowning in something... Similar to a lake?
But why was it red in color?
Why was I drowning there?
Argh!
My head hurts!
Let's not think about it. Anyway, this place is so comfortable. I wanna stay here for the rest of my life.
But... I am curious. Who am I?
Well, I got to know that pretty soon.
"I'm able to see! I'm able to see! Wait, I'm able to talk, I'm able to talk!"
...For the first time in a while, I felt my eyes open. Now I could see things other than darkness, and feel things other than void!
Unfortunately, the first thing I saw was...
"Red!"
Chills travelled throughout my whole body! Unbeknownst to me I was already trembling!
I was scared of it extremely scared.
I don't wanna die... I don't wanna die...
I... Am scared.
Before I could even process the situation I was present in, my body was launched backwards. Something had collided with my body.
"Argh!" A pained groan escaped my mouth feeling the pain of the collision. My eyes widened as I looked at the culprit.
It was a gigantic red bull with wings!
It looked at me viciously as if had snatched his properties, killed his parents, and cursed his ancestors.
No!... I am an innocent wolf!
I didn't do any of that, really! I didn't do any of that!
Wait?! Why did I say that...
He slowly looked down at his paws.
...Duh, obviously because I'm a wolf.
From that day onwards hell started. I seemed to be in a place that was completely red in colour. There was no space, instead, it was like cotton. We were able to move inside it just by applying a little force.
Though it's not like I'm complaining except one. There's only one complaint that I have.
Why the hell are they bullying me?! Why?! I am an innocent good wolf, I didn't do anything. Then why are they bullying me?! Uwuwuwuw!
Awooooooooo!
Now I don't wanna stay here any longer.
Just as this thought entered my mind, I suddenly felt a force. A force that was exerted on my body.
Crackle!
Huh?
What just happened?
One second I was still in the place which I assumed to be my new home. The next second my body was speeding towards- That Red Lake!
No!
What was happening?
God!
Why?!
Why?!
Why?!
Awoooooo!
Crash!
Argh!
My body at that second crashed with something extremely hard. The next instance, it rolled and once again started falling. But this time, I quickly extended my paws forward grabbing whatever it was with the help of my claws.
When I raised my head, what I saw was a human. A human looking at me from the top.
Ha! It was a human. Humans were weak! This was something I remembered even before I had reached that place which just now kicked me out. I guess I lost another home.
According to my memory, humans are extremely weak and helpless. They are puny, and nothing in front of beasts or a proud wolf such as me.
Ha, what can I even say about my greatness?
Anyway looks like I found my new prey. I will tear him to shreds and feast on him. That skin... Hmmm... It must be very delicious, right? My mouth is already watering.
Hey! Wait, where the hell is he going?! Where is he going?! No, my prey?! No, my prey?!
Where are you going?! I'm a kind wolf?!
"Stop! Awoooo. What is this feeling? I'm hungry? Stop, I'm a kind wolf."
Sigh, looks like I will stay hungry. But that's not a problem for me. Let's reach the top.
P
But, how come am I not able to climb? Suddenly, I noticed something.
Why the hell are they so skinny? I thought as I looked at my paws and legs.
Instead of a proud wolf, I looked like an old wolf. Am I an old wolf, a weak one?
No!
Abruptly, I noticed a shark. Oh no! It's spewing flames.
Are you trying to turn me into a roasted wolf? Stop bullying me!
A few hours later!
Am, I going to die?
I questioned to myself as I looked at my black fur and my flesh was burnt.
It... Hurts.
Tears were slowly building up in the corner of my eyes. I couldn't hold them anymore and as a result stream of tears started.
I... Am a proud wolf I mustn't cry! I am a...
At that second...
[Ding]
[You have been selected]
...
Third step!
Fourth step!
Fifth step!
As General Rokin continued climbing the stairs, the pressure on him was increasing.
This wasn't some kind of physical pressure, rather it was mental pressure. General Rokin felt like someone was looking at him constantly throughout the period.
In fact not one or two gazes, but multiple gazes. His heart palpitated, as he felt naked in front of these gazes.
Taking a deep breath he continued climbing the steps. Other kings and generals, anticipated the outcome of reaching the tenth step.
*Teh splafs dtkeve, peugeje splafs dtkeve osgsy keysh hewn.* (This is the tenth step, possibly the last step of my life.)
Gulping a large amount of saliva, making his mouth dry General Rokin once again channeled his strength to his legs, launching his body towards the tenth step.
As soon as his body landed on the tenth step.
Boom.
[Ding]
[Congratulations on triggering the first challenge]
Zap!
Suddenly a white light was released from the platform illuminating the area. As the light died down General Rokin immediately felt a presence near him.
His instincts were quickly triggered as he dashed towards whatever was standing near him. He quickly unsheathed his great sword and launched an upper slash towards it.
Awooooooooo!
Before General Rokin's attack could even land on whoever it was, he felt vibrations passing through his body.
Boom!
His body was immediately thrown in the opposite direction. As a result, his body was launched like a cannonball striking the top of his battleship. The Stone Kingdom's battleship!
...Wait a minute. Someone explain to me. What the hell just happened?
For one second I felt like, there was no strength present within his body. He was about to fall into the blood lake and possibly die.
But the next instance I suddenly appeared in this unknown place.
Ding!
That unfamiliar monotonous ding abruptly once again echoed within my mind.
Have I finally lost it?
[You have been chosen to be the first protector and the challenge of the Final destination.
Three random skills are strengthened to be ten times stronger. This strength will remain as long as you stay in this colossal step. (Skills shown down are the upgraded version)
•Thundering roar: Will automatically activate, whenever the user's emotions are chaotic. The user's roar becomes extremely strong. Consumes 10MP.
•Predator's aura: Upon activating this skill the pressure released from the users will be akin to that of an apex predator. Consumes 100 MP.
•Lightning Dash: The user's body will turn into a bolt of thunder and immediately reach a speed of 500 meters per second. Consumer 1000 MP.
"Ha, Muhahahahahhahaha! I will be the bully! I will be the king! Let's see who dares to bully this proud wolf. Muhahahahahhah!"
I was excited! It was my turn to become the apex predator, the bully! Muhahhaha!
Slip!
Eh,
Huh?
HUH?!
My... Leg slipped.
...
"When the green moon rises, an event unseen for a millennium's passage, a signal is cast." Tai Xin read this line. He was currently holding a blue book.
While searching for more weapons that could possibly assist him, he had found what seemed to be the rubbish locker.
The closet in which all the unwanted things were kept. Books, broken wine glasses, and all the other thrash.
Amongst them, he also found many books. Though these books were written in the language developed in this catacomb and naturally were a little barbaric and crude, they could be translated with the help of the calamity spell.
Though he didn't have enough time to waste, Tai Xin at least could get some knowledge about this catacomb other than the ones provided by the calamity spell.
Amongst all these books he found an interesting one that was titled [The Myths and Legends of this World]
And from this book, he was able to learn about the so-called prophecy which would help them get rid of their curse.
What was this curse?
"Sigh these people are really unfortunate."
Upon a person's death, he wouldn't truly die, rather would be in an undead state. While being in this state he would feel an extreme amount of pain as if his soul itself was being ripped.
And the only way to get rid of this pain was, to get any one of his blood relatives to eat his body.
This was completely insane!
What if his body was completely disintegrated? Or destroyed?
Then nothing could happen. The person's soul would return as a wraith or a specter which would be in constant agony or pain.
Tai Xin shook his head and got rid of those disturbing images from his mind. He then continued to read the book.
"Seek those mystical steps, ethereal yet defined, that ascend resolutely to the coveted Final Destination."
"This sacred place ardently yearned for across ages, promises release from an ancient, oppressive curse."
"Yet, with every blessing comes a shadow. As serenity seems within grasp, an ominous shift taints the horizon..."
"The demon, a living nightmare, stirs from eons of slumber. Its awakening threatens to unravel the fabric of existence."
"With its emergence, the world teeters, as tranquillity faces the onslaught of the demon's wrathful song..."