"The Bridge of Souls is a test of sacrifice and resolve," Ryan began, his tone resolute. "To cross it, we must pay a toll in souls, offering sacrifices to appease the thing that guards the passage."
Ethan and Irene exchanged glances. In his eyes, Irene only saw resolve. He don't hesitate to sacrifice them. In the end, Irene herself also don't want to hesitating too much.
"The number of souls we sacrifice will determine the quality of the Gear we receive," Ryan continued, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "The more sacrifices we make, the greater the rewards for those who remain."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in before pressing on. "So, I will ask you two first. Are you ready to make the sacrifice? We can get a high quality of Gear if we do that."
Ryan still didn't fully understand the two of them. Perhaps they were both the type of good people who considered something like this unworthy to be done.
But Irene's next answer caught Ryan off guard.
"Alright. Let's do it."
Ryan blinked a couple of times. "Is that so? Okay. We better get started tomorrow."
Ethan smiled inwardly. He would get another Gear, and that made him delighted.
---
Night finally arrived. Ethan sat alone while the others gathered around the campfire. Ryan sat with them, maintaining his air of a good leader. That way, it would be easier for him to manipulate them.
Irene was with him.
Meanwhile, Ethan opened his Rune to see the spoils he had obtained from the monster tide earlier. The monster tide wasn't as bad as he thought, but the rewards were pretty good.
Ryan definitely had his own secrets. He came from one of the Conqueror Houses, yet he moved around covertly like this. Ethan guessed that he didn't have a lot of backers, or he was planning something too dangerous to be known.
Something too dangerous that he couldn't ask for help from his family. Whatever it was, Ethan intended to exploit him.
Ethan checked his Runes. He didn't need to pay full attention to his Attributes because he knew he was already strong enough.
In addition to the Ascended Artifact Black Box, he also obtained several other Gears.
First, he checked all the Gears he had obtained. All of them were Initiate Relics Rank, the lowest rank of Gear.
However, Ethan was sure that someday these Gears would be useful. Jane said that on the Third Floor, there would be some kind of store willing to buy the Gears and abilities.
He got several armor type Gears:
1. Novice's Plate.
2. Acolyte's Robes.
3. Scout's Leather.
4. Apprentice's Chainmail.
5. Wanderer's Cloak.
And he also got charm type Gears:
1. Trinket of Endurance.
2. Talisman of Agility.
3. Amulet of Insight.
4. Bauble of Resilience.
5. Pendant of Vigor.
Ethan wasn't particularly interested in all of those low-ranked Gears. His stats right now already surpassed them.
As the night grew late, Ethan and Irene moved away from the other Invited and went to Claudia's place.
When they arrived at Claudia's place, Ethan immediately asked about the Bridge of Souls.
"Explain to me, quick," said Ethan.
Claudia, her voice tinged with disdain, reluctantly explained the intricacies of the Bridge of Souls to Ethan and Irene.
With an air of solemnity, she detailed how the bridge served as a trial for those seeking powerful Gear within the Tower.
The Bridge demanded a sacrifice of souls, with each soul contributing to the strength of the remaining Invited.
"So he is telling the truth," Ethan nodded to himself.
"Is there anything else?" Irene asked.
Claudia hesitated for a moment, her expression guarded.
"Legend has it that there is a hidden chamber concealed within the depths of the bridge," she finally said. "It is said to contain more Gears and abbilities, guarded by powerful wards and enchantments."
Irene leaned forward, her eyes alight with intrigue. "And how do we access this hidden chamber?" she pressed, her tone eager yet cautious.
Claudia sighed, looked annoyed as hell. "Kau punya the Elemental Crest, dont you?"
"Oh, alright. Haha." Ethan laughed, acknowledging the immense power he held in his hands. He could easily break anything with his current level of strength.
---
The next morning, Ethan was back at the Invited group.
Ryan strode confidently at the head of the group. His presence exuded an air of authority that inspired confidence in his followers.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the forest floor as the Invited ventured deeper into the dense thicket of trees.
The forest seemed to come alive around them, the rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds creating sound that echoed through the trees.
Ryan's gaze swept over his companions, his eyes shining with dark determination as he led them onward.
Ethan and Irene walked behind the group. Their expression calm and cold. Knowing that they will lead few of these man and woman to their death.
Especially Ethan. He didn't know why, but he didn't feel anything when killing these people. Since long ago, he had been selfish and cold, but he still could restrain himself and consider certain moral issues.
That was also because in the outside world, there are laws that regulate everything. Here, there is no such law, as Jane confirmed. They could do anything to achieve their goals.
The journey was easy, there is no hidden dangers lurking around. Ryan pressed on, he acted on as a beacon of hope for those who followed in his wake.
As they emerged from the forest into a vast expanse of rolling plains, a sense of awe washed over the group at the sight before them. The plains stretched far, and at the end of it, a thick fog covering horizon.
---