The stare down with the boss didn't last very long as the wolves began circling me. One on each side of me, while the alpha stood behind the one in front of me and watched for an opening. I knew they were slowly encircling me, but I wasn't so stupid as to do nothing.
Spinning around I extended my hand and a spear shot up from the ground. While the wolf had managed to avoid a serious wound, I knew it was going to die in ten seconds, so I focused my efforts on the other wolves.
*YELP*
[-30 MP.]
[You deal 25 DMG!]
Now that the rear was secured, I turned and saw the wolf on my right slowly creeping up. It was only a couple of steps but I had turned just in time to see it, and knew they were getting ready to pounce. So I acted first. I pointed my hand towards the wolf and while it recognized I was attacking it failed to account for the fact that I didn't have to send the spear straight up.
I could shoot it at an angle.
The wolf jumped to the left to try and avoid it but the spear was already shooting in the direction. Unable to avoid the attack because it hadn't landed yet the spear managed to hit it's left front shoulder.
[-30 MP.]
[You deal 25 DMG!]
I saw the wolf on my left jump at me from the corner of my eyes and raised my left arm as a shield. The wolf bit down hard and I felt the teeth sink into my arm. I also felt a powerful crack.
[-30 HP.]
[HP: 70/100]
"UGH! FILTHY MUTT!"
[-30 MP.]
[You deal 25 DMG!]
The wolf, with a spear through it's chest, surprisingly refused to let go even though it was definitely in pain.
I locked eyes with the wolf and realized I had misjudged the fight. The wolves were willing to sacrifice their lives for the end of my life. Before I took another bite I pointed my hand at the fourth wolf that was sprinting at me and casted Ice Spear.
[-30 MP.]
[You deal 25 DMG!]
[You deal 3 DMG!](x3)
Although the wolves were now dying from the Freezer Burn effect, the fight was not over and I was still essentially outnumbered. The wolf on my right was the perfect example, as it pulled itself out of the spear and was running at me now.
'Now isn't the time to be conservative with my mana!'
I pointed my free hand at the wolf. It jumped immediately, but nothing ever happened to it.
A spear impaled the wolf with it's teeth sunk into my left arm, and the wolf's body went limp.
[Lvl. 2 Wolf defeated.]
[430(+20)/1600 EXP to Level 6.]
[Gold: 1113 (+5)]
Using the fact that the wolves were afraid of when I raised my hand, I bought myself enough time to get my arm free by faking out the wolves, but I still wasn't in the clear yet. The wolf on the right had realized my trick and was already on me, but I managed to drop my body as it's claws went past my face.
Falling back onto my butt I held my legs out to try and buy myself some more time. The wolf was frantically trying to bite me but I raised my hand again towards the wolf. It immediately stopped trying to get past my legs and jumped back to create distance.
But it was another fake out.
I quickly scrambled to my feet and toggled my Auto Cast.
[Ice Spear: Auto Cast Off-->On]
Without any signal that I was going to cast a spell three spears erupted from the ground and impaled the three normal wolves surrounding me.
[-30 MP.](x3)
[You deal 25 DMG!](x3)
[Lvl. 2 Wolf defeated.](x3)
[450(+60)/1600 EXP to Level 6.]
[Gold: 1118 (+15)]
A spear shot out from under the alpha wolf but it had already began to dodge. The Auto Cast perk has been incredibly helpful but the downside of it was clear.
It couldn't track moving targets very well.
The attacks always appeared where it WAS standing, but it couldn't predict the movements of the targets.
Realizing immediately that it was pointless to waste my mana like this I turned of Auto Cast. The alpha had stood still and was watching me carefully now. It didn't bother circling me, and I didn't bother making any sudden moves either.
Breathing heavily from the pain in my left arm, I took a moment to collect myself and checked myself.
[HP: 70/100 (+40)]
[MP: 70/300 (+100)]
'My base mana regeneration is 1 mana per minute... It would be 20 minutes before I can cast a third Ice Spear... That's not realistic... This wolf has intelligence. It knows I am not able to attack recklessly or forever. With it's speed and pure instincts its able to dodge simple attacks.'
I glanced around but didn't see anything to help in this fight. I couldn't even see a way to escape. With no option in sight I had to come up with a way to force the alpha into my attacks.
The wolf, seemingly done observing me, suddenly pounced forward straight at me. Such an attack was really out of character for an animal that was so careful the whole time, so I decided to gamble and raise my arm in to threaten the counter attack.
On cue the alpha immediately jumped to the left, preemptively dodging an attack, and continued sprinting at me.
Realizing my threat was effective, but also that the wolf is able to keep coming, I moved my arm to point at the wolf again. This time I really had no intention of attacking, I just wanted to delay its attack and I would just have to try to dodge it.
Once again the alpha dodged to the left but the moment it's paws touched the ground it leaped at me with a speed different than before.
My Quick Reflexes trait activated and I was barely able to move slightly to the side. Although it's bite missed, it still managed to swipe me with it's back claws as it passed me, and left a deep claw mark in my abdomen.
[-20 HP.]
[HP: 50/100 (+40)]
But I wasn't phased.
[-30 MP.]
[You deal 25 DMG!]
A spear appeared ahead of the alpha while it was still in the air. Twisting it's body it avoided a direct hit to any vital organs, and the spear only managed to hit the wolf's hind leg.
I moved backwards to create a bit more distance between us and held my stomach.
'The wound isn't that bad. There is no bleeding status effect so I at least don't have to waste mana to cauterize the wound.'
Having already judged the situation as non fatal so far, I focused back on the wolf. It looked down at it's leg but didn't show any change in expression. However I could clearly see it was no longer favoring that left leg.
Taking another deep breath I slowly exhaled and looked at the alpha. They looked back at me. Freezer burn slowly ticked away and finally expired. 55 damage had been deal and the alpha wolf actually looked like it was hurt.
We stared silently at each other for a few minutes before it dashed again at me.
Maybe it knew I didn't have much mana left or maybe it was just worried I would recover more energy. Either way this was going to be the climax of the fight...
[-45 HP.]
[HP: 5/100 (+40)]
"Gotcha."
With a smile on my face I pointed my finger to the ground and casted Ice Spear.
[-30 MP.]
[MP: 10/300 (+100)]
[You deal 25 DMG.]
[Lvl. 2 Wolf (Alpha) has been defeated.]
[510(+75)/1600 EXP to Level 6.]
[Gold: 1123 (+50)]
I fell back as the wolf's corpse went limp on me. With a great effort I pushed the wolf off of me and laid on the ground panting heavily. This was less because of fatigue from the fight and more because my heart was pounding loudly in my chest.
With my eyes open and staring up at the bright blue sky I began shouting.
"I DID IT! WHOOO!"
With only one arm actually being able to be raised I punched rapidly at the sky in excitement.
"Haha! It didn't go like how I planned but it was still good! Thankfully the wolf didn't have a ton of health like I initially planned for, but because of that pleasant surprise I barely had enough mana to kill it."
With the excitement slowly dying out I took out a soda and chugged down a several mouthfuls.
"PAAAHHH! I never knew soda could taste this good but damn it hits the spot."
With the stage finished I opened my notifications and looked at my rewards.
[Stage 2 complete. Moving to Stage 3.]
[Gold: 1173 (+50)]
[Choose one of the following:
Ring of Winter - Increases Ice damage by 20%.
Band of Regeneration - When out of combat +1 HP/s.
Snowstorm Staff - Allows user to cast Blizzard.]
Without even considering the other options I quickly chose the Band of Regeneration.
Immediate I put it on and began to watch as my HP slowly began refilling. A few minutes went by while I sat and ate. I was annoyed at the ridiculous amount of food I had to eat and just hoped it would be over before any real issues came up. After my HP was finished replenishing, I immediately began meditating.
[HP: 150/100 (+50)]
[MP: 400/300 (+100)]
[Meditation: 740/2000]
I looked at my wounds. They had closed like there was nothing there in the first place. Since I had full HP I decided to stand up and entered the portal to Stage 3.
The first thing I noticed when I went through the portal was that the air was stifling and stale. When my eyes finally adjusted I saw that I was now in what looked like a prison.
There were cells all around me, but thankfully I was on the outside of them. I began looking inside of them and noticed there was blood on the floors. Shivering, I nervously began walking forward, but more carefully than before.
A prison were usually made to keep people in, and from my experiences so far whenever there were signs of intelligent life that usually came with humanoid creatures.
After walking down the central walkway for a while I came across a trail of blood on the ground going further down the hallway.
'Something was dragged away... Looking around I don't see any claw marks, not even scratches on the ground or walls indicating they were walking. Guessing whatever happened here was perpetrated by people. No signs of fighting on the walls, makes me think they don't have magic, and that was an advantage I could use.'
A weird feeling of paranoia overwhelmed me and I activated my Auto Cast on Ice Spear. Immediately in the cell to my right a bright blue light shot up. It was an Ice Spear that was auto casted, but I didn't know there was an enemy there.
[-30 MP.]
[You deal 25 DMG!]
"UGH! YOU BASTARD!"
After that shout another spear quickly stabbed into their throat, and the voice never rang out again.
[Lvl. 3 Crippled Prisoner (Valorian) defeated.]
[585(+100)/1600 EXP to Level 6.]
Without even looking at the notifications I began throwing up violently.
*BLERGH*
After a couple minutes of emptying the contents of my stomach I finally stopped and stared at the cell where there was a man who was impaled by two light blue pillars. I stepped closer and looked at his face.
Although he looked rough and rugged, that is not enough of a reason for him to die. Maybe he deserved death? He was in a prison after all, but I didn't know the story behind it, and even if I knew:
Would it change how I feel?
No.
'I have taken a life of someone... Someone who had feelings and maybe even those they loved...'
The weight of taking a life was bearing down on my heavily. Questions about what I would be by the end of the Trials weighed on my mind.
'What am I even working to ascend to? I just didn't want to be a nobody anymore... Now I'm killing people?'
Uncertainty plagued my thoughts and I wanted to escape the situation. However I knew logically that I would have to die in the trial to be able to leave. I tried steeling my nerves but I knew the only way to get over this was to get used to it.
Something I didn't want to do but that was a reality I might have to face.
Begrudgingly I turned and began walking forwards. I had a clear path forward. The only real question is if I could handle what it meant to move forward.
I soon found myself at a turn. Walking around the turn I saw there were lights further ahead. There was a soft orange glow coming from torches that were lining the walls but I didn't see anyone so I continued on. Walking towards the light I found an office to the right. The door had already been smashed open but whoever did it didn't take much.
Most likely they wanted some keys to escape.
I walked over to the desk and began reading the papers I found.
[Emperor Grillick Neuvean DEAD at 79! First Prince Deddrick Neuvean to inherit throne.]
Like a timeline the papers were staked on top of one another I felt as if I were reading a book prepared for me.
[Emperor Deddrick imposes strict policy on travelers!]
[Taxes reach new highs of 80%!]
[Trade routes closed with foreign empires.]
[Winds of Rebellion! Empire Strikes Back!]
The beginning of the end of the Empire of Valoria were obvious as I read. Emperor Deddrick was a power hungry fool who led his Empire to ruin, and eventually he was over thrown.
However that wasn't a happy ending either. Instead the various hidden powers within and around the Empire fought wars that tore the Empire apart.
The news papers ended there though. Most likely this place was caught up in the struggle for power and the prisoners escaped.
'But where are all the prisoners...'
In the middle of my thought a glint streaked through the darkness and found its way to my shoulder.
"GAH!"
I fell to the ground and hid in the corner right next to the door. I looked at my shoulder but the arrow hadn't fully went through, so I was unable to see the arrow head.
This meant the arrowhead was stuck in my shoulder.
[-25 HP.]
[HP: 125/100 (+60)]
Reaching over my left shoulder I grabbed the arrow shaft and roughly snapped it. I let out a cry of pain as I did. Throwing the arrow shaft to the side I stuck my head out into the doorway and saw a group of approaching people. They were all dressed the same as the man I killed earlier, but there was one who wore a different outfit.
They had a sword and wore a military uniform. However it wasn't a combat uniform, instead it looked like what people would wear to an award ceremony.
They were still quite a ways away so I couldn't cast any magic. I would fight in this small office. With my ice spears to create barriers, I could whittle down their numbers, and reduce the amount of people that could fight me at a time.
I realized now how privileged I was to have been fighting stupid monsters that allowed me to just hit them with my fireball, and didn't act as a group. Now I was fighting humans who could easily dodge my fireballs and were capable of forming groups. I couldn't handle the 10+ people outside.
I stepped back away from the door and got ready for a fight. From outside I heard some voices.
"Who is in there?"
"I don't know. It might be another prisoner but the only one I thought was still back here was that cripple Arthur."
The voices were all male until a distinctly cold and feminine voice spoke.
"Shut up. Arnold, get the fuck in there."
"What?! Why me?"
The sound of someone getting hit followed by a man with a sword stumbling into the room. However he didn't get to say anything.
Three ice spears stabbed him the moment he stepped in the room, blocking the doorway and alerting the others outside of the fact I can use magic.
"It's a mage!"
"Someone broke into the prison? But why?"
"Who cares! They're probably here to kill us!"
"Cowards. If they were powerful do you think they would be hiding in that room? No. Any respectable mage would be able to kill us without us being able to even scratch their ass."
Each step the female voice took, I felt as if my heart threatened to explode in my chest, until an eye peeked out between the body and the doorway.
The hair on my arms stood up and I felt a deep seated fear take place.
"Ohoho... It's just a little boy."
A foot slammed into the back of the impaled body and sent it flying to the far wall.
"Get it. He definitely is going to run out of mana before killing all of us."
That was when the men began sprinting inside. They auto cast ice spears were unable to find their targets, and soon I met my end in that small room.
I eventually ran out of mana and the crowd fell on me. Swords pierced my body as a woman slowly walked into the room. Taking a couple detours to avoid the two men I had managed to kill she made her way to me. She was wearing a prisoner's outfit but close behind her was the man in the military uniform.
The power dynamic was obvious, he was her subordinate and she was the leader of this group of rioters. She was what could only be described as femme fatale. She was a beautiful blonde young woman but there was a distinctly dangerous aura about her.
I was curious about what she had to say to me, but I was also confused why the system hadn't taken me out yet. My health was 0 and I couldn't use skills or move my body.
'So why am I allowed to talk to them right now? Is the system trying to show me something?'
Walking up to me the woman shoved her bare foot onto my chest and pushed me down.
"Who are you, boy? You're no prisoner."
I couldn't feel pain anymore. I figured this might be a courtesy from the system since I couldn't move. Noticing that I wasn't really paying attention to her she pushed down even harder on my chest, however the unchanging expression on my face only served to unsettle them.
Finally I organized my thoughts and spoke.
"Why didn't you guys leave the prison?"
Scrunching her nose she unhappily responded.
"The exit was blocked by magic. We couldn't leave."
'Hm... No reason for her to lie but that doesn't give me any information... If her memories are altered then they could have been here for any amount of time... But the system is changing. It's not just a game anymore, these people have their own thoughts and feelings. It's too vivid to be fake.'
Deciding that there was a reason the system kept me here, I decided to talk to the prisoner in front of me, and get out of here.
"I'm here to kill you all, but I don't know why. Someone sent me here."
The woman's expression crumpled. She figured I didn't have any reason to lie, but that only made her feel worse about the situation.
"You don't know why... Do you know where you are?"
I shook my head.
"That's why I was in here, I was reading the paper on the table to try and figure out where I was."
Nodding quietly she went into thought, before her eyes suddenly went wide and she leaned down next to my ear to whisper to me.
'Do you know anything about something to do with some trials?'
My eyes went wide and I began stuttering.
"W-w-what do you know about it? What can you tell me?!"
"My name is Minerva Rowana. My father talked about some sort of trials he had to pass."
"Where is your father now?"
Minerva showed a vulnerable expression for the first time in the conversation.
"He's dead... Emperor Deddrick Neuvean had him executed. My father said that Deddrick was a ******."
'What was that?'
I looked at her and saw that she was also confused. She tried again but it was like there was an audio censor stopping her from saying a specific word.
"This... I don't know what is going on but that must mean it was important... My father said the Emperor was the same as him. That's all I am allowed to say."
I was going to continue asking her questions about her father but everyone froze as if time had stopped. A blurry black figure entered the room slowly. In an oddly androgynous voice it spoke.
"He's not supposed to be here anymore, *******. You're breaking the rules. We overlooked it last time but this time you're going to have to be punished... I can't protect you this time."
It was then, while I couldn't turn my head, that a clearly female voice came from behind me.
"I understand... Spare him though. He's not a part of this."
The blurry figure's head turned slightly to look at me and nodded slowly.
"He will be left untouched. Let's go now."
A golden figure entered my vision from behind me, and crouched down in front of me.
"I will be gone for a little while, Draven, but have faith. I will return to you."
Confused I tried to talk but my vision slowly went dark.
'Come... back...'
I lost consciousness.