"It was a bipedal creature with an obsidian colossal frame. The creature's muscles were permanently taut, brimming with explosive power. The creature's entire form displayed multiple destructive pointed spikes, perfect for swift mutilation. It stood on its twisted hind limbs, similarly adorned with identical black spikes. Its feet' extensions were sinuous claws that dug deep into the ground. The forelimbs, two on each side, had piercing talons of their own, sharp enough to slice human flesh with an accidental graze. Its face was the most disturbing, with no lips, merely a thin black line, prominently seen against its ashy grey skin. That creature had six eyes when even one was overly ghastly. Each eye swirled with unconcealed madness, an abyssal black whirlpool that would suck you in, at the moment you relent. However, the most overpowering quality about the beast was the extreme, menacing waves of unbridled might that constantly radiated from its form. It was a pressure so powerful none of you could withstand proximity to the beast."
Each person had an animated reaction to Alex's vivid description, but one emotion was apparent and shared by all of them. It was fear.
°°°
Alex had attempted to lift their crestfallen spirits after her depressing revelation, but the effects were minimal. She never assured them they would not have to face that thing, but she encouraged them to focus on what they could handle.
Surprisingly, their poor moods did not worsen their abilities or reaction speed. Instead, they all seemed invigorated, breezing through each battle with their full capabilities. After the first two battles, they faced 6 more battles with stunning swiftness. Alex made quick work of the group members whenever the trap formation had been rightly employed. When the enemies could not be ensnared, Alex would apprehend the team leader and as many other members as possible, while her teammates would go for the others.
Soon enough, they found themselves back in the cave after the second highest ranks, the last group in their setting.
[You have achieved a complete victory over the opposing team and have received 1000 shards.]
[You did not exceed the time limit and have received an additional 500 shards.]
[Your group has become the rulers of this setting.]
[Would you like to invade another setting?]
•YES•
•NO•
[You cannot choose the exact setting or the entry battle's opponents. You cannot select participating team members anymore. Do you still wish to proceed? ]
•YES•
•NO•
Alex did not immediately select 'yes' as she usually did. Instead, she turned to her teammates.
"Are you guys certain you want to continue?"
Alex's tone was firm, an indication of the difficulties they were sure to face. Her gaze held theirs and her question caused them to think. They had not seen the elusive time-limit beast, but Alex's description was enough to tell of its indomitable nature. They had sufficient spirit shards to clench a high rank after the fifth stage. Therefore, was the risk necessary? No, it wasn't.
Each of them knew this. They knew how easily they could be squashed by that beast, yet they nodded. It was a unanimous agreement. Perhaps it was Alex's unconventional methods of leadership that drew them in, the desire to surpass her exceptional abilities or the successive victories they had achieved. Every one of them agreed to fight, knowing their convictions would enable them to soar, or may plunge them to their deaths.
"Don't insult us, of course we're in." Imani's pretentious scoff lightened the somewhat grim atmosphere and everyone joined him in voicing their willingness.
Alex chuckled at their triviality and selected 'yes', but was shocked to see that her team members transformed into otherworldly shimmering orbs, and were then teleported away. Alex now stood alone in the dim cave, and another message appeared in front of her.
[ When invading another setting, death means death, regardless of how it was caused. You have been stripped of most of the benefits that came with being a team leader. ]
Alex furrowed her brows slightly, but before she could ponder further, another text appeared.
[ You can choose to sacrifice one team member and then you shall gain immunity to true death. Will you accept this compensation? ]
•YES•
•NO•
Alex's facial expression remained still - though internally she was revolted. Their forms of manipulation were so obvious and plain. Moreover, why would anyone even trust any of their offers when they were acting erratically?
'For all I know, there could be a penalty after the death that I am unaware of. Worse, they could tell the rest of my group I sacrificed one of them.' Alex shuddered at the thought, but she quickly chose the 'no' option.
'Dying won't give me any achievements, anyway.'
No more text appeared with outrageous proposals, and Alex dissolved into shimmering particles.
Alex appeared in an elegant waiting area. There were exactly 10 seats and a long, grey and plush sofa. There was a vase laced with neon blue containing a strange structure. The structure had a blocky stem connected to thin rectangular sheets acting as leaves. Alex took her time to admire the area, ignoring her teammates who were boring holes into her with their questioning gazes.
There was a dark blue rectangular pad at the end of the room, large enough for two people to stand on. The rectangular pad had many constantly moving grid lines and Alex decided to inspect the pad and see if it had any proper function.
Most of her teammates just stared at her in shock as she blatantly ignored their question-filled gazes. Imani was about to say something until Dahlia shook her head to stop him.
'She should be our test monkey first.'
Elijah nodded at Dahlia in approval, and the rest eventually caught on. They had noticed the pad earlier but were too apprehensive to stand on it and they could not select a scapegoat, despite their eager curiosity. However, Alex did not seem very concerned about the potential risks, so she would act as their test subject before they questioned her.
Alex decisively stepped on the pad. She was certain it would not have an adverse effect and if it was some sort of teleportation device, she would be glad. It was very obvious they wanted to question her late appearance. Alas, Alex wasn't sure she wanted to tell them that she was asked to sacrifice one of them. If the pad was her ticket to a few moments of peace, she would gladly take it. She still had to plan for every slight complication that could arise during their pending battle.