Chapter 209: Middle Realm Evaluation 2!
Inside, Tessa was already taking in her surroundings. The Middle Realm was vast, a sprawling expanse of floating islands connected by shimmering bridges of light.
These bridges shimmered with an ethereal glow, pulsating with power that seemed to hum in her very bones. Above them, the sky shifted endlessly, painted in swirling hues of deep violet, fiery gold, and a soft aqua—an aurora that reflected the magic saturating the realm.
The air itself was heavy, crackling with energy, as if the entire dimension was alive and aware of their presence.
Gastro caught up to her, letting out a low whistle as his eyes swept over the breathtaking view. "Not bad," he said, hands on his hips. "Definitely feels like an upgrade from the Lower Realm."
Tessa shot him a sharp look, her wariness contrasting with his casual demeanor. "How can you be so nonchalant?" she asked, her voice low. "Don't you think it's strange how they knew everything about us? About me?"
Gastro shrugged, his grin unwavering. "It's the gods' realm, right? Maybe they have their ways. Or maybe it's some kind of supreme magic. Who knows?" He winked at her. "Relax, Tessa. We're here now. That's what matters."
But Tessa couldn't relax. Something about this realm felt off, as if they were being watched. The unnerving precision of the gatekeeper's knowledge only added to her suspicion. It wasn't just the realm—there was a sense of orchestration, a hidden hand guiding their path.
Before she could process her thoughts, a chaotic flurry of movement snapped her attention forward. A group of gods—hungry-looking, eager, and buzzing with anticipation—rushed toward them. These were no ordinary gods. Among them were forbidden-level gods, towering figures of raw power, and Xanthex gods whose sharp features radiated calculated intent.
"Join me!" one bellowed, his voice booming. "Our faction boasts an Imogi-level god! With us, you'll be protected!"
Another chimed in, her voice sweet yet insistent. "We're all Xanthex-level gods, united and strong. Join us, and you'll never be alone!"
A third spoke with quiet confidence, his words cutting through the clamor. "Our faction has a Cosmos-level god. Join us, and you'll have eternal protection under his name."
The crowd of gods swarmed like bees, pulling at them from every side. Gastro, who had been ignored during the Lower Realm evaluation, now found himself being tugged at by multiple hands. His face twisted in disbelief as they jostled for his attention, their once-dismissive attitudes replaced with almost desperate interest.
Tessa, unable to tolerate the madness any longer, stepped forward, her voice sharp and commanding. "I belong to Hovi's faction."
The effect was instantaneous. The gods froze mid-motion, their eager expressions fading into wary silence.
"Me too!" Gastro blurted out, though the words clearly caught him by surprise as much as Tessa.
The gods began to disperse, muttering among themselves. None dared to challenge the name Tessa had invoked. Hovi belonged to the Rose faction, a powerful faction that boasts a lot of powerful names.
The faction leader, Hovi's father, Gaudi, was a force to be reckoned with—an Imogi-level god known for his ruthlessness and raw power. On the verge of breaking into the Cosmos level, his name alone struck fear into even the boldest gods. No one wanted to be caught in the crosshairs of his wrath.
Tessa watched the gods retreat, a sense of satisfaction settling over her. She hadn't known the name of Hovi's father until now, but the gamble had paid off. For now, they had a cover—and some breathing room.
Turning to Gastro, she raised an eyebrow, her expression questioning. Although no further word was said, that expression was enough.
Gastro shrugged sheepishly. "I couldn't take the madness anymore," he admitted. "And... I'd rather stick with you than deal with them."
Tessa shook her head but said nothing, resuming her stride. The momentary reprieve allowed her to refocus, but her guard remained up.
Just as she began to process the next steps, a new presence made itself known. RIIS appeared suddenly, his form materializing in a burst of golden light. Beside him stood two Xanthex-level gods, their faces stoic and unreadable. RIIS's piercing gaze swept over the gathered candidates, his expression a mix of pride and indifference.
"Congratulations on passing the Lower Realm evaluation," RIIS began, his voice calm yet commanding. "You now face the Middle Realm evaluation. Your performance here will determine your rank—whether you ascend as a Forbidden god, a Xanthex god, or rise even higher to Imogi, Cosmos, or perhaps even Time god, that would depend on if you pass the middle realm evaluation and ascend to the higher realm evaluation or if you fail."
A ripple of excitement and nervous energy passed through the crowd. RIIS's words carried weight, and the stakes couldn't have been higher.
"The rules remain the same," he continued. "Monitor your progress orbs at all times and use the map wisely. Your path is yours to carve, but know this—your choices will define your destiny. Go out there and... have fun."
With a faint smirk, RIIS vanished as suddenly as he had appeared, leaving the candidates stunned and scrambling to decipher his cryptic words.
Tessa stared at the shimmering map that appeared in her hand, her resolve hardening. The path ahead was uncertain, but she knew one thing for sure—this was no time to falter. The Middle Realm's challenges awaited, and she was determined to rise above them all.
A ripple of excitement and nervous energy coursed through the crowd as RIIS's enigmatic presence dissipated, leaving behind an almost tangible tension. His words hung in the air like a challenge yet to be unraveled.
"The rules remain the same," he had declared. "Monitor your progress orbs at all times and use the map wisely. Your path is yours to carve, but know this—your choices will define your destiny. Go out there and… have fun."
The smirk that followed, as fleeting as a shadow, left many wondering if "fun" was meant to be ironic. The candidates buzzed with speculation, some strategizing with allies, others staring at their maps in stunned silence.
Tessa tightened her grip on the shimmering map that materialized in her palm. The swirling lights marking possible paths only deepened her resolve. She couldn't let fear dictate her decisions—not here, not now. This was the Middle Realm, where the challenges were as ruthless as the ambitions of those around her.
But before she could take a step forward, a voice broke through the din—a voice she knew all too well.
"Well, well, if it isn't the two deserters…"
The crowd quieted slightly, heads turning toward the source of the cutting words.
"They're nothing more than disloyal jerks and untrustworthy fools," the voice continued, dripping with venom. "Everybody, make sure you avoid these two. They'll abandon you the moment it suits their taste."
Tessa turned slowly, her expression unreadable. The speakers, Liam and Zuri, stood with arms crossed, their faces flushed with anger. By her side, Gastro chuckled softly, clearly amused by the scene. He hadn't forgotten their earlier insults, twisting his name into a series of unoriginal jokes during the Lower Realm evaluation. Now, it seemed poetic justice was at play.
Tessa, however, remained composed. "We couldn't carry around baggage that drags others down, now could we?" she said coolly. Her voice was even, but her words cut deeper than any shout could.
Without waiting for a response, she turned and resumed walking, her steps confident and unhurried. Gastro followed, his grin widening as the crowd parted to let them pass.
The onlookers stood frozen, their anticipation fizzling out.
"Is that it? I thought they'd fight!" someone muttered.
"What's the story between those four?" another asked, glancing between the pairs.
A third person, evidently more informed, leaned in to explain. "The two on the left—Liam and Zuri—joined Tessa and Gastro's team during the Lower Realm evaluation. But right from the start, they started mocking Gastro, calling him names and making fun of his appearance. It created a lot of tension."
The speaker paused, enjoying the growing interest in their tale. "Then came the door challenge. The group had to decide who would face the winged tiger to proceed. Tessa and Gastro left Liam and Zuri behind to fend for themselves. Guess that was their way of settling the score."
"Ohhh…" The listeners murmured in unison, the drama suddenly clicking into place.
Liam and Zuri fumed, their faces dark with humiliation as they watched Tessa disappear into the shifting labyrinth of the Middle Realm. Gastro shot them a final smirk over his shoulder before vanishing behind her, his laughter faint but unmistakable.
For the onlookers, the drama was over, but for Tessa, the real battle was just beginning. The Middle Realm would test not just her strength, but the bonds she chose to forge—or sever—along the way.
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