A light flashed in a solemn, large hall. When it disappeared, eleven people remained, looking at their surroundings in confusion.
"Where are we?"
"Is it some kind of temple?"
Liam's friends exchange careful whispers when a notification suddenly appeared.
[Discovered Dragon Slayer Trial. Reward 400 EXP]
[EXP: 1560/4800]
The notification solved some of the party's doubts even though the reward was confusingly generous.
However, the atmosphere was still tense. A kind of invisible pressure permeated the air. No one dared to behave presumptuously.
Silver Blade looked around, searching the source of the stifling feeling in her chest.
She glanced at the enormous stone gate at the front. It was taller than five people, adorned by lifelike images of people riding on majestic dragons. Gems pulsing with magic were inlaid in the gate, illuminating the surroundings.
But the paths to the left and right were drowned in eerie darkness.
"Mirage, did we come to the right place?", asked Cyclone carefully.
"Don't worry. This is it."
The female mage sighed in relieve, her posture straightening subconsciously.
But a moment later she flinched. A loud click echoed between the motley stone walls. Receiving an invisible signal a couple of torches suddenly lit up to the right.
Everyone's attention was immediately attracted by the majestic armors and weapons quietly resting on a few stands as if waiting for their owners.
In the back was a solid wall decorated by a tall mosaic. Although many pieces were missing one could still roughly make out the images of battling dragons.
But the party didn't stare for a long time. Suddenly torches also sprang to life on the left side.
Everyone's eyes widened in surprise looking on the low platform carrying six old but comfortable thrones. Five of those were empty, but one was occupied right now.
The person on the throne magically gathered all eyes on herself. It was a tall woman with green skin. Wherever her silver plate armor didn't reach, solid brown bark could be seen growing from her body.
Instead of hair the woman had thin branches decorated with gorgeous white flowers. Her fair face seemed peaceful, resting with closed eyes.
One of her arms was missing entirely while the other held a valiant spear made from a strange black material.
Just by looking at the impressive woman, everyone realized that the pressure filling the room was emitted by her.
"What… is she?", asked Cyclone in her most quiet voice.
"A dryad.", answered Liam naturally.
Suddenly, as if awoken by the noise, the dryad opened her eyes, showing her deep blue irises. The party members felt their souls drawn in as if sinking into the ocean.
"Hmm."
A melodious, soothing hum came from the dryad. She blinked her eyes seemingly puzzled about the sudden appearance of a group of people.
"Rerutvevd?"
The dryad spoke in a featherlight voice but the pressure accompanying her words instinctively gave them the dignity of an emperor.
Liam took a deep breath, bowing calmly.
"Bleary Mirage ezigolop o nidurtn."
Tilting her head slowly, the dryad mustered the party. Her eyes cleared up as if awakening slowly. Suddenly she seemed to realize something. With a thought the ubiquitous pressure quickly receded.
"You… came… here?"
The other party members were surprised as the dryad switched to the common language. It appeared to be difficult for her as if she wasn't used to speaking it.
"Answering the master, we arrived through a dragon statue."
"How… did you… know?"
Liam's chest tightened. He knew that this was the most important question. Usually, this place could only be reached through a quest and a certain item had to be presented.
But knowing the code allowed him to arrive without meeting those conditions. But even he wasn't certain how the dryad would react.
"I read about this place in an old book."
Immediately the earlier pressure filled the hall again. The dryad's eyes slowly narrowed. Her voice lost some of its gentleness.
"Such a… book. Should… not exist!"
Liam felt his heart sink. Silver Blade looked at him strangely before stepping forward.
"Master, please. We mean no harm. We were chased by our enemies and could only escape here."
Swiping her eyes over Silver Blade, the dryad's face couldn't help but soften. Liam cursed the overpowered charisma stat inwardly.
A chuckle echoed in the hall.
"Harm? How could… you harm me?"
Silver Blade's thoughts turned continuously, trying to figure out the dryad's mind. She glanced at the floor below the green-skinned woman where an inactive teleportation circle rested.
"Master. Please excuse us if our intrusion disturbed you. If you might allow us the use of this teleportation circle, we would leave immediately."
"No. The rules… can't be broken. You… came here. Face the trial!"
Finishing speaking, the dryad finally showed some movement. She slowly stood up from her throne, each tiny move emitting an unquestionable majesty.
With a wave of her hand the gems inlaid in the stone gate suddenly flashed before instantly extinguishing. The entire room began to shake. A gap opened in the heavy gate. It only opened wide enough to allow one person to enter before it stopped as if all its strength was exhausted. Only a mystical blue swirl could be seen behind it.
An inexplicable sigh came from the dryad's lips, unnoticed by anyone. The party was focused on the quest appearing before them.
[
[Overcome the trial of Dragon Slayer.]
[Hint: The trial is separated into five stages.]
A careful whisper came from Cyclone:
"Mirage, why… why is there a skull next to my quest?"
"Because the quest is impossible with our current level. We are so far away that not even the best strategy could help us."
The others could only smile wryly upon hearing Liam's explanation.
"So can we not go in? Or do you have some trick up your sleeve?"
"No. We will get rid of our red names and then suicide. Our only priority is not losing items."
"Great…"
At this moment the dryad's voice echoed in the room:
"Please, brave warriors. Step in."
The party members stared at the gate in front of them. Adjusting their mentality they slowly walked forward. As soon as they touched the swirling blue portal, they vanished.
When Silver Blade opened her eyes again, she found herself standing on a rocky path. It was uneven, filled with boulders, seemingly going on into infinity. To the left and right only a thick fog could be seen.
"Get ready to fight!"
Liam calmly reminded his party, staring into the distance. At some point opponents had already appeared on the broad path.
"My friends, it seems there is no way around it. Let's bravely face this trial and fight until the end!"
Radiant Shield shouted loudly as he walked to the front, bracing his shield. Silver Blade stood next to him. The two tanks watched their opponents quickly closing the distance.
Soon, they were in range for [Inspect].
[Violent Horned Lizard
Rank: Common
Level: 20
HP: 2400/2400]
[Flaming Horned Lizard
Rank: Common
Level: 20
HP: 1800/1800]
Silver Blade's expression turned solemn looking at the two huge lizards with dark gray skin and prominent horns on their foreheads.
A lightning bolt shot through the air, crashing into the Violent Lizard.
[-572!]
[-85!]
Cyclone grinned proudly, looking at the damage dealt. This was the result of a few days of arduous leveling.
Instantly a sphere of arcane magic followed. Together the two mages took about a thousand HP form the lizard.
The monster let out an angry hiss. It sped up, about to crash into the two tanks. Meanwhile its companion stopped on a large boulder in the distance.
Suddenly a spear made of fierce orange flames erupted from the Flaming Lizard's horn. It traveled at insane speeds, arriving before the Party.
Silver Blade's eyes opened wide in surprise.
"It's a magic attack!"
The female tank moved instantly. Sturdy as a wall she blocked the path towards the flame's target, Cyclone. A heavy impact rocked her body, but the experienced martial artist diffused the force skillfully.
[Stance -14]
"It's not that bad, I can block for a while."
Just as Silver Blade said so, a loud crash reached her ear. She glanced at Radiant Shield who collided with the huge lizard monster.
Immediately the party members swarmed out, attacking the common mob. With Liam's reminder they used their skills sparingly, just enough to kill the lizard.
The Flaming Lizard appeared angered by its companion's death. It instantly sent out another attack, but Silver Blade blocked skillfully.
Immediately the rest of the party surged towards the Flaming Lizard. The beast obviously had low defensive attributes, falling quickly under the rain of attacks.
"It's not that difficult. Maybe we can make it through.", stated Balm with a worry-free smile.
Liam only glanced at her, deciding not to comment. Instead, he urged the group to regather, welcoming the next wave of monsters.
It didn't take long for more Lizards to appear. This time they were four. The party was still able to deal with them.
But their hearts grew heavy when eight new enemies appeared after the last four were killed.