Axel Thorn stood in the dimly lit chamber, his expression a mixture of determination and unease. The flickering glow of torches illuminated the ancient walls, casting long shadows that seemed to dance with anticipation. Sylva, his loyal slime companion, perched on his shoulder, its glowing red streaks pulsing faintly.
"Alright, system, anything else I should know before starting the trial?" Axel asked, double-checking his weapons and items for the last time.
[None, Master Axel. You are now fully prepared to undertake the initiation trial.]
"Well then, it's time to start the trial."
'Siiiil!'
Axel glanced down at Sylva, who wobbled excitedly. "You seem eager for this too." He chuckled, finding the slime's energy contagious.
[Initiating Trial]
[Objective: Survive and eliminate all 50 monsters. Use the resources provided and your wits to overcome this challenge.]
[As this is an initiation trial, the monsters will gradually increase in difficulty, but none should pose a significant threat to a prepared Labyrinth Master.]
"Haaah, don't jinx me like that..." Axel muttered, grimacing at the thought of how his system's glitches could turn this simple initiation into a nightmare.
[Trial Start]
Clang... Clang...
The metallic clang of metal shards echoed from the hallway, announcing the arrival of the first wave.
"KREEE KREEEE!!!"
A group of five goblins emerged from the shadows, screeching as they charged toward the chamber. Their attempt at stealth had clearly failed.
"KREEEE-!"
Their cries were cut short as the first trap-a concealed trench lined with spikes caught them off guard. All five fell in unison, impaled before thay could even react.
'Five down, forty-five to go,' Axel thought as he spotted another group of goblins approaching.
This time, three of them met the same fate as their predecessors, plummeting into the pit. However, two slower goblins in the rear noticed the trap just in time. They leaped over it but immediately triggered pressure plates that unleashed a volley of darts, paralyzing them on the spot.
[Wave 1 Complete]
[Wave 2 will commence in 5 minutes.]
"Well, that was easy. Let's hope it stays this way," Axel muttered, cautiously stepping out from his hiding spot. Using a safe route he'd prepared earlier, he approached the paralyzed goblins, finished them off, and tossed their bodies into the trench with the others. "And of course, the bodies don't disintegrate or despawn... Great, this could be a problem."
He sighed, knowing the lingering smell of the blood might alert future waves to the traps.
'Siiiil~'
Sylva, seemingly aware of Axel's trouble, hopped into action, sliding into the trench. She enveloped the goblins' corpses one by one, dissolving everything-flesh, bone, and even blood, until no trace remained.
"Well, that's convenient. And... did you get stronger?" Axel observed the faintly brighter glow of Sylva's crimson streaks as she climbed back onto his shoulder, looking livelier than before.
'Siiil~ Siiil~'
Sylva wobbled cheerfully, confirming his suspicion. It seemed she could grow stronger by consuming monsters.
Axel returned to the chamber and spent the next few minutes contemplating how the system's glitches might sabotage him.
[Wave 2 Start]
This time, the goblins arrived armed with daggers and short swords, their leather armor glinting faintly in the dim light. Their numbers had also doubled to ten.
The first five goblins rushed forward, only to meet the same fate as the previous wave, impaled on the spikes of the trench. The remaining five leaped over the trap, only to fall victim to the dart soon after.
A second group of ten goblins appeared, leaping over the first trap with ease, seemingly alerted by the smell of the blood within the trench. They carefully walked past the second trap, wary after seeing their predecessors' paralyzed forms. Still, eight of them carelessly triggered the darts, leaving only two to press forward.
The final pair managed to reach the last trap-a set of modified rat traps, where they become immobilized. Axel quickly dispatched them with a pair of thrown darts.
The last ten goblins of the wave appeared shortly after. These were more cautious, avoiding the earlier traps entirely. However, three of them still set off the last remaining darts. The remaining seven stopped in front of the sticky glue trap, hesitating as they assessed how to proceed.
"Hey! Come and get me, you little shits!" Axel taunted, flipping them off with a grin.
The provocation worked. Enraged, six goblins charged blindly into the glue, where they become stuck and helpless. The last goblin however, maintained its composure. It jumped onto its trapped comrades, using them as stepping stones. Just as it prepared to leap over the glue, Axel hurled a dagger that pierced its throat, killing it instantly.
[Wave 2 complete]
[The final wave will commence in 20 minutes.]
"Hah, just ten more to go. Don't screw me over now system..." Axel muttered, dreading what surprises the glitches might have in store for him next.