《Rise of Hegemon》 Chapter 1: Death Girik struggled to open his eyes, unsure how much time had passed. His head felt heavy, and a searing headache throbbed relentlessly, the worst he''d ever experienced. His entire body ached unbearably, far worse than when he had first awakened. Overwhelmed by the agony, his body succumbed to the strain, and he slipped back into unconsciousness. After another period of unknown time passed, Girik regained consciousness. The headache and pain were lower now, but not completely gone. He tried once more to open his eyes, and when he did, he was stunned for a moment. He realized he was floating. When he tried to look around, pain coursed through his body with every slight movement. It was excruciating but bearable enough to push through. After surveying his surroundings, Girik finally realized where he was. Somehow, he was in space, or something that resembled space. He could see stars, or something that looked like stars, in the distance. Then, a question hit him: How was he still alive? How was it possible that he could breathe in space? Or was he even breathing? One thing was certain, this wasn¡¯t a dream. The pain was far too real. And despite the impossibility of surviving in space, he was undeniably alive. A wild thought suddenly came to his mind that maybe he had turned into an undead. But Girik quickly dismissed that thought because, if he were undead, he wouldn¡¯t feel pain. He tried to take deep breaths. Though it was a little painful, he was still able to breathe. He couldn''t wrap his mind around the fact that he was in space and still able to breathe, where there was no oxygen. But then, he found his answer. As Girik looked around, he noticed a slight distortion in the air. It was then that he realized he was in some sort of bubble. Only because of this bubble was he able to survive in space and breathe. He finally remembered how the bubble had come to be. It was a protection charm he had found as a monster drop in the dimension rift he had entered after awakening. Flashes of memory surfaced. Girik recalled the aftermath of his first two consecutive battles in the Rift, the group he was with taking a break, and him preparing to distribute his stats. Then, darkness had consumed him. Just before everything faded, he¡¯d heard someone shouting furiously: ''What the fuck? This is the third time where the bait¡¯s quality isn¡¯t up to standard!'' Dimension Rifts were inherently dangerous, a gateway to unknown and perilous realms. These mysterious gateways began to appear around two years after mana awakened on Earth, marking the planet''s integration with the mysterious "System." While their origins remained shrouded in mystery, their role quickly became indispensable for training newly awakened individuals and those without prior combat experience. The wilds, with their dangerous creatures and zombie-infested areas where a single scratch spelt certain death, were too perilous for rookies. For many, entering a Dimension Rift became a critical stepping stone, offering a controlled yet challenging environment for honing their skills. Over the past 40 years, these rifts evolved into an essential part of the first on-field training programs for new awakeners, providing a relatively safer alternative to the unforgiving wilds. However, safety was relative. No one could guarantee survival within a Dimension Rift. Each expedition was a roll of the dice, with the unpredictable environments and vicious creatures inside often proving fatal. The rifts were categorized into Tiers, with difficulty and danger scaling sharply with each higher Tier. The stakes rose with the rewards. Higher Tier Rifts offered unparalleled resources and treasures but demanded an equally steep price. The highest cleared Rift to date, a Tier 4, had a staggering mortality rate of 80%. Despite the danger, these rifts remained a cornerstone of survival in a world reshaped by mana and the System, where the choice was often between risking death or remaining powerless. The mortality rate was around 20% for newly awakened individuals in Tier 0 dimension rifts if they were in a bigger group of around 20, or were close to nil if they were accompanied by a few high-level Tier 1 awakened. The group Girik had been with was formed by a local guild that provided training services for newly awakened individuals and was accompanied by 3 high-leveled Tier 1 Warrior types and a peak Tier 1 Mage class. But for some reason, this group of newly awakened ones were used as some sort of bait.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Girik felt anger bubbling inside him, but being angry in his current situation was of no use. He tried to calm his mind because right now his top priority was survival. He didn¡¯t know for how long this bubble would last. And what would happen after that, that was something he was not eager to find out. But what could he do in his current situation? Girik frantically tried to think of a way to survive, but nothing came to mind. Desperation clouded his thoughts as he racked his brain, his gaze darting around the vast expanse of space. He wasn¡¯t even sure what he was looking for, maybe some kind of miracle, perhaps? In his growing despair, he tried to scream, but the sound was swallowed by the void, a futile effort in the vacuum of space. Slowly, he began to notice that breathing was becoming harder. The oxygen in the bubble that had protected him so far was starting to deplete. No matter how much Girik wanted to deny it, the truth was clear: he would not survive this. His mind spiralled into anger and grief. He cursed the people who had done this to him. Why had he ended up in this situation? And if death was inevitable, why did he have to wake up, only to endure this torment before the end? His vision blurred as his eyes filled with tears. Shaking hands reached into his pocket, searching for his most treasured possession: a picture of his family. He wanted to see them one last time, to hold on to something familiar in his final moments. When he found it, the dam broke. Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably as he stared at the photo. His family¡¯s smiling faces stared back at him, a bittersweet reminder of what he was about to lose. Girik clutched the picture tightly, his chest heaving as he struggled for breath. He knew, deep down, that this was the end. Slowly, the light in his eyes dimmed. His breathing grew shallower, each breath was more laboured than the last, until finally, it stopped altogether. ***** A glowing ball of light streaked across the galaxy while a few streaks, five to be exact, tried to follow it but were slowly and surely falling behind. Suddenly the streak in the lead took a hard 90 degrees left turn and vanished. All the five steaks suddenly came to a halt. Among the five were 2 humans, a male and a female, 1 of them had curved horns and wings on its back like that of a bat, 1 of them was thrice the size of the rest of them with bulging muscles and a long tail with a sharp edge, while the last was somewhat ethereal as it¡¯s form shifted between humanoid to something amorphous. A streak of light blazed across the galaxy, cutting through the void like a comet. Behind it, five other streaks chased relentlessly, though they were falling further and further behind. Suddenly, the leading streak took a sharp, impossibly fast 90-degree turn to the left and vanished from sight, leaving no trace as if it had entered a separate dimension. The five pursuers came to an abrupt halt, hovering motionless in the vast emptiness. Among them were two humans, a male and a female, their expressions a mixture of confusion and bewilderment as they hovered in the void. Their furrowed brows and tense postures betrayed a shared uncertainty about what had just transpired. One of the figures stood apart, its imposing presence impossible to ignore. It had curved horns protruding from its head and leathery wings resembling those of a bat, lending it an air of dark menace. Another was an immense, hulking creature with a wolf''s head atop a humanoid body, towering over the rest at nearly thrice their size. Its bulging muscles rippled with latent power, and a long, sharp-edged tail swayed behind it like a deadly scythe, as if ready to strike at a moment¡¯s notice. The last figure was the most bizarre, a shimmering, ethereal form that constantly shifted between a humanoid shape and something amorphous as if its very existence defied the laws of physics. The five figures exchanged silent, tense glances before the ethereal one spoke directly into their minds in an inquisitive tone: ¡°Did any of you get a good look at what it was?¡± The one with the horns and wings shook his head, his raspy voice breaking the silence. ¡°I didn¡¯t get any look at it, not even a glimpse.¡± The others followed suit, shaking their heads to confirm they, too, had no idea what the streak was. The massive, wolf-headed creature let out a low, rumbling growl before speaking in a booming voice. ¡°Whatever it was, it had to be extraordinary. If I hadn¡¯t seen the streak myself, I wouldn¡¯t even know something passed by. And not to mention, it left Tier 9s like us in the dust.¡± His words lingered in the air, a stark reminder of this unusual phenomenon. The group exchanged glances once more, unease rippling through them. Suddenly, the woman broke the silence with the question on everyone¡¯s mind. ¡°So, should we report this or not?¡± The man smirked faintly, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. ¡°Even if it turns out to be something absurdly ridiculous, we have to report it to the Sovereign. Besides, aren¡¯t we, in a sense, ridiculous beings ourselves?¡± His lighthearted remark did little to ease the tension. After a moment, he spoke again. ¡°So, who¡¯s volunteering for this?¡± The wolf-headed creature shook his massive head, his voice firm. ¡°None of us wants to face the Sovereign right now. I suggest we all go together. That way, the risk of being lashed out at for ¡®bothering¡¯ her is minimized.¡± The others exchanged reluctant looks, each knowing that this was likely the best course of action. With heavy sighs and grudging nods of agreement, the group collectively consented to his plan. Moments later, they all vanished, leaving the vast emptiness silent once more. Yet, unknown to them, subtle changes had already begun to unfold. The fragile peace and balance of power that had reigned for so long would soon be disrupted. The last time a cataclysmic shift of this magnitude occurred was fifteen thousand years ago, heralding the rise of the 7th and most recent Sovereign. *********** Welcome, dear readers, to a new beginning! I¡¯m excited to share this journey with you, and I hope you enjoy the story as much as I¡¯ve enjoyed writing it. If you like what you read, please consider supporting the story. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome and can help improve my writing. Thank you for being part of this adventure! Chapter 2: Awakening Girik gasped for air as he regained consciousness, feeling as though he was suffocating. He began to cough violently, his body instinctively fighting for air. Breathing was difficult at first, but as his coughing subsided, he managed to draw in steady breaths. His thoughts were a tangled mess, disjointed and incoherent, as he struggled to understand what was happening. Slowly, as his breathing normalized, clarity began to return, allowing him to gather his scattered thoughts. Blinking several times to adjust to his surroundings, Girik glanced around. Towering trees loomed above him, their canopies casting dappled shadows on the dense vegetation below with thick and humid air indicating that he was in a jungle. Still dazed, Girik tried to piece together what had happened. The last thing he remembered was floating in space, confined within a protection bubble as the oxygen slowly ran out. And now, here he was, lying on the jungle floor with no memory of how he had arrived. How was he even alive? The question gnawed at his mind. He was certain the oxygen in the bubble had been depleted. Yet, against all logic, he was here, breathing and conscious once again. Groaning softly, Girik attempted to sit up. Pain flared through his body, though it was far less intense than before. Using the nearby tree trunk for support, he propped himself against it, wincing slightly as he adjusted his position. As he moved, he noticed the picture of his family still clutched tightly in his hand. Dirt smudged its edges, and he quickly brushed it off before tucking it into the breast pocket of his leather armour, ensuring it was safe. Finally sitting upright, Girik''s first instinct was survival. Reaching for the dagger strapped to his thigh, he pulled it free from its sheath, gripping it tightly. His gaze darted around the jungle, scanning for any immediate threats. Now that his mind was clearer, Girik noticed something that sent a chill down his spine which was the surrounding sounds, or rather, the distinct and eerie lack of them. No insects buzzed, no leaves rustled, and no distant animal calls echoed through the trees. The silence was unnatural and oppressive. He forced himself to calm down, taking measured breaths to focus as he opened his status screen to check his current condition. ___ [Status] Name: Girik Sharma Species: Human Affiliation: None Title: None Tier: 0 Job: None Level: 3 [Attributes] Health : 23/27 Stamina: 16/19 Mana: 16/18 Strength: 21 Magic: 8 Speed: 30 Dexterity: 25 Perception: 26 Toughness: 16 Resistance: 7 Willpower: 13 Free Attribute Points: 15 [Active Skills: Combat Focus (T0)] [Passive Skills: Trained Combatant (T0), Predator''s Instinct (T0), Poison Resistance (T1)] ___ His health, stamina, and mana were partially depleted, but what truly caught his attention was the increase in Poison Resistance, now Tier 1. The realization unsettled him. Resistance evolved only through exposure to something strong enough to push his body to its limits. A disturbing implication surfaced: at some point, he had been poisoned. A single memory surfaced: the moment he lost consciousness before waking adrift in space. Could that have been when it happened? Girik shook his head, forcing himself to cast aside the thought. Now wasn''t the time or place to dwell on the past. His focus had to remain on survival, especially since, at his level, being in a jungle was extremely dangerous. Gripping the dagger tightly, Girik stood up. Though the pain had almost subsided, exhaustion weighed heavily on him, as he had been awake for several days. Perhaps it was the lingering effect of the poison that had been used on him. The good news was that the poison no longer appeared on his ailments list, which meant he was no longer under its influence.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. After steadying himself, Girik once again surveyed his surroundings. Apart from the trees and dense foliage, there was nothing noteworthy in sight. Holding the dagger firmly, he began formulating his next steps. At the very least, he needed to find a source of drinkable water, as his thirst was becoming unbearable. Lacking a compass, Girik was unable to determine which direction to take. He even climbed a tree in an attempt to use the sun for guidance, but its position high in the sky offered no clues. Perched at the top of the tree, he tried to make sense of his surroundings. As far as his vision extended, all he could see were endless treetops. However, on the far left, he noticed what seemed to be a clearing. Though he couldn''t be certain, the absence of trees in that area stood out. As he scanned the horizon, something shook him to his core. He saw three moons scattered across the sky. The realization struck him like a thunderbolt: he was no longer on Earth. Yet, this planet bore some resemblance to Earth, at the very least it had a breathable atmosphere. Girik''s thoughts spiralled as he tried to make sense of the situation. How had he ended up here? He felt a small measure of gratitude for surviving the catastrophe that had greeted him when he first awoke. But now, on an entirely different planet, how in the world was he supposed to return to Earth? What about his family? What were they going through now? How would they feel when he didn''t return? Did they even know he was missing? How much time had passed since his disappearance? These questions flooded his mind, threatening to push his already fragile mental state into chaos. Suddenly, a wave of calm washed over him, inexplicably soothing his frantic thoughts. He took a deep breath, grounding himself. No matter how dire the situation, his top priority now was survival. He recalled the miraculous abilities the system offered. Some skills related to space magic could allow a person to travel anywhere on a planet. That gave him a sliver of hope that if he could acquire something similar, maybe he could find a way back to Earth. But none of that would matter if he didn''t survive. With renewed determination, Girik descended from the tree. After some deliberation, he began walking in the direction of the supposed clearing he had spotted earlier with vigilance. As he walked, Girik recalled the calming sensation that had washed over him when his mind was on the verge of breaking. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced. He had encountered healing magic before, and while the sensation was somewhat similar, he was certain this wasn''t the same. Lost in thought, Girik suddenly stopped. A strange unease crept over him. Perhaps it was due to his high Perception stat, but he felt a strong sense of danger ahead. Something wasn''t right. Unfortunately, Girik didn''t have many options in his current situation. He had to check if the clearing he was heading toward contained any water, as finding a source of drinkable water was a pressing necessity. Moving cautiously, Girik stepped back and took cover behind a nearby tree. Deciding to err on the side of caution, he began climbing the tree to get a better view of the area. He wasn''t sure he would spot anything, but it was a far safer option than charging blindly forward. Once he had climbed high enough to see clearly, Girik scanned the area. To his astonishment, he spotted a creature with black and brown coloured fur or maybe scales and roughly the size of a medium-sized dog. It had a single horn protruding from its head and appeared to be eating something. Whatever it was devouring had already been mostly consumed, making it difficult for Girik to identify. The creature suddenly paused and sniffed the air, as if sensing something. After a moment, it returned to chewing, seemingly unperturbed. This was an important discovery for Girik. If there was a living creature in this Earth-like atmosphere, it likely needed water to survive. That meant there was a high chance of a water source nearby. Though he wasn''t entirely sure his reasoning was sound, Girik felt he had no choice but to take this gamble, his survival depended on it. Now, he faced three choices. First, he could fight the creature to test how strong it and by extension, other beings in this world might be. Second, he could wait and see if the creature eventually moved, hoping it might lead him to water. Lastly, he could avoid the creature altogether and continue toward the clearing, sticking to his original plan. Each option had its pros and cons. Fighting an unknown creature or relying on it to lead him to water were both risky gambles. However, Girik decided that confronting the creature wasn''t worth the risk, and waiting might waste precious time. Resolving to stick to his original course, Girik carefully descended the tree and resumed his journey toward the clearing while taking a slightly longer detour around the creature. Girik continued moving forward, maintaining vigilance as he pressed on. After about an hour, he noticed the dense trees and foliage gradually thinning, signalling his approach to the clearing. When he finally reached the clearing, a strange twinge of emotion stirred in his chest. Before him lay a serene lake surrounded by breathtaking scenery. To his left, on the edge of the lake, Girik spotted a group of about ten small rabbit-like creatures drinking water. The critters moved cautiously, pausing now and then to scan their surroundings. Not wanting to spook them or cause a commotion, Girik decided to wait until they left before approaching the water. After about ten minutes, the rabbit-like creatures retreated to the cover of the trees, seemingly satisfied after quenching their thirst. Girik waited another five minutes, and when nothing else approached the water, he cautiously made his way to the lake''s edge. He had finally found water, but the question remained, was it safe for human consumption? He had no way to test it. His only option was to take a gamble and hope it wouldn''t harm him. Girik removed his gloves, scooped up some water in his hands, and prayed that nothing bad would happen. The water was crystal clear, slightly cool to the touch, and free of any noticeable smell. Steeling himself, he closed his eyes and took a cautious sip. To his relief, the water tasted slightly sweet but otherwise ordinary. Encouraged, Girik crouched at the lake''s edge, plunged his face into the water, and drank deeply, quenching his overwhelming thirst. After a moment, he pulled his head back, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, he felt truly refreshed. With his immediate need for water resolved, Girik lifted his head from the lake and took a moment to catch his breath. His body felt reinvigorated, but he knew he couldn''t afford to relax just yet. His next priority was to find a safe place to spend the night. The eerie quiet of the jungle during the day suggested the presence of nocturnal predators, and Girik had no intention of facing them when he would be at a severe disadvantage in the darkness. Even with three moons, he doubted their light would penetrate the dense tree canopy enough to illuminate the ground. Time was of the essence; he needed to find shelter before nightfall. *********** Author''s Note: If you like what you read, please consider supporting the story. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome and can help improve my writing. Chapter 3: The Sovereign鈥檚 Command On a planet the size of Jupiter, with approximately 70% water and 30% land, whereas the biggest continent occupied almost 20% of the land surface. Despite this, the planet was densely populated, with the highest tiers almost exclusively residing in the main city, more precisely, the planetary capital, ¡°Dham.¡± Dham was a beautiful city, surrounded by dense forests teeming with a variety of creatures. Its most striking feature, or perhaps the most revered, was the palace, where a sovereign resided. The palace was constructed entirely of a black, marble-like material that was smooth yet reflected minimal light. It was a majestic building that mesmerized anyone who laid eyes on it for the first time. The five individuals who had been chasing the streaking ball of light arrived on the planet and headed directly for the castle. However, as they approached, they descended to the ground and began walking instead of flying. Soon, they reached the massive doors, where a row of Tier 5 guards stood, their intimidating auras palpable. Yet, when these guards saw the five approaching, they saluted and opened the gates to allow them entry. With the wolf-headed creature leading, the five entered the castle and immediately noticed someone already waiting for them: a delicate-looking elven figure. The group quickened their pace, stopping before an elven-looking person and bowed slightly. The woman among them spoke first: ¡°Master Mahanta, why are you here? If you needed to speak with us, you could have simply called.¡± Mahanta waved a hand dismissively and replied with a questioning tone: ¡°I was on my way to meet the sovereign when I sensed your arrival in the solar system. As I recall, you five were assigned to the Kirmat front, where Brahm¡¯s troops have been showing signs of activity. So, why are you not there and instead here?¡± Although Mahanta wasn¡¯t exerting any pressure, the five felt it. They knew that lying or making any kind of excuses might very well cost them their lives. The wolf-headed creature hurriedly spoke, its tone betraying its anxiety: ¡°Yes, Master, it is as you say. However, on our way there, I noticed a ball of light streaking across near Tel¡¯Rao. The strangest thing was that I couldn¡¯t sense it. If I hadn¡¯t seen it myself, I wouldn¡¯t even have known it was there.¡± The four standing behind the wolf-headed creature nodded in agreement. Initially, they hadn¡¯t noticed the light, and it was only when the wolf-headed creature pointed it out that they became aware of it. Mahanta¡¯s eyebrows arched slightly as he asked in a serious tone: ¡°Raye, you are aware of the consequences of lying?¡± The wolf-headed creature, Raye, frantically shook his head and hands. ¡°No, Master, I¡¯m not lying! They all saw it too. I swear I¡¯m telling the truth.¡± Mahanta¡¯s gaze swept over the group, and he saw all of them nodding fervently in agreement with Raye¡¯s account. ¡°So, where is this light, then? Did you catch it?¡± Mahanta asked flatly. The hearts of Raye and the others sank, they were certain Mahanta didn¡¯t believe them, but there was little they could do. ¡°Master, we chased it for over four hours, but it was too fast. Then, suddenly, it took a sharp turn and vanished, as if it had never existed,¡± the man in the group said, his previous tone of amusement absent. While they were in the midst of speaking, a sudden quake rippled through the air, shaking them to their cores. It wasn¡¯t the ground trembling but the atmosphere itself vibrating with an unnatural intensity. This phenomenon wasn¡¯t limited to their immediate surroundings; it felt as though the very fabric of the solar system they inhabited was quaking. The sensation was overwhelming as if the entire affected space teetered on the edge of collapse. Without warning, Mahanta disappeared, reappearing in a majestic hall where everyone except three individuals knelt, shivering. The air was heavy, oppressive, and suffocating, but the kneeling figures remained silent. Standing in the centre of the hall, Mahanta¡¯s gaze turned to the throne, where a devilishly beautiful woman sat. Dressed in luxurious black attire, she had four elegantly curved horns resembling a regal crown. Her icy expression was filled with murderous intent, and her glowing red pupils cast a chilling glare. Mahanta dropped to one knee, bowing slightly as he saluted her.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. ¡°Your humble servant, Mahanta, pays his respects to the sovereign.¡± Suddenly, the quaking stopped, and the oppressive atmosphere vanished as if it had never been. The woman¡¯s demeanour returned to what could be considered normal, though her icy expression persisted. ¡°You may rise, Mahanta. Everyone else except Fovona, Orcen, and Mahanta, leave,¡± the woman commanded in a sweet yet authoritative voice. Mahanta stood as the others hurriedly rose to their feet, bowed, and quickly departed. Only Fovona and Orcen, who stood to the sovereign¡¯s left and right, remained. Both wore puzzled expressions as they awaited her next words. The sovereign remained silent for a while, her expression unreadable. The silence gradually grew oppressive, but no one dared to speak. Suddenly, the sovereign flipped her hand, and a floating ball of light appeared before her. As the light faded, the expressions of the three remaining individuals in the hall soured and then a palpable rage appeared not only in their expressions but also in their hearts. The light revealed a two-foot-tall tablet, cracked and broken, floating in the air over the palm. Mahanta clenched his fists tightly, the space around them began to ripple, threatening to collapse under the sheer force of his anger. Fovona¡¯s entire body ignited in flames, her fury manifesting visibly, while Orcen¡¯s body trembled uncontrollably, teetering on the brink of losing control. All three of them exuded an overwhelming killing intent, and the quaking resumed once again. Not as oppressive or palpable as before but this time it was far more chaotic and volatile. With another flick of her hand, the sovereign made the broken tablet vanish. Gradually, the three regained control of their emotions and the violent quaking subsided, though the atmosphere in the hall remained suffused with lethal tension. Standing to the sovereign¡¯s right, Orcen spoke through gritted teeth, his draconic features twisted in fury. His fangs bared, and the sound of his cracking knuckles echoed as he clenched his fists, struggling to suppress his rage. ¡°Who killed Xenrya? Just give me the word, and I¡¯ll tear them apart myself!¡± His voice rose toward a near-scream by the end. Fovona¡¯s flames, though somewhat subdued, flared again as her rage burned hotter. Her tone, however, was eerily calm, belying the inferno within. ¡°You¡¯re wrong, Orcen. Whoever did this doesn¡¯t deserve a quick death. They should be kept alive, begging for mercy, but death should remain a luxury they¡¯ll never have.¡± The flames around her body intensified, reflecting the seething anger in her heart. Mahanta stayed silent, but his expression mirrored the fury of the other two. His thoughts aligned with theirs, yet he understood that the final judgment rested solely in the hands of the sovereign. Xenrya had been one of the sovereign¡¯s closest confidants, just like the three of them. The sovereign shook her head, her voice calm but tinged with anger as well as slight frustration. ¡°I don¡¯t know who did this. Xenerya¡¯s life tablet shattered about ten minutes ago. Her last known life signature appeared in the Wohin sector, disturbingly close to the Yagict forbidden region.¡± Emotions still ran high among those present, but they hadn¡¯t reached their current positions by succumbing to recklessness. They all knew that to achieve anything meaningful, they had to keep their emotions in check. The sovereign continued, her tone steady despite the gravity of the situation. ¡°What I can¡¯t understand is why her last known signature appeared in the Wohin sector. She wasn¡¯t supposed to be anywhere near there. Three days ago, I sent her to the Glanek sector to investigate an ancient relic that had been discovered.¡± Her eyes narrowed slightly as if trying to piece together an impossible puzzle. ¡°She was willful, yes, but she never disobeyed my orders, not once in her life. And I don¡¯t need to tell any of you about her escape capabilities. Even if she had faced another sovereign, she could have escaped. For her to die in a sector she had no reason to be in... it¡¯s incomprehensible.¡± Taking a deep breath, the sovereign straightened and spoke, her voice resonating far beyond the confines of the hall. Every member of her faction heard her declaration. ¡°Xenerya has been killed in the Wohin sector. I want every Tier 8 and Tier 9 officer to head there immediately and scour every speck of that region, as well as the Glanek sector. Leave no stone unturned. I want to know who did this. When we find them, I will personally kill that being and make an example of them.¡± Across her dominion, every Tier 8 and 9 commanding officer began mobilizing. Among them were the five who had come to report the streaking ball of light. When the sovereign issued a command, there was no room for hesitation. As the hall emptied, Mahanta remained behind, his mind racing. He couldn¡¯t help but ponder what the five had told him earlier about the mysterious light. Could it be connected to Xenerya¡¯s death, or was he simply overthinking? Deciding he couldn¡¯t risk dismissing it, he stepped forward and relayed the information to the sovereign. The sovereign listened silently, her expression as unreadable as ever. She mulled over his words for a moment before speaking. ¡°Mahanta, investigate this personally. Whether it¡¯s related to Xenerya¡¯s death or not, something that can escape even my senses which cover the entire span of the solar system, cannot be ignored.¡± She then turned her attention to Orcen. ¡°Orcen, you will go to the Kirmat region and assume command personally.¡± Orcen hesitated, struggling to respond. The sovereign, sensing his reluctance, sighed softly. ¡°I understand how you feel. Xenerya was a dear friend to you, and you want to avenge her. But we cannot afford to lose the Kirmat region as well. I had intended to send Fovona, but you know as well as I do that Xenerya was like an elder sister to her. Her current state makes her unsuitable for such a volatile situation.¡± Orcen clenched his fists, his frustration evident, but he nodded in acceptance. He understood the reasoning. Fovona was better suited for delicate situations, but her emotions were currently too raw. If she went to the Kirmat region now, her anger might cause an already fragile situation to erupt further, achieving nothing but chaos. ***********
If you like what you read, please consider supporting the story. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome and can help improve my writing. Chapter 4: The Call of the Unknown
After searching for a considerable amount of time, Girik climbed a tree and sat on a rather wide branch. His efforts to find a place where he could spend the night with relative safety proved unsuccessful. At one point, Girik discovered a burrow under a tree. It seemed secluded enough and was just the right size, small enough to feel hidden but spacious enough for him to lie inside without feeling cramped. However, he quickly dismissed the idea. While the space might have been adequate, spending the night on the ground made him decidedly uncomfortable. During his search, Girik noticed that the sun had shifted only slightly, suggesting that the day lasted for an extended period. This, in turn, implied that the night might also be unusually long. One intriguing discovery Girik made was the remarkable toughness of the trees in the area. He realized this when examining the burrow and attempting to cut the roots. Despite activating ''Combat Focus,'' which boosted his strength, the roots proved resilient. Without the skill, his dagger left only shallow marks even when he exerted his full strength. Another observation was the distinct lack of creatures in the vicinity. Aside from the horned beast and the rabbit-like animals he had encountered earlier, he only saw a few small creatures, none of which gave off a dangerous feeling. This absence of dangerous wildlife suggested that he might be in the territory of a powerful creature, a realization that made him even more reluctant to spend the night on the ground. Ultimately, Girik decided to rest on a high tree branch, far from the dangers of the forest floor. He couldn''t help but wish for a watch; at the very least, it would have helped him estimate the length of the day and prepare for the long night ahead. Although it wasn''t an ideal solution, Girik had managed to find a way to spend the night. Now, his next priority was solving his food problem, he couldn''t survive on water alone. For food, he considered two main options: finding edible fruits or hunting creatures. He wasn''t confident about identifying safe fruits to eat, nor did he know where to find them. On the other hand, he was certain he could locate the small creatures he had seen earlier, as he remembered their last location. Looking up at the sky, Girik noticed the sun still hadn''t noticeably shifted, or if it had, he couldn''t tell. With a sigh, he climbed down from the tree to begin his hunt for food. After about an hour of searching, he spotted a creature that resembled a mouse but was as large as a house cat. It was busy digging into the ground, seemingly looking for something. Girik moved toward it cautiously, doing his best to remain stealthy. He got within two meters of the creature, which continued digging, oblivious to his presence. Focusing solely on his target, Girik discarded all other thoughts and slowly prepared to throw his dagger. Suddenly, as if sensing danger, the creature stopped digging and raised its head. At that moment, Girik launched the dagger with all his strength. It flew like a bolt of lightning, piercing the creature''s skull and embedding itself firmly. [You have acquired the soul energy of level 1 Raguar.] [+4 Speed, Strength, and Perception.] [+2 Health, Stamina, Mana, Magic, Dexterity, and Toughness.] [+1 Willpower.] Approaching the raguar''s corpse, Girik crouched down to retrieve his dagger from its skull. As he reached for the handle, he noticed two small, glowing white orbs, each about half the size of his fist, lying next to the body. Girik was ecstatic. Letting go of the dagger handle, he quickly picked up the two glowing orbs. Clutching one tightly, he squeezed it while silently praying for something useful that would aid in his survival. The glowing orb disappeared and a skill runestone appeared in his palm. Girik focused on the runestone, willing it to reveal the skill it contained. [Passive - Nimble Reflex (Tier 0): Learning this passive skill will increase Speed and Dexterity by +2 points permanently.] Without hesitation, Girik crushed the runestone, and it disintegrated into a fine powder. A faint white glow enveloped his body for a brief moment. [You have learned the passive skill "Nimble Reflex (T0)".]This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Opening his eyes, Girik barely noticed any difference. His Speed and Dexterity were already high, so an additional +2 points didn''t produce an immediate effect. Still, Girik wasn''t disappointed. Passive skills were always good, and there was no limit to how many he could have. Besides, as the skill level and tier improved, the stats it granted would also increase. Girik squeezed the remaining glowing orb, silently praying once again. The orb vanished, and in its place appeared a kukri, sheathed in a weathered leather covering. With a swift motion, the blade was drawn, revealing its jagged edges that gleamed ominously in the dim light, ready to spill blood at the slightest touch. Looking at the kukri Girik willed and its stats appeared before him: [Jagged Kukri] [Type: One-Handed Weapon] [Grade: Standard] [Attack Power: 30 ~ 45] [Critical Chance: +5%] [While Wielding Bonuses: +8 Perception, +6 Dexterity, and +3 Strength] [Special Effect: 3% chance to inflict Bleed on hit (if the creature can bleed)] [Durability: 80/80] [Wielding Requirements: Perception 15+ and Dexterity 10+] [Description: A dark steel kukri with serrated edges for deep cuts. The handle is wrapped in a weathered black leather for a secure grip, and a faint crimson glow emanates from the blade.] Girik resheathed the kukri, securing it on his belt on his left side. He then removed the dagger from the raguar''s head, wiped it clean, and resheathed it in the sheath strapped to his right thigh. Afterwards, he picked up the raguar''s body and walked back to the lakeside to clean and prepare it. He couldn''t help but wish he had some seasonings, or at the very least, some salt. Once at the lake, Girik skinned the raguar and cleaned out its innards with the dagger. The task was tedious, and the dagger wasn''t ideal for the job, but he managed. Afterwards, he found a sturdy stick to skewer the meat. As Girik got ready to cook the meat, he faced a new problem: fire. While he had matchsticks, most of the jungle wood wasn''t suitable for a bonfire. Girik facepalmed. After all the trouble of hunting and preparing the raguar, he realized he had overlooked the basics: firewood. With a sigh, he started searching for dried wood. It took a while, but he eventually gathered enough firewood to cook the meat. Whether the meat would be edible was another question entirely. After building a small fire pit, Girik cooked the meat. The smell was decent enough to make his stomach grumble. Once satisfied it was fully cooked, he cautiously took a bite. The meat was slightly rubbery with a peculiar taste, not something he''d eat by choice, but it was edible and filled his stomach. After finishing his meal, Girik extinguished the fire and climbed back up the tree he had chosen for shelter. Though the sun was still high, it had shifted a bit more to one side indicating which way was west which allowed him to say with confidence which way was which As Girik sat on the branch, contemplating what to do next, a peculiar sensation tugged at him. His gaze instinctively turned north. It was as if there was something in the north that he wanted. At first, he dismissed the feeling, but it grew stronger, like an itch he couldn''t scratch. Frustrated, Girik eventually gave in, climbed down the tree and started walking as stealthily as possible towards the unknown pull. Before long, he found himself in a darker part of the jungle, where the thick canopy of the trees blocked most of the sunlight. He could only navigate because of glowing moss growing on the tree trunks, casting just enough light to illuminate the surroundings. The strange sensation had now morphed into an odd sense of anticipation as he drew closer to whatever was pulling him. After walking for about 20 minutes, Girik arrived at the entrance of a small cave. The opening was pitch black, even though patches of glowing moss grew around its edges and on the ground nearby. The anticipation he had felt earlier suddenly vanished, leaving him with an unsettling calm. Girik instinctively knew that whatever lay ahead was far from ordinary. Looking around, he picked up a small stone and tossed it toward the cave''s entrance. The stone passed through the darkness, but as it did, faint ripples spread across the air; like disturbances on the surface of still water. Girik''s eyes narrowed. He immediately understood what it was: an entrance to a dimensional rift. Suddenly, as if in a trance, Girik raised his right hand and pressed it against the shimmering ripple. The moment he did, some information about the dimensional rift appeared in his mind. [Tier 0: Temple of the Forgotten One] [Limit: 1 participant] The sudden influx jolted Girik out of his trance. He stepped back, his mind racing. First, he had somehow survived space and arrived on this planet. Then came the strange feelings and now this. Nothing made sense. Frustration and helplessness crept in, but Girik knew there was little he could do about these mysteries for now. Survival was his only priority, and perhaps, in time, he''d find the answers he sought. One thing was certain: he needed to grow stronger. Dimensional rifts were one of the best ways to do so. Yet this rift felt different. Normally, rifts didn''t reveal their tier or name until entered, and Girik''s instincts told him that stepping inside would benefit him in some way. With a deep breath, he decided to take the risk. A tier 0 rift had to be safer than the jungle with its unpredictable dangers. Steeling himself, Girik stepped into the rift. The world around him shifted abruptly, and he found himself standing in the middle of a dilapidated corridor. Cracked tiles stretched beneath his feet, and damaged stone pillars lined both sides of the hall. Some of the pillars held torches carved from stone, their ethereal flames flickering weakly, casting shifting shadows across the desolate space. Girik scanned his surroundings. Aside from the torches, the corridor appeared barren, stretching endlessly in both directions, forward and back, with no visible exits. Carefully, Girik adjusted his equipment. He removed the sheathed dagger from his right thigh and strapped it to his left, freeing his dominant side. Holding the dagger in his left hand, he drew the newly acquired kukri with his right. After a steadying breath, Girik turned to face the direction he had been facing when he arrived here and began walking forward. The faint glow of the torches guided him deeper into the ominous Temple of the Forgotten One. ***********
If you like what you read, please consider supporting the story. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome and can help improve my writing. Chapter 5: Maze of Insight
Girik scanned his surroundings as he walked, looking for any markings or signs but found nothing. The tiles on the ground and the pillars along the sides appeared to be made from the same material. Was it really stone? He wasn¡¯t sure. He kept walking, but no matter how far he went, the corridor seemed endless. At one point, he began to wonder if he was walking in circles. Despite that doubt, instead of turning back, he kept moving forward. After what felt like a lifetime, he arrived at a fork. Both paths looked identical to the corridor he had been walking through. Without giving it much thought, he randomly decided to take the left path. But as he took his first step in that direction, he felt a familiar yet unfamiliar tugging sensation coming from the right. He paused, pulled his leg back, and stepped toward the right. As soon as he did, the feeling vanished again. Girik sighed and decided to continue walking in the right direction. Once again, the surroundings were unchanged, and the corridor stretched endlessly ahead. Several times, Girik thought about turning back, but each time, that tugging sensation returned, compelling him to stay on his current path. He encountered more forking passages, but by following the tugging sensation, he continued onward. Eventually, he emerged into an open area with four giant stone doors standing closed before him. Each door had unique markings etched onto its surface. Girik inspected them closely, but he couldn¡¯t decipher what they meant. Determined to rely on the mysterious tugging sensation, Girik approached the doors. Yet, when he touched them one by one, the sensation didn¡¯t return. He tried to open one of the doors, pulling and pushing with all his strength, but it didn¡¯t budge. After struggling with the doors for a while, Girik decided to examine them more thoroughly. First, he inspected each door for any mechanisms that might allow them to open, but he found none. Then, he turned his attention to the markings. At first glance, they appeared to be haphazard carvings, but the more he studied them, the more he felt there was something significant about them. And then it clicked. These weren¡¯t just random markings, they were runes. They very much resembled the runes etched onto runestones that contained skills. But so what if they were runes? It wasn¡¯t like he could read or understand what they meant. And it wasn¡¯t just him; to his knowledge, no one on Earth had managed to decipher the meaning of runes. Armed with this newfound knowledge, Girik returned to the runes with renewed determination. His eyes scanned each line and curve, searching for a pattern or hidden meaning. Yet, as the minutes dragged on, frustration began to gnaw at him. The thought of turning back lingered in the corners of his mind, but he dismissed it. He knew what awaited him if he did, it would just make that annoying tugging feeling resurface. ¡°What am I missing?¡± he muttered under his breath, as he stood before one of the doors, looking at the carvings intently. Just then, a faint tremor rippled through the floor which startled Girik. The vibrations grew stronger, reverberating through the chamber like a distant drumbeat. Before his eyes, the tiles at the centre of the room began to shift, folding outward as if a flower was blooming. A soft, blue light seeped through the opening, casting eerie, shifting shadows along the walls. Slowly, a translucent orb emerged, rising slowly from the middle of the floor which was blooming like a flower. It hovered about two feet above the ground, glowing with a steady, otherworldly brilliance. The floor beneath it returned to its original state, smooth and unbroken, leaving no trace of the transformation. Girik stood still as if in a daze. The orb¡¯s light reflected in his wide eyes as he took an involuntary step back. For a long moment, the room was silent save for the faint hum emanating from the orb. ¡°What... is that?¡± he whispered, a mix of awe and unease in his voice. But there was no response. The orb simply floated in its place, serene and enigmatic. Cautiously, Girik circled it, his boots echoing faintly against the stone floor. He studied every angle, hoping for some clue to its purpose. Its surface was unnervingly smooth, without cracks, seams, or markings. It seemed impossibly perfect, almost unnatural.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Turning his attention back to the doors, he searched the runes for any changes. Perhaps the orb was connected to them somehow. But they were exactly as he¡¯d left them, cryptic and unyielding. Frustration mingled with curiosity as Girik returned to the orb. He hovered near it, debating his next move. ¡°It has to mean something,¡± he murmured. Taking a deep breath, he reached out to touch the orb. As his fingers brushed the orb, he braced himself for it to just go through it. Instead, his palm met a solid and smooth surface as polished glass. He could feel a cool sensation on his palm and finger that was resting on the orb even though the leather gloves he was wearing. The unexpected sensation sent a shiver up his spine. Then, as if in response to the touch, glowing text materialized before him: [Welcome to the trial area of the Temple of the Forgotten One.] [Choose one of the four instances to begin your trial.] [Be warned: failure in any trial will result in your permanent demise.] [Choose wisely, for the order in which you face these trials may determine your success.] The messages hung in the air briefly before fading, replaced by four luminous options: [Maze of Insight] [Hall of Echoes] [Arena of Dominion] [Abyss of Will] Girik withdrew his palm from the glowing orb while his brow furrowed as he stared at the options, his mind racing. Each name was cryptic, giving no hint of what lay ahead. He focused on the Maze of Insight, hoping for some hidden explanation to reveal itself. Nothing happened. ¡°Figures,¡± Girik muttered bitterly. He tried the same with the other options; Hall of Echoes, Arena of Dominion, and Abyss of Will. Still, nothing. An uneasy silence filled the chamber. The orb floated patiently, its glow unwavering, as though mocking his indecision. Girik clenched his fists, frustration bubbling in his heart. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he touched the first option. But instead of more information which he secretly hoped for, a prompt appeared before him indicating to confirm his choice: [Enter Maze of Insight?] [Yes] [No] ¡°Fuck,¡± Girik cursed loudly, the sound echoing through the empty chamber. Frustration boiled over as he glared at the glowing prompt before him. What was he supposed to do? Enter an unknown trial blindly, without a shred of information, or stand here indefinitely, hoping for a solution to fall into his lap? He knew the answer, there was no other choice. But that didn¡¯t make the decision any easier. He clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening as anger warred with a gnawing sense of helplessness. ¡°This is bullshit,¡± he muttered under his breath. Yet, deep down, he knew there was no turning back. Whatever lay ahead, he¡¯d face it, or die trying. Gritting his teeth, he reached out, his finger hovering over the glowing ¡°Yes¡± for a moment longer than he intended. With a sharp intake of breath, he pressed it. Instantly, a brilliant flash of blue light enveloped him, its intensity forcing him to squeeze his eyes shut. The light wasn¡¯t warm or cold, it was just... overwhelming. He felt his body grow weightless, as though he were being pulled apart and reassembled all at once. The sensation wasn¡¯t painful, but it was deeply unsettling. His stomach churned as the world around him seemed to twist and collapse. Then, as abruptly as it began, it was over. When Girik dared to open his eyes, he was no longer in the chamber. Instead, he found himself standing in a narrow corridor with walls that shimmered faintly in the dim light, as though they were alive. The air felt heavy, carrying the faint smell of an old attic, damp and stale. Disoriented, Girik swayed on his feet, placing a hand on the wall to steady himself. His head throbbed slightly, and his vision swam as he tried to regain his bearings. Then, breaking the silence, came the familiar monotone voice of the system. [You have entered the Maze of Insight.] [Find the exit to complete the trial.] The words hung in the air like a challenge, simple yet ominous. Girik exhaled sharply and straightened his posture. ¡°Find the exit, huh?¡± he muttered. ¡°Easier said than done.¡± The corridor stretched endlessly in both directions, with small, dimly glowing pyres spaced at intervals along the walls. The alternating placement of the pyres cast long, shifting shadows, leaving large sections of the path ahead cloaked in partial darkness. Clenching his jaw, Girik took a cautious step forward, his footsteps echoing faintly despite his efforts to move stealthily. He wielded his kukri in his right hand and held the dagger tightly in his left. As he walked, a subtle, unsettling feeling of being watched crept over him. He paused, scanning the area carefully, but there was nothing, no movement, no sound other than the faint crackle of the distant pyres. The corridor was unremarkable, seemingly carved from cut and polished stone. Ahead of him, the passage split into two identical paths, one veering left and the other right. There was no sign of anything, or anyone, hiding in the shadows. Despite the absence of an immediate threat, Girik couldn¡¯t shake his unease. The warning he¡¯d seen earlier, now etched in his memory that failure in here meant certain death. This forced him to heighten his vigilance even further. He reached the split and turned left. The new corridor looked just like the one he¡¯d just traversed. After a moment, he turned to inspect the right path, it was identical, down to the placement of the pyres. Deciding not to overthink it, Girik turned back to the left and began walking. The path seemed endless, but eventually, he reached another fork. Again, he chose the left path, only to find himself at a dead end. ¡°Damn it,¡± he hissed, turning to head back. But as he spun around, his expression shifted to one of utter confusion and bewilderment. ***********
If you like what you read, please consider supporting the story. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome and can help improve my writing. Chapter 6: The Hidden Hand
Girik, who had just turned around to go back, found himself facing the wall once more. Perplexed, he turned again, but to his astonishment, he was still facing the same wall. Sheathing his dagger, he took a few steps forward, reached out, and touched the wall. It was solid to the touch, as a wall should be. He turned around again, but the wall remained. Walking toward it, he touched it again. Once more, it felt solid. ¡°What the hell? How can there be a wall blocking both sides?¡± Frustration, which he had momentarily suppressed, rose again as he turned to examine the wall. However, this time, he noticed something strange, he was no longer standing next to the wall as he had been before. Instead, he was at the exact distance he had walked to approach it earlier. His frustration turned into pure puzzlement and bewilderment. What was going on? How was he boxed in by walls? Girik sheathed the kukri he was holding and stood still. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down and think clearly. A wave of calmness suddenly washed over him. This was the second time he had experienced such an inexplicable sensation. While curious about the source of this calmness, he prioritized his immediate predicament. Resolving his current situation was more urgent than questioning the cause of his serenity. Opening his eyes, Girik walked back to the wall and touched it again, this time removing his glove to feel the surface directly. It was smooth and slightly cold to the touch, but otherwise unremarkable. He turned and walked to the opposite wall, repeating the process. This wall, though also slightly cold, had a rougher texture. The difference was subtle, imperceptible to the eye but clear to the touch. Next, Girik moved to the side walls with the hanging pyres. He touched them and found their surfaces were similarly rough. To confirm, he quickly went to one of the dead-end walls and discovered that its texture differed from the side walls. While he had identified these differences, his situation remained unchanged, he was still trapped. Girik racked his brain, trying to think of a solution, but nothing came to mind. Then, he remembered the name of the trial: "Maze of Insight." ¡°What if this is some kind of test?¡± he wondered aloud. ¡°If so, it must be related to insight. If the objective was to find the odd wall, I¡¯ve already done that. So why hasn¡¯t the test ended? Am I missing something?¡± Sitting down on the floor, Girik cleared his mind. Soon, he came up with a rather absurd plan. Though uncertain it would work, he decided it was worth a try given his current situation. He removed the glove from his other hand, stuffing both gloves into his pocket. Then, he approached one of the side walls. Keeping his hand in contact with the smooth surface, he walked toward one of the dead-end walls. The wall he touched felt smooth. Turning, he walked to the opposite wall, touching it as well. This time, he felt the slightly rough surface. Keeping one hand on the side wall, he closed his eyes. Suddenly, the system''s voice echoed in his mind: [Resolved the ¡°Dead-end of Deception.¡±] [+10 Perception] As the message appeared, the dead-end wall Girik was touching vanished. Opening his eyes, he saw the familiar corridor stretching out before him. "Damn. So, successfully solving a ''test'' is rewarded with so many stat points. I can work with that." With renewed confidence, Girik resumed walking. On one hand, he was eager to face more tests like the previous one to gain free stat increases. On the other hand, he was apprehensive. Sure, extra stats were incredible, but what if he encountered a test he couldn¡¯t complete? Take the last test as an example. If he hadn¡¯t figured out the test¡¯s intent, which, in his understanding, was to not always trust what you see, he would never have resolved the situation. The concept could be summed up as: ¡°Never judge a book by its cover.¡± Though typically used in another context, it fits this test perfectly. Girik kept moving but didn¡¯t come across any other tests, only a few dead-ends. Whenever he backtracked, he marked the entrance to each dead-end by carving an ¡°X¡± into the floor with his kukri.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it But one thing that Girik observed was that despite spending hours in the maze, he didn¡¯t feel hungry, thirsty, or even tired. This was fortunate, as becoming weak from hunger or thirst in a place where he might be the only living being would have been disastrous. ***** A sleek, black limousine came to a stop in front of a towering 60-story building in a prime location in Patliputra. A man in his late fifties, with salt-and-pepper hair cut in a military style and a beard, sharp black eyes, and a round face, stepped out. Standing at around 1.7 meters, his slightly larger build filled the doorframe as he adjusted his crisp brown suit. Without hesitation, he strode toward the building''s entrance. The building was heavily guarded by robust security personnel, men and women alike, wearing high-quality armour and armed with an assortment of weapons: guns, swords, and daggers. Near the entrance, guards checked the identifications of those entering, their movements were efficient and methodical. The man bypassed the checkpoint entirely, walking straight inside. Annoyed murmurs stirred among those waiting to be searched, but they quickly fell silent as the guards let him pass without question. Their expressions shifted from irritation to subdued curiosity, a tacit acknowledgement of his authority. He approached the elevator behind the reception desk, a private elevator accessible only to a select few, and pressed the button for the penthouse. As the elevator ascended, his phone vibrated with a notification. Taking it out, he glanced at the screen. The message was from a private number and contained just one word: Done. Returning the phone to his pocket, he waited for the elevator to reach the top floor. After a brief wait, the elevator reached the top floor, and the doors slid open. The man stepped into the penthouse reception area, where a towering woman, nearly two meters tall, awaited him. She was clad in sleek, black-and-golden metallic battle armour etched with crimson engravings. The angular pauldrons bore demonic faces with curved horns, adding an air of menace to her already intimidating stature. The chestplate was masterfully designed, balancing maximum protection with remarkable agility, a testament to both craftsmanship and practicality. Twin longswords rested at her sides, their intricately detailed hilts seamlessly complementing the armour¡¯s design. Her jet-black hair was braided into a tight ponytail that cascaded down to her mid-back, framing a face that was extremely beautiful, sharp and symmetrical. Her piercing green eyes gleamed with unshakable confidence, radiating authority at every glance. Her expression was calm and unreadable. Despite the formidable armour, her athletic build was evident, muscular yet balanced, the physique of an elite warrior. Yet her figure was explosive with curves at all the right places. The chestplate accentuated her ample chest, while her strong, sculpted back tapered into subtly slender hips, creating an effortless blend of elegance and power. In full battle attire, she was both a vision of grace and a force of nature. "Where¡¯s Master?" the man asked, his deep voice carrying a tone that exuded a hint of authority. The woman bowed her head slightly. ¡°Master is in the conference room, waiting for you, Mr. Vishwas.¡± Without another word, she led Vishwas toward the conference room. As they approached, faint screams echoed through the corridor. The armoured woman opened the door and stepped aside, allowing Vishwas to enter. Vishwas walked toward a chair facing a large window that overlooked the sprawling cityscape below. Sitting in the chair was a man seemingly in his late thirties, dressed in a black shirt and pants, his red hair slicked back. His left hand gently stroked a small, white-furred creature resting in his lap, while his right hand held a lit cigar. His crimson pupils gazed distantly out the window. A muffled groan interrupted the silence. Vishwas noticed that the man¡¯s left foot pressed firmly against the neck of another man lying on the floor. The prone figure twitched slightly, muffled groans escaping his lips intermittently. Without turning or removing his foot, the seated man gestured for Vishwas to approach. Acting as though nothing was amiss, Vishwas stepped forward and stood beside the chair, waiting silently for permission to speak. Meanwhile, the armoured woman lingered at the doorway, neither stepping inside nor closing the door. The man seated in the chair increased the pressure on the neck beneath his foot, the sickening crunch of bone audible in the otherwise quiet room. He took a long puff from his cigar, exhaling a thick plume of smoke, then spoke in a flat but commanding tone. ¡°Laila.¡± ¡°Yes, Master,¡± the woman replied, stepping forward. ¡°Get rid of this trash and make sure none of his family sees the light of tomorrow. Let the message be loud and clear: anyone who even thinks of betraying me will regret it in ways they can¡¯t begin to imagine. And for the next 20 minutes, I don¡¯t want to be disturbed. No matter what.¡± ¡°Yes, Master,¡± Laila responded. She stepped inside, grabbed the dead man by the leg, and dragged the body out of the conference room without hesitation. The seated man turned his chair to face Vishwas, placing the cigar in the ashtray. ¡°Speak,¡± he commanded. Vishwas straightened, his tone calm and composed as he began his report. ¡°The training incident has been wiped clean. Nothing will trace back to us, even if the strongest awakened ones investigate. Compensation has been paid to the families of those who died in the rift ¡®incident.¡¯ ¡°A few government officials raised concerns about our rising failure rates for training teams. I¡¯ve spoken to Fahad, and some personnel will be replaced or removed. However, dealing with those backed by the other four guilds is trickier. For now, we¡¯ve had to halt the capture of the tier 3 ¡®Spatial Snake.¡¯ Steps have been taken to avoid a repeat of the bait-related issues from the previous incident. ¡°Finally, I¡¯ve received word that the family head will arrive in the city within a week. The reason for the visit remains unclear. I¡¯ve notified my informant within the family, but I don¡¯t expect much success in gathering information.¡± As Vishwas spoke, the man in the chair gazed out the window, lightly stroking the small creature''s head. The creature appeared to be asleep, but as the report progressed, the man''s expression shifted: neutral at first, then a slight scowl, followed by disdain, and finally intrigue. When Vishwas finished speaking, he stood silently, awaiting the man¡¯s response. ***********
If you like what you read, please consider supporting the story. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome and can help improve my writing. Chapter 7: Master鈥檚 Commands, Endless Corridors
Vishwas stood still without making any sound while the man sitting on the chair closed his eyes as if in deep thought. Soon the man stopped stroking the small creature¡¯s head, prompting it to open its tiny, glimmering eyes. At that exact moment, Vishwas glanced at the creature, only to find it turning its head to meet his gaze. Instantly, a shudder coursed through his body as an unsettling prickling sensation shot through his mind. The creature¡¯s eyes, pitch black with an intricate swirling white pattern at their centre, seemed to draw him in, like a whirlpool of endless depth. The longer Vishwas stared, the more the prickling sensation intensified, as though invisible tendrils were probing into his thoughts, dissecting his very being. He tried to tear his eyes away, but a suffocating dread held him captive, leaving him rooted to the spot. Suddenly, as if losing interest in Vishwas the creature turned its head toward the man and started to make cute squeaking noises. The man opened his eyes, looked directly into the creature¡¯s gaze without reaction, and smiled faintly. He resumed stroking the creature¡¯s head, and it quickly closed its eyes, content once more. The man¡¯s smile vanished, replaced by a neutral expression. He glanced at Vishwas, who was still trembling slightly. ¡°You know Astra is a soul beast, yet you looked into her eyes. Be glad she recognizes you; otherwise, you¡¯d be dead. And find something to raise your willpower stat. I don¡¯t want to lose a competent subordinate to stupidity.¡± Vishwas lowered his head, embarrassed. He had assigned people to find willpower-boosting items but hadn¡¯t had any luck. The man continued, his voice sharp and commanding. ¡°I don¡¯t care how you do it, but I want that Spatial Snake brought to me within two weeks. I¡¯ve already wasted enough time because I can¡¯t enter that damn tier 2 rift myself. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have to rely on anyone.¡± From a sleek cigar case that was on the table, he picked one and closed it with a metallic snap. Holding the cigar between his thumb and two fingers, he placed it between his lips. A small fire orb flickered at the tip, igniting it. He took a deep puff, exhaled a thick plume of smoke as the flame extinguished, and then spoke again. ¡°Tell Kidwai to oversee the newbie training. I want Laurance to personally handle Team 17¡¯s training. Now, send Laila back in.¡± With that, the man closed his eyes and dismissed Vishwas with a wave of his hand. Vishwas bowed slightly before leaving the conference room. Moments later, Laila entered, her expression calm and unreadable as always. She closed the door behind her, walked to the man¡¯s side, and stood silently. The man exhaled another thick plume of cigar smoke, his eyes still closed. ¡°How''s the progress of Teams 6, 7, and 9?¡± ¡°Team 6 is still inside their assigned tier 3 rift. Team 7 has cleared their assigned tier 3 rift with no casualties but will require two weeks of recuperation before they¡¯re back to full strength. Lastly, team 9 is ready and on standby, awaiting orders,¡± Laila reported, her tone steady as she awaited the man''s instructions. After a moment of contemplation, the man in the chair spoke. ¡°Send Team 9 to outpost 3 to reinforce the defence lines. The governor has requested assistance because recently, a few tier 3 monsters have been spotted there.¡± ¡°Tell Naila to get her strike team ready. Two days later Frost Shroud¡¯s strike team will join ours to clear the area beyond outpost 11. I won¡¯t tolerate any mistakes, so you¡¯ll personally lead our strike team, with Naila as your second in command,¡± the man concluded, waving his hand to dismiss Laila. ¡°Yes, Master,¡± Laila replied. She bowed her head and exited the room. The man took another puff from his cigar, exhaling a thick plume of smoke while gazing out the window once more. The air near his chair flickered, and a black tiger with two curved horns jutting out from the sides of its head emerged from the distortion, stepping silently to his side and stood obediently. ¡°Follow Laila¡¯s team, but don¡¯t get noticed. When you find the opportunity, kill as many of Frost Shroud¡¯s members as possible. Make sure it looks like a random monster attack,¡± the man ordered. The black tiger growled softly before vanishing in a puff of smoke. The man sneered, his thoughts venomous: ¡®Tansh, Tansh, Tansh... Do you think you can play these childish games with me by sending spies or bribing some of my employees? You have no idea what you¡¯re up against. Let me show you what happens to those foolish enough to go against me. And one day, I¡¯ll make you beg for death. But before I crush your neck beneath my foot, I¡¯ll make you witness the complete and utter destruction of everything you hold dear, including your guild and your precious family.¡¯Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Soon his sneer faded: ¡®And that old bastard has unexpectedly decided to come here. Though this meeting was long overdue, I''ll have to be extra cautious from now on. If that wily old fox even senses something amiss, I might not live long enough to make him pay for what he did to me or to reclaim what is rightfully mine.¡¯ ***** Girik wandered the maze¡¯s corridors for what felt like an eternity, encountering more tests along the way and gaining a bunch more perception stat points. But what made Girik concerned and feel somewhat uneasy was that it had been a long time since he¡¯d faced another test. At some point, Girik had started running while trying to find the exit. But, despite constantly running for all this time he wasn¡¯t physically tired, but mentally, he was starting to wear down. Slowly, negative thoughts and a growing sense of foreboding started to creep into his mind. ¡®What if there¡¯s no exit to this maze? What if I¡¯m trapped here forever? Will I die in this place?¡¯ More and more such negative thoughts began to surface, gradually consuming his mind. Girik dropped to the ground, clutching his head, teetering on the verge of a mental breakdown. But once again, the calming wave washed over him, banishing the dark thoughts and restoring his clarity as it had done previously. As Girik¡¯s thoughts cleared and a strange calmness washed over him, a realization struck: What if the maze itself is a test? The longer he thought about it, the more it started to make sense. After all, he was inside a trial, why couldn¡¯t the maze itself be part of it? And, if that were true, then there had to be clues hidden somewhere. In the beginning, Girik had walked through the maze, while carefully examining everything. But after encountering a few dead ends and clearing some tests, he¡¯d decided to run, realizing he wasn¡¯t getting tired. Now, that impulsive decision seemed to have backfired. He might have to retrace his steps all the way back to where he started, but this time, he would need to examine everything thoroughly. But something still didn¡¯t add up. Every test he had cleared so far had one thing in common, nothing was ever as it seemed. If so, then why should this one be any different? Girik steadied himself. All he could do now was trust his instincts. If the maze itself was a test, he would need to figure out how to solve it. And if he was wrong? He could simply resume his search for the exit. Sitting up, Girik took a deep breath to focus his thoughts. ¡®If this maze is a test, then what was the point of those earlier tests? Were they just for free Perception stat points? No. Those points came as rewards for completing the tests. But it¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve faced another one. So... what changed?¡¯ He began to retrace his memories, thinking back to the moment he entered the maze. If there was one thing that stood out, it was his Perception stats increasing after every test. ¡®Hmmm¡­ Could I have met some kind of stat requirement?¡¯ With that thought, Girik opened his status. ___ [Status] Name: Girik Sharma Species: Human Affiliation: None Title: None Tier: 0 Job: None Level: 3 [Attributes] Health: 27/27 Stamina: 19/19 Mana: 18/18 Strength: 21 Magic: 8 Speed: 30 Dexterity: 25 Perception: 92 Toughness: 16 Resistance: 7 Willpower: 13 Free Attribute Points: 15 [Active Skills: Combat Focus (T0)] [Passive Skills: Trained Combatant (T0), Predator''s Instinct (T0), Poison Resistance (T1)] ___ Girik was shocked to see his perception stat sitting at 92. He had been so preoccupied with finding the exit that he had completely forgotten to check his status after he gained the stat points. His gaze lingered for a bit on the high number, but for some odd reason, it felt like something was missing. Girik once more recalled everything, but this time he focused on every minute detail. But, no matter what, he couldn¡¯t find anything that he could confidently say was odd or unusual. Yet that feeling of something missing still lingered in the back of his mind. ¡°Do I need... higher perception than I currently have?¡± Girik murmured, his tone containing hints of uncertainty. Girik still had 15 free attribute points left, and he could raise his perception stat further, but he hesitated slightly. He wanted to improve his other stats to have a higher chance of survival, and his perception stat was already quite high as it was. ¡°Wait! What if I¡¯m missing only a few points in perception to reach the supposed threshold needed to clear this test?¡± This sudden thought gave Girik a brief pause. ¡°But if that¡¯s the reason, why haven¡¯t I encountered any more tests like the ones before? Is it because I still have free attribute points?¡± Girik was stumped. Was it really what he was thinking, or was he missing something? For some reason, the more Girik thought, the more he felt that he was missing something. So he checked his status one more time while he tried to recall everything he had done since the last test he cleared. For the most part, he did nothing other than keep running forward or backtracking when finding a dead-end, marking the dead-end and then continuing to move towards a new corridor. Nothing in particular stood out to him. ¡°If I need more perception, then all I can do is put all the remaining free attribute points into perception and equip the kukri, which also gives me perception stats,¡± Girik murmured to himself as he pulled the kukri from its sheath and wielded it. The kukri¡¯s stat boost came into effect, and Girik¡¯s perception stat increased to 100. Just as he was about to allocate the free attribute points into perception, he noticed some very fine lines on the wall before him. Girik moved toward the wall and focused on the lines, as he had not seen anything like them before. While he was examining the lines, he noticed very faint traces of mana running through them. It was almost imperceptible, but he was sure that mana was emanating from those lines. But then why didn¡¯t he feel any mana when he touched the walls before, while he was not wearing the gloves? Was it because his perception stat was not high enough at that time, but it was now? Girik lowered his head and noticed that he was still holding the kukri. An idea struck him, and he sheathed the kukri. The moment he did that, the already barely visible lines and the very faint traces of mana vanished, as if everything before was just an illusion. He once more equipped the kukri and was once again able to perceive the lines and mana as before. ¡®So I needed 100 in perception stat to even notice these lines and the mana they emitted, and my perception reached that threshold because the kukri provides +8 to perception while I¡¯m wielding it.¡¯ ***********
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