《Realmshift: The Path of Ascendants》 Chapter 1: A Most Unusual Monday Elijah Merrows had never been the kind of man who savored Monday mornings. But at least, he told himself, the coffee machine in the seventeenth-floor break room was decent. He sipped a steaming latte while leaning against the windowsill, gazing out at the steel-and-glass skyline. ¡°You¡¯re in early, Eli.¡± He glanced over at Nora Reyes, a programmer from one cubicle row over, who wore a quizzical smirk. She carried a paper bag of breakfast pastries. ¡°Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d see you before nine.¡± Elijah shrugged. ¡°Traffic was surprisingly light. Or maybe I just woke up earlier than usual. Couldn¡¯t sleep.¡± He didn¡¯t mention the strange dream that still tugged at the corners of his mind¡ªsomething about glimmering numbers hanging in empty space, and an eerie voice speaking in monotone. It was probably just the result of too many late-night reading binges of fantasy novels. Nora offered him the bag. ¡°Bagel?¡± ¡°Sure, thanks.¡± He took one, grateful for the unexpected snack, and they headed to their respective workstations. The open-plan office was gradually filling with the usual hum of keyboards and chatter. Over by the large screens at the project management station, Vince Anders¡ªjunior dev and self-styled comedic relief¡ªwas already animatedly describing his weekend¡¯s escapades to anyone who would listen. ¡°Dude, I¡¯m telling you,¡± Vince said. ¡°We wiped in a raid at 3 a.m. because our healer¡¯s cat walked on his keyboard¡ª¡± A small crowd chuckled or rolled their eyes. Vince had a knack for comedic timing, but also, Elijah noticed, a diligent streak behind that humor. He wondered sometimes if Vince was performing the clown routine just so people wouldn¡¯t realize how brilliant he actually was at coding. Elijah settled at his desk, idly scanning the early emails. Another day of sifting through cost analyses, design specs, and the occasional marketing misfire that needed input. Nothing unusual. Certainly nothing ominous. The only mild distraction was the flicker of that bizarre dream flitting through his thoughts. ¡°Hey, Elijah.¡± He turned to see his department manager, Sandra Lewis, approach with a calm but firm expression. ¡°Morning, Sandra. Everything okay?¡± She held up a tablet. ¡°Need your help reviewing the new backend architecture. The devs are about to pivot to microservices, and I want a second opinion. Meeting at ten.¡± He nodded. ¡°Sure thing. I¡¯ll finish this email thread first.¡± Sandra gave him an appreciative smile. She was a kind boss¡ªdemanding in all the right ways, rarely losing her cool. One reason he¡¯d stuck with this job despite more lucrative offers had been Sandra¡¯s straightforward leadership style. No illusions, no empty promises. The clock on his screen read 9:47 when another voice joined in. ¡°Yo, guys!¡± It was Gideon Pierce, head of IT security. Tall, broad-shouldered, a former Marine, rumored to have been in some highly classified operations. He had the air of someone who¡¯d seen more than a few corners of the world. ¡°Anyone else¡¯s monitors flickering?¡± Nora leaned in from her desk. ¡°Yeah, mine did that for a second. Didn¡¯t think much of it.¡± Elijah frowned at his screen. Everything seemed normal, but the faint lines in the corner blinked for just a moment, and he caught sight of something: System Initialization: 0.0003%¡­ He blinked, rubbed his eyes, and the words vanished. Maybe he was just seeing spots. Dreams mixing with reality. ¡°All right,¡± Sandra called out, tapping her watch. ¡°Whoever¡¯s in the meeting with me¡ªlet¡¯s go. The rest, keep an eye on your monitors. I¡¯ll call the building maintenance if it gets worse.¡± Elijah took a moment to log out and close up. He never liked leaving programs half-finished. Good practice, good habit. As he stood to follow Sandra, he felt the floor vibrate underfoot. It was gentle enough that most people might miss it¡ªbut not Gideon. The former Marine went rigid, scanning the office. ¡°What was that?¡± Gideon asked, voice flat. Nora set down her mug. ¡°Felt like a tremor?¡± ¡°Couldn¡¯t be an earthquake,¡± Vince interjected. ¡°We don¡¯t get those around here.¡± But the floor pulsed again, more insistent this time. The overhead lights flickered. Elijah¡¯s blood turned cold as the entire office went dark, leaving only the glow from tall windows. People froze, uncertain murmurs rippling. Then the lights flashed back on, bright enough to sting their eyes. In that stinging brilliance, something impossible happened. The entire seventeenth floor changed¡ªcubicles, desks, and screens dissolved like illusions. The glass windows melted into swirling motes of dust. Elijah¡¯s breath caught in his throat. He tried to speak, but no words came. When the brightness receded, he found himself not in an office tower, but in a wide, circular courtyard of polished gray stone. Walls rose on all sides, forming what looked like a grand coliseum. High above, the sky was cracked in swirling patterns of purple and gold, like the aurora on a cosmic scale. A hush fell over a hundred people standing in that courtyard¡ªcolleagues from different floors, security guards, even a handful of visitors who¡¯d likely been in the lobby moments earlier. People looked at one another with shock, confusion, and rising fear. Sandra was by Elijah¡¯s side, eyes narrowed. Gideon stood a few steps off, fists balled. Vince had stumbled to his knees, mouth half open, gawking at the sky. Nora wobbled unsteadily, pressed a hand to Elijah¡¯s shoulder for balance. Then a voice, serene and ringing like a bell, echoed through the coliseum: ¡°Greetings, Initiates. Your world is in the process of integration. Please remain calm while The System finalizes activation.¡± All gazes shot up. At the top of the coliseum¡¯s walls was a shimmering silhouette, humanoid but impossible to focus on¡ªeach glance slid off its glowing outline. ¡°What¡­ on Earth is that?¡± Vince muttered. Gideon didn¡¯t let the shock paralyze him. ¡°Stay together, people!¡± he barked, stepping into a more open area. ¡°Form up¡ªno one wander off alone.¡± Elijah found himself edging closer to Gideon and Sandra. Their presence, steady and clear-eyed, helped quell the initial panic rising in his chest. Others drifted near as well, including Nora, who wore a determined scowl. ¡°Tutorial Phase: Initial Combat Assessment.¡± With no warning, the air near the far side of the courtyard shimmered. A swirling portal tore open, crackling with arcs of red energy. Through it emerged a half-dozen creatures shaped vaguely like canines, except each stood a head taller than an adult man. Their skin was scaly, cracked with lava-like lines that glowed orange, and their jaws bristled with jagged black teeth. In a surge of panic, the crowd scattered¡ªsome pressed back against the walls, others darted to the center. Elijah¡¯s heart pounded so fiercely he thought it would burst. The monstrous beasts snarled, drool sizzling on the stone floor as it fell. One of them howled and bounded toward a security guard¡ªThomas, from the night shift, who was usually posted in the building¡¯s lobby. He raised his baton out of reflex. The beast swiped with a clawed paw, and Thomas was sent skidding across the courtyard. A chorus of screams followed. Gideon sprinted forward with surprising speed, drawing the standard-issue pistol from his waistband. He must have been armed on the job today, Elijah realized. Gideon fired three times¡ªshots that rang out in the unnatural hush. Bullets struck the lead monster, but only one seemed to leave a mark, lodging in its thick hide. ¡°Fall back!¡± Gideon yelled to the rest. ¡°Find something to use as a weapon¡ªstones, anything!¡± But the courtyard was nearly barren, and the illusions of their old office provided no helpful metal tools. Fear spiked. Elijah felt a flash of frustration, that hopeless sense of being unarmed in a fight he didn¡¯t understand.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. A second beast lunged. It soared over Gideon¡¯s line of fire and slammed into a group of employees near the wall. Misha, an accountant, managed to roll aside, but the jaws closed on a hapless bystander with horrifying speed. The crowd recoiled as blood splattered across the stone. A wave of nausea hit Elijah. We can¡¯t beat these things. Then, as if in direct response to his despair, lines of text glimmered in Elijah¡¯s vision. He blinked, tears welling involuntarily from shock. System Initialization 25% Assign Class? [Y/N] A new wave of roars snapped him out of it. ¡°What the¡ª?!¡± he stuttered. But there was no time to question. The system prompt was overshadowed by real, mortal danger. ¡°Move, Merrows!¡± Gideon shouted, targeting another beast with measured shots. The massive hound snarled as two bullets tore into its side. It stumbled, but that only seemed to enrage it. I can¡¯t just stand here. Elijah¡¯s mind spun. If there really was some sort of bizarre ¡®System¡¯ happening, maybe that prompt meant¡­ power, or at least a chance to defend himself. He willed the answer: ¡°Yes. Yes, do it!¡± The lines of text flowed again: Class Chosen: [Strider (Basic)] Skill Gained: [Identify (Inferior)] Skill Gained: [Enhanced Mobility (Inferior)] Stat Allocation Unlocked He nearly stumbled as a jolt of warmth coursed through his limbs. The next instant, a slender spectral bow appeared in his right hand¡ªits form flickering in and out of existence. The sight of it wavered like a hologram, but when he gripped the handle, it was solid. The faint shape of an arrow notched itself. ¡°What¡­ is this?¡± he whispered hoarsely. No time to second-guess. One of the beasts barreled straight at him. Adrenaline roared in his veins, and he tugged the bowstring in a reflex he never realized he had. Light coalesced into an arrow. Letting the string go, the arrow streaked forward, striking the monster¡¯s shoulder. It yelped, staggering, but continued its charge. Elijah dove aside¡ªsmooth, fast. Too fast for what his body should have been capable of. He tumbled across the stone and got back to his feet with only a slight bruise. The creature skidded, tail whipping violently. ¡°Vince!¡± he yelled, spotting the programmer cowering behind Gideon. ¡°Try to see if you got a class prompt, do something!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Vince whimpered, fumbling at the emptiness in front of him. Elijah snapped his gaze toward Sandra, who was helping Misha pull an injured coworker away from another bloodied region. ¡°Sandra, watch out!¡± A third beast sprinted across the courtyard, heading for her. In the background, Gideon¡¯s gunshots thundered again, hitting a target, but there were too many monstrous canines. Elijah¡¯s free hand curled into a fist. Another glowing arrow formed on the bowstring. He released it. This time, the arrow lodged right in the beast¡¯s flank, flaring bright. The creature let out a guttural snarl, losing momentum. That gave Sandra a precious second to drag the wounded colleague behind Gideon¡¯s line of fire. Gideon quickly switched aim, drilling two rounds into the beast¡¯s neck. It collapsed at last. A rattling hiss echoed behind Elijah¡ªa different monster, bleeding from bullet wounds, advanced slowly on him. Its eyes flickered with a primal anger. Elijah¡¯s throat felt dry as a desert. Identify, he thought, unsure how it worked. [Lesser Hellhound ¨C Level 3] Status: Injured His heart hammered. Level 3. A label that meant as much as Greek to him right now, but it still sounded formidable. The hound lunged. Elijah pivoted, calling upon that fleeting sense of speed in his legs. He hopped back, nocking another spectral arrow. ¡°Eat this,¡± he muttered, more out of terror than bravado. The arrow soared, piercing the hound¡¯s eye. In a disgusting lurch, it twitched and fell forward with a final, rasping moan. A numbness spread in Elijah¡¯s arms. He¡¯d¡­ killed something. A living, breathing creature. The horror of it made him shake, but the thought of letting it kill him or his friends settled heavily in his mind. No time to weigh morality. By now, the entire courtyard was in chaos. Some employees had discovered similar abilities¡ªNora stood near Vince, a swirling sphere of wind dancing around her arms as she tried to fend off a smaller hound. Gideon had run out of bullets, but he was wrestling a wounded beast with raw strength, his face flushed with fury. Elijah turned, scanning for Sandra. He spotted her kneeling behind a chunk of broken stone with two trembling staff members, applying pressure to the wounds of the colleague who¡¯d been mauled. In total, there had been six beasts. Elijah counted at least four lying still. The last two were prowling, scanning for openings. Their thick tails lashed the air. One set its glowing eyes on a cluster of terrified newcomers. Elijah recognized them: a couple from accounting, an intern, and one of the part-time receptionists. They held no weapons. None had discovered a new power yet. Elijah could practically taste the fear saturating the air. He hissed under his breath, notched an arrow of light, and sprinted across the courtyard¡¯s perimeter. The hound locked onto the group and leapt. ¡°Hey!¡± Elijah shouted, stepping into its path. The arrow left his bow a split-second before the collision. It sliced across the monster¡¯s flank, but not deep enough to stop its momentum. The beast smashed into him. He flew backward, skidding on the ground, his ribs screaming in pain. The bow flickered, nearly vanishing from his grip. Gasping for air, he rolled onto his knees, raising the ephemeral weapon again. The monster spun to face him. Blood dripped from black fangs. There was a savage triumph in its posture¡ªlike it wanted him to know there¡¯d be no second miracle. But the next second, Gideon charged from behind the beast, brandishing what looked like a conjured spear of swirling energy. He plunged it into the hound¡¯s hindleg. It roared, twisting in anguish, and that gave Elijah the precious moment to line up a final arrow. This time, he aimed at the exposed throat. The arrow of light flew true. The monster gargled, stumbling a few feet before collapsing in a steaming heap. The stench of sulfur burned Elijah¡¯s nostrils. Panting, Elijah staggered to his feet. He exchanged a silent nod with Gideon, who let his shimmering spear dissipate. The older man looked battered, blood on his shirt that might have been his or someone else¡¯s. But the immediate threat was over. A hush followed. The survivors stood among the bodies of nightmarish hounds. People sobbed or stared in shock. A few were badly wounded. Others were dead¡ªat least four, from a quick glance. Elijah¡¯s mind threatened to shut down as he registered the sight of motionless coworkers, bright red pooling under them. Without warning, the shimmering silhouette reappeared at the highest point of the coliseum: ¡°Congratulations, Initiates. First Combat Assessment Completed.¡± ¡°Number of Survivors: 93. Commencing Detailed Integration.¡± Elijah felt a deep hum vibrate through the stone. The courtyard rippled, shifting into something else. It was as if the floor dissolved to reveal an enormous swirl of stars beneath them. People scrambled in alarm, but no one fell. The swirl just churned, mesmerizing and terrifying in equal measure. ¡°Please Prepare to Receive Your System Interfaces.¡± Each word hammered a new reality into Elijah¡¯s head. A heavy silence stretched, broken only by whimpers. Then, as though a wave of invisible electricity swept across them, faint geometric symbols etched themselves in the air around every person¡¯s body. Elijah¡¯s vision swam with new lines of text: Name: Elijah Merrows Race: [Human ¨C Level 0] Class: Strider (Basic) Health: 50/70 Stamina: 40/50 Mana: 20/20 Strength: 6 Agility: 10 Endurance: 7 Vitality: 7 Intelligence: 6 Perception: 9 Willpower: 8 Free Points: 5 Skills: It was like his dream had come to life, but far more visceral. He saw a few others staring at the air in front of them, presumably seeing something similar. Nora clutched at Vince¡¯s arm, panting. ¡°This¡­ is real, right? I¡¯m not hallucinating?¡± Vince, drained of color, nodded slowly. ¡°Feels real enough.¡± Gideon hobbled over, cradling a nasty gash on his thigh. The flicker of that conjured spear was gone, but the memory of it was fresh in Elijah¡¯s mind. Sandra approached, face lined with exhaustion and worry. ¡°We need to tend to the wounded,¡± she said softly. ¡°Those with any healing skills, step forward.¡± To their left, a young woman from payroll raised a trembling hand. ¡°I¡­ I got some sort of ¡®Recovery Sigil.¡¯ I think I can help.¡± Elijah exhaled a shaky breath, the tension in his muscles a dull ache. Deadly monsters, floating stats, a cosmic coliseum¡­ and who knew what else was waiting for them? He recalled the final words from that spectral figure: Detailed Integration. This is only the beginning. Although he was battered and shaken, one truth coursed through Elijah¡¯s veins: they had to stand together or risk instant annihilation. Glancing at his co-workers¡ªfriends, neighbors, strangers¡ªhe realized each had found a spark of something deeper to survive these last few minutes. If they could hold onto that glimmer of unity, maybe¡­ maybe there was a path forward. But for now, the day that had begun so ordinarily had become something altogether unimaginable. Elijah braced himself, for beyond the violence and the shock, something told him that the System¡ªwhatever it truly was¡ªwould demand far more from them than a single desperate skirmish. And with that unspoken fear came the stirring of resolve. Chapter 2 Elijah Merrows knelt on the cold stone, trying to regulate his ragged breathing as the swirling symbols vanished from his vision. His heart thundered, and sweat dripped into his eyes. Around him, the bodies of monstrous hounds and a handful of fallen coworkers lay in a stark tableau of carnage. The swirling starfield beneath the courtyard floor began to fade, revealing a return to a smooth, obsidian-like surface. A hush settled over the survivors¡ªthough that hush was punctured by scattered sobs, low moans of pain, and the shallow gasps of the injured. Gideon Pierce, favoring his blood-streaked thigh, surveyed the group. He took a few hobbling steps before planting his foot and steadying himself. ¡°We need to figure out if there¡¯s more of those creatures coming.¡± His voice was tense but oddly composed, as though he were already shifting into a crisis-management mindset. Sandra Lewis looked over from where she was crouched beside a wounded coworker¡ªa programmer named Rohan, who¡¯d been slashed across the chest. ¡°Nora,¡± Sandra called softly, ¡°did you say you got something about healing magic?¡± Nora Reyes trembled, hugging her arms to her chest. ¡°N-not exactly. It¡¯s more like ¡®Wind Manifestation.¡¯ I can do a kind of barrier or push things, but it won¡¯t heal him.¡± Meanwhile, a timid voice emerged from the rear. ¡°I have a skill¡­ Recovery Sigil.¡± The young woman stepped forward, biting her lip. Her nametag¡ªstill pinned to a torn blouse¡ªread Lauren. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m not sure how it works, but I can try.¡± Elijah found himself strangely calm, adrenaline still coursing but mind laser-focused. ¡°Lauren, give it a shot. See if it can at least stop the bleeding.¡± He remembered how she¡¯d timidly raised her hand at the end of the fight. Right now, she might be their best hope for saving lives. Lauren set her palms over Rohan¡¯s wound. A faint green glow pulsed through her fingertips, swirling into a pattern of geometric lines. Her face went taut with concentration. For a moment, nothing happened¡ªthen Rohan coughed, exhaling in a ragged breath, and the bleeding visibly slowed. Sandra let out a relieved sigh and gently helped hold Rohan steady. ¡°That¡¯s it. Keep going.¡± Across the courtyard, Gideon crouched next to the remains of one of the monstrous hounds. Elijah watched him, half horrified, half curious, as Gideon used the butt of his pistol to nudge at its tough hide. The bullet casings near the body told the story of the lethal dance that had ended the creature¡¯s life. ¡°What are you looking for?¡± Elijah asked as he approached, still clutching the spectral bow in one hand. Its form flickered whenever he lost focus, like it might vanish at any moment. Gideon frowned at the dead monster. ¡°Weak points. Maybe something we can salvage.¡± He glanced up. ¡°Might need resources¡ªclaws, hide. Sounds grotesque, I know, but if we¡¯re stuck wherever the hell this is, we might need every edge we can get. Armor, weapons¡­ anything.¡± Elijah gave a slight nod, scanning the ring of survivors around them. ¡°We should probably do a head count.¡± His throat felt tight; the image of coworkers lying motionless on the ground gnawed at him. ¡°And see if everyone else got those messages about their classes and skills.¡± Gideon exhaled and stood, wincing at his thigh. ¡°Right. Let¡¯s gather them up.¡± They returned to the center. Despite the surreal transformation of the coliseum, the crowd seemed no closer to an explanation. When Gideon cleared his throat, the chatter subsided. People instinctively turned toward him and Sandra, as though they were the twin pillars of leadership here¡ªGideon with his direct, authoritative presence, Sandra with her calm practicality. ¡°All right,¡± Gideon said, his voice carrying over the uneasy group. ¡°If you¡¯re not injured, check on someone who is.¡± He gestured to the far side. ¡°Lauren is doing what she can with that healing skill. If you have anything similar, speak up.¡± A tall man with thick-rimmed glasses raised a hand. ¡°Um, I¡¯m Harold. I just got¡­ I think it¡¯s called ¡®Purification Light¡¯? No idea if it heals wounds, but I can try.¡± Sandra nodded. ¡°You do that. Anyone else? Let¡¯s see all of your skill windows or descriptions, if possible. We need to figure out who can do what.¡± Slowly, about twenty or so individuals stepped forward¡ªeither with some kind of healing or support skills, or at least something that might help treat the wounded. The rest milled about, looking lost. Some were visibly in shock, trembling or hugging themselves. Nora drifted from group to group, trying to offer comfort. Elijah caught Vince Anders¡¯s eye. The younger man was hunched over, staring at something invisible that probably only he could see¡ªhis System interface. ¡°Vince,¡± Elijah said softly, ¡°you holding up?¡± ¡°I¡­ yeah. I mean¡­¡± He looked up, eyes haunted. ¡°I got a skill called ¡®Arc Surge.¡¯ Used it once near the end of the fight, but it fizzled. Didn¡¯t do anything. My class is apparently ¡®Sparkslinger¡¯? I didn¡¯t even choose it¡ªI just pressed something.¡± He swallowed thickly. ¡°Everyone¡¯s so calm. But we just¡­ we just lost Dave, and Carmen, and those new interns¡­¡± Elijah placed a hand on Vince¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I know. It¡¯s going to hit all of us eventually. But we need each other right now.¡± He didn¡¯t know what else to say, so he squeezed Vince¡¯s shoulder once and moved on, the emptiness in his chest growing. Meanwhile, Gideon and Sandra formed a loose circle with around fifteen of the less-injured survivors. ¡°We have to figure out if this place is stable or if we¡¯re about to be jumped by more¡­ hellhounds,¡± Sandra said. ¡°Does anyone see an exit or a door?¡± Elijah glanced around. The smooth, high walls of the coliseum were unbroken except for one enormous stone gate carved with strange runes. Above it hung a shimmering icon¡ªsome symbol reminiscent of a lock or crest. ¡°That gate seems like the only way out,¡± he noted. A few nods. ¡°We could try it,¡± Gideon mused. ¡°But the moment we open it, who knows what else is on the other side.¡± At that, the same metallic, echoing voice from earlier resonated through the courtyard: ¡°Tutorial Stage One: Adaptive Coliseum. Time until Next Assessment: 03:59:46.¡± A hush fell. The survivors exchanged anxious looks. ¡°Next assessment,¡± Elijah said under his breath, recalling how the last ¡®assessment¡¯ had introduced the lethal hounds. ¡°We might not want to just sit here for four hours waiting to get ambushed again.¡± Gideon¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Agreed.¡± ¡°We should gather up anything usable,¡± Sandra said. ¡°And see if that gate opens from this side.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s do it carefully,¡± Gideon added. ¡°If it¡¯s locked, we regroup. If it¡¯s not locked, we proceed with caution. We move as a unit.¡± A small group volunteered to help with the gate. Elijah went along, bow in hand, though he still felt a pang of guilt for leaving the wounded behind. But he had little healing power beyond moral support. Meanwhile, Nora, Vince, and a handful of others were scouring the coliseum floor for anything that might serve as supplies. Crossing the courtyard, Elijah was struck by how alien the environment felt. The air itself seemed faintly charged, as if the tutorial was a living construct watching them. He touched the swirling runes on the massive gate¡¯s surface. Cool stone under his fingertips. Up close, he realized the gate stood at least three stories tall, an architectural marvel. ¡°Anyone see a handle?¡± muttered Oscar, a wiry custodian whose wide eyes flicked over the engraved design. Gideon reached to push at the gate¡¯s seam. Muscles in his broad arms strained, but the gate didn¡¯t budge. Sandra tried pressing on a rune. Nothing happened. Then a flicker of text appeared in Elijah¡¯s vision: You are attempting to exit Stage One. Requirements not met. Collective Party Level average must be ¡Ý 2 OR Puzzle Sequence completed. He turned to the others. ¡°It¡¯s giving me a message. Says we can¡¯t leave unless the average party level is two or we complete some puzzle sequence.¡± He hesitated. ¡°That means the door¡¯s effectively locked for now.¡± ¡°Puzzle sequence?¡± Sandra repeated. ¡°Anyone see a puzzle around here?¡± They all looked back. The coliseum floor was mostly featureless aside from the swirling star patterns that had reappeared in faint ribbons. The only distinct shapes were the runic carvings on the walls. Gideon nodded grimly. ¡°So it¡¯s either figure out a puzzle or level up. And leveling probably means fighting more beasts.¡± Elijah exhaled softly. ¡°We can¡¯t handle any big fight until we¡¯ve regrouped and stabilized the wounded.¡± He glanced at Gideon¡¯s leg. The man was still limping. From behind them, a small commotion rippled as Nora rushed over, beckoning. ¡°Hey, guys. We found something weird.¡± She led them to one of the coliseum¡¯s arcs, where a series of etched symbols glowed faintly in the stone floor. It formed a rough circle about ten feet across. Inside lay a shallow depression like a platform. Nora frowned. ¡°I tried stepping on it. These symbols lit up for a second. Vince tried it too, and it started showing random shapes above the floor, almost like holograms. Then it just vanished.¡± Elijah recalled the text from his interface: Puzzle Sequence completed. This had puzzle written all over it. ¡°Maybe this is the puzzle we need to solve to unlock the gate.¡± Gideon pressed his lips together, clearly not enthusiastic. But he stepped forward, carefully placing one foot on the platform. The etched lines brightened, forming swirling patterns that rose into the air. Suddenly, the shapes coalesced into a translucent ring, floating just above Gideon¡¯s head. A second ring of similar glyphs appeared around Elijah¡¯s body, even though he wasn¡¯t inside the circle. Then more rings flickered to life around Sandra, Nora, and several others in proximity. The words Synchronized Link Attempt shimmered in everyone¡¯s field of vision. Vince, standing behind Nora, let out a low whistle. ¡°I feel¡­ something. Like a pulse or¡ª¡± The swirling symbols suddenly rearranged themselves, snapping into geometric alignments. And then, just as abruptly, they blinked out. Gideon grimaced and stepped off. ¡°Didn¡¯t do anything but flash at us.¡± Sandra stared at her own interface window. ¡°Could it be that we need a certain combination of classes or a certain number of us on there at once?¡± ¡°It might also be tied to a level requirement,¡± Elijah hypothesized. ¡°Or maybe we each have to do something while on the platform.¡± A tight silence followed. They were all amateurs in this bizarre labyrinth. Gathering puzzle clues felt like a needle-in-a-haystack scenario.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°I suggest we refocus on survival for the moment,¡± Gideon said at length. ¡°We should set up a perimeter, see if we can harvest anything from those beasts, confirm who¡¯s alive, and bury the dead.¡± He swallowed hard, that last part hitting him heavily. ¡°If we can¡¯t solve the puzzle right away, we might need to get stronger. Or at least heal up and figure out how to combine our skills effectively.¡± No one argued. Despite the flicker of frustration, the logic was sound. They had about four hours until the next wave of horrors descended, if the timer was accurate. And maybe they could earn experience points by defeating smaller foes if that next wave was less lethal. They returned to the main group, where Lauren¡¯s Recovery Sigil had stabilized Rohan, though he was still weak and groggy. Several other injured survivors had been treated by Harold¡¯s Purification Light. It wasn¡¯t miraculous, but it stopped infections and seemed to hasten natural healing. Elijah scanned the huddled employees. Counting heads, he arrived at 93 survivors. The coliseum had started with closer to a hundred. That cold, brutal difference weighed on them all. He approached Sandra, who cradled her own bruised arm. ¡°You doing okay?¡± She managed a tired smile. ¡°I¡¯ll manage. Just need a few minutes. Any luck with the gate?¡± Elijah shook his head. ¡°We found a puzzle platform. Doesn¡¯t seem solvable yet. The door is locked behind a level requirement or that puzzle. Gideon wants us to regroup, gather resources, and prepare for the next wave of monsters.¡± Sandra looked over at Gideon, who was overseeing a few volunteers near the carcasses of the hounds. He offered them a curt nod. ¡°We¡¯re short on time, so we better split tasks quickly,¡± Sandra said. They formed a makeshift command center at the coliseum¡¯s center. A half-ring of uninjured or lightly injured staff gathered: Elijah quickly realized how desperately they were improvising. Office employees and security personnel thrust into a survival scenario¡ªno real chain of command, no gear beyond conjured weapons or half-baked spells. But it was all they had. The next hour passed in tense, hurried activity. Elijah patrolled the coliseum perimeter, bow in hand, while Gideon worked with his salvage team. The monstrous hounds¡¯ hides were thick and tough; prying them apart required serious muscle. Their claws, on the other hand, snapped free with relative ease. One coworker speculated the claws might be shaped into crude daggers. Another tried to peel off a layer of hide to use as a shield. Meanwhile, Nora and Vince found more cryptic etchings along the curved walls¡ªnothing obviously puzzle-like, just more swirling designs. Vince was hunched over them like they were code he could debug. Elijah circled around to check on them. ¡°Any breakthroughs?¡± Vince shook his head, frustration etched on his face. ¡°They don¡¯t respond to a manual touch or random skill usage. I tried channeling my ¡®Arc Surge¡¯ into one, but no effect.¡± Nora offered a small shrug. ¡°We might be missing a key. Or maybe the puzzle platform is the actual key, and these are just set dressing.¡± Elijah gave a curt nod. ¡°Okay. Keep an eye out. We have about three hours until the next wave¡­¡± Just then, a clang from Gideon¡¯s direction drew Elijah¡¯s attention. Gideon, hooking a large claw from the beast¡¯s paw, held it aloft. ¡°Almost looks like obsidian,¡± Gideon remarked. ¡°But it¡¯s light. And it¡¯s got a wicked edge.¡± He turned to Elijah with a grim sort of satisfaction. ¡°Might be we can rig a few of these into actual weapons. No point letting them rot.¡± Elijah felt a small spark of hope. ¡°Better than our bare hands, for sure.¡± By the time they¡¯d collected claws, hide strips, and even some rough bone fragments, the group was sweaty, dirty, and exhausted. The courtyard stank of metallic blood and the pungent odor of the beasts. But at least they had a potential array of tools¡ªcrude, but possibly life-saving. Sandra helped distribute these among those who lacked any offensive skill or conjurable weapon. ¡°Maybe we can even attach the claws to a pole or rod¡ªlike a spear,¡± she suggested, eyeing a length of broken stone that could serve as a makeshift staff. The thought of turning a chunk of staff lounge furniture (or what used to be a desk leg, possibly) into a medieval spear would have been laughable yesterday. Now, it felt like a necessity. As the second hour ticked away, Lauren managed to get a few people back on their feet with her Recovery Sigil. Morale rose slightly when Rohan¡ªwho¡¯d been in dire condition¡ªstood up with assistance, thanking her profusely. Harold also discovered that his Purification Light could kill off minor infections or poison if they were fresh, which might save lives later. Another woman named Brittany realized she had a skill called Fortifying Song, though singing in front of everyone made her blush fiercely. Despite her embarrassment, those who heard the tune felt a gentle surge of stamina. Elijah couldn¡¯t help feeling a flicker of admiration¡ªand relief. They had synergy: healing, buffing, new weapons. If they could keep it together, maybe they¡¯d survive. At least the next wave. But a heaviness still pressed on him. He hadn¡¯t forgotten the systematic brutality of that first fight. It had ripped away the veneer of normality in a heartbeat. He found a moment¡¯s quiet near the puzzle platform, watching the swirling lines in the floor. The ephemeral bow, still flickering at his side, was a constant reminder of his new reality. He didn¡¯t even know how many arrows he could conjure, or if leveling up might unlock new abilities. The System¡¯s logic was a mystery. Nora approached, hair matted with sweat. ¡°Hey. You look lost in thought.¡± Elijah exhaled slowly. ¡°Yeah. Just¡­ trying to get a handle on all this.¡± He paused. ¡°Did you, uh, open your status screen? I¡¯m still at level zero¡ªapparently kills or ¡®contributions¡¯ net experience. I guess I didn¡¯t get that last hit on more than one hound.¡± Nora nodded. ¡°The one I hit with wind bolts was already half-dead from bullets. The kill credit must¡¯ve gone elsewhere. I¡¯m level zero too. Vince says he¡¯s close to leveling, though, so maybe we¡¯re sharing experience in unpredictable ways.¡± Elijah forced a faint smile. ¡°We¡¯ll figure it out.¡± She gestured at his bow. ¡°You were¡­ pretty impressive. I had no idea you could shoot like that.¡± Elijah shook his head, fighting the swirl of guilt and pride. ¡°Never used a bow in my life.¡± The ghostly weapon in his hand was more the System¡¯s doing than his own skill. But if it helped them survive, he¡¯d learn quickly. Time marched on. Around the three-hour mark¡ªless than an hour until the next scheduled ¡®Assessment¡¯¡ªElijah and Sandra called everyone to gather in the center again. Gideon, leaning on a makeshift crutch, joined them, bruised but determined. ¡°All right,¡± Sandra announced, voice ringing across the courtyard. ¡°We can¡¯t solve the puzzle yet, so we¡¯re focusing on fighting whatever might come next. We have some healing and a few new weapons. If we can survive, we might push to level up enough to exit. If anyone cracks the puzzle in time, fantastic. Otherwise, get ready.¡± The tension was palpable. People murmured anxiously, stealing glances at the place where the red portal had first appeared. Elijah raised his voice, hoping it wouldn¡¯t shake. ¡°Stick together in teams, watch each other¡¯s backs. If you have a ranged skill, link up with someone who can keep you safe if anything lunges.¡± Nora, Vince, and a few others who discovered ranged magic nodded. Gideon and the stronger melee fighters spread out in a protective formation around them. A faint hum filled the air, exactly as it had before the initial hellhounds emerged. A hush fell over the group. Lauren and Harold clutched each other, ready to cast their healing lights. Brittany quietly began humming a note from her Fortifying Song. The hum crescendoed. Overhead, the swirling sky flickered with arcs of lightning, and multiple red portals blossomed around the coliseum¡¯s perimeter. No one needed an order. They braced, hearts pounding, weapons raised. But the shapes emerging weren¡¯t monstrous hounds. Instead, a half-dozen humanoid silhouettes stepped through each portal. Eighteen or so total. They stood on two feet, each brandishing some battered weapon¡ªspears, swords, axes. They had furred, canine-like heads and digitigrade legs. Someone gasped. ¡°Wolf-people?¡± One of the creatures pointed a jagged spear toward the humans, barking something in a language that resonated oddly in Elijah¡¯s ears. Then, that metallic voice from the System: ¡°Second Combat Assessment: Gnoll Raiders.¡± The pack of gnolls snarled in unison, forming a line as they advanced. ¡°Hold positions!¡± Gideon barked, supporting himself on that improvised crutch. ¡°Don¡¯t let them isolate you!¡± Elijah¡¯s hand tightened on his bowstring, conjuring an arrow of pale light. He took aim at the lead gnoll, the one with the spear, letting his breath settle. His heart drummed faster, but the memory of the first fight steadied him. We can do this. The spear-wielding gnoll let out a guttural war cry, and the pack charged. Elijah exhaled and loosed his arrow. It flashed across the courtyard and nailed the spear-gnoll in the shoulder. With a yelp, the creature stumbled, but only for a beat before it pressed on, savage determination lighting its eyes. Shots of swirling wind from Nora whipped the air. Vince, shaking with adrenaline, summoned a bolt of electricity that lashed at two gnolls, making them stagger. The melee line¡ªled by Gideon, hobbling but resolute¡ªmet the brunt of the assault with half-formed claws lashed to rods and battered pieces of hide as shields. Sandra sidestepped a gnoll¡¯s overhead swing and slammed a metal pipe into its ribs. Another staffer followed up with a desperate slash, hooking the gnoll¡¯s hamstring. It yelped, collapsing. Elijah drew another arrow, scanning for an opening. At the corner of his eye, he saw a gnoll leap over an improvised barricade, heading for the smaller cluster of unarmed staff. No you don¡¯t. He loosed a shot that caught it in the back. The beast stumbled, shrieking, then Gideon lunged to finish it off with a savage stab from a hound claw-knife. Blood spattered the stone. The gnolls fought with cunning, trying to flank or corner the humans. But the group had learned from the first encounter. They stayed in rough formation, watching for each other. A gnoll with a rusted axe cornered Brittany, who was too terrified to keep singing. She raised her hands, frantic. Elijah tried to pivot, but a second gnoll blocked his line of fire. Before he could blink, a figure darted in¡ªNora, whirling with a blade she¡¯d taken from salvage. She slashed the gnoll¡¯s arm, wind swirling around her like a shield. It stumbled, giving Brittany time to scramble away. The fight raged. Ranged bolts and arrows flickered overhead. Gnolls hissed and snarled. The humans shouted warnings, forging a chaotic dance that echoed off the coliseum walls. Elijah found a narrow opening again, loosing shot after shot at the wounded gnolls. His chest ached, breath ragged, but each arrow that found a target bolstered his determination. The System¡¯s influence seemed to guide him, letting him move with an agility that felt impossible mere hours ago. One gnoll broke from the pack and charged Elijah directly, murder in its eyes. He fired an arrow that grazed its torso, but it powered through. He leapt back, heart hammering. The gnoll swung a crude sword. Elijah ducked low, nearly dropping his bow. ¡°Over here!¡± came a shout. Vince, hands crackling with electricity, flung a bolt at the gnoll. The creature¡¯s muscles spasmed, giving Elijah the chance to notch an arrow and fire point-blank into its chest. The gnoll sank to its knees, eyes glazing over, then slumped. After what felt like an eternity, the final gnoll fell beneath Gideon¡¯s improvised spear. The courtyard rang with heavy breathing and the moans of the wounded. But compared to the first battle, they¡¯d held formation¡ªand it had made all the difference. Elijah staggered, adrenaline still roaring through him. He saw Sandra pressing a hand against a bleeding cut on her side but standing tall. Gideon nearly collapsed, caught by a coworker before hitting the ground. The few gnolls who still had life in them coughed and growled on the floor. One tried to crawl away, dragging a snapped spear. Gideon, teeth gritted, ended its struggle with a decisive thrust. Then, in that exhausted hush, a chiming tone resounded through each survivor¡¯s mind: ¡°Second Assessment Complete. 93 Initiates remain. Collective Experience Distributed.¡± ¡°Level Up!¡± Elijah¡¯s eyes widened as a surge of warmth rushed through his body. A transparent window appeared before him: Name: Elijah Merrows Race: [Human ¨C Level 0 ¡ú 1] Class: Strider (Basic) Health: 65/70 Mana: 20/20 Stamina: 35/50 Level Up! Attribute Points Gained: 5 Current Free Points: 10 Achievement Unlocked: [First of Many] Reward: Minor increase in base stats, +1 skill slot A faint radiance glowed around his limbs. He heard exclamations from the others, presumably seeing their own level-up notifications. A few even whooped in relief. Gasping for breath, Elijah shared a weary grin with Vince, who managed a shaky thumbs-up. Maybe they¡¯d inched closer to the average level needed to unlock the gate. And in the corner of the courtyard, the puzzle platform shimmered faintly again, as though reacting to their growth. The next steps of the tutorial loomed, but for the first time, a spark of real hope blazed in the battered hearts of those who still stood. Because they had survived again¡ªand grown stronger in the process. Chapter 3 The aftermath of the gnoll assault left everyone in a jumbled mix of fatigue and relief. For a long, drawn-out moment, no one spoke. Bodies¡ªboth gnoll and human¡ªlittered the smooth coliseum floor, and the tang of blood hung thick in the still air. Despite the carnage, there was a new undercurrent among the survivors: they had weathered another storm, and unlike the first battle, fewer of their own lay still. Elijah Merrows couldn¡¯t ignore the flashes of notifications hovering at the corner of his vision, but all that felt secondary to the very real, very human cries of the wounded. For the second time in a handful of hours, triage zones popped up along the courtyard edges¡ªspotty, improvised, but essential. Lauren, her eyes puffy from tears, worked her Recovery Sigil on a severely slashed coworker, while Harold¡¯s Purification Light flickered in calm pulses around another. A half-dozen people huddled nearby, waiting to be treated or offering shaky help where they could. Elijah wiped sweat from his brow, ignoring the dull throb in his side. ¡°Check if we have any critical injuries,¡± he said to a cluster of exhausted volunteers. ¡°If it¡¯s just minor, let¡¯s keep them stable until Lauren and Harold can get to them.¡± He spotted Sandra Lewis kneeling by Misha, who¡¯d taken an axe to the arm. Sandra applied pressure with a piece of cloth cut from a dead gnoll¡¯s ragged tunic. Blood seeped through, but it wasn¡¯t gushing. ¡°Hang in there,¡± Sandra urged, voice steady. ¡°Lauren will be here soon.¡± Misha nodded, grimacing. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m okay, just¡­ it hurts.¡± A few steps away, Gideon Pierce stood, panting, balancing on that improvised crutch of his. Next to him, a battered coworker gripped an equally battered gnoll spear. Gideon gave the man an approving nod. ¡°Keep that close. We don¡¯t know if there¡¯s a third wave coming soon or if we have time to breathe.¡± Elijah couldn¡¯t help scanning the coliseum walls again. The star-flecked sky overhead remained calm for now. ¡°The System said something about distributing experience,¡± he murmured as he joined Gideon. ¡°I definitely leveled up. You?¡± Gideon nodded. ¡°Level one. Hardly a cause for celebration, but it¡¯s something.¡± From the corner of his eye, Elijah saw Vince Anders approach. The younger man¡¯s hair was matted to his forehead, and scorch marks singed the front of his shirt¡ªlikely from some magical feedback or near-miss. Still, Vince¡¯s eyes held a shaky excitement. ¡°I hit level one too,¡± he said, exhaling a ragged laugh. ¡°This is so messed up, but¡­ I feel stronger.¡± Gideon placed a reassuring hand on Vince¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Use that. We have to keep each other alive.¡± A hush fell over them as they noticed movement at the puzzle platform. Slowly, a faint glow had begun swirling again in the carved floor etchings¡ªsimilar to the effect from before, but more vibrant. ¡°Hey,¡± came Nora¡¯s voice from behind them. She, too, was blood-spattered but largely unhurt. ¡°The puzzle thing is lighting up again. Maybe we can make progress now that so many people have leveled?¡± Elijah glanced around at the wounded. ¡°We should check that out, but let¡¯s make sure no one¡¯s about to keel over.¡± A few minutes of hurried organization followed. Lauren and Harold continued their healing rotation. Sandra was busy directing the able-bodied staff to gather leftover gnoll weapons that looked sturdier than random salvage. Brittany tried to sing, voice trembling, but the gentle hum of her Fortifying Song seemed to help calm shattered nerves. Finally, with the situation as stable as it could be, Elijah, Gideon, Nora, and Vince carefully approached the puzzle platform at the same time. A couple of curious onlookers trailed behind, hoping for answers or new breakthroughs. The platform glowed in rhythmic pulses, each spiral of runes bright enough to illuminate their faces in the otherwise dim coliseum. As Elijah stepped onto it, he braced for some abrupt shift or a disembodied voice. Gideon gingerly followed, supporting himself with his crutch. Nora and Vince exchanged tense looks, then joined them on the stone circle. The swirling runes reacted immediately, rising like ghostly ribbons around each of the four. A ring of symbols formed overhead, rotating in perfect synchronization. Elijah¡¯s interface flickered: Puzzle Sequence Initiated. Attempt #2 Conditions: At least four participants. Party average level ¡Ý 1 He read the lines aloud, ignoring how Gideon¡¯s eyes narrowed in skepticism. At least it¡¯s acknowledging we meet some requirements now, Elijah thought. Vince licked his lips. ¡°Okay, so what do we do?¡± Nora responded in a hushed voice. ¡°I don¡¯t know. The shapes last time were meaningless. We need a clue.¡± As though in answer, the ribbons of light coalesced into four sets of swirling glyphs, each rotating around one participant. Elijah gawked at the runic circle floating in front of him¡ªeight symbols, all different, shifting in and out of focus. One resembled a bow, another a stylized arrow, another a leaping figure¡­ The rest were more abstract, like geometric patterns. He heard Vince suck in a breath. ¡°Same for me, but with some lightning bolt shapes. And¡­ I think that¡¯s a circuit board design? Hard to tell.¡± Nora¡¯s ring displayed wind-like curves, and Gideon¡¯s ring showed something akin to a shield and spear. Each ring faintly glowed in a specific hue¡ªElijah¡¯s a pale greenish-blue, Vince¡¯s crackling electric blue, Nora¡¯s soft teal, Gideon¡¯s a deep bronze. ¡°Try touching one of them,¡± Gideon suggested, wincing as he shifted his weight. Elijah hesitated, then reached a hand toward the symbol resembling an arrow. The instant his fingertip made contact with the swirling light, it sank into the ring as though submerging into water. A slight hum resonated in his ears, and lines of text scrolled across his interface: You have chosen the Bow Sigil. Synchronization¡­ Success. Three Sigils remain. A slight jolt pulsed through him, not painful, more like a subtle shock that left his fingers tingling. Vince similarly prodded a stylized lightning symbol. ¡°Arc Sigil,¡± he murmured. ¡°It says ¡®Synchronization¡¯¡ªholy crap.¡± He nearly fell back as a crackle of energy danced over his arms, subsiding into a faint glow around his hands. Nora and Gideon exchanged wary looks, then they, too, reached out. Nora pressed a swirling wind shape, Gideon a spear-like glyph. The floating runes flashed with bright intensity and reconfigured themselves, aligning over the circle in neat patterns. Sigils Chosen. Puzzle Sequence Stage Two Unlocked. The stone circle underfoot rumbled, and the faint reflection of starlight overhead swirled into the platform. A moment later, all four participants vanished from sight. The onlookers gasped, stumbling back. One of them¡ªthe custodian Oscar¡ªlet out a startled cry. ¡°They¡­ disappeared!¡± Elijah felt like he¡¯d blinked and everything had changed. Gone was the coliseum¡¯s open air. Instead, he found himself, Gideon, Nora, and Vince in a smaller, enclosed chamber. Its curved walls were carved with the same swirling motifs, but they flickered with subdued light, illuminating a path lined with tall, arching columns. At the far end, a single door stood shut, inscribed with runes. Nora touched her forehead. ¡°Are we¡­ inside the puzzle somehow? A pocket dimension?¡± Elijah had no idea. ¡°Could be. Or maybe a hidden chamber in the coliseum. Let¡¯s see if we can get out or find some answers.¡± Gideon limped forward, carefully checking the floor for traps. The sense of tension was thick enough to taste. ¡°Watch for hostiles. The System might test us in here.¡± As if on cue, the runes along the walls shimmered, and ghostly shapes began to detach¡ªtwo forms, roughly the size and shape of humans, but featureless and composed of golden light. Each brandished a faint outline of a weapon: one had a sword and shield, the other a long spear. They slid across the floor in silence. Vince cursed under his breath, electricity sparking at his fingertips. ¡°Of course. Guardians or something.¡± Without a word, Gideon planted his crutch aside, gritted his teeth, and conjured the spectral spear that had served him well in the last fight. Nora lifted her salvaged blade, swirling wind around it, while Elijah raised his ethereal bow. Vince¡¯s hands crackled with fresh arcs of energy. The sword-and-shield guardian advanced on Gideon and Nora, while the spear guardian lunged straight for Elijah. He only managed a split-second to aim, loosing a quick arrow of light. The arrow struck the guardian¡¯s chest, causing a bright spark, but the construct only paused for a heartbeat before sliding closer. It gave no indication of pain or hesitation. Gideon slammed his spear into the shield-bearing guardian. Their weapons clashed with a flash of golden sparks. Nora darted to the side, slashing at the creature¡¯s flank, wind swirling at her feet. Her blade met no physical body¡ªjust that luminous shape. It let out a resonant hum, like a chime, and reeled, but didn¡¯t fall. Meanwhile, Elijah fired a second arrow at the spear guardian. It knocked the arrow aside with a deft twist of its weapon¡ªlike a trained fighter. Vince seized the opening, stepping around to fling a bolt of electricity. Lightning danced across the guardian¡¯s form, drawing out a flickering shudder. The golden figure wavered, as if losing cohesion. ¡°Go!¡± Vince shouted, charging another bolt. Elijah took aim again, focusing on how the construct¡¯s form rippled at the chest. Another shot sank in, tearing a gap in the flickering light. The guardian¡¯s spear raised overhead, but before it could strike, it abruptly dissolved with a sound like shattering glass. Bits of luminous dust drifted to the floor, vanishing on contact. Nora and Gideon still battled the second guardian. It blocked Gideon¡¯s spear thrust with an immaculate shield technique. Nora weaved behind it, wind swirling around her blade. ¡°We¡¯ll flank it!¡± she called. She feinted high, causing the guardian to raise its shield. Gideon capitalized, driving his spear into its unprotected flank. With a flash, the guardian staggered. Then Nora completed her slash, severing its sword arm. The guardian collapsed in a shower of fading light. A rush of relief washed over Elijah, followed by a faint stirring in the System interface: Minor Experience Gained. Synchronization Essence: 2% He glanced at the others. ¡°Anyone see that ¡®Synchronization Essence¡¯ prompt?¡± Vince nodded, brow furrowed. ¡°Yeah, 2%. Could be some bar we need to fill?¡± Gideon steadied himself against a pillar, catching his breath. ¡°Likely. We take out guardians, gain essence, maybe open that door.¡± He pointed to the sealed door at the far end of the chamber. Its runes glowed faintly, a swirl of text unreadable to Elijah¡¯s Identify skill, which only returned a message stating Puzzle Lock: Inactive. ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving,¡± Nora said, wiping her brow. She wasn¡¯t badly hurt, just winded. ¡°The others are going to freak out if we¡¯re gone too long.¡± They advanced. Sure enough, another pair of guardians materialized near the next set of columns. The fight played out similarly: swift, precise movements on the guardians¡¯ part, a deadly calm on Gideon¡¯s and Nora¡¯s, and a supportive ranged barrage from Elijah and Vince. With each guardian vanquished, the intangible bar in their vision ticked up another point or two. Gradually, the swirling lines on the chamber walls intensified in brightness. When they destroyed the sixth pair of guardians, Elijah exhaled in relief. The entire corridor felt like it was thrumming with energy. His legs ached from the repeated fights, but no injuries so far, thanks to their synergy¡ªGideon¡¯s front-line sturdiness, Nora¡¯s flanking maneuvers, Vince¡¯s ranged magic blasts, and Elijah¡¯s steady arrow support. Finally, the door at the corridor¡¯s end gave a soft chime:Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Puzzle Lock Active. Synchronization Essence at 95%. Final Guardian Required. ¡°That¡¯s probably behind that door,¡± Vince deduced, panting. ¡°One more fight, maybe a boss?¡± Nora pressed her lips together. ¡°We can handle it, right? Let¡¯s see if we can rest for a minute first.¡± They found a spot near a pillar to catch their breath. Gideon gingerly probed the bandage around his thigh. Blood seeped, but not heavily. Elijah felt for him¡ªGideon had pushed himself hard, especially with that injury. Yet the man gave no complaint. ¡°How¡¯s the leg?¡± Elijah asked softly. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ stings like hell, but I can still fight.¡± Gideon rolled his shoulders, wincing. ¡°Better to press on and finish this, rather than risk more time in here. No idea if a next wave is hitting the others outside.¡± Nora nodded. ¡°Right. Let¡¯s get it done, then.¡± Vince gulped and summoned sparks around his palms. ¡°Ready when you are.¡± They approached the door. As Elijah placed a hand against the runic surface, a wave of heat rippled through his arm. The door shifted inward, revealing a circular chamber wreathed in soft, golden light. Unlike the corridor, which felt ancient and solemn, this chamber had an almost regal quality: tall pillars carved with intricate patterns, a domed ceiling where constellations flickered in strange shapes. In the center floated a single humanoid guardian, larger than the others and draped in ghostly armor. It held a glowing spear in one hand and a radiant shield in the other. Its helmeted head turned toward them with preternatural calm. The four of them spread out in a semicircle, weapons ready. Without warning, the guardian streaked forward, crossing half the chamber in a blink. Gideon braced with a grunt, thrusting his spear. Their weapons collided in a dazzling flash. The guardian¡¯s shield came around swiftly, bashing Gideon in the ribs. He staggered, nearly toppling. Nora lunged to distract the guardian, only to be met with a quick riposte from the spear. She raised her sword just in time, sparks flying as the blade impacted that radiant tip. Vince hurled a crackling lightning bolt, striking the guardian¡¯s back, but the golden armor seemed to disperse much of the force. Elijah circled, heart hammering. He pulled back his bowstring, conjuring an arrow. This time, he tried focusing on the guardian¡¯s center mass, precisely where an exposed glow pulsed. The arrow hissed across the chamber. The guardian twisted, half-evading, so the arrow caught the edge of its shoulder piece. The resulting spark barely slowed it down. ¡°Focus on one spot!¡± Elijah shouted. ¡°We have to crack that armor.¡± Gideon, regaining his footing, nodded and moved in again. Nora flanked to the right. Vince unleashed a continuous flurry of smaller lightning arcs, trying to corral the guardian¡¯s movements. It moved with uncanny grace, shield blocking Gideon¡¯s thrust, spear warding off Nora¡¯s attacks, occasionally twisting aside from Vince¡¯s strikes. Elijah fired another arrow, then another, each time aiming for the same area. On the fifth shot, the armor plating flickered, cracks forming in the golden light. The guardian¡¯s posture changed¡ªalmost as if acknowledging a threat. It spun in a blur, the spear coming around in a punishing sweep that hammered Gideon¡¯s spear aside and clipped Gideon¡¯s wounded thigh. ¡°Gah!¡± Gideon gasped, dropping to a knee. Blood oozed through his bandage. A second strike came down, aimed at Gideon¡¯s head. But Nora lunged in with a gale of wind swirling around her arms, parrying the spear a hair¡¯s breadth from Gideon¡¯s skull. ¡°Elijah, get him out of there!¡± Nora cried, her voice strained as she tried to hold the guardian¡¯s spear in a lock. Elijah sprinted forward, heedless of the danger. He grabbed Gideon by the shoulder, hauling him back. Vince capitalized on the opening, launching a full surge of electricity into the guardian¡¯s back. The chamber reverberated with the thunderous crackle, and the guardian¡¯s form flickered. Pieces of the golden armor shattered like broken glass, leaving the luminous figure partially exposed. Sensing the advantage, Elijah lined up another shot. ¡°Nora, left!¡± he shouted. She dropped low and rolled aside, letting him see a clear path. The guardian raised its shield too slowly¡ªElijah¡¯s arrow struck the open wound in its chest. A blinding flash flared. The guardian staggered, shield falling from its grip. Another arrow from Elijah, another bolt from Vince, and the guardian collapsed in a burst of radiant fragments. As the shattered remnants dissolved, a choir-like hum echoed in the domed chamber. The runes around the walls glowed fiercely, then dimmed. Final Guardian Defeated. Synchronization Essence at 100%. Puzzle Sequence Stage Two Complete. All four staggered, hearts pounding, battered but victorious. A wave of warmth rippled through their bodies. Elijah¡¯s interface presented a swirl of text: Name: Elijah Merrows Race: [Human ¨C Level 1] Class: Strider (Basic) Experience: 70% ¡ú 90% (approx.) New Title Earned: [Seeker of Light] Effects: Minor bonus when fighting energy-based constructs Elijah heard Vince exclaim, ¡°Whoa, I got a title. ¡®Thunder¡¯s Initiate.¡¯ This is insane.¡± Nora let out a shaky laugh, helping Gideon stay upright. ¡°We need to get him patched up. That was too close.¡± In the center of the room, where the guardian had stood, a small platform rose from the floor. On it lay four faintly glowing orbs, each a distinct color¡ªgreenish-blue, electric blue, teal, and bronze. They pulsed in time with the runes underfoot. ¡°Probably a reward,¡± Elijah guessed. ¡°Let¡¯s see.¡± Nora guided Gideon closer, though he was pale and sweating. Each of them picked up the orb that matched their hue. Upon contact, the orb dissolved into a swirl of energy that sank into their skin. Elijah¡¯s entire arm tingled, and text flitted across his vision: You have obtained: Bow Sigil (Minor). - Increases ranged accuracy by a small amount. - Allows synergy with allied Sigils. Vince whooped quietly. ¡°Arc Sigil¡ªplus some small lightning bonus. I¡¯ll take it.¡± Gideon grunted, reading a similar message. ¡°Spear Sigil. Might help with damage or synergy in a group.¡± He tried to mask the grimace of pain, but it was evident he needed urgent care. Nora inspected the teal swirl around her fingers. ¡°Wind Sigil. Says it can amplify movement speed for short bursts. This might stack with my wind skills.¡± As they absorbed the orbs, the chamber¡¯s walls trembled, runes fading from bright to a gentle glow. Before they could do more, the entire space flickered, and in the blink of an eye, they found themselves standing back on the puzzle platform in the main coliseum, exactly where they¡¯d been whisked away. A chorus of startled gasps and shouts erupted as the rest of the survivors saw them reappear. Elijah nearly stumbled from the disorientation, bracing himself to avoid toppling Gideon. Nora panted, scanning the courtyard. It was exactly as they¡¯d left it¡ªinjured staff resting, volunteer guards near the gate, bodies of gnolls still strewn about. Oscar ran over, eyes wide. ¡°You were gone for, like, ten minutes,¡± he exclaimed. ¡°We didn¡¯t know what happened.¡± ¡°Felt much longer than that to us,¡± Elijah muttered. ¡°We had to fight more guardians¡­ inside some weird sub-dimension.¡± Gideon waved a dismissive hand, sweat beading on his brow. ¡°We got¡­ new Sigils, might help. Don¡¯t know if that advanced the puzzle enough to open the door.¡± As if in response, a distant thunk echoed through the coliseum, and the massive stone gate shifted. Dust crumbled from the top, runes lighting up in a slow spiral. The watchers gaped. ¡°Does that mean we can leave?¡± Vince asked, hope bright in his eyes. Sandra came over, relief obvious as she took in Elijah, Gideon, Vince, and Nora alive and relatively intact. ¡°Are you all right?¡± Nora nodded, though her voice was tight. ¡°We¡¯re okay, mostly. Gideon¡¯s injury got worse. He needs healing.¡± Lauren hurried forward, kneeling beside Gideon. ¡°Let me help.¡± Her Recovery Sigil glimmered across the wound. Gideon exhaled as the pain ebbed, color returning to his face. Elijah looked past them to the giant gate. ¡°Do we check if it¡¯s really unlocked?¡± Sandra exchanged a look with Gideon, then with Elijah. ¡°We should. But carefully. Could be more surprises.¡± Vince shuddered. ¡°I¡¯ve had enough ¡®surprises¡¯ for one day.¡± A small scouting party formed: Elijah, Nora, Vince, Sandra¡ªGideon included himself but was overruled by both Lauren and Harold, who insisted he rest and let the Sigil¡¯s healing finish its work. He finally relented, though clearly reluctant to sit out. The four approached the gate, joined by a handful of able-bodied survivors armed with gnoll spears and hound claw-blades. The runes shimmered as Elijah neared. A faint pulse seemed to beckon them forward. Reaching out, he ran his fingers over the stone. A ripple of light arced across the gate, and the heavy slabs parted, revealing a wide corridor leading out of the coliseum. Dim torchlight lined the passage. Some kind of ramp twisted downward, vanishing into darkness beyond. Nora exhaled slowly. ¡°Feels like we¡¯re leaving the tutorial¡¯s first stage.¡± Sandra glanced over her shoulder at the battered group behind them¡ªpeople lying in triage, those who could still fight, the traumatized who clung to hope that the nightmare would end. She looked back at Elijah. ¡°We can¡¯t leave them behind. We all go together, or not at all.¡± Elijah nodded. ¡°Agreed. We need to gather supplies, get the wounded stable, and head out carefully. If the next area¡¯s anything like what we¡¯ve seen so far, it won¡¯t be a cakewalk.¡± Sandra gestured to the passage. ¡°Let¡¯s at least check for immediate threats.¡± Vince took a step inside, conjuring a small ball of crackling light to illuminate the darkness. It revealed smooth, ancient stone walls with swirling patterns echoing the rest of the coliseum¡¯s design. Water dripped somewhere, creating a faint echo. No signs of lurking monsters¡ªyet. Sandra pulled back. ¡°I say we regroup fully, gather the dead for any last rites, salvage what we can, then attempt to move. Maybe in half an hour?¡± Elijah couldn¡¯t help a tiny, grim smile. ¡°We¡¯re starting to sound like an actual expedition team.¡± Nora didn¡¯t smile. ¡°Expedition implies we chose to be here.¡± They returned to the main courtyard, where Gideon was now on his feet, testing his leg. He still favored it slightly, but the pain had eased. Lauren¡¯s worried glance lingered until he confirmed he was fine. Harold and Brittany had done their part too, ensuring the severely wounded were as stabilized as possible. Of the 93 they¡¯d started with after the second wave, no additional lives had been lost in that short interim, though a few hovered on the edge of consciousness. Elijah took a deep breath, addressing the group. ¡°We think the gate is open. The puzzle must¡¯ve been the key. There¡¯s no telling if or when another wave of monsters will come. I suggest we move before the System decides to throw more at us.¡± Murmurs of uncertainty spread through the crowd. Some dreaded stepping into more unknown dangers. Others voiced relief at no longer being trapped. After a quick consensus, they agreed: better to press on. Meanwhile, a solemn process began¡ªsaying goodbye to the dead. The bodies of colleagues who¡¯d fallen to hellhounds or gnolls were gently laid in a corner. With limited time, they could only arrange a hasty memorial of sorts. Gideon bowed his head, face grim. Several others did the same. Soft sobs mingled with the hush. Elijah felt a pang of guilt that the once-ordinary Monday had devolved into this. He wanted to assure them that everything would be okay, but he wasn¡¯t sure that was true. Instead, he offered a moment of silence, wishing he could promise safety. ¡°Let¡¯s not forget why we¡¯re doing this,¡± Sandra eventually said, voice carrying gently. ¡°We want to survive. For them, and for ourselves. So we can tell their families they fought bravely. And so we can prevent more loss.¡± A subdued nod passed through the group. With that unspoken vow, the survivors gathered their meager belongings, secured the best weapons they could craft or salvage, and mustered any courage left. Elijah and Gideon led from the front, supported by Sandra, Nora, and Vince. One by one, they filed through the towering gate, leaving the bloodstained coliseum behind. The corridor descended, torchlight revealing rough-hewn steps. A damp, mineral scent replaced the coppery tang of spilled blood. They advanced in tense formation, Elijah¡¯s bow drawn, Gideon¡¯s spear glinting. Vince conjured a faint glow, revealing more swirling patterns on the walls, though these designs felt different¡ªlike half-formed shapes lacking definition. Nora¡¯s wind magic fluttered around her ankles, ready to respond if something leapt out. No immediate threat emerged. Instead, the corridor opened into a wide, cavernous space. Stalactites dripped water into shallow pools, and luminescent crystals jutted from rocky walls, casting soft light. It felt almost tranquil. Far off, another gateway loomed, carved with motifs of plants and animals. The group paused, taking in the strange underground vista. Some let out sighs of relief. Others shifted anxiously, expecting hidden predators. Elijah stepped forward, crouching near a glowing crystal. He placed a hand on its surface, feeling a faint hum of energy. At the edge of his vision, Identify gave a simple readout: Low-Grade Luminescent Crystal. A quiet voice from behind startled him: ¡°Should we gather them? They might be valuable.¡± It was Misha, the coworker whose arm had been sliced. She looked weak but mobile. Elijah nodded slowly. ¡°Might be worth trying once we know it¡¯s safe.¡± Sandra scanned the space. ¡°We should find a defensible position. Somewhere we can camp, rest, figure out our next move.¡± Gideon gripped his spear. ¡°Agreed. Let¡¯s see if we can spot a place that¡¯s not too exposed.¡± His expression was stern yet calmer. He seemed more at ease with a structured plan. Nora brushed a hand over the crystal-lit wall, thoughtful. ¡°Feels like we¡¯re in the ¡®next level¡¯ of this tutorial. If it¡¯s anything like the coliseum, we¡¯ll have challenges to overcome.¡± A hush settled over them. Indeed, the System had said this was a survival scenario with unknown stages. And if they wanted to keep pushing forward¡ªtoward either an exit or deeper integration¡ªthey had no choice but to press on. Standing at the threshold of this subterranean expanse, Elijah couldn¡¯t help feeling a glimmer of hope through the fatigue. They¡¯d banded together, found synergy in dire battles, and unlocked a new path. As horrifying as it was, they were learning, adapting, and somehow staying alive. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, remembering the mosaic of faces left behind. Friends, colleagues, and total strangers, forced to rely on each other under mortal threat. That synergy they¡¯d built in the puzzle test¡ªhe suspected it would be crucial in the trials ahead. ¡°All right,¡± Elijah murmured, opening his eyes and gripping his bow tighter. ¡°Let¡¯s find a safe spot to regroup. Then we plan how to tackle whatever else is waiting for us.¡± The quiet shuffle of footsteps followed as the survivors ventured deeper, crystals reflecting in anxious eyes. And so began the next phase of their harrowing journey under the System¡¯s watchful domain¡ªwhere every step forward might unveil monstrous foes, hidden puzzles, or a promise of the elusive power needed to protect each other, no matter what nightmares lay ahead.