> [
[Ow! I'm sorry!]
> [
[OW!!! I'm sorry for calling him an [Insignis] wannabe!]
> [
[And I'm sorry for putting my pride before the participant's growth!]
> [
[And using his brother's name to make false accusations against him!]
> [
[HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU HAVE TO HIT ME?! I'M RUNNING OUT OF APOLOGIES!!!]
> [
[OW!!!]
Ugh... Just looking at Acutus being hit by Veritates's skill reminds me too much of my Mom whenever she was angry at us for our stupidity. Now I’d feel sorry for them if it wasn't for their dense personality...
"Um... General Veritates?" I speak up. "I get how irritating Acutus was, but I think they’ve endured enough [Power Attacks] for one day."
[T-The [Insignis] wannabe...] Acutus stops as I notice Veritates' eyes glowing an intense enough shade of blue enough to make my virtual hair stand up. [I-I mean, Wind is right. Isn't that too much as my punishment, former Master?]
[DO YOU THINK THAT'S ALL OF YOUR SINS YOU'VE BROUGHT UPON THIS YOUNG PROSPECT?!] Veritates screams at the top of his lungs. [Consider yourself lucky that Wind managed to spare you from the pain of his arrows.]
[I know. I'm very sorry again for my transgressions over my pride. So please, spare me from your smites!] Acutus pleads.
"You should listen to him, General. He is currently recovering from his bleed-out earlier. He would have died if I hadn't recalled his injuries."
And thank god for Kazu's potions. If I hadn't gotten some spares, I would have been traumatized by whether the NPCs were revived or not.
[Good point. I guess I should leave the rest to his superiors,] Veritates says before he turned to me next. [Normally, I would have to leave you alone and meet up with my successors before I go back to the afterlife for some last-minute business. But after seeing my former pupil's blunder, we should meet one more time after your trials are over.]
"Meet up? For what?" I ask as I raise my eyebrow.
[It would be best if you focus on your current goal first before turning to our current dilemma. Besides, I'm planning to meet you after your brother's ceremony. Since he's also your partner along with one more [Insignis] with him, it would be better if he knows what I'm about to tell you.]
Partner? I feel like there's more to this. "Okay. But one more question. Since you said about him and Yur1, can two more know about it, too? Their names are Arthur and Razul."
Speaking of those two, I wonder what they’ve been doing while we’ve been trying to pass some surprise [Hidden Quests] here.
[Arthur and Razul?] Veritates suddenly hums in thought. [I honestly thought...]
"Honestly what?"
[All I can say is that your induction here is not a mere coincidence. But enough of that for today. Hey, kid. The reward for his trial!]
[All right...] Acutus slowly approaches me with a frown. I guess they're still a bit pissed, but it seems like Veritates's scolding managed to get through their thick heads. [Look, kid. I'm not happy that I lost to the likes of you, half-[Insignis]. But...]
They hand me something while turning their head and I see a bit of red in their face. When I look at what I've got, I smile at what it means.
> [Key of Perserverance]
>
> [A key specifically made for the [Test of Courage]. It is granted by the participant who defeated the [Insignis Scout, Acutus] in a [Duel of Perserverance]. It can open the last door to the participant's toughest trial yet.]
>
>
[Not only did you show your perseverance against my tricks, but you managed to stop me before I made the biggest mistake of my life. I hate to admit it, but you've got the makings of a real [Insignis Scout],] Acutus declares. [Well, if you're a real [Insignis] anyway...]
[Acutus...]
They gulp at the sight of their former master. [Eh hem... I would let you off on your merry way, but since you fought me after my Master, I have to warn you the last one won't be easy. Challenging it would mean you risk more than your life.]
"Huh? What do you mean?" I ask. If this is their other way to make me wimp out...
[My former disciple is right, young Wind,] Veritates interrupts. [There is a reason why we call it the [Test of Courage]. In this world of might and magic, the monsters aren't the only ones that you should not fear. Whether you're an adventurer or a soldier, everyone is not resistant to the trauma of killing a monster every day. Not to mention a rare chance of witnessing losing their life from them or worse, someone who might target you for one reason or another.]
[You may think being an adventurer is easy, but wait till you start dealing with monsters you have never seen before. I'm not only talking about dragons and demons,] Acutus continues. [This last test requires you to put everything you learn. And trust us, it's not another instructor, animated armor, or anyone the Sages hired...]
Seriously?! From their tone alone, they weren't joking when they told me all of this. Conviction... Perseverance... They had a good reason for putting me through all of that tough duels for a good reason.
[From here, you can use whatever you have along with the skills you've shown us from our duels,] Veritates declares. [All we can ask of you is to not succumb to your weaknesses when facing your final opponent. The rest is up to you, Wind.]
I see. At least they're nice enough to warn me of the final boss of this [Quest]. "I guess that means I have to be well-prepared for it, right? I'll take your advice to heart. I might be reckless, but I'm not that stupid to go there without recovering my strength first."
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[That's good to hear. Don't overdo it, kid. You're gonna need all of the strength and ingenuity you can get.]
[Yeah. Prove to us your victories here are not a fluke!]
Thanks for the encouragement, Acutus. But yeah, I have a lot to prepare before the big fight. The first thing I should do is...
----------------------------------------
> [Inventory]
>
> x8 [Health Potions]
>
> x10 [Mana Potions]
>
> x2 [Gourmet Spiced Rabbit Herb Steak]
>
> x3 [Tomato Sweet Steak Sauce]
>
> x3 [Orange Juice]
>
> x7 [Smoke Bombs]
>
> x6 [Skunk Bombs]
>
> x4 [Paralysis Darts]
Inventory management is the second, but most important task I have to do before heading out to battle. It’s no different when Kazuki and I prepared for school. Initially, I was the one who was in charge of the inventory since there was a chance Kazu might goof up (which he did one time with that [Magecrafting] incident). But thanks to Star and the folks at [Force Blade], Kazu can manage his own without wasting his items and money. This was a relief since his birthday is coming and I don't know if I can keep organizing his inventory if I'm busy with my studies.
Back to the task, the handicap does wonders with the consumption of some of my items. While it is a bit difficult due to having no potions, I manage to use almost half of them, which should be enough for the last fight ahead. Since both battles restrict me from using magic, my [Mana Potions] have been spared. Yet I'm concerned since I drank and ate a lot of food to get buffs and regain my [SP].
> [Wind]
>
> [Stats]
>
> [Race: Human]
>
> [Total Mastery Level: 15]
>
> [HP: 630/630]
>
> [MP: 240/240]
>
> [SP: 310/310]
>
> [Mastery]
>
> [Archery] Level 21
>
> [Woodcrafting] Level 10
>
> [Swordsmanship] Level 21
>
> [Cooking] Level 9
>
> [Wind] Level 16
>
> [Physical Enhancement] Level 17
>
> [Hunting] Level 17
>
> [Blacksmithing] Level 18
>
> [Dagger] Level 6
One disadvantage of the handicap is that while my [Masteries] level up as normal, the restricted ones don’t. It's because of the strange mechanic behind the [Mastery] feature Zac and Kazuki told me when we researched more on
But when I checked on my [Physical Enhancement], there were no changes on its [Mastery EXP] after those two fights. I guess the restrictions must have halted its progression so no one would take advantage of the difficulty even if they lose the fight. That means increasing your stats would make it more difficult since it doesn't have a traditional leveling-up system similar to the RPG games I've heard about, which means I have a large disadvantage when going into this fight with most of my combat [Masteries] still on the same levels as before the trials.
Should I try finding some enemies around to grind up my levels a bit?
No, Veritates and Acutus may be NPCs, but...
They are also the ones who helped me get my head together from my indecisiveness. They gave me good advice regarding my last obstacle behind that door. If I used last-minute underhanded tactics, it would mean the betrayal of my own character. It's now or never.
I pack everything and use both keys to open the last door in the middle.
Time to deal with the final boss of the [Test of Courage].
----------------------------------------
As I step into the last room, I suddenly feel a sense of uneasiness. The feeling of dread and helplessness grows more in my head the deeper I walk into this room. Looking closely, it appears to be a simple dark room with a few torches guiding my way to the naked eye. But that's the problem. The layout of this room is too simple compared to Veritates's throne room and Acutus's large jungle. While there are no signs of armor standing near the walls, the uneasiness doesn't seem to disappear. Is this what they're trying to warn me about? Looking at my current surroundings, some blind spots in some unlit areas might have a chance to ambush me. I figure they would do that after I take a few more steps, yet nothing happens after that.
It isn't until I reach the center of the room that I find the only decor beyond the torches. It's a simple mirror that stands at the same height as me as it is showing my reflection. Yet the frame around it is designed to be reminiscent of a black dragon wrapping itself around it. I'm confused about what it has to do with my final trial. But for some reason, I don't have the guts to call out my final opponent nor have the urge to snark about my current situation. Something...doesn't sit well with me. But why?
[Welcome.]
I almost draw my sword the moment I hear a distorted voice booming in the room.
[I'm surprised you've made it so far, adventurer. I thought your failing convictions and weak perseverance would lead to your early demise in this test. No one has the heart to get through the Sage's Chosen to challenge me.]
The voice seems so close, yet I can’t pinpoint where they are exactly. "Unless you're playing hide-and-seek, I'm not in the mood to play right now," I shout before I raise my [Sapphire Sword]. "My name is Wind and I have earned the right to challenge this room! Come out and show yourself! The only thing I hate more is cowards hiding in the shadows to take unfair advantage."
Ugh... I can't seem to shake off my uneasiness after my declaration. There's something wrong with this room. The voice responds with a burst of loud booming laughter that I don't think it's a laugh at all. What's worse is that I don't know why I'm starting to sweat over it. I tried to figure out what kind of opponent I'm facing last, but all I'm getting is mixed signals thanks to the room's eerie atmosphere.
[I didn't think you have the guts to call me a coward after you come here not knowing what you've got yourself into while being scared shitless just by being here. How hypocritical can you get?!]
Wha... How do they know what I’m thinking?!
[Tell me. How does it feel to face your insecurities? Must be nice knowing how much of a coward you were in your future.]
A coward?! What the hell?! I didn't go here to be insulted after I got past my problems to get through Veritates!
[Oh? Do you think changing your mindset is a requirement for a game's quest? Well, it's much more than that. You can't justify your development over a game. You need to face real life the moment you leave your bubble. Just like how you justify your sudden desire to protect little Kazu.]
I gasp. I didn’t say a word about him! Did they...
[Read your mind? Yes and no. I simply had to read the emotions right in your face. Your facade, your mannerisms, and your life history... Your reactions are all I need to know about you, Wind.]
They also know my name, too?! This distorted voice doesn't sound like a friendly person compared to Veritates's jolly grandpa energy and Acutus's jerkish attitude. They sound like they're out to get my head. "Dammit! Stop being a creep! Get out here so I can kick your ass and get this over with! Who are you?!"
[Fufufufu... HAHAHAHA!!!]
I almost drop my sword the moment I heard their creepy laughter.
[Oh... I'm already here. I’ve been right under your nose the moment you step into my room of terror.]
What. The. F*ck?! Did their voice just change into mine?! They say they’ve been here from the moment I entered this room.
I turn around to wear the mirror standing. When I do, I see my reflection again. This time, the reflection is not only staring right back at me, but they're grinning like a madman plastered on my face.
[Hello, me. Are you ready to fight the final boss?]
Goddammit... Is this what they were warning me about? I was expecting a scary monster that came out of a horror movie from their warnings alone.
But instead, I'm fighting against my own worst enemy.
Myself.