ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝟙𝟘𝟛: 𝐀𝔮𝔲𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔠 𝐓𝔯𝔦𝔞𝔩 𝐙𝔬𝔫𝔢【𝟑/𝟑】

----------------------------------------

The group reached the seabed of the aquatic trial zone, 4800 meters below the water’s surface. The area was an expansive and vibrant coral reef.

To an ordinary observer, it seemed like a natural underwater marvel, but Jay’s║Mind Eye║revealed more. Beneath the coral bed lay a hollow space where he sensed the presence of several Atlans, their life signatures clustered within.

As they approached a gap in the coral reef, two Atlans stood guard at the entrance. Their harpoons gleamed faintly under the dim underwater light. Once they recognized their returning comrades and saw Jay restrained in the Aqua Prison, they silently stepped aside, granting passage into their hidden sanctuary.

The hollow space beneath the seabed was a sprawling network of conical caves, each structure fashioned from coral and stone. The moment the group stepped inside, the Atlans within appeared to sense their presence. One by one, they emerged from their respective abodes, their webbed feet gliding across the ground with practiced ease.

Among them, one figure immediately stood out—a tall Atlan adorned in a golden crown and a sophisticated robe. His mere presence commanded respect, and the other Atlans bowed low in unison. There was no need for introductions; it was clear that this was the Sea Lord, the strongest among them and their undisputed leader.

The Sea Lord’s gaze fell on Jay, his expression a blend of curiosity and calculation. The other Atlans stared at the newcomer in fascination, their eyes alight with a mix of awe and wariness. For them, it was their first encounter with a being from another trial zone—someone who was, in essence, an alien to them, as he hailed from an entirely different planet.

Without a word, the Sea Lord activated his║Analyse║skill, intent on assessing the stranger who had been brought before him. But all he could glean was Jay’s name and level.

The Sea Lord’s brows furrowed slightly, a sign of his unease. His║Analyse║, an Uncommon-grade skill, should have revealed more—at least Jay’s basic stats and perhaps his innate talent. However, Jay’s use of the║Mask of Nihility║rendered such attempts futile.

It was no ordinary concealment skill. To bypass it and access Jay’s full STATUS, one would need a skill of at least Legend grade, a level of ability far beyond the reach of anyone in the Trial Program at this stage. For most, even a glimpse at Jay’s level or name would be blocked, replaced by question marks.

The Sea Lord understood this immediately, his instincts sharpening. His knowledge of the Trial Program told him that such concealment required a Spirit Item or ability far beyond the ordinary. While he kept his composure, his mind raced. There was something unusual about this stranger—something dangerous.

The moments dragged on in tense silence as the Sea Lord wracked his mind, the name tugging at the edges of his memory. Suddenly, his eyes widened as recognition dawned upon him. Though he quickly masked his reaction, it was clear that some piece of information had clicked into place.

Despite his growing suspicions, the Sea Lord refrained from any hostile action. Instead, he steadied himself mentally, ready to react if Jay made any sudden moves. Outwardly, however, he exuded calm authority, his tone remaining measured and polite as he finally broke the silence.

“Excuse me for the unnecessary extravagance,” he began. “I had asked my subordinates to invite the guest from the other trial zone, but they seem to have mistaken my intentions and treated you as an invader. I apologize for their poor hospitality.”

His sharp eyes flicked to the female Atlan, who had cast the Aqua Prison. “Ah’na, release the Aqua Prison immediately.”

Ah’na hesitated, clearly reluctant to undo the restraints. Her wary glance at Jay betrayed her concerns. “Sea Lord, I—”

The Sea Lord’s gaze hardened, leaving no room for argument. Under his commanding presence, Ah’na hesitated before finally relenting, dispelling the Aqua Prison. The oval bubble collapsed, and the water shackles dissolved, freeing Jay.

Jay remained still, his expression unreadable as he observed the Sea Lord. He noted the Atlan leader’s cautious yet respectful demeanor, silently commending his foresight. Unlike his subordinates, the Sea Lord had made the wise choice to test the waters diplomatically. Had he opted for force or arrogance, the Atlans hideout would have become their final resting place.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

As Jay studied him, the Sea Lord’s mind churned. He had connected Jay’s name and level to a familiar figure—a once top Alpha Ranker. However, he couldn’t be certain. Multiple Alpha Chosen could share the same name, and it was plausible that Jay possessed a Spirit Item capable of concealing his true STATUS. Still, the Sea Lord wasn’t about to take any unnecessary risks.

“Where are my manners?” the Sea Lord continued, inclining his head slightly. “I am Aton, the Sea Lord of the Atlan race, ruler of the planet Atlanis. May I know your name and the planet you hail from?”

Before Jay could respond, the male Atlan who had captured him interjected, his voice laced with irritation. “Hey, you! Our Majesty, the Sea Lord, is one of the strongest Alpha Chosen in this Trial World, ranked in the top 1000 among millions! Show some respect when you speak to him, or—” The Atlan sneered. “Hmph! I wouldn’t mind teaching you some manners myself.”

Aton’s eyes widened slightly in dismay. He opened his mouth, likely intending to reprimand the male Atlan for his insolence, but Jay cut the moment short with a sharp laugh.

“Is that so?” Jay said, his tone light yet laced with subtle menace. “What a coincidence. I, too, am on the║Trial World Leaderboard║. In fact, most of my fellow trial zone members are as well.”

His words sent a ripple of shock through the gathered Atlans. The first to speak was Ah’na, her voice filled with disbelief. “No way! Don’t tell me… you’re from Earth! It’s the only planet with eight Alpha Chosen in the Alpha Rankings!”

At her exclamation, several Atlans hurriedly accessed their STATUS windows, bringing up the║Trial World Alpha Leaderboard║. Their expressions quickly shifted to astonishment as they confirmed her claim. Jay’s name was indeed there, along with seven others from Earth.

Since Kensei and Henry had reached Tier-3 during the rest day after Day-6, they had joined the Alpha Rankings as well, bringing the total number of Earth's Alpha Chosen on the║Trial World Alpha Leaderboard║to eight.

Of the Earth team, only Dante, Kasim, and Gabriel remained outside the Tier-3 threshold. The rest of Earth's Alpha Chosen had secured spots in the Top 1000 Alpha Rankings.

Jay currently held the 981st position, but he knew it was only a matter of time before others reaching Tier-3 would push him further down the leaderboard. Not that it mattered—his rank was irrelevant in the face of the power he now wielded.

Among the Atlans, the most visibly shaken was the one who had issued the warning moments earlier. His finger trembled as he pointed at Jay, his voice stuttering in disbelief. "Th-this... how could he be from that powerful trial zone? He must be bluffing to intimidate us and escape from here!"

A few of the Atlans nodded in agreement with the stammering one, their skepticism evident. It was hard for them to believe that Jay hailed from Earth, a trial zone that was far formidable than their own.

In contrast, the Sea Lord, Aton, showed no outward disbelief nor did he question Jay’s claim. However, a faint glimmer of doubt lingered in his mind, quietly questioning whether Jay truly was who he claimed to be.

Jay sighed, reading their thoughts. Words alone, it seemed, would not suffice. Resorting to a more forceful demonstration, he decided to rely on his tried-and-true method of establishing dominance.

With a flicker of thought, he activated Kay’s recently awakened Innate Exclusive skill,║RULER'S PRESENCE║, a skill that functioned like Tier Suppression but without the mental strain typically associated with it.

As his weakened state ended and overall stats returned to their peak, far surpassing those of everyone present, the wave of pressure he unleashed blanketed the room, engulfing everyone within it in an overwhelming sense of dominance.

The effect was immediate. Every Atlan except Aton froze in place, overwhelmed by the crushing presence. Though Aton, a Tier-3 Low-Phase lifeform, resisted the worst of it, the strain was evident in the tension of his jaw and the stiffness of his stance.

Jay didn’t stop there. In a blur, he drew the Stream Wind Sword and appeared beside the male Atlan who had dared to speak out, the weapon’s tip hovering a mere inch from his throat.

“Now,” Jay said, his voice calm but ice-cold, “tell me—do you still think I need to bluff?”

The male Atlan’s eyes widened in terror. Even underwater, a bead of sweat slid down his brow as he struggled to respond, his body trembling under the weight of Jay’s menacing presence.

----------------------------------------