The world around him spun, and he tumbled back out into the arena where he met other pained, battered, and bruised faces. Some, like Pheres, downed what looked like healing elixirs, a luxury Hunter didn’t have.
A warm hand with a firm grip helped Hunter to his feet. There, standing with a cane in hand, was his old school teacher, Mistress Arista, wearing an ageless smile. She looked him over with kind eyes. “Glad to see you are not a sheep.”
Hunter laughed, pain cutting through his ribs. He held his sides before they threatened to split apart. She offered him a cool drink from a waterskin, and he gratefully took it.
“Thank you, Mistress Arista.”
“No need to thank me. I have been waiting years for this opportunity,” she said, casting a scathing glance at Eratos, who looked on from the viewing stage with cold disinterest.
“You knew…”
She scowled. “Not here and not now. The next challenge is about to begin. If you remember everything I taught you in school, you’ll be fine.”
Hunter’s eyes went wide. Everything?
She leaned on her cane and rapped the side of his head. “Trust yourself and remember, the eye sees what the mind believes.”
Hunter took a calming breath.
Before the next trial began, his teacher, like always, had the final word.
She tapped her temple before stepping away. “I believe in you.”
Priest Helios raised his hands, calming the rising roar of the crowd. All challengers had returned, but some were in better shape than others. His gaze shifted from Hunter to Zaccirius who wrapped cloth over a gash oozing blood from his ankle. As much as Hunter wanted to help him, he didn’t have anything in his inventory to treat an injury that severe.
“If you wish to continue, you may begin the Trial of Strategy once your portal reappears.” Priest Helios clasped his hands.
Hunter nodded to Zaccirius as he looked up. “You can keep going, only two more trials remain.”
Pheres inclined his head with a smirk. “Don’t encourage him to die. If he wants to back out like a coward, he should. But for all that it matters, I’m eager to see you dead.”
Clenching his fists, Hunter bit his tongue. He didn’t come here to stake a claim in petty city or academy status. His only interest was gaining his rightful passage to becoming a cultivator.
The black void of his individual portal arch awaited him. He held his breath and stepped through, bracing himself for the nauseating fall.
Arms outstretched, his palms landed with a thud, but he couldn’t stop the momentum of his cheek slamming against cool ground. He wiped dirt from his face as he stood in the dimly lit chasm, the beginnings of a pulsing headache taking over. Ignoring the pain, he jogged to the radiating scroll that displayed Hadad’s icon, an intricate pattern of geometric lines forming an eye.
The image faded and Hunter read the words as they appeared.
Trial of Strategy — Leocedes 'Hunter' Filo. Title earned: Phantom Pilferer of Death Isle.
Challenge details. You must collect the twelve virtuous eyes before fighting Ossarach the Bone Collector, danger level five.
Do you accept the challenge? Yes/No?
Hunter didn’t hesitate.
This time the scroll didn’t immediately shift into his vision; instead, more words appeared.
To assist you with this trial, you have an opportunity to release a companion. In the eye’s unblinking stare, lies both the truth and dire snare. To see the world as spiders do, risk your life, and it shows to you. Stare at the stars until the third comes into view, then you might receive your gift.
A vibrant red patterned image replaced the words, with two stars hovering above. He breathed, the heavy air filled with a stale stench of musk.
Hunter glanced around as the walls lit with a soft glow revealing several long hallways spread from his center position like the spokes of a chariot’s wheel. As his eyes adjusted, he gasped with a muttering curse. Stacks of bones and skulls stared back at him. His stomach churned with nervousness as he stood within the cavernous catacomb.
Shifting his gaze back to the scroll, he focused on the stars above the image. Time passed, and the distant clamor from the hallways echoed. As many years he spent digging graves, he knew the sound of hollow bones hitting the ground.
Rubbing his eyes, he knew if the divine god Hadad mentioned a companion, it’d be imperative to release it. The tumble of more bones suggested his time was limited.
He refocused on the stars, allowing his eyes to lock on the hollowed skull staring back at him behind the scroll.
Three stars emerged.
Unblinking, he shifted his blurred gaze to the patterned image. The echoes of Mistress Arista’s words filled his mind, the eye sees what the mind believes.
With slow steady breaths, an image of a familiar beast formed, reminding him of his father.
Vibrations quaked under the soles of his sandals, and the scroll shrank into his vision.
Success. Use your companion wisely. All eyes are on you.
The hallways lit with an eerie crimson glow. He counted twelve passages in total. “The twelve virtues.”
The gigantic beast scuffed the ground, bowing its head in respect. Hunter leapt onto the back of the beast, wrapping his arm alongside its muscular neck to steady himself. The rattling of skulls and bone stacks blurred as they stormed past, full tilt toward one of the hallways.
A single glow of crimson emanated from the dead end. The beast slowed, shifting Hunter closer to the bone wall. He stood on the beast’s broad back, reaching his finger into the skull’s ruby eye. With a firm grasp, he plucked the hard-cut item and examined the glint of its edges. If he’d found treasure like this in his graveyard on Death Island, he’d be well off to gather supplies from the merchant.
Hunter winced at the sudden flash of golden light. A small wooden box appeared.
Courage Eye Loot: Valor crystal. Once activated, it grants the user temporary invincibility and doubles the damage of your attack.
The beast strode forward, and Hunter crouched low on its back, regaining his balance. He quickly stowed the crystal and ruby eye into his storage ring. Echoes of clicking bones increased his heart rate as he glanced to his side. The stacked walls teetered and crumbled, the passage collapsing in on them.
“Go!” he yelled, gripping a tight hold of the beast’s neck. His hair whisked back as the beast sprinted to the dead end of the opposite hall, leaving the echo of fallen bones clattering behind. Glancing over his shoulder, the dust settled revealing the passageway fully blocked by bones.
Returning his gaze to the wall of death in front of him, he plucked the next ruby eye. Shielding himself from the radiant flash, another loot box appeared.
Witty Eye Loot: Jestmaster’s Quill. Allows the user the ability to create, but use is limited to the beholder’s imagination.
Each crumbling hall intensified the tension of a pending fight and stiffened his shoulders as he stowed each virtuous loot item and ruby eye within his storage ring. By the time he received the final loot box, he added to his collection: three healing potions, a soothing elixir, a pair of leather boots, a protection amulet, armored cuffs, a shield, an hourglass, and a mirror.
As the beast sprinted out of the last passageway, it came to a full stop and leaned down. Hunter leapt off and patted its broad shoulders. “I can see why my father enjoyed your companionship during his wars.”
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No sooner did he finish speaking, did a spine chilling draft whisk throughout the catacomb chamber. His mouth fell open as the bone stacked walls crumbled around him.
Success. Ossarach the Bone Collector summoned. Brave adventurer, are you suffering from a bad back? Well, you won't be after he's done with you! Time to break a leg... or a spine, whichever comes first!
The catacomb demon loomed before Hunter, a monstrous assembly of bones and skulls arranged into a towering skeleton. Each movement, a creak echoed from its bony limbs as it lifted its head and stepped forward. Hunter, swift and decisive, withdrew his rusty dagger from his storage ring.
Ossarach swung a massive arm, launching a cascade of bones toward Hunter. He dodged and rolled, deflecting a finger bone the size of a boar tusk with his dagger. Seizing the opportunity, Hunter lunged forward, knocking his dagger into the skeleton’s knee. Bones clattered to the ground, and Hunter grinned, rusty dagger in hand, readying to thrust at the next swiping bony hand.
His grin faded as the bones grated across the ground and reassembled onto the catacomb demon.
"Hmm..." Hunter raised his brow, noting the stack of bones did not return to its former anatomical order but rather resembled alternate appendages.
Realizing his dagger would cause minimal damage against the altered skeleton size and bony regroupings, Hunter scanned his storage ring inventory. "Mourn berries won't defeat him. He's already dead. There's no way I'm rubbing the asshole salve on his big boner."
Glancing at his beast companion, which had taken a cautious step back, Hunter recognized that the items he brought wouldn't aid him in this trial. The reason for the virtuous loot items now made sense. He wouldn’t be leaving this chamber with any of them.
Equipping the Forgeheart Cuffs, Hunter clenched his fist around one of the grounded bones and threw it toward Ossarach. The bone spiraled forward with a more potent projection, courtesy of the strength enhancement cuffs. It landed with a solid thunk against the skull skeleton, its eyes glowed red and fixated on the unexpected projectile as it caught the bone before it hit the ground.
In swift motion, Hunter withdrew the Righteous Shield just in time as the catacomb demon launched another barrage of bones. Lifting the shield, the barrier not only protected him but also repelled the projectile strike, safeguarding both Hunter and his beast companion.
Ossarach seemed to groan, its bones shifting as its hands and fingers formed a triangle. It unleashed a black energy attack toward Hunter.
Laughing, Hunter lifted the shield, but a hole burned through the metal, searing his forearm black.
A notification flared in his vision.
Ossarach's Boneclasp Abyss: You've taken a bone-rattling hit! +5% damage.
The beast backed up, frantically stomping its hooves. Hunter noticed a charred mark on its chest.
"Here, drink this." Hunter uncorked the Healing Potion of Friendship and chugged it down the beast's mouth. Its eyes lit with renewed trust as it knelt down, awaiting for Hunter to mount.
The Righteous Shield clamored as Hunter threw it to the ground, and he chugged back the Healing Potion of Benevolence, accelerating his natural healing process. The wound on his forearm, no longer stinging with the sensation of fresh burnt flesh, remained blackened. Given his Pre-Refiner healing ability, he wasn't sure if the benevolent potion would heal him quickly enough before the demon could be defeated.
Hunter rode on the beast's back and activated the Guardian's Ward. "Don't worry," he began to reassure the beast, but the protective amulet vibrated in his palm.
With a quick maneuver, he shifted the beast to the side as Ossarach launched another energy attack toward them. Hunter pulled the beast’s neck backward, causing the massive form to rear back. The Guardian's Ward's subtle early warning prevented what could have been a direct hit.
Despite Hunter's impatience, he needed more time to think of a strategy to defeat the catacomb demon. Fortunately for him, one of the virtuous loot boxes gave him the opportunity.
Tranquil Hourglass activated.
Time slowed to a snail’s pace, allowing him to observe the dust flaking off the demon skeleton's bones, its creaking echo stretching throughout the chambers.
However, the sands in the hourglass flowed quickly. He gained no more than a minute to think of a strategy. Hunter winced, plugging his ears to block out the distracting noise of grinding bones.
Scanning the remaining six virtuous loots in his inventory, he found the item he needed to identify the demon's vulnerability—the Mirror of Clarity. But he required a plan to move beyond discovering its vulnerable target. Given the demon's danger level of five, he only had the Healing Potion of Generosity left, which he could use to heal himself or the beast if necessary. Whatever he planned, he would be lucky to get more than a second chance to defeat him.
The final sand grains in the hourglass dripped through, and everything around Hunter returned to full speed. Bony spindles pierced the air as he and the beast dodged to the side, their shoulders grazed by the projectiles.
Leaning into the beast, fear pulsing through its black eye, Hunter patted its neck. "Stay with me; I'm going to need your help fighting this demon."
Holding the Mirror of Clarity, Hunter and the beast ran a full circle around the demon skeleton, its body pivoting along with them. Within the mirror's reflection, the demon skeleton transformed into its fleshy counterpart.
Hunter cast a quick glance back at the skeleton, its bones grinding with each step, its arms outstretched, attempting to keep up with the beast.
"You're nothing more than flesh and bones like me, except your eyes are hollow.”
Hunter pulled the beast's hair back, leading it to stop behind the bony demon. Remaining steady, he stilled the beast. Ossarach thrashed wildly in front of itself.
"He can't see us."
With Hunter's words, Ossarach twisted its upper body around and unleashed a black fire of death, plunging into the beast's hind legs. The heat scorched Hunter's feet, sandals thudding against the ground, the leather strips turning to ash.
The beast reared back, screeching in pain. Hunter downed the Healing Potion of Generosity and reached out, transferring more than half of the potion’s healing ability to the beast’s backside. Time was short as the demon skeleton charged, its lofty steps giving Hunter a chance to dodge another bony-fingered projectile.
Stomping the ground, the beast’s nostrils flared as it snorted.
“Stay steady; I've got a plan.” Hunter slid on the Echoing Boots. As he stood, the clomping of the boots hitting the ground shifted to the far side of the chamber. He uncorked the final elixir and poured it into the beast’s mouth. The beast’s black eyes softened, and the soothing elixir calmed it enough for Hunter to guide it to follow him.
He ran in a zig-zag, dodging the stray black energy blasts. The echoes of the boots sent the catacomb demon in the opposite direction. Hunter withdrew the Jestmaster’s Quill and inked a bottomless pit into the ground.
Now he only had to lure Ossarach there.
Leaping on the beast’s back, Hunter activated the Valor Crystal. As the catacomb demon spun wildly, thrashing its arms and blasting energy attacks, Hunter drove the beast forward. Ossarach’s head honed in on the beast, ignoring the echoing boots that encircled him.
Coming up from the demon’s side, Hunter slammed his fist into the Ossarach’s pelvis. The temporary invincible force was enough to push the demon back, folding over as it grasped its bones to remain in place.
Hunter shifted his positioning and double-kicked the demon toward the unending pit. The skeleton flew through the air, bones disjointed, and toppled into the quill’s hole.
Hunter glanced down, and a resounding clatter faded as the bones bounced off the walls.
He grinned, placing his hand on his hip. “That wasn’t too bad,” he said, glancing back toward the beast. But a glimmer of golden dust was all that remained in the darkened chambers. The cool ground on his feet and the cool breeze upon his bare forearms were evidence enough that the god Hadad didn’t want him to leave with the loot.
Success. While most valiant cultivators would prefer to keep the contents of their loot boxes, I will do no such thing. But, as a reward for your efforts in the Trial of Strategy, you may choose one of the twelve virtuous loot items. Remember, all items are one-time consumables.
Hunter rubbed his jaw as the twelve items reappeared, hovering in front of him as though none had been scathed by battle.
Underneath each item stated its name. The Mirror of Clarity had been useful against Ossarach. If only he could use that against his uncle to understand his vulnerability, it might aid him. He shook his head. Knowing that alone wouldn’t be enough.
Hunter glanced at the Tranquil Hourglass. Time had been too short to be of any use. One minute could be the difference in life or death, but he didn't plan on dying anytime soon.
The faint clanging of bones continued to echo from the pit behind him. He rubbed his temples. “Single use for all of them.”
Black ink dripped on the floor. Hunter shifted his gaze to the Jestmaster’s Quill. The simple eagle’s feather held the most potential. But it would require more thinking before he could use it to help his sister and escape his uncle’s vast reach into the province.
Finalizing his decision, Hunter reached for his chosen item and stowed it in his storage ring.
In an instant, Hunter stumbled onto the stage as he caught himself from the force, as if he’d been kicked from the backside.
“House Filo returns.” Priest Helios greeted him with a smile.
Wiggling his unsheltered toes, Hunter glanced around the stage as a few claps from the arena echoed at his return.
Pheres' lip quirked as he stood from a chair, his scraped forearm the only indication hinting that he’d encountered his own battle. “About time, we’d all begun to think you died in there.”
“Patience is a virtue, dear Pheres.” Mistress Arista tapped her staff. “Let them continue.”
Priest Helios raised his hands, the final banner highlighted by the setting sun. “The Trial of Heart shall commence, marking the end of the Trial of Worth. As of now, we’ve only had Zaccirius fail a trial. May each of you that remain pass with flying colors.”
“Charis, Charis, Charis!” the wiry-thin gambler that Hunter had met earlier chanted, slamming his boot to the ground. Many more spectators joined in chanting her name.
“You’ve got good odds, it seems,” Hunter said with a genuine smile. “I hope we both can rank over Pheres!”
A girl with raven hair glanced his way, her sharp obsidian eyes making Hunter’s heart race like a wild chariot.
“Pheres is nothing but a sandal sniffer. This is our chance,” Charis said. “We only have one more god to appease before we are granted the opportunity to attend the most prestigious academy in the empire.” She then nodded to a few finely robed spectators in the crowd, maintaining a charming smile.
The black void of the portal appeared. Hunter inhaled one final time, glancing back at Charis to wish her good luck, but she had already stepped through.
“No more delays, boy,” his uncle called from across the stage. “Make me proud.”
Hunter narrowed his eyes. His uncle was the last person he’d ever consider performing for. In a long stride, he leapt through the portal.