Karanzo turned to Rin and asked, "How long do you plan to hide that Golden Strings of yours?"
"Shhh... didn't I tell you? I've switched to my new katana!" Rin replied with a mischievous smile.
Their attention was drawn to the chaos unfolding nearby. Two colossal ogres wreaked havoc, their thunderous roars echoing through the air. Without hesitation, Rin and Karanzo made a pact to aid their fellow cadets. Rin swiftly darted toward the ogre in the south, her agile movements resembling a whirlwind in motion. Meanwhile, Karanzo charged toward the towering ogre in the north, his muscles tensed and ready for battle.
The ogres loomed before them, their immense size and menacing features sending chills down their spines. The creatures possessed rugged, scaly skin that seemed impenetrable, and their long, unkempt hair billowed in the wind. Beards and tusks adorned their fierce faces, adding to their intimidating presence. With bulging shoulders, sturdy arms, and legs like pillars, the ogres embodied raw strength and formidable adversaries.
The cadets gazed at the approaching golden aura with curiosity and cheered as they realized help had arrived. Although Karanzo was not by her side, Rin unleashed her Golden Strings and maneuvered past the ogre with graceful agility. The cadets were captivated as Rin's technique effectively immobilized the ogre, systematically disabling its joints until it became completely motionless. In the climax of her dance, Rin spun around, forcefully pulling her strings with a swift motion of her hand, tearing the ogre's body apart and leaving it covered in bloody gashes.
A cold sweat broke out on Rin's forehead as she realized she could only wound the ogre. Despite her efforts, the ogre continued to stand and approach her. Reflecting on her previous success when using a similar move on a massive rock, which resulted in the rock splitting apart, Rin knew she should have inflicted enough damage to the ogre's joints. Determined to improve, Rin made a promise to herself to retrain her binding technique, recognizing that her lack of recent practice had made her movements rigid.
The ogre charged at Rin, but its strike came to an abrupt halt as its large hand became entangled in her strings. Seizing this opportunity, she quickly retreated to a safe distance but panicked and tripped over the rubble. When the ogre broke free from Rin's bindings, it grabbed a large piece of debris and hurled it toward Rin, who was still falling.
Lacking the confidence to catch the approaching rock with her strings, Rin retracted them into her hand and swiftly switched to her katana. She aimed to slice the rock right in front of her face. The impact of the blow sent Rin flying backward once again, caught off guard without a stable stance. Although she possessed the ability to slash through thousands of skeletons with lightning speed, dealing with a solid object was not her forte. Only Ryuusei could accomplish such a feat.
Seeing Rin lying powerless, the other cadets panicked and fled, leaving her alone in that place. It seemed that Erina the Flower was not strong enough to face an ogre! Rin's vision blurred as she watched the ogre running toward her, a thin stream of blood slowly trickling from her lips. She wanted to unleash her final Sign while she could still breathe. However, her movement was halted as a swift strike from the side successfully severed the ogre's head.
A figure cloaked in black held a sword from the Yuelan region in one hand and grasped the ogre's decapitated head in the other. Rin whispered softly, “Ka...ran...zo?”
Rin's eyes widened in disbelief as the person opened their cloak.
Han Luoyi, a renowned martial artist (Wulin) from the Yuelan Region, captivates Rin with her fiery red hair and delicate features. Her piercing emerald eyes radiate a fierce intensity, while her flawless porcelain complexion exudes an ethereal charm. Draped in a flowing scarlet silk Hanfu adorned with golden embroideries and shimmering pearls, she emanates an enchanting radiance under the night sky. Every movement she makes displays unparalleled grace, showcasing her unmatched martial prowess.
In her hand, she wields the legendary Dragonrise Jian, a weapon of unparalleled artistry. Its blade gleams like molten silver, gracefully reflecting light. The hilt, embraced by crimson silk, showcases intricate gold filigree that winds toward the pommel, crafted in the likeness of a majestic coiled dragon.
Han Luoyi meets Rin's gaze with a confident smile. Beyond her captivating appearance and graceful demeanor, her resolve shines through her resolute eyes. To Rin, Han Luoyi is not only an intelligent mentor but also an indomitable warrior, deserving of utmost respect and reverence.
Han Luoyi disposed of the ogre's head and helped Rin to stand up.
"Sis Luo..." Rin murmured, but her mouth was immediately silenced by Luoyi's finger.
"Shhh, keep this a secret from the others," Han Luoyi whispered, winking as she took out an Elixir of Dream from her pocket. "I'm sorry, but I must leave now."
Anxiety and joy surged within Rin's heart. She simply nodded with a smile, then could only watch as Han Luoyi walked through the air, walls, hills, and mountains without using the stairs to ascend the hermitage. Rin understood that dawn was approaching, so the female wulin had to hurry.
*
Karanzo himself, along with his fellow comrades, is nearing the completion of their encounter with the severely injured ogre in the northern area. However, none of them can deliver the final blow. Even Karanzo's bombs and throwing tools have been exhausted, as this particular ogre's resilience surpasses that of the Minotaur he previously faced. The ogre's loud shouts generate shockwaves that disorientate the cadets, including Karanzo.
A Viking cadet sprints swiftly, boldly challenging the gusts of wind while shouting, "Make way, for Hjalmar Askeir is coming for ya!"
Hjalmar has gathered a fiery aura at the tip of his club, and with a cry of "Fire Bagua!" he strikes the ogre's body, causing a massive hollow to form. The impact is powerful and ablaze, shaking the souls of the cadets and electrifying their bodies. They are also astounded because, in addition to his lightning aura, Hjalmar the Thunderstorm is capable of emitting fire. Aleister would undoubtedly be delighted to hear this news. The ogre's stomach is hollowed, its eyes devoid of any signs of life, and it collapses motionless for a few moments before perishing.
Hjalmar discarded his club and took hold of a Big Foot's claw from his waist, transferring it to his right hand and showcasing it to everyone. Some of them still remembered that it was the claw that had shattered Hjalmar's previous primary weapon, and for some reason, this agile figure of Hjalmar left them truly impressed now.
"What are you looking at?! Get off your asses and help the others!" shouted Hjalmar, pointing south, and they promptly responded.
Karanzo noticed several cadet bodies with swords near Hjalmar's feet and asked, "Could you fetch me a sword from among those bodies, Hjalmar?"
Hjalmar took out a secondary axe from his waist and threw it to Karanzo, who caught it with a perplexed look on his face. "Take my axe instead; swords are for wenches," he said, walking away from Karanzo.
Karanzo's blood boiled a little at Hjalmar's response. Besides Thanistor and Zain, it turned out there were still plenty of cadets he despised. He muttered under his breath, ("Tch! What a kill secure!")
Karanzo then encountered Rin again in the southern area. To Karanzo's surprise, Rin appeared to be perfectly fine, and the wounds on her body had miraculously disappeared — in contrast to his own condition. Karanzo was momentarily puzzled by this but decided not to dwell on it.
"You two...!" exclaimed Joel as he joined Karanzo and Rin, being pursued by a banshee. "Wait for me! Let's assist Ray's group in their battle against Baphomet over there."
Rin glanced at Karanzo, noticing his labored breathing. "Karanzo, are you alright? It seems your Sign has drained a significant amount of your strength."
"No, Rin," Karanzo replied. "Previously, I only used the Sign once or twice. However, thanks to the cultivation technique, my Spirituality has been greatly enhanced, allowing me to use the Sign three to four times..."
They witnessed the possessed cadets scattered around them. Many male cadets convulsed in their struggle against the banshees that had taken control of them, while some of the female cadets lay unconscious with pale faces and vacant eyes. Rin couldn't help but shiver at the sight.
"We don't have time to waste, let's hurry!" commanded Karanzo as he ran, discarding Hjalmar's axe and retrieving a new sword from the fallen cadet's body on the ground.
*
At the western edge of the fourth hermitage, numerous cadets found themselves cornered by hundreds of Banshees. They cried out and pleaded for help, but no cadet with a strong aura came to their rescue. They resigned themselves to the belief that this was the end of their journey. The screams of the Banshees instilled fear in their hapless victims, driving them into hysteria. Above them, the Lich, the commander of the Banshees, began resurrecting Death Knights.
Aleister stood shivering in the midst of the crowd trapped in a corner. The negative energy emitted by those around him conveyed a sense of impending doom, and even Aleister acted scared. Although he desired to pursue Fenrius to the summit, the staircase was blocked by the Lich's ice tower. He cursed himself for getting involved with foolish individuals and felt utterly lost. Aleister's first rule was never to reveal his data, information, and powers to the public. Yet, here he was, joining in the desperate cries for help alongside his fellow cadets, appearing even more desperate than those in need of aid.
Just as the banshees were about to strike, a female cadet standing next to Aleister let out a piercing scream that echoed like a blaring train horn, startling him to the core and causing him to instinctively cover his ears. The radiant glow of Quartz Aura engulfed the western hermitage, obliterating the banshees within its luminous embrace. The brilliance was so intense and awe-inspiring that even the Lich recoiled in fear. However, the respite was fleeting as the light swiftly faded, leaving no trace of the other cadets except for Aleister, whose presence seemed to dissipate like a fleeting gust of wind.
The cadets stood bewildered, grappling with the sudden turn of events as if a flashbang had been hurled at them. Despite the confusion and their depleted ammunition, they seized the opportunity to scavenge weapons from the fallen bodies. Among their findings were explosives and holy oil, both invaluable resources in the never-ending night. Determined to endure until dawn, they steeled themselves with unwavering resolve, ready to fight until the last drop of blood.
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*
As one of the most talented cadets in the academy, Han Luoyi exuded confidence in her abilities as she calmly executed her plan while traversing the rugged mountain terrain. Exploiting the misconception among many cadets that she had been eliminated in the previous exam, she seized the opportunity to move unnoticed, precisely one hour before dawn.
While crossing the hills, Han Luoyi was astounded as she gazed down upon the third hermitage, confronted by an indescribable scene of chaos. Her attention was captured by the presence of Ifrit, a colossal fire demon. The creature raced on all fours around the hermitage, while the three cadets relentlessly engaged it in combat, akin to a swarm of enraged bees. The fiery footprints left by Ifrit seared the ground, engulfing half of the hermitage in flames and evoking an atmosphere reminiscent of the depths of Maldrakar Hell.
Han Luoyi recognized her classmates, Thanistor Groh and Mason Dantez, among the cadets. It was a rare sight for her to witness both of them engaged in such a fierce battle. Whenever Mason channeled all his energy into his sword, preparing to unleash his ultimate technique, the Cursed Dragon swiftly responded with ranged attacks. Familiar with the patterns, Mason cunningly deceived the Cursed Dragon by canceling his technique and launching a series of long-range slashes. His strikes successfully severed the dragon's right wing, causing it to crash to the ground. If those strikes had been directed toward Han Luoyi, who was running through the hills, she believed they would have inflicted significant damage. However, with Dragonrise Jian firmly in her grip, she felt confident in her ability to withstand such an assault.
("So that's the power of Soul Madness...") Han Luoyi pondered to herself.
On the other side of the hermitage, Han Luoyi was also captivated by the mysterious aura surrounding Vanatos the Nailer's body. She had successfully defeated dozens of demons and jinn, gathering their corpses in one place before resuming her hunt. Among the cadets, Han Luoyi noticed that Vanatos was the most active, allowing her to easily track her aura from a distance.
That aura was different from the typical dark red Chaos Soul Charge. Han Luoyi speculated, based on her philosophy, that if there was a soul charge like the one possessed by Vanatos, it might be called the Aida Soul Charge.
Fortunately for Han Luoyi, she didn't participate in the ongoing battle that would last until dawn. She swiftly made her way toward the first hermitage at the summit, choosing to sneak past without engaging in combat, as it was the smartest strategy for her. However, as she approached the second hermitage, a sense of darkness engulfed everything, obscuring even the summit from her view.
The radiance of the sun mask appeared right in front of Luoyi's face, causing her to scream and strike at it. However, she felt her strike pass through the figure in front of her, realizing it was nothing more than an illusion. The figure revealed itself once again to Han Luoyi, taking on the form of a faint sorcerer-like figure. Based on his robe, adorned with a sun symbol, Han Luoyi referred to him as the Sun Priest, the guardian of this hermitage.
The Sun Priest stands tall and slender, exuding a majestic presence that commands respect. He wears a white robe adorned with golden embroidery, shimmering in the darkness. His face is concealed behind a golden sun mask, intricately designed and etched with patterns. The mask features a sunburst design, with golden rays extending outward from the center. It emits a faint, warm glow, enhancing the Sun Priest's otherworldly appearance. Suspended in the air, he radiates an aura of light that envelops the space around him.
Strangely, at that moment, Han Luoyi could see her opponent, who emitted an aura of light, but she could no longer see the objects around her, including the surface of the mountain she was treading. Unbeknownst to Han Luoyi, the Sun Priest was already aware of her tactics, causing her to reconsider her approach to reaching the summit. Nevertheless, Han Luoyi drew her legendary blade, determined to gather accurate data from her opponent since her initial slash had only hit an illusion.
As Han Luoyi remained focused on her opponent, the darkness surrounding her unexpectedly transformed into numerous black hands that seized her body, pulling her downward. The speed of her descent caused her to scream until her body forcefully collided with the ground of the hermitage. She found herself unable to move as the black hands continued to restrain her.
("What is this darkness?! I already consumed the Draught of Agony, but still...")
Luoyi's gaze fell upon a colossal stone basin atop an altar, ablaze with a magnificent, vibrant flame. That's the only place that shines the most amidst the boundless darkness that surrounds the area. Known as the Eternal Fire, it served as a sacred focal point for the Occultist faction's worship. Now, however, the flame burned with an extraordinary intensity, fueled by the magical power emanating from the Sun Priest's Sunstaff. Its brilliance never waned, casting an ethereal glow that filled the surroundings. The stone basin itself was adorned with intricate carvings and symbols, further emphasizing its significance.
Just when Han Luoyi believed things couldn't get worse, an army of formidable beings emerged from the very heart of the Eternal Fire. Among them were the Pyrokin, humanoid figures composed entirely of blazing flames. Their heads resembled burning skulls, while their bodies radiated fiery hues of red and orange. The intense heat they emanated could be felt even from a distance. With elongated arms ending in claw-like fingers, the Pyrokin possessed the ability to claw at the darkness, temporarily returning the atmosphere to normal before plunging it back into darkness.
In contrast, the Embergeist appeared as compact balls of fire, surrounded by a flickering aura of orange and yellow flames. Floating effortlessly in the air, they moved with exceptional agility and speed, rendering them elusive targets. Though smaller in size, the Embergeist compensated with its fiery ranged attacks, and its swift nimbleness made it a formidable opponent.
Even though Pyrokin and Embergeist emit intense heat that can scorch the surrounding area, they are unable to fully extinguish the pure darkness of the atmosphere.
Feeling deeply pressured, Han Luoyi rose up with determination, unleashing her Soul Charge and instantly dispersing the grip of darkness. Although Han Luoyi had not yet reached her maximum affinity, her aura was already on the brink of perfection, just a few steps away from attaining the Ascendant level.
Han Luoyi swung her sword, striking down several Pyrokin, but the fiery creatures kept resurfacing, much like the continuously regenerating Embergeist. Han Luoyi now speculated that as long as the Eternal Fire, fueled by the power of the Sun Priest, remained alive, it would be nearly impossible to kill these creatures. She was left with two options: retreat to the third hermitage or extinguish the fire after defeating the Sun Priest.
Han Luoyi, still leading the way with her speed, decided that returning would be the safer option. Her assumption had been wrong all along; it was better to fight together than alone. ("I have to get out of here, no matter what!") she thought firmly.
After several minutes of running at cheetah-like speed, Han Luoyi still couldn't find any ray of light. This darkness seemed endless. She thought that perhaps this was an illusory realm created by the Sun Priest, and she had no choice but to confront him. Furthermore, she couldn't see anything ahead of her except for the fires behind her.
Pieces of the puzzle began to assemble in Luoyi's mind as she realized that her initial strike toward the Sun Priest had only landed on an illusory body. Her focus now shifted to finding the real body hidden within the darkness. Maneuvering around the hermitage, she used the Eternal Fire as her guiding point. She twirled her body multiple times to dodge the fierce fiery claws of the Pyrokin and took to the air to evade the distant fireballs hurled by the Embergeist.
Unable to gather enough momentum to approach the Eternal Fire, which was guarded by numerous fiery creatures, Han Luoyi had no choice but to continue ascending while harnessing the remaining power of her Soul Charge. A new option dawned on her: to persistently run and evade until daybreak!
*
From a distance, Karanzo's group finally caught sight of Ray and his companions, still locked in battle with the badly injured Baphomet. Amidst their struggle, it appeared that Ray's group was nearing the end of vanquishing the sluggish Baphomet.
Baphomet unleashed a stream of flames akin to a flamethrower, prompting Valder, the swindler of the group, to seek cover behind a pillar. Valder had been responsible for luring the creature, and though still being targeted, he signaled Ray with his emergency attack code.
Sarah drew her bowstring with all her strength, releasing an arrow that struck Baphomet in the eye, causing the monster to stagger and become blinded. Valder, wielding his enormous hammer, pounded the ground, causing cracks to propagate and obstruct the path ahead, eventually leading Baphomet to tumble into a gaping hole. It was the easily cracked ground they had prepared as a trap. "Finish him now, Ray!" Valder shouted.
Ray leaped onto Baphomet, his sword ablaze with a radiant aura as he delivered a slashing blow that left a cross-shaped scar on the creature's body, rendering it unconscious.
"Finally, we've defeated it," Ray declared, leaving Baphomet behind. "Now it's time for us to deal with the Lich."
A colossal shadow of horror slowly loomed behind Ray as the Baphomet rose, extending its hand and tightly gripping the giant axe, poised to cleave the man in two.
"Ray!" exclaimed Valder and Sarah in shock, their gazes fixed on him.
This dire situation was averted by two swift slashes from behind Ray. The movements of the two ninjas were as fast as bullets, severing Baphomet's head from its body. Ray, Valder, and Sarah stood in astonishment, witnessing a lightning-quick strike that defied the eye. Ray remained frozen as he realized that Karanzo and Erina had saved him from near death. Their arrival marked a new beginning, igniting the resolve of the other cadets to continue their onslaught against the undead.
Ray gave Karanzo a high-five while expressing his gratitude, "Karanzo! Erina! Thank you so much. If you hadn't arrived in time..."
"Don't worry about it, Ray. Now we need to focus on the undead," Karanzo replied.
Valder approached them and praised, "What was that combination attack just now? It was a clean and exquisite slash."
Sarah chimed in, "I never expected the Shinra ninjas to be this strong..."
Rin reluctantly responded, "Please don't exaggerate. We simply found the right momentum...that's all."
"Heh, that was a fantastic United Force slash, Rin. I'd be delighted to do it again someday," Karanzo added, looking satisfied.
"Hey! All of you! Help me!" Joel screamed as he brought more Banshees toward them.
As everyone prepared to confront the undead, a massive explosion erupted at the summit of Mount Tartaros, shaking the entire mountain and startling all the cadets in the hermitages. The tremendous blast sent shockwaves rippling in every direction, transforming the darkened sky into a radiant void at its center and casting a brilliant light upon Mount Tartaros.
In an instant, all the undead inhabiting the fourth hermitage—the Death Knights, Banshees, and the hermit's guardian, the Lich—vanished as if they were mere specks of dust. The cadets, their gazes fixed upon the sky, could scarcely believe what they had just witnessed.
Hell Dragon, the exhausted Gantala with the Lightsword in his hand, Aina, who continued to pray using her Miracles, and Thani and Vanatos, still focused on fighting the undead, found themselves gripped by a tremendous explosion that reverberated throughout Mount Tartaros.
Their gaze was fixed on the summit of the mountain, where a radiant explosion of light pierced through the darkened sky. The Dark Bishop, Demons, and Djinns vanished instantly within the brilliance. The Cursed Dragon took flight alongside the scattering crows, while Ifrit ascended the mountain to its hermitage, leaving the cadets in its wake. The enigmatic explosion left them with a lingering question mark in their minds as if they could hardly believe what was unfolding before them.
In the fifth hermitage, where cobwebs adorned the surroundings and skeletons lay scattered on the ground, the cadets emerged triumphant over their ultimate adversary, a Broodmother and her brood of spiderlings. The Wight Queen, along with her wraiths, disappeared into nothingness in the presence of the radiant light. A surge of relief and wonder washed over the cadets as an explosion of unimaginable magnitude ruptured the horizon, leaving them in a state of stupefied amazement.
Near the forest and within the graveyard, the cadets felt the earth quiver beneath their feet, their gaze drawn to the summit of Mount Tartaros shrouded in billowing dark smoke. With eyes widened in awe, they bore witness to the Cursed Dragon, crows, Harpies, and Succubi taking flight, their frenzied departure forewarning an impending catastrophe.
In the central square, where the island monument stood as a silent sentinel, Hyoh and Yuria, accompanied by the Ravenguards, stood resolute in the face of Mount Tartaros' unleashed fury. They stood in awe as mighty winds swept through the swaying forest, extinguishing the once-flickering bonfires in their path. Amidst the ensuing silence, their gaze remained fixated on the ethereal glow enveloping the mountain and sky, conjuring an enchanting scene reminiscent of a Magical Night.