Careful utilization of my remaining skill points had become imperative; they were slipping away like grains of sand through my fingers, leaving me with mere remnants.
There was a catastrophic lack of air.
Gasping for every precious molecule, I scanned the tumultuous underwater battlefield. It was then that my eyes fell upon the true form of the Golem King.
Towering menacingly, his massive frame was now fully exposed, surrounded by an entanglement of thrashing tentacles. Determination surged within me, and with a grinding of my clenched teeth, I conjured forth a Spiritual Weapon, succumbing willingly to the beckoning pull of the menacing appendages that drew me closer to the heart of the golem.
Suppressing my instinct to cry out, I honed in on the rhythmic pulsation of the crystal heart within the living fauna. My response was swift and focused: a volley of Poisonous Arrows, their lethal tips finding their mark. The initial two projectiles punctured the golem’s malleable clay exterior, while the third arrow embedded itself firmly into its massive shoulders.
Yet, time was dwindling relentlessly.
The Golem King’s hand swept through the aqueous surroundings, but the resistance of the surrounding water mass dampened its movements.
Harnessing a dark energy, a malevolent force entwined around the final arrow. With a resolute intent, I let loose the Poisonous Arrow at the now-defined silhouette.
[Your points are at critical levels, Participant 137. All your skills will deactivate in 30 seconds.]
The fourth arrow drove deep into the golem’s stomach. The taut thread lent swiftness to its trajectory, propelling me before I knew it, right before the looming Golem King. Springing off the solid surface with a powerful thrust, I sliced through the ensnaring tentacles. With the resilience of coiled steel, I lunged towards the glinting yellow crystal.
A little more, and victory would be within my grasp.
Every sinew in my neck strained to the limit, the sensation akin to a vacuum threatening to implode. Blood vessels ruptured, and the water before my eyes transformed into a misty blur.
[18 seconds left to skill deactivation.]
I sensed the Golem King pushing the boundaries of its capabilities, drawing ever closer with just a few meters between us.
My grip on the sword weakened, its weight felt like an anchor. Even as the glittering corals became visible in hazy outlines, my remaining time trickled away.
[... 10 seconds.]
Three paces remained to reach the crystal, obstructed by the labyrinthine tangle of vegetation.
The points evaporated, leaving me a scant few to sustain my presently active skills.
[... 5 seconds.]
My fingers clung desperately to the jagged edges of the coral, and with a final surge of strength, I plunged the sword deep into the heart of the crystalline.
As the very foundations of the environment trembled around me, I twisted my body to glimpse the water’s surface. In a distant explosion of energy, the spasming Golem King metamorphosed into a cascade of iridescent soap bubbles, a sight that strained my weary eyes. The shore felt impossibly distant; my strength was all but spent. My only solace was in the hope of the impending collapse of the battlefield’s construct.
[... 1 second.]
Ribs that now felt like they were crafted from shards of pain jabbed into my every movement. My once-resilient skin, devoid of its elementary protective layer, showed signs of wear, cracked and rough. The specter of death’s breath hovered closer than ever; every ounce of effort that could be mustered had already been expended.
Amidst the impending haze of oblivion, a faint silhouette emerged from the tumultuous depths. With an odd, staggered rhythm, it drew nearer. With surprising force, warm fingers closed around my wrists, dragging me towards the blurry unknown.
Reality dissolved into the ephemeral realm of soap bubbles. Water invaded my mouth, triggering the reflex to swallow, though its taste was as acrid as the hard win. Amidst these drowning sensations, my thoughts circled back to the enigmatic objective entrusted to me during that clandestine meeting.
To depend solely on one’s strength against an adversary from the highest echelons was futile, a lesson learned painfully. Yet, to rely upon the compassion of a being devoid of heart would be tantamount to self-inflicted demise.
“Master! Wake up!” A stinging slap reverberated across my cheeks, punctuated by the expulsion of brackish remnants and ensuing bouts of coughing.
However, the calculated risk had paid dividends. Yuna’s presence here was a testament to that. Her worried expression framed a visage that bespoke relief and concern, her drenched and tattered attire hinting at curves in all the right places.
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Two warm streams coursed down from my nose.
“Oh no! You’re bleeding!” Yuna’s panicked voice resonated, accompanied by the swift rustling of fabric. She tore a strip of cloth from her already shortened dress and pressed it against my bleeding nose.
Drawing her closer, I enveloped her in an embrace, allowing myself a moment to absorb her warmth.
[System, I require a restorative elixir.]
[Done. Shall you partake of it now or defer to a later time?]
[Now.]
The transformation of the Dark Elf, an entity suspended amidst the labyrinth of fragmented memories, consumed the rosy elixir down to its last drop.
Vitality surged through me, my desiccated veins imbibing the elixir’s potent essence. In this respite, I turned my attention to the Sixth Level, deploying three Shadowed Familiar to ascend.
My shadowy underlings ascended, passing through potent magic circles pulsating with an abundance of energy.
Upon reaching their destination, the trio dispersed through the opulent chambers of the floating citadel, melding seamlessly with the forms of three living beings.
“How long was I unconscious?” I queried, rising to my feet and extracting a raincoat from my inventory to drape over Yuna’s shoulders.
Blushing, she stammered her response, “Three hours. After your struggle in the depths of the lake culminated in the demise of the field’s origin, we swiftly relocated to the First Level’s residential quarters.”
“Swiftly?” I raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
Yuna’s nod held a measure of uncertainty, her voice wavering as she explained, “Yes, curiously enough, the announcer withheld the declaration of the results, as if anticipating something. Yet, the audience’s vote unequivocally favored our team, cementing our victory.”
“I comprehend,” I mused, my gaze sweeping the earthen chamber we now occupied. “Where are the others?”
“They’ve departed to embark on the assigned task.”
“Damn it,” I muttered. A decision was made. “We’re going for a stroll.” I retrieved a talisman crafted from the hide of a lesser beast, tearing it asunder to summon the Caretaker.
Yuna’s body tensed, and she let out a soft moan, her back pressed against the nearest wall. It was then that I noticed a lengthy gash on the inner surface of her thigh, the distinctive hue of purple blood staining the floor, forming a small puddle.
I clicked my tongue, a rhetorical question escaping my lips:
“Why endure all of this for so long?” My fingers caressed the surface of the spatial ring, retrieving the Restoring Elixir. Leaning over the girl, I gently lifted her chin and poured the elixir through her plump lips.
Her wet eyelashes fluttered closed, and the supple length of her tail wound around my waist in a tender gesture.
The wound slowly sealed itself, a thin crust forming over the once-vulnerable gash.
---
Having dusted off my soiled garments, I discarded them in favor of fresh attire. I summoned the formidable General’s Armor, its resolute form materializing around me.
At that very moment, a soft cough sounded from behind.
“You’re here... Let us out soon.”
The man in the robe required no further explanation, swiftly complying with the request.
The imperceptible barrier dissipated, allowing us to maneuver through the sluggish procession of creatures.
Upon sighting us, some denizens hastened to part the way, recognizing the insignia of the Alliance of Will.
“Behold, the generals of the Alliance,” I overheard murmurs.
“Have you heard they’re here to claim the souls of deserters?”
“Shush, keep your voice down! Don’t you realize who precisely resides within that silver armor?”
Amidst the cacophony, my gaze drifted toward the pitiable half-dead forms hanging from rusty chains beneath the towering ceiling. A wistful smile touched my lips; it was here that I first time tasted the bittersweet essence of survival.
---
Within the dining hall, a grotesque spectacle unfolded—the frenzied feast of creatures, tearing at the flesh of some unfortunate creature that hung from the glass ceiling. The same venomous voice that had berated these creatures for their inhuman nature and commanded their path to the Battlefield resonated in the air.
Turning to Yuna, I silently looked at her seemingly fragile figure, obedience was read in her amber eyes. Handing her the spatial ring without protection, I said: “We’ll reconvene at the Survival Crossroads.”
I stepped through the portal.
The adversaries posed little challenge, their strengths paling compared to my true abilities.
After succumbing in my initial bout against a creature boasting a formidable array of thorns, I found myself translocated to another cell.
There, I vanquished a creature with a gaping maw, its dark abyss threatening to devour me. As my blade pierced its heart and I ignited the deadly flames of Ignition, the creature disintegrated into a cloud of acrid vapor. Not a trace remained of its existence as the portal to the Lower Arena opened.
A third encounter saw the emergence of a pint-sized primate, its features unnervingly familiar. Screaming in its native tongue, it whirled frenetically within its cage, battering its forehead against the bars in a futile bid for escape.
This time, I had to yield, so I halted a meter away using Shadow Steps and whispered a caution:
“If you persist, escape will be futile. Fight with all your might.”
Only then did the creature metamorphose into a towering simian beneath the weight of my penetrating stare, and a flicker of recognition dawned.
Ah, wasn’t this the imbecile who had nearly cost me my life?
Driven by the urge to hasten to the Survival Crossroads and best my adversary with measured retribution, I conceded defeat with purpose. Collapsing before the beast’s onslaught, I relished the taste of victory on its lips.
Intoxicated by victory the creature’s assault showed no restraint.
[Participant 137 is under attack, sustaining 20 points of damage.]
Half of my armor fell away, and a blow struck my abdomen, causing my brow to furrow slightly.
[Participant 137 is under attack, sustaining 40 points of damage.]
Still too feeble.
There was no avoiding it. Throughout most of the skirmish, I feigned vulnerability, enduring blows as trivial as a feather’s touch, writhing as if struggling to “shield myself from the monstrous assault.”
The countdown displayed a mere 10 seconds.
Total damage tallied scarcely above 1430 points.
Ah, well, a fractured finger should suffice.
Seizing the descending fist with my palm, a grin crept beneath my steel helmet. Regrettably, my mirth remained concealed.
Upon beholding the monkey’s dumbfounded expression, a tinge of pity stirred within me. Or perhaps not; I reveled in the hilarity of the situation, struggling to suppress laughter even as I emitted an ominous warning:
“Your reward has arrived.” Rolling a thick finger into a makeshift tube, I splintered the bone in multiple places, relishing the agony etched onto the creature’s countenance.
It might not deal substantial damage, but the pain surpassed even that inflicted by the stinging bites of Hell Wasps.
The satisfying crunch yielded to an agonized scream as I vanished into the newly opened portal.