While the laws may not be strictly adhered to in the old continent, the challenge locations in the seven paths are based on real existing places.
Despite the considerable distance between these challenges, theoretically, one could reach each palace from another. Eventually, the seven paths will converge, and what the novel's characters were unaware of is that in rare instances when challenges are divided within one path, they are always closely situated and easily traversable...
. . .
Six figures soared through the stormy skies, following the edge of the vast roaring river, suddenly the rain thickened, around them. Abruptly, their eyes caught sight of a colossal, deformed creature with myriad tentacles, eyes, and twisted appendages sprawled across the scattered ruins of palaces.
The monstrous entity loomed at the river's edge, forming a foreboding wall that stretched tens of meters above, its tentacles reaching skyward like menacing spires.
Fray looking at the creature he orders "We arrived, let's land "
The group descended, their winged silhouettes landing amidst the rain-drenched chaos. As they approached, the group witnessed hundreds of smaller, nightmarish creatures encircling the colossal abomination.
The river links all five castles, providing a straightforward path to each. The forest, resembling a maze and teeming with monsters, poses a near-impossible barrier to crossing between castles.
Following the river is the only viable option, yet between every two castles, a formidable Dark Cruller boss guards the route. Crossing without fighting is impossible, as ascending to higher altitudes could lead the group out of the challenge domain, halting their progress.
Huddled between the branches of the massive tree, the group prepared for the impending confrontation. Fray, turning to Adam, inquired, "So, what do you think?"
Adam, with a confident gaze, checked his stats window:
[ Level: 3
Strength: 10
Speed: 11
Energy: 20+10'
Defence: 10]
"Yes, I'm sure," he affirmed.
Fray, armed with a detailed plan for the boss, was taken aback when Adam announced his belief in swiftly eliminating the monster. Addressing Elisa, Fray said, "Elisa, you can start."
Calmly, Elisa activated her skill, an aura of energy enveloping her and extending to the rest of the group. Looking at Adam, she stated, "I can only give you 1 minute."
Adam, with confidence, replied, "It's enough."
As the aura engulfed the group, a window materialized in front of Fray, Elisa, Casper, Rin, and Sina:
[ You have lost 20% of your stats ]
Simultaneously, a different window appeared before Adam:
[Your stats are enhanced by 100% ]
Elisa's skill went beyond mere enhancement; it allowed her to manipulate and redistribute stats among the group.
Empowered by Elisa's skill, Adam stood on the tree branch, his energy swirling around him like a tempest. He focused his attention on the colossal creature below. With a determined gaze, he raised his hand toward the sky, commanding the energy at his disposal.
A luminous portal materialized above the monstrous boss, its circumference stretching across the expanse of the sky. The ambient sounds of the roaring river and rain were drowned out by the ominous hum emanating from the portal. As the creature turned its twisted eyes upward, a surge of anticipation filled the air.
Suddenly, the portal erupted, and a deluge of molten lava cascaded from the celestial gateway. The fiery torrent descended upon the boss and its surrounding minions, transforming the battlefield into a chaotic inferno. The monster's agonized screams reverberated as the lava consumed it, the flames rising to colossal heights.
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Adam maintained control over the portal, orchestrating the fiery onslaught until the creature's cries fell silent. With a decisive gesture, he closed the portal, leaving behind only smouldering remnants of the once-menacing boss. A digital window materialized before the group, declaring their victory:
[ You killed a Boss and 103 Dark Crullers, you gained 1103 exp points ]
Fray, his eyes wide, surveyed the aftermath of their triumph, the rain now hissing as it evaporated upon contact with the lingering heat, he couldn't help but think ( Now I understand how he gained his position as one of the five strongest mages in the continent)
Born into the Dalma family, Adam bore a rare and precious gift – Magical Energy, entwined with the elemental forces of the world.
Yet, his unique ability was considered a curse by the family, as it forbade its possessor from forming contracts with spirits. To compound matters, Adam's magical energy seemed ill-suited for combat, limited to opening portals within his current location. The Dalma family dismissed this power as trivial, deeming it unworthy.
But Adam refused to surrender to his perceived limitations. Embarking on a journey, he traversed the nine most perilous locations on the continent. Through sheer determination, he connected his portals to these treacherous realms. Now, he could summon the potent threats of these places at will, crafting a distinctive fighting style that defied the expectations of his family.
That is what earned Adam the recognition as one of the five most formidable mages on the continent.
. . .
In the shadow of ominous clouds and relentless rain, over a hundred warriors clashed against what appeared to be a living castle.
Its towering wooden doors were wide open, unleashing dark tentacles that lashed out at the fighters. Rows of eyes embedded in the walls launched deadly energy beams, creating a chaotic battlefield.
Luke, positioned at the front line, breathed heavily as he skillfully dodged one of the lethal energy beams. However, a twist of fate caused it to collide with another warrior, leaving Luke horrified. His expression turned pale as he gazed upon the tens of fallen bodies.
Turning to his fellow Guardians, who fought with desperation etched on their faces, Luke clenched his teeth.
It had been less than hours but already tens of warriors died in the hands of the Castle, Luke was unable to see a way to defeat the challenge in front of him.
With a mixture of frustration and anger, he screamed, "Retreat, retreat!" The call echoed through the turmoil as the surviving warriors scrambled to disengage from the relentless assault, leaving behind a field strewn with the fallen and a castle that seemed to pulsate with malevolent life.
Under the relentless assault, the surviving warriors, battered and weary, began their retreat. Luke, at the forefront, shouted orders to regroup as they fell back through the rain-soaked battlefield. The castle's dark tendrils continued to lash out, claiming more victims as the warriors struggled to evade their reach.
As they retreated, Luke cast a desperate glance over his shoulder, witnessing the chaotic scene of fallen comrades. The rain mixed with the blood-soaked mud beneath their feet, creating a grim tableau of the price paid in the face of the living fortress.
The sound of footsteps splashing through mud and the distant roars of the castle's relentless assault formed an ominous symphony as the warriors fought their way back, each step a retreat from the malevolent force that had claimed their companions.
The once defiant front now became a steady withdrawal, leaving behind the haunting echoes of their collective struggle against an enemy unlike any they had faced before.
Under the relentless assault, the surviving warriors, battered and weary, began their retreat. Luke, at the forefront, shouted orders to regroup as they fell back through the rain-soaked battlefield. The castle's dark tendrils continued to lash out, claiming more victims as the warriors struggled to evade their reach.
...
Now the remaining warriors, drenched and fatigued, managed to retreat across the river to a marginally safer haven.
Exhausted, they lowered themselves to the wet ground, nursing their injuries as the rain continued to fall relentlessly. Groans of pain and sighs of relief intermingled in the air.
Meanwhile, Luke, Lisa, Mya, Ron, Aslin, and Lucas stood with desperate expressions, their armour battered and spirits shaken. The weight of the recent defeat hung heavily in the air as they deliberated on their next move.
Luke, his brow furrowed, spoke first. "That thing is unlike anything we've faced before. Its power is overwhelming, and our conventional tactics are ineffective. We need a new strategy."
Mya, wiping rainwater from her face, nodded in agreement. "Agreed, but what can we do that?"
Lisa chimed in, her voice is determined but weary. "We must find its weakness, something that can be exploited. But we're dealing with the unknown here. It won't be easy."
As the group deliberated on their desperate situation, Lucas suddenly interrupted the conversation, his finger pointing toward the ominous sky. "What's that?"
The others turned their gaze skyward, their expressions shifting from discussion to bewilderment. Against the dark canvas of the stormy sky, six figures with large, dark wings descended ominously. The sound of the wind whistling through their feathers mixed with the distant roars of the river.
....................
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