The hound extermination crew formed a circle, with Slim and Zara fixing their attention on Scott as he patiently recounted his thoughts and observations while exploring the holographic map.
"That’s it for the first, second, and third district. The fourth district follows the same pattern, but it’s quite tricky too,” Scott conveyed mentally.
“Buddy, how were you even able to see all this?” Slim muttered aloud. “If you hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have thought about studying the map, let alone figuring out the mysteries behind the looping mazes. I can already imagine how difficult the next trial is going to be,” the skeleton added mentally, sighing while shaking his head.
“Focus on what’s important. Memorizing all the exits in the four districts is the only way to ensure we’re not in trouble when the trial starts,” Scott emphasized, glancing at the necromancer.
“I know, I know,” Slim replied, sighing once more. “It’s a good thing we know where to look.”
“Thankfully, we don’t have to deal with fatigue or attend to our bodily functions,” Zara said, stretching her arms.
Despite several hours passing since they began observing the maps, none of the trio felt physically or mentally fatigued, nor did they experience any urge to eat or drink. Scott also observed that Hastur’s gaze couldn’t peer at the stats of his companions for some reason, and some lesser gods continued observing the group even after the end of their shenanigans.
“I’m more concerned that no one has gotten here yet,” Slim mused, facing the direction opposite the gate. “Am I being paranoid, but shouldn’t a few of them have arrived by now?”
“I get what you’re saying, but worrying about something like that is pointless, I think,” Zara interjected, staring in the same direction as the necromancer. “I’m glad we weren’t tempted by the other rewards and got here in one piece. Who knows what absurdities the others are facing right now.”
“Focus on memorizing the maps instead of bothering with something useless,” Scott advised in a hushed tone. “Let's move on to the fourth district. It's like the second district, but the exits aren't as accessible. It should...” Scott's words were abruptly cut off by a resonating gong. The trio instinctively turned toward the gate, the source of the sudden noise.
The judges remained motionless; heads raised toward the blackened skies. Scott, Zara, and Slim mimicked their actions, gazing into the emptiness above the heavens.
“What are they looking at? I can't see anything,” Zara remarked with a frown.
“Same here,” Slim added, turning toward Scott. “Do you see anything, buddy?”
Scott slowly shook his head. “It's the same for me.”
“Hmm… maybe it's something only they can see,” Zara mused after a short pause.
The trio continued to stare at the heavens for a while before diverting their gazes. Despite their prolonged observation, they couldn't spot a thing. Slim and Zara refocused on Scott, who patiently analyzed and relayed the exits in the fourth district. Meanwhile, the judges continued their unwavering gaze into the nothingness above.
Time accumulated in a cascade: seconds stacking into minutes, minutes unfolding into hours, and hours stretching into days. The trio maintained their unchanging postures, exchanging thoughts and observations through the party channel. The judges, fixated on the celestial expanse, went unnoticed by the group, with several lesser gods having lost interest, as the trio rarely uttered a word or shifted from their seated positions.
“This whole thing is unnecessarily complicated and tedious,” Slim grumbled while reclining on his back. Despite feeling no fatigue, he detested monotonous activities.
“I'd rather endure this than face the next trial unprepared,” Zara remarked, though her expression hinted at a discordant inner sentiment.
Scott shook his head as he stared at the duo. I wonder how they’d react if I told them many people would kill for a place like this back on Earth. I don’t know how long we have been here, but I have completely memorized the exits in the first three districts, and I’m halfway through the fourth district.
The eldritch knight glanced at the necromancer who tried to make a snow angel on the fluffy ground. Although he has been complaining, he’s already done memorizing the exits in the four districts. Zara is struggling with the third district, but she should be able to memorize it in a day or two. After that, we’ll need to figure out the purpose of the fifth district, but is that even possible? Scott’s brows creased as he fell into deep thought.
The trio had exchanged various ideas about the purpose of the third trial, yet none of them had managed to propose a theory they all universally agreed upon. The only consensus they reached was that the trial would likely accommodate an absurd number of champions.
Suddenly, Slim sat upright, abandoning his futile attempts to create a cloud angel. He fixed a mischievous smile on Scott and said, “Buddy, do you still have any of those fragrant wines?”
“Huh? Yeah, why?” Scott replied.
The necromancer giggled, his smile growing even more mischievous. “What else is wine used for? To get wasted, of course. We should at least have some fun and get to know each other better. When else are we going to have such an opportunity?”
Scott and Zara exchanged glances, neither dismissive of the idea, but they weren't finished memorizing the exits like the necromancer.
“C’mon, guys, we have all the time in the world to memorize the map. One or two hours shouldn’t be a problem, right?” Slim persuaded, inching closer to the duo. “You know what they say, three friends drinking is a memory for a lifetime.”
“Who said that?” Scott asked.
“Some guy, I don’t know. That's not what's important,” the skeleton said with a dry smile.
Zara burst out laughing. “You made it up, didn’t you?”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Slim turned away from the probing gazes, whistling to conceal his embarrassment.
Scott shook his head before accessing his inventory, and three jars of the fragrant gruff wine materialized. “Since we can’t feel thirst or hunger here, it’s unlikely we’ll even get drunk. So, there’s no harm in having a drink,” Scott suggested.
Slim laughed heartily, reaching for one jar. “I knew you’d see it my way,” he said, quickly breaking the jar’s seal, releasing the wine’s fragrant aroma.
“Since you guys are drinking, I might as well join you.” Zara grabbed a jar for herself. Like Slim, she punctured a small hole in the seal before rapidly downing the sweet wine.
“This is how it’s supposed to be,” Slim chuckled, smiling as Zara chugged the wine. Then, he turned toward Scott. “Buddy, you should drink up too. You don’t...” The skeleton suddenly paused, smiling mischievously.
“How about we have a little competition?” Slim suggested with a smile.
Zara shot a glance at the necromancer, “You’re not trying to propose another party leader competition, right?”
“My leader, I wouldn’t dare usurp you so soon. I’m not that shameless,” Slim said with a wry smile. If he could, he would have proposed another party leader competition, but he didn’t want to draw the ire of the brawler again.
“Okay then, what do you have in mind?” Zara glanced at the skeleton while taking a sip from the sweet wine.
“It’s simple, really. Consider it a little drinking game.” The skeleton removed one of his shoes. “We’ll each take turns asking each other questions; you're supposed to say one truth and two lies. The goal is to figure out which statement is the truth among the lies. After, let’s say ten rounds, we’ll decide who the winner is and what their reward should be.”
“I think I understand the essence of the game, but what’s the shoe for?” Zara asked, staring at the luxurious loafer.
Slim chuckled deviously as he reached for the shoe. “Well, for this game, I’d like to call it the hammer of justice. Each time you fail to guess the truth, you will be introduced to the hammer of justice.”
Scott’s cheeks puffed behind his mask, restraining himself from laughing. He had met a lot of people in his life, but hardly someone as ridiculous as the necromancer.
Zara muttered, nodding slowly. “The hammer of justice, huh?” The brawler raised her head, wearing a cunning smile. “I'm sure your face will be getting acquainted with the hammer soon enough.”
“Oh really? Funny, I had the same idea,” Slim retorted with an even more devious smile. The duo laughed like villains as they locked eyes.
Meanwhile, Scott silently observed the scene. They look like they're ready to smack the living shit out of each other. Maybe I should suggest another game or something. Scott considered it but then thought better of it. On second thought, letting them face each other would be more entertaining.
“Guys, I'll sit this one out. But I'd love to see you go at it,” Scott said.
“Ah, buddy, I was looking forward to us playing this game together. But if that's how you want it, I can't change your mind," Slim said, directing his attention solely at Zara.
“It's a shame you won't be joining us. Nevertheless, I promise to put on a great show,” Zara declared, keeping her focus on Slim.
Scott sported a wry smile behind his mask. These shitheads aren’t even trying to hide it. They wanted this all along.
Several lesser gods are intrigued about the competition! Several lesser gods praise you for tactfully withdrawing from the competition! Several lesser gods are taking bets on the winner of the competition! The lesser god of illusion is cooking up a plot with some other lesser gods! The lesser god of illusion asks you to ignore the system’s message!
Scott stared at the system messages that materialized in front of him. I can’t believe they’re taking bets. It’s almost as if we’re their clowns, dancing for their amusement, he thought.
Scott sighed softly, then continued reading the latter half of the system’s message. This guy sure is persistent. I wonder what he’s planning, Scott thought, his curiosity piqued by the enigmatic lesser god of illusions.
“So, who is going to start? Me or you?” Zara asked, her eyes fixed on the hammer of justice.
Slim chuckled softly, “My leader, it’s obvious I should go first since I’m nothing but a mere minion.”
“Haven’t you heard of 'ladies first'?” Zara retorted, reaching for the luxurious shoe. However, Slim’s arm intercepted her. “Well, the dead should be respected. Since I’m undead, I’m technically dead, so I should go first.”
“What? That doesn’t make any sense,” Zara protested.
“How about you decide who goes first with rock, paper, scissors?” Scott suggested from the side.
“Great idea,” Zara and Slim said in unison. Without delay, the duo rocked their right hands in a single motion, then revealed their choices.
“Damn,” Slim cursed, staring at Zara’s closed fist atop his outstretched middle and index fingers.
Zara laughed mischievously, dragging the hammer of justice closer to her side. “Let’s begin,” she said, slowly rocking her head back and forth as if contemplating her opening statement.
At that precise moment, a resonant gong filled the air, startling the trio. Before any of them could react, five figures descended from the blackened heavens, landing gracefully on the fluffy cloud.
Several lesser gods are bitterly disappointed with the arrival of new champions! Three lesser gods have banned the new arrivals from their sanctuaries!
The hound extermination crew rose to their feet, their attention drawn to the newly arrived figures stacked upon one another. Their focus honed in on the blackened, somewhat purplish patches that adorned the necks of the disoriented champions.
“What is that thing on their neck? Poison, or is it the aftereffect of some drug?” Slim pondered mentally.
“Besides that, their armors are a complete mess,” Zara added, her arms folded across her chest.
Another resonant gong echoed through the air, prompting a light beam to shoot out from one of the judges, enveloping the unconscious quintet sprawled on the ground. The dark-purple spots visibly receded, and the champions' once-pale faces gradually regained a healthier hue.
Another group has arrived in front of the judgment gate! Those who seek to cause mayhem or discord in front of the judgment gate will be purged! Champions can now cross the judgment gate! Warning! Champions will be unable to return to the rest area after crossing the judgment gate!
Quests Quest: Main Quest has been updated! Main Quest: Survive the third trial! Side Quest: Visit the sunken city of Togan!
Scott furrowed his brows, his gaze fixed on the system messages that sprawled across the screen. A creak resounded, catching the attention of the eldritch knight. He turned towards the pearl gates, only to find the judges, who had previously blocked the exit, now silently shifting aside. However, an unsettling change occurred – each faceless officer now wielded forks, their collective focus directed at the motionless champions.
As another gong reverberated, three champions descended from the skies, landing in a disheveled heap upon the ground.
“Guys, it's time to refocus on memorizing the map, Scott conveyed mentally. “We can't leave this place until we've thoroughly committed the map to memory.”