*Class Upgrade Trial becomes available: Pass the trial to receive upgrade (0/1 Pass) Attempts left 2/3*

*Fu, fu, fu. Little Outsider, you can’t save everyone. Make a choice.*

*Choose a cage, the inhabitants will live. The other cage, the inhabitants will die. You may not choose both*

These words… Cyrus had heard them before. Familiar shouts of his companions encroached his ears from one side while the silent gaze of his lifelong friend came from the other. What had just happened?

All he did was blink, after hearing his companions die because of his choice and now he had gone back in time. The choice he made had been erased, does that mean he chose incorrectly? One of the attempts for his trial had been used.

That could only mean… he was supposed to kill Trinity and save his companions instead. Like choosing the new world over the old one. New friends over the best one. A new life, for his treasured one.

*It seems you are indecisive. Allow me to help move your mind along. Choose in 5 minutes or the trial will end. (4:59)*

It was almost as if, the same scene was being replayed for a second time. Time ticked slowly by while his brain rendered the choice he was going to have to agree with. But what other choice did he have, there was none. This time, instead of betraying his companions, he would have to betray Trinity instead.

Cyrus didn’t know if he had the strength to make that choice. This was the longest they had ever been apart; did he have the strength to leave her behind again? He already knew the answer, but there was no way he would ever accept it. So he made the choice he had to.

“I’ll save my companions.” Cyrus croaked, a vice clutching his neck.

*The choice has been made. Await Judgement*

If he had made the right choice, the black cloud showed no signs of difference. There had only been one change this time.

“Was our relationship that meaningless to you?” Trinity asked him, there was no anger in her eyes, only betrayal.

While his companions thanked him for choosing them, he couldn’t face them still. This wasn’t right, choosing one family over the other. He wished she’d at least yelled at him, swore, threw a temper tantrum. That look remained until the end.

*Judgement made*

*Class Upgrade Trial becomes available: Pass the trial to receive upgrade (0/1 Pass) Attempts left 1/3*

*Fu, fu, fu. Little Outsider, you can’t save everyone. Make a choice.*

*Choose a cage, the inhabitants will live. The other cage, the inhabitants will die. You may not choose both*

The words registered in Cyrus’ head the second he heard them. This was the third time they were spoken. Why was the judgment ending in failure again? There had been no other options, choose his companions or his best friend. What else could he do?

*It seems you are indecisive. Allow me to help move your mind along. Choose in 5 minutes or the trial will end. (4:59)*

The same countdown, he had 5 minutes to figure out the solution or he’d fail again. He wanted to save them both, the thought of having to betray either side was plaguing his mind and running him rampant.

(3:59)

No matter what Cyrus chose, the other side died.

(2:59)

He never had a choice to begin with, this whole thing was rigged from the beginning.

(1:59)

The easiest choice is easy because he would just have to betray someone. The one thing he swore to never to because it’s what drove him to this point in his life in the first place. How could he stoop that low, no different than his enemies.

(0:59)

The best choice was not to make one. It was as the dark cloud had said. If he didn’t choose, the trial would end. No one would die, he didn’t need to leave behind anyone in the end.

(0:00)

*The choice has not been made. Await Judgement*

*Judgement made. Trial approved by Task Master. Class Evolution approved. Evolving Class: [Avenger] – Epic*

*Class Evolution complete. [Vigilante] – Mythic. Stat bonuses applied with Mythic level Evolution. +5 Strength, +8 Dexterity, +4 Constitution, +3 free points*

*Title: Mythic – Received a Mythic Class status. Mythic has scarcely been achieved as few meet the requirements. +20 All Stats*

After the judgement had been made, the cages and the black cloud vanished. All that remained were the notifications after completing the trial. He was ashamed that it took his all 3 attempts but he now understood the purpose of the trial.

Cyrus had been so focused on the past that it was beginning to affect the choices he made about the present. He wasn’t able to let go of the things he once had. If he couldn’t than it was likely he would have to sacrifice the little happiness he had even now.

The title he just earned was easily the best one yet, coupled with attaining a Mythic level class, he wasn’t sure how good the benefits could get. The class name [Vigilante] made him sound like some sort of villain. In a way, those words weren’t wrong either. He really had no intention of being on the side of good or evil. What mattered were his interests.

Name: Cyrus Rainer

Race: Outsider

Level: 61

Class: Vigilante - Mythic

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Titles: Beginner, First steps, Survived the Void, Herb Lover, Slayer, Defiance, Champion Slayer, Leviathan Slayer, King Slayer, Boss Clear, Incursion, Mythic

Strength: 285 (+50%)

Dexterity: 261 (+25%)

Constitution: 284 (+25%)

Intelligence: 144 (+20%)

Charisma: 71 (+10%)

Luck: 71 (+10%)

Free Points: 0

Just glancing over his stats made him nearly piss himself. The stat bonuses were massive, each one getting an improved effectiveness by a certain percentage. While his Strength was 285, in reality it was over 400. Similar improvements went for each of his stats. With this… he might actually survive when he teleports out of the trial zone.

He vaguely wondered if there was a way to further improve those percentages. Or if there was another evolution past Mythic, but those questions could wait until he survived.

One thing had changed besides his stats, his resolve. All this time, he treated his companions like tools that were meaningless to him. Keeping them all at an arm’s length distance, but he wouldn’t do that anymore. They were risking their lives to follow him; he may as well return the same favor.

*Return to [Planet: Tezure] from Trial?(Y/N)*

It really only occurred to Cyrus that this was the first time he heard or saw the name of the planet he was on. Not that it had been important until now or anything, but it would still be nice to know.

Without waiting, he returned.

-----------------------------------------

Cyrus wasn’t at all sure how going back to Tezure was going to be. But it sure as hell wasn’t this. He was surrounded by a disgusting liquid that had such a putrid smell; he didn’t want to confirm with himself what it was. It could best be described that he was inside a cylinder, but he would only be trying to make himself feel better about the truth.

He was inside Krill’s stomach.

In just a few seconds, the monster would have chewed him up and kill him. However, since he disappeared and reappeared in the same place after a few seconds had passed, he bypassed the dangerous part of getting eaten. Instead, he made it inside the stomach as a whole.

This hadn’t been the plan, but the opportunity was incredible. The outside of Krill was too tough to cut, even with the improvements it was unlikely he would have enough power given he couldn’t even scratch the armor before. But now… he could wreck the inside without any real danger. Except he might just throw up, the goo all over him were fluids from the inside of a monster.

What he would give for a laundry machine.

Without further ado, there was only one way to get out of this horrid place. He coated his rapier in aura and immediately felt how much stronger it was. The flame was more powerful but it wasn’t as thick at the same time, as if it had become more refined in nature. A smaller impact would pack quite a punch.

There was no method to his attacks. Cyrus just slashed his weapon in every possible direction, fully intent on cutting up the insides of the creature. Krill clearly wasn’t happy and it must’ve dove underground as gravity threw him in every which direction that Krill turned its body. The movements were erratic, but the monster couldn’t hurt him while he was on the inside.

Despite the strength behind his attacks, he never pierced the scales on the outside, but Krill sure as hell was dying if the shrieks were anything to go by. Krill was able to take a massive amount of punishment, he cut it up for several minutes straight before its movements finally began to slow down.

Cyrus wasn’t even sure what direction he was facing anymore; all he knew was that he was dizzy and Krill was going to hell. The monster must’ve been on the surface at this point because he was able to walk normally now while slightly crouching his body. He began making his way to the head, wanting out as soon as possible. Something about being covered in undead worm insides was unappealing.

During his walk, movement finally stopped and he was greeted with the most wonderful of notifications.

*Krill – Level 212 [Realm Ruler] Killed. Experience awarded*

*Level up to 62! – Free points awarded*

*…*

*Level up to 70! – Free points awarded*

*Title: Realm King – Slain a Realm King. +40 Strength, +40 Constitution*

Holy hell, this monster was actually below Albus’ level. Now Cyrus could really tell just how much than man had been holding back when they fought all that time ago. The title was incredible, and all the levels he got boosted his stats massively and gave him tons of free points. It also helped that he was getting so many with each level due to his class, it would be a huge advantage compared to other people who weren’t so lucky. He needed every number he could get to bridge the gap between levels.

After a bit farther, he finally came to the mouth of Krill. Its inside were heavy, but he was able to push open the mouth and throw himself on the ground outside. He had never been so happy to be lying down in his entire life, he was drenched in whatever the inside of a monster was supposed to be and he felt like he’d just been through hell. He was also fairly certain his body just went through a few changes.

“Holy shit he’s alive!” A voice called out from the side. Cyrus recognized it as the dwarf they kidnap- picked up, Sven.

This whole situation felt oddly familiar, and not in a good way. He had literally just been injured not that long ago and here he was broken again. Maybe Farah would actually kill him this time…

If he was going to die, he’d rather die laughing. “Turns out I didn’t taste that good. So it spit me out.” Cyrus chuckled, despite himself.

Farah snorted and raised an eyebrow. “You choose now of all times to make your first joke? Who are you and what have you done with Cyrus?” Even with her snark, a hint of a smile still breaks through.

“Well, I’m just glad all of you are okay. Sorry it took me so long to get out. The inside of that worm was so disgusting I feel like I’m gonna puke.” He says with a fake gag, slowly rising while wiping some of it off him.

“I thought about hitting you, but I suppose it can wait until after you’ve had a shower.” Peluna says while crossing her arms. That was another issue for later.

“Lucky me, we should use the money we get from this quest to get a really nice meal and new equipment. We all deserve it, that’s for sure.” Cyrus knew that they would end up getting a boatload of coin from the Guild, so he figured they deserved some reward for all this trouble.

“This just feels wrong, I liked you better when you were darker and more of an asshole.” Farah laughs, but everyone can tell that she’s joking.

“I don’t know, I kinda like it. What changed in the past 15 minutes?” Grim asked as he helped Cyrus walk. One arm under the shoulder so he could support him.

“I took and passed my Epic Trial, that’s how I ended up in Krill’s stomach without dying.”

Grim almost dropped him as he himself fumbled his footing. Understanding dawned on a few of them as they realized what happened and how he didn’t get killed.

“Even if you were lucky, it’s a good thing you made that choice. I would’ve been really upset if anything bad happened.” Peluna comforted him. “What was you trial like? I’ll be able to do mine whenever I’m ready too.”

Cyrus chewed his lip, it was all too fresh on his memory and he didn’t think he was quite so ready to relive the trial quite yet. “I’ll tell you about it later. I’d rather just get to the surface for now.”

Peluna grumbled under her breath, it was obvious that he was blowing her off but everyone did want to leave. The longer they spent down in the dungeon, the more likely something bad was going to happen again. Not that they needed another problem to take care of after all their previous ones.

With that, they began their way back up. Thankfully, the trip had been mostly mundane without any enemies to deal with. Taking care of the Incursion leader and the realm King had caused most of the monsters to vacate the area due to a lack of leadership and loss of their strongest allies. Being that monsters followed animal instincts, it made sense that they knew when a strong predator was nearby.

At some point, Peluna finally had enough mana and was able to heal everyone. While they had hoped for the sun upon reaching the surface, what they found was the moon. Not that it was still anywhere near as dark as the underground had been, but the fresh air was still appreciated. The smell of blood and sweat starts to make everyone nose blind after so long.

Getting back home was a huge load off, getting to their room meant that everyone was actually safe. They ended up getting a room to fit 5 people since their group had grown so much. It had been beyond Cyrus’ expectations, he didn’t believe he’d be able to put together a crew so quickly, let alone a good one. They were truly a variety of talents with different personalities and aspirations. Even so, they were still able to unite under a common goal. Sven was caught up to speed on their goal, but he didn’t really seem to care, almost like he was indifferent instead.

Not that it bothered Cyrus either; having an artisan such as him would only prove to be useful. After getting cleaned up and dressed down into something more practical. The group went off to celebrate at a tavern, it would be their first time really unwinding as a group and Cyrus planned on spending good money on this outing. Grim said he’d meet them there… and so the shenanigans ensued.