Ch 6- Training Trial In Hell

Of all the types of training that had happened so far, none were quite as cruel as this one. It was precisely because of the mental and physical fatigue piled on with wariness among the other children, that the training felt even more harder to complete.

Among all the peaks in Hell, the mountain and terrain selected this time were some of the steepest in the entire domain.

The weight of the iron bracers on his limbs felt like dragging anchors, but Diablo welcomed the challenge.

Ahead of him lay the first trial: the fire pit of Hell. The air shimmered with heat, and the molten lava bubbled ominously below the narrow, crumbling stone pathways.

Diablo could feel the heat licking at his skin, making his sweat evaporate almost instantly. He took a deep breath and leaped onto the first stone.

"Hot, hot, hot!" Diablo muttered, hopping from stone to stone, each one wobbling under his weight.

Although Diablo had a strong will and could endure many days of torture, the fire pit was truly scorching. Ordinary demons would be burned in this place if they stepped there, and it was one of the reasons many young demons died during this training.

If he didn't have the Abyss Soul and Hell Body technique to strengthen his body, he would also be burned alive in this place.

Halfway across, a sudden gust of hot air nearly knocked him off balance. Diablo flailed his arms before regaining his footing. "Oh, come on, like I needed a fire sauna right now!" he thought

With a final leap, he landed on the other side, his heart pounding with adrenaline rushing in his veins. The ground beneath him was blessedly cool, and he took a moment to catch his breath before moving on.

But this was far from the end of the trial.

The frozen hell was next. The air turned frigid, and Diablo's breath came out in visible puffs. Ice covered the ground, making every step a precarious gamble. Sharp icicles hung from the ceiling, ready to impale anyone who slipped.

Diablo crouched low, using his hands to steady himself as he navigated the slick terrain. "Great, from the frying pan into the freezer," he muttered, shivering. His fingers were numb, and he could feel the ice seeping through his thin clothing.

Each step was torture, but he pushed on. Time was ticking, and he couldn't afford to slow down.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he emerged from the frozen hell, his body trembling from the cold. He rubbed his hands together, trying to restore some warmth and feeling. "Next time, I'm bringing a coat."

Diablo looked back to see several children frozen in the frozen hell, moving very slowly. Without getting distracted, he silently started to run toward the next trial.

In fact, he felt like he was about to die, too, in the trial.

But he refused to use his internal qi as a shortcut, and his body was still incredibly lacking despite the small changes he had undergone through the Abyss Soul and Hell Body technique.

if he used his internal energy in this phase of life, where his body was still weak it would only lead to harm toward his body, and, diablo was not a person to risk his future for just short term pleasure which only last for some time

Hoo-hah, hoo-hah.

His hands and fingers were bleeding a bit as the blisters on them popped. His lungs felt like they were burning.

He really wanted to take some more rest before moving.

"No, I can't rest right now," Diablo steadied his resolve.

Diablo knew that if he rested here, his mind and body would get so relaxed that he wouldn't continue to move after he stopped. This had happened to several children during the trial.

Therefore, he steeled his mind and decided he would allow himself some rest once he reached the top and got a flag first.

The poisonous forest loomed ahead, the air thick with the stench of decay. Strange, colorful plants surrounded him, their tendrils reaching out hungrily. he knew one touch from these plants could mean instant death.

He leaped from rock to rock, avoiding the vines that lashed out at him. A vine grazed his arm, and he felt a sharp sting. "Ow! No touching, thank you very much!"

He pushed through the pain, focusing on his goal. The base of the mountain was just ahead. He just had to make it a little further.

Panting and exhausted, He finally reached the base of the mountain, as He looked up at the peak, seeing the flags fluttering in the breeze.

Diablo started to climb, using every ounce of strength he had left.

The bracers on his hands and legs felt like lead weights, but he forced himself to keep going.

For any 10-11-year-old, climbing this mountain with lumps of metal on their limbs and not using any internal qi was a nigh impossible task.

But not everybody here was average.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

A boy next to Diablo had just lost his hold and rolled off the slope, landing on a patch of ground a few feet below.

"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Although he was not seriously injured, his wound looked serious.

Diablo, not giving the child any mind, continued his climbing. As he climbed, he saw No. 11 ahead of him, her movements graceful and agile. Diablo had always admired her from a distance, but now he had to compete against her. He pushed himself harder, determined to reach the top before her.

No. 25 glanced back and saw Diablo approaching. She smirked, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

she spoke in a sarcastic tone "Careful little demon, don't climb too high or you will fall hard"

Diablo ignored her words and continued his climbing

Finally, Diablo reached its peak. The flags were within reach. He extended his hand to grab one, 

But, number 25 who was waiting as a lioness waiting for its prey, she launched herself toward Diablo

Diablo was surprised by the sudden assault of no 25

She lunged at him, knocking him off balance. Diablo stumbled, trying to regain his footing, but she was too quick.

"What the ...."

Before he could react,

With a swift motion, she pushed him, sending him tumbling into the trench on the other side of the mountain.

This was just how the Cave of Latent Demons worked, eliminate your competitor before they eliminate you.

Although Diablo never harmed any other children, he was always cautious to not get harmed. But after journeying here without a break, he lost most of his stamina, and No. 25, the succubus demon, saw the perfect opportunity to eliminate her competitor, which she took immediately.

As he fell down the trench, Diablo felt a strange mix of emotions. Anger, frustration, and... admiration?

Admiration was because

No. 25 had outsmarted him, and instead of feeling betrayed, he felt a surge of respect for her. She had bested him, and at that moment Diablo felt a strange tickle in his stomach and heart.

Finally, Diablo realized he had developed a crush on her. It was the first time in his life that a girl had outsmarted him, and it left a lasting impression.

The chasm which Diablo was falling into, was dark and foreboding.

As Diablo fell, he caught glimpses of the jagged rocks below. He knew that his chances of survival were slim, but didn't feel fear he only felt disappointment that he could not fulfill his promise to his mother

Diablo, didn't know what was going on with his emotions, and instead of becoming depressed, he felt nothing at this movement of death.

to reduce the impact of the fall, diablo covered sensitive parts of his body like his eyes and stomach and rolled in ball like position

He landed with a hard thud on a soft surface, pain radiating through his body, his bones broken in several places, and his internal muscles torn, blood spilling out continuously from the body

he was in a half-dead state, and if not rescued he would surely die here.

but, strangely he had a smile on his face the entire time, which even he wasn't aware of

Diablo struggled to his feet. This was the ultimate test of his strength and resolve. He would survive this, and he would come out stronger.

"Well, hello there, fella," suddenly a voice echoed in the trench.

His muscles tensed, and his heart pounded with anticipation.

"Can you please die for me?" the voice said.