Chap 32 : The trail

Ren Su's face darkened. "Figures. Another damn test."

The Ghost Valley leader smirked. "First to the top gets the prize, yeah?" Without waiting for a response, He moved stepping forward.

The Ghost Valley leader moved forward, his steps echoing softly against the smooth stone staircase. At first, nothing seemed out of place. Confidently he climbed higher. He was also being cautious. As anything could happen and it felt too easy.

Then a dense, invisible force began to press down from above. Not all at once, but gradually like the air thickening with every upward movement. By the third step, his breath grew heavier. By the fifth, his muscles tensed up struggling even to stand.

Behind him, was Ren Su gave, he also noticed and was also struggling.

Leon's first two steps were easy. What's the big deal, and then it hit him. Like walking into a wall of water, each step heavier than the last. His legs felt like they were wading through mud, a constant pressure trying to shove to the side. He could only imagine what could happen if he gets swiped away by it.

Behind him were the twins, as for the girls. Iris was at the second steps, sweating vigorously while karry the other dungeon lord was struggling hard even at the first step.

"The worthy may ascend."

Ren Su's face darkened. "Figures. Another damn test."

The Ghost Valley leader smirked. "First to the top gets the prize, yeah?" Without waiting for a response, He moved stepping forward.

The Ghost Valley leader moved forward, his steps echoing softly against the smooth stone staircase. At first, nothing seemed out of place. Confidently he climbed higher. He was also being cautious. As anything could happen and it felt too easy.

Then it came A dense, invisible force began to press down from above. Not all at once, but gradually like the air thickening with every upward movement. By the third step, his breath grew heavier. By the fifth, his muscles tensed up struggling even to stand.

Behind him, was Ren Su gave, he also noticed and was also struggling.

Leon's first two steps were easy. What's the big deal, and then it hit him. Like walking into a wall of water, each step heavier than the last. His legs felt like they were wading through mud, a constant pressure trying to shove to the side. He could only imagine what could happen if he gets swiped away by it.

Behind him was the twins, as for the girls. Iris was at the second steps, sweating vigorously while karry the other dungeon lord was struggling hard even at the first step.

Silvan watched it all.Not taking a single step forward, watching them silently. Moments passed by and finally Ren su was the one to step onto the base above at the end of the staircase.

Ghost valley disciple also succeded followed after a second later. Then then a angry shout came from above jolting up the twins and leon.

"What do you mean I'm not worthy!"

At the same time, right at the side of the staircase another staircase appeared, depending below leading to a small platform. But unlike this one there was something on top of it it was a sword black in color.

"A treasure!"

Leon cursed under his breath. "No way we're letting that slip by!"

The Ghost Valley leader lunged toward the descending black staircase.He leaped for the first step—

BANG!

He mid air stopped with his eyes wide open, sliding down on the ground.

He slammed into something.

Eyes widened in shock as he staggered back, holding his nose, which cracked just now "What the hell—?!"

Leon, not believing what he just saw, rushed forward next. "It's just an illusion—!"

THUD!

He was thrown back even harder, rolling across the platform. "D-Damn it! There's something blocking it!"

The twins exchanged glances before cautiously extending a hand toward the steps only to have their palms press against an unseen wall.

Iris remained still, eyes narrowed, sweat trickling down her face. She bite her lips in frustration gazing at silvan.

While the others were struggling, he was casually descending the black staircase. Step after step, the supposed barrier didn't affect him in the slightest. His posture was relaxed, one hand in his pocket, eyes calmly fixed on the sword below.

Leon's jaw dropped. "Wait... how—how is he...?"

Ren Su's face darkened, realization dawning. "He passed the trial"

The words... "The worthy may ascend." That wasn't about climbing the stairs it was about understanding the test.

None were worthy, Then at the second the trail.said only worthy could ascend!. Meaning we aren't worthy! We just had to obey the rules!

The Ghost Valley leader clenched his fists, veins bulging with frustration, he understood everything from hearing his words. He lost his composer if he wasn't heasty he might have got the treasure too!.

Meanwhile, Silvan already reached the base. And gazed at the sword. It was black in color with a red orb attached to its hilt. It was plunged into a rock with chains binding it at the side.

."Wait!" Leon shouted, desperation lacing his voice. "We should at least talk about this!"

Silvan ignored him, and took a step forward. As he did. The chains slowly crumbled and fell down before blending onto the floor.

Silvan still just to be sure waited a moment before took a big step forward, and grabbed the hilt.

Siinng~

The sword came out effortlessly gleaming on to the light, Slowly the red on its glowed. ""Nice—"

Hic…?!

His words caught in his throat.

Thud—!

The sword slipped from his grasp, clattering against the stone with a sharp metallic ring that echoed across the platform.

Silvan's eyes widened. His head spun violently, vision blurring as an unbearable weight settled onto his mind. His knees buckled, collapsing under him as he clutched his head, fingers digging into his scalp.

Thump thump-thump. His heartbeat pounded erratically in his ears. His thoughts fragmented, scattering like shards of broken glass. What—what is this—?!

Then—

"Kekekeke..."

A chilling, guttural laughter reverberated through the platform, sending shivers down everyone's spines.

Silvans body fall down with a loud thud. YunYun also reacted flying over to his face. "Hey don't die you bastard "

But it was no use, Silvan already had lost his consciousness. The black sword on the ground also vibrated ones more more vanished within thin air.

[To be continued...