Chapter 21: A Moment of Respite

Elias took a deep breath as he stood before the massive gate once more, his body still tingling from the rush of battle. The fight against Kaelis had pushed him to his limits, but he had emerged victorious. The power of the Beastlord now coursed through his veins, and the Divine Mark he had earned pulsed faintly on his skin, a constant reminder of his triumph.

The Gatekeeper regarded him with an unreadable expression. "You have proven yourself worthy," he intoned. "Rest while you can. The next layer will be far more demanding."

Elias gave a short nod, still catching his breath. He turned away from the Trial's entrance and made his way toward the counter where challengers claimed their rewards.

The receptionist, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor, barely glanced up as he approached. "Elias, correct?" she said, flipping through a large book of records. "Congratulations on clearing the first layer. Your rewards have been prepared."

She placed three items on the counter before him:

1. Beast's Resilience Potion - A thick, amber-colored liquid in a small glass vial. Drinking it would permanently enhance his endurance and resistance to physical damage.

2. Beast Mastery Skill Scroll - A parchment imbued with divine power, allowing him to command and understand creatures with beastly instincts.

3. A Divine Mark of Strength Etched into his very being, this would enhance his physical power permanently.

Elias didn't hesitate. He picked up the Beast Mastery Skill Scroll, feeling the magic pulsing within it. With a deep breath, he crushed the scroll in his hands, and the knowledge surged into his mind like a flood. His body tensed as his senses sharpened-he could feel it, the primal instincts of the beasts, the understanding of their language, their emotions. He had gained control over something that had once only been an enemy.

"Interesting choice," the receptionist remarked, raising an eyebrow. "Many prefer raw strength, but mastering the beasts could prove just as valuable."

Elias didn't respond. He simply turned and left the counter. His body was exhausted, his mind heavy with everything that had happened. He needed rest before he could think about what came next.

As he made his way through the city streets, he felt the weight of eyes upon him. The adventurers around him had clearly heard of his victory. Some looked at him with admiration, others with envy. But one pair of eyes held something different-curiosity.

Before Elias could react, he bumped into someone. A figure clad in fine yet battle-worn armor. A high-rank adventurer.

"Watch where you're going, brat," the man sneered, looking Elias up and down. His aura was oppressive, his strength clear.

Elias clenched his fists. Before, he would have backed down, but not now. He met the man's gaze evenly, his newfound power radiating from him.

"What?" Elias said, his voice steady. "Got a problem?"

The adventurer's eyes darkened, but before the situation could escalate, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

"Elias."

He turned to see Althea, the girl who had helped him before. She walked with purpose, her stance firm, her presence commanding. She glanced between Elias and the adventurer before scoffing.

"Picking fights already?" she said, crossing her arms. "You just got back from the Trial."

Elias exhaled and relaxed his fists. "He started

Althea rolled her eyes. "Come with me. I have something to discuss with you."

Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked away. Elias hesitated for only a moment before following.

As they weaved through the streets, Elias couldn't help but notice how people instinctively made way for her. She had a reputation-one she clearly carried with pride.

"So," Elias said as he caught up. "What do you want?"

Althea glanced at him, a smirk playing on her lips. "You're strong, but you're reckless. You survived the first layer, but the second will be much worse. I don't plan to babysit you, but you might need some help if you want to stay alive."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "Help? From you?"

"Not just me," she replied, her tone serious. "There's something you need to see first."

Elias frowned but nodded. He had no idea what Althea had in store for him, but one thing was clear-his journey was far from over.