The Unfathomable Trial

"Hmph, that's nothing to worry about. If we use mental magic, all we need to do is hand over a piece of paper. Arin's ability can even dominate the realm of language."

So, there was such a method.

'Now that I think about it...'

Shirone realized why Kanis and Arin were able to enter the altar without a translator.

Amy asked, "But why didn't you choose the smuggling route? You still have to enter through the trial's gate, right?"

This time, even Kanis nodded without resistance.

"That's the best option. Of course, the second route isn't entirely impossible, but we might as well consider it so. In any case, one of us must pass through the trial's gate. But as you know, Arin and I failed, which is why we need help. That's why I want to negotiate."

"Hmm."

Amy analyzed Kanis's words.

Then, a random curiosity suddenly arose.

"By the way, what was your score?"

"Huh?"

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Kanis blinked.

Then, he averted his gaze.

"I don't want to say."

"Oh my, why? How low was it? Hm?"

"Why should I tell you? If you're that curious, why don't you go first? What's your score?"

"No, you say it first. Then I'll tell you mine."

"No way. You go first."

Shirone gave up on listening to their back-and-forth and interjected.

"Enough, let's get back to the main topic."

Since both were equally reluctant, Amy and Kanis promptly shut their mouths.

Kanis, looking more exhausted than before, continued.

"Anyway, here's my proposal. The trial's gate—specifically, the Chamber of Achievement and Sacrifice. If one of you passes through it, then we can talk again."

Amy furrowed her brows.

"That's kind of weird, isn't it?"

"What do you mean?"

"You failed to pass, which is why you're doing all this, right? If we pass, we won't need to bring you along. Whatever you know, we'll know too. So unless you give us something more, there's no real deal here."

It was shameless for someone who had been asking for help to suddenly demand equal terms, but Kanis didn't care.

That's how powerful his card was.

"You might feel that way now. But this time, you'd do well to believe me. This isn't a deal where you'll come out at a loss."

"Then prove it. Even if you don't reveal the key detail, you can still prove it. Otherwise, this deal is off. We can't risk getting used without knowing what's going on."

Kanis glanced at Arin, gauging her thoughts. This wasn't a decision he could make alone.

Arin spoke up. "Let's tell them, Kanis. Earning their trust is important. And more than that… they bought us food."

A few bowls of noodles weren't exactly expensive, but to someone starving, they meant everything.

Realizing the deeper meaning behind her words, Kanis clicked his tongue and opened his mouth.

"Fine. Then let me ask you this—You're planning to go to the autonomous district to learn about the labyrinth, right? No matter what method you use, you absolutely must go? Regardless of what awaits you there?"

Shirone answered firmly. "Yes. We have to learn about the labyrinth."

"Then…"

Kanis leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, and spoke in a serious tone.

"I might be the one who can keep you alive."

Silence filled the air.

Even though nothing concrete had been revealed, Shirone's heart pounded.

'Keep us alive?'

What kind of secret did the Kerg Autonomous District hold for him to say such a thing?

"I'll be clear—if you try to approach the secret without my information, your chances of dying will be close to 100 percent. But if you work with me, you might survive. In short, I'm making this deal with your lives on the line."

"That..."

Amy shot up from her seat.

"You think that kind of threat will work? That's not proof. You're just trying to scare us. Even the Freeman Organization went in and out of that place. Why would this be a life-or-death situation?"

"Like I said, the autonomous district itself isn't dangerous. Taking the second route won't change much either. But to access the secret, you must pass through the trial's gate. And Shirone…"

Kanis turned to Shirone.

"I know what you're planning to attempt in the Chamber of Achievement and Sacrifice. You're thinking of unlocking the Immortal Function, aren't you?"

As his friends' gazes focused on him, Shirone remained silent for a moment before responding.

"Yes. Looking back, the structure of that place was unique. If it were simply testing a warrior's strength, there wouldn't be a need for eight spatial dimensions in the labyrinth. So I had a hunch. Maybe the Angel's Eye doesn't judge based on brute force."

Kanis nodded. "Right now, we can only hope that's the case."

"Wait, even you're not certain?"

"Like I said, it's fifty-fifty. But I also suspected it had something to do with the Immortal Function."

Hearing that, Amy sat back down slowly.

"Let's make it clear—I want to borrow Shirone's Immortal Function. If you pass the trial's gate, in exchange, I'll increase your chances of survival. What do you say?"

"Fine. But on one condition. I'll go into the Chamber of Achievement and Sacrifice alone. You guys will use the passage permits to enter the autonomous district ahead of me. No objections there, right?"

Now that it was a matter of life and death, Shirone couldn't drag his friends into it.

Though Amy, Rian, and Tess objected, Shirone stood firm.

Having dealt with his stubbornness before, even Kanis reluctantly agreed.

"Alright. The most important thing right now is getting through."

Leaving the tavern, the group split into two teams.

Amy's group merged with Kanis's, while Shirone prepared to enter the altar alone.

Amy spoke. "Shirone, don't overdo it. Don't force the Immortal Function."

The secret of the ruins wasn't what worried her—it was his safety.

"I'll stop if it seems impossible. But you be careful, too. Even with a passage permit, the smuggling route is illegal. Anything could happen."

"As for us…"

Amy checked her team—Rian with his strength, Tess with his agility, Kanis with his dark magic, and Arin with her mental abilities.

"I don't think we'll run into trouble."

Shirone, thinking the same, smirked.

"See you soon."

With that, he headed toward the altar, while Amy's group moved in the opposite direction.