Chapter: Entering the Beast Mountain Trial

Elder Rei and the different elders watched as the tower disappeared and the stage they were on started to dim.

Just a few hours after the trial had begun youths started to appear on the stage, if they broke their medallion then they would be sent out of the trial. If they didn't then they would be lost to the trial. It was unknown how many geniuses had been lost to the trial so far.

"The first level is a sneak attack, with the other levels being about defeating creatures of the different attributes that grow increasingly stronger. It is no simple task to reach even the third level," one of the Elders said.

The other elders all agreed as more and more people appeared.

Those in the first hour had made it to the first stage, they all knew enough to be ready for the first sneak attack on the grassland, but the second one, the creature was randomized, it was best to get a sneak attack on it and then kite it around, leading it with attacks until it was worn out and dead.

Similarly the following creatures one had to work to maximize their attacks and minimize the energy expended.

This was the tenth time that the Beast Mountain Trials had been opened and many knew of different tricks to increase their disciple's abilities.

When someone left the Beast Mountain Trial, they were given a score, that they could purchase items with before they left.

In the third hour people started to appear with Apprentice leveled weapons, they were decent, but nothing that a sect of faction would care about.

In the sixth hour, people with high apprentice level weapons and mid range mortal fighting skills appeared.

Through to the tenth hour, people appeared with High Apprentice leveled weapons, armors and concoctions, with high Mortal grade skills, proudly displaying off their goods.

It was in the thirteenth hour that people started to slow as they reached the sixth and seventh stages.

Did the idea that we come up with work? Elder Oui thought, worrying about his niece.

His eyes turned dark as he saw Xi Yan appearing on the stage. The arrogant little boy looked angry but still walked towards his Uncle without problem.

It wasn't hard for Elder Oui and the others to understand that Xi Yan had been chasing Julia Oui across the Beast Mountian to this location.

Xi Yan had only gone a few steps before his body shuddered under the murderous intent coming from Elder Oui.

Elder Rei lazily waved his sleeve, breaking Elder Oui's intent.

Xi Yan smirked at Elder Oui as if looking down on him, Elder Oui hadn't wanted to kill one of the younger generation so badly.

"Excuse little Yan, he's rather abrupt in his pursuits, love makes a man do many crazy things," Elder Rei laughed.

Elder Oui's anger only built, knowing that Xi Yan's interest was not in love but in lust.

Just as he thought that he wouldn't be able to hold it anymore a person appeared on the stage, Julia Oui.

He saw Xi Yan look at her, his rage flared once again as he let out an attack, sending the boy sprawling.

"Watch where one's eyes go," Elder Oui said, moving to his niece.

"Elder Oui," Elder Rei said in a chastising way, he couldn't let his Willfull sect nor his own blood relation take this kind of embarrassment.

"Elder Rei, you should know my temperament and resolve," Elder Oui said, his words sounded simple but there was a clear threat hidden within.

"The old should not interfere in the young's actions," Elder Rei warned.

"The young should know when to fight instead of hide behind their subordinates, I wonder why I see none," Elder Oui looked around.

Elder Rei gritted his teeth.

The blood is similar, using others as pawns to increase their own ability.

Julia Oui had already moved to her Uncle.

Using a spell she was able to talk to him without anyone else discovering it.

"Instead of fighting the second beast I snuck past it, instead of seeing another beast. I saw a man, a man that saw everything," Julia shivered.

Elder Oui was shocked by her revelation.

"We will talk about this later somewhere that there aren't so many people."

***

Erik and Rugrat got up off of the ground, packing their gear away.

Erik was now wearing the full golden fox armor, minus the helmet.

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Golden Fox Cuirass

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Defense: 59

Weight: 7.3 kg

Charge: 23/100

Health: 47/113

Base Value: 32 Gold, 17 Silver

Slot: Takes up Chest slot

Enchanted Ability: Agility increases 2% per hit, can stack a total of 5 times (5% for a total of 12 times 4/5 Golden Fox Armor Set)

Innate Ability: Reduce magical attacks effect by 5% (12% 4/5 Golden Fox Armor Set)

This is a set item, when 2 or more set items are combined then the abilities of the set items will increase.

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Golden Fox Greaves

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Defense: 63

Weight: 5.7 kg

Charge: 37/100

Health: 67/109

Base Value: 36 Gold, 13 Silver

Slot: Takes up Leg slot

Enchantment: strength increases 4% (5% when paired with Golden Fox Cuirass)

Innate Effect: Reduce magical attacks effect by 3% (5% 4/5 Golden Fox Armor Set)

This is a set item, when 2 or more set items are combined then the abilities of the set items will increase.

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Golden Fox Gauntlets

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Defense: 53

Weight: 3.2 kg

Charge: 21/100

Health: 31/109

Base Value: 27 Gold, 59 Silver

Slot: Takes up Arm slot

Enchantment: strength increases 4% (10% 4/5 Golden Fox Armor Set)

Innate Effect: Reduce magical attacks effect by 3% (7% 4/5 Golden Fox Armor Set)

This is a set item, when 2 or more set items are combined then the abilities of the set items will increase.

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Golden Fox Boots

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Defense: 72

Weight: 1.8 kg

Charge: 73/100

Health: 77/107

Base Value: 31 Gold, 13 Silver

Slot: Takes up Foot slot

Enchantment: Agility increases 4% (10% 4/5 Golden Fox Armor Set)

Innate Effect: Reduce magical attacks effect by 3% (7% 4/5 Golden Fox Armor Set)

This is a set item, when 2 or more set items are combined then the abilities of the set items will increase.

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Erik felt his whole body had undergone an upgrade, his reaction time was almost the same as when he had taken the speed potion, his defense had a major upgrade and his strength made him feel invincible.

Erik punched forward, feeling the power rushing through his body as the formations inside the armor glowed, feeding him power.

The force of the punch threw Erik off balance.

"Okay, damn," Erik said.

Rugrat watched from the side, wearing his 'sneaking kit' as he called it. He looked like a cross between a sniper and a beggar with a woodland looking archer headress meant to help people blend into the environment around them, then a leather cuirass that had seen better days, fingerless gloves for his bow, trashed pants and his runner shoe look alike shoes.

Erik moved around to get used to the new power and the greater agility.

Rugrat seemed to meld into the square as he stayed absolutely still, Erik didn't even notice him as he worked to get greater control over his new attributes.

Finally Erik got the hang of it to the point that he felt confident moving forward.

He looked around for Rugrat, seeing him creeping around in a corner.

"What the hell are you doing?" Erik asked.

"Grinding out my stealth skill and experience," Rugrat shrugged. "As much fun as it is to see you fall all over the place, you want to go and see what is waiting for us inside this beast trial?"

"Proceed through the doorway to enter the Beast Mountain Trial," a powerful voice declared, coming from the doorway.

"Not like we didn't hear it the first couple of dozen times," Rugrat said.

The two of them stepped forward to the door. The door started to open, revealing a grassland beyond.

Erik and Rugrat passed through the door which quickly shut behind them, as if it was scared that they might go backwards.

"I've never met two people who care more about preparing than actually doing the trial. Most of the others have already left!" The powerful voice seemed to taking on a complaining voice as Erik and Rugrat looked at one another in confusion.

"Shit!" The voice disappeared as it seemed to realized it had done something wrong.

A creature in the grasslands jumped out at Erik and Rugrat's backs, giving them little time to react.

A rumbling roar could be heard inside Erik’s body as he used Growling Tiger Elbow.

Rugrat moved to the side, trying to pull out his pistol, but Erik was already reacting.

Erik's elbow shot out, hitting the snake.

It exploded from the force on its body, covering Rugrat with the remainder.

"Not cool dude, not cool," Rugrat said, wiping some blood out of his massive headdress.

Erik tried to help him as another door descended.

"Only when you pass through the door will you have completed the trial." The voice returned again.

"Growling Tiger Elbow? What kind of made up shit is that?" Rugrat asked.

"Well, it worked didn't it?" Erik asked.

Rugrat looked over himself.

"Kind of," Rugrat grumbled.

Erik checked his information, there wasn't a tombstone to be found of the creature.

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You have learned the skill: Hand-to-Hand

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You like to fight up close and personal, using your fist against theirs. You don’t need weapons as your hands are weapons.

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Skill: Hand-to-Hand

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Level: 7 (Novice)

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No bonuses at this time. You must prove your skills first.

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You have reached Level 12

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When you sleep next, you will be able to increase your attributes by: 5 points.

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24,437/120,000 EXP till you reach level 13

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"Damn it's good to kill high leveled creatures!" Erik said. Rugrat cleaned himself off as best as he could before they moved towards the door, once they got to it, a door opened, waves of heat rushed over them as if they were standing in front of a blast furnace.

They dug their feet in and strained their eyes against the hot air, looking into the depths.

Inside they saw a slumbering creature, with it’s scales, size and the lizard like appearance, it seemed like a Dragon without the wings.

“Well, looks like there be dragons in these realms,” Rugrat said in a pirate voice.

Erik wanted to smack him but held back. It certainly looked like it was related to a Dragon.

Maybe it’s a Dragonkin? Like how there are dogs, their ancestors are wolves, but they’re just weaker versions. This one’s like a twice removed on my mother's side, grandson from a Dragon.

Erik couldn’t help but grin, he felt the thrill of fear and excitement, knowing that there was dragons in these ten realms.

His smile dissipated as he studied the Dragon Kin, it might be a weaker version of a real Dragon, but it still wasn’t simple, it was certainly much stronger than him and Rugrat.

“Time to play chicken with a Dragon,” Erik said.

“Ohhh, I think I just got goosebumps,” Rugrat said.

The Dragon Kin didn’t notice the two idiots that had wandered into it’s home, instead it continued to lay on the ground sleeping peacefully.