CHAPTER 4

Hmm…that was interesting…

I thought to myself while picking up the now falling mask.

I placed it once again and turned around to face the Overseer.

“Can I ask you a question?” I said.

He however didn’t answer.

Sigh…

“Why did you help me back then? If you didn’t tell me about the potion she would have probably died…why did you offer me the chance to get the potions from the box? You never struck me as someone who would help lesser beings.”

A moment of silence followed my statement until I thought that he was not going to answer

“Indeed.” He said “I do not care for lesser beings especially humans. They are weak, despicable and most of all not trustworthy. However, you are no longer a human…and I can clearly see that you still hold that girl some value. If she is to die it will only serve as a distraction to you and this is something I do not want. After all you may probably be the only one from the fallen world that would be able to clear the crucible at least in this time period.”

I had nothing to say to his statement so I just had to go on. I still have way too many floors to clear. And god I hope that I don’t have to fight any more of those banshees damn they could scream loud and with the advanced hearing my ears almost blew off.

“Next challenge please!” I said and a portal soon opened.

***

I began to bang on the walls of the crucible desperately trying to get back in trying to force it to open once again. But it did not budge nor did a portal open

“Open! Please open the door! Please I want to go back in…”

My screams and shouts brought me some attention from the people passing by.

“Look!” said one of them “another one managed to exit the crucible!”

Once the words were said they all gathered around me.

“Young girl!” said one of the men “At what floor did you leave?!”

Another then said

“Are you an idiot? She probably managed to leave at the twenty fifth. Like the other two of that day. You have to be a monster to be able to clear more than that. Only two men managed to clear more than twenty five for the last three centuries and they were both monsters…”

“I disagree…”said one of the spectators. “Look at the box. It is much bigger than the one those two were carrying…”

“Now that you say so…” said another “She really did do it! Look the box has the number fifty in it! She cleared the first fifty floors!”

But although this conversation was happening I gave it no mind.

I was still trying to get back to the tower.

One man then approached me.

“Young girl! You are a pride to all of your countrymen. We are all honored to be at your presence but why are you trying to go back to that place?”

I looked at him with eyes filled with tears.

“He is still there! I have to go back! I need to get him”

“Young girl…I do not know what you are talking about but…seeing that you left at the fiftieth floor and alone. Whoever is still there must have chosen to keep going forward. If he had done so he is either a fool. Or he was never meant to leave anyway.”

This man’s words made me think deeply.

If it is him…he will beat the next floors. He will certainly leave at the seventy fifth. Only one of us leaving must have been the condition of the fiftieth floor.

I only have to believe in him. And once he leaves I will make sure to do what is right.

I said the words and looked at the chest at my right.

I used my ring to store its components and began to walk away. I will need to go back to Alsa. I have a clan to run after all.

I would have waited for him here for as long as it would take but I know one thing.

The moment he will leave all the world shall know. After all he will most definitely clear the seventy fifth floor.

***

(Few days later)

“What is it Osfor-sensei?”

Said Shiki

“Nothing my boy. I am just thinking about some things.”

The sound of metal hitting metal was heard throughout the arena.

It was the girl from Astarte. Lori-chan was sparing with Ousay.

But the master swordsman was not even giving it his all parrying her relentless assault. This girl had a lot of frustration and anger to release. But it seems that she is not focused at all.

“Common girl! Is this the extent of your power! Even a girl could hit harder than you…” said Ousay but he clearly failed to understand that it was actually a girl that he was fighting…

The Verda tribeswoman was giving it her all. While cladded in aura both her glaive and aura shield were striking relentlessly and without pause but only received the sheathed sword of Ousay that made but the smallest of effort to divert her attacks.

“You are not focusing!.” Said Ousay while dodging a vertical strike and sending her glaive away with a kike of his foot causing the girl to stumble and meet the end of his sheathed sword.

“Dead…”

He really did become fond of that word…

“Gahhhh!!!” roared the girl and went to pick up her glaive

“Again!” said the girl

And only received a sigh from the master swordsman and continued on.

“So much stress in that little girl” I said

“Well…it seems that her case worsened the moment that old woman left…she is not speaking to anyone in this school and even avoiding her two companions” said Shiki-kun who was still looking at the fight with focused eyes.

“I hate how things had turned…really” I said

But right before I finished the statement a person entered the arena.

It was a girl, a girl I knew well and to be honest I never thought to see again.

A white haired girl that everyone in this school knows. The only girl her age that went to undertake that challenge…and probably the only girl to have survived…

“Yuna” said Shiki and with an instant he jumped over the fence and ran toward her.

The girl looked her best today. Her clothes were clean she had a huge escort of guards wearing blue colored Yukatas and were strutting confidently with every step.

Yuna was amongst them wearing the raging water dragon’s clothes.

“Yuna! You are back!” happily said Shiki. If he had a tail it would be swaying left and right at the moment.

“Yes” said the girl “I am finally back.”

At that moment all who were at the stadium watching the fight began to jump over the fence probably exited at the return of one of their own.

Ousay looked a bit perplex at the sudden appearance of this girl he must have thought that it would be impossible to leave a place like that but it seems that this girl had managed to do the impossible…

“Martial Poise!” said the girl from the Verda clan and within an instant the air around her turned drastically. The green glow around her changed to a crimson red and then she jumped and landed instantly in front of Yuna and her guards.

The guards all took a defensive position while one of them threatened

“Back away little girl or else!”

“You are not one to order me around! Move aside I have a score to settle with that woman!”

Yuna however only kept looking at the enraged girl.

“You have the guts to show your face here…” said the Verda tribeswoman

“This is my school. My country. I have every right to be here. Step aside. I need to speak to the heavenly masters.”

Oh that would be me.

I then moved toward the group and so did Ousay while he placed his hand on the shoulder of the enraged girl and spoke some words to calm her.

“Korima-san. Seeing you wearing the clothes of the head of the water clan I can assume that you managed to clear all fifty floors of the crucible.”

To his statement all the children and even Lori seemed to be choked at.

It was true. As this was the custom. If one does not want to fight his way to get the position they would need to clear the fifty floors of the crucible and the current head will have to yield it or do the same accomplishment.

These words made even the enraged Lori release her mode and return to her normal state. Well not even I would dare to cross someone that managed to clear all fifty, unprepared.

“What is it Yuna-chan” I said.

“Could you please gather all the heavenly demons? I need to have a word with them, then I will explain all to everyone after that.”

“Hmm seems simple enough. Most of the masters are here at the school with the exception of Greetman but we can arrange that, Clan leader” I said while bowing lightly. This will have to set the example as now most kids present here bowed to their schoolmate with the exception of Lori-chan of course she is a tough nut to crack after all.

Ousay then spoke in a low tone to the still infuriated girl saying

“Let’s hear what she has to say first. You can then speak to her afterwards, I wouldn’t recommend that you go head on against someone that had managed to do what many failed at. And with guards, and a position like hers as well. Be patient little girl and you will get your turn.”

Ousay was not a man without reason after all he already knew the repercussions that would follow if someone from outside the country attacked a clan leader.

The girl then sighed and stomped away leaving the entire crowd.

“This meeting has to include Greetman” said Yuna. “He, especially needs to know what I have to say.”

***

Two men in tattered clothes were in the antechamber of the blazing fire clan head. Ryouka Gaz

“So, Mujin…”said Ryouka Gaz “If what you are saying is truth…this will have grave consequences on the country of Alikh. Not only will the nobles side with their current ruler they will be certain to do all in their power to prevent the real heir the throne”

“Then I will have them hanged for treason!” roared the prince “I need to get my throne back! My kingdom!”

“Quiet!” shouted Ryouka “You were not given the right to speak! I was speaking to Mujin and I have no obligation to do anything for you! It was your father that I was friends with. Not you”

To these words the prince froze and remained silent as in fact Ryouka owed him nothing.

“Lord Ryouka. I know that the prince had done many things that you may think them unfit for a ruler but he had learned from them so please…do not be so harsh please.”

“It is this! that made him the spoiled brat he is now. A king should not be permitted to act that way. A king must always see the good of his people first. If I was in your shoes I would have left the current ruler to do as he pleases, this way I would have spared the people from needless war and fight over the true heir!.”

To these words the prince gulped even harder, fully understanding that if he had tried to retake the throne although he may have some supporters there will be bloodshed, whether he wins or loses whether he gets the throne or not…only the people of Alikh will suffer.

“For you to regain the throne back you will have to prove your innocence of that murder. If you could do so then and only then will you have our support, also the support of your people. So tell me. Do you have anything that could justify your innocence?”

The prince then said

“I was with Mujin that day! We were out hunting. And once I got back to my father he was already dead.”

Ryouka then said

“Did anyone see you with Mujin?”

The prince then answered

“No. I don’t think so. Probably the guards but it was but the two of us.”

“Then you are done for.” Replied Ryouka “No one will believe Mujin, as everyone already knows that he is most loyal to you. As for the guards they will either be forced to lie. Or killed. I cannot help you retake the throne but I can still make accommodation for you to live here in Alsa. This is of course only because I was friends with your father.”

“Your lordship! Said Mujin but was interrupted by Ryouka

“No. Mujin. I cannot do anything else. And you know it. The best of my ability is to protect him from harm until the day where this ordeal is figured out. As for now my hands are tied…”

“Of course your lordship.” Said Mujin then he turned around and left with the prince.

“Giive.” Said Ryouka “Use this time to atone for your actions. You are now at your lowest. And you only have one way to go. Only up.”

Then the two finally left leaving the clan head to his papers.

***

Yet another floor with but fighting…

“Challenger! You made it to the seventy fifth floor. Congratulations. But you know well enough that you will only allowed to leave once you finish.”

“I know just keep them coming.”

Another portal opened.

And another world. I actually found the rising platform challenges very amusing and fast, as I got to spend ten floors from fifty five to sixty five on a raising platform. But it seems that they are rare.

However what was most intriguing was a floor where I had to fight humans. They were all gathered in front of a portal all trying to leave. Mostly barbarians and wearing nothing but rags but they were all strong. They seemed to be the descendants of those that were entrapped on higher floors but they were all manageable.

Thankfully they were not allowed to enter the crucible this time…I wonder why.

After clearing the seventy sixth floor that was actually underwater. And I had to take a deep breath before I dived to a portal that was too far and too deep for a normal human to reach. Thankfully my presence seemed to be saving me from needless underwater encounters as they were not my fort.

Another floor after that I encountered Imoogies the same ones that were in the void only these were a bit smaller. And god they were delicious.

I have been having a hard time fighting through without food, thankfully that potion back at the forty nine floor managed to satiate me for a while but I need real food.

Once I had my fill and made sure I saved some inside the ring I continued the climb this time however I had done it with greater speed.

I rushed many floors with my dragon form and presence at max and only rested between floors.

However the real challenge began at the final floors. Honestly speaking, I never thought this thing to be challenging at all. It is true that anyone would find it troublesome to fight this amount of monsters but with but the draconic presence I managed to force any creature to reconsider their odds thus making the trip easier.

However from the fiftieth floor to this one. It took me more than two months.

By the way I was at the ninety sixth.

And to be honest. I almost died here.

It was a huge cave. Dark and nothing was apparent. Until a monster began to stir and slither across the cave.

This monster had five heads and a body resembling that of a dragon without wings.

It was not as big as Drakhsis but it was still very imposing.

It had dark scales in its back and silver colored abdomen. His heads were very huge and each one had a mane like that of a lion but looked much bigger and much too scary with its black colored fur. Their gaping mouths were the same as a serpents while three rows of theeth showed from within. All the faces had two red eyes on each side of the face

I released my presence trying to scare it away but it seemed to be ineffective…

One of the beast’s mouths opened to shoot a ray of lightning at me that I dodged with ease but the damage it dealt to where I stood left le stunned. The earth was scorched from a lightning attack.

Another head shot fire while another shot a blast of wind at the same time. The combination of those two attack created an even more fearsome explosion of wind and fire.

Although I am very resistant toward flame this thing’s fire was hot!

And by hot I mean that the ground began to melt the moment the fire of this monster struck down the ground.

The head that shot lighting before at me this time attacked trying to take a bite but I dodged it and slashed at his neck decapitating it.

The monsters’ other faces began to screech and they all began to shoot multiple amounts of different spells at once.

I cannot protect myself like this so I used the dragon form.

I began to fly away dodging the attacks left and right until I was struck down with a lightning attack.

But how! I clearly cut off the head that was shooting lightning

Then I saw it.

His head even though it was still on the floor it still managed to regenerate another one. How can something regenerate an entire head! What the hell is this thing!

I began dodging attack after attack while the beast made sure that it would leave me on the defensive. Every time I would get closer a head will stick at me. Be it lighting fire wind ice or even acid. I always made sure to dodge if I didn’t it would certainly cost me dearly.

This time however something was strange.

A bulge on the neck of the same monster began to move

Then another head sprouted from the scum and sludge.

It screeched and shot a ray of light.

I dodged it but was once again struck with a lightning again.

The electricity sent me reeling feeling numbness in my limbs I was unable to move a step. And once the creature approached further trying to finish me with an acid breath I used all my strength to propel myself backwards dodging the spray that melted the ground.

I still had sparks discharging from my body here and there but clearly knew that if I was to face this thing I will be needing a better strategy.

If all I do is dodge I will be unable to do anything…and will only tire myself out.

“Shunpo” I said. And instantly appeared behind one of its heads. The one that produces lightning I cut it away and dodged using Shunpo again another head that was trying to bite me.

I appeared behind the acid spewing head and cut at it with my sword while this time rolling backward and in mid air

“Dragon fire breath!” I used the spell to light the beast on fire. Big, bad, majestic purple fire!

Results…

Absolutely useless. The damn thing is immune to flames.

Two heads charged at me while the heads I just cut off grew back. With the addition of another head that shot some sort of smoke. Black and very dangerous looking smoke.

I instantly shot another fire breath toward that smoke that seemed to have ignited it, and the whole cave turned bright while an explosion that erupted from within sent me reeling toward one of the walls.

God damn it this thing is really hard to kill.

Seven heads now and no progress I only managed to make this thing stronger and more difficult to kill.

I should probably take out all of the heads at once…

If only I could replicate the same thing I did before I jumped after Yuna…

I wonder how she is doing now…it’s been two months she probably is back at Alsa…hmm I need to get out of here only four more floors. Like If I would let a damn reptile stop me.

I began using Shunpo left and right dodging any attack that would hinder me and cut away at the heads of this thing. More heads were now present but didn’t seem to be increasing it stopped at ten heads. Doubling its original number and doubling the difficulties.

At most I was able to cut away three to four of the heads before one began to regenerate but damn this is getting ridiculous.

I mean the floor became so filled with snake heads that I found it to be utterly stupid. Where the hell does this thing get all the nutrients to create this many heads without its size decreasing for even a bit!

I was reaching my limit as I have been dodging and attacking for hours now while the beast seemed unperturbed unfatigued and totally focused on taking me down.

Two heads lunged at me while a head sprayed me with acid I dodged the two heads and used a dragon earth shattering smash to smack its head upwards making it make contact with the acid. The head began to swing left and right screeching from obvious pain however something was strange…the beast didn’t regenerate the head this time. No it was actually being regenerated but at a very slow rate. It seems that the acid is countering the effects of the healing but…I have no way to do this repeatedly and if my guess is correct I don’t think that the beast will be stupid enough to repeat the same error

After all it was in obvious pain.

What to do god damn it.

Too many heads and no way to cut them all at once…however…only one body...

I can do that…it is stupid actually, too stupid for a sane man to even think of doing. But I can do that…

I took my blade and prepared for an incoming attack. A head opened its mouth and tried to bite at me, but I didn’t dodge. I fully welcomed the beast.

I made the thing eat me whole…