Chapter 127
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Chapter 127
Before any of the members of the Order could discern whatever rules governed the hallway, someone started making their way through it. They took four steps, each one matching the one meter length of the tiles on the floor, before the fifth step unleashed a volley of darts from the wall. The man twisted his body in place to avoid most of them, but one still stuck into his shoulder as it pierced through his energy. If he had been willing to step off of the tile he was standing on he could have certainly dodged them completely.
Anton was quite amazed at the trap, he hadnt been able to tell the pressure plate or the tiny holes in the wall had been there until it activated. Afterwards, he still wasnt sure he could really pick it out or if he was just seeing what he wanted to see.
Anything? he asked Catarina and Velvet.
Its not a formation, I dont think Catarina frowned. At least, I can only discern reinforcement for the walls and floor and nothing more.
Before Velvet had the time to give her opinion, a strong woman stepped confidently onto the first tile the previous cultivator had stepped on. In response, a dozen spikes pierced through that very tile into her foot. She screamed in rage and pulled her foot away- Anton couldnt be sure, but he doubted she was seriously injured, outside of her pride. After all, she was able to stumble back to the safe zone without consequence. She looked like she was about to yell at the projection of Everheart, but thought better of it. Perhaps she remembered the man who was doubtless still wandering around the ceiling in the main hall. Senior Everheart. I thought you said there was only one path through the hallway. Why did it change?
Hmm, the fancily dressed Everheart stroked a well manicured beard, Did I say that? He looked pointedly towards the five who had come in last. Who knows? I might have, I might not have.
The woman grumbled but chose to walk back towards the main hall rather than trying to continue down the hallway or argue with the proprietor. Anton thought that was a reasonable choice, though he doubted the other hallways would be intentionally less obtuse.
Several others of those waiting tried stepping onto the tiles, but most were met by various traps. One more person managed to step several tiles in along a different path, before the leading cultivator had made his decision and took a step to his left. With no response, he then continued forward.
A ball of compressed energy dropped from the ceiling, and the man flung himself backwards. Losing progress was one thing, but he absolutely could not be hit by the ball of energy. As it passed through the spot he had been standing it simply exploded, sending a shockwave down the five meter wide corridor. The cultivator wasnt quite prepared for that and was blasted into the ground.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.
Anton exchanged glances with the others. He wondered if they noticed what he did. He still wasnt sure how everything worked, but he moved forward to the left end of the five tile wide hallway. He stepped onto the first tile and nothing happened. The second in front of him. The third to his right. Then right once more and a large axe blade was slicing towards his legs. He hadnt been able to anticipate the attack, but as soon as it was happening his training in Instinct took over and along with his previous intentions propelled him backwards, leaping over the tile between himself and safety. I think thats quite enough of that for now, he commented.
Others began to try, not finding any real path to success. The paths people chose all seemed to be wrong, with traps triggering at unexpected moments and forcing them to retreat with various levels of injury before anyone even got ten tiles into the hallway that was a hundred meters long. People started filtering out of the hallway, leaving only the five from the Order and the first cultivator to step into the area. The wound on his shoulder had barely bled, but Anton could see occasional glimpses of it and saw what looked like yellow and purple bruising in the area. It hadnt been a wide impact, so perhaps it was some sort of poison causing the discoloration.
Anton sat down, then gestured for the others to do so as well. I have an idea. When the unknown cultivator didnt respond, Anton waved him over specifically. You should join us as well. We might be competition, but the chances of us getting something if we work together are higher. The man reluctantly sat down. Im Anton. You?
Firdaus, he said reluctantly.
Good enough. Were all part of the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars, but if you work together with us we can agree to give you an even share of whatever treasures are at the other end.
What do you need me to do? he asked.
Listen to my ideas, and if you dont have thoughts to prove my ideas wrong one of us will run down the hallway.
Which one of us? Firdaus narrowed his eyes.
Either you or me. At your discretion. Im sure youll understand why later. First, Ill say what Ive observed. Im sure some of you have as well. Firdaus, what can you tell about why the tiles activate?
Nothing, he shook his head, It seems entirely random. I cant discern a path to the end.
As for himself, Anton was still breathing heavily and had nicks and scrapes and burns all over, with traces of poison in his system. His movements hadnt been perfect, nor his defenses. He took a few steps away from the tiles and sat down, circulating his energy to jumpstart the healing process while he watched to see if Firdaus would really make the attempt.
Firdaus stuck to what he said and ran straight down the middle, along the same path as Anton. There were still many differences in the dangers he encountered, since the triggering of the tiles was quite random. There was a stretch of nearly eight tiles where nothing happened, then one that hadnt done anything for Anton suddenly tilted, flinging him to the side and to the right end of the corridor. He hit the wall but was running as soon as his feet hit the tile below, narrowly avoiding a blade chopping out of the wall. He continued running down the right side of the corridor, triggering traps with every other step. Anton found that the danger seemed more real when he could see all of it instead of just moving past it, but it was all somewhat appropriate. Firdaus used his spear to parry blades on the very last tile and then stepped to next to Anton.
Very good, Anton said. Instead of trying to get back on the path you just kept moving. That takes bravery.
... Thanks, Firdaus didnt seem to know how to respond to the complement. Honestly, I just didnt think about it.
I didnt either, Anton admitted. I just had to keep going. Still, whatever mental training you have done was sufficient.
Thats what Spirit Building is all about, Firdaus said. He sat himself near Anton and watched down the corridor, also taking the chance to start healing small wounds.
Not going to try to attack me and claim everything for yourself?
That would be pretty stupid, He said. I know the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars. I hope you will uphold the reputation of honesty, and Im certain you would uphold the tradition of strength. He stroked his chin, Is it really true youve also been training less than five years? You dont look like it.
My opportunity came very late in life, Anton said, But it is true that I only began recently.
Close to mid Spirit Building in that time given your age, Im quite impressed. The rest of your group seems talented as well.
Yes. We were lucky to join the Order at similar times.
Timothy was currently running down the hall, yelling at the top of his lungs. In his defense, it was a cry of determination and not fear, but it was a bit funny to watch. Anything that came from his left was skillfully deflected with his shield, and fancy footwork and simple forward momentum took care of everything else. He arrived with the other two soon enough, the least injured of the three.
Catarina was next, though it seemed the others had also been eager to try their hand. She relied less on judging attacks after they came and instead had memorized most of the dangers that would appear in front of her, dodging them before they could even be a threat- sometimes stopping short instead of continuing at full speed like the first three. There were still a few that were new and she had to react to without knowing what they would be, but she made it to the end in good health, though clearly fatigued like the others.
Hoyt seemed eager but let Velvet go next. She was clearly less aware of the pattern of traps she would be facing, since memorizing things like that was more in Catarinas field, but she still used her speed and agility to weave her way through the traps- and was even willing to step to side tiles instead of sticking strictly to the middle, despite possible unknown traps.
When it was finally his turn, Hoyts response to most of the traps was chopping through them. Though the method was aggressive, it was effective. Darts split easily, but while fire wasnt something that could be cut with a blade, energy could wedge it apart. That was even more true when the energy in question was also fire. Though chopping seemed as if it was a method of brute force, it actually took as much finesse as parrying everything. He still had to align his weapon precisely, he just wasnt meeting the threats with intent to solely deflect. He ran into some trouble with the floor spikes that were fortified to not break, but even in that case his axe pushed him away from the spikes.
Soon enough six relatively healthy people were at the end of the hall, with an impatient looking Everheart looming over them. Finally. Will you look at the rewards now? Honestly, I havent seen people so willing to wait for rewards in my entire life. You didnt even peek your head in the doors!
Anton shrugged, Sorry, Senior Everheart, but I wanted to see my companions successes. Besides, were the treasures just going to run away? Actually, he supposed they might.
Everheart sighed, Yes yes, loyalty and all that. We have two things. First, the door on the left. It has rewards for all of you. One item each. The other is for training. One hour per day per person.
Ah too bad we dont get to split everything. Still, second pick should be worth something, eh Firdaus?
The man nodded. Lets see what there is. If I know one thing about Everheart, he is generous with rewards.
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Chapter 127
Before any of the members of the Order could discern whatever rules governed the hallway, someone started making their way through it. They took four steps, each one matching the one meter length of the tiles on the floor, before the fifth step unleashed a volley of darts from the wall. The man twisted his body in place to avoid most of them, but one still stuck into his shoulder as it pierced through his energy. If he had been willing to step off of the tile he was standing on he could have certainly dodged them completely.
Anton was quite amazed at the trap, he hadnt been able to tell the pressure plate or the tiny holes in the wall had been there until it activated. Afterwards, he still wasnt sure he could really pick it out or if he was just seeing what he wanted to see.
Anything? he asked Catarina and Velvet.
Its not a formation, I dont think Catarina frowned. At least, I can only discern reinforcement for the walls and floor and nothing more.
Before Velvet had the time to give her opinion, a strong woman stepped confidently onto the first tile the previous cultivator had stepped on. In response, a dozen spikes pierced through that very tile into her foot. She screamed in rage and pulled her foot away- Anton couldnt be sure, but he doubted she was seriously injured, outside of her pride. After all, she was able to stumble back to the safe zone without consequence. She looked like she was about to yell at the projection of Everheart, but thought better of it. Perhaps she remembered the man who was doubtless still wandering around the ceiling in the main hall. Senior Everheart. I thought you said there was only one path through the hallway. Why did it change?
Hmm, the fancily dressed Everheart stroked a well manicured beard, Did I say that? He looked pointedly towards the five who had come in last. Who knows? I might have, I might not have.
The woman grumbled but chose to walk back towards the main hall rather than trying to continue down the hallway or argue with the proprietor. Anton thought that was a reasonable choice, though he doubted the other hallways would be intentionally less obtuse.
Several others of those waiting tried stepping onto the tiles, but most were met by various traps. One more person managed to step several tiles in along a different path, before the leading cultivator had made his decision and took a step to his left. With no response, he then continued forward.
A ball of compressed energy dropped from the ceiling, and the man flung himself backwards. Losing progress was one thing, but he absolutely could not be hit by the ball of energy. As it passed through the spot he had been standing it simply exploded, sending a shockwave down the five meter wide corridor. The cultivator wasnt quite prepared for that and was blasted into the ground.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.
Anton exchanged glances with the others. He wondered if they noticed what he did. He still wasnt sure how everything worked, but he moved forward to the left end of the five tile wide hallway. He stepped onto the first tile and nothing happened. The second in front of him. The third to his right. Then right once more and a large axe blade was slicing towards his legs. He hadnt been able to anticipate the attack, but as soon as it was happening his training in Instinct took over and along with his previous intentions propelled him backwards, leaping over the tile between himself and safety. I think thats quite enough of that for now, he commented.
Others began to try, not finding any real path to success. The paths people chose all seemed to be wrong, with traps triggering at unexpected moments and forcing them to retreat with various levels of injury before anyone even got ten tiles into the hallway that was a hundred meters long. People started filtering out of the hallway, leaving only the five from the Order and the first cultivator to step into the area. The wound on his shoulder had barely bled, but Anton could see occasional glimpses of it and saw what looked like yellow and purple bruising in the area. It hadnt been a wide impact, so perhaps it was some sort of poison causing the discoloration.
Anton sat down, then gestured for the others to do so as well. I have an idea. When the unknown cultivator didnt respond, Anton waved him over specifically. You should join us as well. We might be competition, but the chances of us getting something if we work together are higher. The man reluctantly sat down. Im Anton. You?
Firdaus, he said reluctantly.
Good enough. Were all part of the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars, but if you work together with us we can agree to give you an even share of whatever treasures are at the other end.
What do you need me to do? he asked.
Listen to my ideas, and if you dont have thoughts to prove my ideas wrong one of us will run down the hallway.
Which one of us? Firdaus narrowed his eyes.
Either you or me. At your discretion. Im sure youll understand why later. First, Ill say what Ive observed. Im sure some of you have as well. Firdaus, what can you tell about why the tiles activate?
Nothing, he shook his head, It seems entirely random. I cant discern a path to the end.
As for himself, Anton was still breathing heavily and had nicks and scrapes and burns all over, with traces of poison in his system. His movements hadnt been perfect, nor his defenses. He took a few steps away from the tiles and sat down, circulating his energy to jumpstart the healing process while he watched to see if Firdaus would really make the attempt.
Firdaus stuck to what he said and ran straight down the middle, along the same path as Anton. There were still many differences in the dangers he encountered, since the triggering of the tiles was quite random. There was a stretch of nearly eight tiles where nothing happened, then one that hadnt done anything for Anton suddenly tilted, flinging him to the side and to the right end of the corridor. He hit the wall but was running as soon as his feet hit the tile below, narrowly avoiding a blade chopping out of the wall. He continued running down the right side of the corridor, triggering traps with every other step. Anton found that the danger seemed more real when he could see all of it instead of just moving past it, but it was all somewhat appropriate. Firdaus used his spear to parry blades on the very last tile and then stepped to next to Anton.
Very good, Anton said. Instead of trying to get back on the path you just kept moving. That takes bravery.
... Thanks, Firdaus didnt seem to know how to respond to the complement. Honestly, I just didnt think about it.
I didnt either, Anton admitted. I just had to keep going. Still, whatever mental training you have done was sufficient.
Thats what Spirit Building is all about, Firdaus said. He sat himself near Anton and watched down the corridor, also taking the chance to start healing small wounds.
Not going to try to attack me and claim everything for yourself?
That would be pretty stupid, He said. I know the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars. I hope you will uphold the reputation of honesty, and Im certain you would uphold the tradition of strength. He stroked his chin, Is it really true youve also been training less than five years? You dont look like it.
My opportunity came very late in life, Anton said, But it is true that I only began recently.
Close to mid Spirit Building in that time given your age, Im quite impressed. The rest of your group seems talented as well.
Yes. We were lucky to join the Order at similar times.
Timothy was currently running down the hall, yelling at the top of his lungs. In his defense, it was a cry of determination and not fear, but it was a bit funny to watch. Anything that came from his left was skillfully deflected with his shield, and fancy footwork and simple forward momentum took care of everything else. He arrived with the other two soon enough, the least injured of the three.
Catarina was next, though it seemed the others had also been eager to try their hand. She relied less on judging attacks after they came and instead had memorized most of the dangers that would appear in front of her, dodging them before they could even be a threat- sometimes stopping short instead of continuing at full speed like the first three. There were still a few that were new and she had to react to without knowing what they would be, but she made it to the end in good health, though clearly fatigued like the others.
Hoyt seemed eager but let Velvet go next. She was clearly less aware of the pattern of traps she would be facing, since memorizing things like that was more in Catarinas field, but she still used her speed and agility to weave her way through the traps- and was even willing to step to side tiles instead of sticking strictly to the middle, despite possible unknown traps.
When it was finally his turn, Hoyts response to most of the traps was chopping through them. Though the method was aggressive, it was effective. Darts split easily, but while fire wasnt something that could be cut with a blade, energy could wedge it apart. That was even more true when the energy in question was also fire. Though chopping seemed as if it was a method of brute force, it actually took as much finesse as parrying everything. He still had to align his weapon precisely, he just wasnt meeting the threats with intent to solely deflect. He ran into some trouble with the floor spikes that were fortified to not break, but even in that case his axe pushed him away from the spikes.
Soon enough six relatively healthy people were at the end of the hall, with an impatient looking Everheart looming over them. Finally. Will you look at the rewards now? Honestly, I havent seen people so willing to wait for rewards in my entire life. You didnt even peek your head in the doors!
Anton shrugged, Sorry, Senior Everheart, but I wanted to see my companions successes. Besides, were the treasures just going to run away? Actually, he supposed they might.
Everheart sighed, Yes yes, loyalty and all that. We have two things. First, the door on the left. It has rewards for all of you. One item each. The other is for training. One hour per day per person.
Ah too bad we dont get to split everything. Still, second pick should be worth something, eh Firdaus?
The man nodded. Lets see what there is. If I know one thing about Everheart, he is generous with rewards.
Chapter 127Before any of the members of the Order could discern whatever rules governed the hallway, someone started making their way through it. They took four steps, each one matching the one meter length of the tiles on the floor, before the fifth step unleashed a volley of darts from the wall. The man twisted his body in place to avoid most of them, but one still stuck into his shoulder as it pierced through his energy. If he had been willing to step off of the tile he was standing on he could have certainly dodged them completely.Anton was quite amazed at the trap, he hadnt been able to tell the pressure plate or the tiny holes in the wall had been there until it activated. Afterwards, he still wasnt sure he could really pick it out or if he was just seeing what he wanted to see.Anything? he asked Catarina and Velvet. Its not a formation, I dont think Catarina frowned. At least, I can only discern reinforcement for the walls and floor and nothing more.Before Velvet had the time to give her opinion, a strong woman stepped confidently onto the first tile the previous cultivator had stepped on. In response, a dozen spikes pierced through that very tile into her foot. She screamed in rage and pulled her foot away- Anton couldnt be sure, but he doubted she was seriously injured, outside of her pride. After all, she was able to stumble back to the safe zone without consequence. She looked like she was about to yell at the projection of Everheart, but thought better of it. Perhaps she remembered the man who was doubtless still wandering around the ceiling in the main hall. Senior Everheart. I thought you said there was only one path through the hallway. Why did it change?Hmm, the fancily dressed Everheart stroked a well manicured beard, Did I say that? He looked pointedly towards the five who had come in last. Who knows? I might have, I might not have.The woman grumbled but chose to walk back towards the main hall rather than trying to continue down the hallway or argue with the proprietor. Anton thought that was a reasonable choice, though he doubted the other hallways would be intentionally less obtuse.Several others of those waiting tried stepping onto the tiles, but most were met by various traps. One more person managed to step several tiles in along a different path, before the leading cultivator had made his decision and took a step to his left. With no response, he then continued forward.A ball of compressed energy dropped from the ceiling, and the man flung himself backwards. Losing progress was one thing, but he absolutely could not be hit by the ball of energy. As it passed through the spot he had been standing it simply exploded, sending a shockwave down the five meter wide corridor. The cultivator wasnt quite prepared for that and was blasted into the ground.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Nvl--B1n.Anton exchanged glances with the others. He wondered if they noticed what he did. He still wasnt sure how everything worked, but he moved forward to the left end of the five tile wide hallway. He stepped onto the first tile and nothing happened. The second in front of him. The third to his right. Then right once more and a large axe blade was slicing towards his legs. He hadnt been able to anticipate the attack, but as soon as it was happening his training in Instinct took over and along with his previous intentions propelled him backwards, leaping over the tile between himself and safety. I think thats quite enough of that for now, he commented.Others began to try, not finding any real path to success. The paths people chose all seemed to be wrong, with traps triggering at unexpected moments and forcing them to retreat with various levels of injury before anyone even got ten tiles into the hallway that was a hundred meters long. People started filtering out of the hallway, leaving only the five from the Order and the first cultivator to step into the area. The wound on his shoulder had barely bled, but Anton could see occasional glimpses of it and saw what looked like yellow and purple bruising in the area. It hadnt been a wide impact, so perhaps it was some sort of poison causing the discoloration.Anton sat down, then gestured for the others to do so as well. I have an idea. When the unknown cultivator didnt respond, Anton waved him over specifically. You should join us as well. We might be competition, but the chances of us getting something if we work together are higher. The man reluctantly sat down. Im Anton. You?Firdaus, he said reluctantly.Good enough. Were all part of the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars, but if you work together with us we can agree to give you an even share of whatever treasures are at the other end.What do you need me to do? he asked.Listen to my ideas, and if you dont have thoughts to prove my ideas wrong one of us will run down the hallway.Which one of us? Firdaus narrowed his eyes.Either you or me. At your discretion. Im sure youll understand why later. First, Ill say what Ive observed. Im sure some of you have as well. Firdaus, what can you tell about why the tiles activate?Nothing, he shook his head, It seems entirely random. I cant discern a path to the end.As for himself, Anton was still breathing heavily and had nicks and scrapes and burns all over, with traces of poison in his system. His movements hadnt been perfect, nor his defenses. He took a few steps away from the tiles and sat down, circulating his energy to jumpstart the healing process while he watched to see if Firdaus would really make the attempt. Firdaus stuck to what he said and ran straight down the middle, along the same path as Anton. There were still many differences in the dangers he encountered, since the triggering of the tiles was quite random. There was a stretch of nearly eight tiles where nothing happened, then one that hadnt done anything for Anton suddenly tilted, flinging him to the side and to the right end of the corridor. He hit the wall but was running as soon as his feet hit the tile below, narrowly avoiding a blade chopping out of the wall. He continued running down the right side of the corridor, triggering traps with every other step. Anton found that the danger seemed more real when he could see all of it instead of just moving past it, but it was all somewhat appropriate. Firdaus used his spear to parry blades on the very last tile and then stepped to next to Anton.Very good, Anton said. Instead of trying to get back on the path you just kept moving. That takes bravery.... Thanks, Firdaus didnt seem to know how to respond to the complement. Honestly, I just didnt think about it.I didnt either, Anton admitted. I just had to keep going. Still, whatever mental training you have done was sufficient.Thats what Spirit Building is all about, Firdaus said. He sat himself near Anton and watched down the corridor, also taking the chance to start healing small wounds.Not going to try to attack me and claim everything for yourself?That would be pretty stupid, He said. I know the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars. I hope you will uphold the reputation of honesty, and Im certain you would uphold the tradition of strength. He stroked his chin, Is it really true youve also been training less than five years? You dont look like it.My opportunity came very late in life, Anton said, But it is true that I only began recently.Close to mid Spirit Building in that time given your age, Im quite impressed. The rest of your group seems talented as well.Yes. We were lucky to join the Order at similar times.Timothy was currently running down the hall, yelling at the top of his lungs. In his defense, it was a cry of determination and not fear, but it was a bit funny to watch. Anything that came from his left was skillfully deflected with his shield, and fancy footwork and simple forward momentum took care of everything else. He arrived with the other two soon enough, the least injured of the three.Catarina was next, though it seemed the others had also been eager to try their hand. She relied less on judging attacks after they came and instead had memorized most of the dangers that would appear in front of her, dodging them before they could even be a threat- sometimes stopping short instead of continuing at full speed like the first three. There were still a few that were new and she had to react to without knowing what they would be, but she made it to the end in good health, though clearly fatigued like the others.Hoyt seemed eager but let Velvet go next. She was clearly less aware of the pattern of traps she would be facing, since memorizing things like that was more in Catarinas field, but she still used her speed and agility to weave her way through the traps- and was even willing to step to side tiles instead of sticking strictly to the middle, despite possible unknown traps.When it was finally his turn, Hoyts response to most of the traps was chopping through them. Though the method was aggressive, it was effective. Darts split easily, but while fire wasnt something that could be cut with a blade, energy could wedge it apart. That was even more true when the energy in question was also fire. Though chopping seemed as if it was a method of brute force, it actually took as much finesse as parrying everything. He still had to align his weapon precisely, he just wasnt meeting the threats with intent to solely deflect. He ran into some trouble with the floor spikes that were fortified to not break, but even in that case his axe pushed him away from the spikes. Soon enough six relatively healthy people were at the end of the hall, with an impatient looking Everheart looming over them. Finally. Will you look at the rewards now? Honestly, I havent seen people so willing to wait for rewards in my entire life. You didnt even peek your head in the doors!Anton shrugged, Sorry, Senior Everheart, but I wanted to see my companions successes. Besides, were the treasures just going to run away? Actually, he supposed they might.Everheart sighed, Yes yes, loyalty and all that. We have two things. First, the door on the left. It has rewards for all of you. One item each. The other is for training. One hour per day per person.Ah too bad we dont get to split everything. Still, second pick should be worth something, eh Firdaus?The man nodded. Lets see what there is. If I know one thing about Everheart, he is generous with rewards.
