Bridge of the Three Sentinels
The towering body of Ashen Warden Garrick gradually dissolved into countless motes of light.
The chamber fell silent. No celebratory music echoed. Instead, a single object slowly materialized where the mini boss had fallen.
It floated quietly above the ground.
An ancient bronze key engraved with faded runes.
Cole carefully picked it up.
A system notification immediately appeared before the entire party.
---
Dungeon Item Acquired
Ashen Guardian's Seal Key (1/3)
Grade: Special Dungeon Item
Description:
A key forged by the ancient guardians of the temple.
Three Ashen Guardian's Seal Keys are required to unlock the chamber of the Regional Boss.
Each key is guarded by one Ashen Warden.
Current Progress:
1 / 3 Keys Collected
---
Ironwall let out a whistle.
"So there are three guardians."
Starveil nodded.
"Meaning, we have to clear three separate trials before reaching the final boss."
Lifebloom looked toward the tunnel extending deeper into the temple.
"The dungeon is much larger than I expected."
Aster simply reached out.
"I'll hold onto the key."
No one objected. Since he was the party leader, entrusting the special dungeon item to him was only natural.
The key disappeared into his inventory. Almost immediately, the ground trembled once more. A worn wooden chest slowly emerged from the stone floor.
A reward chest.
Cole grinned.
"Looks like every mini boss leaves one behind."
Ironwall opened it.
Inside were several neatly arranged items.
---
Ashwood Sage Staff (Uncommon)
* Magic Attack +18
* Intelligence +10
* Mana Regeneration +5%
---
Stoneguard Boots (Uncommon)
* Defense +14
* Vitality +8
* Movement Speed +3%
---
Ashen Monster Materials ×18
Silver Coins ×95
---
The party stared at the equipment, before anyone could even speak, Aster calmly picked up the staff and handed it to Starveil.
"For you."
He then tossed the boots toward Ironwall.
"You'll benefit from these the most."
The two instinctively caught the equipment.
"..."
Neither of them spoke. They had expected a discussion. Perhaps even negotiations. Instead, Aster distributed the items without the slightest hesitation.
"As agreed."
"Class-specific equipment belongs to the class that benefits most."
"There is nothing to argue about."
Ironwall looked at the boots in silence.
Then toward Aster.
"...You're surprisingly generous."
Starveil smiled bitterly.
"I've seen parties disband over equipment worth less than this."
Aster merely shrugged.
"Equipment only has value if it strengthens the party."
"If everyone becomes stronger,nour chances of clearing the dungeon increase. It benefits all of us."
Lifebloom exchanged glances with Cole. Both smiled. Perhaps, Cole had made the right decision after all.
Meanwhile, Aster quietly gathered the remaining monster materials.
The others divided the silver coins equally among themselves before handing Aster his share. The distribution was completed without a single disagreement.
---
After a short rest, they continued deeper into the temple. The corridor twisted downward. Eventually, the stone walls disappeared.
The party stepped into an enormous underground sanctuary. Everyone stopped.
Before them stretched a vast circular chamber, unlike the battlefield they had just conquered.
Dozens of ancient stone platforms floated above a seemingly bottomless abyss. Some platforms slowly drifted. Others rotated in place.
Massive chains connected them to the distant ceiling. Between the platforms flowed rivers of glowing blue energy. At the far end, A colossal stone gate remained tightly shut.
Three crystal pillars stood before it, completely devoid of light. A system notification appeared.
---
Second Trial
Bridge of the Three Sentinels
Objective:
Illuminate all three Ancient Spirit Pillars.
Defeat the guardians protecting each pillar.
Beware, the platforms are unstable. Falling from the bridge will return adventurers to the beginning of the trial.
---
Ironwall looked across the enormous chamber.
"...This isn't a battle of endurance."
Starveil narrowed his eyes.
"It's a battlefield where positioning matters."
Lifebloom gripped her staff a little tighter.
"Our formation won't be easy to maintain."
Cole slowly unsheathed her sword. Then everyone looked toward Aster. Without a hint of panic, he calmly surveyed the moving platforms, the glowing currents, and the three distant pillars.
His eyes reflected the entire battlefield. Already, he was planning their route.
Aster observed the chamber without taking a single step. His eyes followed the movement of every floating platform.
Some completed a full rotation every ten seconds. Others drifted sideways before returning to their original position.
The glowing currents below pulsed rhythmically, as if feeding energy into the three Spirit Pillars.
"...They're connected."
He quietly muttered. Cole looked at him.
"What did you find?"
Aster pointed toward the nearest platform.
"None of these platforms move randomly."
"They repeat the same pattern."
"The temple wants us to observe before acting."
The four immediately became silent. After another minute, Aster finally stood.
"Ironwall."
"Lead the front."
"But don't rush."
"Only move after I tell you."
The tank nodded.
"What about the monsters?"
"They'll come."
"But positioning comes first."
He looked toward Starveil.
"If you fall, don't try to save yourself with magic."
"Save your mana."
"The platforms are safer than they look."
Starveil smiled awkwardly.
"I'll trust you."
"Lifebloom, keep Forest's Blessing active. But don't use healing unless necessary."
"Our objective isn't defeating monsters. It's conserving resources."
She nodded.
"I understand."
Finally...
He looked at Cole.
"You're with me. We'll eliminate the guardians."
Cole smiled.
"Just like before."
Aster nodded once.
"Move."
The party advanced. Exactly as Aster predicted, each platform aligned perfectly with the next after a short interval. The five crossed steadily.
Not once did anyone lose their footing. Halfway across, the first enemies appeared.
Six stone warriors climbed from beneath the platforms.
Sentinel Golems (Lv. 15)
Their heavy footsteps shook the floating bridges.
"Ironwall."
"Hold only three."
The tank immediately charged. His shield slammed into the nearest golem. The remaining three continued toward the backline.
"Aster."
Cole immediately understood. The two rushed simultaneously. Their swords flashed. Unlike ordinary monsters, the golems barely reacted to pain.
"Starveil."
"Their joints."
The mage immediately changed targets. Instead of attacking the body, his spells struck the knees and shoulders.
Cracks spread across the stone.
"They're slowing!"
"Now."
Cole's blade severed one arm. Aster's longsword pierced directly through the exposed core. The first guardian collapsed. One after another, the remaining golems followed.
No one had suffered more than superficial injuries. Lifebloom merely renewed her buffs.
Not a single healing spell was used. Ironwall laughed.
"We're barely using resources."
Aster simply continued walking.
---
Several minutes later, the first Ancient Spirit Pillar came into view. Standing before it, was another guardian. Unlike the golems...
This one wielded twin stone axes.
Sentinel Captain (Lv. 15)
The creature roared and leaped forward. Aster immediately raised his hand.
"No one attack."
Everyone froze. The Sentinel Captain swung both axes toward Ironwall.
"Block once."
Ironwall obeyed. The impact pushed him backward. The boss immediately overextended.
"Now."
Cole and Aster attacked simultaneously from opposite sides. One targeted the right leg. The other the left shoulder. The guardian lost its balance.
"Starveil."
The mage cast Stone Lance.
The spell struck directly into the exposed chest. The guardian exploded into fragments. The first Spirit Pillar ignited. Blue light surged upward.
---
Spirit Pillar Activated
Progress:
1 / 3
---
The party continued, this time, the platforms became narrower. Some disappeared for several seconds before reappearing.
Instead of rushing, Aster ordered everyone to stop repeatedly.
"Wait."
"Now."
"Move."
"Jump."
His commands arrived at the exact moment each platform aligned.
Even Ironwall couldn't help but ask,
"...Have you been here before?"
Aster simply replied,
"No."
The tank became speechless.
---
The second guardian defended the middle pillar, this time, it was accompanied by eight floating spirit orbs.
Instead of engaging immediately, Aster spoke.
"Ignore the guardian."
"Destroy the orbs first."
The others looked confused. Starveil frowned.
"The boss is right there."
"The orbs are supplying it."
"If we kill the boss first, they'll simply revive it."
Realization dawned upon everyone. They immediately changed targets. Within moments, the final orb shattered.
Only then did Aster point toward the guardian.
"Finish it."
Without its source of power, the guardian barely lasted a minute.
The second pillar lit up.
---
Spirit Pillar Activated
Progress:
2 / 3
---
By the time they reached the final platform, no one questioned Aster's commands anymore.
Every instruction he gave, reduced unnecessary fighting. Every route he chose, avoided dangerous terrain.
Every order...
Made the dungeon feel less like an impossible challenge and more like a carefully planned expedition.
Even Cole found herself smiling. She had originally invited Aster because he was strong.
Now, she realized his greatest strength wasn't his sword. It was his ability to see the battlefield several steps ahead of everyone else.
Ahead, the third and final Spirit Pillar waited in darkness.
And before it stood another guardian...
Larger than the previous two.
The final obstacle before the path to the second Ashen Warden would be opened.