CHAPTER 88: ENTERING THE DEADLY TRIALS
After soothing Sophia, Kael re-summoned Py. The little chick flew around him while chirping incessantly.
'Yeah, yeah, yeah! I won't do it again!' Kael waved his hand as if chasing away a fly.
"Celeste?"
Sophia looked up with puppy eyes, her arms outstretched. The little chick seemed to sigh, as she relented to her fate. With a dive, she fell gently into the girl's embrace.
"Why haven't you gotten off me?" Kael glared at his sister, who continued to cling onto him.
"You are no brother of mine!"
"Huh?" Sparks seemed to fly in the space between their eyes before Kael suddenly smirked.
"If you don't let go, you can kiss your sniper rifle goodbye..." He had barely finished when Rose released him before flashing him a happy-go-lucky smile, while gripping his hand and swaying.
"Hehe... big brother is the best!"
Kael ran his other hand through his messy hair before he suddenly spoke with a serious face.
"Since that is the case, we might as well handle this matter now."
During this past week, they had experienced only one night event. And that had been enough to propel most of them to the peak of the Awakened Rank. In fact, a few of them had already broken through into the First Order by the end of the battle, though they were only of the Common to Elite Ranks.
Kael had informed his team about what he had learned from the Archive Fragment, at least the parts related to the First Order. But what he hadn't expected was for Claire to tell the Principal, and for the latter to inform the others.
Honestly, Kael was very annoyed, and not by a small amount. He wouldn't mind if the old man knew, but for the others to enjoy the reward of his life-and-death-earned coins irked him to no end.
In fact, if it wasn't for the introspection he had recently undergone, he knew deep down he might have reacted badly.
Of course, Claire had apologized, but he didn't care. Helping the likes of Daniel and his group left a bad taste in his mouth.
With that said, they had already come to an agreement. If there was no event this night, all the Epic Ranks and Rose would be entering their trials.
The logic was that the buffer period before another possible night event would be enough to finish the trial. And with surviving factions eyeing each other, it would be foolish to simply sit and watch the others grow stronger.
The two girls seemed to sense the tension in the air, and all signs of playfulness disappeared in an instant. Even little Sophia had a serious and hard look on her slightly chubby and adorable face.
Kael took a deep breath, and then he connected with the system shop.
First, he purchased one of the most expensive items accessible to him. It was a sniper rifle of Rare Rank costing a whopping 150 coins. With a thought, he summoned the object.
A sleek black-and-crimson rifle appeared in his hands. Ancient silver hieroglyphs coiled along the barrel and stock, glowing faintly as though dormant power slept within them.
Rose's dark-as-night eyes seemed to twinkle like bright stars in the night sky.
"Be careful. It's heavy!"
Kael handed the weapon to her, and saw her strain a bit to lift the item, but it wasn't something she couldn't handle. After all, she was already level 24, and even without using her free attribute points, she should at least have 24 points in Strength, making the little girl two and a half times stronger than a normal human.
Kael ignored his little sister, who was practically drooling while handling the rifle.
He focused back on the shop, and this time he bought many things.
First, he got two space pouches, each containing a one-cubic-meter space and costing 50 coins. Then he bought a lot of mana enhancement grenades, bullets, snacks, and water before filling the two pouches to the brim.
With his previous purchase, Kael spent a total of 437 coins. He didn't mind spending so much on his sister's survival, Sophia included.
Besides, he had already bought what he needed from the shop. Beginner Firearm Mastery, Beginner Mixed Martial Arts, Danger Sense, two handguns, bullets, and enough food and water.
He could always refill his coins in future events.
The two girls suddenly sprang forward before hugging him.
"Thank you, big brother Kael," Sophia whispered.
Kael smiled and rubbed her head. As for Rose, she didn't say anything, but Kael didn't mind. There was no need for thanks between blood.
"No matter what you face in the trial, focus on surviving. Make sure you come back to me."
His grip on them tightened slightly, his voice trembling. The girls, feeling his emotions, nodded silently.
As for Py, she watched the sight, now perched on Kael's messy hair. This had become one of her favorite spots.
It was then four figures entered the room.
Kael turned to face Alice. Looking into those beautiful amethyst gems, Kael lost himself for a moment in their depths.
"Please, take care of my sister."
Her soft voice woke him from his reverie and Kael quickly nodded. His eyes shifted to the usually lively Natalie, who was now quiet with worry on her face. Despite the girl having broken into the First Order, her class wasn't built for fighting, so there was not much difference to her strength.
"I will... you take care too."
Alice merely nodded to his words.
It was then two pouches appeared within his hands.
"These are for you."
He handed one to Alice, and the other to Nathan, who had been quietly watching from the back.
When the auburn-haired senior sent his senses into the spatial item, his eyes widened. Then he shook his head and flashed that characteristic handsome smile.
"Thanks, man!"
"What are bros for?"
The two bumped fists smoothly.
"Just make sure if you're going to lose something, you lose a tooth before you lose your face."
Nathan laughed at the words, his emerald eyes flashing with a bit of warmth.
"You wish."
Alice quietly attached the pouch to her waist before she adjusted her hair, bringing one of its strands behind her ear.
"Thank you."
Kael smiled.
'They are ready. Now I can only hope they stay safe.'
His eyes fell on the last person who had entered. It was that boy with the faint presence. The one called Nathaniel.
His eyes shifted to the green text above his head.
[LV. 18 ??? (EPIC)]
Despite the Principal prioritizing the young boy's growth in the last battle, he still fell short. After all, compared to even Natalie, this boy was pathetically weak.
And yet, his powers could be argued to be among the most important for the group, just like Sophia's.
Nathaniel could be said to be the reason why they weren't even attempting to escape the school. Sure, they were in an abandoned area, with no immediate suitable shelter close by, but still, remaining close to such a dangerous place wasn't the smartest thing to do. Not to mention, there seemed to be the shadow of an entity they couldn't fathom looming over them.
Yet, they couldn't escape.
At least, not yet.
The boy had already made it clear.
If they tried to, they would die.
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