Chapter 69 - The Labyrinth of Ancient Beasts
00:00:10
The countdown echoed across the Grand Arena.
Five hundred and twelve contestants stood within glowing teleportation circles.
Some closed their eyes in concentration.
Others summoned their contract beasts.
The air was thick with killing intent.
---
Grand Sage Orion raised his staff.
"The First Trial is not about defeating your enemies."
He paused.
"It is about proving you deserve to stand among them."
"The Labyrinth of Ancient Beasts is a living realm."
"It changes with every step."
"Trust only your beast."
The contestants exchanged uneasy glances.
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts appeared.
Tournament Quest
Round One: The Labyrinth
Participants: 512
Advancing: 128
Primary Objective:
Reach the Heart of the Labyrinth.
Secondary Objective:
Collect Ancient Beast Tokens.
Warning:
The labyrinth rewards wisdom more than strength.
---
00:00:03
Kai tightened his grip on his spear.
Selene smiled confidently.
"See you at the finish line."
Before Kai could reply—
A pillar of white light swallowed him.
---
When the light faded...
He stood alone.
Towering stone walls stretched endlessly in every direction.
Ancient vines covered weathered ruins.
Massive trees pierced the sky.
A strange silence filled the air.
Selene...
Ignis...
Rowan...
Everyone had disappeared.
Only the Crimson Flame Fox remained beside him.
"Master..."
"This place separates companions."
Kai nodded.
"I expected as much."
---
The Book glowed.
Companion Status
Constellation Link:
Temporarily Disabled
Available Companion:
- Crimson Flame Fox
All other allies:
Unknown Location.
---
A distant roar echoed through the forest.
The ground trembled.
Kai moved cautiously.
Every instinct told him he was being watched.
---
Suddenly...
A silver blur shot from the bushes.
Kai instinctively blocked with his spear.
CLANG!
The attacker flipped backwards.
It was a wolf.
Its silver fur shimmered like moonlight.
Unlike corrupted beasts...
Its eyes were clear.
Intelligent.
The Book immediately analysed it.
Beast Analysis
Moonfang Wolf
Rank: Elite
Status: Trial Guardian
Disposition:
Testing Intruders.
---
The wolf circled Kai slowly.
It did not attack again.
Instead...
It lowered its head.
Then turned and walked deeper into the forest.
The Crimson Flame Fox tilted its head.
"It's... inviting us?"
Kai smiled.
"Or testing whether we'll chase."
Without hesitation...
He followed.
---
After nearly an hour...
The wolf stopped before an ancient stone altar.
Three crystal pedestals stood before it.
Upon each rested a glowing token.
A voice echoed from nowhere.
"Choose one."
The first token glowed crimson.
Power
The second glowed silver.
Knowledge
The third glowed emerald.
Compassion
The Crimson Flame Fox whispered,
"This feels like a trap."
Kai nodded.
"It probably is."
Instead of choosing...
He examined the altar.
Tiny runes covered its base.
Most contestants would never notice them.
But the Book highlighted a single sentence.
«The worthy seek understanding before reward.»
Kai smiled.
"There it is."
He placed his hand on the runes instead of taking a token.
The entire altar began to shine.
The Moonfang Wolf let out a pleased howl.
---
Hidden Trial Cleared
Reward:
Ancient Beast Token ×3
Bonus:
Wisdom Trial Completed
---
The three tokens floated into Kai's hand.
The voice spoke again.
"Few seek the truth before power."
"Proceed, Beast Sovereign."
The forest path ahead opened by itself.
---
Meanwhile...
Elsewhere in the labyrinth...
Darius stood atop a pile of defeated contestants.
Around him lay shattered weapons and unconscious Beast Tamers.
His corrupted Silver Wolf devoured the energy from broken tokens.
The wolf's crimson eyes glowed brighter.
Darius laughed.
"So this is all Aetherion has to offer?"
The Book of Infinite Beasts, far away with Kai, suddenly displayed an alert.
Tournament Update
Participants Remaining:
487
Highest Token Count:
Unknown Contestant
Warning:
Multiple eliminations detected in the western sector.
---
High above the labyrinth...
The seven masked Council members watched through floating mirrors.
One elder frowned.
"Contestant Darius is violating the spirit of the trial."
Another replied calmly,
"He has broken no rule."
A third elder shifted the image to Kai.
The Moonfang Wolf was now walking beside him rather than ahead of him.
"...Interesting."
"It has acknowledged him."
No contestant had earned the respect of a Trial Guardian in over three hundred years.
---
As Kai reached the next clearing...
He froze.
A little girl, no older than eight, sat crying beside a broken stone bridge.
She wore simple travelling clothes.
No beast accompanied her.
She looked up with tear-filled eyes.
"Please..."
"My brother is trapped on the other side."
The Crimson Flame Fox immediately became alert.
"Master..."
"There's no scent."
Kai slowly scanned the area.
No footprints.
No broken branches.
No signs anyone had crossed the bridge.
The Book flickered.
Unknown Encounter
Analysis...
...
Unable to determine.
Kai stepped forward carefully.
Then he smiled.
"If this is another test..."
"I'd rather help first and ask questions later."
The little girl slowly stopped crying.
A mysterious smile spread across her face.
The entire forest trembled.
The Book displayed a single line.
Hidden Trial Accepted
The Trial of the Heart
Difficulty:
★★★★★