Chapter 198 — The Warrior’s Desert

1

A white flash of light instantly turned the garden, once filled with colorful hues, into a scene of black and white.

A massive storm of mana surged upward, forming a single tower. The sheer force of the storm sent gusts of wind that made it difficult to even stand upright. The group had to crouch down, struggling not to be blown away.

Suddenly, someone emerged from the shadows, bracing the group firmly. Chains emerged from each of their shadows, wrapping tightly around their waists.

“Young Master, I will protect you.”

Manus also had to shut his eyes and brace himself due to the explosion that was far more massive than expected. Even the party members, who had been strongly buffed, found themselves staggering under the impact.

In terms of pure destructive power, it far exceeded the level of a 6th-Class spell.

Andrea, who had weaker defenses, couldn’t even scream as she was caught in the explosion.

What happened to her?

The aftermath of the battle did not subside easily. Despite the enormous blast, Aden emerged from the shadows and spread a shadow barrier in front of Manus to shield him.

“Are you alright? You’ve grown again, haven’t you?”

“It’s only temporary. I won’t be able to recreate this level of destructive power.”

“You will eventually reach this stage. If you remember this, it will help you. But more importantly…”

Aden remembered everything she had seen from within the shadows.

When she came up with Anais, she hadn’t seen the top of the tower.

This was also the first time she realized there was an entity called an ‘Apostle’.

It was dangerous.

For friends who had just become adults, this opponent seemed far too overwhelming to handle.

They must have been lucky this time.

Suddenly, as if the world had twisted, strange things started to happen.

‘I’ll need to help whenever I can.’

Despite her duties as the Head Maid and responsibilities in the shadows, the safety of the group and Young Master was most important.

Not growing from every encounter with a strong enemy was an issue, but so was the potential for injuries so severe that growth became impossible.

What good is it if they die?

Aden reached the level of a Master only because she survived.

As Aden’s resolve hardened, Manus, who saw the determination in her eyes, organized his thoughts.

It wasn’t time for her to step in just yet.

The desert, the magma fields beyond, the wide prairies, and the labyrinth that unfolded once more.

‘At least until we surpass the sixth Apostle, I need to save the Master-level forces.’

The sixth Apostle.

By that time, Manus would be in his third year.

Manus would have the power of a Grand Mage by then, so deploying Aden could wait until then.

From that point onward, the demons inside the tower would be far trickier than the monsters inhabiting the outside.

To convey his intentions, he spoke to Aden.

“It’s too early to intervene. One year. That’s about how long you should hold off. You should also begin training in earnest.”

“Understood. But please, on dangerous days like today, make sure to call me.”

“Of course.”

“Your companions have enough talent… They’ll catch up to someone like me soon enough.”

Would they?

She was counted among the worst bosses.

Not only was she someone who surpassed even the level of a Master, but she was also the strongest humanoid boss, excluding the protagonist’s party.

A being infamous even among inhuman entities.

Her potential was far greater than she realized.

Naturally, this led to suspicions about the Emperor.

‘What was that guy thinking in the original story…’

Maybe no one could have ever passed his trials.

In any case, only the developers would know the story of the original work.

“Phew, it looks like it’s finally over!”

“Is everyone okay? Anyone hurt?”

“I’m fine. But… Aden, you’re here too? I had no idea.”

Everyone turned their attention to Aden, who had dispelled the barrier.

The neat appearance of the Head Maid was nowhere to be found; in her place was an assassin.

A faint presence.

She seemed like she could vanish at any moment if you looked away even slightly.

Everyone swallowed nervously.

There’s nothing more frightening than an unseen blade.

With her hair tied back and dressed in dark attire suited for night operations, she truly looked like an assassin.

“Is everyone alright?”

“…Yes, thanks to you, we’re okay.”

“I’m glad. It seems like nothing survived, so let’s go check our rewards. Then.”

With that, Aden disappeared back into Manus’s shadow.

The kids, who had been staring blankly at the spot where Aden had stood, turned their heads.

The Apostle Andrea.

Another powerful foe had fallen to their knees.

Pearson, shaking off his tension, spoke in an excited voice.

For some reason, his eyes were sparkling as if he had an incredible reward in mind.

“Let’s go, let’s go! Let’s hurry and check out the rewards! My instincts are telling me! Senior! Let’s go! That magic from earlier was amazing!”

“Checking rewards is always enjoyable. Let’s go.”

Manus also smiled lightly as he began to walk.

The mana that had been overflowing gradually disappeared.

They felt a sense of exhaustion and emptiness, but they had not left empty-handed.

Their vessels had grown.

The vessel that held mana, the one that stored strength, the very limits of their bodies had expanded.

Everyone seemed to sense it, with their faces filled with excitement.

Especially Guillermo, who had been craving power.

“Let’s see.”

“Oh! I’ve never seen a mana stone this big!”

“Oh… And what’s this? A staff?”

“There’s armor too.”

“How do these things even come out?”

A staff, armor, mana stones.

Countless artifacts lay scattered around.

The tower was such a place.

A place where countless rewards poured forth.

The party marveled as they examined the armor and staff, admiring each item.

They began stuffing the rewards into their spatial pouches.

Even Aden stepped forward, storing the remaining items in her shadow.

It was no surprise that she clicked her tongue at the sight of so many artifacts.

[Ah, yes… I remember now.]

At that moment, Andrea’s voice echoed faintly.

Everyone looked around, startled, lifting their heads to search the surroundings.

They entered a combat stance immediately, as if they had grown accustomed to urgent situations.

No matter how much they looked, Andrea’s presence was nowhere to be found.

It was the same for Manus.

There was no one who could hide in front of him, so her physical form must have truly been destroyed.

[It is indeed a great distortion.]

Her voice grew fainter.

Andrea’s final words, whispered as she faded away, were undoubtedly directed at Manus.

[A twisted fate, isn’t it? Well then, do your best.]

With that, her words ended.

Silence lingered in the garden.

The power sustaining the garden collapsed, and a fierce wind blew.

It was a wind that reminded them of a sandstorm.

Behind the crumbling backdrop, a barren desert was revealed.

A place where sandstorms raged.

The lobby had vanished entirely, replaced by a massive door.

“Where are we…?”

“Ptooey! This is totally a desert, isn’t it?!”

“It’s a new stage.”

[Welcome, great warriors.]

A foreign voice echoed.

At the same time, a strange and dangerous presence emerged.

They had never seen this being before, but instinctively they understood.

Such an aura could only belong to an [Apostle].

The party, startled, gathered their mana.

However, the Apostle who appeared waved his hand dismissively.

He must have meant that he had no intention of fighting.

[The one you see here is merely an avatar. No matter how much you attack, it will be pointless.]

“Why did you show yourself?”

Manus asked.

The Apostle, with the head of a dog, [Cantanti], opened his mouth.

[I wish to test whether you are worthy warriors. Let us play a game.]

“A game?”

[Indeed. A fair and honorable game. I will prepare one hundred warriors. You are to defeat them, one by one, and earn your rewards. Then, you may face me.]

Essentially, a continuous boss fight.

The group grasped Cantanti’s intent.

Endless duels with guardians and warriors.

Guillermo seemed quite pleased with the idea.

Even better.

Unlike the garden or labyrinth, where they had to conserve their strength, here they could go all out.

“Fine. We accept your proposal.”

[Very well. Welcome to the Warrior’s Desert, where the victor takes all. But remember, the more you cower in fear, the stronger the warriors become.]

If they didn’t move quickly, the enemies would continue to grow stronger.

They had to consider that fact and plan accordingly.

If not, they wouldn’t be able to overcome their overwhelmingly powerful opponents.

[Additionally, to prevent overwhelming the warriors with sheer numbers, there will be a limit on how many can enter the duels at a time. Choose wisely. Then, I shall see you in the arena.]

Cantanti’s illusion slowly faded away.

Everyone looked at the new stage in silence.

This was also Manus’s favorite place.

A stage where they could gain the most experience.

[Scree-eek!]

“Oh dear, Phoenix. What’s the matter?”

“Something seems a bit off.”

“Yeah. I think you better head back soon.”

“Alright. I’ll head in first.”

Alano, carrying the groaning Phoenix, ran off hurriedly.

Manus knew what that symptom meant.

Soon, Phoenix might not be able to perch on Alano’s head.

[End of Battle]

[Apostle: Andrea]

[Everyone’s level has increased.]

[Kael: 49 / Anais: 49 / Pearson: 44 / Melanie: 48 / Alano: 51 / Nia: 53 / Guillermo: 49 / Trace: 45]

[Manus has learned a new skill.]

[The familiar’s level has increased.]

[Phoenix: 35]

[Phoenix’s condition?!]

[Albion: 39]

2

With Andrea defeated, the party safely made it out of the tower.

It had been a meaningful conquest.

Especially for Manus, who needed time to contemplate the new magic he had learned.

“Let’s split the rewards tomorrow after we’ve appraised them. I’ll handle it.”

Emerson said confidently before leaving.

When everyone asked if she was okay, she said she hadn’t really done much in the fight, so she was fine.

Manus personally stepped up to encourage his companions, acknowledging their efforts.

Another step forward.

A new beginning awaited them.

‘This place will give the kids a huge boost in experience.’

Life-or-death battles.

A stage where they would fight not for survival, but putting their lives on the line in continuous battles against enemies.

If they defeated Cantanti here, those before him would become true warriors.

The determination to rise and fight again, regardless of the crisis.

Stamina that would not falter even in fierce battles.

Furthermore, the ability to instantly react and strategize, with insight and judgment.

This was a stage that would cultivate everything they needed for battle.

“Let’s head in first. You all did great.”

“You too, Senior, you did well.”

“Rest well!”

“It didn’t take as long as expected, so we’ll rest well tomorrow. Great job, everyone!”

And so, the girls went off together, and the boys returned to the dormitory.

Trace remained behind to push himself even harder, choosing to stay in the Erosion Zone.

There was now a large open space, perfect for training.

“Then, I’ll keep watch here.”

“If anything happens, come right away.”

“Got it!”

With his bright smile as the last sight, the Void Garden disappeared completely.

Two steps forward.

The journey ahead was still long.

–TL Notes–
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