Chapter 29：Solomon (1/2)

The first trial for the holy ground was never easy. However, these young men and women decided to strive for their fate. Many have fallen already, but many more kept battling for glory and riches.

In the south of the trial grounds was the group of Erin Voldor, a powerful army of awakeners that worked together to pass this trial. Their families were allies for many years, that's why this team shared a good bond between them. Individual selfishness was unquestionably common, but they worked in a competitive environment under Erin's leadership.

A duo that headed toward the east looking for a specific person also had rumors flying around them. They were named the fairy and the cripple. From what the rumors have gathered, they were looking for someone who would gain the rare Saint insignia. Although no one was able to yet, they were talking to the candidates for some reason.

The northern area was mostly a forbidden one due to the people residing in it. Everyone feared that area because a powerful monsters' army was tamed by inhibitors of that area. The army was advancing toward the central tower in preparation for a major scheme of taming the high-tier monsters that were summoned at the end of each round.

The west was the most bizarre as a part of the lands was dyed black. The high-tier monster that had appeared at the beginning of the first round has been slain. What was more bizarre is that this black land would kill or harm whoever stepped on it. Those who witnessed the battle were shivering at the sight of a single man taking down a three-headed lion by himself. The destruction of this land has witnessed looked like it would last forever.

This space was not the only one to exist as other grounds for the first trial took place elsewhere. However, the result of this trial ground was the most anticipated because of the characters participating. Major powers clashed in a mini-war in this trial as each tried to strive for supremacy over the others.

In the midst of all of this chaos and ambitions, hidden-deep underground in a room with no exits, a wounded unrelated person opened his eyes.

***

His wounded body felt better, but the wound would still hurt if he moved. Arthur was reminded again of his failure and – almost – death. He had been fed so much confidence by the existence of his legacy that he started to rely on it completely, thinking of himself as the chosen one who wouldn't perish. This failure has reminded him of the following simple fact. Legacies could be lost and they would bind to other Legacy users.

As he tried to sit up, the old man that had saved him turned his head in Arthur's direction. The wound hurt like hell but he needed to drink water. Arthur opened the container at his waist and gulped two times before closing it, water was essential right now. He couldn't drink to his heart content. He then looked at the person who saved him, and despite not knowing his motives, he opened his mouth to thank him.

”Thank you for saving me.” Arthur's voice was still hoarse due to his thirst, and it hurt his throat to speak. The old man looked at him and simply nodded, before opening his mouth as well.

”My name is Solomon.”

”Mine is Arthur.”

”Arthur… If you're grateful, then help me.”

'I knew there was something. No free lunch in this world, and that's how I like it. No debts and no guilts.' Arthur thought to himself and nodded.

”What do you want? For me to get you out of that wall? I'm not the best for the job, you see.” Arthur felt his throat drying and he had problems speaking, so he took another mouthful of water.

”No… the rest of my body has long since died. I'm beyond saving. The reason I'm still half-alive is that I'm absorbing the mana in the soil.”

”…How long have you been here?” Arthur asked, intrigued. Solomon looked at him in silence like he was making a rough estimate.

”Probably… A hundred years or so.” The answer shocked Arthur to his core. A hundred years living here? He didn't know if he can remain sane staying alone in the same place while being tied to a wall. Arthur didn't know how to ask him or what to ask him exactly. All he wanted to know was how did he last this long. As if reading his mind, Solomon answered.