Chapter 1255 - Dark Arena (1) (1/2)

Rhode found himself in a different environment after the brilliance dissipated. The former Crystal Forest was gone and in its place stood a huge, Roman Colosseum-like structure. However, no one occupied the audience seats on both sides. At a glance, one could witness dark clouds hovering over the sky, with dazzling lightning flashing from time to time.

What’s going on?

Rhode looked around him but didn’t spot any enemies

This place should be an arena, so shouldn’t there be someone here to fight me?

At this thought, Rhode couldn’t help but feel curious. He circled the arena but there were no strange noises nor the emergence of a BOSS. The flames above the torches pinned around the arena swayed uncontrollably in the howling winds, casting several shadows on the dark arena.

There’s no one…

Rhode circled back and forth but discovered nothing new. The arena was only half the size of a soccer field, so it wasn’t considered too small. However, it was rundown, unlike the magnificent atmosphere around the arena in the Golden City during the Midsummer Festival. Besides, there wasn’t a single audience member and this left him somewhat disenchanted.

“Seems like this is gonna be an internal battle…”

Rhode mumbled under his breath. Arenas like this were common in the game. Normally, if there weren’t any BOSSes around, it would most likely be a PK arena between players. Judging from the fact that this trial was treacherous from the start, he reckoned this situation to be the same.

Gather everyone who passed the dragon soul trial for a brawl and only the winner will gain the right to inherit the dragon soul.

At this thought, Rhode couldn’t help but curl his lips. This inheritance ceremony for the Dark Dragon was indeed disgusting. But… Would ordinary inheritance ceremonies use the same type of trials? Even though the Country of Darkness was strong, it wasn’t likely that so many dragon soul heirs filled the streets. It was already considered a lot to choose from between Ion and Erin. Where could they even find so many dragon soul heirs for a brawl?

Could there be something new about this setup? Perhaps the final trial will start when all challengers arrive? This isn’t too logical… There can only be one dragon soul heir. Do they intend to have them kill one another until they crown a winner? If I really have to say it, this setup is truly gross.

Swish!

While Rhode pondered, a white light flashed and a person appeared in front him.

“Ah, Leader!”

“Anne?”

Rhode was surprised at the sight of Anne. Even though he thought of the possibility that only those who passed the earlier trial could come here, he felt astonished to see Anne as the second person making her presence. Because in his impression, Anne had the most unsuitable personality to participate in such trials. This was apparent from her brainless remarks when she observed Erin in the trial. If Anne were to participate in one, who knew how long she would need to clear it.

Due to that reason, Rhode didn’t expect Anne to be the next person to complete the trial. He couldn’t help but ask her about it curiously. Anne naturally had nothing to hide as she told him all about her experience in high spirits.

It turned out that after she was transported to the Shadow Ravine, she was thrown into an enormous maze garden. She could tell it was a maze at first glance. She found the entrance, searched endlessly, and finally spotted a pond in the center of the maze. Then, she saw a beautiful piece of crystal on the sculpture in the middle of the pond, jumped in to grab it, and was transported to this place straightaway.

That luck…

Rhode didn’t even know what to say after listening to her account. He knew the Shadow Garden was part of the largest complex of buildings in Gasolest Manor and also an important quest line in the Shadow Ravine. Rumor had it that the owner of the manor was actually the ruler of the Shadow Ravine—a powerful BOSS that all players were passionate about defeating. But until Rhode left the game, no one was able to break through the forefront of the Shadow Garden because it was simply too distasteful. The maze inside the Shadow Garden wasn’t complicated, but the problem was that their structures changed according to the shadows. What was worse was that the changes were completely random and irregular. Many shadowy creatures also roamed the maze. The maze itself was narrow and once a player reached a dead end, shadowy creatures would pour in from all directions. Players also couldn’t cast any magical rituals, as the narrow paths were only wide enough for three people to advance in, shoulder-to-shoulder. As a result, being wiped out was their only fate.

If it were in the past, Rhode’s heart would definitely skip a beat once he learned that Anne was transported to that filthy place. He understood this young lady too well. She always relied upon her intuition and apart from fighting, she never used her brain. For one like her to be sent to the Shadow Garden, one would either have a narrow escape or eventually die. However, Rhode didn’t expect her intuition and luck to actually be that absurd, where she was able to escape from that godforsaken place… This left him entirely speechless.

She can’t be another dragon soul heir, right…?

Gazing at Anne who danced and gestured in excitement as she narrated her encounters, Rhode couldn’t help but harbor this thought. Frankly, he was also rather curious as to how Anne would turn out if they were in the game. He could mostly guess the ending of everyone else. After all, even though history had its limitations, it also had its inevitableness. For instance, Marlene’s identity doomed her to be monitored closely and prone to conspiracies. For Lapis and Lize who were introverted and tender in character, they would naturally fail to blossom in intense environments. But Anne was different. Although she followed Rhode all the way, she relied upon herself to strengthen her power. Even without the awakening of the wind elemental power, she was still a strong shield warrior. Besides, she was sweet-looking, outstanding, had a tall, attractive figure, and possessed a cheerful and lively personality. A mercenary like her was rare in the eyes of players. On the game’s forum, Rhode knew there were some players who summarized a list of beautiful mercenaries in each region and some of whom were worse than Anne, but still made the list. However, Rhode had never heard of a mercenary named Anne, which was too strange.

Did she sacrifice herself to protect her companions? Considering her personality, it is highly likely. It is especially so when the Munn Kingdom was demolished by the Country of Darkness. Someone like Anne definitely wouldn’t look on without lifting a finger. Maybe…

Rhode couldn’t help but feel his heart ache at the thought of this lively, passionate young lady curling up and dying silently in the corner of another world. He instinctively stretched out his arm and stroked her flowy blonde hair. Anne looked at him curiously. But soon, she narrowed her eyes blissfully and enjoyed his touch. Not only that, but she also went and snuggled up against him.

“Meow… Leader… Shall we take a break?”