Chapter 633: That's why I failed this stage
After Kyle completed the first stage of the trial ground, a door opened behind them. The trio entered and found themselves in another chamber, but this time, they faced only one marble statue as their opponent, which held the transcendent rank.
"Hmm? That's it?"
Kyle looked around for more challenges, but it seemed there were none.
Asher chuckled at his words. When he entered this trial ground in the past, it was difficult for him to clear this round because he was weak at that time. That's why he couldn't advance past the third stage.
"Don't get too confident. It's not easy for those who have entered this tomb to face so many divine-rank statues and then immediately confront a transcendent rank one. You are the exception here."
Kyle shot him a glance. He wasn't feeling overconfident. He simply wanted a bigger challenge because he needed to boost his physique and strength, which are currently at the final stage of the transcendent rank, to reach the supreme rank.
Putting his body under intense pressure was crucial to achieving this goal.
'I guess I need to battle the supreme rank undeads to make it happen because the trial ground is not helping me much.'
He approached the statue emanating the power of the transcendent rank, and as the statue raised its weapons, he lifted his fist and used his strength to shatter it.
A superior physique and strength make someone more powerful compared to others at the same rank.
In the end, not many can improve their physique and strength, even as they advance through their true rank.
Kyle's situation was different, though. His strength and physique were above his true rank because he spent years in a place that lacked mana and divine energy.
Once the transcendent rank statue was defeated, another door opened up before the phoenix and the two men. However, before they could step through the door, a few screams echoed out from it. Kyle's ear twitched as one of the voices among the others sounded somewhat familiar.
'Hmm?'
He was distracted when Asher swiftly headed towards the door.
"These are the individuals I sensed earlier, undoubtedly the ones who entered the trial ground before us. It appears they are trapped in the third stage."
Kyle and Bia followed him, and as they entered the door, Kyle had to float like the phoenix as they were met by a vast pool of bubbling water and countless sharp spikes jutting out from the ground before them.
Asher lifted his gaze towards the massive circular platform hovering above the water. The screams of the people echoed from above the platform. His eyes met a pair of crimson eyes instantly.
"That's why I failed this stage..."
Kyle followed his stare and spotted a colossal creature constructed of rocks adorned with various symbols covering its entire body. It peered down at them with a pair of crimson eyes.
"The last stage of the transcendent rank?"
Asher nodded.
"Not just one. There are three of them above the platform. We have to defeat them to pass this stage."
Kyle silently drifted towards the platform and noticed four figures engaged in combat with two of the rock creatures. Among them were two elven men, one demi-human female, and finally, an old dwarf... Oh, he recognized the dwarf instantly. It was none other than Zron.
'Now I get why I couldn't shake off that familiar scent nearby, but it was so faint... I almost thought I was imagining it. I suppose it's because the barriers around this chamber are stronger than the others.'
Bia joined him alongside Asher. Unlike the half-dragon, who found the scene amusing, the phoenix was rendered speechless as she watched Zron narrowly evade an attack from one of the rock creatures, while desperately calling out for help.
- "I reckon that old man's only good at stealing... He's terrible in combat. Is he truly at the transcendent rank?"
Zron whipped his head towards Bia when he heard her voice. His eyes sparkled as he attempted to fly out from the platform but was thwarted by a barrier.
"Help! Finally, this old man can be rescued!"
He was overjoyed beyond words. However, Asher dampened his joy. The half-dragon gestured towards some inscribed carvings on the platform. They weren't symbols but clear words engraved there for the fighters.
"I assume all of you know how to read? It's clearly written that if you can't defeat the rock creatures, you can simply surrender. It just means you will be removed from the trial ground. So, surrender if you can't succeed. Why the unnecessary struggle?"
Zron snorted at his words. He had nearly broken his old bones defeating countless divine- rank marble statues. He even faced a transcendent-rank marble statue! It was true he wasn't alone, and the three other individuals with him somewhat aided him, but no way he would give up after coming this far! He must lay his hands on the treasures this structure holds! He whipped his head towards Kyle while deftly dodging another attack from one of the rock creatures.
"Kyle... This old man needs some help. Come, assist me."
Zron asked with a pleading tone. He had not even taken the belongings of the three
individuals with him. How could he possibly admit defeat?
Asher glanced at Kyle.
"You know him?"
Kyle wanted to shake his head in denial but held back the urge.
"Kind of. Let's just clear the trial ground."
He entered the platform with Bia. The moment they stepped onto the platform, one of the rock creatures attacked them. Asher stayed outside the platform and asked Kyle and Bia.
"Need a hand? Or not?"
The other three peeps on the platform immediately recognized Kyle. They were shocked, but all their thoughts disappeared as Kyle raised his fist and struck the rock creature that had attacked him and Bia. A thunderous boom echoed on the platform as the creature skidded backward, nearly falling off the platform but managing to regain balance just in time. Kyle
clenched his fists and confidently stated.
"No, really. I can handle them myself."
Suddenly, as he moved towards another rock creature, Bia halted him.
-"Hey, leave one for me. I want to test my strength too. I reached the transcendent rank just
recently. I need some practice."
Kyle pointed towards the rock creature fighting the two elves and demi-human.
"Go, that's your prey."