56 Entrance to Fate

My stomach felt like it had dropped out of my body and then slammed back into it. I wanted to hurl, but my throat felt clogged like something was in it. Sitting on the ground, I hang my head between my knees and try to stop the lurching feeling in my stomach.

After a few minutes, the feeling subsides, I leaned back and tried sucking air into my oxygen-starved lungs. Soon enough, I started to feel better.

At that moment, when I'd passed through the doorway, it had felt as if every part of my body was being shredded and ripped into a thousand small pieces and then reassembled here. Which I can only assume was the other side of the door.

The process had only taken a few seconds, but it felt like it had been an eternity. Looking around, I don't see Cecily, Ekon, or Silvyr anywhere. I suppose that meant that'd we'd each gone our own separate ways for the test.

Around me was an open field like area, there was nothing behind me and to the right and left of me. However, in front of me was the entrance of a forest, but I couldn't see past the entrance of it. Sitting completely still I listen for the sound of animals. But there was none.

It was as if I'd been frozen in time, there was no sound but the sound of my breathing.

Standing, I feel the world shift slightly, I put my hands on my knees and let the feeling pass and soon enough it does. I wanted to move forward towards the entrance of the forest, but when I looked closer.

I found that all the light from the surrounding area seemed to be swallowed by the forest in front of me. It was as if it was eating the very light itself from the whole area around it.

Blinking my eyes a few times, I find that it wasn't a trick of the eye.

Just when I was starting to feel unsettled a message pops up in front of my face.

「Welcome to the Fate Temple. You've chosen to tread a path, where your fate lies in the hands of another. Forsaking an easy path to a class of your choice, instead, you wish to gamble your choice away for a chance to obtain your fated class.

To test your resolve, we've prepared something to test your skills and determination. What awaits you is a multistage arena to test your skills and compatibility with every possible class.

There are no simple areas within the test. Each of the testing areas's that you'll encounter is designed to push you to the limit, and when you think you can't progress anymore, you'll be forced to go beyond your own limits.

What you seek is beyond your limit, it lies in another place; a place beyond your own will.

Surpass your will and you'll be granted a class that's suited towards your own personality and determination.

」

The text box that appeared in front of me was in handwritten letters. I read over the box of text a few times to make sure that I'd gotten every word in the box of text. I was looking for hidden clues or meanings, but I didn't find any.

However, every time I looked over the words a chilling sensation crawls up my spine. These words… are supposed to be words of encouragement, but instead, they felt like an ominous note of warning that this would be grueling.

My skin crawled and I shake my head.

That when I noticed at the bottom of the screen in front of my eyes was a button that read [next]. I press the button and the words transform and a new set of information is displayed to me.

「 You're currently located within the safe zone. There are multiple safe zone areas that have been designated throughout the area's, they'll allow you some reprieve from the monster or dangers that you face within your test.

The testing ground that you're currently in has a total of two safe zones, the one that you're in and one other that you'll find. 」

Again, at the bottom of the page, I saw a button labeled [next]. I click it again.

「This is one of the three testing areas's that you'll enter in your time here. As you progress through each zone it'll become increasingly more difficult and challenging.

These areas are designed to ascertain a certain aspect of your skillset. Try your best to complete each area, it's also possible to die within the testing grounds.

If at any point you feel that your life is going to be threatened or compromised, please indicate to the temple by saying "I forfeit my choice." If you find yourself unable to speak, please crush the orb attached to the bracelet on your wrist!

We wish you the best of luck! 」

After that, the text box vanishes as if it'd never been there in the first place. Now, what bracelet was it talking about?

Looking down at my wrist I find that a simple string bracelet with a red orb was around my wrist. I don't remember it being there, to begin with, this must be the bracelet that the prompt was talking about then.

If I felt endangered, I could just break this and I'd be taken out of the testing area, that was convenient. At least it seems like it wasn't trying to completely kill me within the testing grounds.

Well, it seems that I had some time to prepare myself. It hadn't specified anything about the actual testing that I'll be taking. But it seems like this was the starting area at least for the first test.

Sighing to myself, I push myself up from my position on the ground and stretch a bit. My body felt a little stiff after being transported here. My spine pops a few times and I keep twisting. Waving my hand my sword appears in midair.

Strapping it onto my back, I adjust the straps and get it all lined up. Waving my hand again, the scissors and the glasses appear. The scissors slam into the ground and easily cut into the dirt at my feet.

Catching the glasses, I slide them onto my face and let them rest there. The whole of the area lite up in a bright wave of color.

「Activation Cost 500 MP」

「Yes or No? 」

"Normal mode," I say softly.

「Normal mode activated」

With that, the color spectrum that the glasses normally displayed vanished, and a slightly crisper version of the world was displayed through their lens. Nodding, I leave them on my face.

Looking at the scissors that are sticking out of the ground, I wrap my fingers around the top of it. Even though I hadn't gotten the chance to practice with these much, I imagine that the first part of the testing area wouldn't be too difficult.

I'd use this time to get accustomed to the weight of these bad boys. Pulling it from the ground, I found that the weight was still a bit heavy, but it was getting more manageable. Twisting them in my hands, I find that once they got moving, they had a lot of force behind them.

This should be fun to use, I thought giddily to myself.

It looks like everything I needed was in order, all that was left was to leave this safe zone and start the test. Taking a deep breath, I walk forward towards the darkened entrance of the forest. The closer I got the more ragged my breathing got as I tried to peer into the darkened forest.

Stopping right at the edge of the darkness, I plan to step forward, but before I could a voice sound.

"Stepping forward indicated that the participant would like to leave the safe zone. Please be warned once leaving the safe zone participants aren't allowed back in. They'll immediately begin their test.

If you wish to begin please step forward into the forest," the voice concludes, and I'm greeted with a heavy silence.

Shaking my head, I steel myself and step forward into the darkness in front of me. A similar feeling washes over my body like when I passed through the temple doors.

My body was quickly thrust forward, and soon I found that instead of the warm and comforting meadow that I'd just been in. I was standing in a darkened forest that was bubbling with soft noises.

Glancing upwards towards the sky, I find an inky black night sky greet me and a small crescent shape moon hanging in the darkness. It did little to illuminate the dark forest that I was within.

It was completely blanketed in utter darkness; I hope my eyes adjust soon to the new lightning.

「Night Vision Activated」

As soon as the notification appeared the completely black forest appears in more clarity, the once dark surroundings are clear as day. I don't remember having a skill like that… it must be from the glasses then.

These things are pretty handy, I'd have to give my thanks to the Goddess when I got the chance.

With the darkness lifted I could see, but even before that, I could feel the presence of a couple of beings. Soon I was completely surrounded on all sides.

All around me are goblins!