Chapter 151: Soulayer, The Bearer of Souls

The descent seemed endless, the only source of light being the faint glow emanating from the hands that dragged him down.

Stark could feel a sense of unease creeping into his mind, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the hands released him, and he found himself standing on solid ground once more.

Before him lay a vast expanse of darkness and mist, broken only by the shimmering reflection of the moon on the surface of the water.

The air was heavy with a sense of foreboding, and Stark could feel a chill run down his spine as he took a few steps forward, absolutely no hesitation in what he was doing.

Much like when he fought the [Black Water Devourer], this Boss Area's ground was completely made out of that black water with faces on it, stretching for what seemed endless.

The gray mist could also be seen ahead, but it surrounded Stark not in the way that it blocked his vision, but as if it was delimiting the area of the arena.

The space he was in currently had no mist or even anything to be honest, the mist formed a circular wall around him and that was all.

[Do not go into the mist, or instant game over]

'...'

[Classifier B: Level 49/50]

[Classifier B is roughly 200,000EXP away from leveling up!]

'...' Stark's eyes expression was unchanged, and the notifications of the other classifier almost leveling up only served as a way for Stark to concentrate even more.

[Boss Area: The Pond of Souls...]

[Good luck!]

'I don't need luck, show me that boss and I'm killing it.'

~STEP, SPLASH, STEP, SPLASH~

Each one of his steps echoed in the vast emptiness of the Boss Area, creating ripples on the black water beneath him.

Stark looked up at the moon.

'...Of course,' the big white moon wasn't normal either, instead there was a giant face on it, resembling the ones of the souls beneath him.

The faces on the black water seemed to contort and twist, their expressions morphing into grotesque forms that seemed to follow Stark's every move.

And after around thirty seconds...

IT appeared.

A deafening roar pierced through the stillness of the Pond of Souls, causing Stark to grit his teeth and ready himself for what was to come.

Emerging from the depths of the black water was a massive creature, its form shrouded in darkness and malevolence.

The Boss monster towered over Stark, its eyes glowing with a sinister light as it fixated on its prey.

When all the aura and water disappeared... Stark could finally what it looked like.

[Stamina: 4732]

[Speed: 3901]

[Defense: 4436]

[Skills: Soul Strike, Reap Spirit, Soul Wall, Abyssal Roar, Shadow Step, Death's Embrace, Eternal Darkness, The Three Ultimate Souls, Sword Counter...]

...

'Why me...' Stark sulked after reading its status window, it was even stronger than the [Corrupted Ghoul], and it seemed to have absolutely no intention to let Stark kill it easily.

In a battle against time, how could Stark even hope of killing that monster, with HP and strength beyond anything he had fought before.

But lamenting your misfortune wasn't the solution.

For now... Stark just needed to try.

To hell with that 'Domination Trial', he'll clear it even at level 10 (or maybe not, heh).

"ABYSSAL ROAR~" Soulayer suddenly shouted with his face toward the sky, creating some supersonic shockwaves, that shook the entirety of the arena, making the water tremble.

...

[Skill: Abyssal Roar]

[Description: Doesn't do much except to announce that 'Soulayer' will be fighting with his full abilities, he only uses this skill at the start of battles with opponents he believes are worthy.]

[Note: Soulayer has only used this skill seven times up until now, so it is both an honor, but also terrifying to hear his scream.]

...

[3...]

Soulayer finished his weird shouting then stared back at Stark, his greatsword held behind his back.

[2...]

'Domination...!' Stark's determination didn't falter as he activated his skill and positioned himself.

[1...]

Both warriors looked at one another with the clear intent to eliminate the other party.

[FIGHT!]

It was now or never for Stark, there was no second try or anything that could help him out.

From now on, it is but pure skill, pure technique, and pure determination.

Even among those that would participate in the trial with him, just how many would face this monster with not a single ounce of fear?

Probably none... except for Stark himself.

[Eliminate that damn edge lord before Classifier B gets to level 50!]