Chapter 293 - 287 : The Third And Final Challenge

'I can only keep this up while walking but if it's a fight, then the effects would lessen.' Sato analysed as he slowed down his breathing.

Once he was done making his preparations, Sato began making his way to the top of the white altar. The white altar was very huge so it would take some time for him to get to the top. The earlier he left, the better.

Some 3 hours later …

"Huff." Sato puffed as he dragged his weary body to the last steps that lead to the top of the altar.

Since the distance from the top to the bottom of the altar was almost a vertical height, the difficulty in climbing it was a lot harder than some mountains. Sato had to take a break every 15 minutes to not only catch his breath but also calm his body's system and temperature.

Sato discovered as he went up the altar, the temperature began to slowly drop as the entire place became much colder. Luckily for him, there was a magic torch in his space bag that not only provided light but also produced heat which he used to keep his body warm. With the aid of the torch, Sato was able to barely keep his body's temperature at the average temperature despite having been on the altar for more than 3 hours. Nonetheless, the consumption of his energy and stamina was still massive even after his precautionary measures. Luckily for him, there were no foreign species or opponents on the staircase on the altar so Sato didn't need to fight any battle and was able to make it to the top unharmed.

"Finally." Sato sighed as he stood at the top of the altar, taking in the sight before him.

Just a couple metres away was an arena that was 3 metres off the ground. The additional height didn't bother Sato since it was just a couple of metres. However, Sato's attention wasn't on that. He had noticed something else.

'The temperature here is warmer and the oxygen levels are better than below.'

Sato was stunned by the conclusion of his scrutiny. This was because it sounded very illogical.

Logically, as one approached the peak of a high land -especially a mountain- they would discover that not only were the oxygen levels lower in concentration but also the temperature would drop while at the same the effects of gravity on their body would lessen as they were slowly escaping its reaches. However, as Sato reached the peak, he discovered that all these changes had reset to normal. It was almost as if he didn't climb up but went down. The oxygen levels had returned to normal; the gravitational force and also temperature increased back to the regular values. Everything was reduced to its base value on the ground.

While this was strange, it was a good thing for Sato. Although after more than 3 hours of climbing, his body had begun to adapt to the previous environment, it still wasn't quite suitable for him. In such a place with lower degrees of temperature, weaker gravitational pull, and lower oxygen concentration levels, Sato would not be able to perform to his best. Hence, this abrupt change was a good thing for him as his body performed best in such an environment.

After settling down for a moment and catching his breath, Sato began to walk towards the arena while also glancing around the place.

The peak was much smaller than the base of the altar, being 200 metres in width and 400 metres in length with the arena right in the middle. As Sato had climbed up from the east wing, he only had to walk less than 100 metres to reach the arena. Apart from the arena at the centre, there was nothing else on the altar's peak which was a bit strange but Sato didn't bother about it.

The arena was a raised platform with dimensions of 60 by 35 metres, hence was quite big. It was made up of strange black rocks that looked to be extremely hard even from a distance. On the peak of this white altar, the black stone arena located right at the middle could be said to be extremely conspicuous and eye-catching.

'I'm guessing that's where it all ends.' Sato thought as he approached the arena.

Because the arena stood at a height of 3 metres, there was a small staircase by the side that helped one climb to the top.

When he was just a couple of steps away from this staircase, Sato paused in his footsteps and shut his eyes closed. He decided to adjust his mood and prepare himself for a big battle after all, from what he had seen in the Main Trials so far, it was best that he didn't underestimate this last challenge lest he regrets it.

No longer than 2 minutes later, Sato opened his eyes abruptly as a flash appeared in them. There was a firm indomitable will in them that looked to conquer all. Added with the passive aura from [Astral Might], Sato was like a war general about to intercept the enemy in combat.

'Time to go.'

Sato unsheathed his sword and took those last few steps, climbing up the staircase and reaching the arena.

Just as his two feet landed on the arena, a familiar voice rang out in his ear.

"Congratulations challenger on making it this far. Welcome to the final challenge. Success or failure here would determine your future progress. Succeed and your future achievements would be no less than that of the descendant of a divine dragon. Fail and you shall be condemned to a life of mediocrity unless you encounter another fate-changing experience."

'As I thought.' A smile crept on his lips as Sato heard that familiar voice and tone.

At the same time, two system notifications appeared on Sato's status.

[[ System notification :

The Caventry's Path (Series)

Mission rating : A

Mission Detail : You have been granted the opportunity to experience hell as the Caventry do.

Two trials and several challenges. With each challenge passed, a reward is granted. Get a high rating for better rewards.

Basic Rewards : ???

Penalty : 

-50% temporary decrease in Experience points for 2 weeks(RT)

-50% temporary decrease in Main attributes for 2 weeks(RT).

-Immortal soul would be harmed; 30% Permanent loss of attribute points for each Main attribute.

Mission Status : Accepted (ongoing)

System description : It is advised that the Player make this decision properly. The test would involve certain scenarios that would affect the Player negatively. If accepted, Player would be required to go offline and make preparations as the duration and structure of the mission could potentially affect the Player negatively. For preparation steps, please check *Long term Online Preparation Manual*[2].

To help set up a challenge, Player's memories would have to be read. Accepting the mission would be the same as permitting the system to access Player's memories. Personal/private information related to finances or confidential information won't be shared and shall be deleted permanently from the system's database once the mission is over. All actions and decisions are protected Alliance laws (Lois universelles de l'Alliance, Section A : Paragraphe 3. Modifié dans l'État de France).[3]

]]

[[System notification :

The Caventry's Path (Series)

Mission Title: The Last Challenge

Mission Rating: B

Mission Detail: 

Basic Rewards :

-Mission: The Caventry's Path (Series) will be completed

Penalty : 

- Mission: The Caventry's Path (Series) will be failed

System Description: The final test to change your destiny. There's no going back now; there never was. Either fail and fall to the worst form you have ever been or succeed and stand strong amongst many.]]

"Challenger, the third and final challenge of the Main Trials is a battle-oriented one."

'I guessed it.' Sato thought as he tightened his grip on his sword.

"You are to defeat your opponent within 24 hours. There are no limits to the number of deaths you can die but once the time is up and your opponent remains standing, you will have automatically lost and therefore failed not only the challenge but also the Main Trials."

Sato was stunned at the details of the challenge and felt a bit apprehensive about it. For the challenge to require him to defeat an opponent within 24 hours while also granting him an unlimited amount of restarts after death, it showed that the opponent could not be underestimated.

"Your challenge begins now!"

Just as the voice ended, bright particles of light appeared from different spots in the arena and condensed together at the centre of the arena, slowly forming the outline of a figure. Just 4 seconds later, the figure was completed and the light went off revealing the features of Sato's opponent.

As he saw the appearance of the opponent, Sato was shocked to stupor and couldn't resist exclaiming in surprise.

"You're....!!"