Chapter 68: The Chief's Awakening Room

Chapter 68: The Chief's Awakening Room

Surprise appeared both on Dallion's and the chiefs face. Neither expected the attack to work. If anything, the village chief was surprised more. Freezing up, he glanced down at his foot, refusing to believe that hed been wounded. The bolt was there, sticking from his foot, even if there was no blood.

The confusion lasted for several seconds. During that time, Dallion took his chance to act. Up to now his plan had been to reach the lake and make use of the well guardian. If this realm was a representation of the village, the lake was supposed to be the well, and if that were true, the water golem could potentially help him. The elders action presented a new opportunityin his anger he had linked his awakening room to that of the realm so as to get a better weapon. Doing so, though, had given Dallion the option to enter it.

Youve no idea how to protect your awakening room, and yet you opened the door for anyone to go inside! Dallion remembered Kalis words. The soldier had been furious when Dallion had used that method during the practice rounds. Of course, back then Dallion hadnt fully awakened. Now that he was, he might as well take the battle into the chief.

Without hesitation, Dallion rushed towards the archway. The village chief didnt even try to stop him, still mesmerized by his wound. Deciding not to put all his eggs in one basket, Dallion sent out another shot as he leaped into the opening. The bolt split the air, aimed at the chiefs shoulder. Before reaching his target, though, the old man twisted his body to the side. Dallion shot two more bolts. Before he could see the results, the surrounding realm changed.

With a loud thump, Dallion landed on a hard stone floor.

Damn it! he whispered. He had been so close. If the chief hadnt snapped out of it, the battle could already have been won. On the other hand, he was fortunate to have landed a shot at all.

Based on his experience in the awakening shrine, the bolt should have reduced the chiefs health by half. Considering the weak spot bonus, the old man likely had twenty-five percent left. Another hit, or even a smack with the buckler, and Dallion could well be the victor.

The corridor leading on from the arena was very different from Dallions. It was wide, well lit and covered with a long, if somewhat crude, carpet. A few hundred steps further, doors on the walls became visible. All of them were set in pairs facing each other, and all seemed to be chained shut. Dallion tried cracking one open just to peek inside, but the large metal chains were too tight. The most he was able to do was to move a door half an inch before giving up.

Okay, so maybe this isnt the nicest place, he thought.

After three sets of doors, finally a pair of normal ones appeared. Left or right? That was the question. Dallion had spent hundreds of hours pondering that question when playing video games. Experience had taught him that when in doubt, turn right, which was exactly what he did.

The room he entered turned out to be the chiefs awakening room. It was considerably larger than Dallions with several sections covered with weapons and armor. Just looking at it suggested that the chief had to be at a level nine at least.

Dallion swallowed. He hadnt expected such a vast difference. Based on the conversations hed had with Gloria and Veil, the chief wasnt supposed to be more than a level five. Had he been hiding his strength all this time?

Slowly, Dallion moved to the attack section of the room. Twelve weapons were framed on the wall, including a dartbow similar to the one Dallion had. In addition, there were five swords of various shapes and sizes, two sets of daggersplaced one over the other in an x-cross mannerthree clubs, and morning star flail. It would almost have been impressive, if all but two swords weren't chained to the wall.

Youre not supposed to touch those, a deep metallic voice said from behind.