Chapter 292: Trial of Cruelty (III)

Chapter 292: Trial of Cruelty (III)

Chapter 292

Trial of Cruelty (III)

What Cain didnt account for when briefly imaging his fight against the woman was just how sticky she would be. No matter how many times he Blinked or in which direction or even just how much space he gained, she would reappear near him within seconds. He realized that she was made this way--they didnt care for how well he could shake off melee combatants and fight from the range, they wanted to see him perform as a melee combatant.

Though a bit annoying, it wasnt something that shook his confidence. As such, rather than wasting his Mana on the ever-increasing costs of Blinks, he used a much milder version with the same idea--it limited his movement to just sidestepping a few feet, but it was instant and it cost virtually no Mana. The reason he didnt like using it often was that it shared a cooldown with Blink, omnidirectionally. That meant that if he sidestepped left, all of his Blink-charged skills would go on a cooldown.

A hefty swing of a blade phased just by his side as he retaliated immediately. Since he was fighting in melee, he made skills up on the fly with the main notion in mind being that they had low Mana costs. As such, they were mostly short-burst, low-damage and low-cooldown jabs that aimed to disorient more than to harm.

The two remained aflight all the while, nimbly weaving around each other in the ever-widening circle, their speeds progressively increasing. The woman roared lowly, slamming her blade against the shield as a crack of thunder boomed out, hundreds of bolts like serpents blowing out from the shield and dipping toward Cain. The latter pulled back aggressively, projecting hexagonal, transparent shields in front of him--six in total, all forming a semi-circle around him.

Some bolts washed over and some squeezed by, but none managed to hit Cain squarely, affording him a second of respite as the woman rushed back toward him. He unchained a flaming blade with a singular motion of his arm, jerking it back before bringing it forward, the magnified, forty-feet long sword made of fire following the trajectory, descending toward the woman.

She stopped abruptly and heaved her shield up, blocking the strike but clearly taking some damage as she was pushed further down. The sword dissipated in the gushing wind as Cain took the opportunity not to create distance, but rather to close it--dipping right behind the woman while she still appeared disoriented, extending his palm and injecting a massive surge of Mana for a newly-created skill.

Tapping the womans back with his palm, the energy expanded and molded into a fiery haze, pushing outward as the imprint of his palm was laid out into the womans armor, managing to just barely touch her skin before she recovered and dashed out. She didnt cry out in pain, but her movement clearly grew slightly more languid as she spun around, staring deathly daggers at him.

Even if her movement grew more languid, her speed, however, increased--something Cain noticed quite a while ago. Bit by bit, she began to overtake him until, inevitably, a few of the previously-stray hits... began landing. First it was a mild cut, then a deeper one, then a stab, and then a proper slice that nearly cut his left forearm off in one sweep.

Despite his trickery and experience and utilization of magic, the reality of things was that Cain... was a Mage. Not only that, but he doubled-down on his class by choosing a Spellweaver. The fact that he could match a full melee fighter for this long was already a miracle in and of itself. It was, really, just a matter of time before he was unable to keep up and started losing.

Ha ha, were sure youd rather, the woman laughed coquettishly as she replied. But that is simply how things go. The Towers are supposed to be challenges, means of testing an individuals entire assortment of skills, body, psyche, and everything in-between. If someone can simply walk through the challenges... well, they wouldnt be much of a challenge, now would they?

Fuck, are you implying I havent been challenged?! Shit, I dont care who you are, Ill fight you! Cain retorted angrily, thinking back to all the times he nearly died.

No, of course not, the woman replied calmly. You have managed to overcome all the challenges before you, some of which nobody believed you would. But, if I can admit that, then can you admit that you were also appropriately rewarded for your troubles?

... Cain mumbled something indiscernible, hating to agree with the woman, but he had no choice but to.

And those rewards have made you quite a few times stronger, the woman continued. And that strength kept ballooning. In your mind, I believe the phrase power creep dominates?

...

We have to adjust that on our end, the womans smile had the power to disarm. Cain winced, since he felt even himself being reeled in like a fish. Not to worry--we will not use against you the external musings of the bored ones, the woman winked knowingly, causing Cain to sigh. Take the Trial of Cruelty for example--normally, the Trial is merely a test of luck. If youre a physical fighter, you got lucky with an easy Trial. If youre a Mage... well, you had to abandon it and run. Unequivocally. And yet, you, a Mage--an Awakened Mage no less with zero physical damage in his skillset--managed to easily complete the trial. While having that weapon is in part luck, its mostly because you know how certain trials are conducted.

... and thats not cool?

And thats not cool, the woman chuckled. Not to worry--none of your friends or any of the other Conquerors will feel any difference. The Tower, for them, will remain the same as intended. However, when youre joining them, instead of one, you will be treated as three people.

... and the difficulty will increase proportionately? Cain asked, nodding knowingly.

Yes, the woman said. But, Im sure were still being quite lenient. After all, you do fill the shoes of far more than just three people.

... yeah, you lot are the epitome of lenient. Oh, wait. You forced someone who did not Awaken to fight a twice-Awakened...

Shouldnt the fact that you defeated him be far more concerning, then? the womans smile seemed to widen further even when it seemed impossible. Nonetheless, as our apology for disrupting the Trial, we have prepared a small gift for you. I hope you enjoy it, Conqueror Cain Gregory. And we wish you the very best and hope to one day see you among the Crowned. Good luck! the womans last words trailed for a long while after she had vanished in the bout of white smoke, the sole trace she was ever there the wanton destruction of the world below, and the eerie silence that seemed to whisper her indiscernible name.