Chapter 394: Welcome to Cerberus-Beta

Chapter 394: Welcome to Cerberus-Beta

I see it! Astelia told the others. She pointed up and everyone looked in that direction. It took a few seconds for Sofia to find it as well.

I see it too. Cerberus-beta Looks just like what Kyle showed us. You see it Michael?

My eyes must not be as good as yours, not seeing it. Or maybe Im just not looking in the right spot.

The planet and its three small moons grew closer and closer until the shuttle aligned itself with it and they could no longer see it. The walls became opaque once again, and a feminine voice coming from the walls gave instructions to the group.

Dear trial takers, please sit down and prepare for arrival to IPS pad 3, I wish you good luck.

Everyone sat back down into their own seats and as the shuttle was starting to vibrate and rumble, new system messages appeared to them.

[Trial task : Upgrade your mana heart to B tier or above and bring it to the planets core]

[Additional rewards task : ]

What? Is that a weird looking a?

Any idea what this means, Pareth?

Pareth seemed just as lost. Suddenly, with a thunk, the rumbling and vibrating all stopped and the seats opened back up.

Thats it? Michael asked, standing up, I guess we landed?

Sofia looked around. The door still looks locked.

Were no longer moving, Astelia told them.

We must really have landed then. Right, before I go, do you girl know what the sign for the additional task is about? Michael asked.

Astelia and Sofia both shook their head.

Well, I can tell you what I know, but if I do then you must agree to tell me if you find what to do with it and we meet each other on the planet again, are you okay with that?

Okay? Another hero word thing?

Right Are you fine with that is what I meant, sorry.

Sure Asty?

Same.

Nice, then heres what I know, this weird letter is the symbol for Alpha. I cant explain how that works but Alpha and Beta are like alternate symbols for letters, with Alpha for A meaning one or first or primary and Beta for B meaning two or secondary. And since the name of the planet is Cerberus-Beta, this makes me think there could be a Cerberus-Alpha, or something in that vein. Thats all I got.

Another planet? Sofia said, I see, how does that sound? Sofia asked Astelia.

Well, I dont know about another planet, but hes not lying. Hasnt lied since the beginning, so its definitely something to keep in mind. We can trust him, I think.

You could tell if Im lying or not just like that? Good that I always go with open honesty then ahah. So, you will help me if you find something with that information, right?

Yeah, Sofia agreed, That is, if we do ever meet up on the planet or around it. Chances are we wont, a planet is big.

Sure thing, but you never know. Worst case, Im making friends for later, heh, trial aint what lifes all about. Door just unlocked, by the way, I can tell, I should be able to teleport outside already. Ill be going, then, see ya.

Just like that, the hero was gone from the shuttle.

After putting the armor back on, it felt obvious now, these were indeed a sneaky change Erredis had added to give Sofia a safe place to store hers and Pareths mana hearts. The small rocks fit right inside of there, just under her armpit, and when she activated the bone armor, they were snuggly locked inside of the Dragon-scale arm.

This is that taken care of, then. Lets get started?

I need to complete the additional task as soon as possible. One year

Saria, Alith, Cinthia and Ihuarah are also on this planet somewhere right now. As well as potentially four more people, one who came with the girls and three with Ihuarah. Im not too worried about Michael trying anything funny, but these four unknown people Ill have to be careful.

Well, lets get it.

Sofia and Pareth walked up to the shuttles large door, which opened for them.

This looks just like the tower.

Stepping out of the shuttle confirmed that observation, the IPS was at the very bottom of a deep cylindrical pit, just like the tower it had launched from.

Sofia looked at Pareth, Get inside, Ill fly us up.

The ground level of the tower was similar as well, but the safe-house in the walls was missing. No free food here. Exit should be around there?

Walking straight through what looked like a solid wall, Sofia and Pareth finally made it outside. The sky was a weird tint of blue-ish green and tall blue pine-like trees grew all around the tower. The air was hot and moist.

Immediately, Sofia saw monsters, everywhere. Large flying birds in the horizon, tall creatures with their heads showing up over the treetops, slime-like things crawling around one the metallic ground surrounding the tower, everywhere she looked, there were unheard-of creatures. Some of the slime-like things nearby noticed her presence and started crawling in her direction, immediately bursting up in green flames and dying almost instantly.

You have defeated [Rustlicker - lv. 89]

You have defeated [Rustlicker - lv. 93]

You have defeated [Rustlicker - lv. 57]

You have defeated [Rustlicker - lv. 88]

You have defeated [Rustlicker - lv. 89]

You have defeated [Rustlicker - lv. 84]

I might need to quickly change title before this attacks something I cant afford to fight

Remembering Kyles last advice, Sofia identified one of the further Rustlicker which hadnt entered her titles range yet.

[Rustlicker - Lv. ??? - Imprint power : 0 - Effect : none]

Very interesting. Monsters can indeed be identified for the trial, and it gives information on the imprint in advance. I see how this trial is going to work.

Lets change to [Cheater] for now, the sooner I do, the sooner I can change again. Lets see what this adds.

[Title changed to Cheater]

[Title change function is locked for the next 24 hours]

And now

[Rustlicker - Lv. 72 - Imprint power : 0 - Effect : none]

A brainless and mostly harmless creature, can be used to detect near-surface iron deposits

I even got a description. You spoil me, Mr Scribe. Cheating indeed.