Chapter 27: Osiris’ Trials

Chapter 27: Osiris’ Trials

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[The Cosmic Throne {Lady that Soothes the Souls of the Death} invites you to her Dungeon.]

[After what you’ve done with Anubis, she finds your existence very amusing.]

[She’s thinking about making you her incarnation.]

As the gates to Osiris Dungeon opened, I received some words from the goddess, who had been peeking at me for a while. Although she controls the authority of Osiris, she’s not truly Osiris. He was a male god, after all; the goddess that’s watching me is, however, someone very close to him. I am fairly sure she is Isis, the wife of Osiris and the Egyptian Goddess linked with Funerals, Motherhood, and even Magic.

But why is she in control of the authority of Osiris? Where is Osiris?

Well, this is a spoiler from the novel, but the thing is... Osiris is in trouble.

A battle between the Egyptian Gods happened long ago, named the “Dawn of Ra”, Anubis managed to seal Osiris and take back the Egyptian Underworld in such a battle, sealing Osiris in the depths of the Underworld.

Isis was left alone after the battle once settled when the leader of the Faction of “Ancient Gods” acquired the Eye of Ra, the ultimate power said to be the embodiment of the sun itself. However, before being sealed completely, Osiris gave his wife his last remaining divinities, as he didn’t want Anubis to acquire them for himself.

This is the reason why she enjoyed me beating the shit out of the annoying dog, and I think I could curry favor with her even more. After all, I want to make some Constellations my allies, especially the “good” and “righteous” ones that aren’t chaotic or outright evil.

Hence, the mission Isis has with this Dungeon is to find a suitable Incarnation for her powers and those of her husband, so they can battle against Anubis incarnation. Incarnations are a way for Constellations to descend into our world and settle their grudges by fighting against each other to death. The losers often have to forbid their powers or even end up getting sealed.

This is because they imbue part of their very souls into them. It is a gamble, but if they win against another Incarnation, they grow stronger by absorbing the Incarnation Powers that belonged to their Constellation. They’re watching us not just for their own amusement; there’s something they can earn out of all of this.

A good example is what happened with Sepa. She foolishly chose an Incarnation that was just a monster, which was defeated. As a result, she was punished by the “Rules of Battles Between Incarnations”. Of course, for such Rules to exist among such powerful entities as Constellations, there must be even higher authorities out there, right? Well, that’s where the “Council of Nebulas” enters.

But that’ll be for another time. Now, I should better concentrate on what’s in front of me.

[The Cosmic Throne {Lady that Soothes the Souls of the Death} welcomes you to her Dungeon of Trials.]

[If you want to obtain the Relics and Treasures here, you have to complete the first Three Trials.]

[Additionally, the Cosmic Throne {Lady that Soothes the Souls of the Death} will see if you’re qualified to become her Incarnation.]

“I see, I am looking forward to that!”

Of course, I wasn’t planning on becoming anybody’s incarnation, but for now, it is nice to make her think I am interested so she can give me rewards and stuff.

“Huh?! Are you sure you want that crazy Isis as your Constellation?!” Wondered Sepa, beginning to sob. “I-I thought... sniff, you wanted to become my Incarnation instead! I feel betrayed.

“What are you sobbing at?” I sighed. “Why would I become your incarnation?”

“Guh...” Sepa felt even more terrible.

“Come on, just cooperate, and once we’re back, I’ll make you some pancakes,” I said.

“And fried eggs with bacon?”

“Sure.”

“A-And peanut butter jam sandwiches?!”

“...Fine.”

“And...!”

"Okay, don’t get too cocky!”

[Welcome to the {Osiris Dungeon of Trials}]

[You have entered the First Trial, the Trial of Defeat.]

Suddenly, we found ourselves surrounded by several statues of various Egyptian Gods. The entire old-looking hall changed, now resembling something like an ancient arena. It startled me for a bit, but I quickly kept my calm. These Trials needed my full concentration, or I would fail. And my life was on the line here.

“I-It began already?!” Sepa panicked.

“KYU?!” Violet was just as surprised.

“Calm down,” I said, looking around my surroundings.

The statues surrounding us began overflowing with dark and golden auras as their eyes shone bright red. The arena slowly started to tremble before their ever-growing presence.

[The {First Trial} of the {Osiris Dungeon of Trials} has begun: {The Trial of Defeat}!]

[Difficulty Level]: [S+]

[Defeat and Victory go hand in hand. In our lives, we face many Trials, but out of them all, most of them will be Defeats. However, in such a life-or-death situation, can you give yourself the benefit of being Defeated? Without Victory, you simply cannot advance, and with Defeat, you’ll only fall. Now, what is the path you want to take? Defeat or Victory?]

[Objective]: [Defeat all foes.]

The statues slowly began moving towards us. The entire Trial had a really stupid description, and it was obvious it was completely ridiculous. Defeating S Rank Statues such as these was suicide. My “fusion” with Sepa had already ended, and the buff of the potion was also gone. And I couldn’t use Anubis’ Balance Skill for 23 hours.

“Uwaaah! These are S-Rank Monsters! We’re done for!”

“Krieee!”

Violet panicked, quickly beginning to unleash attacks against the approaching statues. His scythes generated aura attacks that released powerful explosions upon contact.Diiscover new stories at novelhall.com

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

However, the statues were unscathed. They continued approaching slowly. Sepa only continued trembling in fear, while Violet grew more nervous.

“T-This is useless; we’re going to die!”

“NO! It is Memory, MEMORY! You dumb, damn little brat! You!” She roared furiously, opening her gigantic jaws.

“Anna! What the heck did you do?! She’s going to eat you now!” Sepa cried, running away from the scene.

CRUNCH!

However, she didn’t attack me; she began devouring herself, bite by bite.

“AAAGGGH! I was this close to eating you instead! How can the Goddess desire such dumb people as her Incarnation?! I don’t get it!”

Ultimately, she devoured herself until she just disappeared.

[Congratulations! You’ve completed the {Trial of Ignorance} through the hidden objective!]

[The Cosmic Throne {Lady that Soothes the Souls of the Death} smiles at your sincerity.]

RUMBLE!

[The Gate for the third and last trial has been opened.]

“And we’re done,” I said with a smile.

“W-What?! That was it?!” Sepa was shocked. “Isis what the fuck?! I put so much effort into my own trial, yet you make stuff like this?!”

“Come on, leave her alone.” I patted Sepa’s little head. “She just wants someone who is selfless and honest. People tend to despise innocence, idiocy, and ignorance, but sometimes that’s what makes a person worth trusting. When they’re not more cunning than yourself. People of emotion and bonds, do you get it?”

“Huhh... No, I don't; that’s stupid!” Sepa complained. “To me, it seems she just wants a dumb person.”

“Hahaha, I guess so.” I shrugged. “But it works pretty well at catching rats that think they’re smarter than they truly are.”

We stepped into the third trial without hesitating.

[The {Third Trial} of the {Osiris Dungeon of Trials} has begun: {The Trial of Vulnerability}!]

[Difficulty Level]: [S+]

[Everyone in the world is vulnerable. However, only a few of them can get past their own vulnerability and strive forward. To gain new strength and let go of their fears and weaknesses, to become strong so nobody can ever hurt them anymore... Some people are not afraid to show their vulnerability to others, but in this Trial, it will mean your death.]

[Objective]: [Defeat all foes.]

BBBZZTT!

The sound of a gigantic swarm of insects echoed at the end of the large hall. Countless venomous bugs of all types began rushing towards us. Scorpions, centipedes, spiders, wasps—everything. It was the entire goddamn plague!

“Oh, bugs?! I think I can handle these!” Sepa said.

“Just stay still.” I sighed.

“Eh?!” Sepa was surprised.

“You too, Violet, don’t intimidate them,” I said.

“Kyuuh?!”

SPLASH!

And then we were drowned in millions of disgusting, venomous critters. I felt hundreds of stingers piercing my skin constantly, jaws biting my skin, and even some bugs getting inside my mouth and ears, and even biting my own eyes. It was painful and rather horrendous, and at any moment I felt like screaming, but I resisted the agony.

After minutes passed and I lost consciousness, I suddenly woke up in the middle of the hall. All of the bugs were gone, and Violet was fine. Sepa was once again confused, looking around with many questions clear on her face. It was as if the bugs were never there to begin with.

“W-What the? Did the bugs just disappear? Where are they?”

“It was obviously an illusion.”

“What?! An Illusion?! No fucking way!”

[Congratulations! You’ve completed the {Trial of Vulnerability} through the hidden objective!]

[The Cosmic Throne {Lady that Soothes the Souls of the Death} is amazed by your amazing willpower.]

“See? It is not just for dumb people, either. It is for people of strong faith. Isis wants someone who has faith that she won’t hurt them. And also someone capable of bearing with horrendous agony and torture for such faith.”

It was the reason why the incarnation in the novel was chosen, even after hundreds had failed and died miserably. She won by losing every single trial and became Isis’ incarnation. She was always a fun and nice girl, but ultimately faded into the background and never returned. I wonder if we’ll ever meet her.

“Y-You’re insane...” Sepa said.

“Maybe...” I walked towards the gates in front of us, which were opening.

[Congratulations, you have completed all Trials of the Dungeon!]

[You’ve now been given the chance to enter {Osiris Treasury}!]

And right as we entered the next room, we were greeted with a mountain of treasures and relics. Legendary armor, weapons, elixirs, piles of gold and magic crystals, accessories, magic rings—everything.

[You can only choose a single Relic! One relic per person!]

[Tamed Monsters cannot choose a treasure. Choose carefully.]

[The Cosmic Throne {Lady that Soothes the Souls of the Death} is watching you attentively, wondering what you will choose as your Relic.]

I’m finally here. Now it’s time to acquire the item that’ll help me soar into new horizons and be able to catch up with the absolute monsters that reside in this world. And with the many more that will later invade our home.

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