Infinite Realm

"Behind this gate, lies the soul of the Demon god\'s son."

*Grind*

The black jade gate slowly opened with a loud sound akin to that of two mechanical gears grinding against each other.

As the two sides of the gate parted, the interior of the hall behind the gate was revealed. 

Sato glanced around, trying to take aim at the view and see what a seal that could hold an extremely powerful demi-god would look like.

The hall was dim just like the outside and had a queer atmosphere that sent shivers running through one\'s spine. Strangely though, one could easily make out what was within without much difficulty. It was mostly empty, with the absence of any pillars, furniture, or any kind of decorations or structures. There was only one noticeable detail in the place. At the centre of the hall, was a black altar that stood in the middle of a pitch abyss. Like the ocean circling an island, the entire surroundings of the altar was a pitch-black abyss. At the other edge of the abyss was a dark metallic ground that covered the remaining hall. To better imagine the scenario, the abyss and the stage were like a lake with an island in the middle[1].

The only way to get to the altar was through a small \'bridge\' that extended from one side of the altar to the other edge of the abyss, where the metallic ground begins. The bridge was coloured brown, just like clay, and it was a stone bridge that arched through the nightmarish abyss.

At the top of the black altar, Sato could barely spot the figure of what looked to be a sword, implanted on the platform.

"Your final reward lies at the top of the altar. However, to get it, you have to pass a small trial." Worrus smiled.

\'Another trial.\' Sato inwardly cried.

"What\'s the trial?"

Though he was already tired of going through one trial after the other, having come this far, Sato wouldn\'t shy away from one more. After all, the reward of this one was most likely the ultimate reward for the mission.

"You just have to make it to the top of the altar. No big deal. Of course, you can simply not give it a try and we will head elsewhere and get you another reward." Worrus smiled though due to the nature of his current form, Sato couldn\'t see this.

Even though Worrus said that it was no big deal, Sato didn\'t fully believe him. If it was no big deal then why the heck did the entire atmosphere seem to say so. However, part of what Worrus had said was still true. This was supposed to be the reward for the mission. In other words, it was meant to be his. The trial wouldn\'t be overly difficult but it wouldn\'t be too simple either.

At this moment, a system notification appeared in front of Sato.

[[System Notification :

Lord Worrus\' Test

Mission Rating : B

Mission Detail : Cross the bridge and arrive at the top of the altar.

Basic Rewards :

-The ultimate reward possible for the mission, [The Caventry\'s Path].

Penalty : 

-Another reward would be given and player would lose all chances of ever coming in contact with this one or even returning to this location once again.

System Description : You either get the prized collection with a bit more effort or you settle for an object of lesser value without any stress. Either way, you still get rewarded, only the value of the reward differs. It\'s your choice.

System : Accept/Decline (Please reply to the NPC.) ]]

\'So I can either settle for less or go for the best. The penalty isn\'t exaggerated despite being a B rank mission so there\'s no harm in trying.\'

"I\'d like to give it a try. As the inheritor of the Caventry, I would be a disappointment if I shy away from such an opportunity simply because of my worries."

Sato accepted the mission and at the same time, added flowery words to raise Worrus\' impression of him. As a pro-VR gamer, it would be a disappointment if he didn\'t try to farm favorability points whenever possible.

As expected, Worrus smiled at his words and indiscernibly nodded.

[[ System notification :

Lord Worrus\' regard for you has increased.

Lord Worrus\' respect for you has increased.

]]

The Caventry was a race born with high potential and strength. Once they come of age, they are destined to become almost invincible against anyone on their level. Because of this, they had an ingrained pride within them and didn\'t shy away from a challenge so easily.

Worrus gave Sato the option of withdrawing to another place simply because he wanted to see whether Sato would be courageous enough to go through with the trial before him or retreat. If Sato had decided to retreat, though he would still get his reward, he would lose Worrus\' respect and admiration for him.

"Go on. Take what is yours, if you are worthy." Worrus nodded towards Sato to begin.

Having received the go-ahead for the trial, Sato began to make his way towards the bridge.

As Sato approached the structure, he felt that the creepy feeling around him had intensified. When he was at the entrance, it wasn\'t much and just felt like an instinctual reaction but as he neared the abyss, Sato began to fill a chilly wind blow past him. The wind didn\'t make his body feel cold but rather, his soul. It was as if the coldness he felt didn\'t come from his body but from within.

\'This is too creepy.\' Was the only thing Sato could think of.

The distance between the entrance and the abyss wasn\'t much to start with so within a few seconds, Sato had arrived in front of it. If he took a few more steps, he would be at the edge of the abyss.

From where he stood though, Sato could still see within the abyss and what he saw, was nothing. Rather than saying that he saw nothing since it was quite possible for him to be staring at something, Sato couldn\'t identify whatever was down there because of the total absence of light. Even though the hall was dim, there was still a mysterious source of light that barely light up the place and enabled one to see. However, the abyss lacked any such source of light. It was dark, like a vacuum devoid of light.

\'I wonder, what is down there.\' Sato couldn\'t help but think. He decided that once he was done with this trial and had received his reward, he would ask Worrus for an answer. As for whether the NPC would tell him anything or not, that was left for then.

Sato walked a few more steps in the direction of the bridge and just as he was one step away from it, he paused.

Standing in front of the bridge, not only did Sato feel the full force of the oppressive and bone-chilling air from the abyss, but he also felt a mysterious energy that made him feel little. The energy seemed to be coming from the stone bridge and that was why Sato had paused just before it.

\'I\'m guessing this is where the trial really starts from.\'

Resolving himself once more, Sato then took his first step on the bridge.