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Chapter 1256: Dark Arena (2)

Swish!

The group couldn’t help but turn to the column of light. After taking a closer look at who was inside, they heaved a sigh of relief because it was Erin who walked out of the light. It wasn’t surprising that everyone felt so nervous. No matter what, they came here to meet Erin, after all. At the end of the day, if they completed the trials while Erin wasn’t done yet, it would all be wasted effort. Upon witnessing Erin’s arrival, Rhode finally set his heart at rest.

On the other hand, upon meeting Rhode and the rest, Erin was bewildered. She stared at them dubiously, totally unaware of why they were here. This wasn’t surprising because after she entered the trial grounds, she lost all contact with them, so she wasn’t aware of what happened afterward. She thought Rhode’s group was waiting for her to return from the trial. Now that they were here, it confused her even more.

“Your Majesty Rhode, what are...”

Halfway through the sentence, Erin took a few steps back as though she remembered something and stared at the crowd in front of her in disbelief. Rhode also smiled bitterly at her reaction. It seemed like Erin was indeed beleaguered by the endless tactics of the trial. She probably thought that Rhode and the rest were also illusions created by the trial. But it wasn’t astonishing if Erin thought so. Rhode shrugged helplessly, before gazing at the moon princess and said.

“Alright, Erin, I know what you’re thinking. But it’s a pity that we’re not illusions created by the trial.”

“Huh? I-Is that so?”

After her thoughts were seen through by Rhode, Erin blushed, looked at them somewhat apologetically, and inched toward them. Despite that, she didn’t stand too close to them. It seemed like deep down, Erin still harbored doubts in her heart about the crowd before her. Upon witnessing her reaction, Rhode didn’t tease her any further, but restored his usual expression and sternly relayed the outside situation instead.

After listening to his words, Erin’s wary expression finally dwindled and disappeared. Even though Rhode didn’t provide any evidence, Erin also noticed something wrong. Although she couldn’t fully confirm the situation, she finally began to trust him a little. And taking this opportunity, Rhode also inquired Erin about what happened to her later. After all, they only witnessed the point when she was attacked by shadowy creatures, before being transported into Shadow Ravine. As for what Erin did thereafter, none of them knew.

Erin responded to Rhode’s doubt quickly. Even though she was caught off guard by the enemies’ ambush, she calmed herself down after the continuous battles and steadily repelled them, while advancing deeper into the maze. Erin also realized that the creatures in the maze weren’t the same as those who ambushed her earlier. There were a few times when she was rescued by maze guards after she was ambushed. Besides, it seemed like in the eyes of the maze guards, the creatures captured more of their attention than her. Upon realizing this point, Erin decisively took advantage of the hostility between them, led those creatures into the deep maze, and sneaked into the lowest floor in the maze, leaving them to fight against one another. Then, she defeated the great lich that guarded the crystal and was transported here after picking up the crystal.

Seems like the whole situation really has something to do with the crystal.

After hearing Erin’s account, Rhode pondered deeply and nodded. It seemed like the key to the trial was the pieces of crystal. And now that they were here, logically speaking, they should be in a struggle for the crystals.

“Alright, we’re clear of the whole story now and only Bubble is left now... Why isn’t she here yet?”

Not only was Rhode unsure, but the others also exchanged confused looks with one another. The situation was indeed strange. Angelina had already arrived and yet, Bubble hadn’t. Rhode also specially opened up the system interface to check on the situation of the Phantom Guardians. Bubble wasn’t eliminated from the system interface and was still leaping and frisking about. But... Where exactly was she?

“She couldn’t have forgotten about time, right? This isn’t her first time doing that.”

Icy Snow curled her lips and grumbled in displeasure. Judging from her annoyed expression, it was apparent that it wasn’t the first time her precious time wasn’t delayed by Bubble. Of course, the possibility of Bubble forgetting about time wasn’t low. With Bubble’s personality, if she were infuriated, she would only stop after feeling better, be it the end of the world or a cosmic explosion. Rhode tried to contact Bubble again, but to no avail. The space here cut off all contact between him and his card spirits. If not, he wouldn’t need to wait here to inquire Cassidy and Angelina about their encounters.

“All in all, seems like our only choice is to continue...”

Rumble...

But before Rhode finished his sentence, a loud rumble echoed. Shortly after, an iron cage of steel fences emerged from the perimeter of the arena. The steel fences rose gradually and in the blink of an eye, the entire arena was sealed in the cage.

What in the world?

Looking at this scene, Rhode was dumbfounded. He thought that according to the nature of the trial, those who passed would enter the arena and start their brawl straightaway. It made Rhode even more certain, especially after learning that everyone held a piece of crystal and was transported here. After all, there was no shortage of such competitions in the game, where two players fought to snatch the piece of crystal from each other. During the competition, enemies from third and forth parties would join one after another... The tussle would then repeat itself...

It shouldn’t be that simple.

At this thought, Rhode curled his lips. It seemed like this part of the trial was also premeditated. If there were more than two challengers, the trial wouldn’t be that foolish to open up the cage. Instead, in order to prevent a situation where neither of both sides won and allowed the third party to benefit at their expense, the third party couldn’t join in the battle immediately even if he were to enter the arena. Perhaps they would face off until everyone arrived at the arena...

Isn’t it similar to our situation right now?

At this thought, Rhode lifted two middle fingers at the Dark Dragon in his mind. Then, he gestured to his group, turned his wrist, and a white, holy sword appeared in his hand. Upon witnessing his hand gesture, the group focused their attention in forming a circular defensive formation, staring at the surroundings in alertness. After all, nothing happened earlier and now that a cage suddenly trapped them inside the arena, any ordinary person knew that something was up.

At that moment, the old, deep voice that they heard when Erin challenged the trial sounded again.

“Brave challengers, congratulations on making it here. Now that all challengers who passed the trial have gathered here, you shall take on the final trial!”

“What?! What about Bubble?!”

“Huh? Bubble didn’t pass the trial? How is that possible? Even Anne already passed!”

The first to grumble was Icy Snow, who clenched the bow and her delicate face turned ashen. At the same time, Anne jumped and shrieked. Even though what Anne exclaimed didn’t exactly make sense, it was just like she said; since she had passed the trial, how was it possible that Mini Bubble Gum, who was second only to Cassidy, failed?

However, that old voice didn’t seem to have the intention to respond to Icy Snow and Anne as it continued to speak its mind.

“Next, you shall face an extremely tough challenge—defeat the unprecedented enemies! Kill them! Demolish them all!”

Rumble...!

Along with a loud rumble, the ground shook all of a sudden. Shortly after, Rhode’s group realized the arena beneath their feet began to rise. In just a few moments, the outer walls that were five to six meters tall rose to a dozen meters. Up until that moment, Rhode discovered there were seven enormous gates kept out by iron fences below the arena! The gates were five to six meters wide, and a dozen meters tall. There was an instant when Rhode thought they were in the fairytale of ‘Alice in Wonderland’, like Alice who drank the shrinking potion and saw the gigantic furnitures... Wait, exactly what creature in the Dragon Soul Continent required such enormous gates?

At this thought, Rhode pondered for a few moments. Then, he sulked.

It can’t be...

“Roar———!”

At the same time, as though confirming his suspicions, numerous snarls reverberated from behind the iron fences. Upon hearing them, everyone except Angelina and Annie turned grim. Rhode and Mini Bubble Gum who were experienced in battles were familiar with the loud bellows. As for Erin and Cassidy, they couldn’t be more familiar with them—especially Erin.

Those were the bellows of dragons.

Shortly after, the iron fences lifted and seven humongous, pitch-black dragons flew out of the gates. They expanded their wings and surrounded the group swiftly. Upon witnessing the enemies, Rhode was oddly speechless. Even though he wasn’t familiar with the enemies, he couldn’t be considered to be unfamiliar with them.

“Your Majesty Rhode, what are they?”

On the contrary, Erin sized up the huge dragons in disbelief and asked in doubt. It wasn’t surprising that she behaved this way. After all, those dragons were similar to night wyverns, so Erin thought they were of the same race as her. But shortly after, she realized that the dragons didn’t have physical bodies and seemed like beings coalesced from thick fog. Despite that, they still very much looked like dragons...

“Don’t mind them, Erin. Even though they look, roar, and even taste like dragons, it’s a pity that I have to tell you—they aren’t dragons at all, but are elemental creatures instead.”

Taste like dragons?

After hearing Rhode’s response, this doubt cropped up in Erin’s mind. But shortly after, she threw this question to the back of her head because Rhode’s answer shocked her more than the dragons’ emergence.

“Elemental creatures?”

“Yes, Big Sister Erin.”

This time, it was Icy Snow who explained to her. In terms of strength, even though Icy Snow wasn’t as powerful as Erin, in terms of knowledge regarding creatures in the game... It was an entirely different matter.

“You know that elemental creatures can transform into various forms, right? In fact, every elemental creature uses a projection on the main plane and turns into elemental life forms; the same goes for these shadow dragons. Even though they look like dragons, they are still elemental creatures by nature; it’s just that they show up in the form of dragons... Of course, they are still powerful. If not, they wouldn’t be able to take up the dragon form.”

I see...

After listening to Icy Snow’s introduction, Erin put her mind at ease. She was truly startled before and thought that they would be taking on seven night wyverns. Normally, Erin wouldn’t be so worried, of course. But now that her strength was limited and she couldn’t transform into her dragon form, it would naturally be a tougher battle than before. But...

“What should we do?”

“Everyone, listen to my command!”

Gazing at the shadow dragons who crowded with evil intentions, Rhode felt his head aching. In the game, he had led parties to battle shadow dragons. As a matter of fact, in terms of strength, shadow dragons were inferior to night wyverns. In the game, Rhode basically led a 10-man-party and wiped out the shadow dragons. Apart from spitting dragon breaths and swinging their mighty tails, the shadow dragons were basically non-threatening. However, they had a unique characteristic... And a really troublesome one...

Bubble is missing just when we need her...

At this thought, Rhode let out a sigh, arranged his thoughts, and took a quick look at the surroundings.

“Angelina, after the battle begins, I need you to cast an AoE skill to weaken the enemy’s vitality. Cassidy, I will give you further directions later. Once you hear my command, activate your power of contrast straightaway! Erin, follow me to lure the enemy’s attacks.”

Rhode gave his commands in an instant, before turning to Icy Snow.

“Little Icy, how many light arrows can you create?”

“Five, Big Brother. My strength has been limited and without additional buffs from my equipment, five is my maximum.”

“Got it. Now that Bubble isn’t around, I will be relying on you to fire the light arrows in scattered formation.”

Rhode said and turned to Anne.

“Anne, guard Icy Snow and activate the King’s Protection shield and sacred barrier. Understand?”

“Yes, Leader. Leave it to Anne!”

“Good!”

After ensuring everyone heard his orders, Rhode nodded. Then, he glanced at the shadow dragons that were closely approaching. His eyes glinted in a mysterious flash. At the next moment, he raised his left arm high and swung it down.

“Little Icy, attack!”

Along with Rhode’s command, Icy Snow instantly raised her bow. In the blink of an eye, an incredibly dazzling light arrow appeared on the bowstring. As she released her fingers, the arrow swished across the air and exploded in a loud bang.

“———!”

In an instant, a blinding brilliance like the sun emanated in the originally dusky sky. The blazing, piercing rays exploded in all directions, enfolding everything. Upon witnessing the glaring radiance, the shadow dragons were caught off guard. They retreated in a fluster and raged.

“Now, Erin, follow me! Angelina, do it!”

Rhode was apparently ready for the exploding light arrow. The moment the flashes erupted, he gripped the holy sword, yelled out Erin’s name, and pounced on the shadow dragon before him. Even though Erin was almost stunned by the ‘flash bang’, she still reacted swiftly. Upon hearing Rhode’s voice, she flitted across and followed him closely to attack the shadow dragon.

Under the blinding light, the enormous shadow dragons were weakened drastically. The shadows that composed their bodies dissipated in the light. In the blink of an eye, the shadow dragons were like chickens with their feathers plucked, gradually shriveling from their initial plump bodies.

This was the one and only biggest weakness of shadow dragons and also of the elemental creatures. Shadowy creatures were most afraid of light. Therefore, as long as an environment of light was created, the threat of the shadow dragons would fall to the lowest. If Mini Bubble Gum were here, Rhode and the others would have a much easier time. After all, Mini Bubble Gum was of the light attribute, which was the natural enemy of shadowy creatures in the Shadow Ravine. It was a pity that no one knew where that little fella ran to and was actually judged to have failed the trial. Without a choice, Rhode had to rely upon Icy Snow to salvage the situation.

As Rhode and Erin pounced on the shadow dragon in front of them, it detected their arrival. It ignored the strong light, snarled, and extended its razor-sharp claws at them!