NOVEL NEXT Chapter 65: Reward
The chamber that materialized around them defied every expectation their previous temple experiences had prepared them to encounter. Where the labyrinth's passages had been marked by golden perfection designed to test and eliminate intruders, this space radiated the kind of sacred reverence that belonged in legends rather than physical reality.
Countless raised daises filled the vast hall like an army of altars, each one supporting treasures that pulsed with ethereal energy visible even to normal perception. Ancient tomes bound in materials that seemed to shift between states of matter rested beside artifacts whose purposes challenged easy classification. Weapons that hummed with barely contained power shared pedestals with armor that seemed to bend light around its surfaces, while mysterious devices whose functions belonged to civilizations whose capabilities exceeded current understanding created patterns of illumination that painted the chamber walls in constantly shifting hues.
The expedition members stood frozen at the room's entrance, their enhanced senses overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of accumulated treasures that represented wealth beyond any kingdom's capacity to acquire through normal means. This wasn't just a storage facility - it was a repository of knowledge and power that could reshape entire civilizations if properly utilized.
"Arts and artifacts," Lyralei breathed, her Master-rank perception cataloging energy signatures that belonged in theoretical discussions rather than practical encounters. "Hundreds of them. Maybe thousands. Each one radiating power that exceeds anything our families possess in their private collections."
Elena's medical training made her focus on the precise way spiritual energy flowed through the accumulated treasures, creating patterns that spoke of systematic organization rather than random accumulation. "They're arranged by classification. Defensive techniques in the eastern section, offensive Arts toward the west, utility applications in the center. Someone spent considerable effort organizing this collection according to functional categories."
Abel's analytical mind immediately began processing the implications of what they were witnessing. "A complete martial library. Techniques that span every conceivable application, artifacts that represent the pinnacle of what ancient craftsmen could achieve when resources and time were unlimited. This single chamber contains more accumulated knowledge than most academies could study in decades."
But despite the overwhelming temptation that such treasures represented, despite the obvious value that successful acquisition could provide for their struggling families, every expedition member remained motionless at the chamber's threshold. Their temple experiences had taught them to be suspicious of anything that seemed too convenient, too valuable, or too readily accessible without corresponding dangers.
It was Gareth who finally broke the paralysis that held them frozen between desire and caution.
His enhanced senses had been drawn immediately to a section of the chamber where defensive artifacts created overlapping fields of protective energy. Shields of every conceivable design lined the daises in that area - from simple bucklers that radiated concentrated durability to massive tower shields that seemed capable of turning aside techniques that could level mountains.
But one shield called to him with insistence that transcended rational evaluation and entered the realm of spiritual recognition. Not the largest or most obviously powerful, but something that resonated with his defensive techniques in ways that suggested compatibility approaching the mystical.
"I can't... I have to..." he muttered, his professional composure cracking as instincts refined through years of protecting teammates overrode caution that expedition protocols demanded. "That shield..."
Despite protests from his teammates, despite rational warnings about trap mechanisms that such obvious treasures might conceal, Gareth began moving toward the artifact that had captured his attention with inexorable determination. Each step carried weight that spoke of someone whose entire identity was built around protection, someone for whom the promise of enhanced defensive capabilities justified risks that others might consider insane.
The expedition members watched with barely controlled tension as their defender approached the dais supporting a shield whose design spoke of craftsmanship that transcended normal understanding of what metal and will could accomplish when properly combined. Its surface bore intricate engravings that seemed to shift and flow despite being carved into solid material, while energy patterns that defied classification created auras of protection that made the air itself feel more stable in its presence.
Gareth's hand extended toward the artifact with movements that carried the reverence of someone approaching sacred relics whose power could reshape everything he had dedicated his life to achieving.
The moment his fingers made contact with the shield's surface, the chamber held its collective breath waiting for whatever trap mechanisms such valuable prizes might trigger.
Nothing happened.
No alarms sounded, no defensive systems activated, no transportation effects claimed him for trials that might test his worthiness to claim such treasures. The shield simply settled into his grip with the perfect balance that spoke of weapons designed by masters who understood that true effectiveness came from harmony between wielder and tool rather than mere raw power application.
"It's... incredible," Gareth announced after several moments of stunned examination, his enhanced senses cataloging capabilities that exceeded his wildest expectations. "The mana density is beyond anything I've encountered. Grade 5 artifact minimum, possibly Grade 4. The protective applications..."
His voice trailed off as understanding of the shield's true nature began penetrating his consciousness, revealing possibilities that challenged every assumption about what defensive techniques could accomplish when supported by legendary craftsmanship.
But the shield was only the beginning of what this treasure vault offered to those who had proven their worthiness through surviving the temple's comprehensive trials.
Gareth's attention was immediately drawn to a tome that rested on a nearby dais, its leather binding bearing the same energy signature that marked his newly acquired shield. The book called to him with the same spiritual recognition that had guided his weapon selection, though this time the resonance spoke to techniques rather than equipment.
Without hesitation, despite rational warnings about unknown magical texts that might contain dangerous knowledge, he reached out and touched the ancient volume's surface.
"This Art," he gasped, his voice carrying awe that bordered on religious revelation. "It has Grandmaster potential."
The implications hit every expedition member simultaneously as they processed what such advancement could mean for someone whose entire combat philosophy was built around protection of others.
Without ceremony, without the careful preparation that learning new techniques typically required, Gareth channeled his emerald aura into the book and allowed the Art's complete knowledge to integrate with his existing capabilities. The process took only moments, but the transformation it represented would influence his combat effectiveness for the remainder of his career.
When the knowledge transfer completed, when the ancient wisdom had merged with his personal understanding of defensive applications, Gareth rose from his position beside the dais with expression that held the kind of confidence that came from knowing your capabilities had been fundamentally enhanced.
"Ethereal Guard," he announced, his voice carrying authority that made the chamber's accumulated treasures seem to pause in respectful attention.
His emerald aura blazed forth with intensity that painted the surrounding artifacts in shades of protective energy, but instead of the broad enhancement that had marked his previous techniques, the power condensed into a simple shield that materialized before his extended hand. The construct appeared modest, almost crude compared to the elaborate defenses that Master-rank capabilities typically produced.
Lyralei and the other veterans exchanged glances that carried disappointment mixed with professional embarrassment for their teammate's obvious excitement over what appeared to be inferior technique application.
"That's it?" Elena asked with barely concealed skepticism. "A basic shield construct? That's supposed to represent Grandmaster potential?"
"It doesn't even cover your whole body," Kai added, his Expert+ perception detecting energy signatures that seemed insufficient to justify the excitement that had marked Gareth's acquisition of the technique. "Most Intermediate-rank fighters could produce something more comprehensive."
But Gareth's expression held satisfaction that transcended their criticism, carrying understanding that came from perfect integration between technique and wielder rather than mere impressive visual displays.
"Dome Ward," he said quietly, his voice carrying certainty that made the chamber's accumulated power seem to focus on what was about to occur.
The simple shield exploded outward with expansion that defied every assumption about what defensive techniques could accomplish when properly applied. In seconds, the modest construct had transformed into a perfect emerald dome that surrounded Gareth's entire form with protection that radiated solidity approaching the absolute.
The dome's surface carried depth that suggested multiple layers of defensive capability rather than simple barrier creation, while energy patterns that flowed through its structure spoke of integration between technique and artifact that multiplied effectiveness exponentially. This wasn't just protection - it was mobile sanctuary that could allow single fighters to operate in environments where survival would otherwise be impossible.
Lyralei approached the dome with cautious respect, her Master-rank capabilities extended to evaluate the defensive construct's actual effectiveness against serious assault attempts. When her enhanced senses made contact with the emerald barrier, her expression shifted from professional skepticism to genuine amazement.
"The density is incredible," she admitted, her voice carrying recognition that came from encountering something that challenged her understanding of what individual techniques could accomplish. "Even with my full power, even with Master-rank capabilities applied systematically, I'm not certain I could penetrate this defense through conventional assault."
The implications of that assessment struck every expedition member with force that made their own potential selections seem far more significant than mere personal advancement. If the chamber's treasures could elevate defensive specialists to such heights, what might the offensive techniques accomplish for those whose combat philosophies emphasized different approaches?
Gareth dismissed the dome with casual ease that spoke of perfect control over capabilities that had been refined through ancient knowledge and legendary craftsmanship. His expression held satisfaction that came from knowing he could now protect his teammates against opposition that would have overwhelmed his previous defensive options completely.
The moment his demonstration concluded, the remaining expedition members abandoned caution in favor of desperate enthusiasm for treasures that could reshape their understanding of what individual advancement could accomplish when supported by resources that transcended normal limitations.
They scattered throughout the chamber like children released into a playground designed specifically for their deepest desires and most ambitious dreams. Elena rushed toward sections containing medical applications and healing Arts. Kai's attention was drawn to offensive techniques that promised to elevate his axe work beyond current limitations. Abel sought analytical methods that could enhance his tactical coordination capabilities.
Even Jully and Kate, whose strategic training typically emphasized careful evaluation over impulsive action, found themselves drawn to collections that spoke to capabilities they had never imagined could be developed through individual advancement rather than systematic study.
But before enthusiasm could override entirely the discipline that had kept them alive through the temple's comprehensive trials, Lyralei's authoritative voice cut through the chamber with professional necessity that demanded attention despite the overwhelming temptation their surroundings represented.
"Organization!" she commanded with tone that had maintained order through seventeen expeditions into territory that eliminated those whose coordination failed under pressure. "We cannot allow selection process to become chaos that compromises our ability to extract maximum benefit from this opportunity."
She gestured toward the countless treasures that surrounded them with systematic precision that came from decades managing resources that could determine mission success or failure. "Based on the volume of available options, each expedition member may select one artifact and two Arts for personal advancement."
The restriction hit them with the weight of mathematical reality despite the abundance that surrounded them. Choosing from thousands of options while limited to three selections each demanded careful evaluation that balanced immediate utility against long-term development potential.
"Everything else," Lyralei continued, her tone carrying implications that extended beyond immediate expedition concerns into realms of family advancement and political positioning, "will be taken back to the estate. This discovery alone justifies every risk we've taken, every sacrifice we've made, every price that successful temple exploration has demanded."
She paused, allowing her words to penetrate the excitement that threatened to overwhelm rational decision-making processes.
"Our expedition is complete. The trials are finished. What awaits us now is the reward phase - selection and acquisition of treasures that could reshape not just our individual capabilities, but our families' positions within the broader political structure of the Human Domain."
The announcement carried weight that made the chamber's accumulated wealth seem even more significant than its obvious monetary value. This wasn't just personal advancement - it was opportunity for their struggling families to reclaim relevance through capabilities that transcended normal limitations and entered the realm of the legendary.
Around them, countless daises offered choices that would define their futures and determine whether their sacrifices had purchased advancement sufficient to justify every price their temple exploration had demanded.