NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: Chapter 14: The Rising Stakes
As Joo Hyun and Dain stepped through the shimmering portal, they found themselves in an expansive clearing bathed in golden sunlight. The landscape was surreal, almost dreamlike—rolling meadows of silver grass stretched out in every direction, dotted with enormous crystalline trees that shimmered with every color of the rainbow. The warm light felt calming, but Joo Hyun's instincts told him the peace was deceptive.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Welcome to the Fifteenth Floor.
Objective: Reach the Celestial Altar located at the center of the Plains of Trials.
Warning: The Plains are guarded by beings known as Celestial Wardens. Defeat them to proceed.
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"Plains of Trials, huh?" Dain muttered, scanning the serene horizon with suspicion. "It looks too perfect to be safe."
Joo Hyun nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "If the System warns us, it's for a reason. Stay close and keep your guard up."
The duo began their trek, their boots crunching softly against the metallic grass. Despite the stillness, Joo Hyun could feel something watching them. His blessings from Amaterasu and Athena allowed him to sense faint disturbances in the energy around him, and here, the energy felt… alive.
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The Celestial Wardens
They hadn't walked far when the first attack came. Without warning, a massive spear of light shot down from the sky, embedding itself in the ground mere inches from Joo Hyun's feet.
Dain gasped, spinning toward the source of the attack. "What the—"
From the shimmering air above, three figures descended. They were humanoid in form but radiated a divine presence that made the air crackle with tension. Each wore gleaming silver armor etched with celestial runes, their wings of pure light stretching wide behind them.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Celestial Wardens detected: 3.
Abilities: Light Manipulation, Flight, Enhanced Reflexes.
Weakness: Nullify their armor's protective enchantments by disrupting their energy cores.
One of the Wardens stepped forward, its voice echoing with authority. "Intruders, turn back now. Only the worthy may ascend beyond this floor."
Joo Hyun tightened his grip on his sword, his expression calm but focused. "We don't plan on stopping here. If you're going to stand in our way, so be it."
The Warden's radiant eyes narrowed, and in an instant, the three beings launched themselves at Joo Hyun and Dain, moving so fast they left trails of light in their wake.
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A Battle of Strategy and Power
Joo Hyun's instincts kicked in as he sidestepped the first Warden's strike, its blade of light slicing through the air where he had just stood. Drawing on Athena's blessing, he countered with a precise slash, his sword glowing with Amaterasu's power. The Warden blocked, sparks of divine energy crackling between their blades.
"Dain, focus on disrupting their energy cores!" Joo Hyun called, dodging another attack.
"Easier said than done!" she shot back, her hands glowing as she summoned a volley of mana bolts to fend off the second Warden.
The third Warden descended from above, aiming a spear of light directly at Joo Hyun. He reacted instantly, summoning spectral allies through Anubis's blessing. The ghostly figures intercepted the Warden, their incorporeal forms grappling with the celestial being long enough for Joo Hyun to strike.
The battle was relentless. The Wardens fought with precision and grace, their attacks synchronized and devastating. But Joo Hyun's adaptability and Dain's support turned the tide.
"Now!" Joo Hyun shouted as he deflected a Warden's blade and drove his sword into the center of its armor. The runes etched on the armor dimmed, and the Warden let out a piercing cry before dissolving into light.
Dain followed suit, her mana bolts shattering the energy core of the second Warden. The third hesitated, clearly understanding its disadvantage, but Joo Hyun didn't give it a chance to flee. With a burst of light-infused speed, he struck the final Warden down, its form dissipating like the others.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
You have defeated the Celestial Wardens.
Proceed to the Celestial Altar.
Joo Hyun wiped sweat from his brow, his breathing steady despite the intensity of the fight. Dain sat on the ground, catching her breath.
"You make it look easy," she said, a faint smirk on her face.
He offered her a hand, pulling her to her feet. "It's not. But we can't stop now."
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The Celestial Altar
The path to the altar was unguarded, but the tension didn't ease. The duo eventually reached a massive stone platform in the middle of the plains, its surface glowing with ancient runes. At its center stood a pedestal, atop which floated a glowing orb of pure light.
As Joo Hyun stepped closer, the light pulsed, and a voice filled the air.
"Joo Hyun, climber of the Tower, you have proven your worth. But the trials ahead will demand more than strength. They will test your resolve, your heart, and your very soul. Do you possess the will to ascend further?"
Joo Hyun didn't hesitate. "I do."
The light dimmed slightly, as if acknowledging his determination. "Then take this blessing. It shall guide you in the trials to come."
[SYSTEM ALERT]
You have obtained the Blessing of Celestial Resolve.
Effect: Increases resistance to divine attacks and enhances light-based abilities.
As the blessing coursed through his body, Joo Hyun felt a surge of energy, his connection to Amaterasu growing even stronger.
"Let's go," he said, turning to Dain.
The portal to the Sixteenth Floor materialized before them, its golden light beckoning them forward. Without hesitation, they stepped through, ready for whatever awaited them on the next floor.