NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23: Chapter 23 – Mark of Void
Cyrus quickly turned off the hovering panel and stared at the ceiling, as if waiting for something. After a minute of silence, he exhaled in relief.
"I thought this mountain was going to collapse on my head," he muttered.
'I need to find a way to buy a weapon and get my ass to the Temple.'
He attempted to stand up, but a sudden wave of disorientation washed over him. His body felt lighter, as if gravity had momentarily released its grip, and his vision began to spin, blurring the world around him. His feet wobbled, and he pressed his palm against the wall for support amidst the swirling dizziness.
'Dammit! I planned to reach the Temple before this caught up to me, but it looks like I can't beat nature. The effects of using Nullfire and Eyes of Void without a break have finally caught up with me.'
Cyrus shook his head, but the disorientation remained. Left with no choice but to rest, he flopped onto his butt and reclined against the wall, with only soft breathing echoing in the cave.
'Let's pray Yuna keeps me covered.'
He regained a little of his bearings about an hour later. Cyrus quickly got to his feet, dressed, picked up the two bags holding the remaining beast cores, and made his way out of the cave to the truck.
He dumped the bags in the passenger seat as he entered the vehicle and ignited the engine. Just as he was about to drive off, a thunderous howl reverberated through the air. Poking his head out of the window, Cyrus surveyed his surroundings. At first, he saw only the empty plain. But when he raised his gaze to the mountain, his expression changed as he spotted the source of the howl.
Many gigantic black wolves stood at various positions on the mountainside, their eyes locked onto his truck, uncontained bloodlust radiating from them. Drool dripping from their opened maw, filled with sharp fangs.
'Seriously? An ambush by beasts? Is that the only trick Doomed Fate knows?'
He activated Eyes of Void to scan the area and cursed under his breath upon spotting about fifteen Eminent rank beasts.
'Shit! Doomed Fate upped its game.'
Cyrus pressed down on the gas pedal and bolted away. The Eminent wolves released a chorus of earthshaking howls, and the rest of the pack responded in kind, rushing toward Cyrus's truck with frenzied madness.
Listening to the howls and watching the wolves charge from behind through his rearview mirror, Cyrus felt a chill slither down his spine.
'Fuck you, Doomed Fate! It looks like you've stepped up your game. Wait… what if there's an Archon in the pack?'
He quickly dismissed that thought and focused on escaping, not wanting to imagine how he would die if there was an Archon wolf among them.
Their speed was nothing like the crabs, especially the ten Eminent wolves hot on his tail.
After fifteen minutes of driving, he was shocked that they hadn't given up.
'I didn't steal your child,' he cursed, feeling a surge of desperation, but also growing calm.
Checking the GPS on the truck's dashboard, he noted, 'Those Eminent rank wolves will catch up in about thirty minutes. It's not enough time to reach the next town or city, but just barely enough to reach the Temple.'
With firm resolve, Cyrus turned the steering wheel and sped toward the Temple marked on the map. Fortunately, the truck was modified for speed and equipped with a sturdy frame, allowing him to weave through the rough terrain with ease.
Crossing various plains, he soon spotted a gigantic ancient temple, standing majestically in the distance.
BANG!
The truck jolted violently, wobbling as it sped down the road.
Cyrus glanced up, his heart racing, to see seven wolves directly behind him. Their menacing claws were already tearing through a section of the trunk.
'Just a moment!'
He gripped the steering wheel tighter.
Cyrus held his breath, nearly cursing the truck for its sluggishness, despite barreling forward at breakneck speed.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The truck was nearly toppled as it was smacked from left to right, but Cyrus maintained control and kept going, his breath becoming labored.
Raising his head to glance at the rearview mirror, Cyrus spotted only six wolves. However, when he turned to look at the side mirror on the passenger seat, his heart dropped. There, beside the back tire, was a wolf, clawed paw raised as if to strike.
"No," he whispered, his pupils constricting in terror.
BOOM!
In an instant, the speeding truck tilted sideways, the world outside distorting into a blur of motion. Time seemed to slow as the vehicle flipped over, and Cyrus felt a disorienting rush of weightlessness. He lost his bearing, adrenaline coursing through his body as he grasped for anything to hold onto. Everything turned chaotic around him.
The truck smashed and tumbled across the ground, its modified frame absorbing the impact as it rolled before finally landing upside down, screeching to a grinding halt. Inside, he lay disoriented, heart racing, and adrenaline pumping.
Just then, a chorus of ferocious howls pierced through the haze, snapping him back to reality. Instinct kicked in; he knew he had to act fast. The wolves were closing in, and the danger was far from over.
Cyrus raised his hand, yanked off the seatbelt, grabbed the two duffel bags, and opened the door. Crawling out of the truck, he stood up and sprinted toward the Temple not far from him.
When he reached the Temple, he finally turned around. Surprisingly, the wolves weren't hot on his heels. They surrounded his truck, one tearing the trunk.
Then, a cub majestically walked from the trunk of the flipped truck.
'They were trying to get their cub? I stole their child? No wonder they were relentless in their pursuit. But how did the cub get into my car? Doomed Fate really wants to mess with me.'
Cyrus shook his head, having a guess, and turned to the Temple.
The ancient structure stood tall and grand, crafted from ash-white stone and supported by massive pillars. Sweeping stairs encircled its base, while the building featured elaborate architectural details and intricate runes etched into its walls. A mystical mist enveloped the scene, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
Looking at himself, Cyrus chuckled lightly at the sight of his rumpled and dirty casual wear.
"I'm the only person who comes here like I'm on vacation," he muttered.
Everyone who wishes to take the trial comes fully geared.
He planned to acquire armor and a weapon by ordering them from his 'vendor.' That was why he had haggled with Helen to keep his remaining money. But… Doomed Fate was watching.
As Cyrus turned around, weighing his options between retrieving his equipment or entering the temple, he caught sight of the wolves, their eyes fixed on him like he was a tempting feast.
'I think they can't attack me near the temple,' he mused.
But just as that thought crossed his mind, the wolves howled and charged toward him.
"Shit!"
In a flash, Cyrus sprinted up the stairs, pushed the door open, and leaped into the temple.
Upon entering, Cyrus lost control of his senses; all he saw were spinning runes against a dark background.
They suddenly morphed into written and understandable text.
[Completed Elite Etherion Detected!]
[Rank: Awakened]
[Talent: Peak]
[Teleportation to Trial Site begins in 3… 2… 1…]
Cyrus held his breath as the runes combined to form a shimmering white portal before him. Just as he was about to step into it, the portal shattered, and the runes returned to their original form.
[... Error…]
[Mark of Void detected.]
[Teleportation Trial Site Reconfigured!]
[Trial Site: Death Trial—a prison for those tainted by Void.]
The runes shifted once more, coalescing into a chaotic, dark spinning portal.
Cyrus's face twisted into a grimace at the sight. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and goosebumps prickled his skin. Every instinct screamed at him to stay away from the portal.
"Fuck!"
He was about to step back, but a powerful suction pulled him in without struggle.