Chapter 7: The Men and the god (3) Trial (2)
Author's Note:
Character Map:
"X" = Protagonist
"(X)" = Protagonist's strong inner thoughts
'0X0= Goddess Mnemosyne
'1X1'=Mike?
'2X2'=Calvin?
'3X3'=John?
'4X4'=Norkin?
'5X5'=Belkorn?
'6X6'=Damian?
'X' = Extras
'XXX'= Enemy
Other Notations:
[X] = What is written on something
--- = POV change
|||| = Time skip
== = Time recap
"""" = Return from Recap
(X) = Explanation/author's note
([X]) = Sound effect
{X} = Buttons or actions that may trigger an event
---
(Protagonist POV)
The beast let out one final, weakened roar—then its strength gave out. Its limbs buckled. Its body fell to the ground, motionless.
"...."
Then, watching them, I had only one thought:
"(WOOAAAHH, they actually did it! I thought they'd fail—but they beat the Cerberus!(The B of god, it related to dog you know, the B) did it, I was planning to save them afterward, let them go, and have them keep quiet under the terms we agreed on when they lost... but I didn't expect them to win!)"
With that, I stayed silent, still pondering. As I continued watching, I noticed they were all gathering near the fallen beast, glancing around as if waiting for something. I wondered what it could be, then the thought suddenly hit me:
"(Whoops... they're waiting for me.)"
Realizing that, I erased the beast from the astral realm I had created, and then manifested myself in the spot where the beast had disappeared—right in the middle of their group, suddenly becoming the center of attention.
"It seems things went well for all of you,"
I said calmly.
"And judging by how your weapons barely show signs of darkening, then based on the terms we agreed on, you all pass. Now then—are you ready to face the real one? Of course, I'll also provide you temporary weapons using my power."
When I appeared and spoke, they had instinctively taken stances, almost attacking me out of reflex. Fortunately, I interrupted them with both my words—and a subtle use of my power to hold their bodies still. They looked confused, wondering why they couldn't move, until I continued speaking and then released them.
Though wary, they began to think things through. After a moment, one of them stepped forward and asked:
'2 Could I ask if it's possible to try again? It seems more beneficial for us if we strengthen our cooperation and plan a more optimized strategy to face the beast. 2'
Elf Calvin said it carefully, his voice cautious—but tinged with strategy. Hearing his words, I pondered. Then I recalled the terms I had stated for the trial:
"(Hmm... technically, as the terms go, I gave them each three tries in case someone dies or their weapon turns fully black. But since they won, they haven't lost anything yet...)"
"I see, understood"
I responded.
"You may try again. But as the terms say—if even one of you mortal uses up all three of your chances, whether by death or your weapon fully darkening, the consequence will proceed as agreed. Understood?"
After hearing this, the six of them gathered and began discussing it among themselves. Soon, one of them stepped forward to give their answer.
'1 We've discussed it. All of us agree to take another chance—under your terms. 1'
Human Mike said this firmly, the others standing behind him in quiet solidarity. Seeing their determination, I nodded and flicked my fingers. The beast reappeared, once again chained just as it was in the beginning.
"Very well,"
I said.
"The same conditions as before. I wish you all luck."
With that, the beast roared once more, another chain snapped—and I vanished from their sight, returning to the shadows I was before to observe once again.
'XROOAARRRR...!X'(Dying Howl)
Once again, with its final breath, the beast collapsed—this time, an arrow pierced its chest.
Unlike before, the beast didn't charge Dwarf Norkin's hammer. Instead, it sprinted directly toward Human Mike, aiming to lunge at him with intent to kill.
Elf Calvin, acting quickly, cast a spell upon the ground where the beast was headed. Vines sprouted instantly, entangling the beast's limbs, slowing its momentum—but not stopping it.
Then, without hesitation, Calvin fired an arrow—aimed precisely at the beast's chest, where its heart likely resided. The shot landed true. The beast staggered, then dropped.
Now that I think of it... speaking of the chest, this creature is called a Dire Beast—a wolf-like monster the size of two horses combined. That's why its chest was a viable target.
The sudden shift in behavior caught most of the party off guard—except the elves. Living in the forests, they understood beasts better than the others and suspected it might not behave the same way twice. The rest had assumed it would repeat the pattern from before.
Because of that, only the elves made good use of the time while the beast was still bound—casting spells and preparing weapons. The others, like Damian, only began chanting once the beast was released, wasting precious seconds.
This moment became a turning point. The two elves—Calvin and John—shared their insights, and the rest of the group started to understand something crucial: the beast was learning.
It remembered their prior strategies and adapted.
"Huh... I hadn't considered that,"
I muttered.
"Though I projected the beast into this astral plane, it's possible its mind retains patterns and thoughts like the challenger. It's my first time doing this in the mortal realm, so..."
To further elaborate, the AI companion at my side—who has served me for over a century—began detailing the mechanics of this astral simulation, explaining how thought echoes can persist across cycles, even if the creature resets.
Meanwhile, the six finished their discussion. Once again, their leader stepped forward to speak for the group, expressing their wish to proceed with another trial.
I nodded, flicked my fingers, and summoned the beast again. As before, it appeared in its usual spot—roaring violently, chains rattling and cracking as the countdown began anew.
And so, I returned to my place above—ready to watch them once more.
'XROOAARRRR...!X' (Dying Howl)
Once again, with its final breath, the beast collapsed—this time burned by Human Damian's fire spell. It seemed he used the strongest fire spell he could muster with the little time remaining, just before the beast could break free from its chains.
Although it killed the beast, the wand Damian was holding turned completely black. In response, I made a red dot appear on the staff, making it stand out. Unanimously, everyone understood what it meant: Damian had lost one of his three chances. His face went pale as he looked at the others.
Elf Calvin grinned.
Dwarf Norkin snorted and both muttered, "Idiot."
The others wore wry smiles, as if to say, "It's okay. Stick to the plan."
Not letting the moment linger, Damian shouted, embarrassed, asking for a rematch.
With a wry smile on my face, I flicked my finger and did the same as before.
The beast reappeared, chained at its usual spawning point, roaring ferociously in anger. It locked eyes with Damian as the chains began to break.
'XROOAARRRR...!X' (Dying Howl)
"4 Tsk. Again? This beast dares not fight me directly. I'll make sure you face me next time, 4"
Came the frustrated muttering.
Once again, I flicked my hand and restarted the trial.
'XROARRR...!X' (Dying Howl)
"5 Again…. 5" a voice muttered.
To my surprise, it came from Dwarf Belkorn, who had been quiet until now. He wished to challenge the beast himself.
Intrigued, I flicked my finger and summoned the beast once more.
'XRORR...!X' (Dying Howl)
This time, the outcome surprised even me.
Dwarf Norkin killed the beast using a spool of wire arranged in a specific pattern. Upon closer inspection, it resembled a magic circle laid down before the beast had even broken free.
As the beast lunged toward the nearest target—Belkorn—the trap activated. The circle glowed, and the wires hidden beneath sprang to life, transforming into sharp strings that pierced the beast from all directions.
It looked like a porcupine made of steel.
It was brutal, but effective.
The beast was dead. However, Belkorn's weapon turned fully black, and I marked it with a red dot to show he had lost one of his three chances.
Belkorn simply snorted and returned to his place in the formation, grinning with satisfaction—clearly pleased with what he had discovered through the attempt.
With the group now silent, the leader stepped forward and spoke.
'1 We wish to continue. 1'
I nodded and granted the request.
'XRRR...!X' (Dying Howl)
"2 Tch. My arrows were dodged and deflected. I want to try again. 2"
Finger flick from me.
'XRR...!X' (Dying Howl)
"1 My sword was avoided—read too easily. My comrades... I'm sorry, but I want to try again. May I? 1"
Agreed upon by everyone. Another flick of my finger.
'XR...X' (Dying Howl?)
"3 ...Beast, are you okay? 3"
Finger flick.
'X...X' (Dying...?)
At some point, I no longer heard the beast roar. But by then, it didn't matter anymore—because my challenger now carried a different wind...
and came to me.
"1 We're ready. 1"
With everyone standing by his side, Human Mike conveyed their intention to fight.