Chapter 66

When I start writing this kind of story, the cat-eared cat staff in my brain start to go wild!

Damn! Calm down, calm down! (Middle school syndrome)

To put it simply, the **Second Trial** was a trial that mirrored the **First Trial**, with the only difference being that the number of stone statues attacking was doubled.

In the **First Trial**, initially, only one of the two stone statues would move, but then two more would start moving as you progressed further, making it a total of four to deal with.

When I saw two stone statues approaching simultaneously, I felt nothing but despair, but the strategy to overcome them was essentially the same as before.

First, when the two stone statues appear, I would focus on one and parry its attack.

If I could slip past the stunned statue, the other knight's attack would often be blocked by the parried statue, allowing me to barely get through... sometimes.

The rest was just hoping that this bit of luck would happen twice in a row.

(...I don't really like relying on luck like this.)

Still, I didn't have any better ideas.

Though it was frustrating to have to start over from the **First Trial** if I failed the **Second Trial**, by the time my failures had exceeded the number of fingers on both hands, I finally managed to succeed, and with great fatigue, I lit the second fire in the勾玉 (magatama).

(...With this, only one trial remains, right?)

Despite the smoldering feeling in my heart, I held the magatama, which had been restored to its original form by lighting two fires, and returned to the central room.

"Surely, the final trial won't have three times as many stone statues, right?"

I had a slight doubt as I retraced my steps, but it seemed that my worry was unfounded.

The location of the final trial, like the **First Trial** and the **Second Trial**, could be reached from the central room.

The only difference was that the path to the trial was blocked by a large door.

And then...

**Final Trial**

At the end of the Dragon's Path, show your courage and offer me the complete key.

The massive door leading to the final trial.

At the very bottom of the door, the floor was engraved with these powerful words.

"...The Dragon's Path, huh."

I couldn't imagine what it would be like, but I could predict that this trial would be completely different from the previous two.

Driven by a somewhat ominous premonition, I followed Rex's instructions and held the magatama up to the door, which then slowly opened with a low sound.

"What!"

What lay beyond was a room completely different from the previous two trials.

It was a bottomless abyss, and a path that was only about ten centimeters wide and twisted like a snake.

"...I see, so this is the Dragon's Path."

This was indeed a path worthy of the name "Dragon"... a snake that soars through the sky.

Suppressing my shock, I observed it like a true adventurer.

The path, which was about ten centimeters wide, wound its way to the back of the room.

At the very back, there was a sculpture that seemed to depict a dragon, and below it was a familiar-looking pedestal.

Considering the previous trials, placing the magatama there would likely be the goal of this final trial.

There was no other foothold besides the "Dragon's Path," which continued without getting narrower or wider, but there was one exception: a properly sized platform about one meter in diameter, located in the center of the room.

This was probably the midpoint of the path and a place to rest.

Looking down, I saw an endless darkness, and even if I was told there was no danger to my life, I felt an instinctive fear.

"'Show your courage,' huh. This definitely requires courage."

Even if I didn't die, I definitely didn't want to fall, and as my sense of crisis grew...

(But maybe I can do it...)

I felt a sense of confidence in this trial, which was different from the previous ones.

The path was indeed narrow, and a single misstep would mean the end, but I had confidence in my balance, and growing up in the countryside, I was used to climbing trees and wasn't afraid of heights.

This final trial, I thought, was probably meant to test the agility and judgment needed to explore hidden places, rather than the combat skills tested in the previous trials.

But that suited me better.

(I'll clear it in one go!)

If I failed here, I would have to start over from the **First Trial**.

That meant I would have to clear the extremely difficult **Second Trial** again.

And most importantly...

--I don't want to be glared at by Reesia anymore!

For Reesia and my own peace of mind, I slapped my cheek to muster my courage and took the first step on the Dragon's Path!

* * *

"...So, this is halfway, huh."

I muttered, wiping the sweat from my brow.

Advancing on the narrow, winding path was more mentally draining than I had imagined.

I felt dizzy when I looked down into the endless abyss, and when arrows suddenly shot out from the wall halfway through, I thought it was all over.

But my reflexes saved me.

The trap arrows narrowly missed me, and I narrowly escaped with my life.

There were a few more arrow traps, but I didn't fall for any visible traps.

Despite the time and attention it took, I managed to reach the midpoint of the Dragon's Path, the circular platform.

(I won't let my guard down.)

I looked around the platform and identified the likely locations of the arrow traps for the second half.

The Dragon's Path itself didn't seem to have any additional traps.

(Just a little more, just a little more...)

I stared at the pedestal, which seemed both close and far away, with a look of determination.

Compared to the previous trials, its simple and rugged design made it seem even more sacred.

Feeling the urgency of reaching the goal, I was aware that there was no time limit for this trial.

I consciously moved slowly and steadily, taking several steps over dozens of seconds...

And then, it happened.

* * *

*Boom!*

A sound came from behind me.

A sound I had heard too often today, but one I absolutely did not want to hear now.

It sounded like a human-sized stone block had landed on the ground.

"Is this a joke...?"

My voice trembled.

Sweat trickled down my forehead.

"This can't be real! This can't happen!" I shouted in my heart, while a feeling of resignation, "Ah, it finally came," mixed in my head.

I slowly turned around.

There, at the midpoint of the Dragon's Path, where I had just rested and felt confident I could clear the trial, was a kneeling stone statue of a knight.

(Where did it come from...!)

Looking up, I saw a red magic circle floating in the air, as if it had just activated and spat something out.

(How is this even possible!)

I almost cursed, but at that moment, the head of the stone statue knight moved and stared at me with a piercing gaze.

"Ah!"

The thought of fighting it didn't even cross my mind.

Even during the first trial, I couldn't fight the stone statue knights properly.

And this knight, which was now glaring at me, was clearly a boss.

It was larger than the knights from the previous trials, holding a massive spear in its right hand and a rugged sword in its left, exuding a masterful aura.

Worse still, I was on a narrow platform where I could barely move, while the knight was on a perfect circular platform.

There was no way I could win.

"Damn it!"

I struggled to move my feet, trying to get as far away from the knight as possible.

--Because I was so close.

Just a few more meters in a straight line.

If I could just get past this knight and reach that pedestal, all my efforts would be rewarded...

But I saw it.

The towering knight behind me raised the large spear in its right hand, as if shouldering it.

"Stop--"

I couldn't even react.

The massive spear, flying with a thunderous sound, knocked me off balance and shattered the magatama...

"Ugh, aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh