Chapter 493: The Five Trials

The first thing Sage noticed was the silence.

The underground passages they had explored earlier were filled with distant movements, dripping water, and the occasional cries of dungeon monsters.

Here, however, the silence was so complete that even the sound of their breathing seemed unusually loud.

They stood upon a circular stone platform inside an enormous hall illuminated by ancient golden runes. Towering pillars lined both sides of the chamber, disappearing into shadows near the ceiling.

The walls were covered in intricate carvings depicting warriors battling monstrous creatures, while five enormous gates stood along the opposite wall.

Each gate bore a different symbol.

A crossed sword and shield adorned the first. The second displayed the head of a hunting beast, while the third contained an elaborate arrangement of intersecting circles. The fourth depicted a warrior holding a raised sword, and the fifth bore five symbols arranged around a single crown.

"Well, this is certainly unexpected," Sage remarked, examining the chamber. "I was hoping for a convenient passage toward the Dungeon Core. Instead, we’ve apparently arrived at someone’s private collection of excessively large doors."

Leon stepped off the platform, his sword resting comfortably at his side. "These aren’t ordinary decorations, Guildmaster. Look at the carvings along the walls. Every scene depicts a different kind of challenge. Whoever constructed this place intended for visitors to prove themselves."

Rowan crouched beside the platform and examined the surrounding floor. Unlike the dusty chambers they had encountered earlier, the stone here was remarkably clean. There were no footprints, claw marks, or signs of ordinary passage, and the joints between the enormous floor slabs were almost invisible.

"There’s something strange about this place," Rowan observed, running his fingers along one of the seams. "The stonework is intact, but I can’t find any evidence that creatures have been moving through here. It’s as though the chamber has remained untouched."

Iris approached the nearest pillar, studying the golden runes running along its surface. "The mana concentration is extraordinary. These formations are still functioning, and they’re connected to something beyond those gates. I believe we’ve entered a separate section of the dungeon."

"A separate section?" Lucan repeated, looking toward the five entrances.

"Possibly one that ordinary explorers wouldn’t encounter," Iris explained. "The teleportation formation brought us directly here, and I can’t sense any natural passage connecting this chamber to the corridors we left behind."

Sage nodded thoughtfully, although he already knew considerably more than he intended to reveal.

The Guild System had identified their destination as the Five-Trial Claiming Area. Unlike Greyfen’s ordinary exploration floors, this place existed specifically to protect access to the Dungeon Core.

More importantly, the teleportation formation had apparently deposited them at the beginning of the trials.

As Sage considered their surroundings, a familiar translucent interface appeared before his eyes.

[Ding!]

[Special Claiming Area Entered!]

[Dungeon: Greyfen]

[Required Trials: 5]

[Trials Completed: 0/5]

[All five trials must be completed before access to the Dungeon Core Chamber is granted.]

[Final Obstacle: Dungeon Core Guardian]

[Warning: Claiming the Dungeon Core does not constitute conquering the dungeon.]

Sage silently dismissed the notification.

Five trials, followed by a Core Guardian. Whoever designed this arrangement certainly doesn’t believe in handing out property for free.

He glanced toward the gates again. Although the System had confirmed their purpose, he still needed his companions to understand the situation through information they could discover themselves.

"Iris, can you make sense of those inscriptions?" Sage asked, gesturing toward the golden writing above the gates. "I’d rather know what we’re walking into before Mina decides to open everything."

Mina immediately turned toward him. "Uncle Sage, why are you looking at me?"

"Because you’re already staring at the first gate like it’s hiding a birthday present," Sage replied.

Mina folded her arms indignantly. "I wasn’t going to open it without asking!"

Sage raised an eyebrow. "You were considering it, though."

"Only a little," Mina admitted, earning an amused smile from Lucan.

Iris approached the inscriptions and began studying them carefully. The writing was ancient, but several symbols resembled those she had encountered in old magical records. After examining the arrangement for several minutes, she discovered that the inscriptions repeated certain phrases beneath each gate.

"I can’t translate everything," Iris admitted, "but the meaning is becoming clearer. These symbols appear to represent different trials. The first concerns martial ability, the second refers to pursuit or survival, and the third seems connected to magical understanding."

Leon studied the remaining symbols. "The fourth resembles a test of strength, while the fifth appears to combine the previous challenges."

"That would explain the five gates," Rowan observed. "But why construct such an elaborate testing ground inside a dungeon?"

Sage considered the question before answering. "Perhaps it’s protecting something valuable. We discovered this place through a concealed entrance, after all. Whoever established these trials clearly didn’t intend for every passing Warrior to reach whatever lies beyond them."

Iris moved toward a smaller inscription carved beneath the first gate. After examining it closely, her expression changed.

"Guildmaster, I think I’ve found something important," she announced. "This inscription mentions a sealed chamber beyond the trials. It says the path will open only when all five challenges have been overcome."

Lucan frowned. "So we can’t simply choose whichever gate we prefer?"

"Apparently not," Iris replied. "The gates seem connected. Completing one challenge should unlock the next."

Sage smiled faintly. "How considerate. They’ve even arranged our suffering in the proper order."

Leon chuckled before examining the first gate more closely. "Then we should treat this as a deliberate test rather than ordinary dungeon exploration. There may be restrictions or traps we haven’t identified."

Rowan nodded and began circling the chamber, examining the pillars and walls for concealed passages. He checked several narrow spaces between the structures, then inspected the carvings near the chamber’s corners. After nearly ten minutes, he returned to the group.

"I couldn’t find another exit," Rowan reported. "There are no hidden doors that I can identify, and the walls appear solid. The only obvious route forward is through those gates."

"What about the teleportation platform?" Lucan asked.

Rowan glanced toward the circular formation behind them. "The runes are no longer illuminated. Iris might be able to reactivate it, but I wouldn’t assume it leads back to the same chamber."

Iris examined the platform again and shook her head. "The formation has changed. The mana circulating through it is much weaker now, and several of the original symbols are inactive. I don’t think we should rely on it as an escape route."

That revelation caused the group to fall silent.

They had entered an unfamiliar section of a dangerous dungeon, and their only reliable path appeared to lead through five unknown challenges.

Leon was the first to speak.

"Then we proceed carefully," the knight declared, his expression remaining composed. "We’ve already committed ourselves to this expedition. However, nobody should underestimate the dangers simply because the first chamber appears peaceful."

Sage nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Our objective is to reach the Dungeon Core, not demonstrate how quickly we can get ourselves killed. If something appears beyond our capabilities, we withdraw whenever possible."

Mina looked toward Leon with obvious confidence. "But Captain Leon is here. Unless we encounter something incredibly powerful, shouldn’t we be fine?"

Leon smiled at her enthusiasm. "Strength certainly helps, Mina. But even a Grandmaster Knight can make mistakes. A dangerous formation or an unfamiliar ability can be troublesome regardless of how strong someone is."

Sage approved of the answer. Leon possessed overwhelming strength compared to most Warriors, and ordinary dungeon monsters below Lord-Class were scarcely worth his attention. Nevertheless, the trials might contain obstacles that couldn’t be solved with a sword.

The Guild’s standardized Dungeon Monster Ranking System was useful for estimating threats, but it couldn’t predict every danger. Sage had explained that distinction in the Adventurer Guide Book he sold through the Guild, and his companions were already familiar with its classifications.

"Before we enter, let’s confirm everyone’s responsibilities," Sage instructed, turning toward the group. "Captain Leon takes the front. Lucan supports him and protects our formation. Rowan watches for traps, tracks, and unusual terrain. Iris handles magical obstacles and assists with spells whenever necessary."

He then looked directly at Mina.

"And you, Mina, will follow instructions instead of charging at the first monster you see."

Mina immediately frowned. "Uncle Sage, you’re looking at me again!"

"An unfortunate coincidence," Sage replied without the slightest sincerity.

"You keep saying things like that whenever you’re worried I’ll have all the fun!" Mina protested.

Sage placed a hand against his chest. "Petty accusations against your beloved uncle. How heartbreaking."

Lucan burst into laughter, while even Leon struggled to conceal his amusement.

Once their preparations were complete, Rowan checked their remaining supplies. They had brought enough provisions for several days, along with healing potions and other necessities. Fortunately, their earlier encounters hadn’t required significant resources, leaving the expedition in relatively good condition.

Iris returned to the first gate and examined a circular indentation beneath its crossed sword and shield.

"I believe this activates the trial," she explained. "The formation seems designed to respond when mana is supplied to the central symbol."

Sage approached her. "Can you activate it safely?"

"I can activate the mechanism, Guildmaster," Iris replied. "But I can’t guarantee what happens afterward."

"Then we’ll prepare for the worst and hope the architect had a reasonable imagination," Sage answered.

Leon moved several paces ahead, drawing his sword. Mina positioned herself beside Lucan, while Rowan stepped back to observe the surrounding chamber. Sage remained near Iris as she placed her palm against the circular indentation.

A stream of mana flowed from her hand into the ancient symbol.

The crossed sword and shield suddenly illuminated.

Golden light spread through the carvings surrounding the first gate, accompanied by a deep rumbling that echoed throughout the enormous hall. Dust fell from the ceiling as the stone doors slowly began separating.

Behind them lay a passage illuminated by crimson crystals.

A wave of warm air swept into the chamber, carrying the unmistakable scent of scorched earth.

Leon tightened his grip on his sword. "Everyone, remain alert. We don’t know what awaits us."

Sage glanced toward the opening before gesturing for the expedition to advance. "Well, we’ve found our first challenge. Let’s hope whoever designed it was feeling merciful."

Mina grinned and followed Leon toward the passage. "I hope they weren’t, Uncle Sage. That would be boring!"

Sage sighed as he followed the others.

Beyond the crimson passage, an enormous battlefield gradually came into view. Jagged stone formations rose from cracked ground, and dozens of dark shapes stood motionless beneath the reddish glow.

As the six stepped into the arena, the enormous gate behind them began closing.

Then, one after another, the dark shapes raised their heads.

The first trial had begun.