Chapter 497: The Fifth Trial

The six companions rested for nearly half an hour before approaching the final gate. Although Leon appeared perfectly capable of continuing without rest, the others had expended considerable mana during the fourth trial, particularly Sage and Iris, whose spells had been essential in disabling the armored giant’s regenerative formations.

Sage examined their remaining supplies before returning a half-empty pouch to his belt. "Three healing potions, two mana restoration potions, and enough food to survive several more days. Considering how enthusiastically this dungeon has been trying to kill us, I’d say we’re doing reasonably well."

Lucan adjusted the bandage around his forearm, where the giant’s spear had grazed him. "That depends on what the final trial has prepared for us, Guildmaster."

"Please don’t encourage it," Sage replied, looking toward the enormous gate. "I’m beginning to suspect whoever designed these challenges had a personal grudge against Adventurers."

Leon smiled faintly before stepping forward. "Everyone ready? We should maintain the same formation, but remain prepared to adapt. The previous trials tested different abilities. I suspect this one will demand everything we’ve learned."

Mina tightened her grip on her sword. "I’m ready, Captain Leon! And I promise I won’t rush ahead without permission."

Sage glanced at her with exaggerated surprise. "Someone should record this historic occasion. Mina has voluntarily promised to behave."

"Petty Uncle Sage!" Mina protested, earning a tired chuckle from Rowan.

With their preparations complete, the expedition entered the final trial.

Beyond the gate stretched an enormous underground valley divided by deep ravines and connected by narrow stone bridges.

Towering pillars rose from the darkness below, supporting platforms covered in ancient runes. Strange vegetation grew along the cliffs, while several waterfalls descended from openings high above, disappearing into the abyss.

At the valley’s far end stood a massive stone door illuminated by five golden symbols.

Rowan studied the terrain before approaching the nearest bridge. "Guildmaster, this place is deliberately arranged to make crossing difficult. Several bridges are damaged, and those platforms appear to contain traps."

Iris examined the glowing formations along the walls. "The mana currents are connected to the bridges. I believe the pathways can change depending on which formations are activated."

Sage folded his arms. "Wonderful. A deadly obstacle course suspended over a bottomless pit. Whoever designed this trial certainly knew how to entertain guests."

Leon stepped toward the first bridge, examining the darkness beneath it. "I’ll take the lead. Rowan, guide us through the safest route. Iris, watch the formations."

The group advanced cautiously, with Rowan identifying stable sections of stone while Iris monitored the surrounding mana. Their progress remained uneventful until they reached the second platform.

RUMBLE!

The bridge behind them suddenly began collapsing.

"Move!" Rowan shouted, pointing toward a narrow passage between two pillars.

Everyone immediately rushed forward.

BOOOOM!

The bridge shattered, sending enormous chunks of stone tumbling into the abyss.

Mina reached the platform first and turned to help Iris across the final gap. Lucan followed closely behind, while Leon effortlessly leaped over the collapsing section.

Sage landed beside them and examined the destruction with a dissatisfied expression. "Well, there goes our return route. I suppose the dungeon has decided we’re committed."

Before anyone could respond, several enormous creatures emerged from behind the surrounding pillars.

They resembled armored hounds, their bodies covered in jagged black plates and their mouths filled with rows of sharp teeth. Their mana was considerably stronger than that of the Elite-Class monsters encountered earlier.

"Commander-Class," Leon assessed, drawing his sword. "Everyone, stay together."

The monsters charged.

ROAR!

Leon intercepted the first creature with an effortless slash, severing its head before it could reach the group. Mina engaged another, golden mana reinforcing her movements as she struck its foreleg and forced it backward.

However, the creatures weren’t their only concern.

As Lucan moved to assist Mina, several runes beneath the platform suddenly illuminated.

CRACK!

A section of the ground collapsed, nearly sending him into the abyss.

Rowan immediately grabbed his arm and pulled him backward.

"Watch the floor!" Rowan warned. "The monsters are driving us toward unstable sections!"

Sage raised his hand, causing thick stone barriers to emerge around the platform’s edges. "Then we’ll stop letting them choose where we fight. Iris, stabilize the ground. Leon, eliminate anything that gets too close."

Iris immediately channeled Earth Mana into the damaged platform, reinforcing the surrounding stone. Meanwhile, Leon moved through the attacking creatures with astonishing speed.

SWISH! SWISH!

Two more monsters collapsed beneath his sword.

Mina dispatched another after Lucan distracted it, but before they could celebrate, a powerful tremor shook the platform.

The remaining creatures suddenly retreated.

Rowan frowned. "They’re withdrawing. Something’s wrong."

Iris looked toward the glowing formations. "The platform is losing stability! The mana supporting it is being redirected elsewhere!"

Sage immediately understood.

The trial wasn’t designed merely to test their combat abilities. Fighting the monsters consumed time, while the surrounding formations gradually destroyed the battlefield beneath them.

"Everyone, stop pursuing!" Sage commanded. "Rowan, find us another route. Iris, determine where the mana is going. Leon, protect them while they work."

Rowan immediately examined the surrounding cliffs, eventually discovering a narrow ledge partially concealed beneath hanging vegetation.

"There’s a passage along the eastern wall!" he announced. "It’s dangerous, but it should connect to the next platform."

Sage glanced toward the unstable ground. "Dangerous is beginning to sound remarkably attractive."

The group followed Rowan along the narrow ledge, with Leon clearing obstacles while Lucan helped the others maintain their footing. Mina remained near Iris, ready to intercept any creature attempting to attack from behind.

Halfway across, several enormous stone spikes erupted from the cliff.

BANG!

Lucan shoved Rowan aside, narrowly avoiding the first spike, but another struck his shoulder and sent him stumbling.

"Lucan!" Mina cried, immediately grabbing his arm.

Leon appeared beside them and shattered the remaining spikes with a single swing.

Lucan grimaced, blood spreading across his shoulder. "I’m fine. It’s not deep enough to stop me."

Sage examined the wound before handing him a healing potion. "Drink this. I’d rather not explain to Tobias why I returned with one of our companions missing an arm."

Lucan accepted the potion with a strained smile. "Understood, Guildmaster."

They eventually reached the next platform, where an enormous magical formation blocked their path.

Iris approached the glowing barrier and studied its arrangement.

"Guildmaster, this formation is connected to five smaller arrays," she explained. "They must be disabled in the correct order. Otherwise, the barrier will remain active."

Sage examined the symbols before nodding. "Then you’re in charge. Rowan, look for anything unusual around the platform. Everyone else, protect Iris."

As Iris began deciphering the formation, several Commander-Class monsters emerged from the surrounding passages.

Leon stepped forward.

SLASH!

The first creature was instantly dismembered.

Mina and Lucan intercepted the others, preventing them from reaching Iris. Despite his injured shoulder, Lucan maintained his position, coordinating with Mina whenever a creature attempted to slip past their defenses.

Meanwhile, Rowan discovered that the smaller arrays were connected to symbols hidden beneath the platform’s outer edges.

"Iris, the formations aren’t arranged in the order they appear!" Rowan announced. "The markings beneath the floor indicate a different sequence!"

Iris immediately examined his discovery. "You’re right! The visible symbols are misleading. We need to follow the mana currents instead."

Sage assisted by directing controlled streams of Wind Mana through the surrounding channels, allowing Iris to identify their connections.

One by one, the smaller formations began extinguishing.

CLICK! CLICK!

The magical barrier flickered.

Then the final array activated.

BOOOOM!

A violent surge of mana erupted from the platform, throwing Iris backward.

Mina immediately caught her before she could fall.

"Iris, are you alright?" Mina asked anxiously, helping her regain her balance.

Iris nodded, although her face had become noticeably pale. "I’m fine, Mina. But the final formation requires considerably more mana than I expected."

Sage approached the central array and examined its remaining symbols.

He understood the problem.

The formation required simultaneous activation from several different positions, making it impossible for Iris to complete alone.

"Then we’ll divide the work," Sage decided. "Iris, handle the central formation. I’ll supply the additional mana. Rowan, guide us through the correct sequence. Leon, Lucan, and Mina, protect the remaining positions."

The companions immediately followed his instructions.

Leon eliminated the remaining monsters while Mina and Lucan guarded the surrounding passages. Rowan called out the sequence of symbols, allowing Sage and Iris to channel their mana into the correct formations.

Golden light spread across the platform.

RUMBLE!

The enormous barrier finally shattered.

Beyond it, a stone bridge extended toward the massive door at the valley’s far end.

Everyone released a collective breath of relief.

Sage glanced toward his exhausted companions before smiling. "Well done. Although I must say, this trial has thoroughly convinced me that whoever designed it should never be allowed to organize a festival."

Mina laughed tiredly. "At least we finished it, Uncle Sage."

"Indeed," Sage replied. "And I’d very much appreciate it if the dungeon stopped trying to prove how creative it can be."

The six crossed the final bridge.

As they approached the enormous stone door, the five golden symbols began illuminating one after another.

A familiar notification appeared before Sage’s eyes.

[Ding!]

[Fifth Trial Completed!]

[Trials Completed: 5/5]

[All Special Trials Successfully Cleared!]

[Dungeon Core Chamber Unlocked!]

BOOOOM!

The massive doors slowly opened, revealing a long passage illuminated by brilliant golden light.

An extraordinary concentration of mana flowed from somewhere beyond it.

Sage’s expression became serious.

They had finally completed the five trials.

But he knew their greatest obstacle still remained.

Somewhere beyond those enormous doors rested the Dungeon Core.

And guarding it was an enemy unlike anything they had encountered during the trials.