Doomsday Pillars

Tied up with their training and cultivation, the two of them do not feel the time has passed and the fact that they've already been trapped inside the Abyss pit for 6 months. There is only 3 months left until the meeting at Bali island, where they'll prepare the plans to face the first tribulation.

"I think we are already strong enough to head back!" said Alex as he sheathed his swords.

"Strong enough? What do you mean with strong enough?" asked Aria confusedly.

"It's exactly what it means." he replied calmly

Baffled, Aria kept asking questions, "I don't understand. What are we going to fight next that can make you say that?"

"A boss monster."

"A boss monster?" asked Aria in disbelief.

"Yeah. It's actually the gatekeeper between the antechamber and the main chamber, who had to be defeated before one could enter the main chamber." Alex explained.

"..." Aria was silent, shocked by the revelation

Seeing her reaction, Alex continued his explanation. "So, it's actually the other way around for our case." he said with a faint smile. "Generally, one can't enter the main chamber without killing the gatekeeper first, but due to extreme coincidence… or fate, we accidentally entered the main chamber through a shortcut tunnel connecting the antechamber and the main chamber."

Aria was flabbergasted when she heard Alex's explanation. "So… should we say we are extremely lucky or extremely unlucky?" she asked helplessly.

"Well… I don't know." replied Alex with a faint smile. "Let's just see what happens next."

Hearing his nonchalant reply, Aria could only helplessly shake her head and walk away to collect the spirit stones from the gargoyles' bodies. Suddenly, Aria turned her head and asked Alex the question she forgot to ask.

"So, what kind of monster are we going to fight? And how strong is it?"

Alex smiled mysteriously at her question. "Don't worry, you will see it soon. Let's head to the hiding cave for tonight. We need to increase another level first and rest our body before we face the gatekeeper."

It took Alex and Aria almost 100 yellow spirit stones for each of them to increase just one level at their current level. An outrageous amount of spirit stones indeed.

[Alex]

[Sky realm level 34 - middle stage]

[Sky Magus - Light - middle stage]

[Aria]

[Sky realm level 33 - middle stage]

[Sky Magus - Water - middle stage]

[Sky Magus - Ice - middle stage]

"Just a few more levels." Alex muttered to himself. 'When I reached level 40 and finally stepped to the cusp of breakthrough, I will then focus on cultivating to break through to the high stage. It will give me a significant increase in my strength.' he excitedly thought in his mind.

Alex felt a headache when he calculated the sheer amount of spirit stones he would need to achieve his goal. The rate at which he obtained spirit stones couldn't keep with his needs, followed by the increase in the inefficiency of the spirit stones used made him have to think of another plan that could solve his problem. But for now, he had to find out first how to kill the gate guardian and get out of this Abyss pit.

In his previous life, it needed at least a dozen of skyrealm magus at his current levels to defeat the gate guardian. But with the increased levels, the tier 5 sword artifacts, the useful magic scrolls and the fact Alex knows the creature they will be facing, Alex feels confident they can safely kill the gate guardian. 

The next day, Alex and Aria were seen preparing their equipment and scrolls they needed for today's fight.

"Aria, are you ready?"

"Yeah."

"We won't be back after heading out this time. Take one last good look at this cave, you might miss this place, Aria." Alex teased her.

Aria sneered at his teasing and said. "Not sure, eh?"

"What do you mean with not sure?"

"I'm not sure which one I'm going to miss in this place, the gargoyle's ugly face or your terrible food."

"Well said." Alex praised her reply with a laugh.

Alex then started walking first, while Aria secretly looked back, looking at the frozen lake and ice hill with a thoughtful expression. When they are outside the abyss things will return as it was before. She knows it will end sooner or later, and today is the day. She took a small moment of silence to treasure it. She softly spoke something, "I'm gonna miss it." She's going to miss her time here with Alex.

Alex, who heard a faint sound behind him, turned his head. "Um? What's wrong, Aria?"

"Nothing. Wait for me." Aria replied with a faint smile.

-

As they got closer to the place that connected the antechamber to the main chamber, the temperature slowly rose and the ice covering the surface of the cave was getting thinner and thinner. After three days of walking, passing through the cave that was getting smaller and smaller, they finally could see a large tunnel in front of them.

This tunnel is about the same size as the underground tunnel of a motorized vehicle in a modern city, with a diameter of approximately 10 meters and made of stone walls. Alex could see water trickling down from the melting ice on the ceiling of the cave. He could also see many small puddles on the ground.

"This is the place. Be prepared." 

When they stood in front of the tunnel, there was only darkness at the end of it with nothing to be seen. Alex cast his [Illuminate] skill and a ball of light immediately appeared on his palm. He then let the ball of light float in front of them as they stepped into the tunnel.

Sounds of their footsteps could be heard echoing through the tunnel as they continued to walk forward into the darkness. Half an hour later, they finally saw the end of the tunnel, a big hall was seen with torches placed at the hall wall, giving Aria and Alex a clear view of the hall.

The hall was almost the size of a football stadium, with multiple engraving on its wall. The engravings show several images of a three-headed dog, a sacrificial ceremony, hordes of human souls walked into the gate, and more. In the middle of the hall, Alex could see there are 3 giant dog statues, each statue standing 3 meters tall. The statues are facing towards the front, their backs to Alex and Aria.

"Here we are, Aria. That is the checkpoint between the antechamber and the main chamber." Alex said, pointing towards the lit hall.

"I see."

Before entering the room, Alex told her about the monsters they were going to face and then explained the battle strategy for it.

"Do you understand? Any question before we go?"

"Yes and no."

"Are you sure? There's no turning back once we've started."

"Yeah, I'm sure. Just go!" said Aria irritably.

"Great. Let's go."

Alex and Aria walked into the hall with their weapons in their hand while carefully watching their surroundings for any surprise attacks. Since the two of them came from the opposite direction of the hall entrance, they saw the towering back of the statues first. They noticed the engraved images on the wall and were fascinated by it.

"Alex, what is that image?" Aria said, pointing at one of the images.

"I don't know. Maybe a myth? Who knows?" replied Alex halfheartedly after taking a quick glance at the images and then continuing to observe the statues.

As they circled the statues and arrived in front of them, Alex noticed the statue's eyes slowly glow red, a faint glint appeared within them. He quickly nudged Aria's arms while pointing his finger towards the statue. Aria who turned her face due to Alex's nudge noticed his gesture and lifted her head. She couldn't believe what was happening before her eyes.

Cracks slowly appeared on the surface of the statues, revealing the dark fur under them. Rows of sharp teeth appeared as the statue opened its mouth. Clumps of breath can be seen coming out of the statue's nose as the statue slowly comes to life. Until finally, the 3 giant statues turned into 3 three-headed ferocious giant dogs.

The hologram in their arms showed information about the monsters they were going to face at this time.

[Cerberus - Guardian Dogs of Hell]

[Abyss Creature - level 4]

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