Chapter 315 Trial Of Hydra (1)
Hydra was said to be a multi-headed monster that dwelled in the deepest trenches of the northern ocean of Euphoria. For obvious reasons, no one had ever seen whether this monster existed or not. No one but the Xyrans.
Though considering there was a trial named after it as well as the black murky water of the oceans, it could be debated that the Hydra was real and was responsible for the contaminated waters.
On top of that, the Trial of Hydra was one of the trials rarely ever assigned to anyone even in their fifth or sixth attempts which are often considered to be the final attempt.
That was the reason Ashton was the only one teleported to the trial zone, which happened to be a beach around the northern sea. When he left, everyone tried to dissuade him from entering Hydra’s trial first. As no one had entered the trial in over a couple of centuries.
But the instruction he had received from Planet Euphoria was clear. The trials needed to be completed in a certain order if he wanted the rewards. If he didn’t desire the rewards, then he was more than welcome to attempt the trials as he saw fit.
‘Only a fool wouldn’t want additional rewards.’ Ashton shrugged his shoulders.
As for the beach… it was weird. White sand could be seen as far as Ashton’s eyes went. It was in complete contrast with the sea which looked more ominous than ever before, now that Ashton was face to face with it.
The twin-stars Euphoria revolved around were at their peak. Interestingly, one of the stars was in front of the other, making it seem like they were one. As much as Ashton would have loved to take in the ominous beauty of the planet, he was there for a trial, not a picnic.
“Any words of wisdom?” Ashton smiled.
[Don’t go into the water. Let the bastard come to you. Also, I won’t be giving you any more hints… probably, since it wouldn’t be much of a trial otherwise.]
“So it’s an extermination trial,” Ashton nodded while scratching his chin, “this might turn out to be easier than I expect.”
[Of course. It’s an easy one that’s why no one else is given this trial.] 𝐞𝐨𝘃𝐞𝐥.
“…”
[Tell me one thing… what do you think ‘contamination’ means in this context?]
Ashton stared at the black water in front of him. It was an obvious answer… poison. By now, he was quite familiar with different types of poison and just looking at one, he could tell with certainty how dangerous the poison was. To back his overconfidence, he was correct most of the time.
[It is poison. However, not just any poison, it is the deadliest poison in the galaxy and probably the universe. Who knows?]
“You Xyrans are sick, to be honest. Who the fuck makes an ocean and then pumps a shit ton of poison in it?” Ashton shook his head in disbelief, “Here I thought having salt in the ocean was fucked up, but this… this is in a league of its own.”
[It’s not entirely our fault. The precursors were the ones who made Hydra. Well, it was more like a pet to them who got pissed after the Xyrans did what they did to his owners. He was going on a rampage, thus we decided to do something about it.]
[We just created a prison for the Hydra in the form of the northern sea. How the hell were we supposed to know that sucker would contaminate the entire ocean with his poison?]
“Really? That’s the best argument you could come up with? Sometimes I wonder whether I am stupid because I share a brain with you? Because it sure seems so like it now.”
It was rare for Astaroth to say something reeking of stupidity. But whenever he did, Ashton was sure to take a dig at him. This time, however, Astaroth had outdone himself.
How the heck could the Xyrans have dumped a ‘poison leaking’ squid in an ocean and then be surprised that the ocean turned into complete poison? What did they expect? The poison would get diluted in the ocean?
Maybe Ashton finally had the answer to why the Precursors chose to make Humans succeed them. After all, these Xyrans were just a bunch of morons! Their stupid decisions clearly shared a story of their own.
However, before he could comment any further, there was a sudden movement in the ocean. The poisonous water rose like a gigantic wave, covering even the smallest ray of light from above. It almost felt as if the waves were on their way to swallow the one who dared to stand in front of them.
“Oh shit!”
Ashton immediately summoned the winds and constructed an invisible platform from compressed air, to hover above the outpouring ocean. It wasn’t as stable as he would have wanted, but it was better than drowning in poison. Before he could celebrate though, he was greeted by an unsightly sight.
“That sure as hell isn’t a squid!”
[Did I say he was? Stop making up random assumptions and then yell at me for them! Just because I live in your head doesn’t mean I am responsible for your imaginations.]
It had four legs and two massive tails, but the most bizarre thing was its heads. From the top, Ashton could see nine heads staring right at him. Out of the mouth of each head, a suspicious black smoke was coming out which Ashton presumed was the poison Astaroth mentioned earlier.
Also, its sharp teeth and strong jaws could kill with one bite. For reasons unknown to him, Ashton knew killing this beast was next to impossible.
[Not next to impossible. It is impossible. Do you think the Xyrans were foolish enough to let the ugly bastard live if there was a way to kill it? The Hydra is essentially immortal, so don’t even think of killing it or something.]
“If I can’t kill it, then what the fuck is this trial about?” Ashton yelled back at Astaroth.
[Why the fuck are you asking me that? Ok fine, this is the last hint for this trial. Check the mission prompt from the wristband!]
Ashton was too embarrassed he forgot to check it, even though he was reminded to do so before. He hurriedly tapped on the wristband and as Astaroth said, he received a mission.
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[Objective]: Complete the Trial of Hydra.
[Task]: Survive against the Hydra for an hour.
[Progress]: 0 out of 60 minutes passed.
[Reward]: 10 stats points increase in all stats, 1000 HP increase, 2000 Mana increase, 500 Dark aura increase and a special reward.
[Mission Commissioned by]: Planet Euphoria [Only an Administrator can view this info: Euphoria is a Xyran AI]
[Priority Level]: 1 (The host cannot ignore the mission, the mission needs to be completed as soon as possible and within two attempts.)
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“Tell me one thing… if I fail to survive then how the fuck am I going to attempt it a second time? Stupid AI of stupid Xyrans!”