They exchanged determined looks with each other, their expressions a mix of apprehension and resolve.
The stakes were high, the challenges ahead unknown, but they had absolutely no choice but to move forward.
"How about just each of us going toward a path and hoping that we all complete it?" Hero smiled.
"Are you brain dead? This is suicide, who knows what awaits us, this is probably harder than a Death-Level rift in the real world," Boxer shouted at the stupidity, and the remaining three agreed with him.
Even if somehow one of them managed to beat his path, it didn't mean the others would too, meaning they would be forced to fight all the other things that awaited them.
"Fighting together is the safest option," Dreamer spoke while adjusting his glasses, "And don't get me wrong, I am the first to think it is a bad idea to associate with the likes of you."
"The likes of you?" Boxer took a step toward Dreamer, his fists clenched, centimeters away from his face, "Don't get ahead of yourself asshole."
"No need to fight… we need to win after all… killing each other isn't an option…" Orasio put himself between the two, and somehow the atmosphere calmed down after a few seconds.
"The first thing to do is choose the path we take, after all we are not forced to pick the first one," Stark pointed at the paths and numbers, "Trying to get rid of the easier ones is a good start."
[Please choose your path.]
After a moment of tense silence, Hero stepped forward and pointed confidently at the third path, marked with the number 3.
"How does this even make sense, let's just get to the first one to see," Boxer sighed, unable to understand why they wouldn't just follow the order.
"The order is supposed to show the difficulty, isn't it?" Dreamer spoke, it was just a theory, but a very comprehensible one.
"Who ever said that? It probably doesn't even mean anything!" Hero replied.
Stark watched them argue for a while, after all it was an important choice, taking a difficult path on their first try could end up in all of them dying, while taking an easy one could allow them to gain experience.
"I'm going for the first," Stark began walking toward the staircases of the effigy with the number 1 engraved on its forehead, and he was soon followed by Boxer, Dreamer, and Orasio.
"You guys aren't fun," Hero pouted, but still followed them regardless as it was the group that decides, and he knew deep down trying to clear another path by himself was a bad idea.
As the group descended the stairs of the effigy marked with the number 1, they felt a sense of foreboding wash over them.
A massive mirror stood before them, covered in intricate carvings that seemed to shift and move as if alive.
Stark being the first in the group, he decided to push through, and was able to pass through the mirror.
[The Glass Purgatory is a place divided between two worlds, floating in an eternal limbo between reality and illusion]
[Its four guardians are keeping it together, kill the first three, and the path to the 'Greater One' will open, participants]
[Once you do, the 'Glass Purgatory' will cease to be what it is and disappear]
[Good luck]
This much information was shown to all the boys as they passed, and now they found themselves in yet another giant chamber, illuminated by many torches.
Strangely enough though, there seemed to be no exit door from this place, it was giant, bigger than a football stadium, yet there was nothing other than the rocks that formed its walls and floor.
'Wait,' Stark thought, 'Maybe it's blocked until we complete another path?'
He decided to turn around, but once he did, instead of facing the mirror that transported them here, he found himself staring at a stone wall.
[Good luck]
These panels appeared before everyone, and as soon as they vanished.
"Hey, there's actually something in the distance, look closely," Dreamer pointed at the very far end of the room, his glasses seemed to be able to zoom.
And he was right: there was a small door there.
"I guess that's our exit path," Hero took a step forward.
But once he did…
[Glass Guardian #1: The Conjoined Siblings]
[Good luck]
These panels appeared before everyone, and as soon as they vanished.
~FWISH~
~BOOM~
A loud explosion echoed in the distance, and suddenly two figures appeared out of nowhere.
To the right stood a… creature, dressed in a cloak and holding a scepter. It also wore a pointed hat, giving off a witch-like appearance. The head was disturbing, with two female faces merged together in all directions.
[The Conjoined Witch lv20], its name appeared above its head.
Next to it stood a massive skeleton only wearing some small cloak over its head and upper half, the rest was naked, it had a necklace with a purple gem in the middle, and was brandishing a sword; just like the other monster though, it had two skeletal heads on its neck.
[The Conjoined Warrior lv20]
The first guardians of this trial appeared before the five participants, and immediately all of them got ready to fight.
[Eliminate the guardians to be able to leave]
This was all they needed to hear, and they all activated [Domination].
Stark of course began being enveloped by the crimson aura around his body, but it was the other four that felt new.
Boxer, just like his name described, was now wearing magic boxing gloves around his hands, ones that gave him power and strength.
Hero had two floating swords appear in both his sides, and he didn't even bother grabbing them, instead just crossing his arms and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Dreamer, on the other hand, had a series of floating magical books spinning around him, their content emenating a dark glow.
Finally, Orasio had a shield materialize on his arm, its surface covered in mysterious runes that seemed to shimmer and shift with energy.
All of them had the [Domination] skill, yet it seemed to react differently to each of their aura, creating a unique power.
"Pretty cool, isn't it," Hero laughed, his pupils burning with a white aura.
"…" none of the others replied, too focused on the boss ahead to speak now.
Stark decided to be smart and use [Perception] on his enemies like he always did.
[Name: The Conjoined Witch (GUARDIAN)]
[Level: 20]
[HP: 75000]
[Strength: 50]
[Stamina: 892]
[Speed: 128]
[Defense: 927]
[Skills: Beam, Spark, Buff, Witch's Domain, Glass Attack, Life Share, Heal, Conjoined Bond, Chain Block…]
[Name: The Conjoined Warrior (GUARDIAN)]
[Level: 20]
[HP: 75000]
[Strength: 721]
[Stamina: 523]
[Speed: 637]
[Defense: 398]
[Skills: Strike, Skeletal Aura, Final Stand, Warrior's Domain, Conjoined Bond, Split…]
'Ah shit, these guys are tough, and there's two of them…' Stark positioned himself for combat like the others.
And thus, the first fight of the 'Domination' trial could begin.
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