CHAPTER 195: EX 195. GOD’S TEMPLE VIII

The Trial World was the greatest treasure gifted to every civilization cursed to endure the endless march of demons. To the worlds plagued by invasion, it was hope incarnate, a sanctuary and crucible both. Within its infinite expanse lay the Trials: domains that could forge mortals into giants, granting strength, skills, and weapons capable of defying annihilation. From the Mortal Zone to the higher planes, countless opportunities waited to be seized.

Because of that, hearing whispers of a method to increase one’s talent rank wasn’t something Leon could dismiss outright. The Trial World was vast and mysterious, its rewards sometimes defying reason. Still... once the shock settled, skepticism sank its claws into him. Something that could raise the foundation of a person’s power? That wasn’t something one stumbled across in the Ascendant Zone, let alone the Mortal Zone.

Leon’s eyes narrowed, his tone measured.

"Is there a way to verify this?"

Racheal lowered her gaze. A faint tremor laced her voice as she answered.

"There is none. But the Seer said so. And the Seer’s gift... it’s a Saint-rank divination talent. She has never been wrong in her predictions."

A Saint rank? Leon’s thoughts flickered back to the Governor. Nikko’s father. His oppressive presence, his aura of inevitability. A Seer of that level wasn’t just some fortune-teller, they were a force, one whose visions bent the flow of destiny itself.

His gaze slid back to Racheal.

"Even if that’s true... can I take your words at face value?"

Before Racheal could answer, Nikko spoke. Her voice cut cleanly through the tension.

"She’s telling the truth."

Leon turned toward her, brow arching.

"And how can you tell?"

Nikko’s amber eyes narrowed in quiet focus. The faintest hum of her ability pulsed around her, subtle yet undeniable.

"Her heartbeat," she said simply.

Duhmb...

duhmb...

duhmb.

"It doesn’t waver. It sounds honest."

For a moment, Leon just studied her, searching her expression for any sign of doubt. But Nikko Yakomoto never spoke carelessly. When she nodded once, firm and steady, he exhaled and gave her the faintest smirk.

"Alright then. I’ll trust you on this, Nikki."

Nikko inclined her head in acknowledgment.

Leon pivoted back to Racheal, and though his voice was calm, the weight behind it left no room for misinterpretation.

"Let’s make this clear. If you try to pull anything funny... you won’t be the one laughing at the end."

Racheal swallowed hard, her throat tightening under his stare. She gave a small, quick nod, the edge of fear in her eyes betraying her resolve.

"Good." Leon straightened, his tone steady but sharp as a blade.

"Now—let’s set the terms of our agreement."

****

Leon had weighed his options carefully before striking an agreement with Rachel. The altar’s ownership wasn’t in question, he had claimed it the moment he struck down the guardian. No matter how many beasts Rachel, Jessica, and their fallen elf comrades had felled, only the one who delivered the final blow gained control. That was the rule of the Altar, and rules bent for no one.

The arrangement was simple but heavy with risk. First, Leon would allow Rachel and Jessica access to the trial. Without his consent, they would never step beyond the altar’s threshold. Second, in exchange, they would lead him to to a the place where one talent can be increased.

Leon couldn’t deny the fact that this was a significant boon. A way to rise beyond one’s limit? It sounded like the kind of fairytale desperate trial takers told each other before marching into an early grave. But when the princess showed them the map the seer had drawn for her, something she kept hidden even from her own cohort, the certainty in her voice left him unsettled.

Her companions hadn’t known her true reason for straying so close to human lands. They thought her quest foolish, her motives political, maybe even romantic. None of them had guessed the truth. If they had stopped to think, had truly questioned why the princess risked her life beyond the safety of their forest, things might have unfolded differently.

But now, they were gone, and only Rachel and Jessica remained.

Leon noticed the way Rachel’s fingers lingered protectively over the map, the way her emerald eyes narrowed each time his gaze lingered too long. She didn’t trust him, not fully. And she was right not to. With his power, he could snatch the map, kill her on the spot, and nothing would stop him. Even telling him of its existence had been a gamble. She had resolved that if he turned on her, she would burn the secret and die with it rather than hand it over.

But Leon wasn’t a villain. He wasn’t the kind to prey on allies, not unless they proved themselves enemies first. So instead of pressing further, he held out his hand, sealing their accord with nothing more than a simple nod.

"Alright," Leon said at last, his tone steady. "Since everything’s set... it’s time to tackle this trial."

He stepped toward the altar, his palm brushing the cold, rune-etched stone. Power thrummed beneath his skin as his will reached into it, commanding it to respond. A pulse of light rippled outward, threads of azure binding him to the trial. He extended that connection, weaving it to his squad, Elizabeth, Nikko, Adrian, Eden and Eleanor, and then, to the two elves.

The altar stirred, glyphs crawling across its surface like fireflies. The air grew heavy, humming with restrained force.

Then—

A voice echoed. Not through the air, but through their very souls. A sound older than language and deeper than bone.

"What do we have here..."

The words chilled them. Rachel’s breath caught, Jessica in her sleep state stiffened, and even Leon felt his heartbeat falter.

Before he could react, the altar’s light surged, swallowing them whole. Their vision fractured into streams of white and black.

A system notification seared across their minds, clear as the voice that had spoken:

[Due to outside interference, the Tier VII D-rank trial has been elevated to a Tier VII SSS-rank trial.]

[Good luck in your trials.]

And then, in the blink of an eye, they were gone.

****

A/N; Apologies for the late release. I knocked myself out trying to write 10,000 words for next month in a single day, and it turns out too many energy drinks aren’t good for you. I’d do it again, though, to show my appreciation for all the support you’ve given me.

Thank you.