Chapter 1086: Level 9 (4)
The majestic gateway at the end of the bridge swayed like an old door.
Kwoooong!
After vibrating a few times as if resisting, the gateway finally gave way, bursting open.
Long-lived Beings gasped with undisguised admiration at the vast hall that unfolded beyond.
“Oh, ohh…!!”
“This is it… the inside of the Eighth Tribulation… the Pal-geop (Eight Tribulations)…!!”
Even Long-lived Beings, who had lived for a long time, were seeing the Hall of the Eighth Tribulation for the first time.
Those who had entered this forbidden place, which one could not dare to set foot in without reaching Level 8, continuously let out gasps of awe.
“I can’t believe it. I never thought I’d see this place alive in my lifetime…”
“Look there. So many sanctuaries dedicated to the great founders…!!”
Statues of the founders who established Kundara were displayed on both sides of the hall, and the Universe of Mist shone through the glass ceiling.
A majestic nebula of mist enveloped this city, completed like a colossal satellite, endlessly rotating.
It was one of the few places from which the city could be observed and overlooked from the outside.
The Long-lived Beings, who had been engrossed in looking around the hall, fell silent upon seeing the group that entered last.
“Nothing has changed since we arrived last time.”
Lennok walked with an expressionless face, and Olivera stood beside him.
Everyone was particularly conscious of the wizard who stood at the rear of the group.
“…”
As Lennok walked past the Long-lived Beings, the surroundings became quiet.
Some avoided Lennok’s gaze, while others stared intently at his retreating figure.
The reactions of the Long-lived Beings, bordering on indifference or suspicion, varied, but there was one thing that remained consistently the same:
They couldn’t take their eyes off Lennok from the moment he challenged the Tribulation’s Trial of the Eighth Tribulation.
[Your gaze is so intense it’s practically painful.]
Olivera, walking beside him, seemed to feel it too, whispering in a telepathic transmission with a hint of a smile.
[Even if they can’t voice it, they know the meaning of what you’ve done.]
“…”
Lennok’s choice was to forcefully halt the Tribulation’s Trial itself, instead of merely passing the Trial of the Eighth Tribulation.
But with the gateway frozen open, Maleon’s attendants could also enter the Eighth Tribulation.
The very fact that they could enter a hall originally forbidden to those who hadn’t reached Level 8 was thanks to a Short-lived Being whose abilities they had doubted.
It was, in a way, natural for the Long-lived Beings’ attitudes towards Lennok to be conflicted and awkward.
Even Heoryeong, who had issued stern warnings before the trial began, couldn’t hide his agitation, let alone the others.
[The Long-lived Beings who have tirelessly challenged the Tribulation’s Trial designed by Jindun will find it even harder to believe.]
Olivera let out a cold laugh.
Her tone was strange, as if the fact itself was too amusing to bear.
[I’m looking forward to how these proud old folks will treat you from now on. It won’t be boring for a while.]
“I didn’t do it to break the pride of the Long-lived Beings, so it doesn’t matter.”
Lennok said, turning his gaze.
“What’s important is to increase the number of auxiliary personnel participating in the plan to raise the success rate. That’s why I did it in the first place.”
Lennok didn’t paralyze the Tribulation’s Trial of the Eighth Tribulation just to pass the trial alone.
Not only Olivera, but the Long-lived Beings gathered here possessed abilities or spellcraft to assist Maleon.
If they could help perform the necessary tasks directly within the Hall of the Eighth Tribulation, the success rate of the Promotion Ritual would increase even slightly.
[Do you trust those old folks that much regarding this plan?]
Olivera asked.
[If someone among them were to betray the Gemstone Dragon, the ritual could be in trouble.]
“Originally, Maleon and I would have had to handle all the intricate processes and rituals ourselves.”
Lennok replied.
“If we can divide that preparatory process and drastically reduce the required time, it’s a risk we can manage.”
[Hmm…]
Maleon’s plan assumed that the Promotion Ritual would take place at the Promotion Magic Circle located at the end of the Sanctuary of the Eighth Tribulation.
The Promotion Magic Circle, left by Jindun, could forcibly initiate the Promotion Ritual to challenge Level 9.
Normally, only Level 8 Arch-Wizards could enter the Eighth Tribulation, so Lennok and Maleon would have had to divide all the ritual preparations and processes.
“There might be some among Maleon’s followers who harbor ill intentions. I don’t deny that possibility. But…”
[But?]
“As long as I’m participating in the Promotion Ritual, finding a traitor won’t be difficult.”
Lennok’s expression turned cold.
“Even if someone tries to pull a trick, as long as I’m directly overseeing the ritual, I’ll definitely notice any anomalies.”
[So you’ll ignore the risk and save time because you can definitely root out traitors?]
Olivera shook her head.
[That’s truly your way of thinking. Or perhaps you’re just taking it easy because it’s not your own challenge?]
“…I’ve already agreed with Maleon in advance. He’s probably accounted for any variables in this matter.”
“What are you two discussing so amusingly?”
Suddenly, a dragon’s head appeared behind Lennok and spoke.
Maleon, who had somehow appeared behind the two, looked down at Lennok with a beaming smile.
“Maleon.”
“Perfect. So far, the results have been better than expected, I’d say.”
Maleon grinned, gesturing towards the murmuring Long-lived Beings in the distance.
“As you said before, the more ‘adjustments’ we can make inside the Eighth Tribulation, the closer we’ll get to optimal conditions. At this rate, things will become even easier.”
“…”
“And, this esteemed person is Van’s close friend, I presume?”
Maleon turned to Olivera, placed a hand on his chest, and bowed respectfully.
“I am Maleon Gnosis. I am the lord who leads the Eight Great Dragon Kings, and one of the Supreme Committee Members of the Elder Council.”
[…]
“Of course, I am also a fellow Elder Council member of Nives, whom you know well.”
[You already knew about me.]
“How could I not know about the holder of the Seven Debts Jewels Mystic Eye?”
Maleon looked up at Olivera’s sneer and smiled.
“There are those who remember your long travels through various Magic Towers and cities. I’ve also heard stories from the elders.”
[…]
“A failure who dreamed of an unchanging outcome and even altered their own origin. Originally, we were destined not to meet in such a place.”
Maleon’s eyes, meeting the Mystic Eye beyond the veil, momentarily deepened.
“But if twisted causality has led me to this moment, I intend to accept even that as part of the challenge.”
[You believe it doesn’t matter if you fail in this plan.]
Olivera replied with a cold telepathic transmission.
[Do you think maintaining such an attitude is meaningful for a challenge?]
“I’ve completed all possible preparations, so I’m simply trying not to obsess over minor details anymore.”
Maleon calmly responded to Olivera’s sharp words.
“If the success or failure of the plan is constrained by merely one or two variables, then it means I was a challenger who shouldn’t have succeeded from the start.”
[No. You must succeed.]
Olivera crossed her arms and tilted her head back.
[As long as I and Adamant Thunder are cooperating with your challenge, you must definitely become the bridge to the Ninth Tribulation from this position.]
“…”
[Feel the burden yourself and bear the responsibility. If you face this challenge by neglecting your duty as one who stands above, realize that you must achieve results, even in death.]
“That’s…”
Perhaps surprised to hear such words from Olivera, Maleon’s eyes widened momentarily, then he laughed.
“That’s a theory I’ve heard many times before. Were you perhaps from the Imperial Palace?”
[…]
Olivera did not reply.
Instead, with a cold, scoffing sigh, she simply turned her head and walked past Maleon.
Maleon silently watched her retreating figure, then looked at Lennok with a bitter smile.
“Just like Nives’ acquaintance. It feels like every word has poison, not just thorns.”
“You already know what happened to Nives Orosia.”
Lennok replied indifferently.
“Knowing that, you deliberately brought up her name to provoke her, so it’s only natural that you wouldn’t get a polite response. Is that even a question?”
Maleon Gnosis was the leader of the Eight Great Dragon Kings and also a powerful figure who held a position as a Supreme Committee Member of the Elder Council.
There was no way he wouldn’t know what state Nives had ended up in her Poison Jurisdiction.
Knowing that, he still acknowledged her by mentioning Nives to Olivera, so it was natural that her reply wasn’t gentle.
“Hmm, that wasn’t my intention. It seems there was some misunderstanding.”
Maleon scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“Her Mystic Eye, while constantly changing, conversely possesses an unchanging power because of that very change. For my challenge, it’s closer to a completely opposite, inverse compatibility.”
“…”
“Naturally, cooperating with this ritual isn’t good for her either. I was simply surprised that she’s with you despite undoubtedly knowing that.”
Maleon glanced over and asked.
“Can I interpret that as her being willing to grant your request to that extent?”
“…We did make a deal for this matter.”
Lennok replied, averting his gaze.
“So, where is the Promotion Magic Circle? I think I need to assess its condition first to estimate when the ritual might be possible.”
The task Maleon had requested from Lennok was to adjust the Promotion Magic Circle and assist in the ritual process.
Essentially, Maleon was entrusting Lennok with the first step of his challenge to ascension.
The success rate of the plan would depend on whether Lennok could adjust the magic circle and activate the Promotion Ritual.
Maleon seemed to understand Lennok’s words, immediately nodding and turning around.
“As I said, the Promotion Magic Circle is located at the end of the Sanctuary of the Eighth Tribulation. You’ll recognize it immediately when you see it.”
“I’ll recognize it immediately?”
“What do you think lies at the end of the Sanctuary of the Eighth Tribulation?”
“…”
Lennok, who had frowned at Maleon’s sudden question, slightly parted his lips.
Maleon looked at him, not waiting for an answer, and spoke.
“There’s a gate leading to the next.”
“…That is.”
“The Promotion Magic Circle is hidden before the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation. From now on, I will show you what that means.”
“Huff, huff…”
“Haaah…”
A vast hall adorned with mysterious statues of Long-lived Beings.
The deeper they went into the corridor, the harsher the sounds of breathing around them became.
High-ranking Long-lived Beings, pale-faced and profusely sweating.
Among them, many could no longer maintain their human forms and had reverted to their true bodies to move.
It was as if the deeper they entered the Eighth Tribulation, the harder it was to endure.
“Having entered the Eighth Tribulation without reaching Level 8, their minds and bodies can’t withstand the pressure.”
Maleon explained.
He infused his mana into the other pale Long-lived Beings, replenishing their vitality, and then spoke.
“To draw a comparison, it’s akin to the pain of your lungs collapsing under water pressure in the deep sea. Did I not need to explain this to you, who passed through Alohan’s Deep Sea Domain?”
“No, I understand what you mean.”
Lennok replied.
“It means if I enter the Ninth Tribulation like this, I’ll suffer a similar pain to theirs.”
“Unfortunately, it will likely be dozens of times worse than this.”
Maleon laughed, unceremoniously slinging the collapsed Heoryeong over his shoulder.
“Of course, I haven’t personally entered the Ninth Tribulation either, but according to an Ascendant who has been there, it will surely be so.”
“…An Ascendant who has been there.”
The Fearsome Blood King had said he borrowed the help of an Ascendant to transport Kaiser’s body to the Tenth Coffer of the Ninth Tribulation.
Was the Ascendant the vampire spoke of the same being Maleon was now mentioning?
Before Lennok could ask about it, Maleon naturally explained.
“Crimson is an existence with an anomalous origin even among Ascendants, so if you use special methods, you can borrow his power.”
“…”
“His personality is peculiar, and he enjoys wandering outside the continent, making interaction difficult, but he is also a Transcendent who can still be communicated with if the procedures are followed.”
Ascendant Crimson.
Lennok had heard that name from Anathema’s memories.
The Transcendent who had lent his power to act as an agent of authority and attest to existence, enabling Anathema’s exile.
Had he visited Kundara at some point and explored the Spacetime of the Ninth Tribulation?
“I’ve heard that the environment inside the Ninth Tribulation is unimaginably cruel, and non-living things live and wander there.”
“…”
“The Elder Council left the Ninth Tribulation empty because the founders didn’t account for its environment becoming so corrupted during the design of Kundara.”
“You mean the environment of the Ninth Tribulation has changed from its original state?”
“Well, according to Crimson, that place is already…”
Maleon paused, searching for words, then shook his head and stood up.
“No, there’s no reason to worry about things that haven’t happened yet. There’s no need to assume the worst-case scenario already.”
“You feel that just speaking of the Ninth Tribulation can destabilize your mind and body.”
“Don’t worry. I just wanted to promise you that I will assist you even after entering the Ninth Tribulation.”
Maleon grinned.
“My becoming an Ascendant isn’t the end of everything. As promised, I must escort you to the deepest part of the Ninth Tribulation, mustn’t I?”
“…”
“So I was simply making that promise, rest assured. I won’t suddenly go silent and pretend not to know you just because I’ve become an Ascendant.”
Lennok watched Maleon, who was chuckling and stroking his chin, then shook his head.
Kaiser’s body was enshrined in the Tenth Coffer of the Ninth Tribulation.
It wasn’t over just by passing through the Ninth Tribulation; he had to find the Tenth Coffer within it.
But as Maleon explained, if non-living things lived and wandered there, what could be the reason?
Maleon Gnosis seemed like a considerably good-natured person to Lennok, but there were still lingering doubts about him.
Should he doubt this aspect until the very end before the Promotion Ritual, or should he uncover the truth after successfully completing the ritual?
As Lennok was lost in thought, Maleon carefully patted Heoryeong’s shoulder, whom he was carrying.
“Heoryeong. Are you feeling better?”
“…Lord Maleon.”
“You don’t look well. How about returning now?”
Heoryeong struggled to lift his head, and Maleon asked with a concerned expression.
“I don’t want to lose you in a place like this. Originally, this was a challenge I intended to undertake alone, so it won’t be a problem if you return.”
“Lord Maleon is risking his life, so how could I spare myself…”
Heoryeong said with difficulty.
“My spellcraft… will be helpful… if I can… increase your luck… before the ritual…”
“…”
Heoryeong was an administrator of the Seventh Tribulation, but his martial power didn’t seem high. So, he was a Long-lived Being who used luck-related spellcraft.
Maleon also couldn’t deny that Heoryeong’s spellcraft would be helpful, so he fell silent.
Maleon silently watched the panting Heoryeong, then spoke in a subdued voice.
“It can’t be helped.”
Maleon, carrying the aged elder with one hand, began to form hand seals with his other empty hand.
As he moved, as if tapping the air, the hand seals changed and converted at an incredible speed.
Paaah-ah-ah-ah-at!!!!
At that moment, a colorless ripple explosively burst forth from Maleon’s feet.
The ripple instantly covered the Hall of the Eighth Tribulation, spreading as if to protect the Long-lived Beings following Maleon.
Lennok, realizing the meaning of the hand seals, turned his gaze, and Maleon concluded his incantation without hesitation.
“Domain Acti—”
Crunch!
At that moment, a thick hoof appeared from somewhere and stomped on Maleon’s hand.
Crushed by the strong pressure, Maleon’s hand shattered and twisted, emitting a shockwave as it hit the floor.
Paaah-ah-ah-ng!!!
“…!!!”
The shape of a hoof enveloped in vivid blue flames.
A gigantic reindeer stood, looking down impassively at Maleon’s stomped hand.
Blue flames ceaselessly blazed atop the massive antlers rising from the reindeer’s head, softly illuminating the surroundings.
Lennok frowned, drawing forth his mana.
“…Right, there’s no way it would just pass by.”
The incredible speed and leg strength that crushed Maleon’s hand without giving him a chance to react.
The swift reaction that moved freely within the space of the Eighth Tribulation and stopped Maleon’s Domain deployment.
Even the presence of strange blue flames blazing from both its hooves and antlers.
By any measure, this was no ordinary Long-lived Being.
Just as Lennok thought so and was about to step forward, Maleon spoke first.
“I didn’t expect you to see us off to such a place.”
It was an extremely polite remark, considering it was directed at the one who had just crushed his hand.
But the reindeer retorted sharply, as if it were only natural.
“I merely came to monitor, not to see you off.”
“…”
“I prevented you from doing something foolish, so you should rather be grateful for my consideration.”
The reindeer’s eyes, looking down at Maleon, glowed calmly.
“Even after Nives fell into such a state, you still haven’t learned your lesson.”
“Lo-Lord Regnus…!!”
Heoryeong, who had been panting behind Maleon, recognized the reindeer and gasped in shock.
“A Supreme Committee Member of the Elder Council is still here…!!”
Only then did Lennok realize who the reindeer blocking Maleon was and frowned.
The highest decision-making body of Kundara, permitted to reside and enter the Eighth Tribulation.
One of the only five Supreme Committee Members of the Elder Council in Outer Tribulation City had personally appeared before the group.
“It’s not strange for me to remain here as the administrator of the Eighth Tribulation.”
The Long-lived Being called Regnus said coldly.
“Isn’t it rather more unacceptable for beings who didn’t pass the trial through legitimate means to enter the hall?”
“…”
“However, I wouldn’t have moved myself if it wasn’t for a matter of greater importance.”
“A matter of importance, you say?”
“The time of the Ninth Tribulation moves again, and Jindun’s will pulsates within the sanctuary.”
The gigantic reindeer’s blue gaze seemed to sweep over Lennok.
“It seems there is one among you who has received the Ascendant’s grace.”