Although Ethan wasn't clear about who had left behind this Hot Spring Ruins, through the various traces within the ruin trials, it could be easily discerned that the Hot Spring Ruins trials were in the process of selection.
It might be selecting students, or perhaps selecting heirs…
Regardless, either option required undergoing tests first.
Daring to conjecture even further, the actual test seemed to have commenced the very moment everyone entered the ruins, and these five arranged trials seemed more like deliberate probations.
Once this thought surfaced, Ethan's mind suddenly became clear.
However, seeing that everyone was eager to enter the next trial without delay, Ethan did not voice out to interrupt.
The subsequent two trials were not much different from the previous ones.
Ethan accomplished the challenges outstandingly; however, the comprehensive assessment did not yield as high a praise as the first trial.
Of course, there was no reoccurrence of a situation like the one with Aisya either.
After the completion of the fourth trial, everyone gathered once again in the waiting area.
Dark Lord Rock couldn't help but show a smile, saying boastfully, "These four trials were just appetizers, not too difficult. As long as we arrange it reasonably, we can score high. But the last trial that follows is a group test, so I hope everyone will not take it lightly."
"Don't worry, Rock, we are not arrogant people," Dark Lord Blood nodded, a smile also hanging on his face.
It was apparent that his assessment score was quite good. And a good score implied good rewards.
Before long, the waiting area transformed once again, and a gigantic light gate appeared before everyone.
Beyond the gate was a majestic city where numerous soldiers were patrolling back and forth.
As Ethan and the others curiously observed, a mechanical voice resounded,
"[The final trial!]
[Pass through the light gate and join the human faction to collectively defend Maya City! You are required to survive for at least fourteen days. Killing monsters during this period will earn you points, which can be exchanged for corresponding items upon completion of the fourteen-day survival quest.]"
"Is the last trial actually involving joining a battle?" Ethan couldn't help but express his astonishment.
Dark Lord Blood, however, seemed somewhat indifferent as he said, "Black Dragon, there's no need to worry. Our quest isn't to kill those ferocious monsters; we only need to survive for fourteen days."
This statement left Ethan utterly bewildered, as he counter-asked, "But isn't killing monsters a way to accumulate points?"
Hearing Ethan's words, Dark Lord Rock chuckled before shaking his head and explaining, "Black Dragon, you are mistaken. While killing monsters indeed awards points, you first have to ensure you possess the strength to slay those creatures, and moreover, to survive on the battlefield — which is no easy feat."
"There have been those who tried in the past, yet they couldn't make it past the first day."
"The monsters on the battlefield are extremely powerful, possessing formidable vitality. It would be best to abandon any plans to hunt them. Simply staying safely within the city for fourteen days will suffice."
"Of course, if we encounter isolated monsters, we can join forces to handle them."
"This is the most prudent strategy!" Dark Lord Rock stated earnestly, not wishing for chaos to emerge in the final trial.
"I agree." The hitherto silent Dark Lord Vulture chimed in, donned in a robe with somewhat sparse short hair on his head, aligning well with his Vulture codename.
Subsequently, both Dark Lord Blood and Dark Lord Ice also echoed their agreement with Dark Lord Rock's suggestion.
Now only Ethan and Sherry remained to give their stances.
"I agree too." Ethan had no choice but to reluctantly concur.
However, deep within, a fervent desire for battle persisted.
Hiding timidly within the city walls was not his way of doing things.
Moreover, he was eager to see if those monsters truly were as formidable as described.
After all, he was quite powerful now, wasn't he?
Upon reaching a unified decision, the group of six stepped directly into the beam of light, instantly finding themselves in the midst of Maya City.
"This feels so incredibly real. If I didn't know we were in a trial, and that there has never been a Maya City on the continent, I might have thought we've entered another world," Dark Lord Blood remarked wistfully. The scent of blood that pervaded the air indulged him, offering a semblance of home.
"Alright, the plan now is to act freely; everyone should do as they please. Just refrain from leaving the city to provoke those monsters; that would be seeking trouble," Dark Lord Rock articulated before leading the way towards the central area of Maya City, gradually distancing himself from the group.
"I have a feeling Rock knows more about Maya City than he's letting on, but he hasn't shared that information with us," Dark Lord Ice noted, her voice tinged with a piercing sharpness.
Dark Lord Blood nodded in agreement, uttering, "Well, it's perfectly normal. Everyone has their little secrets, no need to delve deep. Moreover, Rock shared the vital information about the strength of the monsters instead of sending me into a death trap through deceit — that's more than enough."
"I'll leave you guys to chat, I'm going to explore the city too," Dark Lord Vulture said as he excused himself and ventured off.
The remaining individuals seemed to lose the desire to converse further, scattering in different directions to delve into the vastness of Maya City.
"Ethan, what are you pondering over?" Sherry inquired with concern, noticing Ethan lingering in the same spot even after everyone had dispersed.
Ethan's gaze fixated on the grandiose walls of Maya City, his eyes harboring a fusion of curiosity and bewilderment as he posed a question, "Sherry, do you think this Maya City was conjured by the forces within the ruins, or does it truly exist?"
"I can't provide an answer," Sherry responded, shaking her head before earnestly adding, "But if I were to trust my intuition, this city seems to have genuinely existed at some point, possibly having met its destruction already."
"However, if such a magnificent city existed, it should have been documented in history."
"You have a point," Ethan agreed with a smile.
In an instant, it occurred to him that if Baal were here, he might be able to discern some issues.
However, according to the information relayed by Mia and Eluna, upon returning from the Red Jade Valley, little Baal had also fallen into a deep slumber.
Victor assured that it was a sign of Baal's imminent metamorphosis and there was no need for excessive worry; albeit, it would be a long process that could last several months or even a year or two.
"Let's go, we should head in too," Ethan cast aside the tumultuous thoughts swirling in his mind and turned to say to Sherry.
They subsequently walked toward the city gate.
The immense city looked like a massive beast, with its majestic walls stretching far beyond sight.
The numerous pits and holes that riddled the surface bore witness to the relentless battering it had endured over time.
Upon reaching the gate, they encountered a troop of soldiers retreating from the front lines.
As the troop was departing, Ethan slowed his pace, calling out to a soldier who had his arm bandaged, offering him a bottle of healing potion and saying, "I have a healing potion here. It might help ease your wounds."
The soldier halted, expressing his gratitude joyfully, "Thank you so much, I really need this."
With a nod and a smile, Ethan responded, "I could tell. By the way, could you tell me about the current situation at the front lines?"
The soldier's smile faded at the question.
He began, "The situation at the front is far from optimistic. Those monsters are incredibly powerful, and they vastly outnumber us. Were it not for the Beast Crossbow left behind by Lord Sano, holding the front lines would have been impossible. But now, many of the Beast Crossbows have broken, and the monsters are on the verge of invading Maya City. When that happens, we all are doomed."
The soldier clearly harbored a pessimistic view of the circumstances at the front lines.
Just as Ethan was about to probe further, the captain of the troop approached and inquired sternly, "Mawei, what are you doing?"
Caught off guard, Mawei had no choice but to rejoin the formation.
The captain turned to Ethan and Sherry, his gaze filled with disdain and a deep-seated loathing that lingered beneath.
"With all due respect, outsiders, Maya City is no place for tourists. I'd advise you to leave as soon as possible, lest you find yourselves inexplicably killed at the hands of the attacking monsters," he said extremely unfriendly before leading his troops away without giving them a chance to retort.
"How could he act like that? We clearly haven't done anything wrong; we even gave one of his soldiers a healing potion. Shouldn't he be thanking us?" Sherry said, her face flushed with indignation at the captain's behavior.
Ethan's expression was serious as he replied, "It's precisely because we haven't done anything that he reacted like that."
"What do you mean?" Sherry asked, confused.
Pointing at the dilapidated city walls, Ethan elaborated, "Look there, at those splotchy traces on the walls; those were left by the monsters. Those soldiers are on the front lines, atop these walls, desperately holding off the monster's onslaught. Yet the people in this city, or to be more precise, we who are here for the trial, have done nothing."
"This is not what a trial should look like!" Sherry exclaimed, then quickly asked, "So you plan to…"
"I've decided to go to the front lines to take a look. Sherry, will you come with me?" Ethan voiced his decision.
Without hesitation, Sherry nodded, her voice firm and resolved as she said, "Together. I want to see just how formidable these monsters truly are."
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺