Chapter 430: Misha's Trial (2)
"Too hard..."
"Black Screen incoming! Black Screen incoming!"
"Fuck! Don’t splash magma on me, you bastard!"
"GG."
"I'm on Fire too!!"
Dreams were beautiful. Reality was brutal. One after another, wails echoed through the cave as the front-line Solo Players were wiped out almost instantly.
Most of them lacked sufficient Red Dragon Bloodline potency—too weak to endure the intense heat, and unable to breathe the scorching, toxic volcanic gas.
It was like they hadn’t even begun the Trial before being mercilessly eliminated.
The magma within the cave flowed slowly, its surface broken only by narrow pathways of solidified molten lava. Many players fell in—sizzling with a hiss, their bodies charred black—before being swallowed whole, vanishing like they’d never existed.
"Is the first stage already this brutal?"
"Let’s bail."
"Same here."
"This Trial’s clearly just for the elites—time to quit."
"Damn it, the Official really doesn’t treat us like people. So strict on level caps—should’ve gone to the Forum and roasted him."
"O eternal heavens, why are you so cruel to me?"
"Are the Officials trying to close the door on all Civilians?"
Numerous players watching from the cave’s entrance, realizing they had no chance, refused to waste their Experience Points or respawn opportunities. They called for allies and turned back—calling it a “strategic retreat.”
But those still inside, enduring the inferno, were mostly veterans from the Internal Test phase—longtime players who’d fought their way through every trial, or elite members of elite guilds, meticulously trained and nurtured by their organizations.
And how they crossed the Path of Burning? Each used their own unique supernatural ability—eight immortals, eight paths.
"Aaaagh!"
Stuffed Bun and Singo rode atop a Wyvern, clinging to the cave’s rocky walls, bypassing the magma and heat entirely.
Xia Ye Qiu Yu coated herself in a Heat-Resistant and Breath-Holding Elixir, stepping forward with careful precision.
"Watch me!"
Tian Sheng Zhan Kuang, brimming with confidence, leapt over several molten lava plates in one bound—covering nearly ten meters with a single leap, utterly unbothered by the heat.
But the players of Mechanical Divinity? They went full absurd.
The lead player raised his arm in a roar. The rest pulled out miniature, handcrafted mechanical clocks and began striking them in rapid succession.
"Glory to the God of All Machines! Ring the great bell four times!"
"Come forth—Fireproofer!"
"Boom!"
They raised their hands high, and from the sky descended a massive, multi-crew Aether Armor. Its frame was forged from heat-resistant materials. Lightning-emitting gemstone nodes pulsed at its fists, while its wrist-watch was shielded by a protective field barrier that deflected flames.
Inside the armor’s core—the heart of the machine—sat the guild’s Sorcerer destined for advancement. A petite female player, short hair, black-rimmed glasses. Her nickname? 【Art is Explosion】.
"Hahahaha! Who can defeat us with the Fireproofer?"
"Guardians of the Faith, charge!"
The custom-built Fireproofer charged forward like a bull, its rear thrusters erupting in bright flares as it plunged into the cave.
"Unbelievable... Mechanical Divinity."
"Seriously rich."
Stuffed Bun stared at the massive armor, his voice dripping with envy.
Since the founding of Claudew Military Industry Group, the members of Mechanical Divinity had grown wealthier than ever—now beyond the reach of ordinary players. After all, as overseers of the Empire’s military technology, many held high-ranking positions within the defense conglomerate.
It was said that the guild leader, Steel Tide, had spent a staggering three thousand gold coins just to craft this one Fireproofer.
But Royal Power wasn’t backing down.
"Glory to Royal Power!"
"Hero Immortality!"
"The Dragon Oath Mage spot is ours!"
Their Paladin raised his shield, emitting a fire-resistant aura. Mages waved their staves, conjuring fierce winds that swept away the volcanic gas.
Behind the shield, two Dragonblood Sorcerers extended their arms, manipulating the fire around them.
"Advance! Advance!"
With their high-tier gear, advanced classes, and coordinated magic, they formed a near-impenetrable mobile fortress—capable of blocking any external threat.
"Whoa..."
Lonely Like Snow watched the spectacle with wide eyes.
"Guild Leader, we’re supposed to be an elite guild too. Why do we feel so small? Look at their setup—ugh."
Charlotte remained calm, her expression serene. "Hmph. Just flashy showmanship. The outcome’s still uncertain."
"This spellcaster advancement? Magic Coin is taking it by force."
"I’m the Guild Leader—personally here to assist. Isn’t that enough prestige?"
Well… maybe not.
—Not that it had anything to do with Charlotte recently failing to survive another Crate run and blowing her entire savings.
Charlotte and the entire Magic Coin coven raised their staves in unison.
【Flight Spell】
One by one, the players rose into the air—hovering mid-cave. Even Lonely Like Snow, encased in heavy armor, floated effortlessly.
"Watch this."
"This is no ordinary item. I spent a fortune in Experience Points—got it from Lanpu himself."
Charlotte waved her staff again, whispering an ancient incantation. The magic crystal at its tip flared with a deep, pulsing violet light.
【Nezran Purple Crystal Aura】
A radiant, crystal-like purple aura enveloped the group—granting temporary immunity to poison and disease.
"Mingyue, your turn."
Charlotte signaled.
The deputy leader of Magic Coin, Mingyue, immediately understood. She raised her inlaid wood wand, which began to glow.
【Fire Damage Protection】
A translucent, luminous membrane appeared around her—absorbing limited fire damage, shielding the entire group as they crossed the Path of Burning.
More mages followed, casting Shield Spells and Spirit Armor spells in rapid succession.
This was Magic Coin’s true strength.
Aside from their unfortunate Guild Leader, the guild boasted the Magic Affairs Office, housing over a dozen Level 8 Limit spellcasters—some of the most powerful mages in the realm.
Lonely Like Snow looked down at his body, now layered with shimmering auras of protection. A satisfied nod.
"Better. Much better."
Then, under his breath:
"Good thing the Sister Witch didn’t come."
Indeed, Core of Magic Coins’ famed Lucky Warrior, the Flying Witch, was absent.
Charlotte and her team had investigated the Trial thoroughly. One mistake could mean total annihilation. Even when the Flying Witch begged to be included, Charlotte refused—no risk, no exceptions.
In the end, out of three hundred players, only eighty made it through. The remaining two hundred were eliminated.
Xia Ye Qiu Yu cast Flight Spell on herself, floating above the magma.
She stared into the flame-lit depths of the cave, her brow furrowed—something had caught her eye.
Something… alive… moving beneath the molten surface.
"Look over there."
—Requesting Moon Tickets—
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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