R-a - Volume 4 - Chapter 32 (Patreon)

R-a - Volume 4 - Chapter 32 (in editing-v2)

“Here we are!” Micheal’s eyes lit up with delight as he came to a stop, staring at a blank stone wall.

“The Soul King’s Inheritance!”

His excited proclamation was met with a rather still silence.

Micheal’s intense scan of the wall was interrupted as Serena casually nudged him with her big toe.

“Micheal… uh…” Serena stared back at him, the wall, and then the Shadow Guards that were forming up in platoons behind him.

“I don’t know how to break this to you, but…” Her eyes glimmered as she followed Micheal’s gaze.

“This is…”

“...”

“A wall.”

The stone wall was marked with cracks and creases, weathered and aged by the sands of time. From first glance, it didn’t seem any different than the many other stone boulders and cliffs around it.

Micheal snorted, wiping a grin off his face as he turned to look at Serena.

“It’s a wall, yeah, but it’s a sort of… err…” Micheal waved his hands in the air,

“A magic wall.”

“A magic wall?” Serena squinted at Micheal.

“To open it up and get into the Inheritance…” Micheal took a step forward, placed his hand atop a series of small cracks in the stone, and began to wait.

After a few seconds, warm, yellow light began to morph into existence, faint, mystical glyphs appearing in space.

Micheal snatched his hand back in a flash, causing the symbols to disappear.

“You just have to put your hand on it.” His grin widened as he saw Serena’s shocked appearance.

Technically, you had to rest your hand here after killing the Shadow Seeker that targeted you at least once, to activate the glitched protocol of the Inheritance, but Micheal opted to skip the details.

The Disciple Apparent of the Wise Lady walked up next to Micheal and began placing her own hand on the wall. Behind her, Micheal waved over Lieutenant Minesville, starting a short discussion to coordinate the movements of the other 100 Farian Shadow Guards.

“...”

Serena stared at the glowing yellow glyphs that started forming.

She jerked her hand back, after a second.

Then, she daintily put her hand back on the wall, her eyes lighting up as the bright symbols once more floated into existence.

“Well, okay then.” She pursed her lips in amusement,

“I guess it’s a magic wall.”

.. .. .. .. .. ..

The main room inside the Soul King’s Inheritance was just as Micheal remembered.

A large stone platform, grey stone walls and a grey stone floor, carved with symbols and glyphs that gave off light. The circular room was large but not enormous at 25 meters wide.

There was no sign of Shin and Sophia, but that didn’t worry Micheal. The duo were probably within the Second Gate right now, after finishing their time-accelerated journey through the First Gate.

Micheal’s gaze zeroed in on the five archways that lined the room, the Five Gates.

“Mmm… Second… Third… Fourth.” His eyes lit up as he stared down the Fourth Gate, excitement starting to bubble in his veins.

Micheal fully intended to take advantage of the First Gate's time-accelerated training space... but he would do that after he conquered the Fourth Gate and obtained the Crown of the Angel King, to maximize efficiency. He only had one shot at each Gate. 

“Woah… this place is kinda spooky.” Behind Micheal, Serena stared around as the Soul King’s Inheritance, blinking several times as she cleared her vision.

Lieutenant Minesville, alongside a dozen Shadow Guards, appeared on the platform next to them. The Shadow Guards split to form a two pronged perimeter, one inside the Inheritance and one outside, maintaining a steady watch and guard over the area.

Those outside were destined to be confronted by Shadow Seekers, but the elite Farian warriors would have no problems defending a set zone from them, at least for a few days. Eventually, the Shadow Seekers' continuous growth might prove troublesome, but by that point, Micheal’s business at this location would be over.

That said, the Farian’s business might still be ongoing.

The Farian Shadow Guards, and Disciple Apparent Serena, hadn’t travelled with Micheal just because Serena enjoyed sparring with him.

Before Micheal set out from the territory of the Farian Tribes, he had explained the focus of his journey. Specifically, he told them about the two main destinations he planned on visiting, first the Nirvana Saint and second the Soul King’s Inheritance, in order to prepare for his assault on the Sanctum, where he could obtain the Title System. 

The Nirvana Saint was influential enough to serve as the ambassador for Humanity to the Farians, something the Lord Justiciar was trying to secure. The Farians had already established communication lines with one of the other invading races, the Rakkonians to the South, and intended to do the same for humanity.

The goal of the being that dragged all of them into the 7 Layers appeared to be to host some sort of genocidal death game. The participating races, however, didn’t necessarily have to comply with that.

At least early on, there was still hope for peace in Micheal, and many others’, eyes.

When humanity and the other races arrived on their First Layer, they were all imparted with the same mental message.

The only way out of the 7 Layers was to reach the end of the 7th Layer.

And… only one species could achieve that.

Every race was given that message and understanding upon arriving in the 7 Layers.

However…

Just because they were told that didn’t mean every race would obediently give way and obey that declaration. In the first place, they were all brought here against their will. No one consented to being dragged into the 7 Layers.

Resistance was only natural.

“Now, remember, Serena. Under no circumstances should you ever enter the Fifth Gate.” Micheal pointed to the archway marked fifth, his eyes deadly serious.

“I know, I know. You don’t need to keep telling me.” Serena returned with a petulant snort, tiny red Phoenix Flames piping out of her nose and then promptly vanishing.

“Just make sure you don’t enter it, under any circumstances.” Micheal reiterated.

The Fifth Gate was called the Gate of Death for good reason: no one who had entered the Fifth Gate ever returned alive. Micheal was unaware of even a single occurrence throughout history where someone entered the Fifth Gate and came back.

It was a mysterious Gate that was best left untouched.

“We’re here to set up a research base, not to get into any trouble. Stop worrying over every little thing.” Serena raised her fingers and flicked Micheal’s right shoulder, grinning at him playfully.

“Everything’s going to be fine.”

Micheal rubbed his forehead at her ominous words, mentally reminding himself that jinxes weren’t real.

‘Wait, they are real.’ In the 7 Layers, it was indeed possible to unintentionally curse oneself.

He rubbed his forehead even harder.

‘At least my new Heartflame Physique enhances my resistance to curses.’ He consoled himself with confidence that he didn’t feel.

“Alright, well… before I enter the Fourth Gate, why don’t we run through the checklist we made?” Micheal turned an inquisitive eye to the newest potential member to his team.

“We can only enter each Gate a single time.” Serena began, counting off on her fingers as she mentioned each point.

Micheal nodded.

“Only enter the First Gate if you’re mentally prepared for the solitude.” She raised a second finger.

“Correct. The Second Gate is for…?” Micheal raised an eyebrow.

“Healing and rejuvenation. Make sure to stay in it until you get kicked out for the maximum benefits.” Serena raised a third finger.

“Enter the Fourth Gate after…?” Micheal asked.

“After gearing up properly and readying my mental state. Also, concede if you're in danger.” Serena held up a fourth finger, while making a fighting, karate-chop-like motion with her free hand.

“And finally?” Micheal grinned at her antics.

“Don’t stay outside for too long, the Shadow Seekers are always dangerous.” The pretty female Farian raised up her fifth finger triumphantly, giving Micheal a snarky grin.

“Perfect. I guess you were listening to me all those times, huh?” Micheal clapped his hands together.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. You’re lucky that you’re talented enough to teach me. I don’t just listen to anyone.” Serena glared at him before turning away, hiding a small smile.

Micheal shifted his focus back to the Fourth Gate, clenching his hands unconsciously.

‘Let’s prepare.’

He walked down the steps that led up to the raised platform he had arrived on, stretching his arms and legs as he moved. He checked on his gear after, noting the condition of all of his Artifacts. His Life Orb count was currently full and ready, meaning he had a flurry of extra lives to spare.

‘My Silk Strider Gloves are fine, as are the Spider Gems attached to them. There’s enough metal in there to last a while longer.’ Micheal nodded to himself before glancing down at his feet.

While he hadn’t found himself needing to use them recently, he still wore a pair of Cloud Stepping Shoes. The ability to jump off of thin air once every few seconds was a very useful function, especially for an Artifact that only cost 25,800 Points.

He tapped on his chest, feeling the Aura Nullification Necklace that he wore at all times still present. His Mid-Tier Spatial Ring still contained a host of random Artifacts from Yvvtal's Inheritance, but nothing he needed to use right now. 

Finally, he ran his fingers along the hilt of the extraordinary sword that the Lord Justiciar had gifted him, Lightshorn.

‘It’s time I put you to good use.’ Micheal’s eyes gleamed as he studied the Blood-Refined Mithril sword, tapping on its hilt ever so slightly.

A quiet, but resounding metal ‘ting’ echoed out in response.

“I’m ready.”

Micheal stopped in front of the Fourth Gate, staring at it for a few seconds. He flicked his gaze to the side as he sensed Serena walking up behind him.

He turned around and give her a reassuring smile.

“I’ll be in and out in no time.” The Fourth Gate didn’t operate on the same accelerated time principles as the First Gate, but it still wouldn’t take too much time for him to complete. At most, he would be in there for a full day.

“I know, but…” Serena frowned before reaching up and flicking him on the shoulder again.

“Stay safe.” 

Micheal’s real body would enter into the Fourth Gate, without the body Stasis/soul projection shenanigans of the First Gate.

For any being that challenged the Fourth Gate, death was a very real possibility. It was possible to concede a Duel, or be incapacitated without dying and get automatically ejected… but it was also possible to simply die as well.

Micheal chuckled, replying,

“I’ll stay safe... or die trying.”

He ignored the glare she sent after him as he took a step forward and promptly passed through the archway heralding the Fourth Gate.

A flash of light swarmed over his eyes and then...

The world around Micheal vanished.

A split second later, the world instantly reappeared, shifting wildly as Micheal was transported away, finding himself in a setting he had not seen for a long, long time.

A large, empty dirt arena, surrounded by high stone walls and an empty, blue sky overhead.

As soon as he arrived, the world froze, space inside freezing for a few seconds.

‘I’m really back here again.’

The spatial freezing signalled the start of the 1v1 duel challenge that was held within the Fourth Gate.

Micheal’s heart rate spiked as he felt it, adrenaline pumping in his veins as he prepared for combat.

As the familiar sensations settled upon his shoulders, Micheal stared out across the arena to a figure standing opposite him.

A black robed being that was clad in dark shadows, giving off faint particles of black essence. Its vague, shadowy figure wielded a large grey staff in one hand and a shimmering white orb in the other.

While Micheal couldn’t make out any eyes, his sixth sense flared within him, letting him know that the creature was studying him just as he studied it.

‘Here it is. The first Duel.’

Micheal’s eyes blazed as he stared at the recreated foe in front of him, a being that was ‘recorded’ by the Soul King himself.

A Dark Wraith Sorcerer.

‘Wait for it…’

Micheal stared the creature down, both of them frozen as time seemed to stretch on endlessly, gazing at each other silently.

‘Wait for it…’

His memories fluttered as he recalled the fight he had fought against this exact same being before, in the first timeline, when he challenged the Fourth Gate.

‘Wait for it…’

Micheal’s eyes flickered, his body tensing up as he prepared to-

The world unfroze.

‘Go.’

The Duel began.

.