The next day, the four of them left the base, finding themselves in the same zero-gravity zone they had been in before entering.
—Where should we do the test? This place seems a bit inconvenient— Deuz commented briefly as the door to the base disappeared.
—Hmmm, maybe in the area where we entered. That's where we did the last test— Shoun suggested. The others agreed, so they set off toward that location.
—Hey, Shoun... do you think we can pass the test?— Sein asked in a low voice as they floated. Unlike his usual cheerful demeanor, there was a deep concern in his eyes— I mean, we've prepared a lot. You even got a new weapon. But what if it's not enough?
—...— Shoun remembered asking Kaze something similar just a week ago. In his memory, it already felt like a long time due to everything they'd been through. Without answering immediately, Shoun flashed a big smile and looked at his friend— Of course we can! Just trust in us and yourself!
—...Alright!— Shoun's confidence eventually rubbed off on Sein, and the boy regained his usual lively personality.
The group didn't take long to leave the zero-gravity zone and reach their destination. After exchanging glances, they all nodded.
—Let me try to activate the test... it should be ready now— In front of the four of them, the following message from the Codex appeared:
[«Residence Test: Face the trial alongside your companions to freely enter and exit this world. The test consists of surviving and defeating the vestige.»
«Accept?» «Yes/No» «1/4»]
—(The message is a bit different this time... I guess since there are more of us, it had to change)— Since Shoun was the one who initiated the test request, he didn't have to accept directly, though he could still see the option to reject the test—(Does that mean I could choose not to participate?... Bah, I'd rather die than leave my friends alone.)
Without much thought, everyone accepted. Just like last time, a red barrier began to form in the sky, but unlike the previous test, this one covered a much larger area, engulfing many streets and buildings, as well as a large part of the park.
In the next moment, a powerful wind began to fill the entire barrier, momentarily blinding the group. A few meters in front of them, the dust began to gather, slowly forming a black figure. At the same time, a screen appeared in front of everyone's eyes.
[Vestige: Kalgoros, Tyrant of Adversity»
«Characteristics: Alpha Brute, born of chaos itself. Its name inspires terror and is a sign of calamity. Wherever it goes, only ashes and flames remain.]
In front of the group, the dust continued to form a black figure. At one point, the dust turned into pure darkness, which moved with the strong wind, briefly being inhaled by the boys. The small gust of darkness sent chills down their spines, making their backs break out in cold sweat and giving them goosebumps.
Eyes formed in the middle of the massive mass of darkness, and a huge black mane covered part of it as four enormous legs took shape. Finally, a large tail was created, dissipating the last remnants of the deep darkness.
The black lion, Kalgoros, stared at them with lifeless yet ferocious eyes. The entire dome was dead silent until Shoun muttered a brief phrase.
—A-alpha brute... Isn't that a bit too strong?— His words echoed through the massive barrier. Without answering, the situation changed in an instant. Shoun was grabbed by the hood of his sweatshirt by Kaze, while Deuz did the same with Sein. Without a word, the two apprentices began running, dragging the other two with them— Huh? What are you—
Before he could finish, a deafening roar silenced him. It made him feel small, as if it were forcing him to kneel before his new sovereign. Kaze and Deuz felt the same but kept running as if their lives depended on it—because they did.
Despite dragging Sein and Shoun, the apprentices quickly reached high speeds, fleeing as far as possible from their new enemy. After a few minutes, they looked at each other and stopped in a distant spot, still within the barrier. Exhausted, they dropped the seekers.
—...What just happened? Why did you run?— Sein asked from the ground.
—That vestige... it's too strong— Kaze explained briefly in his monotone voice, though everyone could see his nerves from the slight tremors in his legs.
—It's definitely stronger than expected. Didn't you say you faced an alpha wretch in your last test?— Deuz asked. Surprisingly, his usual calm smile was almost gone, and beads of sweat rolled down his face.
—Yeah, that hydra was the last thing that stopped us from leaving this place the last time.
—But it's just an alpha brute. We've already killed a brute before. How hard could this one be?— Sein asked innocently. Curiously, despite being the weakest in the group, he seemed the least nervous about the situation.
—There's no comparison between that specter and this vestige... Phew— Deuz sighed, adjusted his beret, and seemed to regain his composure— Let me explain. As you should know, vestige types are something we humans invented. Most of the time, vestiges have hybrid characteristics between multiple types, except for specters below rank 4. They're simply not a big threat to any spiritual energy manipulator. It's not like you or Shoun could beat it alone, but maybe together you'd have a decent chance... That lion is another story. If it were just a brute, it would already be a tough opponent, but it's an alpha. It's almost impossible for us to kill it... Why did the Codex give us such a strong opponent?
—Is the difference that big? But Kaze, you've already killed a brute—the one that was harassing me when I first came here! And you did it in one hit!
—It's different. That was the strongest opponent I'd faced before. I only killed it because you gave me an opening by weakening and distracting it— Kaze explained briefly, shaking his head.
—Damn...— Shoun leaned against a building wall and slid to the ground. He briefly recalled the aura of the vestige they were about to face. The sheer terror of looking into its eyes had already filled him with fear— So, what? Is it impossible to kill it?... All our effort for nothing. Just looking at it made us piss ourselves.
—Did it scare you that much? It just looked a bit stronger than a normal one— The rest of the group exchanged glances before collectively turning to Sein. Was the kid crazy? How could he say that after everything they'd just discussed?
—Wait, it seems the lion unleashed some kind of wave of darkness that scared all of us. So, Sein, it didn't affect you?— Deuz asked as he approached the boy.
—It did that?— Sein asked innocently. He had clearly seen the wave of darkness but only felt a slight discomfort, something he always felt when facing any vestige.
—So that's how it is... I think I have a theory…
—We're all ears. No need to be mysterious in this situation, Deuz.
—Well, if I recall correctly, you said that hydra would always grow twice as many heads unless Shoun shocked it, right?
—Yeah, that's what happened. Kaze would cut them, and I made sure they didn't grow back.
—That confirms it. For both of you, that test was impossible to pass without the other. It was designed so that if you used all your abilities, you could win. This must be the same case, and the first piece of the puzzle is none other than Sein— Deuz said, pointing dramatically at the boy.
—How am I the key, Deuz?
—You said it yourself. It didn't seem like a big deal to you... Doesn't one of your abilities give you passive resistance to curses? That wave of darkness might have been a curse, and if I'm not mistaken, your enhancement might transfer some of that resistance. That's your role in this fight—to give us the courage to fight!
—That... sounds amazing!— Sein easily accepted his assigned role and raised his sword above his head— Fear not, my companions! With me by your side, you'll never lack the courage to fight!
—No need to start talking like a knight, Sein. Anyway, now that you've figured out Sein's role, what about the rest of us?
—I don't have all the answers, Shoun, but if I had to guess... Hmm, well, the vestige's description seemed to hint at fire abilities. If it fills the area with flames, it'll be hard to breathe. So, Kaze, with your wind, you can clear the air and let us breathe. Can you do that?— The masked man nodded in confirmation— As for me... this place is big, and there are plenty of shadows. I can adapt and take on whatever role is needed at the right moment, though it'll cost a ton of spiritual energy... Ah, whatever.
—And what's my role?
—Well... I'm having a hard time seeing your usefulness in this fight, Shoun. You can't provide utility like Sein, and one fireball from that thing would probably erase you from existence.
—Did you have to be so blunt about that last part?
—But don't get discouraged. Thanks to this massive barrier, we're in your element. You won't run out of electricity.
—What the hell are you talking about? In the mirror world, buildings and streetlights don't have electricity I can absorb!
—Sigh... Are you really that blind to the bigger picture?— Before Shoun could protest, Deuz extended his arm, and a shadowy tentacle emerged from it. In moments, it stretched out to a car, opened the front, and pulled out a small box. The tentacle retracted, and the box fell into Deuz's hands.
—That's…
—A car battery. Seriously, it never crossed your mind to use one of these? One might not fully recharge you, but this place is full of them. It's like an all-you-can-eat buffet, Shoun.
—That could actually work— Shoun stood up and approached Deuz. Touching the car battery, he could feel the electricity within it— I can recharge my energy. I have to say, when you put your mind to it, you're pretty useful.
—Thanks? Anyway, one of these won't be enough. Let's not waste time and gather as many as we can before that thing finds us.
The four of them went through the laborious process of disconnecting car batteries from abandoned vehicles on the streets. Some cars didn't have batteries, and some batteries didn't have enough charge to justify carrying them, but they still managed to gather a total of 15 batteries. Shoun estimated that each battery would recharge about 15% of his core.
In an act of consideration, Deuz used his shadows to create a portable platform on his back to carry all the batteries safely and within easy reach for Shoun.
Before they could continue their search for batteries, they suddenly heard a loud roar coming from the end of the street. There, they saw Kalgoros, surrounded by pure darkness. The hunter had spotted its prey and quickly sent a torrent of darkness toward them. It wasn't going to let them escape this time.
The darkness filled the entire street. This time, it didn't carry a foul stench, but the three older members felt their limbs failing them.
—I-I can't move— Shoun said, clearly nervous.
—S-same here— Deuz tried to maintain his calm demeanor but was failing. Kaze didn't say anything but seemed to be trembling.
—Tsk tsk tsk, seems like it's time to test my new technique— This time, Sein stepped forward and raised his sword above his head— I told you very clearly! As long as I'm here, you'll never lack the courage to fight!— As if they were the activation words of a spell, the golden sword served as a conduit for Sein's enhancement ability, forming a large golden circle that surrounded the four of them. Instantly, everyone felt a surge of strength in their bodies, completely nullifying the darkness that had threatened them.
—Alright, guys, as we discussed. How about we dethrone this tyrant?— Deuz said briefly as nearby shadows formed into his bow and arrows. The masked man nodded and drew his sword, while the Iron Serpent, coiled around Shoun's chest, moved to his right hand.
The vestige watched as the ants it was about to crush defied its authority. As if this were the greatest offense it had ever suffered, the lion roared again. But instead of another wave of darkness, something different happened.
The majestic mane of the tyrant burst into flames, along with the tip of its tail. Its eyes burned with fury as it stared at the four young men. Without further ado, the tyrant roared again, launching a massive fireball from its gaping maw straight at its prey.