Standing in the middle of the Cartenon Temple, Nitrian could barely move, though his consciousness was fully aware. This forced him to be trapped in place.
(This is exactly the kind of thing, I didn't want to experience!… Man, what now? It's not like I can push my way through this, he's the closest thing to a Monarch, The Demon Monarch doesn't count, that guy was a fraudulent monarch.) Nitrian distracted his mind from the eminent problem in his face, but it wasn't easy to do so when it was so present.
"Answer me. My patience runs thin, I have an experiment to conduct, and being interrupted isn't optimal." A mouth full of sharp teeth floating under a hood with those intense glowing eyes under it, that, was the image in front of him.
This creature, this being with grey skin resembling the rock making up a statue, its face shrouded in darkness under a hood, while its hands carried sharp nails, looking capable of cutting buildings in half with the wave of a hand.
The creature was in robes covering its whole body, with yellow eyes peering through the veiled darkness hovering over him.
(Ok… There's got to be something I can say to stop this thing from cutting my career short… My lures, talents, and even defenses can't overpower this bastard… he's too much stronger than me… Even my heritage… Wait… That's it! How did I not think of this before? I'm a fool!) Nitrian thought about the situation for moments and a solution came to his mind.
"I will be the Vessel for Lord Antares!" Nitrian blurred out hurriedly.
This caused the creature's eyes to widen greatly as if millions of calculations were being made about that single one statement.
But soon those same eyes narrowed down, and the nails got closer to his eyes.
"It is surprising that you know of that name, I don't know how, but it matters not, that can not be the case, you are far too insignificant, either way, with Ashborn behind me, it's all the best that I eliminate you." The architect smiled ready to take care of the problem with a sadistic grin.
(Perfect!) Nitrian smiled, and then he let out his dragon aura.
A dense wave of particles clustered together emerged phasing through the perpetrator and spreading much farther, were it not for the frozen time, things would have been much more tremulent.
Upon sensing this aura, carrying the weight and purity of a dragon lord! A being so far beyond the one standing before it, the Architect could only stop.
(This aura… Lord Antares… It would be perfect for him!… This is a serious problem… I must gain as much information as possible from this… supposed wannabe vessel!) These were the thoughts in its mind.
"What is your purpose here?!" The architect questioned.
"I was bestowed an oracle vision telling me, I would be the vessel, and tasking me to rekindle the alliance with Lord Ashborn, for the victory of the Monarchs," Nitrian replied to it.
(This… It could be very beneficial to me… If I make a similar deal with Lord Antares… I would have a safeguard, and I would also be a crucial part in reconnecting the two, and securing the victory for the Monarchs… Even if this vision this boy speaks of isn't true, he's undoubtedly a great vessel for Lord Antares, so it's a win-win for me! Hahahaha!) The architect thought of the whole situation and could only smile widely, it was as if it had won the lottery for free.
"I am Kandiaru, also known as the Architect, boy. You will be a fine vessel, now wait here." Kandiaru turned around and opened a floating screen but the image on it was censured, so Nitrian couldn't tell what he was doing.
After what felt like an eternity a floating screen popped up in front of him.
[You have satisfied all the conditions necessary for completing the secret quest "Foretold Destiny For Destruction"]
[You have obtained the right to become a Vessel. Do you accept?]
[If you decline your heart will stop. Do you accept?]
[Warning! The Rizz Leveling system has detected an attempt to override it with another system matrix.
Suggestion: Due to the danger posed by the creator of the intruding system(The Architect), the system would like to integrate this inferior system into itself without allowing any control over the contract without it noticing anything wrong. Would you like to do that, or will you allow the system to be overwritten?]
(Oh… I didn't think he would try to give me a system like with Jinwoo… System from now on, I'll call you Zeina to avoid confusion. You can integrate the Architect System as you suggested. You saved me right there… Thanks.) Nitrian could only sigh in relief internally.
[Congratulations on becoming a Vessel.] A blue floating screen came up.
[Zeina reporting contractor, the integration was seamless. The Architect will not be able to notice I am the one in control.] Then a purple floating screen came up.
(Perfect… So blue is the Architect and you're purple… Great. That helps a lot. Sorry I called you a meme system, you're being more helpful right now than 80% of the system I read about in both original works and fanfic.) Nitrian calmed down upon hearing the good news.
"Boy or should I say, Nitrian? You have been given one of my systems. Made to build you into a proper vessel for Lord Antares, he was very pleased when he heard about you.
"This will be great, so do your part of reconnecting him with Lord Ashborn. Also, while you're at it, since you're here, help me select the Vessel for Lord Ashborn, should be easy for a Seer." Kandiaru smiled as it spoke.
[Notice, Contractor. As part of the Architect System, he has access to your memories, but I have calibrated your defenses, so he only has access to inconsequential memories. Plus, I took the liberty to fake a memory of your mother giving you the oracle vision you mentioned, and that you have been obsessed with serving the monarchs, especially Antares since then.] A purple floating screen popped up as Zeina told him.
(You're an angel and a genius! Keep up the great work, Zeina!) Nitrian could not be happier with his Rizz Leveling System as it was proving to be a lot more than he expected.
"Yes, it's Jinwoo, that's why I brought him here, for lord Ashborn," Nitrian said lying as easily as he could breathe, partially thanks to both his communication and covert talents.
"This human?… He's completely unfit for such a role… Are you attempting to fool me?" Kandiaru asked completely unconvinced.
"No, he is the perfect vessel for Lord Ashborn," Nitrian replied now able to move entire fingers even in this stopped time.
"… We will see that, I'll keep an eye out. If you need something you can use the system to communicate with me." Kandiaru was unconvinced but didn't question it, simply going back to his place at the entrance of the temple, holding the plaque with the rules.
Immediately after, time resumed, and everyone started moving again as if nothing had happened because, to them nothing did.
Torches lit up all over the room as they entered the room, making it fully visible with the light of blue flames.
"Nitrian?! How did you get there? Don't just skip ahead without warning! There could be traps in here!" Joohee was too busy scolding him to pay attention to the surroundings.
The room was a big circular room full of big statues with a gigantic statue sitting on a throne at the end of the room.
Right at the entrance, Kandiaru could be found pretending to be a statue, holding the plaque with the rules of the temple.
"Bummer, there are no essence stones here," Bak complained as he looked around.
One of the main resources found in dungeons were essence stones, these mana-filled magic rocks were essentially magical batteries, and could be found inside monsters or magic beasts, and collected to be sold and used for various purposes, one of which being to make equipment of all types.
These essences stones just like hunters, magic beasts, and gates themselves are ranked E to S, and their rank depends on the rank of the magic beast they came from.
"I didn't expect a double dungeon like this one…" Someone else commented.
It was an uncommon phenomenon, but some dungeons had a second dungeon attached to them, like a secret level with a secret boss.
People began looking around in curiosity about the place.
"These statues are kind of gloomy…"
"They're all holding different things. Some are even holding instruments."
"There are so many of them… Too many of them… Isn't a little scary… feels kind of like a souls-like boss room… I think we should leave."
"Come on, this isn't a video game, get your head off that. It could be dangerous though, so you have a point there."
"Amazing… Such place… Just wow…" Jinwoo commented slightly mesmerized by the atmosphere and aesthetic of the old looking temple.
"It feels like we are being watched, doesn't it?"
"Don't say that! You're gonna jinx it!"
"That last statue on the throne… It's absolutely massive… don't tell me that's the boss. Hehehe…"
"I swear some of you are trying to get bag stuff to happen, stop saying those things."
(You people have no idea how right some of you are. If I was stronger, maybe I could have saved everyone, does that matter? Is it realistic to try to reach almost the level of the monarchs basically on my own, no system?) Nitrian was focused on his thoughts while that was going on.
"Hmmm… Nitrian, I think the big statue was looking at us just now." Joohee says pointing at the statue seated on the throne.
In response Nitrian put his arms around her waist and pulled her in close, her body pressing on his.
"Hey!… don't just do whatever you want!…" Joohee complained but didn't pull away, the ominous vibe of the place was warded away now that he was holding her.
(It's comfortable… He's so warm, and I know that if I stay like this with him, I'll be fine, even in a place like this with that creepy statue... It's only because you're so strong... It's frustrating, but I guess I'll be here… Just until we leave this place, yeah, just for now.) She convinced herself it was fine.
"It is quite frightening how big it is…" Jinwoo looked at the throne statue from up close, and it was so big that his whole body barely went past its ankle in height.
Standing at 185cm(6ft) it wasn't exactly the usual experience.
"Isn't it weird that there aren't any monsters?"
"Yeah… It's just oddly empty…"
"Say that again, what are we even supposed to do here?"
At that time, Mister Sing stumbled upon something on the ground. A raised eyebrow on this party leader's face as he looked down.
"… A magic seal? Here?… Why?" Song questioned confused on why such a thing would be there to begin with.
What he saw was a symbol on the ground in the center of the room, containing various layers. It was nothing like anything he had seen before, which only made him even more curious.
"Mister Song!! Found something you might want to look at, I think there's something written here!"
Finally, everyone's attention was drawn to Kandiaru, holding a plaque with 4 rules.
-1. Thou shall worship God.
2. Thou shall praise God.
3. Thou shall prove thy faith.
4. Those who fail to obey these commandments shall not be spared.-
"Runic text?"
Mister Song now looking at it, walked up and began reading it. "It says… The commandments of the temple of Cartenon. First, Worship God. Second, Praise God. Third, Prove your faith. Fourth, those who don't obey won't be spared…"
"Nitrian! I saw it again! The big statue! It moved its eyes! It was looking at us." Joohee said to him.
"… Are you sure it's not just the stress?…" Jinwoo was the one to ask, though his eyes then moved to the statue and he could not help but worry it was.
"Let's calm down, it will all work out once we figure this place out." Nitrian added still hugging Joohee onto him, and her grip only tightened.
(Wait… Aren't things a little too quiet?) Jinwoo wondered.
Bang!
Just then, the door to the temple closed before they could even react and their only way out, was gone, just like that.
"The door! This has to be some bad joke!" Kim complained looking at it in some panic.
"If the doors are closed, then what no-"
Just as another member of the party was asking, a guy passed by pushing them aside before saying.
"No! I'm NOT dealing with this bullshit! My only mistake was coming here with a group of crazy dumbasses! I'm out!" He yelled completely out of it with the whole situation.
"You people can keep whatever cursed treasure you find here." He walked up to the door as he was telling them off.
"No! Don't touch the door!" Mister Song tried to warn him, but it was far too late.
CRACKLE
One of the statues next to the door moved.
WHOOSH
Its battle axe swang through the air at high speed, so fast the man could not react at all.
WHOOSH
However instead of a pool of blood, and a rolling head, Nitrian caught the man's shoulder pulling him back just before he was beheaded.
"You can't just go off, and do whatever you want. Stick to the group if you don't want to die. I won't save you again." He said to the man before casually walking back to the party, Joohee now being carried on his shoulder like a potato sack.
"Hey!… Ugh… don't just move that fast without warning me… You did good though, thank you for saving him." She said with a light smile on her face.
(I knew it! So long as Nitrian is here, we can make it through this, we'll all survive!) This gave her hope, maybe a little too much hope.
The man ran back to the party past Nitrian, not a word of thanks, just pure panic.
"That was a close! But you saw that right! The statue moved! Super fast at that!" Bak yelled his eyes widened in fear.
"Hehehe! So you're telling me we have to fight these things?!" Kim questioned already sounding defeated.
At that same time, Jinwoo slowly turned his head to the big statues as he remembered what Joohee said earlier.
"Everyone duck!!!" Nitrian commanded.
Then right at that moment the Big statue's eyes began to glowing yellow and in an instant rays of light shot from its eyes, cutting through anything on their path, as the beam was shot in an arc.
Had it not been for Nitrian's warning, a lot would have been lost to that one attack.
However the only damage caused was to the ground that now had a war trench-like crater behind everyone who ducked.
The floor wasn't just broken, no, it was melted.
"Are you good?" Bak asked Kim.
"I'm fine. You?" Kim asked back.
"Yup. If it wasn't for Nitrian just now. We would have lost people." Bak replied.
"Not just people, if he hadn't shouted, we'd all be dead." Kim corrected.
Joohee who was still being carried by Nitrian now held onto him for dear life, tears forming in the corner of her eyes, as both arms and legs were locked around him, while her face was buried in his chest.
"Everyone! Stay in place!! It might just attack again if we move!" Mister Song yelled so everyone would listen to him.
This caused everyone to stop in place trying to process what just happened.
"It's a good thing, Miss Joohee has Selner. She panics easily, so I'm happy someone is looking after her. I guess even being a B-rank healer doesn't make you tougher, it makes sense why she sticks to low-level raids." Mister Song spoke trying to lighten the mood a bit as he saw Joohee panic and cling to Nitrian.
"Jinwoo, I know you have the rules in mind, help the others with Mister Song while I focus on Joohee," Nitrian spoke as he caressed her, cuddling her to calm her down.
"… Ok!" Jinwoo nodded his head.
"This place won't be easy. If it weren't for Nitrian… If he trusts you, then I'm sure you're what we need, Mister Sung." Mister Song turned to him.
"I'll try my best…" Jinwoo replied.
"If you had to guess. What rank would you say that monster is?" Mister Song asked.
"I'm not sure, I've never been to a dungeon higher rank than D," Jinwoo said.
"Well, I've been to a couple of B-rank raids, and that was scary, but this… It's a whole new level of destruction and power… A… No, S-rank for sure!
"Even when I read the rules… It mentioned a God, if anything here could called that… It would be…" Mister Song reflected on the whole situation.
"The throne statue…" Jinwoo looked up at the massive statue once more.
"Seems so, even thinking of defeating that thing is a dead end. All we can do is look for a way out. Not that it would be easy…" Mister Song said.
The various hunters around could be heard lamenting coming here, some crying, some panicking, some looking for any way out possible, but in the end, they were all trapped in there with that monster, and if they wanted to live, they would have to play by its rules.
Moving would have them attacked by the lasers of the big statue, and going near the door entrance would have them cut down by one of the statues at the door.
The pressure was great, too great, and in moments like this, the human nature as animals, the instinct to survive would overtake most if not all cognitive function if it was allowed to, and well, many had no idea how to stop it.
"I'm not dying here! Not like this! Just when I got a guild contract! A top-tier guild no less! I have too much on the line to go out! This D-rank Dungeon won't take me out!" A young man yelled the pressure too strong for him to stand any longer.
"The hell are you on about? Stay put! If you move it's over!" Mister Song shouted not wanting to lose anyone for no reason.
(I could technically save him, but if I move and the statue doesn't attack me, it will cause too much trouble, oh well, someone would have to go eventually.) Nitrian kept holding Joohee close as he shook his head.
Ignoring those words completely, the young man put all his strength, and mana into his legs as he got ready to make a jump for it.
"Hmph! I can do this! Speed is my thing, and today is the day, I put that to the test. Some door won't stop me!" He yelled as he made the jump.
Dashing through the air towards the door, a smile appeared on his face, and that was his last smile.
In one singular bast from the eye beams, he was reduced to nothing, but a pair of shoes and the feet still in them, while the rest of him was gone, atomized.
"AHHHHHH!!"
Screams filled the room as many were pushed to further panic.
"Damn it!" Mister Song punched the ground in frustration, their first loss
"… They are playing with us… It's like a cat-mouse game to them…" Jinwoo gritted his teeth.
"… We're just bugs to be squashed…" Mister Song added.
"Yeah… Yet… They haven't… It's like they are following guidelines as if they had rules… Rules! Mister Song, the rules!" Jinwoo turned to him.
"Hmmm… The first one was worship God…" Mister Song said.
"… I know. Follow me!" Jinwoo said as he got up.
"What are you on?! Get down this instant! Don't be crazy!" Mister Song yelled at him.
"You're not targeting movement… Are you?" Jinwoo asks before getting up.
Once he does the eyes of the statue begin glowing.
Then he lowers himself completely, kneeling to the statue.
This caused its eyes to stop glowing.
"Everyone! Kneel to the statue! If you bow down we can make it!" Jinwoo yelled at everyone.
"What are you on about?!" Kim asked.
"You can't just say and do stuff like that! We could die! You know!" Bak added.
Meanwhile, Mister Song looked at him and said. "I see it in your eyes, those aren't the eyes of someone who gave up on life. What did you figure out?"
"It only starts to attach once you stand above a certain height, so long as you stay low it doesn't do anything, so I figured it's connected to the first rule, Worship God. That's why…" Jinwoo explained calmly.
"That's only a hunch…" Mister Song points out.
"Yes, but we have to try something, we can't just wait for the end," Jinwoo said determined.
This caused Mister Song to nod his head.
From there, everyone kneeled their heads to the statue.
(Finally, the annoying part will end, from here it will be much easier to move things along my way.) Nitrian thought to himself as he kneeled next to Joohee.
(Please work! Please work! Please work!) Joohee was desperate for a way out.
Then it happened, the statue smiled widely, a demonic grin like no other, carrying out the sadistic tone of an Evil God, a Devil laughing at all who dare to worship it.
Doubts consumed all those in there, as they wondered if they would make it out alive if such a hopeless move would work.
"… The attacks… They stopped… Right?" Bak questioned as he slowly got up.
"Wait! Don't just do that!" Kim replied filled with worries.
"Won't it just do something?"
"It's over? It can't be, right?"
"Stop that!" Kim yelled at Bak.
"Look though, it's not attacking at all," Bak responded.
"Really?"
"Wow, it's not moving at all."
"It can't be over yet…"
"We lived, bitch!"
While Nitrian shook his head silently, Jinwoo focused on the statue sure it was not over yet.
It wasn't.
The statue finally got up from its throne, and the moment it stepped on the ground a crater was formed under its feet.
"This is so much worse…" Kim looked up in pure horror seeing it move.
"That thing… No way…"
"How are we supposed to face that?!"
"Don't! Run to the statues with instruments! Remember the second rule, praise God!" Nitrian moved Joohee to one of the statues with an instrument, and then he stood in front of her, just in case.
The statue with a drum began playing, and the tune could be heard in the whole room.
From there everyone did their best to run to one of the statues with an instrument and what happened was that while doing so, many of them were stomped out by the big statue, or killed off by one of the smaller statues holding a weapon cause they got too close.
(I can't die here, not after the promise I made my wife) Bak thought to himself before he was split into two.
The massacre continued until all the instruments were being played, and the song ended.
At that time the statues stopped moving.
After that, the remaining survivors came together to talk.
"The raid started with 18 members, but now only 8 are remaining..." Kim said with a troubled expression.
This made everyone left go silent.
(Even though I saved people, it played out almost the same as canon anyway. Even the green jacket guy died the same way… It seems the plot binds the fate of the world as expected. Though Jinwoo didn't lose a leg nor did Song lose an arm, it seems changes are possible…) Nitrian concluded as he held Joohee's hand.
"Song! It's your fault this happened! You were the raid leader, and look how we ended!" Kim pointed his finger at him.
"…" Song couldn't answer.
Just then, the statue began moving again.
"Not again!"
The statue moved its fingers and the symbol at the center of the room rose high, becoming an altar. The ground trembled as it did.
"What is going on here?"
"An earthquake?"
Then the eyes all turned to it, as this new structure brought unease.
"What is that?" Kim asked.
"An altar," Jinwoo replied.
This turned eyes to him.
"They are typically used to give Gods offerings… Like pigs, sheep, young kids. Maidens… that kind of thing." Jinwoo explained.
Everyone immediately understood what was being said.
"Got it. Even an uneducated person like me knows what's up." Kim began pulling out a sword from his item box. "We need a sacrifice!" He said then pointed his sword at Song.
The others looked at it happen, and nobody said a thing.
(Man, I just want to get this over with.) Nitrian sighed internally.
"If anyone is responsible here, it's you. Song Chiyul! Today, I saw a man boating about his wife and kids, only to end up sliced in two. Not to mention the 9 other people that fall too…" Kim said to him his sword pointed at his neck. "So, it's time you make up a take responsibility for this!"
"Wait! You're going too far, Kim!" Jinwoo walked up to Kim.
"Don't start! This isn't the time for bullshit! Can't you see! Even Selner hasn't tried to stop me!" Kim yells at him.
This causes Jinwoo to turn to Nitrian.
"He is the team leader, and the one who suggested we explore after I found it." He says.
In response Jinwoo clenches his fists, then sighs, looking at Mister Song.
"It's ok, Jinwoo, they have a point. You can put the sword down, I'll go myself." Song said resigned to his faith.
Then he walks up to the altar, and once he stands there, a flame lights up.
"What's going on?!" Kim asked.
"… It seems we all need to go to the altar, come," Nitrian says, and walks there with Joohee following still hand in hand with him.
"… Are you sure?… This could be…" She questioned.
Then they got there, and 2 more flames lit up.
From there it didn't take long for everyone to go to the altar.
Once they were all there, a circuit of flames activated and sent a signal to open the main door.
At the same time, all the smaller statues start slowly moving towards them.
"It's opened?! This has to be a trap, right?" Song asked.
"What now?!" Kim questioned.
"It's pretty clear. Someone has to stay to be the sacrifice. The others can leave." Nitrian says casually.
So everyone looks at him, and it doesn't take long before the first of the people left runs off and tries their luck, and they manage to leave just fine.
"The rest of you go, I need to talk to Jinwoo and Joohee," Nitrian tells the others, seriously.
"I'm sorry! I have a family to go back to! I can't die here, I don't want to die here, thank you, Sung, and Selner, but I have to leave." Kim yells then runs off.
Not just him, all the others leave, one by one, until only 4 remain.
"I should be the one staying here. You guys have more years to live than me. So you should go." Song says to them.
"No-" Jinwoo was about to refute but was cut off by his friend.
"Leave. This is important. It's not about responsibility or anything like that. You need to leave." Nitrian says looking him in the eyes.
"Jeez… What an odd youngsters… Not even letting the old folk do it. Fine, nobody wants to die in the end. Thank you, and I'm sorry." Song seeing his eyes had no words to refute and just left.
Being the only ones left as the statues approach, Nitrain turned to the other two.
"Sung, do you trust me with your life?" Nitrian asked him.
Joohee looked at him confused but didn't say anything.
"… Yes…" Jinwoo nodded his head not liking where this was going.
"Stay. This isn't just a sacrifice. Just like Odin, if you stay you'll come out greater. If you refuse, I'll stay instead." Nitrian said.
"What?! How you say something like that to him?!" Joohee not believing this was his plan snapped at him.
"Calm down, Joohee, like you said, Nitrian has the habit of spouting nonsense and not explaining, but I believe him." Jinwoo smiled weakly.
"Thank you for trusting me. See you later, it will be painful, but it will be worth it." Nitrian says, then lifts Joohee, and leaves with her.
"Let go of me! You can't force him to do this! It's inhumane! Why Jinwoo?! He's your friend!" She yelled at him, but he ignored her.
This left Jinwoo alone in there, as the door closed.
"… He left me here… Nitrian wouldn't lie to me, right?… He's been weird today, not covering for me earlier, throwing the whole situation on me, and now this… Is he trying to get rid of me? But why?" Jinwoo clenched his fists mad that he was not strong enough to do anything about being left behind by his own best friend.
After everything they have been through, years together as friends, brothers, and this is how it ends. Why?
There had to be reason, but nothing he could think of made sense.
"Was it Joohee?… No, I'll trust him. I have to." He steeled his mind.
Then the statues reached him, and they began by cutting his left arm off, then the right one, followed by the legs as he got thrown to the top of the altar.
Right then and there he regretted everything as tears fell through the pain of betrayal hitting him hard... Until…
The weapons of the statues coming down, froze in time, right above him.
[You have satisfied all the necessary conditions for completing the secret quest. "The Fallen Brother".]
(This… What is this… Was Nitrian talking about this? How? Why?) Jinwoo was very confused.
[You have obtained the right to become a player. Do you accept?]
[You don't have much time left. If you decline your heart will stop 0.02 seconds later. Do you accept?]
(A player… Make me one...) Jinwoo replied.
[Congratulations on becoming a player.]
At that moment a strong light engulfed Jinwoo, and everything went white.