Chapter 164: Situation within the prison

Wisher was rather speechless at the simple facts that Allan accomplished. Why that was the case? The context that was overlooking the bigger picture. The Ones, and his own little life in this prison, to be specific.

This was the first Trial out of many available ones, but not each and every one of them would be like this. Some involved fights for real, undergoing storms and incredible proportions of Immortal trials and challenges. As for Allan and his first case? It was impressive for a single reason. It was the very beginning with nothing much under his belt, but he achieved something insane. The path to Immortality was always known to be an incredibly long one, and Allan's starting point was right here.

A place in the Diary of the Body – a treasured place carried by almighty figures closing to the level of the Above. A fated student can reach out to the mysterious world of this Diary and get stuff from The One's library, even though nothing was free. No. This was a hard challenge, no matter what. It goes along with The One's purposeful idea to have high standards, albeit it was known what would be the point of this diary since they discarded it for millennia.

What Allan accomplished with the Grade S and A barriers were incredible things. What was the schtick to their numbers? They corresponded to the toughness, required power, and level of difficulty of reward acquisition. The Trial of the 400 Orbs was meant for pre-spark cultivators, but the strength had many ways, paths, and faces. Allan's choice of strategy played some part in his success, but the obvious change was his blindness and highlighted senses.

After all, having some sense of direction in the midst of 400 high-hitting forces wasn't anything pleasant. Overall, he did what he did, thanks for that, and many other factors.

His Body Whip Technique was useful and used in many ways to achieve great results. Though, it didn't one-shot the Rank A barriers but did more than enough against Rank Bs. Most would find the barriers tough to gouge and form a good method to focus on one of them. They were slippery, prone to pushes and momentum and useful long-range, or heavy weapons weren't available for this challenge. Body Forging, fists, and kicks were mostly used by the Challengers.

That was why Rank S barriers were tough, yet 5 people before Allan still accomplished their desires, while the rewards inside of them were worth the effort. Other than those 5 – now 6 – challengers, everyone else reached at least As at the minimum. How many, or how? It was unimportant, since finding the right things may take time – like some form of a hunt.

How valuable and worthy these treasures were, was subjective, but one thing stood amongst the rest. If some reclusive, poor immortals got hold of this chance, they wouldn't hesitate to follow this chance to the jaws of death. An opportunity to look, or seek some Immortal Manuals throughout the library of such an organization would never come twice/

Wisher understood it. Allan meant talent, and opportunity, since he did so with an unknown success in the Body Forging path, while Wisher didn't even know his history, but he did see Allan's progression at the present. How large of talent he was, he could only guess that from the results. It wasn't anything weak, since a clever head was important, but so was the talent in the cultivation. High proficiency in the Body Forging or awakened Spark with its energy properties would all matter.

Wisher remembered a one time when a clever Challenger awakened the Spark in the midst of this Trial. It was an intentional strategy, so he didn't have to worry about the proper rules involving pre-spark trials. It's a matter of balance and a purposeful guide of the Rulebook. He didn't ignore it, per se. He just breached that rule, and destroyed half of the barriers in the process. A strategy like that would also work.

“He got pretty good luck. 36, that is.” Wisher thought, walking clumsily as a golem around this place. “Normally, the timer of 60 minutes along the storm of 400 barriers and rewards can make one crazy. It's a popular choice in many reclusive sects. It firms up the Dao, and heart, allowing one to seek the truth of oneself, but… when one can't see? I hardly ever heard of blind Lords or other Immortals. Why would they be blind, in fact?” Wisher wondered.

“The body can heal itself, and treasures restoring the eyesight are like toys, if not common foods. One wouldn't find any purpose. What that boy did was his path… his history. Senses, body, and mind fused together into one. He has it all, as well as… other things. I have never seen such a unique bastard who came with such a fate to this place. He was also looking at unique chances, but he didn't have a mind for that. Thus, I guess I am the biggest part of this since I came up with a helping method at the last minute. Pulling my inner voice onto him and coming up with an excuse for the Rulebook worked.”

“Thankfully, that worked great since he wouldn't be able to get shit otherwise. The sheer number of choices is too much, and they vary. He took interest in 3 manuals, so obviously have has no way to get manuals in the reality. That makes this understandable, and easy. He is an empty scroll, ready to be carved, and used for calligraphy. It is also a part of the trial – firmly reaching out toward the things that one truly wanted. He did so because of me! Damned 36! You owe me, you bastard!” Wisher monologued for himself, not stopping since he was never so excited in many millennia, or who knows how long.

“Hmph! Screw The Ones! I will turn up to be a freak like the damned 36 if I have to. Causing havoc for them is all they deserve for everything that I care about!” he hyped himself up, noticing that the majority of the reward, or barriers were slowly decreasing until they were almost gone.

Most golems took the breached rewards to their insides, but most were grappling it with swirling matters of energy, resembling a tail, or hand made of shimmering particles. That was energy conduct that golems can crate to grab stuff. Why? Creators of those golems deemed it fitting, thus creating and allowing the golems to create these things from the internal energy source they had.

“Now… how to manage this reward? Rank As… He seemed interested. That is a motion of a good path. A firm heart, Dao, and will are important for one's healthy desire. It is always the best, which I think should work well for his Phenix Glaive, but… Qui Lin? Why did he choose that? It's non-combat stuff, but… That stuff is wild and only put here by the pretext of some high Lord in The One's organization. I remember one madman who cursed this place to oblivion when he shattered that rank S barrier, wasting 20 minutes of strategic plays. And for what? Realizing what it was, he was mad like crazy.”

“Anyway, should I take this Duality of ancient dragons to 36? No… he can't turn himself to a good way, or method between this place and reality. Copying is too inefficient as well since he is… bad. In fact, creating a freaking method around the Body Whip Technique that would be considered barely Grade C, I am speechless, but not surprised. That kid also lacked the body for that matter. I spotted rookie mistakes, but one thing is obvious. He has no access to his inner strength, or Spark, which makes him weak in many ways. He must lack resources like crazy, considering he looked like a country bumbling from the middle of nowhere. Well, country bumbling with a Soul Fire inside his very body, so am I thinking nonsense again? Fitting.”

The golems paused at last, figuring there was nothing on the ground any longer, and it seemed the ruler behind the Trials, notified them to get back.“Very well. Let's give my try a shot outside. Here, it's doubtful. This place is closed and unavailable for regular visits.” Wisher thought, and moved along with many other golems. He didn't stand out, or anything. He was the same as others – round, clunky, stony, and like a machine.

The door towards this hall shot open, letting golems know that their path was open. Clutter of thuds and clutter resounded in the room, and like soldiers in chaotic formation, the golems walked away in rows. Where? The floor above where the rewards would become barriers once again, wait, or be stored for the far future.

That was what the Library should be like, while any rewards of this place, weren't anything small. Hundred? That was the point, point something of a percent of things here, and considering the pre-spark kind of trial, it was more of a joke than anything else.

A joke with some post-spark rewards, however. Every Rank S of this Trial of the 400 Orbs was Immortal Rank treasure, or equal, if not high-tier information. However, it should have been available for those awakened with the spark, or stronger. That was the gist of it, while it could also create a storm, since the barriers containing the Immortal treasures, would have some energy.

That, and they also worked great to overwork the challengers. After all, the Immortal Treasures should be quite enticing for any pre-Spark cultivator.

That was the general gist of it, and the reason for Wisher's surprise. After all, it was tough to destroy them, and they could change the status quo for sure. For what, or why? Wisher didn't know that yet, but he sure will consider further playing his role as a helper. 36's, or Allan's? That didn't matter as long as he would get his heart back on track, and quench this living.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Thuds echoed in the hallways, revealing rows of cluttering golems reached to the stairs. They had barriers above their heads, and even some grabbed weapons, pouches, and so on. Wisher was amongst them, but he played it safe and was at the end of the line. Suddenly, he pretended to fall over in an exaggerated, and crazy manner, rolling across the hall and creating more chaos.

He was close to the destination that the golems were reaching. So, creating wild chaos was a good idea.

As if possessed, he shattered his structure, stones, and body itself. He faked the instability, and malfunction of the golem which was rare, but it could happen. The structure of the golem may end up useless, but he had no worries. He worked with what he could, noticing a cabinet along the wide hallway. There, he stumbled at the last moment, throwing away a book and scroll that Allan desired, but had chosen to forget.

His body of a golem ceased its movement and started to disintegrate with crisp and shaky feelings. Dark and bright matter floated from its body to the ceiling before dissipating into nothingness along with an energy that empowered the golem. It was like a small bomb, but because the golems were measly tools, their might wasn't for combat. They wouldn't kill a mortal with a such explosion.

With the success underwent, the chaos stopped, and as if nothing happened, the rest of the golems held no regard for this and marched on. They had no consciousness. Only purposes and desired order were up to their fate, created by the specific figure behind the Trials themselves. The one that Wisher was fearful of, to be specific.

At the end of the hallway, sharp thuds echoed, revealing a figure that appeared around the corner. Golems rushed behind that corner, ending up in a massive room with space like any other. Bookshelves and cabinets hundreds of meters tall, and kilometers long were inside.

Thuds that spread in the hallway were of a walking figure beside the entrance to this space. It was something new and unlike the golems. Its steps were harsh and hit like a rumble of thunder along with some screeching noises of something sharp. Stepping over them, or moving them away, the tall figure didn't care about almost 100s of golems doing their job.

A nearly 2-meter-tall humanoid creature stood over them. The creature walked forward, its limb resembled human arms and legs but was longer and thicker. Its torso was slim, and a bit hunched, revealing hands with crisp blades for fingers – nails, to be exact. It had a rather sinister head, littered with small scales, and a wide jaw. It may look like a monster, but it wore a nice uniform-like jade robe. Two green – as its scales – eyes hid underneath a crackling stone mask with a small hole.

The mask itself was quite useless, as it was too small for its large, and long head. It was mostly covering its forehead with a mouth hole that was fit for its eyes instead. Part of the snout, and stretching jaw of a reptile made it quite ferocious.

The mask was meant for humans, considering two spots on its forehead meant for eyes, and a larger hole for the mouth. This wasn't a human, but a Kax. A humanoid monster species of large stature and demonic nature. Ferce they always were, but some intellect was among the peak of some of their specimen. This one already cultivated energy, which was obvious by its aura and shimmering energy around its body. Robes hit it a little, but visible parts of its body still let some of that energy go.

Perhaps, it was letting it go intentionally, or it was part of its immortal technique. Its hands and feet seeped of dark gold waves, indicating some familiarity with the cycling of the energy itself, or it was a stage beyond the Spark.

“What was that explosion? I didn't catch that in this fucking chaos.” the kax wondered, annoyed by the cluttering golems. The voice sounded like thunder, and a deep male voice talked out loud in the Iltic language of Kax. He knew can control the golem with some measly task, but chose not to do much work. This kax wasn't a figure that Wisher was afraid of. It was just a great officer and almost a lesser guardian, who would work for the Rulebook, hidden behind that door

“Hm? Golem maimed itself? How strange, but some of those thigns haven't been active for over 7 centuries. I get it, somewhat… Poor thing… Hmph! You and you!” the kax shouted, his mouth flapping below the mask, revealing rows of sharp teeth. He pointed his long arms with 6 fingers, ending in sharp nails, to the two golems that had nothing in their hands.

“Clean that one up and throw it away.” the kax ordered, saying it with apathy and indifference. Because of the mess, the kax had no time or care about the possibility of Wisher's plotting. None would guess that, however.

Standing around, the kax occasionally bumped into the golems, forcing him to kick their legs or head a mockery.

“I swear… just a great officer, yet I am wasting time.” he sighed, cycling his energy around his arms in a wavy matter. “Years are passing by faster in this place… It's like… prison. Mental, as well as lifeforce one. We have prey to hunt. Catch. Solve the mess and get hefty rewards by the notion of the things, but it doesn't make sense. The 36th person from the void came here. Those are the tough bastards. Lords… I fear. After all those ages, but… it's unlike the ones before. The time is there. Rules too. The difficulty is still within the rules.”

“BUT… Some of the rules were broken by something or someone. Rulebook is slumbering away, trying to seek the answers while the true rulers are beyond me. This is troublesome. Tenma also failed miserably. She was a rookie, but it was a first move to gouge the situation of the breached rules. They are too firm… Too much. Neither of us was able to do shit at that time for the cause. We were cowards. It would have been already solved if we wouldn't be cowards! Fuck!” the kax smashed a golem with his nail, splitting it in half.

“Now the 36th's fucking mistakes even dare to walk freely inside as if it's safe and even manage to get away? How utterly shameless!”

The kax was quite angry and pushed its hand towards one golem carrying a long curved sword. It had intricate details of gold lines of metallic glint and a slightly dim aura around the handle. Allan saw this blade, and itched his heart to take it, but chose not to since his purpose here was more than firm.

He only took half a minute to examine the sword with his touch since it was a Rank A reward – High Mortal treasures. In fact, it was close to the Immortal weapon, and it could reach that standard under some repairs, care, or some sword technique or energy itself.

Golems were like a snack to the angry kax. A swipe to the head caused its immediate death, letting pebbles, dust, and stone scatter around the room. Few golems remained walking through the hall, and some even picked the sword from the ground, leaving only two behind that cleaned the mess after Wisher.

Fortunately, their purpose wasn't to care about the cleaning so they didn't check under the cabinet, which had a book and a scroll underneath it.

“Perhaps the proper Guardian would do more than us, officers, but then, what then? Us? We would be nothing but subjected to punishment. It wouldn't be death one, but I wonder…” the kax seemed perplexed and didn't care about his anger issues.

The core issues surrounding 36 and Allan seemed to be much more complicated than that. Now, it was reaching the existence of rivalries, and the power dynamic of this place, giving rise to tension and greed. In one way, this was an opportunity for the prisoners, since the Main Frame of the ship considered this to be a mistake, as well as a high degree of error under some premise of a Law. It needed a correction.

Main Frame was an independent system, one that carried the purpose of The Ones like the Laws of Dao, that reached the minds of some Lords. It was something more important than the Wisher, and higher in importance than the Rulebook. Wisher wasn't the Main Frame of this ship, but a main artifact soul that was carrying its orders while the Rulebook ruled over the Trials, rewards, and work around the less demanding prisoners. The pretext of many rules, age, and flow of fate played the main factors in the Main Frame, allowing the untracked errors to create the current mess.

As for fixing it, it was perhaps a tough thing to do, since one thing was already firm.

It was too late since some things already happened. Rules still played a huge part in terms of Laws that the Main Frame had, utilizing the truth as a rule, so it would be firm. That's how it should be since the Laws never need a correction, but when under the pretext of the mind – be it artificial or not – it can change the rules.

Allan's blood, or something inside of it, forced the initialization process of becoming a proper 35th student under this Diary, and whatever the Main Frame tried to calculate, or ruled, failed. That, or perhaps even Sarey's fateful hands played some part in this mess? It was hard to tell since the situation around the Diary of the Body was quite strange. Some rules were forfeited, and some weren't.

All in all, Allan was a fully acknowledged student, while 36 wasn't, and was subjected to a direct solving process under the Main Frame since he was easier to reach than Allan.

The kax seemed pissed when he thought about the mission and vagueness that the Main Frame voice the problems. It almost appeared like a test for them, but students and teachers of this Diary were a firm existence in officers' and guardians' minds. They were destined to be great, while they weren't.

Waiting for the last golem to go inside the Library, the kax shut the door close before going back to his own place.

Fate was an insane thing with various prospects. It can be indifferent and filthy as poor Tanma whose heart was within Allan's grasp. It was perhaps a futile attempt, but the candle out of her heart would allow her to live, at least. Allan already forgot about her, however. That incredible moment before the start of the Trial was like a brief dream.

It was as if he wasn't the one who just killed that woman, whose heart felt cold and warm at the same time. It was an unfamiliar situation, with unfamiliar things for him. The killing was. It should never change, or so he always tells himself, but were those lies? Could be. If he would have a chance to seek revenge for his fallen home, perhaps he wouldn't hesitate to turn to the devil. Striking the madness of war, creating deaths and misery.

What was appealing to that?

Nothing, but there was this desire to do it since someone destroyed his home and killed people there.

He knew it, but he viewed it as an inevitable path. If the filth needed some correction, he may become the one to do that. That was a lie, or law of his heart, hiding inside of him, along with Kong Reian's unnatural and flawless, yet lawful Blood Essense.

Time flowed strangely in this prison, but the time for the visitors passed on since years were mere moments in the grand cosmos. Slumbers can take decades, if not centuries for some figures. Another time could only wait for the future, as another stroke of fate will arrive, or fate will move away instead.