[That’s gotta be fast, Master. How many people can even solve that place if any at all? But these trials are really hard.]
Orion exhaled gently, thinking about the remaining steps. "The trials here are ruthless indeed, but I suppose that’s precisely why they’re here. Every level seems designed explicitly to push to my very limits and beyond."
Taking a few monts to steady himself and fully recover from the intense ordeal, Orion floated upward again, the rune structure dissolving gently beneath him into faint particles of golden brilliance. The staircase reappeared, waiting calmly for him to ascend further.
Orion landed gracefully back upon the crystal stairway, pausing to collect himself before looking upward. His gaze settled resolutely on the path ahead, voice calm yet firm, "Well, there’s no point hesitating. Let’s see what other hellish tests await ."
[LETS GOOOO!!!
Orion lightly laughed at her response as the pressure around him slowly started increasing. Now he could clearly feel his limits approaching. Taking a steady breath, he took a step forward and began his ascent again.
The crystalline staircase beneath his feet shimred faintly with a soothing, ethereal glow, yet the sensation it delivered was far from comforting.
He knew that each step upward would now feel as if it were pressing upon his very soul, squeezing his physical body, elental energies, and ntal faculties.
Taking another deep breath, Orion carefully began his slow ascent. The mont his foot touched the thirty-first step, the oppressive pressure intensified sharply, causing his muscles to imdiately strain beneath the enormous burden.
His soul felt weighed down, his elental affinities vibrating under constant stress, yet he pressed on, fueled by sheer determination and stubborn defiance.
Step after step, Orion ascended, each forward stride an exhausting battle. As he passed the thirty-third, thirty-fourth, and thirty-fifth steps, sweat poured steadily down his forehead, soaking his clothing and making each movent more uncomfortable and taxing.
Despite the steadily increasing fatigue, Orion maintained a composed deanor, his gaze unyielding and resolute.
By the ti he reached the thirty-eighth step, Orion’s whole body felt heavier than lead, every muscle fiber hurting, every nerve frayed from prolonged stress.
His soul trembled from relentless strain, while his elental affinities felt frayed, barely holding together under the intense external pressure.
Yet, despite these conditions, Orion continued forward with an unwavering determination that shone fiercely within his eyes.
Finally, standing on the thirty-ninth step, Orion felt as though he had reached the absolute limit of his endurance. His body shook subtly, the sheer intensity of the cumulative pressure nearly overwhelming him.
’Holy fuck, why is the ascent so damn hard?’ he inwardly thought with frustration.
He then took a deep, slow breath, stabilizing himself as he prepared for the next trial, knowing instinctively it would likely surpass everything he had faced until now.
With every ounce of resolve he possessed, Orion firmly stepped forward onto the fortieth step.
In an instant, everything around him shifted dramatically. The crushing pressure vanished abruptly, leaving Orion montarily disoriented.
His surroundings transford entirely, replaced by an endless sea of white clouds extending infinitely in every direction.
The gentle fragrance of flowers drifted softly through the air, accompanied by delicate, translucent petals that slowly fluttered downwards in a graceful dance.
Montarily bewildered by the tranquil beauty of his new environnt, Orion glanced around carefully, eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion. "What is this now?" he murmured, voice wary and alert.
He had barely finished speaking when suddenly an imnse, suffocating pressure descended from high above, locking onto him with unmistakable hostile intent. Instinctively, Orion’s gaze snapped sharply upward, eyes widening in shock.
From high above, a colossal hand ford from shimring golden clouds swiftly descended toward him, its imnse size blotting out the sky, pressing downward with unstoppable montum.
Its sheer size and aura exuded an overwhelmingly oppressive power, threatening to utterly crush and obliterate Orion’s already exhausted form.
Faced with imminent danger, Orion’s instincts erupted fiercely within him. Already fatigued from all his previous trials, he gathered every remaining ounce of his strength and determination, channeling his soul and elental energies at maximum intensity.
His eyes flashed with brilliant azure lightning, and his body erupted into a dazzling transformation.
In an instant, Orion shifted fully into his mighty Thunder Dragon form. Powerful azure lightning danced across his massive, scaled body, filling the surrounding air with electrifying energy.
His wings stretched wide, crackling with potent power. At the sa ti, he swiftly unsheathed both of his swords, gripping them tightly in his massive claws.
Imdiately, he ignited both blades, channeling Interdiate Grade Sword Auras, fiery crimson flas blazing brilliantly upon one sword, vibrant azure lightning fiercely surging along the other.
"RAAAAAAARRRRRGHHHHHH!!!"
With a thunderous roar, Orion swung both swords upward with every bit of strength he could muster, while also unleashing a devastating Thunder Dragon Breath, aiming directly toward the colossal descending palm.
The two elental sword auras surged forth together with the Dragon’s Breath in a brilliant burst, colliding fiercely with the gigantic hand.
A deafening explosion echoed across the sea of clouds, shaking the entire illusionary space violently.
The imnse impact hurled Orion backward through the air, his body spinning uncontrollably, the overwhelming backlash sending agonizing jolts through every inch of his form.
As he spiraled backward, Orion saw cracks appear along the sky itself, shattering and fracturing the previously serene and deceptive illusion.
Reality rapidly splintered around him, the tranquil clouds and drifting petals dissolving violently into chaotic fragnts.
Despite his best efforts, Orion couldn’t regain his balance as the illusion shattered completely. In the blink of an eye, he was thrust violently back onto the crystalline staircase, tumbling down its shining steps at breakneck speed.
He crashed downward, step after step, the pain from each impact searing through his exhausted body, forcing him further downward with relentless montum.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Orion ca to a painful halt at the very base of the staircase.
He groaned softly, sprawled awkwardly across the gleaming surface, every muscle aching fiercely, every fiber of his being utterly exhausted.
Within his Sea of Consciousness, Lumi looked at the scene with a speechless expression,
[Master, are you alright!? That last trial was ruthless!]
Orion coughed weakly, slowly forcing himself upright with imnse effort. His body felt battered and bruised as he looked towards the 40th step. However, just then, a gentle warmth radiated across Orion’s forehead.
The familiar sensation startled him, causing his eyes to snap open as the Golden Headband slowly materialized, settling comfortably upon his brow.
Its runes shimred gently with a golden brilliance, instantly soothing the exhaustion and chaos that still lingered in Orion’s mind.
Before Orion could question its appearance, a calm voice resonated clearly from within the headband:
[Trial Taker, you have successfully passed the 40th Step. However, due to your exhausted state, you were unable to withstand the aftereffects, resulting in your fall back to the bottom. Nonetheless, your victory stands confird.]
Orion blinked, montarily stunned. The sudden announcent washed over him with relief, yet surprise colored his expression. He still felt fatigued and weak all over his body, yet this small announcent of his victory filled him with energy.
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