These ghostly creatures possessed a basic level of consciousness.
They understood fear—both how to feel it and how to instill it in others.
However, upon realizing that Daniel was completely unfazed by them, even going so far as to grab one and beat it up, the ghosts themselves beca afraid of him.
Of course, this also had to do with the fact that Daniel was walking along a Life Gate.
Because of this, these spirits rely made unsettling noises but did not attempt to attack him.
In fact, they seed to shrink back in fear at his presence.
Had he been walking on a Death Gate, the situation would have been entirely different.
As Daniel continued forward, he could already sense that he was close to leaving this place.
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Or rather, if he wanted to, he could step out right now.
But…
"Wouldn't that make stand out too much?"
The speed at which he had reached this point felt too fast.
It was entirely possible that most others hadn't even figured things out yet.
Daniel did want to take first place, but he also didn't want to seem too inhuman.
So, after thinking for a mont, he decided to check on the others first.
At this point, he had already grasped the general structure of the totemic space within the Wall of Life and Death.
Moving through it to observe others was a trivial task for him.
As he walked, Daniel encountered no further interference from the ghostly entities.
Instead, he observed how others were performing in this trial.
So unlucky contestants had stepped straight into hellfire upon entering, suffering burns that instantly disqualified them.
On the other hand, so of the more skilled participants had managed to analyze the situation, find a Life Gate, and move forward safely.
Among them, Greg caught Daniel's attention.
Daniel watched him for a mont and quickly noticed sothing—
Greg was following the exact sa path Daniel had taken.
In other words…
He was trailing Daniel.
Was he trying sothing?
Trying to copy him, maybe?
But even if Greg had so sort of plan, executing it within the Wall of Life and Death wouldn't be easy.
Unlike the first trial's magic array, this place was far more complex.
And most importantly…
This wasn't a magic array at all.
After circling around the space, Daniel noticed that others had finally begun making their way out.
Thinking it was about ti, he prepared to leave as well.
Just then, he spotted a familiar figure and walked over.
A Familiar Face
Veya was on high alert, wary of any approaching ghosts.
Suddenly, she spotted Daniel erging before her.
Veya froze.
Wait.
This was the Wall of Life and Death.
How was she seeing Daniel here?
It had to be an illusion created by the ghosts!
Imdiately, she took a defensive stance, ready to strike at a mont's notice.
"It's . Not an illusion," Daniel quickly said, recognizing her caution.
Veya didn't lower her guard.
So, Daniel stepped closer.
No matter how well the ghosts imitated human appearances, they could not mimic the life force of a living person.
As soon as Veya sensed Daniel's natural presence, she finally confird that it was truly him and not so ghostly trick.
"I knew it," she said with a smirk. "I figured this trial wouldn't be a problem for you."
At first glance, the Life and Death Gates seed simple—just a choice between doors.
But in reality, this challenge was even harder than the first trial.
The positions of the Life Gates and Death Gates were constantly shifting, aning participants had to choose the right path and stick to it.
Once inside, there was no turning back.
Yet Daniel had not only navigated his way through successfully—he had even left his own path to find her.
That ant he had completely figured out the chanics of the Wall of Life and Death in just a short ti.
"Well?" Daniel asked. "Think you can make it through?"
Veya was the only acquaintance he had in the Enlightennt Competition, and he didn't mind lending a hand.
"Of course," Veya replied with confidence, flashing a smile.
"It's all thanks to you for fixing the magic array core. Without it, I wouldn't feel nearly as prepared."
Daniel's repairs had greatly boosted her abilities over the past few days.
"Once the competition is over, let treat you to a al," she added. "I owe you that much at least."
"Sure," Daniel chuckled. "But I eat a lot."
Veya laughed. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you're full."
After chatting for a bit longer, Daniel asked,
"Need to lead you out? Like how you led to Greenstone City?"
Veya shook her head.
"No, I want to test my own strength."
Daniel respected her decision.
After offering a few words of encouragent, he turned to leave.
By now, several others had already exited.
Leaving at this point wouldn't draw attention.
But just as he took a few steps forward—
He noticed sothing.
Greg was lurking near Veya.
Seed like he was up to sothing.
Daniel narrowed his eyes.
If Greg interfered with Veya, that would be a problem.
So—
Daniel quietly located a ghost king in another part of the space.
Then, he gave it a command:
Kick Greg out.
With that taken care of, Daniel stepped out of the Wall of Life and Death.
As he exited, he saw a swarm of ghostly creatures converging on Greg's location.
A small smile tugged at Daniel's lips as he left the trial behind.
The Aftermath
Of the nearly two thousand participants who had entered the second trial, only about a hundred successfully erged.
The first two trials alone had eliminated an overwhelming majority of competitors.
Veya, too, managed to pass and, after greeting Daniel, sat down to rest and recover.
Just as the trial was about to officially conclude—
A figure stumbled out of the wall.
All eyes imdiately turned to the final person to erge.
And they were shocked.
Because this person was—
Absolutely wrecked.
Throughout the trial, those who followed the Life Gate had left completely unhard.
Only those who entered a Death Gate suffered brutal attacks.
And looking at Greg…
It was clear that he had been through hell.
"Huh? Isn't he supposed to be a genius from Artisan's Sanctuary?" soone sneered. "Why does he look so pathetic?"
"Judging by those ghost claw marks, it looks like he took the wrong path and went straight into a Death Gate!"
"Hahaha, Artisan's Sanctuary's genius decided to brute force a Death Gate? That's a new one!"
Hearing these mocking voices, Greg's rage burned even hotter.
Though his appearance was disheveled, he wasn't physically injured—a testant to his strength.
After all, Daniel had sicced an entire ghost king on him, along with countless spectral minions.
And yet—
Greg had survived.
As expected of Artisan's Sanctuary's elite.
But at this mont, Greg's eyes were locked onto one person.
Daniel.
Even without evidence, his instincts scread that Daniel was responsible for what had happened.
From the first trial's mishaps to the second trial's ghostly ambush, everything pointed back to Daniel.
And Greg was not going to let it go.
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