System Fall

Seven was universally considered to be a lucky number, and that held true for me as well.

I had been right about my theory. Even stops would end with me having to fight off the Minotaur until I could find a way to escape from it, and every other stop would activate a portal within one of the cages while shutting down others.

Once I got back into it, it took me another hour to navigate through the metal cage maze in the warehouse around the octagon before I finally found what I was looking for. Eventually I found a seventh set of gloves.

It had been a grueling ordeal. I’d fought and fought again. I was exhausted from it. The only thing that kept me alive was the experience from my past life and sheer force of will that refused to just give up or let myself lag behind just because I was tired.

The thing was, just as I tired, so too did the Obsidian Minotaur. The monster still charged at me like a rabid beast, but its movements had started to grow more sluggish, and it had a semblance of intelligence to it that suggested it was growing tired.

When I collected the last set of gloves, a locker, not a cage, opened, and within it was a tiny package. As relieved as I was to be done with the searching, I looked at the tiny black pouch with a grimace.

"This just means that whatever lies next, is just going to be that much harder," I muttered, refusing to believe that this was [Admin] rewarding me for getting so far. It would do the [Admin] no good if I died just as soon as the next challenge started. As far as I knew, he liked to see a struggle.

I had several cuts on my gear from where the Glaive had managed to slice through part of my gloves. In spots there was a line of blood where I’d just barely avoided disaster. Exhaustion had caught up with me, and I felt it in my bones. I was covered in sweat, my shirt stiff and powdered with salt lines. On the other hand, all the fighting had only helped to harden my body and get me more used to my younger self.

One thing I did find out, I didn’t actually need to feed the sword my blood to activate it. I just had to be bleeding. I had known others who had come across such items previously. Based on their experience, items that gained strength, or rather buffed the user, lost the effect as soon as the user was healthy again. It was called a [Slayer Effect].

I focused back on the present and ignored my desire to get a hot bath and find a change of clothes. I opened the pouch I found.

Inside all I found was a plastic bottle of orange juice and three hotdogs secured in a disposable plastic box.

I swore. I swore bitterly.

Then I took a closer look. Something had to be going on with them, but as far as I could tell, they were not special [Items]. They weren’t anything else. I was hoping at least they were hidden treasures in disguise, but they seemed to be exactly what they looked like. Just … a bottle of orange juice and some cold hotdogs in a box.

I punched the wall.

The bag and the juice started to glow.

My face twitched, unsure of what expression to make. I was hungry. Hungrier than I’d ever been. Giving in to my baser instincts, I opened the box and took a bite. The hotdogs were cold, the ketchup and mustard nothing special, and the bread was still soft. Before I knew it, I had wolfed down everything, before chugging down the bottle of orange juice.

[System Fall Notification]

Title: Precious Nourishment

Survivor, you've clawed your way through the deceptive depths of the Illusionary Maze and emerged on the other side. Yet, triumph is still just beyond you.

 

As your ephemeral reward, the HAPPINESS SYSTEM MEAL has graced your palate. A thing of joy and fulfillment, each bite healing your battered body and refreshing your weary spirit. Fully restored, you're thrust back into the relentless game of survival. Savor this momentary reprieve, for the next trial of your journey awaits you.  

 

Surprisingly, I felt refreshed. My body stopped aching. My skin healed, and my fatigue was just gone.

And then everything went white. I found myself standing in the center of the true MMA octagon.

It was a caged area, enclosed by metallic fencing. A central pillar was there, where the monster had been originally chained. It stood tall in front of me, fashioned like a pillar of the pantheon, making me crane my neck to see its peak.

It didn’t have any signs of our fighting on its body, and I wondered if I’d been battling a minion of its or if it had been an illusion or some other kind of mental construct.

I could actually see the metallic walls around me now, reflecting the dim light from above. There were no gaps in the fencing, leaving no room for escape. It was just me and the Minotaur in this enclosed battle arena.

I peered at the fencing, knowing that there was no way out. I stepped back, bringing my weapons up.

"Let's do this thing," I challenged and brought my sword down on the chain, severing it.

The Minotaur turned and faced me. It arched its body and roared with its hooves clanging against the metal floor. It snorted, pawing the ground, as if it had lost interest in me.

I knew better. I refused to lower my guard, and the monster tilted its head forward, horns pointed my way and raked the ground with its legs, before shooting forward in a charge.

I stepped to the right and dodged forward, placing my back against the pillar to keep the  Minotaur in view. The beast adjusted course accordingly, its beady eyes never leaving me.

But as much danger as I was in, I knew this was also an opportunity. I could feel the mana within me, like a ball of electricity, and I willed it to spread out in my body and sent a current of power to my limbs. I had always been an agility-focused fighter, and feeling the mana, even as weak as it was, rush through my body felt like greeting an old friend once again.

I grinned, the adrenaline pumping in my veins, sending me into a battle frenzy.

"Come at me!" I screamed. I smiled. My heart pounded. I was alive.

The only things that existed were me, the minotaur, and the battle.

"Today is the day you die." I taunted.

The Obsidian Minotaur did not let the challenge pass. With a roar, it charged towards me, its massive form filling my vision.

As the Minotaur closed in, not from my front but to my left, the thunder of its footsteps sent shocks through my legs. I held my ground, tensing my body and rushed forward and underneath.

[Hrrrnnnnnn!]

An alarmed noise came out of the beast's throat as I spun on my heels and executed a powerful strike. The beast had expected me to aim for its shoulder again, but instead I struck out for its well-muscled legs.

My blade connected with an arm while a kick connected with the top of its knee, I heard a sickening crunch. I tried to sweep its other leg just below the knee. I wasn’t sure how successful the maneuver was, but its own momentum did much of the work for me, and the Obsidian Minotaur stumbled back, now missing a part of its leg while the other was crippled.

"Not so easy, is it, cow," I spat, and raised my sword again.

Something was also changing about my body, especially my hands. They were now glowing faintly red, thrumming with mana. Somehow, during my time within the arena warehouse, my mana stat must have exceeded 20. It was the only explanation for being able to channel mana through my body to reinforce it.

I was having fun. It was almost like a ride at an amusement park, except there was an infuriated beast relentlessly attacking me with powerful punches and devastating knee strikes from various directions. The Obsidian Minotaur seemed to be in complete control of the cage, providing no indication of its next move as it tried to pummel me into submission. I was just glad it didn’t have the Glaive anymore.

Despite the relentless onslaught, I refused to give in. The monster might have shed its Glaive, but it was far from harmless. Yet, in the face of adversity, I fought back with every ounce of strength, with every fiber of my being.

Mana coursed through me, a torrent of power infusing my body, bolstering my resilience against the harsh blows. My ability, Tenacious Vitality, kicked in, allowing my endurance and stamina to absorb more of the impact of the Minotaur's strikes.

Then, as if awakened by my stubborn defiance and growing desperation, my sword, the Cursed Valkyrie, stirred into life. Its unique ability, Berserker Unbound, was activated, amplifying my damage output in direct proportion to the damage I had sustained. The sword pulsed with an almost savage hunger, echoing my will to endure, to conquer.

Emboldened, I deliberately allowed a few of the beast's blows to land, trading wounds for opportunities. Each time I took a hit, the counterstrike I delivered cut deeper into the Minotaur's stone flesh. The arena began to resemble a battleground, littered with my sweat and blood, but also marked by shards of the Obsidian Minotaur's black hide.

My mistake came when I attempted to end it too quickly. My blade got caught in the Minotaur's grasp, and it seized the opportunity to grab my left shoulder with its hand and squeeze. Popping. Snapping. Crunching sounds followed. My shoulder was pulverized. I screamed in rage with a free leg kicked outwards from the Minotaur, landing a blow directly between its eyes.

My left arm hung limp by my side. To anybody watching, it might have looked cool and made me look like a master, but having a useless limb was nothing but a lethal distraction. It got in the way.

Rapidly and with great effort, I positioned my left arm to rest against my side, and I used part of my gear to stabilize the limb. I stood in a modified fighting stance, preparing to strike with only my right hand, the Cursed Valkyrie blade red in my hand.

But I wasn't the only one struggling. The Obsidian Minotaur’s movements had also become sluggish, and upon closer inspection, I noticed that I’d left deep grooves and divots on its skin. The damage was significant. I knew that the next time we clashed, it would be the last for either of us.

Neither of us charged, but as the cages around me inched ever closer, it became clear that there wasn't much choice. Within the true octagon of the magical MMA arena, the Minotaur prepared for its final assault. Despite being a battle maniac, I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement course through me. The beast, with only one arm and one leg, was forced on its knees, propping itself up with its remaining arm to point its horns towards me.

"Let's go," I shouted, amping myself up. The Minotaur roared in response and to my surprise, four illusions leaped out from behind it, each one equipped with a deadly Glaive, homing in on me. I spun around in a circle, and my sword clashed with the Glaives of three illusions, which burst into blue shards upon contact with my powered-up sword.

The real Minotaur remained. With a mighty one-handed push, it thrust itself forward.

I saw my chance. I dropped down to the floor, flat against the octagon. My back slammed down, fragments of the Obsidian Minotaur poking against my shoulder blades in a painful reminder of my injury. But the pain couldn't dampen my excitement. The beast itself sailed over me, and I plunged my sword vertically up and back, its tip entering through the Minotaur's neck and exiting through its skull.

For a moment, I thought its heavy body would fall on me, but then it burst into small fragments just like its illusions had, peppering the floor of the arena with black rock. I covered my face with my arm to prevent any of the debris from getting into my eyes and mouth.

When I got up, I realized that the monster's body was fading, and the shards that had been embedded into my clothes and skin were crumbling to dust. I'd been hoping to gather some of those for future use, maybe trade them a bit. Obsidian was a valuable material in weapons.

[System Fall Notification]

Title: Boss Defeated – Duskhoof, the Cursed Minotaur King

 

 

Well done Nick Vandall!  Your strength and courage have brought down 'Duskhoof, the Cursed Minotaur King.' This cruel beast would have slaughtered and massacred many of the other humans if not for your bravery.

 

[Achievement Unlocked: 'Breaking the Unbreakable']

 

Achievement Description: You have vanquished a powerful foe, shattering the very chains that bound it. Your name will resonate, symbolizing the spirit of resistance. Respect and admiration will be your companions in the hearts of allies and foes alike.

[Passive Ability Unlocked: 'Strength That Cannot Chain']

 

Ability Description: You embody the essence of unbridled strength, and now, no chain can hold you. Any restraints placed upon you will suffer a continual decay, gradually losing their strength until completely dissolving. Your resilience becomes a beacon of hope and a testament to indomitable spirit.

 

 

“[Wow, I can't believe you actually did it!]” The sudden appearance of Zagrid was almost a disaster, my body instinctively preparing to strike. “[You crazy son of a beeswax, you did it! You genuinely, genuinely did it!]”

"Was I not supposed to?" I asked, trying to suppress my racing heart.

“[Oh no, far from it! You were supposed to die horribly mangled in there!]” Zagrid responded, its giddy words almost echoing in the silent arena. “[This is beyond fantastic! I mean, just imagine, someone actually managing to pummel down a D-Rank Objective. It's almost unheard of! You, my friend, you're definitely A-Rank material.]”

I frowned at that, "A-Rank material? Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

“[Of course, it is! A-Rank is the highest most of you humans get.]” Zagrid shot back, brimming with excitement. “[You see, it's not every day you witness a tutorial participant showing such potential. I can't wait to see how you handle the challenges that lie ahead. But let's put that aside for now. This was a good show, an incredibly good show.]”

In its enthusiasm, Zagrid started bouncing up and down, resembling a hyperactive basketball. I watched its antics in confusion, but steadily my body gradually relaxed.

“[Alright, let's get down to business,]” Zagrid finally said, settling down. “[It's time for you to receive your rewards. Speaking of which, I almost forgot, I had something to deliver to you earlier, but explaining the tutorial to the other players got me distracted.]”

As it finished speaking, a food container materialized in front of me. It was the size of a book, made of dense white material with a contrasting blue lid. It glowed slightly.

[System Fall Notification]

Title: Item Granted!

You have gained the Vacuum Tupperware.

All food items stored in the Vacuum Tupperware will be maintained as they are for 72 hours from the time of deposit. Once a food item is stored, it will lose all taste upon withdrawal. Anything stored beyond 72 hours will cease to exist.

That old reward was finally delivered, and I found a grid with nine compartments within it.

I quickly skimmed through the rest and found that I could store one meal per compartment. I immediately wanted to test and see if it withstood The Dark Of The Night. Nothing in the description seemed to imply as such, but if it could, it would be a gamechanger for me.

“[You like what you see, I see!] Zagrid interjected, [Your rewards for clearing the Intermediate Tutorial will become available in this room once it is announced. See you later, Nick Vandal!]”

"Not if I see you first," I muttered as the bot circled behind the plinth and did not reappear. There was shuddering, and the floor moved. The white column in front of me began to lower itself, turning and descending like a screw into the floor, which had opened in a circle to accommodate it.

The tension and adrenaline from the fight had faded, and now I felt all my injuries, especially the pain in my shoulder as I walked up to the pedestal. There was a black treasure chest on it, reminiscent of ones that would appear in video games, and thrust through the top of the treasure chest was a sword.

"First the Minotaur, and now a sword in the stone reference. Did I miss out on all this the last time around?" I laughed to myself.

I let the Cursed Valkyrie clatter to the floor, putting my hand on the other sword. 'Let's see if I am worthy of it, then.' The cold metal felt solid and reassuring in my grasp, as I prepared to pull it from its resting place.

Zagrid's announcement of Nick's completion of the tutorial sent shockwaves through the onlookers. As the screens on the walls of the building restarted, a montage of Nick's epic battle against the Obsidian Minotaur played out before their eyes. The footage showcased his agility, evading the beast's powerful strikes with finesse, while retaliating with calculated precision.

There were even brief moments capturing Nick taking a break and consuming some peculiar-looking food, resembling hotdogs. The montage culminated in scenes from the final showdown, highlighting his strategic maneuvering as he crippled the monster's legs and delivered a fatal blow through its throat, ultimately vanquishing the formidable Obsidian Minotaur.

"I can't see anything up there," Willow whispered, leaning towards May.

"Why do you think you're being singled out? What makes you different from everyone else here?" May whispered back, her curiosity piqued.

The tension in Willow's posture revealed her understanding of the situation. "I'll give you a summary of what happened if you tell me what's going on," she offered, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and resignation. Willow sighed and motioned for May to walk with her, creating a safe distance from their group to ensure privacy.

Once they were out of earshot, Willow began to divulge the truth. "Alvin and I didn't offer anything to Nick in exchange for him entering the dungeon, we didn’t get back in time and sat at the back once we realized what was happening" she confessed, her voice filled with a hint of regret. "I have a feeling those screens are displaying crucial information only to those who helped him in some way."

Understanding washed over May as she realized the implications. "Oh," she murmured, looking down at the ground.

"I wanted to help, really. But it's complicated," Willow admitted, her gaze distant. May could sense the turmoil within her friend.

May didn't fault Willow for keeping quiet about the situation, nor could she intervene in the dynamics between Willow and Alvin without their consent. Instead, she shifted her focus to supporting Willow. "It's okay. I'll tell you everything that happened inside..."