THEOS

Chapter 22: What is True?

For the last time Spiros, its not like that. Luke said, eyes focused on Arya as she ever so slowly moved through the motions. Ignoring Spiros looking at him out of the corner of his eyes with an expression that could best be described as belonging to someone who thought they were being lied too.

How do you think shes doing it? Spiros asked, a teasing grin on his face spreading from ear to ear.

No clue. You think she figured out the Techniques Core like you were saying.

Its the only thing that makes sense. Do you think her having access to mana helped her?

Possibly. Luke shrugged his shoulders. Something like this does seem like it would fit. Arcane seems like an apt description of these skills. You probably know more about mana than I do though.

Not enough. None of the other Inner Disciples have figured it out. So I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Yeah. Luke replied. Did you see what she was doing before she started?

Im pretty sure she was just sitting there.

Hmm. Alright. Lets try and ask her about it later. Luke frowned at the slowly increasing crowd around her. I dont think well get a chance anytime soon. Not with that many people crowding around her.

Yeah, youre right.

Do you know how to work the arenas? Im pretty sure I saw someone fighting a monster earlier. Luke suddenly asked him.

Are you sure you want to fight one? None of them look weak. Spiros turned to the assorted cages arrayed against the wall. Eyeing the vicious monsters with apprehension.

Yeah. The Hero probably had some reason to put them in here. Who knows, constantly fighting something might help.

You think so?

Im willing to try. Id appreciate it if you spotted me though? Luke glanced at him.

Huh?

Oh right. There isnt actually a gym-culture here. Keep forgetting I have to be careful with how I talk.

I mean, stand outside the ring with a bow, and let an arrow fly into it if it looks like Im in trouble. I saw someone else doing it that way, and figured it was a good idea. Having someone watching in case things do go wrong.

Oh. Yeah, Im okay with that. It is a good idea. Spiros nodded.

Thanks. Luke nodded gratefully, glancing between the cages stocked full of animals and the arenas. Wondering how to get a monster from a cage into a ring.

Not seeing any method or mechanism to help him get one of them out of their cages, he made his way to an empty arena. Climbing over the short stone barrier and into the sand filled pit inside. Sword and shield ready, he spotted a small post sticking out of the ground along the edge of the ring.

Walking towards it, he was surprised to see an image of a large mean looking bear, along with a short description underneath it that read: Low Mortal-tier. A large red button with the word call printed in large white letters beside it.

Could it be?

He slid his finger over the image of the bear, and grinned when it changed. Becoming a thin bright-pink snake instead. Its descriptor read Peak Mortal-tier, very fast, extremely venomous.

So it's basically Tinder, but for monsters. Nice. Definitely not swiping right on the snake though.

Navigating to the next beast, a cute rabbit, he thought looked rather weak. To his surprise though, the description identified it as a Mid Warrior-tier monster. Being extra cautious not to accidentally hit the call button, he scrolled through the list of monsters. Frowning as he realized that a fairly large chunk of them were in the Warrior-tier.

I cant believe there are actually Warrior-tier monsters in here, let alone this many. Does she really expect us to be here for that long? Or did she just plan for people at the very peak of the Mortal-tier to participate in and break through during the trial. There are a lot of Late Mortal-tier people here. In fact thats most of the people here. It wouldnt be the craziest thing if a few of them became Warriors, I guess.

Whatever, it isnt something I have to worry about at the moment.

Unless some idiot lets one of the monsters loose Im sure it'll be fine. Hopefully. Worst case I run to my room, and never come out, and pray that whatever barrier stops me from going into other peoples rooms, works on monsters too.

After a few more minutes of scrolling, he eventually settled on a large ugly rat-like creature that was labeled as being in the early Mortal-tier. Approximately the size of a small dog, with none of its inherit cuteness.

You ready? Luke shouted out Spiros. Seeing him standing there with an arrow already nocked.

Whenever you are.

Hows your aim with that thing by the way? Luke asked, suddenly remembering a very important detail.

I should have asked him that before I asked him to spot me. I just assumed hed be good with a bow, but there really isnt any guarantee that he is, and I've never seen him use one either.

Um. Im decent with it. Spiros shrugged. Not the best in the world, but I wont hit you if thats what you're worried about. Just dont pick something too small or too fast.

Right. Luke hesitated for a moment, and then with finality, pressed the button.

The monster didnt appear right away. Instead a warning popped up in place of the monster's picture. It read:

Confirm Low Mortal-tier?

Cost: 1 credit

Available Balance: 1 credit(s)

Hmm. Looks like I dont get to fight infinite monsters. He pressed the button again anyway. And what are these credits about? Can I get more of them?

A sudden noise snapped him out of his thoughts, and drew his attention to the center of the arena.

Raising his shield as a familiar mechanized whir emanated from underneath the sand covered ring. The ground split, and out of it emerged a large bronze cage, containing his would-be foe.

Lukes heart beat in anticipation as the front of the cage slid back into the ground. A savage grin appeared on his face before he realized that he was, in fact, looking forward to fighting the creature. A lot.

When did I start looking forward to this?Whatever. He shook his head. I can figure out all the terrible ways Theos has changed me later. Right now, I have a rat to kill. A battle to the death isnt a good place or time for a crisis of identity.

No, I should save that for when Im lying awake in the middle of the night. Wondering what I did to deserve this. Or if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Not now though. He squinted at the sitting still in his cage. Inspecting it for weaknesses.

It looked even uglier in real life compared to its pictures. Luke grinned. More and more like Tinder.

Its fur was dirty gray, and coarse, stretched tight over its muscle bound frame. It stepped out of the cage cautiously, sniffing the ground as it took one slow step after another. Its worm-like tail swayed gently behind it.

Luke widened his stance in anticipation. Waiting for the moment that the monster's beady eyes would meet his own.

Alright. This is the real deal. Just me and my sword against that. No talismans, no tricks.

His motion must have triggered it, because suddenly the creature perked up, and then came bounding toward him. Its lips pulled back in a rabid snarl, showing each and every one its yellow shark-like teeth. Closing the distance between him and Luke astonishingly fast.

Luke shifted his weight from one foot to the other in anticipation.

Whats it going to do? Go for my legs? Jump on my face? Try and get behind me?

It leapt into the air.

Luke stepped forward and swung his sword.

It latched onto the blade.

Snarling in disgust as the creature's putrid smell invaded his nose, Luke whacked his sword with his shield, just barely managing to clip its tail and shake it off of him. Instants before it climbed up his arm. Resisting with all his might, the urge to drop the blade in disgust and throw up in disgust.

Maybe I should have picked something less gross. Like a cat No, it's too cute then. Ugh. Whyd it have to smell like shitty vomit? Yuck.

The rat landed on its feet, and immediately attempted to crawl onto Lukes leg. For his part, Luke managed to keep his cool long enough to swing his sword. This time managing to cut the creature's head clean off, with a single swing, slicing through its fur, skin, flesh, and bone with startling ease.

+2 Stat Points

So it's roughly as strong as the harpies, huh. Not as many as I would have wanted, but points are points. Luke dismissed the message as soon as it came. His attention instead focused on the creature's corpse. More specifically, as fresh sand bubbled around it, and swallowed it whole. Leaving no signs of its death save for a few splatters of blood on Lukes robes.

The Hero really pulled out all the stops. I didnt even think about what I was supposed to do with the bodies.

Whoooo. Spiros clapped and cheered outside the arena.

Playing along, Luke raised his sword and shield in victory. You want to go next?

Spiros visibly perked up, and without wasting a moment hopped into the ring.

Yeah, of course. He shrugged off his quiver and handed Luke his bow. Spot me will you. He grinned.

Wait. Luke pulled back the string, smiling in satisfaction when he was able to do so without too much strain. Alright its good. I wasnt sure Id be able to draw it. Make sure you pick something that you have some confidence in fighting alright. Im okay with a bow, Luke lifted it, and Im pretty sure I wont hit you, but treat me like an unreliable last resort.

Will do. Thanks Luke. He slapped him on the shoulder.

Watching him run to the control console near the end, Luke climbed out of the ring and nocked an arrow in anticipation. Drawing it a quarter of the way back and aiming it to where the cage had emerged from underneath the sand.

A moment later it finally did. A glimmer of recognition flashed through Lukes eyes.

Wow. He doesnt take it easy does he?

Spiros had chosen the Low Mortal-tier bear.

Its a good choice considering his weapon. I have to use a sword, and a bear seemed like a poor matchup. Low Mortal-tier or not a bear is a bear. One juiced up with mana is bound to be even scarier.

His eyes traced the gleaming tip of his spear. Glinting wickedly in the light of the artificial sky.

I should get a cool spear too. I doubt I can find anything comparable to my sword, but there's definitely bound to be times where the extra reach would be useful.

He watched the bear leisurely climb out of its cage. Its entire attitude changed though, second it laid its eyes on Spiros.

The bear barreled towards Spiros with unnatural speed. It was going faster, than Luke thought a creature of its size was capable, and with all the grace of a ballerina.

This and the rat are in completely different leagues. Even with them both being low Mortal-tiers. I guess even with mana, a bear is a bear and a rat is a rat.

Tracking the bear's every move with the tip of his arrow, Luke almost missed it when Spiros moved into action.

Jumping to the side, Spiros held his blade out horizontally, parallel to the ground. Taking five quick, but steady steps, he met the bears charge.

The bear ran shoulder first into his spear and stopped dead in his tracks. Spiros for his part, casually lunged towards the bear, and pushed, not missing a beat. Driving it a foot deeper into the creature's body.

Desperately holding onto his weapon as the monster began to move. Only to suddenly pull it back, and before the creature could even realize that the spear was gone, he stabbed it right in the eye.

Staying still until the bear stopped moving, he pulled his spear free. The sand bubbled near its form a second later, and swallowed it whole.

Damn that was quick. He looked at Spiros in shock. Surprised by how cleanly he had dealt with the monster. Then a moment later he lifted his bow in the air, and shouted Whoooooo! His face turned red in embarrassment as a few dozen people shot him angry stares.

Wow. I know were all being quiet, but this isnt a library.