Chapter Twenty-One: The End

[Prompt: Player “Rain Tomorrow”, trial failed.]

Ashes didn’t care to know what last-ditch efforts Rain Tomorrow made. All he needed was the outcome.

He was thoroughly satisfied with the result, and then promptly cast it aside, launching himself into his own solitary killing game.

Entering a space that was at least somewhat familiar, Ashes inexplicably felt a sense of relief—perhaps the series of security doors had truly shut him away from the enhanced juvenile Mimic. Even so, he did not allow himself to relax; the challenge was not yet over, and he threw himself forward at full speed towards his destination, not stopping until he reached the containment facility of the anomaly: [Active Slime].

At last!

He gazed at the door before him, which looked no different from all the security gates along the way. It stirred a host of emotions in him. He had endured countless hardships to reach this point, but all of that paled in comparison to the joy of the reward that now lay within reach.

Smiling, Ashes used his access card to open the lock. He watched as the door slowly rose, cold air billowing from the widening gap. Only then did he finally relax, turning his attention to the half-page newspaper in his hand.

“The new batch of provisional staff is about to arrive at various containment facilities, laboratories, and military bases. Supervisors, doctors, and commanders, please prepare to receive them. Although there are no exceptional targets in this group warranting special attention, none of them have a criminal record. Consider adopting a friendly approach during training.”

“Warning: An anomalous disturbance has been detected in the Pacific Ocean. The emergence of the Chaos Lighthouse is predicted. Foundation branches in the vicinity, please prepare accordingly.”

“After consulting with [The Farmer], the Foundation’s High Council has decided, after careful deliberation, to hold a [Manor Open Day] in the near future. At that time, supervisors, doctors, and commanders may each choose a new staff member to visit the [Manor], where [The Farmer] and his [Crops] will provide hospitality.”

“… …”

“Farmer, crops, Manor Open Day…”

Ashes swiftly scanned the scattered news, committing it to memory. He had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before he’d be paying the Farmer’s Manor a visit.

Shaking his head, he reined in his wandering thoughts and brought his focus back to the door before him. For some reason, he felt the security gate was rising too slowly, accompanied by an excruciating screech of metal on metal.

Was something stuck?

Perplexed, Ashes crouched down to peer beneath the door—and nearly jumped out of his skin. There, he saw an old acquaintance.

Something he absolutely did not wish to encounter now.

Anomaly Project—Brocade!

“Haunting me like a ghost!”

A dark cloud settled over his heart. He never would have guessed that the elusive Brocade would appear here! There was, in fact, an important piece of information Ashes did not know: once Brocade’s favor was exhausted, a period of hostility ensued. During this time, any player who had cleared the containment facility and survived would be hunted down by Brocade. This was the final hurdle to obtaining special treasures or other items.

But it must not be forgotten—the challenge was not yet over for Ashes.

Thus, the Enhanced Juvenile Mimic appeared!

With the nod of the suited old man, the security door to Guard Zone Five opened wide for it. Driven by the mad faith that filled what remained of its damaged brain, the creature’s shattered body once more appeared before Ashes!

“Damn it to hell!”

Ashes could not help but curse. But cursing was all he could do; he refused to give up his final chance.

The ultimate treasure was right in front of him—how could he possibly surrender now?

His mind raced. In that instant, Ashes realized the situation was not as hopeless as it seemed. Brocade’s presence was a threat, yes, but even when he’d been distracted by the newspaper moments ago, he hadn’t been decapitated on the spot.

He glanced at the gap beneath the door, still too narrow for a person to squeeze through, and listened to the ever-more piercing screeches. Suddenly, he understood: the door’s slow ascent was the work of Brocade, which had exchanged its habit of scraping its arms along facility walls for the containment door itself.

“So the game designer still has a shred of mercy. Up to now, the only enemy I’m facing is the Mimic!”

Still, even with Brocade’s interference set aside, and even with the Enhanced Juvenile Mimic battered and bloody, it was not something Ashes could handle alone. The presence of the [Emotion Crystal] continually fed it life energy; in mere moments, its minor wounds had healed, though its half-rotted mouth still oozed gray blood and drooled hungrily.

Devouring Rain Tomorrow had not sated it—it craved Ashes as well.

It could sense that Ashes harbored even greater, even more delicious energy within.

Its lone remaining eye glinted with dangerous red light. In a frenzy, it lunged with its claws straight for Ashes’ arm. He dodged desperately, but the Mimic, using both hands and feet, swept a heavy leg across, knocking Ashes off balance and to the ground.

With two modes of attack, the Mimic’s combat prowess had doubled, while Ashes found it much harder to evade attacks—there was no one else to draw fire or take damage, and even dodging was a struggle.

As he lay on the floor, Ashes glanced at the slowly rising door, estimating that in a few more seconds, it would be wide enough for him to slip through.

But in these few seconds, he was dancing on a razor’s edge.

Was there truly no hope?

No!

There was still a chance.

Before the Mimic’s claws could clamp down on his shoulders, Ashes managed to fish something out of his breast pocket. He’d thought he wouldn’t need to use this item, that he could save it for the next game—but fate had other plans. Still, even with that item, it wasn’t enough. The Mimic’s claws now had his arms in a death grip; he could not move.

What truly revived Ashes’ hope for a turnaround was his unmatched character level!

[Prompt: The Enhanced Juvenile Mimic has grappled you. You need a Strength rating of 3 to break free!]

Three points of Strength?

Three points of Strength!

This was what made the so-called masters grimace and Rain Tomorrow shake his head, but for Ashes, it was no obstacle at all!

Even in the darkness, he had risked not increasing his Perception, saving his resources to face a true, fatal crisis at the crucial moment. That moment might never have come, and he might have wasted all he’d hoarded, but driven by a hint of greed, he had gambled everything.

Now!

Not only had Ashes made his gamble, he had won.

But he kept his composure, waiting, just as Rain Tomorrow had waited for him to fall into the Mimic’s range. He waited for the Mimic to come within his own striking distance.

The Enhanced Juvenile Mimic’s eyes lit up eagerly. It once more struck a baboon-like pose, mouth gaping wide, waiting impatiently for its prey to fall inside. If it could devour Ashes, it would complete its metamorphosis and become a higher-tier juvenile Mimic. The excitement clouded its already feeble mind; it paid no heed even when Ashes raised his hand.

Not that it could have done anything—once its Devour skill was activated, it could only continue, no matter what.

Even if the prey broke free.

[Prompt: You have consumed one important attribute to raise your Strength rating to 2.]

[Prompt: You have consumed one important attribute to raise your Strength rating to 3. You have met the condition to break the grapple!]

[Prompt: You have broken free from the grapple of anomaly “Enhanced Juvenile Mimic.”]

With three attribute points invested in Strength, those iron-like claws were no longer unbreakable. Ashes wrenched his arms free in a sudden burst, snapping the Mimic’s hold. The Mimic, mouth still agape and ready to devour, didn’t have time to react before Ashes flung a handful of dust right in its face.

[Prompt: You have thrown the single-use item “Wraith Dust” at the anomaly “Enhanced Juvenile Mimic.” The target’s Will must be at least 5 to resist the “Fear” effect.]

[Prompt: Judging…success. Target’s Will is below 5. Target is afflicted with “Fear” for 5 seconds.]

Wraith Dust!

A single-use consumable Ashes had won by defeating a spirit derivative in the Endless Staircase. The trial’s blessing had greatly boosted its effect, giving Ashes a sliver of hope.

Struck by “Fear,” the Mimic lost all will to attack, curling its four grotesquely long limbs around its battered body, trembling and rolling on the ground.

Ashes could have finished it off then and there, but without a visible health bar, he couldn’t tell how much longer the Mimic would last. Besides, Brocade might strike from behind at any moment. So Ashes made a swift decision—he abandoned the fight, dashed to the door, and with a clenched jaw, executed a graceful sliding tackle, slipping through the gap just wide enough for one person, brushing past Brocade’s feet, and entering the [Active Slime] containment chamber.

Even then, Ashes did not forget Brocade’s anomalous properties; as he slid, his eyes never left it for an instant.

Stopping, rising, drawing out the gemstone, Ashes walked with measured strides to the central platform. Atop it rested a chest, ornate with intricate patterns. He couldn’t make out the details, but he could just discern a slot in the center—precisely the size of a gemstone.

He kept his gaze locked on Brocade’s silhouette as his hands, steady as ever, fitted the blue gemstone from the necklace into the slot.

Blue light burst forth. Then Ashes heard the sweetest sound a player could ever wish for:

[Prompt: “Battle Royale Mode—Second Tier Challenge” ended early. You have completed all objectives for this trial, earning an “Outstanding” rating.]

At last!

Ashes let out a long, pent-up breath. Brocade’s appearance had filled him with incomparable pressure, and the Mimic, now recovering from its fear outside the door, was once again clawing and kicking, stretching its limbs through the gap, striving to kill him to the very end.

But the challenge was over. Its defeat was sealed.

[Prompt: You used the special item “Sapphire Necklace” to awaken anomaly “Active Slime.”]

Ruff!

The sound was much like a small dog biting a bone—and that was not far from the truth.

As the gem slotted in, the chest dissolved, revealing a puddle of green slime. At its center, a depression like a mouth swallowed the gemstone whole. Suddenly, a pair of bright, lively eyes opened, sparkling with satisfaction. The green slime began to ripple, surging toward the blue gemstone surrounded at its heart, quickly dissolving the hard stone and absorbing its energy.

Sated, the Active Slime let out a contented burp, its little eyes darting left and right before finally settling on Ashes.

It liked this human who had brought it such a delicious treat, and decided to offer him a gift in return.

The slime extended two small hands, firmer than water but softer than tentacles, clenched its fists, eyes shut in concentration, as if brewing something.

Pop!

Ashes, his eyes never leaving Brocade, missed the look of relief that flitted across the slime’s face, and the item, still slick with green ooze, that it pressed to his waist pouch. But he saw the system prompts and was delighted.

[Prompt: Anomaly “Active Slime” has developed a fondness for you. You have obtained the anomalous equipment (token)—“Active Slime’s Gluttonous Desire.”]

[Prompt: The trial is over. The sole victor—Ashes.]