End of an Era (Project Chrysalis Book 2) by John Gold (popular books to read .TXT) 📕

that was self-sacrifice! I poured my whole soul into that attack. It was twenty times stronger than anything else, and the god just laughed.”

“That’s terrible luck. I’ve never seen a debuff like that. Oh, by the way, Talamei said he’s going to find you and tear your head off for daring to attack him.”

“He can wait his turn.”

“Why did you leave the group?”

“It’s time for us to part ways. The trial is complete, and I have to imagine we failed. Half the group died; the other half ran. We didn’t have a shot anyway.”

One more killer respawned in the room, and the last one came in via the portal. He looked happy. I bet he picked up all the loot, damn him.

Twenty minutes later, our administrator showed up.

“Dear candidates, as you have no doubt surmised, you failed the quest. You didn’t take out all their officers, though you did kill the raid bosses. As a consolation prize, the survivors can now become Hunters.”

I wasn’t really counting on winning as it was. My primary goal was to see what my chances were for next year, especially since the trial wasn’t really that difficult for me. Hell and Hashan were way harder.

Femida isn’t happy with the judges’ decision.

“Mr. Administrator, you know yourself that we wouldn’t have been able to pull it off if it hadn’t been for this candidate,” she says, pointing at me. “It isn’t fair.”

“The ability to talk, evaluate the situation, and adapt to it is key for Hunters. You can call it luck, but we think it’s a sign of your professionalism. He isn’t worthy of being a Hunter if he’s prepared to sacrifice himself for a single attack. You need to value your life and ignore what anyone else says. That goes for the other two who died during the god’s attack and the shock wave too.”

He’s right about everything. I want to be around people like that, people who are professionals and know how to value themselves and others. We’ll see each other next year, my dear Hunter. And I’m going to outdo every expectation you have!

“Do the fallen have the right to come back for the trial next year?”

“Yes, little miss. That’s the reward for passing the first trial.”

He knows who I am, but that’s okay. We’ll be seeing each other again.

“And now, survivors, come over here. It’s time to receive your first moniker as a Hunter and the skill you’ve been waiting for.”

The killer who got back is the first to go.

“Your alias is Smoke, as you’re able to avoid attacks and make sure you’re where your opponent isn’t expecting you to be. Like they say, you can’t catch smoke. Which skill would you like?”

“Amplification.”

Femida, who really isn’t that worried about me, goes over next. I’m fine with what’s going on. I have more important things than skills and levels.

“Your moniker is Death Shield. You protected the bringer of death when he was weak, and you brought death to the field of battle yourself. Which skill would you like?”

“Amplification.”

The administrator continues as soon as Fem sits back down.

“Next year, the trial will be in Denev, a city in the continent of Radaam. Find a restaurant called Gates and order six portions of nutmeg soup.”

You received access to probation with the Hunters

The probation will begin in eleven months and twenty-eight days in the city of Denev.

Go to the Gates and order six portions of nutmeg soup.

One of the judges walks over to the administrator and whispers something in his ear.

“One of the gods would like to personally thank the participants of this trial for the bravery they showed on the field of battle. Please step through the portal. It will take you directly to Airis Castle, where the meeting and rewards will be.”

The administrator gestures toward the portal. That’s all well and good, of course, but I have too many gods on me as it is. I can’t walk either.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t go. I’m overloaded thanks to the death debuff.”

“Ask your group mate to carry you to the portal.”

Damn it, I’ll just attract more attention if I decline. I look over at Femida, not sure what else I can do.

“Fem, can you carry me to the ceremony? I’m so overloaded that I can’t even walk, not to mention run.”

“I was going to offer to help you anyway. I doubt I would’ve passed the trial without your help. Really, fighting undead three hundred levels above you, then taking out three raid bosses, and then, like that’s not enough, having a god come at you?” She laughs. “Now another god wants to see us. What’s next? The whole large pantheon shaking our hand and giving us yearlong buffs? Ah, I’m getting carried away. Sit down, and I’ll pick you up.”

And just like that, the five of us walk through the portal. The sun gleams pleasantly, applause breaks out, and approving shouts greet us on the other side.

***

Leon met with the heroes who killed the lords of the undead in the dwarf foothills and forced the god Talamei, in charge of that front, to retreat. They were exceptional, the best of the best. One of them had posted a recording of the battle online, and the last attack was simply beyond the possible. The mage who created the death star wasn’t really visible in the recording, which only showed the work of the three professional killers, but the spell was incredible. The attack smashed through the god’s shield and took off five percent of his avatar’s health, and that was with 100% resistance to physical damage. Nobody in the clan was anywhere near capable of doing what that mage could do.

The dwarves reacted instantly, almost as if they were watching the battle. Four hours before, they’d sent out