Chapter 157

(Catfolk)

[Age]: 15 years old

—Active as a hunter and mercenary in the Eastern Jungle region of the continent. The youngest elite mercenary, apparently willing to take any job that pays well.

[Notable Traits]: Penny-pincher

‘Being a mercenary means…’

It’s way easier to hire them.

Just throw a hefty sum their way and they’re yours.

Laurea’s expression brightened. She could fulfill her promise to Ulan.

Just then, Ian added his two cents.

“Additionally, according to our informant, there were others asking around for information on Sven Isaac.”

“What? Who?”

“He didn’t know that part.”

Ian shook his head.

“All I heard was that there were people wandering around in gray robes and masks.”

With that answer, a sudden ominous feeling flickered in my mind.

I couldn’t explain why.

The moment I heard the words ‘gray robes and masks,’ I felt a persistent unease.

After mulling it over for a while.

Laurea made a decision.

“……Ian.”

“Yes, Saintess.”

“Where is Sir Shanktus?”

Mentioning the Paladin Master once again.

As soon as Laurea finished speaking, Ian replied, visibly shocked.

“D-Did I do something rude? Why are you suddenly looking for my teacher…?”

“I need to ask a favor.”

“What kind of favor?”

“Don’t panic. It’s not related to you.”

She gave Ian a light glance and stood up decisively.

“Anyway, set up a seat for me.”

As quickly as possible.

Laurea’s expression became serious.

8.

Around the same time.

After realizing that the identity of the assailant disrupting the trial was an Abyss Worshipper, Ulan and Noa hurried their steps.

‘What the hell is going on?’

On the other hand, Noa was extremely flustered.

It was only natural. In all the playthroughs she had done, an Abyss Worshipper had never attacked the Hero’s Trial before.

Of course, they couldn’t rely on the original forever.

After Ulan enrolled in the Academy, numerous variables cropped up, leading to many changes.

‘But still…!’

It didn’t make sense for an Abyss Worshipper to suddenly pull a stunt like this. Noa nervously chewed on her lips.

‘…Let’s think calmly.’

The Abyss Worshippers’ target was Delia.

The partial failure caused by someone’s interference and all the Rangers that were searching for her turning up as corpses served as evidence.

Of course, the reason for targeting her was predictable.

Delia was beloved by Mana, which made her the perfect sacrifice for the Abyss Worshippers.

But of all days, they choose to attack her during the Hero’s Trial?

‘It’s almost as if…’

It seemed like Delia’s undertaking of the Hero’s Trial was known in advance, right?

Noa’s gaze darkened.

‘But this also doesn’t make sense.’

Because it was far in the future when the Abyss Worshippers would discover the existence of the Seven Heroes.

Only after the Gate of the Abyss was opened and the Lord’s voice could be heard could one be born, the so-called ‘Apostle of the Abyss.’

‘There’s no way an Apostle could be born already.’

For an Apostle of the Abyss to be born, the gate must open, and the Lord of the Abyss must emerge.

And as of now, every Lord that has come out of the Abyss had disappeared completely at Ulan’s hands.

‘But why…’

It felt like a question lingered in the air, unanswered.

Noa sighed with frustration.

Just then.

“I found it.”

Ulan, in the lead, came to a stop.

He had discovered the entrance leading to the trial.

“It looks exactly like what I experienced.”

From the size of the gate to its appearance.

The entrance was identical to the Hero’s Trial Ulan faced on the prairie.

So, he was certain.

This was where Delia was.

“Then let’s go in.”

There was no reason to hesitate any longer.

Just as he was about to move, Noa’s sudden voice stopped him.

“Wait a second.”

“What is it?”

“I have something to tell you.”

About this Hero’s Trial.

Noa’s eyes sparkled.

“When we enter the trial, you and I will scatter in different directions. The place where we can meet again is called the ‘Library of the Stars.'”

Library of the Stars.

This is a space where the entrance to the final trial against the Arch Lich exists.

Noa added that, just like its name, the library would be filled with countless books, so they would surely find it easily.

“How do we get there?”

“We need to solve a problem.”

“Problem?”

“Yeah, ninety-nine problems.”

The Trial of Magic.

Here, every type of question related to star magic exists in the form of a gate.

You need to solve all of them to reach the Library of the Stars and qualify for the final trial against the Arch Lich.

“And if you either say the wrong answer or can’t solve the problems, you can’t move forward.”

“Then we just solve them, right?”

“It’ll be tough for Ulan.”

“Why is that?”

“Because all ninety-nine problems are written in Ancient Fairy Script.”

Hardly anyone can read Ancient Fairy Script. Among the Seven Heroes, even Delia was the only one who could.

“But there’s no need to worry.”

“Do you have a solution?”

“Yes, you can solve it with force.”

“Force?”

“Literally, you can just force open the door and move forward without solving the problems.”

An unexpected answer.

Ulan’s eyes widened.

“Are you serious?”

“Of course not.”

Denying what she had just said.

Was she joking? Ulan frowned, and Noa continued.

“If you use magic or force in front of the gate where the ninety-nine problems are written, all challengers will fall into the maze.”

“The maze means…”

“A labyrinth swarming with monsters that have a strong resistance to magic. If you break through this maze, you can reach your destination without solving the problems.”

In short, there were two ways to reach the Library of the Stars. Using knowledge or proving your might, both.

“The way to navigate the maze is simple if you know the trick. Just follow the right wall and head east to find the exit.”

After all was said and done.

Ulan silently nodded.

“I’ll definitely remember ‘right’ and ‘east.'”

“Good. Then I’ll see you at the resting place.”

Flashing a smile.

Noa stepped beyond the trial.

Her body was engulfed by swirling fog and disappeared in an instant. Watching her, Ulan followed her steps.

Not long after.

The Valley of the Falling Stars became eerily silent.

As if no one had ever been there from the start.

Chapter 38. The Star Witch