Temple of the Demon Lord of Wishes

After realizing Darian had no intentions of cooperating... and was, in fact, willing to accept the curse that would bring forth the birth of the Master of Cruelty—both Ivaim and the Black Veil Master wasted no time.

They sprinted back toward Elthram, urgency coursing through every step as they sought out Nathan.

Nathan, ever composed but visibly wary after hearing their hurried report, stood by a large map sprawled across a wooden table.

"The Coliseum of Chosens..."

Nathan muttered, tracing his gloved finger along the ancient parchment.

"It won't be an easy place to break into unnoticed, especially with their security tightening for the competition."

Ivaim replied.

"We don't have to sneak in. We'll just have to hit hard and fast before Darian has a chance to accept that damn curse."

The Black Veil Master's voice was measured, calm despite the gravity of the situation.

"A frontal assault would be foolish. The Coliseum's wards are designed to detect hostile intent..."

Nathan nodded grimly.

"Agreed. We still have two days left before the competition starts. The travel group in Elthram plans to leave this afternoon."

He paused, his gaze hardening.

"But if we wait for them, there's no guarantee we'll get there before Darian does. He has a head start."

Ivaim's lips tightened.

"So what's the plan? We can't waste time sitting around."

Nathan's voice was firm.

"We go on our own. Right now."

The Black Veil Master spoke calmly, as if weighing unseen variables.

"It will raise questions if you depart ahead of the official travel party. The Coliseum has strict regulations regarding early arrivals. They may see it as an attempt to gain an unfair advantage."

Nathan's expression remained unyielding.

"I'll deal with that. I'll tell them I'm going to scout the terrain to prepare for the competition. They won't like it, but they'll have to accept it."

The group wasted no time.

Nathan gathered his essential gear, strapping his spear securely across his back, while Ivaim made quick checks of his enchanted baton.

The Black Veil Master had casted her abilities to conceal their swift departure from any prying eyes.

By the time they approached the regional officials in Elthram, Nathan's strategy was set.

"I'm leaving early."

Nathan announced flatly, meeting the skeptical gaze of the head official.

"I need to familiarize myself with the terrain. Observation is key if I want to perform well."

The official frowned, clearly unimpressed.

"It's against standard protocol. No competitors are allowed to arrive before the sanctioned travel group."

Nathan leaned forward slightly, his voice unyielding.

"If I wait, I'll be unprepared. I'm not asking for permission—I'm informing you of my decision."

There was a long pause before the official relented with a reluctant sigh.

None of the officials really had any control over the representative of the Regions.

He was, after all, the representation of their strength.

Lest they wanted to offend a possible future leader of Vallgorath, there was no actual way of controlling him.

"Fine. But you'll be accountable for your actions if this breaches Coliseum regulations."

Nathan nodded curtly.

"Understood."

Meanwhile, Reves stood nearby, his expression anxious.

"What about me? I can help. You're going to need more than just three people!"

Ivaim shook his head firmly.

"Not this time, kid."

"But—"

"No." Nathan cut in sharply.

"You're going with the travel group. It's safer."

The Black Veil Master placed a gentle hand on Reves' shoulder.

"You may not see it now, but staying with them is the right choice."

Reves bit his lip, frustration flickering in his young eyes.

"I just don't want to be useless..."

"Don't be stubborn." Nathan scolded him.

Despite his protests, Reves was eventually forced to accept his role, trailing reluctantly behind the travel group as they prepared for departure.

Hidden by the Black Veil Master's shrouding powers, the trio slipped away unnoticed, moving swiftly toward the Coliseum.

...

After traveling at a fast pace up the rugged mountain path, Ivaim huffed, sweat dampening his brow despite the cold winds brushing against his face. H

is legs ached from the relentless climb.

'I miss riding cars...'

He thought bitterly.

'A nice, smooth road and a comfortable seat... Yeah, that sounds better than this nonsense.'

Nathan, walking steadily ahead without a hint of exhaustion, glanced back briefly.

"There is no time for a break, don't fall back."

"I'm fine..."

Ivaim muttered, though his burning calves said otherwise.

The Black Veil Master moved silently beside them, her dark robes untouched by dirt or dust despite the rough terrain.

Her eerie composure only added to Ivaim's irritation.

Finally, after what felt like hours of relentless ascent, they crested the final slope.

The view opened up to reveal the Coliseum of Chosens, an imposing structure carved from ancient stone, its towering arches reaching toward the cloudy sky.

The arena's peak was crowned by flickering banners emblazoned with sigils of past victors.

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But something was off.

Ivaim frowned, scanning the empty grounds below.

"Isn't the competition in seven hours? Why is it so quiet? There should be a crowd forming by now, lines of people trying to get in, vendors setting up stalls... or something like that..."

Nathan's jaw tightened as he surveyed the desolate scene.

"Something doesn't add up."@@novelbin@@

The wide plaza leading to the Coliseum gates was eerily barren.

Not a single merchant cart or eager competitor was in sight.

Even the wind seemed hesitant, brushing through the flagpoles with an unsettling stillness.

The grand entrance, usually bustling with life before such events, stood open but deserted, its iron doors unmanned by guards.

"No security either..."

Ivaim noted, his voice low.

"Feels like a ghost town."

Nathan gripped his spear tighter.

"Stay alert. Something's wrong."

The Black Veil Master tilted her head slightly, as if listening to whispers only she could hear.

Her obsidian eyes glimmered with an unsettling awareness.

"There's an unusually large presence of death lingering here..."

She muttered softly.

Ivaim's stomach twisted.

He glanced warily at the looming Coliseum, its silent arches now far more ominous than grand.

'No way... did Darian get here before us and inherit the curse already?'

The thought struck hard, panic creeping at the edges of his mind.

But he shook it off quickly.

'No... that can't be it. If he had, the system would've notified us of something that big.'