Chapter Eleven: Hero Sector

"The Black Ruin Castle isn’t just a simple Beast Haven. It’s rumoured that the area once belonged to a great character. After his sudden disappearance 3 months ago, his home became a Beast Haven and the Amberfiends built this castle, having dominated the area ever since. Following that, the city lord sealed this location so it could be used as a training ground for new Evolvers. The entry requirement is Level 0.10%." Forgotten Maple slowly explained to Valen as they walked through an abandoned village.

Forgotten Maple glanced at the far end of the village where a tall, sturdy wall surrounded the hill leading to the Black Ruin Castle. He stared at it for a while before continuing:

"It isn’t merely a single fortress. Rather, it’s a massive stronghold divided into three courtyards. The outer courtyard is the Normal section, the middle courtyard is the Elite section, and the innermost courtyard is the Hero section.

Forgotten Maple paused, as though contemplating his next words. A moment later, he sighed.

"Each courtyard is separated by fortified walls and sealed gates. To get past them, we need to receive a token from the system by the gate. The deeper you go, the stronger the beasts become. At the very center of all three courtyards stands the true castle keep... where the final boss resides. Currently, we’re at The Outer Ruins and far ahead lies the gate to the first courtyard."

Valen nodded silently as he listened. Although he knew of Beast Havens, the specifics of each were things he hadn’t researched.

Shortly after, they arrived before the massive walls. The other teams had also arrived at the walls and queued at a certain point. A man stepped forward, and like a skilled veteran, he placed his palm on the wall.

A visible blue screen popped up before him. Shortly after, a small hole appeared in the area where he placed his palm. From there, he received a grey card which he inserted into the wall.

The wall before him then parted, revealing a human-shaped gap. The man then led his teammate as they crossed to the other side of the wall.

Valen also walked over with his party members and waited in line. Before his turn came, he decided to add his teammates into the party chat he created. This way, they could share information during battles.

In no time, it was Valen’s turn to enter the first courtyard. He pressed his palm against the palm-shaped imprint on the wall. A low click sounded and a blue screen popped up before him.

[How many Party Members?]

"Eleven," Valen mumbled.

The words on the screen changed and were replaced with new ones.

[What Section do you intend to challenge?]

[Normal Section/Elite Section/Hero Section]

[Note: You have to choose carefully.]

Valen read the information carefully. After a moment of thought, he selected the Hero Section.

Suddenly, the wall glowed brightly as the projection of a silver crown appeared on the wall.

All the people in the queue were flabbergasted when they saw that projection.

"Wow. Just who are they? They actually have the confidence to try for the Hero Section."

"It’s probably because they don’t understand the power of the beasts in the Hero Section. Once they realise it, they’ll surely give up."

"Even so, their courage deserves applause. Since the opening of the Beast Haven, I’ve been here twice and only the normal section was enough to send me packing."

"It’s just pure ignorance. Some wannabes seeking attention. Ignore them!"

...

Hearing the conversation of the surrounding Evolvers made Forgotten Maple gasp. Staring at Valen with widened eyes, he whispered, "Hero Section? Friend Night Star, could you have made a mistake?"

Valen chuckled as he retrieved a silver card from the palm-shaped imprint. "There is no mistake, Forgotten Maple. Aside from the Hero Section, there’s nowhere else fit enough for us to make profits."

Valen had developed an interest in challenging the Hero Section when he heard about it from Forgotten Maple. After seeing the list of items sold on the system store’s second floor, his eagerness to earn system points had skyrocketed. If he could get a Grade A nutrient solution, his level would increase significantly.

Also, it wasn’t like he had no assurance. He hadn’t inherited the Silver King’s Memory for show.

Forgotten Maple became speechless as he listened to Valen’s words. The others also stood there in stunned silence.

Valen rolled his eyes at their silly display and said, "Relax, we only got the pass to the Hero Section. We still have to head there by ourselves. If we really can’t make it, we’ll just return."

Everyone snapped back to their senses. What Valen had said was indeed true. They had only obtained the pass. If they couldn’t make it, they would just return. After all, they were here to level up their Silver Watches and earn some points and loot, not to die.

Following which, they headed into the first courtyard. Once eleven people crossed it, the wall closed behind them.

Sounds of battle echoed as they soon found themselves in a massive, cracked training ground. Bulky, yellowish beasts were spread out for as far as the eyes could see. The previous Evolvers that had come in earlier than them were currently battling the beasts.

’So, this is the first courtyard. Just the Normal mode and it’s already so dense with monsters.’ Valen clicked his tongue.

Dozens of monsters immediately noticed their party once they came in. The monsters roared and charged at them with wooden axes in their hands.

Before Valen and his teammates could react, they received a series of system notifications.

---

System: [Criteria has been met. Activating fantasy mode.]

Valen’s system lenses glowed and a screen only he could see appeared at the corner of his eyes.

[Profile:

Name: Valen

Username: Night Star || HP: 100/100 (Note: Once HP hits 1, the lifesaving barrier would be automatically activated, deducting 10,000 points from your system points).

Evolution Path: Twilight Gene

Rank: 0 (Apprentice)

Level: 0.67% Energy Absorbed

Points: 878

Status: Normal]

---

Valen was flabbergasted. He knew what ’Fantasy’ mode meant. This was the reason why Evolvers were courageous even against impossible odds.

With this mode activated, the system would place a random tag called HP on someone. The more attacks they receive, the lower it gets. It doesn’t actually reflect an Evolver’s life; it’s more like a limiter placed by the system to restrict an Evolver.

Once it hits 1 point or their life is threatened, their Silver Watch implodes to create a lifesaving barrier that defends them and saves them from the crisis. However, that would cost them 10,000 system points for every lifesaving barrier.

Also, their Silver Watches would be destroyed, so they would have to get a new one. If such an accident happened in the Astral Veil, it would signify doom as they would have to return to Greenfield Planet to get a new Watch.

Even so, this was incredibly valuable as it essentially gave one a second chance.

Valen inhaled deeply to steady his emotions. Then he glanced at the incoming yellowish beasts and murmured, "Inspect."

His system lenses glowed briefly and a screen appeared at the corner of his eyes.

---

[Amberfiend || Vitality: 250/250]

Level: 0.50%

Class: Normal

Type: Beast

[Amberfiend || Vitality: 280/280]

Level: 0.60%

Class: Normal

Type: Beast

[Amberfiend || Vitality: 190/190]

Level: 0.33%

Class: Normal

Type: Beast

[Amberfiend || Vitality: 330/330]

Level: 0.77%

Class: Normal

Type: Beast

---

Valen’s lips twitched violently as he stared at the over-a-dozen Amberfiends heading toward them.

He took in a deep breath and immediately began barking out orders:

"Night Vanguard and Frost Byte, head to the front and attract as many beasts as you can manage. Void Striker and I will deal with those that slip past. Abandoned Protocol, deal with them from behind. All those with speed-based Evolution Paths, circle around and deal fatal strikes to the beasts. Crimson Pulse, remain as reserve for now."

Valen unsheathed Silver Edge as everyone took formation. His mind spun as he went through his memories of the Silver King, sorting through the numerous sword techniques he once used.

*******

A/N: Hey everyone. Creation is hard, cheer me up with powerstones. I feel like I’m the only reader of my book, haha. For now, no one has made reviews, donated powerstones to the story or even comment on how the Chapters are like. To be honest, it’s kind of depressing.