Inside the Mystic Realm
Hours had passed since the intense battle with the Vine Snake. Gabriel and his teammates were now resting atop a massive tree, its towering branches offering a much-needed sanctuary. The air was thick with the earthy scent of leaves and the lingering tension of the recent fight. The tree's vast canopy shielded them from the harshness of the world below, creating a small haven of peace amidst the chaos of the Mystic Realm.
Jane sat apart from the group, her ever-watchful eyes focused on her daggers. The rhythmic sound of metal scraping against a whetstone filled the quiet space, each sharp ting echoing like a heartbeat in the silence. Her movements were precise, almost meditative, but the determined glint in her eyes betrayed her readiness for the next battle. For Jane, there was no rest, only preparation.
Elton lay sprawled across a branch, a leaf lazily hanging from his lips. He chewed it absentmindedly, humming a soft, melodic tune that harmonized with the rustling of leaves. Though his posture was relaxed, his eyes darted around, ever watchful. The melody he created was soothing, a lullaby for their weary minds, offering a momentary escape from the constant danger.
Higher up, Gareth sat cross-legged, deep in meditation. His face was serene, but beneath the calm exterior lay a fiery intensity. The fire mage's connection to his element was palpable, the occasional spark of heat radiating from his hands as he channeled his energy inward. He was reflecting on the battle, seeking ways to improve, to harness his power more effectively. The weight of his responsibility hung heavy on his shoulders.
Zhao Kong, the team's tank, was the most animated of them all. He paced along the tree trunk, his broad shoulders still buzzing with adrenaline. A wide grin stretched across his face as he replayed the battle in his mind. The thrill of defending his team, of standing against the Vine Snake's crushing blows, had left him exhilarated. He was the shield, the protector, and he relished every moment of it.
Gabriel, their leader, leaned against the tree, his gaze fixed on the sky above. The deep blue seemed to stretch endlessly, but his mind was far from peaceful. Worries gnawed at him—the absence of any sign of rankings or results from the martial arts assessment weighed heavily on his thoughts. According to the rules, they had just thirty minutes left before the assessment would end, and the uncertainty clawed at his resolve.
Breaking the silence, Zhao finally spoke up, his voice still tinged with excitement. "That Vine Snake didn't know what hit it, huh? I felt like I could take on ten more of those things!"
Gabriel chuckled, momentarily pushing aside his worries. "You did well, Zhao. But don't get too cocky. That snake was just one of many challenges. We need to always stay sharp—whether in this dungeon or out in the real world."
Jane looked up from her daggers, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Gabriel's right. The real test is how we handle what's next. We've come a long way, but dungeons stronger than this realm don't forgive mistakes. Another second of carelessness can lead to a lifetime of regrets."
Elton chimed in, his voice lazy but thoughtful. "Yeah, yeah. But you gotta admit, we've gotten a lot stronger since we first got here. Remember that first fight? We barely knew how to work together."
Gabriel nodded, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "I remember that fight with the hoard of Spirit Rats. You all were a mess." He glanced at Jane. "At first, you questioned my decision to enter this Nightmare Realm, even suggesting we turn back. I still remember during the student assessment awards when they played the performance of the top 6-15 students, even though Principal Dalhmer had said only the top 5 would be shown. You were in it, Jane. Back then, you were too focused on going solo, and you got removed from that party. But you've proven them wrong—you became one of the top students."
He paused, then smiled at her. "But here in this dungeon, you've learned to trust us, to complement our every move. You really are a genius."
Jane blushed at the compliment but quickly hid her true emotions with a smirk. "Don't get used to it."
"And Gareth," Gabriel continued, turning to the mage, "Your fire magic was powerful but uncontrolled. Now, you're precise, lethal when you need to be."
Gareth opened his eyes, his gaze steady. "Fire's not just about destruction. It can protect, too. I learned that here. Thank you, Brother Gab."
Elton stretched, his bow resting beside him. "And me? I was just a guy with a bow. Now, I feel like I'm part of something bigger. You've helped me see that, Gabriel."
Gabriel's expression softened. "Elton, your arrows have saved us more times than I can count. You've become the backbone of our ranged attacks."
Zhao thumped his chest proudly. "And I've learned that it's not just about being the strongest. It's about being the shield for all of you. I wouldn't be the tank I am today without you guys pushing me."
Gabriel's heart swelled with pride. Each of them had faced their own struggles, their own fears, and had come out stronger on the other side. "You've all grown so much. But remember, this journey isn't over yet.
We've got thirty minutes left."
As the minutes ticked by, the team fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in their thoughts. But their quiet reflection was suddenly interrupted by a system notification.
[Ding! 15 minutes before the Mystic Realm closes!]
[Ding! Teleporting each participant to the Safety Zone!]
Before they could react, a golden light enveloped each of them. Their bodies began to disintegrate, dissolving into shimmering particles that vanished into the air. In the blink of an eye, they were gone from the tree.
Seconds later, they reappeared in the Safety Zone of the Mystic Realm.
As the golden light faded and the participants materialized in the Safety Zone, the chaotic murmurs of disoriented voices filled the air. Teams blinked in confusion, trying to adjust to the sudden change in their surroundings. Some exchanged exhausted glances, while others immediately began assessing the situation.
Gabriel emerged from the light, calm and collected. His first instinct was to check on his teammates. Upon seeing them safe and sound, he sighed in relief.
Dave's team stood tall and confident, exuding an air of arrogance. Dave, with his imposing figure and sharp gaze, looked around with a smirk, his confidence unshaken. "Well, that wasn't too difficult," he remarked, his tone dripping with self-assurance. His teammates grinned, sharing in his pride.
"That last battle was nothing," one of his teammates scoffed. "We breezed through it."
Dave nodded, his eyes scanning the other participants dismissively. "Let's see if any of these other teams even come close to us in the rankings."
Nearby, Ru Fei's team gathered with similar arrogance. Ru Feis, a tall and composed figure with an air of superiority, spoke quietly to his team, but there was no mistaking the confidence in his voice. "We executed our plan perfectly," he said, his tone calm yet assured. "There's no way anyone outperformed us."
One of his teammates, a slender archer with a smug expression, chuckled. "Those other teams were probably stumbling through the dungeons while we were cleaning up."
Ru Fei nodded, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "They may have survived, but we thrived. Let's see if anyone can match our strategy."
Tigram's team, meanwhile, was less focused on boasting and more on staying composed. Tigram, a fierce-looking warrior with a determined expression, stood amidst his team, his eyes sharp and focused. Though he lacked the arrogance of the others, there was a quiet confidence in his posture.
"We could've done better," Tigram muttered, his voice firm but not overly critical. "But we made it through. That's what matters."
His teammate, a petite mage named Mira, nodded. "We stuck to the plan, Tigram. That's all we can do."
Tigram grunted in agreement, his gaze shifting to the other teams. "We'll see where we stand soon enough."
Amidst the conversations, the Safety Zone buzzed with energy, participants whispering and speculating about the results. Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the noise. "Look! The rankings!"
All eyes turned as a young participant pointed toward the large glowing list that had appeared near the dungeon exit. His finger trembled as he gestured at the top of the ranking board.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as everyone's eyes locked onto the rankings.
"Gabriel's team... they're at the top!" someone exclaimed, disbelief evident in their voice. "21,356 points? That's ridiculous!"
Dave's confident smirk faltered for a moment as he saw his team listed in third place. "What the—? How did they pull that off?" he muttered, his arrogance momentarily shaken.
Ru Fei's composure wavered as well when he spotted his team at the twelfth rank. "They must've taken on some serious challenges," he murmured, trying to hide his surprise. "But this isn't over."
The murmurs grew louder as participants crowded around the ranking board, some in awe, others in disbelief. Gabriel's team stood quietly, absorbing the reactions of the crowd with quiet pride. The weight of their achievement began to sink in, though they remained calm amidst the chaos.
As the buzz of conversation continued, one voice rose above the rest—a voice filled with defiance. "This isn't over yet," Dave declared, his eyes locking onto Gabriel's team. "We'll take the top spot next time."
Cho Wei who is in the crowd with his teammates nodded in agreement, his gaze steely. "Enjoy your moment, Gabriel. We'll see how long it lasts."
Gabriel's team exchanged glances before making their way toward the glowing list. A crowd had already formed, with whispers and gasps filling the air. When they finally saw their ranking, they were stunned.
Top 20 Team Rankings:
1. Gabriel's Team - 21,356 Points
2. Tigram's Team - 11,437 Points
3. Dave's Team - 10,875 Points
4. NanNan Team - 10,213 Points
5. Markov's Team - 9,876 Points
6. Hera's Team - 9,654 Points
7. Darius's Team - 9,432 Points
8. Axel's Team - 9,010 Points
9. Tanya's Team - 8,768 Points
10. Rio's Team - 8,432 Points
11. Cho Wei's Team - 8,156 Points
12. Ru Fei's Team - 7,980 Points
13. Harper's Team - 7,612 Points
14. Sabrina's Team - 7,430 Points
15. Felix's Team - 7,123 Points
16. Jordan's Team - 6,987 Points
17. Leyla's Team - 6,843 Points
18. Zane's Team - 6,654 Points
19. Rina's Team - 6,421 Points
20. Omar's Team - 6,210 Points
Gabriel's teammates stood in stunned silence, the weight of their achievement slowly sinking in. They had not only survived the Mystic Realm—they had conquered it.