Gaming Sword Magician

Chapter 104: Flip Side of heaven~Hell (a)

The moment he entered the second stage of the first level of the heaven-reaching trial, Whittaker felt like someone had placed a mountain on his back. Instantly, he had felt an even higher level of mana pressure that pressurized him so much that cracks form on the ground below.

His bones started to shake, involuntary creating a rhythmic sound as his muscles contracted. The hand that held the sword flung down fast, Blood Drinker crashed on the ground roughly while the Frost Spellbook that was hovering above his head dropped on top of his head, adoring his snowy-haired head with a book-shaped cap. Tremors and trembling occurred throughout his body. Starting from the face, eyes, teeth, vocal cords then occurring in the torso, hands, and legs. 

In his vision, the world was undergoing an earthquake, quaking five times in a second.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

The spider-like cracks slowly spread far and wide as his back started to bend because of the pressure. The mana pressure was forcing him to kneel but he refused to bend, he refused to give up.

[-8 HP. 52/60 ] the system notified as blood trickled out from the corner of his mouth and Whittaker felt that his internal organs were a mess.

His head may be cast low; his back was bending yet he hadn't given up, not at all. The light of hope shining in his crystal icy eyes said it all. With gritted teeth, he bore it all.

Even though he was carrying a mountain-like pressure on his back, he still pressed on, taking a step forward. 

[Guardian has gained +2 Endurance!]

[Endurance increased: 1113]

[Physical defense increased: 1113]

Under the notification, he took another step forward.

[-5 Hp. 48/60. (Recovered +3 Hp) 51/60] 

Whittaker auto health regeneration effect came into effect at the opportune time. Without hesitation, he took a step forward. One step after another, the pressure decreased and his back started to straighten.

[Guardian has gained +1 Endurance!]

[Guardian has gained +0.5 Endurance!]

[Guardian has gained +0.4 Endurance!]...

Some minutes later, Whittaker had perfectly adapted to the 20% mana pressure. His endurance has also increased to 15 points, the same goes for physical defense. Furthermore, he had reached the 140th step.

'Looks like there's no challenge in these steps,' Whittaker thought.

Contrary to his expectation, this trial was far more insidious than the others. He just hasn't witnessed it, yet. A system notification popped up, highlighting the danger of this place.

[Death force touched Guardian: -3 HP]

"What's the death force?" Whittaker internally asked in a worried tone.

[A force harmful to every living being. The Guardian has entered an area that is filled with the particles of the essence of death. The essence of death has combined with the thick waves of mana to create Death-Force. The death force will cause gradual destruction to the Guardian body. The higher up Guardian go the denser the death force will be. You will first wither, become weakened then slowly and steadily rot till your eventual death. The system advice the Guardian to use his defensive ability]

The essence of Death is present in all living beings; however, it is released only after their death. It was the complete opposite of the essence of life which gives birth to life, allows it to flourish, and become something great. When the essence of death combines with mana, a very destructive force that is extremely deadly to humans is created. Currently, this place had some of the Death Force. Also, if someone can sense and manipulate the Death force then they can easily cause destruction. A young teen will become a skeleton with a single death force spell called decay. Similarly, if someone can sense and manipulate the Lifeforce then they will be able to reinvigorate an old person dying of old age causing them to become young.

Without a single hesitation, Whittaker reacted instantly by performing hand signs, right after, his body was protected from insidious harm by a strong coating of mana.

[Ding! The system has sealed Guardian mana regeneration. Now, the deadly force in the environment won't be able to enter the Guardian's mana pool and destroy it. Ding! The system has enacted a seal on Guardian battle core. Now, the deadly force in the environment won't be able to corrupt it]

Normally, an awakened won't be able to seal their mana pool or battle core. They will have to fight off the mana pool or battle core corruption with sheer determination and will but it wasn't easy and hundreds of awakened had died in the past.

'I need to get out of these staircases filled with Death force before my mana runs out!' Whittaker thought while hurrying up the stairs. He had also stopped using Devansha's eyes to reserve as much mana as he could.

[The guardian has been touched by death force: -10 mana] The system notified.

Whittaker didn't feel this death force that Night Will's system spoke of; however, as he continued his climb, a thick smell of death entered his nostrils. The smell was disgusting, almost putrid as if it was a breath from a grotesque demon. The environment was humid, hot enough to magnify this putrid smell range and effect on the mind.

Whittaker's vision distorted and his mind felt hazy as the Death force in the surrounding thickened. Normally, a challenger would have his mind played till he died but Whittaker had Devansha's vision. 

Mana rushed into Devansha's eyes, clearing his vision.

Turning his head around to take a look, he saw corpses. Whittaker was not the only one who had come to become Zachary's trial, there were many. These were also people already here; rather, mortified corpses on the staircase.

Horrified, Whittaker's eyes opened wide as he glanced at the corpses of humans in this path. There were at least a hundred or so corpses in this wide staircase. The staircase was so wide that a hundred people could step on it at the same time yet still not feel stiffened; however, this scene caused Whittaker to be stiffened.