"This is unexpected," Stallus muttered. Clearing a crypt all by herself? It’s hard doing it with three other people but just one person.

"I feel like they’re setting us up," Alex muttered. "We can’t be that strong to solo an Initiate rank ourselves! Usually, it’s those one rank above that come back and solo their previous rank!"

"Now while they are still in the same rank. I know the Crypt Master is trying to kill us," Alex said.

Catena shook his head. "We have no choice though, not in front of Captain Kael. And Commander." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Azaroth looked at the smirking Crypt Master. That man won’t ever set a test that he expected them to fail, not when it’s going to reflect on him and his training Crypt.

"Worry not! I chose the crypt myself. It’s different for each person but at the same level of difficulty."

Alex’s expression changed and he smiled. "Crypt Master, when you said you picked the crypts yourself, you mean?"

"I mean I picked the most difficult crypt on the Initiate level! So be free to show your power!"

Alex’s expression crumbled and he looked at others. "We are all going to die...."

"Not me, you...." Stallus began.

On the side, Commander Apex and Captain Kael watched them. Apex frowned. "They don’t appear... too scared." He expected there’d be outrage and shouting. Or begging. But they remained rather composed for people just told to do something close to impossible.

In the Awakened world, soloing a Crypt of the same level as the Awakener is an absolute testament to one’s power, and the higher you go in advancement, the harder and near impossible it becomes.

"I can bet they are each already coming up with plans in their heads, even while they play fighting. This is going to be interesting," Kael said.

Crypt Master clapped, sounding like a mini thunderclap. "Alright, don’t do that in front of the Lord!"

Stallus and Alex froze as everyone focused on them.

"Aahahaa." Their sponsor laughed.

"We will do it this way. Catena, you are first; Alex, Stallus, and Azaroth will follow. Remember, to pass then you must clear the crypt."

"And if we fail?" Azaroth asked.

It wasn’t the Crypt Master or Commander Apex who answered; it was their sponsor. The mechanical voice said. "I will be the judge of that."

Azaroth narrowed his eyes at the blue crystal. He was sure the person was looking at him right now, but all he did was shrug. "Then I will take the test." He said it as if they needed his acceptance, as if his will mattered.

Again their sponsor laughed.

Azaroth smiled a little, a shifting of lips. So he won’t take the bait. ’Just who are you really, sponsor?’ he thought.

The Crypt Master went over and gestured; a rectangle of glass glowed above them. "We will watch through this." Then he brought about a crypt portal to manifest right there on the ship.

Catena sighed. "At least let it be full of edible meat." He began to walk forward then stopped suddenly and turned to Azaroth. "Any tips, leader of the team?"

Azaroth narrowed his eyes and looked at the tall boy; tips, huh? Since he didn’t want his tools to die, he said some things. "Don’t use your essence-consuming skills when you are not sure of your win. But if you are, then smash them all in one go."

Catena laughed. "Well then!" He entered into the portal and immediately appeared into the crypt portal.

"What type of crypt is this?" Apex asked.

"This is a crypt, the nest of an insect-type monster called Kaido," Crypt Master said.

Up in the glass, they watched Catena yawn and sit down where he was standing as if he had no care in the world. "Ermm, what is he doing?" Apex asked with a perplexed face.

Crypt Master grimaced. "Catena is very unmotivated unless he’s under direct threat or pressure. He won’t put his all into anything. Food is one of the things that motivates him the most. And his life maybe."

The mechanical voice laughed. "Oh dear, maybe I should have put some kind of threat there in case they failed?"

"Don’t worry, my Lord. The Kaido are very territorial, they won’t stand an invader in their nest."

The Crypt Master was right because soon dark shapes blocked the tunnel in front of Catena and a buzzing filled the air. Azaroth was very interested in how Catena would do things.

But still, he didn’t expect what the guy did. Catena stripped and left only his trousers on. Then he wrapped his waist with his two chains while the balls dragged on the ground.

Catena has two skills: one that lets him control stones and earth and one that lets him borrow the strength of the earth. He looked at the monsters coming towards him and grimaced. "I’m sure I can’t eat your meat. Not with that hard body, but maybe when I’m back on....no! Maybe your boss will be different. So let’s get to the boss as soon as possible!"

From outside, they couldn’t hear what he was screaming about. "What’s he saying?" Alex asked.

"Probably something about food," Stallus said with a smile; seeing as how he was gesturing, she knew she might be right.

"Alright!" Catena said. He touched the wall, and with the formation held tightly in his mind, he powered it with essence. Immediately, the skill was active; he knew the hardness and the toughness of the rock.

He knew the tunnel stretched far with different branches, but what was important was that the monsters were getting very close. "Spikes," he said and pushed his will against the stone.

The tunnel shuddered, and spikes burst out in front of him, from the wall, the sides, and below. The thirty-something monsters didn’t stand a chance as they were pierced at all angles, their shrills filling the air.

Catena smiled and opened his eyes. "First time doing this, I should do it more."