Chapter 53: Steps to Unlock the Secret Chamber (2)

Solomon navigated a collapsed spiraling staircase and emerged onto a fractured glass walkway connecting two ruined towers. The Paladin’s memories pinpointed a monolith resting precisely in the middle of the bridge.

The tall pillar originally served as a memorial for fallen knights.

He walked up to the black stone and adjusted his footing. Transferring his momentum from his rear heel across his torso, he unleashed a blinding web of diagonal slashes.

Eden Imperial Sword Arts: Third Form.

The flashing steel pulverized the obsidian monolith into thousands of tiny black pebbles. The shards clattered against the glass floorboards and fell into the dark chasm below.

[1Fizzy: nice combo.]

[System: 1Fizzy has gifted a Silver Sword! (500 Points)]

[BloodKnight: Your transition between the strikes is getting much faster. Excellent stamina management.]

[Skeptic: completely random destruction. you are totally lost.]

Solomon wiped a drop of sweat from his chin and grinned at the drone. "I am definitely not lost. A true adventurer always leaves a clear trail behind to avoid walking in circles."

He pulled the greatsword back to his shoulder and marched toward the next destination. The final mechanism required him to reach the grand balcony overlooking the original kingdom borders.

A third mechanical roar shook the foundation of the palace.

Solomon marched through a collapsed corridor on the opposite side of the palace grounds. He navigated past crumbled walls and stepped out onto the grand balcony overlooking the original kingdom borders.

A steep cliff edge greeted his boots. The entire architectural extension had crumbled away centuries ago. A bottomless chasm of dark space replaced the royal viewing platform.

He peered over the ledge and scratched the back of his neck.

’The Paladin’s pinpointed the exact location for the final step.’

A specific piece of the royal crest needed to be pierced by the sword. He easily spotted the carved stone insignia. But the problem was that the rock currently floated aimlessly in the anti-gravity field exactly thirty feet out in the open sky.

"Well," Solomon muttered, resting the oversized sword against his collarbone. "This complicates things."

The owl floated over his shoulder and projected the camera feed directly into the abyss.

[LazyCat: please tell me you are not going to jump.]

[GamerGuy: bro is contemplating a leap of faith.]

[User12: there is literally nothing out there. turn back.]

[BloodKnight: A tactical retreat is highly advised here.]

[GoonLord: DO NOT DO IT! I WILL CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION!]

Solomon pointed a finger at the hovering piece of rubble. "I really need to poke that specific rock with my sword. It is a matter of extreme importance."

[1Fizzy: poke it.]

[System: 1Fizzy has gifted a Copper Dagger! (100 Points)]

"I appreciate the support," Solomon replied, offering a smile. "The problem involves the lack of solid ground. The technique I need to use requires a firm footing to launch myself forward. Floating in the middle of a bottomless pit completely ruins my leverage."

He turned around and scanned the ruined corridor behind him. Several tall marble pillars supported the remaining ceiling structure. A mischievous grin spread across his bruised face.

He walked over to the nearest column and grabbed the thick hilt of Eden’s Penance with both hands.

"I just need to bring the ground with me," Solomon explained to the chat.

He swung the gigantic blade in a swift horizontal arc. The pristine steel sheared cleanly through the base of the pillar. The tall marble structure tilted backward and crashed onto the floorboards. Solomon immediately dropped his weapon and hauled the broken column toward the cliff edge.

He positioned the long piece of stone directly facing the floating crest.

[LazyCat: what is he actually planning?]

[User12: he is building a bridge.]

[GamerGuy: that rock is way too short to reach the target.]

Solomon picked his sword back up and wiped a streak of sweat from his forehead. "A bridge implies I intend to walk across it. I am setting up a runway."

He backed away from the ledge to create a twenty-yard sprinting path. He lowered his stance and securely gripped the hilt. He needed to perfectly time his movements.

He rushed forward, pumping his legs to build maximum speed. He reached the edge of the cliff and kicked the fallen marble pillar with all his strength.

The enormous stone column launched off the ledge and sailed horizontally into the empty chasm. Solomon did not stop running. He leaped off the cliff right after the flying rock.

[GoonLord: HE ACTUALLY JUMPED! THIS IS THE END!]

[BloodKnight: Madness. Absolute Madness.]

Solomon plummeted through the empty space. He extended his boots and landed squarely on top of the soaring marble pillar. He used the moving stone as a momentary platform.

He anchored his rear heel against the rough surface and compressed his entire body weight into the tip of his weapon.

He exploded forward right as the pillar began to lose its upward trajectory. The forward lunge propelled him off the falling rock and sent him flying directly toward the floating crest.

Eden Imperial Sword Arts: Fourth Form.

The pristine blade pierced the empty air and struck the carved stone insignia with flawless accuracy. The impact generated a blinding sonic boom. The shockwave shattered the floating crest into countless tiny pebbles.

Solomon instantly used the immense recoil of the explosion to reverse his momentum. The backward force threw him through the air. He tucked his knees into his chest and executed a flawless backward somersault.

His boots slammed hard against the solid ledge of the ruined balcony. He skidded backward across the dirt and dug the blade into the ground to stop his backward slide.

He stood up straight and dusted off his academy trousers. He offered a completely nonchalant thumbs up to the hovering owl.

"Dare to due."

[LazyCat: I AM SCREAMING!]

[GamerGuy: BRO JUST PARRY-JUMPED OFF A SONIC BOOM!]

[User12: that was the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen.]

[1Fizzy: nice.]

[System: 1Fizzy has gifted a Diamond Crown! (5,000 Points)]

[System: GoonLord has gifted 6 Golden Thrones! (12,000 Points)]

[GoonLord: I AGED FIFTY YEARS WATCHING THAT! PLEASE NEVER DO THAT AGAIN! The 10,000 points are from before. I couldn’t help but TOP UP!]

"I told you guys it was important," Solomon laughed, pulling his sword from the dirt.

A final, terrifying screech of metal echoed from the depths of the palace ruins. The sound reverberated through the stone floorboards.

Far across the decaying grounds, the last golden rune on the towering black doors disintegrated into dust.

The final locking mechanism disengaged completely.

Now, all he had to do was follow the path, if it still existed, and head to the secret chamber.