Chapter 80: Test

"That look on your face says something happened." The immortal king held the bag dangling above walkers open palm. "Tell me or I retract this gift." This was not something walker could bypass if he did not speak the truth he had a feeling his life would end.

"We just received a quest, one specifically to bring back these extinct plant species." Walker put on a better poker face and awaited the response.

"How could you receive a quest that would normally be for someone with a planting or botany system? Explain more carefully." Immortal king seemed more aggravated not having a specific answer. It seemed his curious it's was too strong to allow simple answers. Walker would have to give him more.

Hesitating a moment knowing it could anger immortal king walker mentally prepared himself. "We gained the title of hero while completing a quest. It was a hidden quest and we can't promise it would work for just anyone. Now we get quests related to a hero. It also helps that my unique system lets me gain any skill that's not a mastery skill. So I find the quests we receive to be of variety." Walker was waiting for it to explode in rage and kill them but instead he felt the bag land in his palm.

"Ah so the hero title is it? You're a lucky brat then." Immortal kin leaned back as if pondering this.

"Excuse me sir actually all five of us received the title." Walker clarified so that he wouldn't be called a lier. It could spell death if he seemed to lie.

"What?" Immortal king was stuck, had he really just said they all received it. Wait no all five? That little dragon as well? A monster a hero? Immortal king was an ancient undead liche who had existed for nearly five hundred years. It had never heard of five let alone a monster achieving the same title! He knew that any physical experimentation would not yield proper evidence of why a monster gained a title let alone a hero title.

"Sir I know this seems impossible, many have questioned us but it just is this way. I know you may be caught thinking of midnight as a monster but if a hero is to be a hero would they really care why kind of being you are? Even evil in its purest for needs good and possesses some itself." Walkers words were profound. These were things he had contemplated for hours each day wondering why midnight a monster could be a hero. Thinking of what made them different but that was the thing, there was no difference. They were living and now even looking at an undead who had done great evil in its time. Walker could see why the quest was given. This ancient undead liche calling itself immortal king cared for the plants it knew in life that faded away. There was if I it a speck some good.

" what you said now may be the very reason 913 fell from the heroic system and never gained the true hero title." Immortal king was thinking for a moment, was it really wise to let them leave? With that in mind his next move was made up, he would test them the same as that irritating necromancer.

"I've made a decision, for you to be able to leave you must pass my test. I shall send you to the entrance of the spire. You may open the door and walk out. Simple is it not? If you get get from there to the boarders of the city you will be free, if not you'll be dead. Easy to remember isn't it?" Immortal king not only decided to test them this way because it knew the dangers outside. It also chose this because the necromancer had escaped using its mastery skills and it wanted a form of revenge by seeing its test succeed in defeating others. There was a sure chance that at least three of the five would perish.

The party knew this was not a simple test but a deadly trap. They had started out on the outer area of the ruins and ended up in its center. The center had the thickest swarms of undead. Zombies and skeletons were to be uncountable where other strong undead monsters were mixed in as well. The party knew they couldn't take down multiple undead golems so what would they do if they encountered multiple or even stronger monsters all at once.

"Sir can we have a few moments to prepare and plan?" Walker did not immediately start laying out a plan with the party in fear that it could anger immortal king to act without its permission.

"Hmm you may have ten minutes no mor no less, i allowed that bratty necromancer the same but he was unwise and denied it. I do not expect you to be the same." The hidden threat was evident in the strength of immortal kings words.

"Thank you sir." Walker gathered with the rest of the party. Fearful looks were all they had but walker had begun to think. " you guys remember the castle? The skill I used to scare everyone? I can use that then throw evil consuming flames in to the swarms. After that Su can take the lead plowing through anything in our way. We can't stop to finish anything. If we get in to a tough spot gil should be ready to use his new bow to open a hole for us. Remey and midnight you're to take each side of Su and keep anything from grabbing her. Together with Gil, I will watch our backs." Walkers plan was simple and efficient. Knowing that they might encounter something too strong to fight he chose a plan revolving around running with as little interference as possible.

Everyone was serious as this was one of the most nerve racking plan yet. The past days they'd felt as if their hearts could burst from their chests any minute. However this moment the fruits of their training and focus were showing. They may be fearful but they did not shake. They may be worried but they did not hesitate. They prepared themselves and looked at each other once more. It was time.