The Hydra's massive body hit the ground hard. The stumps could no longer grow; it was all out of heads. But the Hydra was still alive. Aren could sense its heart beating.

He walked over to it and climbed the body of the Hydra. He flexed his hands, and black lightning formed around them, crackling loudly as he increased the power.

He thrust his hand down, his fist hitting the body of the Hydra, the lightning exploding forward with crazy intensity, electrocuting the entire body and forcing the heart to a stop.

[You have gained 2000 soul fragments]

[You have gained 2000 maze points]

Aren got two messages, while the others got one about the maze points.

Aren didn't waste any time. He immediately used Consume, taking the Hydra into his shadow and making it into one of his shadows. The Hydra was now currently his strongest Shadow, a peak awakened monster.

'Hmm, I want to see an evolved monster at least once. Let me see what they are about.' Aren thought as he landed on the ground.

The group didn't bother waiting after that. They had already spent a lot of time dealing with the Hydra and salamander, so if the son of Jotnar was after them, he would be pretty damn close right now.

They headed deeper through the Lava region, and for the most part after the Hydra, they didn't come into contact with anything else, moving smoothly through.

"Is it me, or compared to the last trial, this one seems relatively less complicated?" Kira said, and Aren immediately shot her a look.

"Do you and Aiden just enjoy raising flags? What the hell?" he asked. "Nobody talk about the state of the trial. Need I remind you, this is day two, and we are barely five percent through, and we just faced a goddamn Peak Awakened monster.

By tomorrow, we'll definitely be facing something far worse, maybe an evolved monster. This trial is definitely not easy; it's just warming up to us as we progress," Aren said.

"An evolved monster would be a lot of trouble, even the lowest rank," Zero stated as they walked.

"Gage, you met one before?" Aiden asked.

"Yes, I can't tell you how exactly, but I came into contact with one, and the best word for it is terrifying. They adapt faster than any monster you have met, cunning, and with heavy survival instincts.

They'll fight you with technique rather than brute force, but at certain times, they'll unleash that primal monster in them and attack with vigor. You never know what to expect.

Aside from that, their power isn't low at all. Physically and with their awakened abilities, they'll be several times higher than whatever a peak awakened monster has," Zero explained.

"Hmm, that sounds honestly terrifying. I'm genuinely hoping we don't come into a clash with that," Aiden said.

"Yeah, I think you guys need to level up faster before the trial takes a turn for the worse," Aren said casually, then looked at them. "Let's grind as much as possible before the day runs out."

After saying that, the grind began. Starting against the salamanders, they attacked in huge numbers, but the group took them down easily.

Aren wanted to allow the group to get as many levels as possible, but in the end, he still somehow managed to get the most kills, amassing a total of 3000 soul fragments, which was an enormous amount to get from salamanders.

Zero easily came in second, even stepping up a few levels by the time this was done and bringing her to the gates of her second evolution.

As for Kira and Aiden, they also managed to get a few level ups and boost their power, as well as everyone getting a good increase in their maze points.

With that, they had concluded whatever they had to do in the Lava region, and they managed to get out of it and into what looked like the normal maze.

But that lasted only a while, as suddenly they were met with a dead end. A massive wall stood before them, and in it was an arch door made of pure black marble.

It was covered in engravings, depicting some sort of image that they couldn't understand.

"I don't know about you guys, but I don't want to enter that door," Kira stated.

"Are you sure this is the route?" Aiden asked.

Aren pulled out the map, and this was indeed the route, and it went straight ahead, which meant they had to enter inside this door.

"It's the way. We have to enter," he said.

"This screams trap," Aiden said.

"There is a high chance it is, or there is something terrifying waiting for us inside," Zero stated, then stepped forward toward the door. "But behind us is a giant with strength enough to kill instantly. I'd rather we brave whatever is inside." She stated her view with a smile.

"And besides, I'm curious about what is inside," she added, allowing her curiosity for knowledge to win.

"I'm with Zero on this. We have to forge ahead. Whatever may be inside, I'll do my best to ensure you guys are safe," Aren said. Not even waiting for their reply, he walked ahead.

Aiden balled his fists after Aren said that. He felt like he was holding Aren back. The way Aren would be able to fight if they weren't there, he already knew that it would be a lot different.

Aren placed his hands on the door, and instantly the door started pulling soul energy from him by force, and he couldn't pull his hands back. The paths between the engravings lit up in a dim red glow, and the sound of gears turning, stone grinding, and more filled the air.

The door slowly started opening inward. The darkness from within was the first thing to be seen, a darkness so thick it felt like a looming evil.

The door finished opening.

[You have triggered a Special Trial]

A message from the system appeared before the four of them.

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