Temple of Trials
Namgung Seojun finished contracting with the 2nd Class Slaves and gave them time off. His Super Sense had been warning him for some time now. Some of the slaves would die...
He'd initially wanted to talk them out of it, but after hearing Gisohee out, he decided to respect their choices. Before sending them off to possibly face death in the trial, he handed each one 2 gold to enjoy themselves and gave them three days.
Once all the slaves had left, Namgung Seojun lay down on the bed in his lodging. As he mulled over his thoughts, Isu-yeon entered the room.
"Master?"
She was asking permission to enter. He waved her in.
"Come here."
"Yes."
Isu-yeon approached his bed, and the two embraced fiercely. An hour later, the man and woman were breathing heavily, their bodies entwined. Isu-yeon gazed up at Seojun from his arms with loving eyes, and he stroked her hair as they talked.
"Isu-yeon, are you really going in?"
She didn't answer his question, just fiddled with his chest. The woman who was endlessly obedient in every other way was firm here, unwilling to back down from her decision.
"It's dangerous."
"I know."
"You could die. The mortality rate's around 25%. One in four doesn't make it. And you're a 1st Class Slave. It's not as urgent for you as it is for the 2nd Class ones. If you want, I can free you from slavery right now."
He laid out the extraordinary offer, but her resolve didn't waver. Seeing she wouldn't change her mind, Namgung Seojun gave up trying to persuade her. Instead, he decided to help her survive.
"Can't be helped, then."
He got up, fetched his gear bag, and set equipment in front of her: the Agility set—Necklace of Agility (U), Bracer of Agility (U), and Ring of Agility (U)—plus the master smith's trial-forged dagger that boosted Agility by 2 (Unique), the blood-soaked dagger granting Agility 3 and Intelligence 2 (Unique), and even the Dagger Blessed by Undine (U) with Agility 4 and water attribute infusion. He pulled out three of his prized Unique daggers.
"Wear this into the Temple of Trials."
"Master..."
Touched by his care but refusing, Isu-yeon protested.
"I can't accept this. If I die... it'll all vanish, and you'll suffer a huge loss."
"No, take it."
His Super Sense had revealed a sharper glimpse of the future: lending her this Unique gear was the only way to slightly raise her odds of survival.
"You have to come back alive. And return it to me yourself."
Isu-yeon rose from the bed, bowed deeply, and vowed,
"Master, by your command, I will survive and return."
She swore to herself she'd make it out no matter what.
The slaves had three days. Facing a trial that might kill them, they spent it in all sorts of ways.
"Hah! Hah!!"
In the inn's courtyard, some trained. Isu-yeon, Song Kang, Yasiro—desperate practice to cling to life.
"Drink! Drink up! And party with me tonight!"
Others blew their pocket money from Seojun on booze and women to blow off steam.
"22 to 1 gold!"
Some hit the gambling dens, dreaming of a jackpot to buy freedom before the deadly challenge. Needless to say, no one struck it rich.
The slaves awaiting death's trial soothed their nerves in diverse ways.
On the appointed day, Seojun waited in the inn's first-floor lobby. The slaves gathered one by one.
"Let's go."
At his word, they rose and headed out together straight to the Temple of Trials. Their resolute steps spoke volumes, and the townsfolk, knowing their grim purpose, gave them a wide berth.
They arrived at the temple. Seojun approached the priest first.
"I'll enter the temple."
"This Temple of Trials..."
"I already know."
The priest cut short, opened the door, and said,
"Enter."
Seojun stepped inside. A space brimming with white holy power unfolded.
"Huh?"
He was baffled. From what he'd heard, a difficulty should pop up immediately, starting the trial. Instead, pure holy energy filled the room.
Namgung Seojun, candidate apostle of the main god—why have you entered here?
His body froze at the voice. The 66th god, Basel, had manifested directly.
"...."
No response—he couldn't speak, overwhelmed by divine authority.
You must think your god-tier trait will carry you. That arrogant Super Sense said it was fine, right?
He couldn't reply but managed a nod. Basel sighed wearily.
Part of me wants to throw you into Extreme difficulty, but you'd pass anyway. Just leave! Take the pass achievement and go.
Seojun was shoved out the door.
"Oh! You came out quick. Congratulations on passing the trial."
Still reeling from the divine pressure, he just nodded. With the priest's help, he made it to the waiting area. A new message appeared.
He'd only gotten the achievement—no more.
While Seojun waited, the priest at the entrance called to the next slaves.
"Next up. Who's going in?"
His quick return told them their master had passed easily.
"I'll go."
Gisohee stepped up boldly and entered. Seojun watched from the waiting area as she emerged soon after.
"Hoo..."
She sighed in relief and ran to him, collapsing into his arms.
"Good job."
"Glad we're both alive to meet again."
Even with her Stealth skill boosting survival odds, the tension had worn on her. Seeing him moved her deeply.
With Gisohee passed, Isu-yeon—the longest-tenured slave, treated as Seojun's woman by the others—stepped forward.
"I'll go next."
"Yes, enter."
Isu-yeon steeled herself and went in. Thirty minutes passed in the waiting area for passers. No sign of her—Seojun watched the exit anxiously.
Clunk. The door flew open. Isu-yeon staggered out, covered in minor cuts and blood.
"Isu-yeon!"
Seojun rushed to support her. Exhausted, but no major wounds.
"Master... I barely made it out alive."
She'd drawn Slightly Hard difficulty, dropped into a pitch-black dungeon. Traps and mechanisms—her trial. Drawing on his teachings, she crept through cautiously. The gear he'd loaned proved vital, letting her heightened stats carry her through to the exit.
He carried her piggyback to the waiting area.
"You did great. Welcome back alive."
Pride swelled at his praise. The priest healed her, and she rested on a recovery bed.
Seojun waited for the next. Ten minutes later, a man emerged.
"Song Kang!"
He clapped and cheered. Song Kang sighed in relief and joined them.
"I'll heal that arm wound."
Once treated, Song Kang reported,
"Lucky—Normal difficulty. Held off two orcs, counterattacked, and won."
Easy for Normal; even as a porter, he managed.
Ten minutes after Song Kang, Yasiro Yakamura emerged—Easy difficulty, dispatched foes effortlessly.
Twenty minutes later, Halep Aziz. Slightly Hard, but his sling took out ranged foes, then he handled melee steadily.
Thus, Isu-yeon, Song Kang, Yasiro Yakamura, and Halep Aziz—all four safe. But the fifth...
The temple flashed red.
"....."
Everyone sensed the omen. They waited, hoping. The priest announced gravely,
"One failed the trial and vanished. May they find a good new life..."
The group knew: Ido Hun, the fifth, was dead. Seojun sighed heavily but waited for the next.
Ten minutes later, another door opened safely—a man emerged.
"Nice! Iban!"
"Great job!!"
Whistle.Clap clap clap. Comrades cheered his survival. Iban had drawn Normal and passed.
Ten minutes on, Lee Doyun appeared.
"Doyun, yes! Perfect!"
"Glad you're back alive!!"
"Congrats!"
Easy—one goblin slain in a flash. He grinned amid the cheers, joining the waiting area.
One left: Yui Koizumi, porter and sub-attacker. All hoped she'd make it. But...
The temple flashed red again.
"....."
Silence fell. The priest spoke sadly,
"Another adventurer returned to the gods' embrace. May their next life be kind..."
Yui failed too. Of the ten challengers including Seojun, eight passed. Two were gone forever.
Seojun led the group from the waiting area. Heavy-faced and silent, they followed. The achievement gladdened, but comrades' deaths weighed heavy.
"Congratulations on passing the trial."
They barely nodded. The priest, aware of their loss, treaded lightly.
"Passers may claim rewards."
Guided by priests, they spoke individually. But Seojun had none assigned.
"Why not me?"
The priest smiled.
"The god said to give you only the achievement."
No extra reward, just like his divine chat.
A priest approached Isu-yeon.
"What reward? As a 1st Class Slave, we can free you with gold. Or Merit Points? Or exchange a trait for another?"
Freedom tempted her briefly. But she trusted Seojun would release her in time if loyal. She chose differently.
"Master!"
He came over; she asked,
"Master, what reward should I pick? I think trait exchange is best?"
The priest interjected,
"Isu-yeon, we can give enough gold to free you now."
99 out of 100—999 out of 1000—chose freedom. But she was the one-in-a-thousand.
"Master, I trust you. I'll stay a slave until you free me. Pick a trait to exchange for."
He gazed at her fondly.
"Su-yeon, you trust me that much?"
"Of course."
He pondered, then advised,
"Swap Low Intelligence for Low Perception."
"Yes."
Her status window upgraded: Low Perception became Mid Perception.
She wasn't alone seeking his counsel.
"Master, help me too."
"Tell me what to choose."
"No rush to freedom—we signed contracts promising release if we perform."
"Just the best option now."
The 2nd Class Slaves craved growth. Seojun guided them to optimal picks, boosting everyone's specs slightly.
Back at the inn, Seojun rented out the restaurant, ordering heaps of food and drink.
"Drink! Drink up!"
"Eat like there's no tomorrow!!"
"Dohun, you were a great guy! Farewell!"
"Yui... sob sob... rest in peace..."
Tears flowed with the booze. Joy at survival mixed with grief for the departed, exploding in drunken toasts. The survivors held a wake for the two lost souls.