Earth’s Greatest Magus - Chapter 2333: Challenge

Day one had gone according to plan, with no injuries or major setbacks, but their ultimate goal of reaching the top 5 ranking still seemed daunting. The bracelets provided crucial information about how to gain more points, sparking strategic discussions among the group.

Displayed on the bracelet was a list of creatures, categorized by their habitats and the point values they carried. Magical beasts were worth tens of points, while legendary beasts could yield hundreds. The most valuable were the thousands of years age mythical beasts, worth a few thousand points. Among the list was a dire warning about a Desolate Beast—a creature of immense power rumored to dwell somewhere on the planet. In addition to beasts, the bracelets also revealed opportunities to gather rare materials, including exotic plants and minerals found deep underground or within the depths of the seas. These resources were worth significant points and offered a more controlled risk than hunting large, dangerous creatures.

As the group regrouped and shared information from their scouting missions, they began piecing together a clearer picture of their location. The landscape was harsh and unpredictable, but they had identified a few promising areas for future exploration.

King Rig, always eager for a challenge, proposed night hunting to chase more points and put distance between them and the other halls.

But Hardy shut the idea down. “Not tonight,” he said firmly, “We still don’t know enough about this place, We’ll need to gather more intel before we take that kind of risk.”

Though the Mayan warrior looked disappointed, the rest of the group silently agreed with Hardy’s call. With so much uncertainty, reckless actions could spell disaster. With the decision to rest for the night, the group ensured they maintained a guard rotation, keeping the temporary base secure. As the others settled in, Hardy gave a subtle signal to Ha Ron and King Rig. It was time to carry out the next part of their plan.

The two acolytes moved to a secluded corner of the camp, where they activated their Khaos waypoints to connect to the Khaos Hub. However, as soon as they entered the hub, something felt off. The space was engulfed in dark, swirling smoke that obscured the familiar gates and doors.

King Rig immediately began to grow uneasy. “What the hell is going on?” he muttered, Ha Ron, in contrast, remained composed, his sharp eyes scanning the ground beneath them. He recognized it right away. “Master Emery warned us about this, Some planets have spatial interference. It might take time before he can establish a stable connection.”

They both sat down to wait it out, watching as the dark smoke continued to swirl around them. Minutes turned into hours, and still, the smoky haze did not dissipate.

Just when King Rig was about to voice his frustrations again, a figure materialized through the fog. It was Shinta, her form cutting through the gloom with ease. She took one look at their surroundings and quickly understood the situation.

“Well, well, I guess we are on our own for a while, aren’t we?” Ha Ron’s expression tightened, his discomfort evident, though he tried to mask it. Shinta noticed right away, her sharp eyes catching the slight change in his demeanor.

With a teasing smile, she added, “Oh no… you’re not still angry, are you?”

Ha Ron let out a deep sigh, pushing down whatever thoughts were stirring inside him. “Let’s just do as planned,” They exchanged all the information they had gathered so far. The first important detail was their current locations—Shinta’s group was stationed roughly 6,000 miles away from Ha Ron and King Rig’s position, separated by hostile terrain and unpredictable weather. Both parties shared the specifics of their respective missions. Like Hall 33, Shinta’s team was also tasked with hunting creatures and gathering rare materials. However, the top-ranked halls had been given a special mission: to investigate an ancient ruin believed to be filled with lethal dangers.

To stay ahead of any unexpected challenges, they would maintain daily contact at designated times. This would allow them to compare any discrepancies between the academy’s briefings and the actual conditions on the planet. After all, the planet had endured 10 months of extreme weather cycles, drastically changing the landscape from the data they were originally given.

As Shinta prepared to leave, Ha Ron suddenly stopped her, a rare seriousness in his tone. “Master told us to support your group…” His words trailed off, clearly offering assistance.

Shinta paused, a teasing smile forming on her lips. “We’re perfectly fine here,” she said lightly. “And if we happen to need help… I’m not sure any of you could do much.” “….”

The planet’s brief six-hour night had passed in the blink of an eye, and as the first rays of light pierced the sky, the acolytes quickly moved into action. Dividing themselves into teams of four, they ventured out, fully aware that their mission wasn’t just to survive—it was to earn as many points as possible. Every encounter, every resource they found, would inch them closer to their goal of climbing the ranks.

Hardy, as the leader, took it upon himself to chart their next moves carefully. Using the information gathered from the previous days, he began to map out a more efficient route that would lead them into denser hunting zones. It was crucial not just for points, but also to secure their position in case other halls began closing in on their territory. Hardy’s eyes scanned the horizon, constantly vigilant of any threats that could emerge from the rugged landscape.

By the third day, their efforts began to show results. They had cleared several areas, and their bracers indicated a steady accumulation of points. However, as they moved deeper into the wilderness, Armenius—their most skilled scout—spotted something unusual on the outskirts of their path.

A figure emerged from the shadows, watching them from a distance. It was their magus handler, a menacing presence cloaked in dark robes. Moments after the ground began to tremble beneath their feet. A thunderous roar echoed through the valley as a swarm of [Stone Apes] descended upon them. These creatures, legendary-level beasts, were a force to be reckoned with. Their massive bodies were composed of rock and hardened earth, each movement causing the ground to quake as they charged forward with terrifying speed.

Blaine, always eager to prove his strength, leaped into the fray without hesitation. His fists ignited with raw power, each strike landing with enough force to shatter the rock-like hide of the apes. King Rig followed close behind, cutting through the battlefield like a juggernaut. With his immense strength, he took down ape after ape, creating a path through the chaos.

Ha Ron, however, wasn’t entirely focused on the battle. His eyes constantly darted toward the magus handler, staying vigilant.

As the battle raged on, Hardy took command, issuing orders to the others with sharp precision. Their teamwork, honed through countless hours of training, allowed them to fend off the Stone Apes despite their formidable strength. As the last of the legendary creatures fell to the ground, their handler did nothing but observe.

[High Hall Ranking – Day 3/30]

[15th Place: Hall 33 – 5820 Points]