Chapter 47: Walking Coffins
Thirty seconds later, Ethan tossed the grim seal one last time before jumping off the rock.
"Alright, let's do this."
Aime and Klaus nodded.
Like everyone else, this was their first time dealing with the Thunder of Four Howls, but they already saw what the thunder strike was capable of, so they knew what to do.
They approached each other as Ethan held the grim seal tightly. There were no instructions in the description, so he knew that the grim seal would activate on its own, just like the grim shards did.
There were only fifteen participants left, at least those that were visible from their vantage point.
Many of them realized that they couldn't defeat the fallen warriors. Thus, they had only one option left: to search for those who could protect them.
Some of them understood this bitter truth a few minutes ago.
Ethan's group was not the only option, but it was the best one for a participant in desperate need.
With a rustle of grass, a female figure emerged from cover.
There was no surprise on Ethan's face. He expected this to happen. Last time it was the rogues and Aime, now it was someone else's turn.
After all, the essence of the grim seal was that participants could help each other survive to the next trial. Even if Ethan didn't have a grim seal, he would figure it out from the sockets if he saw the grim seal in someone else's hands.
Step. Step. Step.
A tall girl with light hair and azure armor appeared before them. Unlike the confused Aime, her gaze was full of confidence, as was the firm grip on her long sword.
"Go away." Ethan waved his hand. He knew what she wanted.
However, she only took a step forward.
"I have the grim shards. I'm willing to give you everything if you protect me. I don't want to join your team, I just need a place to stay for now."
Ethan wasn't going to listen to her. Aime remained silent, leaving all important decisions to Ethan.
Suddenly, a cold voice rang out from behind them.
"Let her in."
Ethan and Aime stared at Klaus, shocked as hell.
Klaus's eyes were wide open, and his expression showed all his hatred for the girl standing in front of them.
Nevertheless, he did not make a mistake in his words.
"Loena... You decided to come here after you insulted the master? That's very brave of you."
She strode forward, pulling out one grim shard for herself.
"Tsk. Little Klaus, do you still remember that? That happened years ago, and your master was the one at fault."
Loena raised her chin arrogantly.
"That old man couldn't teach me anymore. I have standards and ambitions, after all."
She was about to step closer to insert the grim shard into the seal when Ethan reached out his hand. The crimson blade was at Loena's neck, but there was no fear in her eyes.
"Why are you helping her? You don't look like friends," Ethan said without glancing at Loena.
Another thunder strike could come down at any second, but she had enough self-control not to panic.
Klaus clenched his fists tightly.
"This is my personal matter. Just let her in and that's it. I don't want to watch her turn to ash, I want to see that smirk wipe off her face with my sword!"
After a few moments, Ethan nodded.
"Alright. But I have one condition." He turned to Loena. "Right after the howl, you have to go to the other end of the field. We are enemies, this will only be a temporary truce."
Without a reaction, Loena stepped forward, throwing him the grim shard.
"Fine."
Then, she glanced at Klaus.
"You've waited so long for this moment, but now you're obeying someone who isn't even a swordsman? Pffft." She snorted. "I'm disappointed, but not surprised."
Klaus said nothing. His sword would speak for him later.
Tap.
Ethan inserted the grim shard when the seal trembled once, surrounding them with a dense barrier.
At the same moment, a third strike fell on the Desolate Meadow. The next one would be the last.
With calm expressions, they watched as those who failed to defeat a fallen warrior or find another solution like Loena were burned to ashes. Electric discharges tore their bodies apart.
In the distance, several more barriers were visible, indicating that they were not alone. However, everything would soon become clear.
Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.
With the last electric discharges, the dark fog began to move again, directing everyone to the center where the grass didn't even reach their knees.
Following their agreement, Loena immediately rushed forward. She wasn't going to stay or take any chances. She had her own goals — the Lost Knight.
Ethan, Aime, and Klaus moved on until the dark fog stopped.
'Now I see...' Ethan muttered to himself, looking at the nine other survivors, including Loena.
The grass was not high enough for anyone to hide.
Almost all of the survivors were from the Hail of Swords, only two did not have swords. However, with Ethan and Aime, there were four of them, which was very rare for the Thunder of Four Howls.
The Carriers from the Hail of Swords had ambitions, they were preparing for this moment. Some had spent years.
'Only nine left out of twenty? Although... there were probably more than twenty of us. Many were hiding. Well, let's see what happens next.'
Ethan shook his head.
'Element Spark... I'd better get it, or I'll remember this disgrace for the rest of my life.'
The trial did not keep them waiting long.
The ground shook, releasing a massive frame the size of a house.
The creature in dark armor with bloated gray flesh protruding through gaps looked around. His white eyes were empty but shone brightly like ghostly lanterns in a cemetery.
Four long arms with dark fingers spread out to the sides, while with each movement, a slight ringing sound came from six bells hanging from a dozen coffins on the monster's swollen back.
Then, the Walking Crypt opened his gruesome jaw, shaking the field with a soul-piercing roar.
"This... What Tier is he?!" Ethan exclaimed in disbelief.
They all had to prepare for the worst, especially those who couldn't get a bell.