Chapter 218: Last Revive
[Do you want to be revived?]
[Y/N]
Stark opened his eyes again and found himself in a dark space, with nothing in view except for that crimson panel before him.
"…" Stark had already been in this place twice before.
Every second that passes in this space is one in real time, meaning that he needed to be quick to make his decision.
[You have 60 seconds to decide, otherwise it is game over!]
He was put on a timer, if he passed that minute he would be dead forever.
But…
"What is the point…" Stark looked down.
His body was taken over by the sculk, Warden had made sure this time that Stark wouldn't be revived, and even if he did then he would be killed.
So what is the point if doing this… why would he revive himself just to die?
[30 seconds remain!]
Stark remembered everything he had went through, not only in this trial but since his appearance in this world and even in his past life.
"…"
[20 seconds remain!]
Nobody is waiting for him beyond this trial, he had no friends or family, all of them probably thought he had already died.
[Are you sure?], a panel appeared in front of him, and right next to it appeared a picture of a smiling Lana.
"…Yes."
[Are you sure?]
A picture of his hotel room (the one he was currently in), as well as dozens of pictures of videos showcasing his power in battle.
"Maybe…"
[Are you sure?]
A final picture, one where Dora had that terrified expression on her face, one that actually scared even Stark as he was used to her being emotionless.
[10 seconds remain!]
[Make your choice!]
"…"
~FWISH~
And when all his thoughts were culminating into his answer…
A crimson replica of Stark appeared five meters away right in front from him.
"You…" nothing like that had ever happened before as normally in this void between life and death, he had always been alone, "What?"
And yet… the only thing that [Domination] replica of Stark did was bend its arm, pointing at him.
"Stop being a bitch, get up," this was all it said in Stark's voice before disappearing.
"…" at this point, Stark's entire existence was taken over by his crimson aura and rage, his pupils shaking so fast they almost became invisible to the naked eye.
And then…
[3 seconds remaining]
[Do you want to be revived?]
[Y/N]
Stark clicked on Y with all his strength, shattering the panel itself as his body and consciousness were transported back to reality.
[Make use of that chance, Chosen One.]
***
"Foolish," Warden peeked one more time at Stark's figure, which was now completely covered by the sculk, making it look like a pile of mud, nobody aware that a human was inside at first glance, "The moment I kill you is the end now."
He turned back toward Sora, who had her stomach against the ground, her right hand positioned against her mouth, and her left one reaching for Stark.
For the first time in her life she cried, and for the first time in her life she actually felt sad and shocked.
This was the power of a [Death] domination trial, it was unlike anything anyone could imagine.
They didn't know each other for that long, and yet the fact they fought together and were the last two alive built a strong connection, beyond anything possible in such amount of time.
Sora couldn't deceive herself: Stark was dead, he couldn't have a second [Revive Token].
And so… she just looked at the warden, who was slowly approaching her, creating another [Colossal Sculk Hammer] out of nowhere, ready to smash her and engulf her in the dark blue liquid, much like her companion.
But right as he reached her and was ready to kill the final prisoner…
~FWISH, BOOM~
Behind him, a vortex of crimson aura formed around the pile of sculk he had trapped Stark in, and as if it was allergic to his aura, all the liquid flew away, revealing Stark's figure as he got up, his eyes red with crimson aura and fury.
He had a neutral expression on his face, not saying anything as he immediately began to walk toward the warden, cracking his fingers.
"What the…?" Warden looked back, his eyes widening and actual fear displayed on his face, "How is this… possible?"
But he wasn't the only one: Sora also looked surprised, unable to comprehend how in the world could Stark get out of such a situation.
Not only was he out of [Revive Tokens], meaning that he could revive himself alone to begin with, but also that he somehow eliminated all the sculk that stopped him WHILE BEING DEAD.
None of this made sense for neither of them.
And all they could do was watch as Stark slowly walked toward them, his eyes so determined and his aura is smooth and powerful there was no saying how strong he had become.
"…" not wanting to back away from a criminal, Warden also began to walk toward Stark while carrying his hammer, the two would soon enough meet.
~FWISH, FWISH, FWISH~
And add to that…
['Dodge Control' has been blocked by a "Dark Sphere"]
['Double Assault' has been blocked by a "Dark Sphere"]
['Heaven's Wrath' has been blocked by a "Dark Sphere"]
Warden actually used his three spheres to completely block Stark's three most powerful skills, scared that he would be able to take him by surprise using them.
"Doesn't matter," Stark shook his head as he spoke, "Was planning to end your pathetic life with my own hands anyway."
Hearing those words, Warden looked at his [Colossal Sculk Hammer] for a few seconds, then threw it toward Stark in a quick gesture.
The boy easily avoided it by stepping to the side, his eyes not leaving the warden for a single second as he did that.
"Alright, I like to catch prisoners with my own hands too," Warden smiled, hiding the small amount of fear deep inside himself as he positioned his own hands, both filled with intense blue aura and sculk, ready to throw down with Stark.
"Doesn't matter to me," Stark positioned himself as well, "You're going to die either way, and your first mistake was putting all that shit on top of my body and thinking it could ever stop me."
[Warden HP: 21339/640000]
[Stark: HP: 1/33500]
Stark was one hit away from dying and didn't have all his skills, while Warden had his advanced armor and all his skills to fight back against the human.
No more second chances now, Stark couldn't revive himself if he was hit, meaning that this was his last attempt at beating this hellish trial.
The second trial was much, MUCH harder than the first, this was a certainty now.
"…" all Sora could do was watch, her legs damaged, she herself didn't know she could let all these emotions flow so easily at this very moment, and she didn't hate it.
"COME AT ME," Warden roared, shaking the entire floor.
"That's my line," Stark responded, he wasn't scared of that thing anymore, all he saw was a parasite trying to stop him from achieving victory.
Stark glanced at Sora one last time, and he quickly nodded at her while smiling, it was reassuring, giving her the impression that Stark could actually win.
And so…
[FIGHT!]
Winner takes all, loser goes to the shadow realm.