Chapter 12 — The Trial That Kills Captains
The sun glared over the Royal Training Grounds as Lare, Raen, and Aricus walked in.
Soldiers were whispering and pointing.
"Is that him…?"
"The kid who cleared the Devil Dungeon alone?"
"He's a monster."
"No, he's a walking disaster."
Raen puffed his chest proudly. "See, Lare? You're famous. I trained you well."
Aricus slapped Raen's head. "You trained nothing. You only taught him how to eat 12 meals a day."
Raen: "That's important!"
Lare ignored the chaos and looked ahead.
A tall muscular man with silver armor was waiting.
Harvis—the commander of the 9th Battalion and the man who destroyed 200 devils alone.
He walked toward Lare.
"You have cleared Task One. Good."
His voice was deep like thunder.
"But the second task will not be so easy. Even elite captains fear it."
Raen whispered, "Oh… good luck Lare. I'm not coming."
Harvis continued.
"The next quest will test your strength, stamina, mind… and your soul."
He pointed at a massive steel gate covered in glowing runes.
"Behind this gate is the Survival Trial—a place where time bends.
One hour inside equals one week outside."
Raen gasped. "That means if he stays 10 hours—he'll be gone for 70 days!?"
Aricus crossed his arms. "That's not the main problem. Inside… everything wants to kill him."
Harvis explained: "You will be attacked nonstop by creatures that mimic your own powers.
If you survive 10 hours, you pass."
Lare smirked. "That's all?"
Harvis stared at him.
"No. The worst part is… you cannot use your divine powers."
Lare froze. "…Eh?"
Raen shouted, "NO GOD POWERS? NO SUPREME BODY? NO OLD GOD? BRO YOU ARE DEAD!"
Aricus shook his head. "He can still fight. But without divine boosts… even he might struggle."
Lare took a deep breath.
"Okay. Let me try."
Harvis nodded.
He raised his hand.
The steel gate opened with a roar.
---
Inside the Survival Trial
The moment Lare stepped in, the world twisted.
He appeared in a huge arena made of floating stones.
Wind howled.
Mana crackled like lightning.
Suddenly, a figure formed in front of him—
A perfect copy of Lare, same height, same face…
Same aura.
Except its eyes were hollow.
Lare blinked. "Whoa. That's creepy."
The clone rushed at him instantly.
Its speed was insane.
Lare barely blocked with his blade.
CLANG!
He skidded back.
"Tch!! It copies everything except my god powers?"
The clone lifted its sword.
CLANG–CLANG–CLANG!
The two clashed again and again.
Their blades created sparks like stars.
Lare grinned.
"Not bad. But I'm better."
He lowered his body, shifted his weight—
Basic Swordsmanship — Triple Step Slash
Three cuts.
One dodge.
One strike to the neck.
The clone broke apart like glass.
Lare sighed.
"That was hard without divine power."
Before he could relax—
Ten more clones formed.
"…Okay. This is bad."
---
Outside the Trial
Raen peeked through the glowing mirror. "He's fighting… himself? Ten times?"
Aricus nodded. "This is the true test of a captain. A captain must defeat his own weaknesses."
Harvis said quietly, "He must survive 10 hours. Only one captain survived 12 hours in history… the Emperor."
Raen swallowed hard. "Please don't die, Lare…"
---
Back Inside — Endless Battle
Lare's breath grew heavy.
Cuts covered his arms.
Clones kept appearing—stronger each time.
His stamina dropped.
His mana burned.
He muttered, "This is insane… but… I won't lose."
One clone kicked him.
Another stabbed his shoulder.
Blood dripped.
Lare gritted his teeth.
He closed his eyes.
Focus.
He felt the faint pulse inside his body—
Not divine power.
Not god energy.
Just Lare. His own strength.
He opened his eyes, fire inside them.
"Let's go, you fake versions."
He moved like lightning.
He stabbed.
He dodged.
He slashed faster than they could react.
The arena shook from the force.
One by one the clones shattered.
Finally, the last one shattered like dust.
Lare collapsed on one knee, panting.
"How long…?"
> R.O.Y.A.L: Time Passed — 10 hours
He smiled faintly.
"I did it…"
The trial bell rang.
The arena faded.
---
He Comes Out
The gate opened slowly.
Lare stumbled out, exhausted, covered in cuts, but standing.
Raen ran to him tearfully. "YOU DID IT YOU CRAZY MONSTER!"
Aricus grabbed Lare's arm so he wouldn't fall. "Well done."
Harvis nodded.
"You survived the Survival Trial. The final task remains."
Lare weakly smiled.
"Bring it on."