Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 103: Eagle of Perception

Phew... Talk about a long battle. I'm now back in what General Veritates call the "altar room". Who knew that losing one battle would give me a realization and a sneak peek at the game's update at the same time? I have to thank Mom for the advice. If it wasn't for her, things could have repeated itself in a never-ending cycle. I should probably cook for her when I have the chance.

Now that the battle is over, I should be able to access my UI again. I decide to rest in the altar room for a while until I get my bearings together (and check up on Kazuki's mental health for a bit, which is good for now, thank god). Although, I don't know how long until I enter the second door. Now that I know battles like that can disable my use of the stats along with [Masteries] that lets me see my enemy's [HP], I can't rely on it too much if I want to get ahead against them. Not to mention there is a chance I'm limited to another [Mastery] again. My [Swordsmanship] leveled up a lot thanks to that battle. But I doubt it will be useful in the next battle ahead.

Honestly, I'm not surprised about being locked into my [Swordsmanship Mastery]. It reminds me of that one campaign Kazuki and I did with Dad as our GM. He was very relentless with the story and battle, but I barely survived with some lucky rolls and NAT20s.

However, another thing that tripped me off was not only the UI and locking the rest of my [Masteries]. It's the psychological play that Veritates put me in. From calling me out on my inability to decide for myself and my recklessness, he really pushed my buttons enough to barely kill me in our rematch. If that happens again in the second door...

You know what, I shouldn't worry too much about the "what-ifs". If I want to get through this [Hidden Quest], then it's better to act than to worry.

I've rested enough and stood up so I could unlock the door to the right and start the next trial.

-----

As I enter the next boss room, I notice that I'm not in an altar room or something similar to Veritates's throne. I look around to see I'm in a large forest with a sky covered in tree leaves and I'm standing on a large tree branch as I was now the size of a bird. Looking down from the branch, I can see it's a long way down to the ground considering I can't see it at all from here. Whoever came up with it somehow has a B+ on design. Either way, let's not beat around the bush.

"Alright, buddy! I beat General Veritates!" I shout. "How about it's time for you to show your face?"

[Huh. How rude of you to call me out without recognizing your surroundings first.]

Suddenly, I hear the leaves rustling above me. I look up and see a blur jumping from branch to branch above me. I can't locate where they are heading as many more were rustling. But I stop when I look forward and see the face of my next opponent. To my surprise, they aren't like General Veritates. They look human with a feminine build, and yet I can't tell if they are a boy or a girl from their long blue hair, narrow blue-gray eyes, and a...small chest. Thank god I didn't ask out loud if they are a girl.

"You must be the master of this room, right?" I ask as I show the keys I obtained so far. "My name is Wind and I'm here to tackle the second trial of the [Test of Courage]."

The boss stares at my keys for a while. [Hmmmm... The [Key of Conviction]. Normally, I would have shrugged off people claiming to defeat the [Former General of Convictions], but having his key is proof that you truly defeat him. That is the golden rule of this test.] They jump down from the top branch and land on the one in front of where I'm standing. [I am <Acutus>, the [Eagle of Perception] of the [Insignis Scouts]. Normally, we would have set up an [Animated Mithril Armor] for these kinds of tests. However, when I heard there was a half-[Insignis] who has a full-blood as his brother, I decided to see for myself if you are truly worthy to be with him.]