"Only those with strong minds can pass this test and bear the responsibility of maintaining this order."
Meanwhile, with Chen Chen's help, Genos had recovered his strength. Seeing his grateful yet seemingly fearful expression, Chen Chen shrugged and ignored it.
"It seems all five of you have awakened."
A deep voice suddenly boomed through the air.
Black mist swirled together, coalescing into a massive, amorphous mass. Under the group's gaze, the mist gradually took shape, forming a colossal tiger's head that slowly materialized in the dim light of Vormir.
The God of Order, Hoggus.
Staring at the suddenly appearing Hoggus, Doctor Voodoo's brow furrowed. "You brought us all this way with such reckless abandon! What exactly are you trying to achieve?"
Unlike ordinary sorcerers who would grovel before the Three Great Ancient Demon Gods, Doctor Voodoo was a powerful sorcerer himself. He bristled at Hoggus's crude and abrupt behavior.
Without a word, Hoggus had transported them to this place, which was saturated with soul-crushing pressure. Had their souls not been strong enough, they would have suffered the same fate as Kazusa and Genos, struggling desperately while awaiting rescue.
Purple flames, crackling with malevolent energy, erupted from the surface of the Soul Body. Doctor Voodoo glared at Hoggus, as if ready to attack if the answer didn't meet his expectations. The Mystic Sorcerer also seemed displeased with Hoggus's actions, and waves of Soul Power began to emanate from his body.
Watching the scene unfold, Chen Chen stepped in front of Kazusa, crossing his pale arms in a posture of detached amusement.
"There's no need for such agitation," Chen Chen said. "I brought you here for a reason, and I've taken precautions. If any of you prove unable to withstand the dimensional pressure with your Soul Power, I'll immediately transport you back to Kamar-Taj."
Hoggus opened his massive tiger maw and explained to Chen Chen and the others, "If Chen Chen hadn't intervened to assist the other two contestants just now, I would have sent those who couldn't endure the soul pressure back to Kamar-Taj."
"I brought you to this dimension because I discovered a peculiar Soul Power here. It not only oppresses souls but also conjures illusions within them.
"These illusions penetrate to the very essence of the soul, exposing its deepest fears, most buried memories, and most profound scars. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to determine the source of this power, only sense its peculiar presence surrounding Vormir."
As Chen Chen listened silently to Hoggus, a question arose in his mind. Hoggus claimed to sense a powerful and bizarre Soul Power on Vormir but couldn't trace its origin.
Yet Chen Chen had detected the Soul Stone with his Divine Sense shortly after arriving. Though this had cost him considerable energy, it shouldn't have been difficult for Hoggus, whose magical prowess was equally formidable.
"Why did I discover the Soul Stone so quickly, while Hoggus couldn't find it for so long?" Chen Chen asked himself, stroking his smooth, beardless chin thoughtfully. His gaze drifted to Doctor Voodoo and the Mystic Sorcerer, remembering they had also been using their own methods to scan Vormir but seemed to have found nothing.
"What's going on here?" Chen Chen didn't believe he was the only one who could sense the Soul Stone's presence. In terms of sensory capabilities, all of them—himself, Hoggus, Doctor Voodoo, and the Mystic Sorcerer—should have been able to detect it at this close range.
"Could it be..." Suddenly, a chilling possibility struck Chen Chen.
The Soul Stone was conscious. It had deliberately blocked others from sensing it, yet it had revealed its existence—even its exact location—to Chen Chen.
"If that's the case, then this Soul Stone is far more dangerous than I thought." The Soul Stone, as a conscious Infinity Stone, harbored a greedy and ravenous soul.
Chen Chen didn't know if his suspicions were correct, but he knew one thing: he had to be wary of the Soul Stone.
Turning his attention back to Hoggus's words, he saw the old warlock continue:
"Next, we will officially begin the next phase of the assessment. This trial will be a direct confrontation with one's true self. Passing it will greatly enhance your Soul Power and allow you to advance to the final round, where you will receive gifts from the Three Great Ancient Demon Gods."
"Since this trial may inflict extreme mental anguish, I will give you one last chance to withdraw."
"Whether or not you participate is entirely your choice."
After speaking, Hoggus's tiger-like eyes, glowing like lanterns, fixed intently on the assembled sorcerers below.
Chen Chen, Doctor Voodoo, and the Mystic Sorcerer remained outwardly calm, like still water in a deep well.
But beside them, Kaminazuki, Kazusa, and Genos showed clear signs of unease, their expressions betraying their inner turmoil.
Chen Chen gently squeezed Kazusa's hand and said, "It's okay. Give yourself some confidence."
Feeling the warmth of Chen Chen's palm, Kazusa's heart gradually slowed and calmed. She looked up at Hoggus, who was floating in the sky, and declared firmly, "I will participate."
Genos, still wavering, saw the determination in Kazusa's eyes. Perhaps it was male pride, unwilling to be outdone in courage by a woman, that spurred him on. He immediately shouted at Hoggus, "I will participate!"
"Very well! One final confirmation: a total of five participants will take this assessment!"
Hoggus let out a thunderous roar that seemed to shake the very fabric of the dimension, sending massive waves rippling across the lake. The black clouds overhead were scattered by his cry.
Then, the Soul Power drifting through the void around Vormir seemed to respond to Hoggus's call. It gathered within his massive jaws, the invisible energy coalescing into a glowing orb of orange-yellow light.
-----------------------
Completed English PDF of this fan-fic on my Patreon shop if you want to support and own the full fan-fic in one go. Just grab the PDF and binge the entire story from start to finish!
Guys, I've uploaded some High Quality english translated fanfic on my Patreon shop! Feel free to check it out-if you're interested, you can grab a copy and support me there.
Here are a few titles of recently uploaded fanfics:
New Addition
" Superman in Marvel—Will I Get a Copyright Warning? "
" Marvel: Starting by Loading the Homelander Template "
" Marvel: Becoming an Emperor Through Lottery Draws "
" Marvel: Awakening the Power of a Million Stars at the Start "
" Marvel: I Am the Leader of the Mutant Race "
many more are available 136+
Your support means a lot-thanks in advance, legends!
patreon.com/SuperTL
(End of Chapter)