Chương 69: First Trial’s End (1)

They moved through the ant tunnels upward, Maximus's Spirit Sense toggled at all times, yet they found no ants, not even corpses.

"It would seem they fled the moment they sensed the queen die," Lennox muttered.

"Finally, some good news!" Jane clapped happily.

"Let us continue," Maximus said simply as he took the point. Like that, they walked for about half a day until they finally found another exit to the surface. The fresh air filled their lungs with life as the sun's rays burned their eyes. They paused for a moment, breathing deeply and taking it all in.

"By the looks of it, we should reach the end of the Wildlands once we pass this and one more area. So, I'd say we could do it in around three days," Lennox guessed. They slowly descended a small dusty hill, void of life, and moved straight east toward what looked like a patch of green in the distance.

More than two days had passed since they started moving through the Wildlands together. They fought a few swarms of mad ants along the way and entered the last region of panther‑like enemies with three pairs of legs and two serrated tails, which they used to stab their prey.

Maximus mostly used his vines and nature abilities to assist everyone else, as he was still adapting to his new body, and there was really no need to go all out, thanks to Lennox wanting to repay his debts, and Silex and Vesper being more than eager to finally hunt proper beasts instead of insects.

Like that, they entered deep into a thick evergreen forest full of tall Sequoia trees, which the panthers used for ambushes, though thanks to Sprout's and Maximus's scans, every ambush was discovered long before the creatures had a chance to strike. Finally, one afternoon, Maximus sensed something and took out his egg. The egg shone like an emerald beacon, pulsing with thick green light. Crack. Crack.

The sound of the shell breaking reverberated through the pulses, and finally, two large black compound eyes appeared, shining like obsidian on a black‑and‑green head. The almost meter‑tall baby wasp unfurled its transparent wings and rose into the sky. Its form was identical to the Mantis Wasps they had encountered before, but one thing was different: Its stinger. Instead of a crimson spike, an emerald‑green crystalline blade curved from its abdomen, vibrating faintly in rhythm with its wings.

The wasp flew toward Maximus and stopped inches from his face, observing him. Maximus smiled.

"Hey, little one. I'm happy you finally hatched. What do you say, want to join me on my journey? I'll take good care of you." He promised and took out one of his extra Orchid flowers, presenting it to the wasp. The wasp studied him a moment longer before gently bopping its head against his and opening its mandibles to drink from the flower. The insect has decided to follow the user Maximus Reid.

Skill Leveled Up: [One of Us (E) Level 20] Skill Evolved: One of Us (E) to One of Us (D) Class Trait Leveled Up: [Call of the Wild (C) Level 15] Beast tamed: [Mantis Wasp Knight (Mutated) Level 1] Mantis Wasp Knight (Mutated) | Level: 1 Rarity: C? Gender: Female A Mantis Wasp, a warrior insect from the Savage Realm of Vaalabar. They are known as fierce defenders of their territory, and anyone foolish enough to strike one must be prepared to face the fury of the entire colony.

This particular Wasp absorbed enormous amounts of Spirit Energy while unhatched, altering its genetic structure and developing a sword‑like limb capable of regrowing if shattered. Due to its mutation, it is unclear how it will grow in the future. Known skills: Reap, Wind Arc, Emerald Stab, Sword Harpoon Traits: Superspeed, High Regeneration, Enhanced Vision, Loyal, Fierce, Wind Attuned Alert: Due to its age and level, the insect will be unable to communicate until one year of age or reaching Level 100.

Alert: Due to taming a brand-new species, new partial shapeshifting forms have been unlocked: Wasp Wings, Wasp Scythe Limbs Skill Leveled Up: [Shapeshift (D) Level 17] Quest Completed: Hatch and tame the creature by feeding it your spirit energy. Rewards: 4 Talent Points If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

One of Us (D) Level 5 – Command defeated beasts to follow you in battle. Chance to tame a beast of any type: 45%, which can increase with the level of the skill. Your shapeshifting abilities will receive extra forms depending on the type of beast you have tamed, and shapeshifting duration is doubled. No Spirit cost. When surrounded by your tamed beasts, it increases the primal strength of your body by 10%. Slots available: 3/3. User is walking the Shapeshifter path.

Wasp Wings – Grants temporary, high-velocity aerial mobility. Due to the user's mass, sustained flight is heavily restricted. Can also be used for short bursts of speed instead of flying. Current flying duration: 5 minutes. Duration may increase by moving deeper into the Shapeshifter Path.

Maximus petted the Wasp's slick, cold head and smiled.

"Welcome to the team!" he said.

"Everyone, say hi to… hmm, let's call you Jade, our first female friend." Maximus smiled brightly.

"What about us?" Jane puffed her cheeks.

"I didn't know you were my beast as well?" Maximus cracked a smile.

"Oh, she is a beast, alright." Lennox chuckled, only for Jane to cane him across the back with her staff.

"Hello, little wasp. You look dangerous. I like that!" Silex laughed.

"Welcome to the pack, Jade!" Vesper nodded, while Sprout squeaked happily and Embi flew around her playfully.

"Wait until you see this." Maximus chuckled and morphed his scapula into insect‑like limbs from which long transparent wings unfurled. He willed them to move, and they began flapping, creating gusts of wind as he floated into the air.

"Holy shit!" Jane gasped, while Tereza stared wide‑eyed. Maximus, who was used to flying in his old life, began maneuvering efficiently. Not bad, even faster than a regular Fly spell, he thought as he landed. Though mixing the two will be interesting.

"Thank you for the gift, Jade," he said gently. Jade buzzed around him happily and nudged his head with hers again. Seems she likes me, he chuckled inwardly.

"Well, your team is looking weirder and weirder," Lennox chuckled.

"Though it has quite a lot of potential." He nodded approvingly.

"She looks cute, though," Jane said, pointing at Jade as she flew around Maximus, following his every step.

"Guys, we should hurry it up. We did everything we could in this plane. It's time to finish it." Lennox cut in.

"Agreed." Maximus nodded, and they moved through the forest. Jade flew above them, drinking nectar from flowers high in the canopy, when a stray panther lunged at her. She avoided it instantly, slashing with her scythe‑like limbs and sending sharp arcs of wind before darting down toward Maximus.

"Good girl!" He petted her head and summoned javelins. Four shot forward one after another, piercing the panther mid‑lunge and detonating, shattering it into pieces. A rain of blood and gore fell over them, coloring them red.

"God damnit, Red!" Jane screamed as what remained of the panther hit the ground with a loud thud. Jade dove fast, burying her head into its open chest, and began eating the core as well as some of the flesh and blood.

"She's eating the core and meat?" Lennox asked, confused.

"Look at her go," Maximus gasped. In moments, she had devoured the Level 25 beast's core, and her body began shining and growing by another thirty or so centimeters. Tamed beast Jade leveled up. Level 10 reached. Battle Tokens earned: 100"She has expensive tastes, it seems." Jane chuckled while Tereza nodded, amused. She had been trying to find a way to tame a furry beast. Currently, she only had eight worker ants and one guardian ant.

But all the panthers were extremely aggressive, leaving her no room to tame them.

"Don't worry, you'll find a strong beast; I just know it!" Lennox patted her back as he noticed her jealous look.

"He started taming before you, after all," he consoled her.

"Lennox is correct. You'll find one that's meant for you," Maximus overheard and added. She nodded and smiled gently. After a short break, they moved on along an enemy‑free path and, two hours later, finally cleared the last region of the Wildlands. Before them, a barrier rippled, revealing a large pristine white town with a tower that pierced the heavens, rising with no end in sight.

"Majestic, isn't it?" Lennox smiled as if he had already been there.

"It truly feels as if it was built by the gods," Maximus muttered.

"Finally, some civilization! A bath! I need a damn bath!" Jane cried out excitedly.

Half an hour later, they stood before large golden gates, made of what seemed like pure gold.

"You just need to touch it. It will confirm that we are participants and mark our trial as finished. Don't be scared, you'll be taken into a reward‑assignment chamber and will emerge on the other side once done. Let's agree to wait for one another, alright?" Lennox explained.

"Mister know‑it‑all!" Jane stuck her tongue out and touched the gates. A bright golden light enveloped her, scanning her, and then with a shimmer, she disappeared.

"Interesting," Maximus muttered as he activated his World Sense. He observed the formula within the gate, and a sharp pain struck his mind, forcing him to close his eyes. What is it, Astrae, you old monster, dislike others sneaking a peek into your magics? As Maximus argued with himself, Tereza was the next to be teleported. Curses, I missed it, he frowned.

"I see what you're trying to do," Lennox said seriously.

"I would advise against it."

"What do you mean?" Maximus asked.

"Your eyes are bleeding." Lennox pointed. Maximus rubbed his eyes and saw blood on his palms.

"I'll be damned!"

"See you on the other side, and please don't upset anyone you shouldn't," Lennox warned, then disappeared.

"Well, boys and Jade, this is it. Let's go and see what this is all about." Maximus took a deep breath and touched the gates. The golden light descended over him, prying into his status and his body.

"The hell you will!" he roared as the light tried to enter his mind, and a wave of spirit and mana crashed into it, forcing the scan to halt. The light flickered, dimmed for a heartbeat, then shone brighter, swallowing him, his beasts, and his spirits whole.

Maximus and his companions appeared within a clean white space, nothing around them but an infinite white void. Congratulations. You have reached the City of Beginnings within the allotted time and achieved the maximum possible level for the first plane. Your feats are numerous, and you have accomplished more on the First Plane than anyone else since the Trials began on Earth. You have earned three rewards and caught the attention of multiple deities.

You will be allowed to gain their favor and choose one as a patron. Reward Number 1: Pick a B-rank Druid Skill Reward Number 2: Pick a Skill that you have used in your last life that can be contained as a B-rank Wizard Skill Reward Number 3: Pick a Skill you want to upgrade to its very maximum. Extra Reward: Your beast companions will receive one suitable skill randomly.

"Now this is what I call rewards!" Maximus clapped.

"Boss, a voice is talking into my head. Something about a skill." Vesper muttered.

"Same here, says I'm about to get a gift. Damn right, this is a welcome fit for a ruler such as I." Silex slammed his tail onto the white floor happily, while Jade floated in place, buzzing happily as well. Maximus shook his head, amused, and opened up the first set of rewards. [Chain Lightning (B)], [Tornado (B)], [Hailstorm (B)], [Flying Form (B)] Oh wow, now these are skills worthy of being a final reward! Maximus gasped.