The Dark Extra: Awakening of SSS-Skill Demon Emperor Legacy
Chapter 119: The City of Forest

Chapter 119: The City of Forest

"Wait, there’s something I need to ask you," said Agares.

He tapped his magic pouch and summoned a golden-colored metal shard. The object floated above his hand, catching Nova and Kevin’s attention. Their eyes were clearly fixed on the shard in Agares’ palm.

"Fragment Lumen Astra. What is this?" Agares asked.

"That’s a shard of metal—it’s a key to enter the highest Hall on the 100th floor. If you manage to collect 20 of those, you can unlock the hall and get a chance to obtain the Lumen Astra," Kevin replied.

"If you get the Lumen Astra, you can become—"

"Yeah. The new Divine Saber," said Agares.

Kevin nodded. The Fragment Lumen Astra could only be obtained after Agares completed each Saber Knight Trial. There were 20 fragments total, which meant he had 19 Saber Knight Trials left to beat.

"You better hold onto that fragment," said Kevin. Agares cleared his throat.

Aoi climbed onto Agares’ shoulder just as he summoned his black wings again. There was nothing left for him to do on the 81st floor—he had to go to the 82nd to take on the next Saber Knight Trial.

Nova and Kevin flew off and blended into the townsfolk. Agares squinted. From the start, something about them had felt off.

He just realized—Nova and Kevin were manifestations of the 81st floor’s power. That reminded him of Merchant Lo.

Up above, he and Aoi saw the island of the 82nd floor. At a glance, it looked way larger than the last one. But there was one clear difference between the two islands.

The 82nd floor island was completely forested. The city at the center was overrun with vines and wild shrubs. Trees grew thick and shady in several parts of town.

Even so, the place still had townsfolk living in it—though they were fragments of souls, none of them could see Agares.

This was Thornwatch City.

"What is this? Did they just never clean their city?" Aoi asked. Agares said nothing, staying stone-faced.

Nova and Kevin had said each island floor had its own trial. The last one was First Courage. But now? They had no idea what the next one would be.

The only way to find out was to go into the city. There was no guide, no one to help him this time.

"Aoi."

"Stay here," said Agares.

"But I want to help you."

"I’m fine. This is a Saber trial—I don’t want you to get hurt."

Aoi went quiet. She stood on the ground just outside the city gate, anxiously watching ahead. She clearly saw Agares walking alone into the city.

[82nd Floor]

[Second Saber Knight Trial]

[Trial: Endurance]

[Objective: Receive and deliver a message to someone in the city center]

[Duration:]

[Unlimited]

[Accept Trial?]

[Yes || No]

Agares stood still. Hundreds of soul fragments vanished the moment he entered the city—a sign the second Saber Knight Trial was about to begin.

The panel in front of Agares showed the trial’s name: Endurance. His eyes narrowed. The word could mean a lot—physical endurance, emotional, or mental.

’No use guessing. The only way is to go through with it.’

WOSH!

Right after Agares accepted the trial, a strong gust of wind blew, stripping away his armor, sword, and all of his gear.

All that remained were his clothes. Aoi gasped and kept shouting out, checking if he was okay.

"I’m fine. Don’t worry about me."

Agares stepped forward—and the entire scene changed into a forest city. The stone paving turned into grass. Aoi also saw the instant shift in scenery. She found it amazing, but also terrifying.

He looked forward and saw an envelope sealed with a saber emblem. That was the item he had to deliver to someone in the city center.

The moment Agares gripped the letter, sharp thorns burst from the ground beneath him, stabbing deep into his feet, drawing blood.

He groaned in pain from the shock and the stabbing. Aoi saw it all.

"Sir Agares!" Aoi yelled.

’Ugh... so it’s physical endurance,’thought Agares.

He held the message tight in his hand. The only way to clear the trial was to deliver it.

If he didn’t act quickly, he feared the wounds would keep piling up and eventually drain all his HP.

In the end, this trial could kill him.

Clenching through the pain, Agares lifted his foot and stepped forward. But it wasn’t just the spot he stood on—every bit of the road to the city center turned into a stretch of piercing thorns.

His eyes lit up in glowing purple. Black wings formed on his back, and he flew, trying to avoid the thorny ground.

At first, he thought this was the solution. But then, something happened that caught him off guard. Tree branches slithered out and lashed toward him aggressively.

Some of the branches he managed to dodge. But as more and more came, Agares got overwhelmed and caught in the middle of them.

He had no sword to cut through the branches. What’s worse, the ones that wrapped around him started absorbing his dark energy.

The more they drained from him, the harder it became to keep his wings up.

Slowly, the black wings vanished. Agares fell from the sky and crashed flat onto the thorn-covered ground. His hands, stomach, and legs were pierced all over.

"Agh!"

"Agares!" Aoi screamed.

’A dominant force... maybe even stronger than a level 9 monster.’

Agares tried to stand despite the bleeding. He had to finish the trial. He could see a man standing in the town square, waiting to receive the message.

Every step Agares took, more thorns stabbed him. Again and again. He had to endure all of it without rest.

From outside the city gates, Aoi could see blood soaking the thorny ground. She’d never seen Agares this injured.

’If only I were in there... maybe I could ease some of his pain,’Aoi thought.

Halfway there, Agares could see the man getting closer. A sign that he was truly making progress in this brutal trial.

Suddenly, trees popped up along the sides of the road—out of nowhere. They swung their thorny branches at Agares with deadly force.

Aoi was horrified. She tried to break into the city by smashing through the dome barrier—but the blowback from the attack flung her far away. She crashed into a tree.

Meanwhile, Agares was still walking over the thorny road, his back, chest, and stomach whipped raw.

Yep—those branches were lashing him like whips.

His clothes were torn to shreds, only his pants remained. Cuts and slashes covered his body. His legs were full of holes and still bleeding.

Agares had to endure just a little longer. Somehow, the final stretch to that man felt endless, even though it was only 500 meters away.

"HYAAAAA!"

He pushed his body to the limit—running, gritting his teeth, enduring it all. His legs were wrecked, his chest and back soaked in blood. His face had gone pale, his eyes nearly lifeless.

Finally! Agares reached the man and handed him the letter, completing the brutal endurance trial.

He collapsed to the side, completely limp. His face was gaunt and exhausted, eyes barely showing any signs of life.

He was right at death’s door.

The man opened the letter and showed it to Agares.

"Congratulations! You’ve passed the Second Trial."