Awakening with two legendary Summons-Chapter 255: The Grey Spot

Steven and Shawn joined the rest of the Cohort, while Shawn was eager to mingle with his peers, Steven was nothing like that.

He was not a people person.

So he walked up to a pillar that looked the most wretched, where there was no one nearby, and sat there. Knee raised, back against the stone, gaze fixed on the group as he quietly cursed under his breath.

Silva, in turn, was with Brian, the two standing separate from the rest of the Cohort of awakened.

They were talking casually, with Brian trying so desperately to sweet-talk her, probably aiming to gain some exclusive favor from her.

Still, she remained blank. Her gaze carried nothing but emptiness, hollow and distant.

"Fucking bastard! With his stupid shiny smile," Steven cursed. "Still flirting with girls in this realm! How dumb."

{Your sponsor for once supports you on your hate}

Steven frowned at the notification, then turned his gaze to Shawn, who was being warmly welcomed by the group of awakened. They looked so casual around him, each of them seemingly trusting Shawn just because he was awakened like them.

It was irritating.

Luckily, Steven had not been born a social idiot—he was an introverted scum. Yes, a scum that preferred to see the bad in people rather than the good. That was how he judged character.

And seeing the faces of each person here up close, his stomach churned with unease.

Finally, Silva and Brian were done talking.

The arrogant leader of the massive awakened group stepped forward and cleared his throat, waving his hand to catch everyone's attention.

Silva stood beside him.

"As you all know, I am Brian, leader of this party, and today will be the day we reach the Grey Point. But I also want to introduce my new vice-captain."

A wave of murmurs spread instantly through the crowd.

Then Brian pointed at Silva, who stood right beside him.

The lady dressed in torn metal armor nodded, then stepped forward. "I am Silva, and for now I will require your respect and your listening ears. Your lives and your sacrifices—just as I will do my best to lead us out of this cursed hell."

The crowd broke into valiant cheers, some raising their weapons, others their arms.

"Ughhh," Steven grunted. "I didn't expect this much… but how fast did she climb the ranks?"

Steven scanned the crowd, the countenance of each member reflecting differently, and just as he expected, he saw hatred in some faces, confusion in others, and emptiness in a few.

These were the ones who disliked Brian's decision, and probably the same people who would try to kill Silva if they ever got the opportunity.

'That is fine by me, as long as they don't rope me in.'

But he had spoken too soon.

Those faces unhappy with Silva suddenly becoming vice-captain began drifting toward him, each lingering for a moment before being turned away.

Steven raised both middle fingers at them, causing their expressions to twist further with infuriation as they turned away.

Surely, the line had been drawn.

Soon, the announcement ended, and the Cohort began packing their things before moving out, leaving the dilapidated meeting room behind.

The mighty party began to move once again through the hallway of the ruins.

At the lead were Silva and Brian, weapons in hand.

They formed the main assault of the large party.

Behind them was a practiced formation, a small number of awakened keeping several meters of distance, allowing room for reaction.

Then came the middle group, where the majority stayed—walking casually, unafraid of ambush, protected by teams both ahead and behind them, ready to take the brunt of any Blood Burst foolish enough to attack.

Shawn was among them.

At the rear of the group was Steven, the paranoid scum blending in with just three other awakened.

'Here is a perfect spot,' he thought to himself. 'Can't go mixing myself with a lump of idiots.'

Despite how much he hated the party and its leader, he still hoped they would cover the remaining gap between them and the Grey Spot as promised.

It wasn't far.

And if they didn't encounter any Blood Burst, they might reach it before exhaustion set in.

That, however, was left to fate and time.

The party kept moving for hours, and with each step Steven felt himself drawn closer to the Grey Dot.

Thanks to Silva's experience and Brian's leadership, they managed to avoid alerting any Blood Burst—either that, or there were none present along the path.

And then, finally, the party reached their goal.

Silva's breath caught in her throat as her face welled up with pure mesmerization. Brian's expression was no different, nor were those of the assault team.

Before them stood a majestic set of double doors, crafted entirely from special gems—golden, silver, and countless materials that glistened and glittered under the dim light.

Even Silva, the daughter of a clan, was stunned by the sight.

Steven, however, felt his stomach churn instead of excitement. He turned his head slightly, then looked back at the doors. "This is surely the Grey Spot," he muttered with stress.

{Your sponsor wonders if you ever possess good thoughts}

'Look who's talking—'

CLACK!

The double doors swung open as Brian pushed them wide, granting the party entrance.

"Come on in, everyone! This is it!" At Brian's voice, the party began stepping into the chamber beyond.

Steven hesitated.

The feeling crawling up his spine worsened by the second.

But he had no proof.

So what reason did he have to worry?

He reminded himself of that as he walked with the rear of the group into the large, eerily silent chamber.

It was a throne room—massive beyond reason.

Golden and silver pillars lined the hall, strange blue-burning torches flickered along the walls, and the marble-and-diamond-crafted floor reflected their distorted figures.

At the center stood a flight of stairs, ascending toward a throne that felt unreal to stare at.

The throne was crafted from fine wood, polished and reinforced with gold. Its lining was sewn with strings of gold, its armrests embedded with diamonds, and various pieces of jewelry rested upon it like offerings.

"Whoever owns this place has serious taste," one party member spoke.

"This place is unbelievable."

"Talk about being wealthy."

Murmurs filled the throne room as they admired every expensive detail.

Yet Steven's unease never left him.

Until—

CLANK!

The violent reverberation of the double doors slamming shut echoed through the chamber.

The entire party fell silent.

Fear and confusion washed over them.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then—

"Who did that?" Brian yelled, eyes sharp. "Who in hell shut the door?!"

No reply came.

Steven knew none would.

He was at the rear, and none of the others had turned around.

And really—who in all of hell would think a prank like that was funny?

No.

This was something else.

"AMBITIOUS, ARE WE?!"

The voice boomed through the throne room.

It was not human.

Just hearing it caused the air to thin, lungs to burn, faces paling under an immense, crushing pressure.

{You have entered

the Domain of the King}

{Domain: The Ambitious Kingdom Awakens}

{Trial: 0/8}

{First Trial: Kill the King}