After that close call, Xiao Xi made the rest of the way quite easily. After experiencing the first half of the bridge, the latter half was a lot more manageable, especially given that they were used to the feeling by now.

How did we know she got across safely?

Well, she used Sound Magic to amplify her own voice and call out to us from across the bridge. This way, even though we couldn't see her figure past the gap in the middle due to the fog, we could still know if they made it across. It also seemed like she could use magic again on the other side, which was interesting.

That being said, if we got a person with Sky Magic over there, I doubt they could just fly back and carry the rest of us across. I was pretty sure this 'trial', if it was one, didn't work like that, unfortunately. This 'Grey Scourge' wasn't that stupid, if it could cause this much destruction and surprise with its attacks.

Still, now that one of us made it across successfully, the rest weren't as scared. Some even volunteered to go next.

One by one, we made it across. Luckily, none of us here were particularly heavy, so the bridge didn't collapse or anything. Yet.

After Ming Hao's team went, Long Lu's team did. Long Yi, however, shot me a glance before leaving. What was hidden in that gaze was worry, though it wasn't because she cared about me. She only cared about my life, if that makes sense.

After her, Lin Luo went. Then Obsidia. Both made it across with ease. Feng Mian went next and was also able to do it — I never doubted her in the first place. And at last, there was only two people left on this side. Mei Gui, and me.

"Master… you go first.

"

"Why?

" I asked.

"It's safer,

" she explained.

"After so many people went… the bridge must be fragile. If I were to go now, it will leave Master with…

"

"Mei Gui… don't worry about it,

" I said, patting her head.

"Just go.

"

"Master…

"

She looked up at me with eyes of worry, so I decided to give a light chuckle, showing her I was perfectly fine.

"What, don't believe in me?

"

"No, Master… it's not that…

"

"Go already. That's an order.

"

Faced with these words, Mei Gui, being the obedient girl she was, had no choice but to comply. She turned around hesitantly and stepped onto the bridge, looking back one final time before disappearing into the fog.

About a minute later, I heard a voice from the other side.

"Okay, Xuan Kai! You're the last one!

" Ming Hao yelled, his voice amplified by Sound Magic. I don't remember him having an affinity for that, so it must be someone else enhancing it for him.

Calmly, I stepped forward so that I was right in front of the bridge, and grasped the rope railings on both sides tightly, just like my predecessors had done. Then, I tenderly stepped forward, lightly placing my foot on the wooden plank as if testing the waters.

Okay… seems stable enough.

Mei Gui was right. After all those other people passed through, the bridge was bound to be weaker than it already was. Still, if this stability kept up as I kept going forward, it should be fine…

Very soon, I reached the first gap. A very short one — all I had to do was lunge across with one leg then pull the rest of my body too. There was no need to even jump like Xiao Xi had, since my legs were longer than hers.

And so, that was exactly what I did, making it past the first obstacle with ease. Little did I know, however, doing this pulled on the two poles that attached the bridge to the cliff I came from…

After passing several more gaps and crossing them the same way, I reached the middle of the bridge — right where the hardest obstacle of all was. This gap was at least twice the size of the other ones, so just lunging across wasn't going to work here anymore. I needed to jump — and fast. The longer I dwindled on this bridge, the higher the chance of it falling apart and me falling into whatever lay down there.

I wasn't particularly scared of heights, but I still took a deep breath just to make sure I was ready. Then, I stepped back a few steps to get a running headstart for maximum momentum.

Alright… here we go!

I leaped across the gap and landed on the other side while using my hands to hold on to the ropes on both sides as support. As my feet touched solid wood, I relaxed a bit.

"Whew… did it.

"

Unfortunately, my landing may have been a little too much on the hard side. Pair that with all the pulling on those two poles with all the smaller gaps earlier, and…

"Wha-!

"

My eyes widened as the bridge suddenly began tipping over. The two poles originally on the cliff back there had detached from their spots, causing the bridge to collapse towards the other end where the others were waiting.

"Xuan Kai!

"

"Master!

"

Feng Mian and Mei Gui called out in worry and Obsidia immediately prepared to transform into her full form regardless of the eyes watching, but was unable to do so — she was being restricted by the Grey Scourge.

"Tch…!

"

I quickly began running upwards before the bridge collapsed completely, hoping to make it in time. At this point, I was more climbing up than running forward, but this meant I was putting a lot of vertical strain on the bridge's planks.

"You're almost there, Xuan Kai!

" Ming Hao encouraged, fists clenched in worry for me.

By now, the bridge had reached a completely vertical state. I could feel gravity pulling me downwards, but I didn't give in and relentlessly continued to climb up.

"Grab my hand!

" Long Yi yelled, reaching her hand down for me.

I could see it right in front of me. Just one more plank, and I can pull mysel-

CRRRACK.

In that moment, time froze.

The plank my hand had clawed itself around, suddenly tore off. The strain was finally too much, and the fragile pieces of wooden planks strung together to be called a bridge broke at last.

Everyone watching widened their eyes in shock, especially Feng Mian, Mei Gui, Obsidia, Lin Luo, and Long Yi.

And before I knew it, time had begun to flow again. Slowly, I fell down, down, down. Into the abyss with no end, shrouded by thick fog, never to see the light of day again.

Was this how it all ended?

My journey as the 'chosen one' of the origin of the multiverse — was it coming to a stop, here, before I even reached the outer world?

Could even Chaos not escape the causality laws of life and death?

It was as life flashed before my eyes. I looked into the girls' shocked, desperate expressions, not wanting to believe what was happening before them was true.

From the very beginning — a lone, magicless kid in school, bullied everyday as a common occurrence. A wimp, needing to be stood up for by girls.

To the desperate play to be a hero, so that his worthless life may finally have some worth.

To the awakening of the child's powers — an obsidian-black stone pendant, engraved with a single red rune marking.

To the forsaken sister, lost and now returned. Reunited with her sibling and family, happy and loved.

To the child's own sibling, a cruel, devious boy who would stop at nothing to eliminate his own brother.

To the destruction of his home, obliterated by creatures as black as stone and as ugly as Medusa herself.

To the arrival at the the Fortress, a neo-cyberpunk city where advanced weaponry was just as powerful as magic.

To finally, the heart of all arcane knowledge and power, Fragment — the Magic Capital.

And yet, soon after getting there, I was now about to die? In a place like this?

As I fell into the fog, I realized just how many regrets I have.

I never properly proposed to any of the girls who have stuck by my side all this way. I never formed friendships with people who truly wished to become friends with me. I constantly pushed those who tried to get close to me away.

I was always plotting. Manipulating. Ever since my parents died on that fateful night, I don't think I've ever had a single day where I thought like a genuine teenager again. I saw nearly everyone as either an enemy or a tool. I am truly… evil.

So — if this is truly the end, allow me to say one thing:

I'm sorry.

You girls… find someone new. Someone who deserves you and can treat you better.

Ming Hao… I don't know what's wrong with your head, but I appreciate you trying to become my friend all this time even though I kept pushing you away.

Long Lu… I apologize. I wasn't able to uphold my promise of bringing Class D to the top spot in the end.

And Mei Gui, I... I've failed you in the end, huh?

Lin Luo, Ling Xin, and Long Yi… don't worry. I won't drag you down with me.

And as the darkness consumed me, I did one last — perhaps the only good — thing with my life.

Forbidden Magic — Soul Shackle: Unlock.