[ The second phase was completed.]

  [ Initiating the third and final stage.]

  The notification came to Ray's ears, and along with it, a big change suddenly happened in the chamber.

  The big and small debris gathered around the altar, and the already fallen stone guardian was revived.

  Grooooo.

  [ Stone Guardian]

  [ Hp: 500/5000].

  Luckily, the third phase only revived the Stone guardian back at 10% of its Hp. If it was 100%, then Ray and co would face an impossible challenge……

  [ The third phase begin]

  [ The Stone Guardian activated the skill: Rock thorn.].

  Rumble Rumble

  An uncountable amount of Rock thorns instantly appeared from the ground and bombard the surrounding.

  Ray and the others were lucky that Xiansheng responded swiftly and used the Geo pillar to create a dome surrounding them.

  Rumble Rumble

  The Geo pillar dome and the Rock thorns crashed, generating a much bigger shockwave than in the first phase.

  Rumble Rumble

  The collision lasted for a while. However, Xiansheng's Geo pillar dome was still too strong for the Rock thorns.

  Sadly, their luck seems to be finally emptied after that. The majestic aura from Xiansheng's body slowly diminished, and it took no longer than 3 seconds for all the aura to dissipate, and Xiansheng turned into a ray of light that went into Ray's body.

  " Sorry, Ray, the battle mode time limit was off, and now it seems that you could only handle this yourself. Believe in yourself, comrade, as the first step to win a battle is to believe in yourself.".

  After Xiansheng disappeared, the Stone Guardian stopped and look domineeringly at Ray.

  " Brave Challenger, you are the toughest challenger I have faced in the past 100 years. For that, I would like to give you a chance. Leave one of your comrade here as a sacrifice, and you will be let go."

  The offer struck Ray like thunder.

  He was stuck contemplating whether he should let Rena escape and let himself be the sacrifice in this trial.

  It's not like he wanted to die a hero, but he wanted to bet the little chance that the system law will protect him.

  Even though the chance was pretty low, Ray still needs to take this bet. Aina has been shut down into sleep mode because she tried to help him, and now he wanted to bet that the system law will help him out of this predicament. It may seem like nonsense to everyone else, but to him, it is still better than escaping as a coward and let his comrade die because of him.

  Ray stepped forward, ready to tell his decision to the stone guardian, but two hands stopped him from taking any more steps.

  " Ray/ Meow"

  The two hands belonged to Aina and Schwarz. They held Ray's arm strongly and looked at his eyes full of determination.

  " Ray, you must not do it. It may not be that long since we became a couple, but your thought is crystal clear to me."

  " Meoow"

  The two voices were firm and didn't waver at all, even on the threat of death. They knew that Ray will surely offer to sacrifice himself and let them go away safely.

  " If you must sacrifice someone, then sacrifice me. I am the most useless in this group, and I don't even know whether I could come back to our world after you left. You should escape and find a safer way to go back to our world. That way, I know you would protect mom and Aiko for my sake."

  Rena's words sent warmth into Ray's heart. He looked into his lover, and he couldn't help but wanted to embrace her. A girl like her, Ray would even trade his life to protect her.

  " Meow"

  Now, it's Schwarz's time to spoke. Her words didn't contain many things; it was just a simple "Let me be the sacrifice."

  Her tone was resolute, and it feels like she wouldn't accept any rejection. To her, Ray was her first friend and slowly became her everything. His care towards her and everything he gave to her was irreplaceable, so she felt it was natural for her to sacrifice for Ray.

  Tears start to flow from Ray's eyes. He looks at the two strong girls in front of him and couldn't help but feel blessed. They are strong, stronger than he ever was. They could sacrifice themself for the one they loved resolutely. Not like Ray, who would only do so because he believed he had a chance to survive.

  Ray wanted to bring the two in a big embrace but now was not the right time. He nodded at the two girls, signifying that everything was under control, and walked to the stone guardian.

  " I appreciate your offer, but I could only say one thing to you… Go. To. Hell."

  The words have been uttered, and Ray was ready to get the consequences. However, the stone Guardian stopped, and he could hear the trial voice laughed.

  " Hahahahaha, good. You are really good, human. It was regrettable that such a good human would die in this trial, but this is the rule. Now, I will grant you the most honorable death human, be prepared."

  The voice stopped, and the stone giant started to move again. He raised his fist and was about to punch Ray to his death.

  " Wait!!!!!!!"

  Ray suddenly stopped the stone guardian.

  " Hm, what is it human, it is now too late for you to regret your words."

  " No, it was not about that. It's just, don't I deserve some privilege as the toughest challenger you have ever faced."

  The voice became silent for a bit like it was in thought, but then it continued.

  " Actually, there was no such thing, but as a token of respect, I would grant you a thing if it was not too much."

  Ray heard the voice and became elated. During the exchange with Rena and Schwarz, a bright idea suddenly came to his mind.

  " Not much, not much. It's just, don't we deserve some time to rest? You are not fair that you revived the stone guardian we have defeated. Furthermore, the revival process took so long that I started to think you were stalling time for Xiansheng battle mode to end."

  The words were utter nonsense, but Ray could only place his hope in this.

  10 minutes, no, 5 minutes. If he was granted 5 minutes, he might have a way to safely defeat the Stone Guardian.

  " Hmm, fair point. That one comrade of yours is too strong, and it was indeed you will easily solve this trial if he was still here. Therefore, I will give you 5 minutes of rest. Please use the time wisely, human."

  The voice left, and the stone guardian became dormant. It seems the voice really fulfills its promise and gives Ray 5 minutes of break.

  " Nice, now there is no time to waste, my time is limited."

  Ray then started to prepare his plan for this final battle.