The next day, the morning sun streamed into the room through the curtains.
Ying Ping had once again completed his "Warrior's Preparation" daily training.
After strengthening his power and agility, he walked towards the others who were eating breakfast on the first floor of the inn.
"Chisato, Takina."
Ying Ping put down his towel and, with a serious expression, instructed, "Starting today, you two will provide 24-hour close protection for Hestia."
"Eh?"
Chisato bit into her bread, blinking in confusion, "Are we not going to the Dungeon anymore?"
"We won't be going to the Dungeon for now. Ilena, Kokkoro, and I are going to complete a special trial."
Ying Ping took out the mysterious key that glowed faintly. "This trial might be dangerous, and since you don't use magic, it's safer for you to stay in Orario."
"Besides, yesterday's incident will definitely cause more trouble, and Hestia really needs protection right now."
Takina put down her teacup: "Understood. We will ensure Lady Hestia's safety."
"Hey, hey!"
Hestia put her hands on her hips in protest, "I'm a dignified goddess, you know? I don't need any protection..."
"The matter with the Apollo Familia isn't over yet."
Ying Ping interrupted her, saying firmly, "When most of us are out adventuring, it's hard to guarantee they won't pull some dirty tricks specifically to target you."
"And who knows, besides the Apollo Familia, there might be other Familias secretly eyeing us."
"Although Chisato and Takina are archers, they are still LV11 adventurers, and what's more, they received military training in their original world, making them the best bodyguards."
"Hestia, you don't want to be ambushed and sent back to the Celestial Realm, do you?"
"Look, which major Familia's patron deity doesn't have adventurer bodyguards accompanying them?"
Hestia immediately wilted. "Alright, alright, I'll listen to Lord Ying Ping…"
Chisato swallowed her bread and looked at Ying Ping, saying, "Master, will Takina and I always be responsible for protecting Lady Hestia from now on?"
"No, don't worry."
Ying Ping ruffled Chisato's head. "Once we have more companions later, you two can return to the team."
Chisato smiled brightly. "Got it! Then for this trial, Master and everyone, please come back safely~"
…Back in the center of the inn room, Ying Ping held the mysterious key and opened the system panel.
"In the trial world, you can bring any number of attendants. Time flows at the same rate as here."
"Do you want to start the special trial?"
"Recommended level to start: LV5."
"Confirm start."
After Ying Ping made his selection, the key burst forth with dazzling light, and a dark black portal slowly opened in the air.
"Oh~"
"Can we go to another world again?"
Kokkoro and Elaina immediately showed curious eyes.
"Yes, hold on to me."
Ying Ping grabbed Elaina with one hand and Kokkoro with the other, and the three of them stepped into the portal together.
As they entered, the portal closed half a minute later.
The room returned to its usual appearance… When Ying Ping and the two passed through the portal, biting cold wind mixed with snowflakes rushed towards them.
They stood on an ancient stone bridge covered in pristine white snow, and in the distance, a majestic ancient city loomed faintly in the wind and snow.
"Welcome to the world of 'Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice'."
"Main Quest: Go to the Fountainhead Palace to slay the Divine Dragon and sever immortality (requires collecting two Mortal Blades)."
"Side Quest: Defeat Genichiro Ashina and Isshin Ashina."
"Reward: Unknown."
"You must complete the main quest to return to your original world."
"Oh? Ashina Castle? The world of Sekiro?"
Ying Ping narrowed his eyes, gripping the Sword of Hestia in his hand. "This is beyond my expectation. It seems this trial won't be easy."
"Fortunately, I trained to LV11 before coming to this world."
Elaina shivered, hugging her arms. "Master, it's so cold… What kind of place is this world?"
"Don't worry, Miss Elaina, I can use the new magic I've learned to warm you up!"
Kokkoro immediately raised her staff-gun. "Holy Light Protection!"
A warm golden light shield enveloped the three, dispelling the cold.
"Warning: The current area has been sealed by mist."
"Please slay 100 Ashina Castle soldiers."
As soon as Ying Ping finished reading the system prompt, thick mist suddenly rose around them, blocking their retreat.
"Master, something is not right."
Kokkoro gripped her staff, vigilantly looking around.
Elaina also frowned. "This mist… it's like some kind of barrier."
As soon as her voice fell, neat footsteps came from within the mist.
Immediately after, one hundred fully armed Ashina soldiers surged from all directions.
They wore black armor, held sharp spears and katanas, and their eyes were cold and murderous, clearly well-trained.
"Ashina Castle Soldier, Level LV1+."
"Trait: High intelligence, understands tactical cooperation and weapon use."
"Are they invaders from the Shogunate?!"
The leading samurai roared, "We are here on Lord Genichiro's orders to kill you!"
Ying Ping sneered. "Elaina, long-range support! Kokkoro, auxiliary and defense are up to you!"
"Understood!"
The two responded in unison.
The battle erupted instantly!
"Wind Blade!!"
Elaina waved her staff, and several transparent wind blades instantly flew out.
"Puff puff puff puff!!!"
"Ah ah ah ah ah!!!"
Accompanied by the screams of the Ashina Castle soldiers, their bodies were all cut and severed, and for a moment, blood splattered everywhere.
"Crippling Strike!"
Ying Ping, like a fierce tiger, charged into the enemy formation, the Sword of Hestia gleaming with cold light.
With a single sweep, the armor and bodies of five soldiers were cut in half at the waist!
Ying Ping's figure weaved back and forth through the enemy ranks, leaving a trail of splattering blood and scattered limbs and severed arms wherever he went.
Kokkoro stood at the back, her staff constantly glowing. "Divine Blessing, Aurora Bloom!"
Buffing magic was cast on Ying Ping and Elaina, greatly increasing their speed and strength.
"Fireball!"
A huge fireball condensed at the tip of Elaina's staff and blasted into the center of the enemy group.
"Boom!"
The blast wave sent over twenty soldiers flying, and burning figures rolled and screamed in the snow.
"Second squad, third squad, attack together!"
The samurai commander roared.
Another wave of soldiers charged without fear of death.
This time, they changed their tactics, with spearmen forming a spear formation in front and katana wielders flanking from both sides.
"A little interesting."
A cold sneer played on Ying Ping's lips.
He suddenly leaped high, dodging the thrusting spears, then flipped in the air, his longsword, imbued with the power of enchanted lightning, slashed down fiercely!
"Boom!"
Lightning raged, splitting the ground with a deep gash, and more than ten soldiers were instantly killed.
Elaina was not idle either. Her staff danced rapidly as she chanted, "Chain Lightning!"
"Whoosh—"
Instantaneous, dazzling electric light leaped through the enemy crowd, and soldiers fell, twitching, one by one.
"For Ashina! Kill these demons!"
A surviving samurai crawled out from among his fallen comrades, his eyes red, and roared as he charged towards Kokkoro.
"Divine Retribution!"
Kokkoro pointed her staff-gun, and a holy light arrow was unleashed, instantly piercing through the samurai's body.
Although the Ashina soldiers fought without fear of death, their formation was quickly torn apart under the perfect cooperation of the three.
Ying Ping moved through the enemy ranks like a god of war, and wherever his sword light passed, enemies fell like harvested wheat.
"These guys… they're practically not human!"
The last soldier retreated in terror, but Ying Ping sealed his throat with a single sword stroke.
The battle involving over 100 people lasted less than a minute.
There was no other way; these samurai were simply too weak.
In front of a LV11 adventurer, it was simply a one-sided slaughter.
The entire bridge was already piled with corpses.
Blood stained the pristine white snow, looking particularly striking in the setting sun.
"Side Quest Updated: Slay Ashina Castle Soldiers 100/100 (Completed)."
"Reward: Experience +5000."
"Experience points are full, you have leveled up."
"Shadow Monarch Level Up System."
"Level: LV12."
"Skill Acquired: Killing Intent Lock."
"Effect: Consumes 1 magic point. All ability values of the enemy targeted by killing intent are reduced by 50% for one minute."
"This skill is pretty good; it can actually apply a debuff to enemies."
Ying Ping shook the blood from his sword, looking at the surrounding mist that had dissipated. "Let's go, keep moving forward. We'll directly enter the city."
However, when he turned to look at his companions, he found that Elaina and Kokkoro were not in good condition.
Elaina and Kokkoro's faces were as pale as paper.
Their delicate fingers tightly covered their mouths, and their bodies trembled uncontrollably.
"Ugh—"
Elaina finally couldn't hold it in and bent over, vomiting everything from her stomach.
Her magic hat was askew, and her gray hair clung messily to her sweat-soaked forehead.
Although Kokkoro tried to hold it in, seeing the scattered, broken corpses on the ground, her legs gave out and she knelt down.
Her usually optimistic red eyes were now filled with terror, and her small body shivered in the cold wind.
Ying Ping quickly walked to their side, gently patting their backs to comfort them. "I'm sorry, I didn't notice you…"
"Mas… Master…"
Elaina looked up, her eyes misty with tears. "These people… they're not monsters… they're living humans…"
Kokkoro's nails dug deep into her palms. "I… I actually took so many lives with my own hands…"
Ying Ping knelt down and pulled them into his embrace.
He could feel their bodies were as cold as stone, and their heartbeats were frighteningly fast.
"Listen, you must adapt quickly."
"Whether you see this as a battlefield, or these guys as monsters in human skin, it doesn't matter."
Ying Ping's voice was low and firm. "In this world, if we don't kill, we will be killed."
"These soldiers are absolute enemies. They are under orders to kill and will never retreat, so they won't show us any mercy."
"This isn't your fault. We truly have no other choice. They don't give us a way to live, so we can only fight to the end and continue to complete the mission."
Elaina looked up, covering her mouth, her purple eyes filled with tears. "I know… I know that… that's why I…"
"That's right, you did very well, Elaina. Such admirable resolve."
Ying Ping patted Elaina's head, "No matter what method we use, we must survive and then return to our world."
He paused, reaching out to wipe away the tears on Elaina's cheeks, "So, cheer up quickly, because the battles ahead will only be more brutal and dangerous."
"If you encounter problems that you really can't solve, just leave them to me. You two retreat behind me."
Upon hearing this, Elaina took a deep breath, trying to suppress the churning in her stomach.
She gripped her staff and slowly straightened up, "…I understand."
Kokkoro also picked up her staff-spear, wiping the corners of her eyes, "I… I will adjust my mindset. Kokkoro must protect Master!"
Ying Ping showed a relieved smile, "Very good. Now, let's continue forward."
In the wind and snow, the three figures once again stepped onto the stone bridge, heading towards Ashina Castle in the distance…