Chapter 302: Floor 3 (II)

Uhtred’s eyes opened immediately, his senses already locking onto the figure that spoke before he even laid eyes on the person.

It was a man — or rather, two men. The one who had spoken was an older man standing slack-jawed, staring at Uhtred from the edge of a massive, glowing array set into a stone pedestal.

The second man was much younger, his inexperience showing clearly in his wide eyes. Though equally shocked, he couldn’t conceal the raw excitement bubbling beneath the surface. He looked at Uhtred as if a hero straight out of ancient legend had just stepped into the room.

That look made Uhtred immediately understand a few things at first glance:

First, these guys had clearly been expecting him — or rather, not him specifically, but a champion. This room, though dusty and old, had a large pedestal with an array inlaid within it... an array that, from the looks of things, served as a gateway for champions like him to pass through.

Second, based on the kid’s excitement, they clearly hadn’t had a champion pass through this portal in who-knew-how-long. The layer of dust blanketing the room was a dead giveaway.

Third, and perhaps most telling of all, there was raw hope in their eyes. That meant these locals didn’t just know champions existed — they understood the nature of the competition.

The kid’s reverence pointed to one obvious conclusion: Uhtred’s arrival offered them a fighting chance.

But they don’t even know how strong I am yet, Uhtred reasoned. For them to be this relieved before even assessing my power, things must be going horribly for the human side...

He stepped off the pedestal, descending the small flight of stone stairs toward the two men.

"H-Hold on!" The older man snapped out of his daze, suddenly remembering protocol after staring in shock for several seconds. "We need to announce your arrival before anything else! Please, champion sir, remain on the array while we send word—"

He had barely finished his statement when Uhtred appeared right in front of him, startling him into a fright.

The man jumped on his feet, a surge of air essence shooting him backward several steps while at the same time ricocheting off Uhtred.

He had released a burst of air magic, a minor explosion meant to create space for himself very quickly.

"Oh? Interesting..." Uhtred muttered, a shield of air magic already protecting him as he remained where he stood. He’d reacted far quicker than the man once he caught the slightest sign of a counter.

His air magic is decent, Uhtred thought, staring at the startled man. But what I can’t decide now is whether that level is standard for this world or not.

Uhtred activated his Gnostic Eye, prying at the information of both the man and the kid behind him.

[Name: Kun]

[Species name: Human]

[Core Grade: Common]

[Class Name: Air Acolyte]

[Core Rank: Mortal (Air Magic attuned)]

——

[Attributes]

Strength: 52

Agility: 55

Endurance: 50

Vitality: 56

Intelligence: 59

Perception: 46

Willpower: 42

Luck: 8

——

[Innate Skills]

Deprive Air

Air Burst

Air Slash

Basic Air Magic

Air Step

——

——

[Name: Xun]

[Species name: Human]

[Core Grade: Common]

[Class Name: Fire Acolyte]

[Core Rank: Mortal (Fire Magic attuned)]

——

[Attributes]

Strength: 29

Agility: 31

Endurance: 33

Vitality: 30

Intelligence: 37

Perception: 26

Willpower: 21

Luck: 9

——

[Innate Skills]

Firefly

Fireball

Flame Blast

Flame Slash

Basic Fire Magic

——

First off, besides the fact that their names were so similar, Uhtred was also reminded that these guys didn’t have any levels at all. Even with his Gnostic Eye, that remained the same. It was an inherent part of their reality in this time period.

Well, at least now I know what era this likely is, Uhtred thought.

Based on what he’d learned back on Floor 2, and based on their status panels that he’d just seen, he already had a clear idea of what era this was.

Their status panels lacked levels, which meant it was clearly not the late sixth era. It had to be earlier than that...

But at the same time, they had core grades and attunements. The Heavenly Demon had revealed that core grades and attunements appeared at the end of the fifth era. Which therefore put this era somewhere between the end of the fifth era and the start of the sixth.

The only thing Uhtred needed now to confirm for sure was to see how powerful Esoteric magic-attuned ascenders were here. The limit capping them to Unique Grade talent only came much later in the sixth era.

Uhtred noted all of this quickly, then put the thoughts aside for the moment to take care of the current situation.

He definitely didn’t want anyone reporting his arrival — at least not until he got a feel for the world and what was really at stake here. There could be people watching every gateway for news of champions arriving. Uhtred knew he’d do the same, especially since this was a competition.

Not to mention, two weeks had passed. By now, it was a certainty that gateways would be watched.

"Good friend Kun," Uhtred greeted with a smile, putting on a mysterious, lofty air.

"H-How do you know my name?" The man stuttered with wide eyes. His hand was atop a smooth black stone — likely a paired communication device. He’d been about to activate it to report Uhtred’s arrival, but hearing his name being mentioned made him pause.

His reaction didn’t go unnoticed by Uhtred, who quickly latched onto that, his mind working rapidly as he continued speaking.

"Hmph! How would I not know your name?" he replied, cranking up the lofty air he was trying to assume.

The young man behind Kun was even more flabbergasted. His eyes went wide with excitement, and he hurriedly whispered to Kun, "Senior Kun, I think he’s an—"

"Hush!" Kun, the older man, silenced him quickly. Whatever the young man had wanted to say, he seemed to have thought of it as well, and wanted to test it himself. That was what had made him pause in the first place.

Meanwhile, Uhtred’s mind was moving a mile a minute trying to decipher what they meant.

They think I’m a... what? he thought, analyzing. He drew on every bit of information he currently possessed, then finally, in only a second or two, came to a conclusion... though whether or not he was correct remained to be seen.

He continued his charade, opening his mouth to speak: