LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 14: welcome to chaos
Chapter 14: Welcome to Chaos
The morning sun rose over Eldralin, painting the village in hues of gold and orange. Despite the warmth of the light, Han Li couldn't shake the uneasy feeling from the previous night. The shadowy figure had been weak, but its parting words had lodged themselves in his mind like a splinter: This isn't over.
Han Li stood outside the village's small inn, chewing on a piece of bread and wondering what fresh chaos the day would bring. Unfortunately, the gods didn't leave him wondering for long.
A familiar, shimmering portal appeared in front of him, its edges glowing faintly with divine energy. Han Li groaned, recognizing the handiwork of the God of Mischief.
"Really?" he muttered, stepping back. "It's not even noon yet."
From the portal stepped none other than the God of Strength, towering and muscular, followed closely by the Goddess of Wisdom. Both gods looked entirely out of place in the humble village square. Villagers gawked and whispered, but the gods paid them no mind.
"Han Li!" the God of Strength boomed, his voice shaking the ground. "We've come to prepare you for what lies ahead!"
Han Li blinked. "Prepare me? For what?"
The Goddess of Wisdom sighed, adjusting her golden glasses. "The realms, of course. You'll be journeying to Humu soon, and it's imperative that you don't embarrass us."
"Embarrass you?" Han Li said, incredulous. "Do you know what I've been through lately? Bandits, shadows, villagers trapping me in nets—"
The God of Strength interrupted with a hearty laugh. "Perfect training! But you'll need more than that to survive the Lower Realm."
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Divine Training Begins
Before Han Li could protest, the God of Strength clapped his massive hands, and the ground beneath them rumbled. In an instant, Han Li found himself standing in a vast, otherworldly arena. The sky above was a swirl of vibrant colors, and the air buzzed with raw energy.
"Welcome to the Arena of Titans!" the God of Strength declared proudly. "Here, you'll hone your combat skills."
Han Li crossed his arms. "You mean the combat skills I've already been using to fight your enemies?"
The Goddess of Wisdom smirked. "Oh, those were child's play compared to what's coming."
Han Li sighed but didn't argue. He knew better than to fight the gods—well, not verbally, anyway.
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Round One: The Chicken Army
The God of Strength raised his hand, and a portal opened. Han Li prepared himself, expecting some kind of hulking beast or menacing warrior to emerge. Instead, a flock of chickens spilled out, clucking furiously.
"Are you serious?" Han Li asked, staring at the chickens.
"These aren't ordinary chickens," the God of Strength said with a grin. "They're enchanted with the power of the God of Chaos."
As if on cue, the chickens' eyes began to glow, and their feathers shimmered with a metallic sheen. One particularly large chicken stepped forward, squawking loudly before charging at Han Li with unexpected speed.
Han Li dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the chicken's sharp beak. "You've got to be kidding me!"
The Goddess of Wisdom chuckled. "Consider this a lesson in unpredictability. Not all enemies are what they seem."
Grumbling, Han Li activated the Earring of Clarity, enhancing his reflexes. The next chicken that lunged at him found itself skewered on the Blade of Eternal Flame, which Han Li had summoned with a flourish.
"I feel ridiculous," he muttered as he spun to block another chicken's attack.
"Focus, mortal!" the God of Strength roared, laughing. "These chickens are relentless!"
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Round Two: An Unexpected Visitor
Just as Han Li finished dispatching the last of the chickens, the arena began to shift. The ground trembled, and a new portal appeared. From it stepped a figure Han Li recognized immediately: the God of Mischief.
"Oh, great," Han Li muttered. "What do you want?"
The God of Mischief grinned, holding a small, glowing box. "I thought I'd spice things up a bit. Inside this box is either a reward or… something else. Care to open it?"
Han Li eyed the box warily. "Do I have a choice?"
"No," the God of Mischief said cheerfully, tossing the box to Han Li.
With a resigned sigh, Han Li opened the box. A puff of purple smoke exploded in his face, and when it cleared, he found himself holding a rubber chicken.
"Really?" Han Li asked, holding up the ridiculous weapon.
The God of Mischief shrugged. "It's a weapon of great power, if you use it creatively."
Han Li turned to the Goddess of Wisdom, who was clearly trying not to laugh. "Is this part of my training?"
She nodded, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Consider it a lesson in resourcefulness."
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The Final Test
Despite his irritation, Han Li kept the rubber chicken and waited for the next challenge. This time, a pack of wolves appeared, their fur bristling with electricity.
"Well," Han Li said, gripping the rubber chicken. "Let's see what this thing can do."
As the wolves charged, Han Li swung the rubber chicken with all his might. To his surprise, it emitted a loud squeak and released a shockwave of energy that sent the wolves flying.
The God of Strength roared with laughter. "Magnificent!"
Han Li couldn't help but grin. "Okay, I'll admit—that was kind of cool."
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Cliffhanger
After the wolves were defeated, the gods gathered around Han Li, their expressions serious.
"You've done well," the Goddess of Wisdom said, "but your greatest challenges lie ahead."
The God of Strength handed Han Li a shimmering medallion. "This is the Medallion of Fortitude. It will protect you in the Lower Realm, but use it wisely."
Before Han Li could ask any questions, the ground beneath him began to glow. A portal opened, pulling him downward.
"Wait!" Han Li shouted. "Where am I going now?"
"To the Lower Realm," the Goddess of Wisdom said. "It's time for you to begin your journey in Humu."
As Han Li disappeared into the portal, the gods exchanged knowing looks. Whatever awaited him in the Lower Realm, it was bound to be anything but boring.
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The chapter ends with Han Li hurtling toward the unknown, leaving readers eager to find out what chaos awaits him in Humu. The humor and absurdity of the divine training make this chapter both entertaining and memorable.