358

Alex and the others were standing next to the riverbank, staring at the glimmering barrier in front of them. The river was a small and shallow one, but the problem laid on the barrier existing before them. After all, Alex and Ardeth had seen first hand how strong the barrier was.

Realizing Alex was standing still, Tiffany was puzzled, "What happened, daddy? Is there something wrong?"

"Aaah…" Alex was speechless, scratching his head in frustration, as he didn't know how to explain about the situation to his daughter.

Previously, it was Cerri who opened the barrier, letting them enter the garden. And now, Alex was not sure how to get past it.

A thought suddenly flashed in his mind, as Alex turned towards his lovable daughter, his eyes shining. "Tiff, when you first came here, how did you get in? Do you happen to know how to open the barrier?"

"No, I don't know. Why? Are we trapped here?" Seeing the downcast expression on Alex's face, Tiffany exclaimed, "Really?!!"

Alex hurriedly waved his hand and plastered a reassuring smile on his face, "No, no, no. I'll find a way, Tiff. I'll... find it. Definitely. Yes." Alex said, while his voice was getting lower and lower, as he reached the end of his words.

Alex turned towards Ardeth, only to find the man was as clueless as him. Yeah, let's not count on the archeology bachelor. Alex then went into deep thought, trying to think of any solutions. And then, it hit him.

Alex started thinking of the barrier as if it was the same kind as the one the monoliths created. If that was indeed the case, then there were two possible ways to break it. First, by sheer, unaldurated, massive force or, second, by finding the artifact that created it, in short, its source.

The three of them then immediately searched around the place for such artifacts. They made their way through the garden, the stone bridge and the ziggurat. But the only thing they found that resembled an artifact was the Ark, which was still lying peacefully in the ziggurat's hall.

Recalling how the Anhenerbe organization's people died a tragic death because of the Ark, Alex would only try to operate the legendary artifact as a last resort.

The four of them, including Snowy, who also searched the area through the air, spent three hours looking through every possible location. But, they didn't find anything substantial. In fact, they didn't even really know what to look for.

After three hours of fruitless endeavor, Alex decided to opt for the second method, breaking the barrier with force.

Alex swiftly casted multiple [Light Missile] and [Smite] spells, and threw them at the barrier continuously like a crazy person. But he could not really tell if his efforts made any impact or even a difference.

Seeing the strength of his spells wasn't enough, Alex immediately took out the strongest weapon at his disposal, the tier 5 artifact, Stroke.

Alex raised the wooden sword in his hand, grasped it tight with his two hands and he leaped into the air to deliver a slash at the barrier.

*swish*

The sword caused air friction as it travelled through the air. When it hit the barrier, Alex was surprised to find the force behind the slash was redirected by the barrier. Instead of destroying the barrier, the force was bounced back at him, causing him to be pushed back.

Alex was thrown a dozens of meters back, as he spun in the air and landed on the ground with a loud bam.

[You are not strong enough, master]

"Do you know what that barrier is, Stroke? Do you have a way to break through it?" Alex asked, as he remembered Stroke was coming from the mysterious man.

[The barrier is medium-grade Shield Barrier]

"Aaah, medium… then, it shouldn't be too difficult for you to break through it. Am I right, Stroke?"

[Yes, master. I am a tier 5 artifact. I can break through this barrier]

Alex cheered, as he had finally found hope amidst despair. He was honestly worried he was going to miss the tribulation. Thankfully, Stroke could solve their problem, allowing them to emerge to the surface again. Alas, Stroke's next words made a frown appear on Alex's face.

[But it really depends on my user, master. If it's you who use me, it's not possible.]

"Dammit Stroke. I am probably the strongest man on Earth right now. If I can't do it then no one else can!"

[Yes, master. Exactly. You are the strongest on Earth. But this barrier is not made from Earth. I am sure you know about this fact.]

Alex didn't want to start acting crazy and argue with a sword again. So, he took a deep breath and calmed his protruding veins. "There must be a way to pass through this barrier."

[Master, I have a possible solution, but it's only a possibility.]

Alex's face immediately brightened when he heard that, "It's okay! Anything that could possibly work it's worth trying right now. Quick! Tell me!"

[Alright then, master. Try using the strongest buff you have and stab through the barrier. You then need to hold it as long as you can. If you do it right, you will probably pierce through the barrier]

"That's… a sound idea! Alright! This is more like it, Stroke! Let's do this!"

Alex immediately used his [Hexagram Technique - stage 4], his spell [Blessing] and a [Stone Skin] magic scroll. The reason he added the scroll was to add a little bit of strength and grip power. Even though the improvement was miniscule, it was an increase nonetheless.

[Remember, master. You need to stab the barrier, not slash it.]

"Yes, yes, yes. I get it." Alex replied. "Get ready, Stroke. Here we go!"

Alex immediately dashed towards the barrier, as he ran through the shallow river with Stroke brandished in front of him. Moments later, the tip of the wooden sword landed on the barrier.

Zaaaapppp!!!

Loud sizzling sounds resounded through the air as the piercing attack somehow was able to go through the barrier about 10 centimeters. Alex felt a powerful force pushing him back, but Alex resisted it, trying to hold his stand as long as possible.

Alex felt as if his body was being electrocuted continuously, but he kept gripping the sword tight.

"Can we do it like this, Stroke?!!"

[You need to hold it longer, master]

"How much longer do I need to do this, Stroke." Alex asked, as pain was wrecking through his body and he was nearing his limit.

[Keep doing it, master]

"I… can't hold it anymore.."

[Only one more minute, master]

Upon hearing the word one minute, Alex firmed his willpower, as he held the sword even more tight, as if his life depended on it. Even though the pain was unbearable, as it began to make him numb, Alex persisted.

"It's already one minute, Stroke. Why does it not open yet?"

[I never said it would break it, master]

Hearing that, incredulous expression appeared on Alex's face, as he unconsciously let go of his resistance, causing him to be knocked back into the river.

"WHAT! Seriously, Stroke! What are you trying to do?!"

[I am calculating your strength, master. Comparing it to the barrier.]

Before Alex could ask Stroke to elaborate, Stroke added his words.

[With this approach, if you continue for a period of time, you will eventually break through the barrier]

"Why does it seem I would not like to hear it… F*ck! Just give me anyway. What's the number?"

[You can break the barrier after holding the stance for 2 years 7 months 11 days 3 hours 43 minutes and 35 seconds]

"WHAT THE FUCK!?"