Rudy pulled the makeshift curtain tighter around Rias. The large stone doors to the vault suddenly burst open. King Virgil rushed into the chamber with a dozen high-vampire elders right behind him. They carried drawn swords and glowing magical staves.
The magical wards around the portal had flared to signal the completion of the trial. The ancient vampires prepared to face a rampaging boss monster breaking out of the rift.
Instead, they found the SSS-rank Trial Chimera sitting politely on the stone floor. The world-ending beast panted happily. Its serpent tail wagged back and forth, slapping playfully against the masonry.
Rudy casually slipped off one of his expensive leather shoes and tossed it across the vault. The terrifying monster bounded after the footwear with joyful enthusiasm. It scooped the shoe into its lion jaws and trotted right back to drop the item at Rudy's feet.
The beast nudged his hand to demand more head pats.
