167. Festival of the Sword (10)
#167
The morning dawned. As announced in advance by the organizers, the third test was held at the crack of dawn. Participants who had just woken up gathered at the gathering point, rubbing their eyes. Every time they breathed or spoke, their white breath was rustling in the air.
“Ugh, it’s cold. “How cold is it in the Holy Land?”
“It’s completely winter here.”
The second base was located halfway up the mountain. As altitude increases, the concept of seasons gradually becomes blurred. As if to disprove him, the guides’ attire had been changed to thick leather clothes. They were moving around busily, carrying something hard. Most of them were huge boxes, containing tons of ingredients such as meat and vegetables.
“Is it tonight?”
“It’s too much for that.”
People who saw the strange sight were agitated. Mobilizing and moving various equipment was like opening a new restaurant. Then a woman wearing a slightly nicer coat than her peers stepped forward to the crowd. She seemed to be the person in charge of guidance for this test. match! She clapped her hands to get her attention and opened her mouth.
“Good morning everyone. This is already the third test. The best performing participants today will be given priority nominations for the final exam.”
“Priority of nomination?”
“yes. As everyone knows, the final test is a sparring match with participants from Gran Farzan. “Originally, opponents are assigned randomly, but if you have priority nomination, you can choose an opponent to spar with.”
Ronan’s eyes widened. This was an unexpected income. It seemed like it was a way to boost her motivation, as she was able to have a spare sword from her first exam. He and Russell looked at each other almost simultaneously. Because they were far apart, they only communicated verbally.
– You… this…!
– You’re lucky. You don’t have to do something stupid like a surprise attack.
– Now, are you confident?
– I have to try it first.
Ronan nodded. I was already worried about how to face them, but it turned out well. However, judging by the fire burning in the eyes of the other participants, it seemed that he was not the only one aiming for the nomination.
“It’s actually a ticket to the Holy Land.”
“Hehehe, this is good.”
If you think about it, it was a natural reaction. If he nominated someone who seemed moderately weaker than him, he could easily win. The guide clapped his hands again to silence the crowd and added,
“Also, there will be no division into groups or camps in this test. There will be no sword fighting between participants. It will be an unfamiliar ordeal, but I wish you good luck.”
People started to get excited again. It was completely different from the two previous tests. The guide said those last words and turned her steps. The participants walked behind her and talked about various things.
“···Anyway, didn’t it go well? “We heard it ourselves.”
“that’s right. yes.”
The majority of participants responded positively to the new direction of the test. No matter how much of a rivalry you were, if you worked together for several days and crossed the line between life and death, you would grow closer. In the end, it got to the point where people were saying that the really important thing was the final test against Aran Farzan, and that the third test was actually a scarecrow test in name only.
It didn’t take long to realize that it was an illusion.
****
“Take it!”
“Chwiek!”
A knight wearing full armor swung a sword. As soon as the broadsword drew its line, the orc’s head rose into the air. The extremely clean cutting edge proved his knife skills. The orcs surrounding him retreated in embarrassment.
“Chwiik! “Chwiik!”
The fact that he was dealing with black orcs that were larger and more ferocious than ordinary individuals also enhanced his honor. Soon the Orcs, who had shaken off their fear, screamed and rushed in. The knight masterfully wielded his shield and sword and successfully repelled attacks coming from all directions. The participants who filled the stands erupted in cheers.
“cheer up! Fox Night!”
“Show me the power of a beastman!”
The atmosphere in the arena was heated. Four black orcs and a giant wolf were already lying bleeding on the floor. Considering the number of monsters, it was the best performance among the participants so far. At that time, the knight caught a stone and lost his balance and stumbled.
“What!”
“Chwieet!”
He hurriedly corrected his posture, but the orcs did not miss the opportunity. A glaive flew from a blind spot and hit him on the head. Kang! A dull metallic sound rang out. The dented helmet came off as if it had bounced off.
“Ugh!”
The head of a red fox appeared. It was a handsome Wearfox worthy of its nickname, Fox Knight. Fox Knight quickly regained his balance and swung his sword. Sigh! The sharp tip of his sword dug deep into the chest of the orc who attacked him. An orc whose heart was pierced died instantly. At that time, a huge shadow appeared over their heads. One spectator shouted in horror.
“Fox Night! be careful!”
Fox Knight raised his head. The two-headed ogre stood in front of him like a wall. The ogre narrowed his eyes and raised his arms. In his rock-like hand, he held a club made from a beautiful oak tree.
“Kwoaaaaaak!”
“Damn it, the sword…!”
Fox Knight immediately tried to pull away, but the sword stuck in the orc could not be pulled out. A club fell on his head. Fox Knight, realizing that it was late, hastily raised his shield. The mana-reinforced shield gave off a bright light.
“come! This monster…”
Fox Knight was speechless. Kwasik! The club that weighed down the shield hit the floor. The sound of metal, bone, and flesh crushing rang out. When Twin Head Ogre lifted his club, the Fox Knight and Orc were stuck to the floor in a red, sticky stain.
“Kwaaaaa!!”
The two heads let out a shout of victory. Every time the excited ogre swung his club, some of the crushed Werefox fell like sleet. The participants who received the six-part baptism were shocked. Ronan frowned as he removed a piece of intestine from his head.
“Wow. “I could just take it and use it as a carpet.”
“It was a reckless decision.”
Schlieffen also shook his head from side to side. Although both expressed regret, they did not show sympathy. These were the words of someone who did not properly understand his own abilities.
“With that level of skill, I should have dealt with only one of the ogres or the orcs. “I was too greedy.”
“Even if you chose an ogre, you shouldn’t have chosen the one with two heads. “Anyway, where did you get all that?”
Ronan, who was watching the monsters, laughed. The third test was conducted in an arena carved out of the inside of a mountain. It was so huge that it could not be compared to the first or second test center.
The content of the test was to catch monsters brought in from all over the continent. From the weakest goblins to powerful monsters like manticores and ogres, there were also prepared.
Participants had to come out one by one and nominate the number and type of monsters they would face. You could choose from one to a maximum of a hundred, and your score was determined based on the number of kills or the difficulty of the individual. Since only the top 20 people could pass, the more dangerous monsters they caught, the higher their chances of passing.
“Now that I think about it, they don’t eat each other? “The ogre is still.”
“Maybe there’s a spell. “It is a test that requires great effort in many ways.”
Schlieffen muttered in astonishment. When the Duke of Grancia, who grew up enjoying all kinds of luxury, said this, he had said everything. The monsters that attacked Fox Knight entered the cage on their own.
I also felt like I knew where all that food was used. As soon as the cage door was closed, the committee members came out and took the body away. It was pitiful to see bone fragments being scraped out of the mud made up of blood and internal organs. After confirming that the cleaning was completed, the supervisor let out a light sigh.
“···Another warrior gave his blood like this. In reality, this test is one that causes a very large number of deaths. I hope you understand your skills well and make the right choice.”
The supervisor bowed briefly. In fact, three out of six people who have taken the test so far have lost their lives. He looked around at the people waiting and opened his mouth.
“Then, the next order is number 44.”
“me : yes.”
Ronan stood up. It was the first among the group. Nabirose said calmly.
“Just don’t do anything reckless.”
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“No way would I do that.”
Ronan waved his hand as if to say not to worry and went down to the arena. When he stood upright, he saw that it was really wide. It seemed like it was easily twice the size of the special adventure club’s training ground. Suddenly, a translucent illusion appeared in front of Ronan. said the supervisor.
“Then, please decide which monster you want to nominate and the number.”
Monsters passed one after another before my eyes. With a hundred animals, I felt like I could open a zoo. Ronan shook his head as if there was nothing to see. He said, looking up at the supervisor.
“entire.”
“···What did you say just now?”
“They’re naming all 100 of them. “In order, starting with the most dangerous.”
Ronan’s voice rang out loud and clear. Nabi Rose’s brow furrowed suddenly. The audience began to get noisy.
“you.”
Lin stood up. Even the woman who was calm about everything couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. Ronan glanced back at her group and held up his V. The dumbfounded supervisor asked in a bewildered voice.
“···Are you serious?”
“yes.”
Ronan nodded without a moment of hesitation. He had it in mind as soon as the exam started. It wasn’t just that he wanted to secure the right to be drafted first. He had a wry smile on his face.
‘I guess I’m quite the bastard too.’
My heart was beating fast. It’s been like this ever since I heard about the devil from Russell. It was Ronan’s chronic disease that occurred whenever he was expected to fight a strong person. Ronan took a deep breath and touched the hilt of his sword. This made the situation a little better. Suddenly, the face of a traitor who looked just like me came to mind.
‘After all, am I that child’s bloodline?’
I thought it might be a genetic disease. Even though I have lived two lives, I have yet to find a name for this feeling. Fighting spirit? Anticipation? Or shivering from extreme tension? Actually, it didn’t matter what happened. There was only one way to put out the fire anyway.
“Ha… I understand. “Hundreds, please prepare.”
The supervisor sighed and made a gesture. After the committee members were busy, it wasn’t long before our door began to open. The sound of the pulley moving and resonating felt solemn, like the growling of an ancient beast. Hundreds of eye lights were flashing in the darkness.
“Hasn’t it turned around?”
“Ronan! You decided to join our knighthood! “Stop being stupid!”
“Good. “I didn’t want to even see that unlucky bastard.”
The audience was still bustling. A tribute to the lives lost after astonishment, ridicule, and cruelty tickled my ears. An unknown excitement was still burning my heart. I needed blood. Blood to put out the fire.
“Then, let’s begin the test of participant 44.”
With the words of the supervisor, our door was fully opened. The double barrier blocking the door disappeared. A hundred monsters poured out with the force of a tidal wave. Ronan raised the corner of her mouth once and muttered while glaring at the monsters.
“You guys need to cool it down.”
A hundred roars drowned out the noise coming from the audience. Ronan pulled at the hilt of his sword.
