Episode 30. Black Dream Forest (3)
Before the guests entered the banquet hall.
The participants were still taking their time. They were eating snacks from the table and chatting in small voices.
Rubin looked around at the children.
‘Reincroki, Kalkrid, and Krieger. These three families were defeated by the Ghost Rats in the first test. So there’s no need to worry too much this time… But we should be careful about Blane Krieger.’
Although the circumstances before and after the return had changed, the Blane that Rubin knew was the best at long-range assassination.
Although it was unclear how close it would be to the image Rubin remembered, the potential could not be ignored.
The next place Rubin’s eyes stopped was two unusually cheerful boys.
‘The Bondog family and the Stone family. They joined forces in the first selection. This time, they will be allies again.’
The Bondog and Stone families are on good terms due to their close bases. Even if they decide to fight in the end, they will act in a way that helps each other until then.
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The eyes of the participants, Bondog and Stone, who were talking, turned to Kun.
It was never a good look.
“Are you guys looking at me right now? Are you crazy?”
Kun glared.
In the last exam, Bondog and Stone were eliminated by Kun. Even when it was certain that they would be eliminated, Kun did not act mercifully. He only trampled on Stone’s arm and insulted him.
“Those two seem to want revenge on you.”
“They were just weaklings. I should have stepped on them more then!”
Hamilton’s sharp words to Kuhn.
“It’s the same as wanting revenge on Master Rubin.”
“what?”
“That’s right. You’ve been gnashing your teeth ever since you got brutally beaten by the master. If what you say is true, then you must have been a weakling too.”
Those words were enough to make Kun lose his self-control.
Kun jumped up from his seat and was about to rush towards Hamil, but Rubin stepped in and stopped him.
“There’s not much time left until the exams start anyway. If you want to run wild like a crazy dog, then you can do it then.”
Rubin emphasized again:
“There are lords outside.”
“… Tch.”
Kun sat back down roughly. He wasn’t stupid enough to cause a commotion in front of the other family members.
Rubin turned his head towards Hamilton.
“Hamil, you’d better not provoke Kun either.”
“I understand, Master. But Kun won’t be polite if I stop. You know that, Master, right?”
Hamilton was right. Kun’s rudeness continued. While chewing on the snack on the table, Kun acted as if something had come to mind.
“Rubin, why don’t you eat some snacks quickly? Why aren’t you eating them? As far as I know, the noble Roinen family doesn’t give out these things until they get married.”
“Your Majesty, am I right? Kun can’t help but be Kun.”
“Hamil! Let’s see how long you can keep talking with that open mouth!”
“You are the one.”
Rubin glanced at Kuhn and Hamil.
Kun, who believes in strength and doesn’t care about his increasing number of enemies. Hamil, who stands up to him without fear.
Perhaps these two will be the last contestants to survive this time too?
It felt even more so because the only participants who had opened their eyes to the dark side at that moment were Kuhn and Hamill.
Since Kun has some control over the dark side, the dark side will further enhance Kun’s physical strength. On the other hand, Hamill has a clever and excellent head for problem solving.
‘Hey, Blanedo?’
Rubin, who felt another gloom at that moment, turned his head toward Blane. Then, he met Blane’s eyes, who happened to be peeking at Rubin. At the same time, he lowered his head again.
Although he had become a passive person due to the burns, it was certain that a dark current was faintly felt from Blane.
Although it doesn’t reach Hamilton’s level, this is also evidence of talent.
‘If Blane joins, things will get more interesting.’
Before the return, the winner of the second selection was Kuhn, and the runner-up was Blahne. Hamil was third, behind Blahne. Rubin was a miserable sixth.
The test he faced in the Black Dream Forest was difficult for Rubin at the time, as he was not able to train like other families and was restricted from going outside. Ranking 6th was a better result than expected.
But with all the conditions changed, it shouldn’t be the same this time. Rubin was aiming for the win.
‘The problem is the unpredictability of this test. Even if we regress, we can’t take advantage of it.’
Thinking so, Rubin took a sip of the drink in front of him.
As the banquet hall door opened, the hosts appeared. The slightly relaxed participants all straightened up.
One by one, the hosts sat down on the long chairs opposite the participants.
Siren, who was at the top of all the assassination families, was the last to enter. With her appearance, a grand banquet began. Food was brought in, and various drinks for the heads of the household were placed on the table.
This second selection was an exam held independently of the imperial edict. A more intimate, precise, and ruthless measurement awaited the participants.
An hour after the banquet began.
Although the owners appeared to be leisurely chatting and eating and drinking, this was not the case in reality.
‘They’re busy picking out the stallion.’
Smiles and chatter between the heads of the families. However, there was a sharp gaze hidden within. The second selection was a battle of pride between the families under the pretext of assessing the children’s qualities.
The collateral families, who had been oppressed by the power of the strongest head of the clan, Siren, were hoping that the atmosphere would turn around in the next generation.
‘I don’t think that will work.’
At that moment, Siren, who had decided that it was the right time, stood up from her seat in the center of the banquet hall. The commotion that had been lingering in the hall died down in an instant.
Siren looked closely at each child’s face.
“When dawn comes, you will enter the forest.”
The explanation of the test began.
“Your test will be held in a realm that no other family member can enter. A space that is only permitted to you. If I may give you some advice, this is it.”
At that moment, Siren’s eyes met Rubin’s.
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“If you can, do anything.”
In other words, he would allow anything as long as it wasn’t forbidden. A faint smile appeared on Kun’s face at those words that seemed to indicate that he would assist in the danger.
“I will explain the rewards for winning.”
As Siren sat down, the eldest of the heads of the household, Reincroki, continued his explanation.
“The winner of this second selection will be given priority in three things. First, the winner will be able to choose Royne Kroe first.”
The assassin’s companion, Roynecro. The excellent Roynecro is worth more than just a legendary weapon.
They were the children of the assassination family who grew up watching Roinekrow of Gaju. It was natural for them to admire the great Roinekrow.
“And second, the winner gets to choose the Roynens first.”
Roynenser, the so-called fake parents.
After the second selection, the children of the Assassin’s Family had to leave their respective mansions and live in disguise. The one who took on the role of their parents at that time was none other than Roynenser.
There was no child who did not know that the Roynens were not servants. They were the true teachers and mentors of their children.
So, not all vassals could become Roynensers. They had to be qualified to do so.
Among those with skills of 4 stars or higher, only those who had achieved a certain level in all of the assassin’s virtues were eligible. The assassin’s sword had to be superior not only in swordsmanship but also in acting, stealth, and all other aspects.
“Before coming here, you must have heard an explanation from each of the heads of the household about who is qualified to become a Roinensor.”
Information about the candidates for the Roinenser had already been provided. In addition, each head of the household had a rough idea of how outstanding each vassal of each family was.
“The last step is to choose a city where you can live with Roynenser in a disguised annex. The cities you can choose from are currently being selected. Keep in mind that the lives you play will differ depending on which city you choose.”
Depending on the choice, one could become a butler to an imperial noble, or act as a mercenary in the monster habitat.
Maybe I could live under a fake identity as a boy soldier on the battlefield.
“The exam begins just before the sun rises.”
As the Lane Croquis family sat down after finishing their explanation, the participants’ stiff expressions became even more serious.
‘I think everyone knows what the test is like. The parents must have explained it to them.’
Rubin looked around at the other participants and thought.
‘Even so, in the end it would be meaningless information.’
Even if you have information about what type of test it is and where it is, the second selection test is not one that you can prepare for with prior information.
‘Regression is a meaningless test. Am I in the same situation this time?’
It’s impossible to prepare. That goes for Rubin, who has already taken the test once.
“Master Rubin, do you know what this means?”
Hamilton whispered and showed me the spider’s thread tied to his arm.
Now, all the participants had the thread that the invitation spider had spun around their arms.
Although the children had obtained information about the second test from their parents in advance, they did not know what the spider web wrapped around their arms did.
‘I guess it would be appropriate to explain it as a kind of bookmark. Ah, even if I explain it now, you won’t understand.’
Rubin shook his head as if he didn’t know. He had no choice but to check after the night had passed, even if he didn’t want to.
“Now, all participants will move to their seats and wait.”
Following the guidance of Damon, Siren’s direct subordinate, the participants rose from their chairs with solemn expressions on their faces.
