Episode 34. The Dream Forest Trial (3)
“They’re coming.”
“Are you the fourth person to drop out?”
In the thick gray fog, a thread containing the dropouts swept through the fog and toward the place where the lords were staying.
This time, the one who stepped forward to check who had been eliminated was the head of the Reincroquis family. After confirming that his son was the first to be eliminated, he felt miserable and helped ease the burden on the other heads of the families.
“It’s a bit bigger this time?”
Raincroki’s dagger was embedded in the top of the thread.
The silent Croquis family reacted to the mention of the size of the thread, as the tallest among the participants was Coon.
‘No way, already? No, that’s impossible.’
The Croquis family had no doubts about their son’s ability. They expected him to win, they thought it was a given. To be eliminated now was not only disappointing, it was humiliating.
“Oh, no.”
The dagger that was thrust in was cut into the flesh.
A cheer came from the Lane Croquis family who confirmed the elimination, and a smile appeared on the face of the Croquison family who was watching from the side.
“There were two, not one. That’s why they were so bulky.”
The ones in the thread were the Stone and Bondog families. The two losers, with their lips discolored and blue, were unconscious.
Bondog and the Stone family walked silently over and pulled their sons out of the thread. Disappointment was evident on their faces.
With two eliminations in this round, there are now four contestants left: the children of Roinen, Crokisson, Kunitli, and Krieger.
And Siren stands silently with her arms crossed.
‘Rubin, what is your fear?’
She wanted to know what her son’s fears were and whether he could overcome them.
However, according to the contract with the dream spider in charge of the test, all the test contents that occurred in the black pond were kept secret only for the participants.
Even the heads of the Assassin Sword Family could not know what their children were afraid of or what the dream monster was.
“Master Rubin is still alive. That’s truly amazing.”
The one approaching while making a fuss was the Krieger family head.
‘Ness Krieger. Wasn’t Iza’s daughter’s name Blaner?’
If the Krieger family were any more ambitious than Crokison, they would be.
The two older brothers above Blane were already building their reputations within the Assassin’s Blade family, and the harsh upbringing of the Krieger family was the foundation for this. And Siren respected that upbringing.
“Blane’s potential also seems great.”
Siren responded appropriately.
“Even so, he is still a child who has not yet fully blossomed. He is still far behind his older brothers.”
“It seems that the Krieger family misjudged.”
“Huh? What is that… … .”
“I feel like Blane has already blossomed into a dark smoke.”
“Really?”
Even while asking that question, Krieger’s family did not think that Siren had made a mistake.
The person present here now is none other than the head of the family. He is on a different level from other heads of families, and has reached a level that is beyond imagination. It is not something that can be said lightly.
“but.”
“…but?”
“It seems like something is blocking it and it’s not working properly. I hope this test will be an opportunity for him to improve his abilities.”
“… … .”
Siren glanced at the face of the Krieger family, who was carefully chewing on the meaning of the words.
‘You’re suspicious.’
Behind the awe towards Siren, there was clearly suspicion. He wondered why she would readily reveal such facts to him, her rival.
‘Even this pyramid is wary of me.’
It was Siren’s sincere wish, as she was at the top of all assassins, that all assassins would rise to the next level.
She was wary of the outside world, not the internal opponents of the Assassin’s Blade. Numerous famous magicians, famous swordsmen, and important figures in the Imperial Army.
Of course, this kind of thinking was possible because there was a judgment that there were no more internal opponents that could pose a threat.
‘Blaine Krieger. If only he had been under a better family, he could have grown more. What a pity.’
Of course, the head of the Krieger family, Ness Krieger, also once had high hopes for her daughter’s potential.
But those expectations were shattered the day Blane was eliminated in the first round of selection. The disappointing result of that day still lingers in my mind.
‘Even if you survive this test, it doesn’t mean that any new possibilities have arisen.’
It’s a world where not even a single mistake can be tolerated, because the competitors from other families are too powerful.
Even if I did well on this test, it didn’t seem like the blocked path to growth would be opened up this time.
Ness Krieger changed the subject.
“My daughter, Blane’s fears are obvious.”
“I guess you had some expectations.”
“As you can see, that child has ugly burn marks.”
“I saw it. It was a wound that wasn’t there when I first chose it.”
“It was because of my greed. I thought I was trying to become stronger, but it was too much. That day, the mansion was completely burned down because of that child.”
“Ah. So that’s what it was.”
Siren searched her memory. It was about a year ago. She had heard such a report through her direct vassal.
There was a report of a large fire at the Krieger family’s mansion, which was based in the Proen region.
Even though he was a collateral branch of the family, Ness Krieger was clearly the head of the Assassin’s Blade family. It was no small matter for the mansion where such a person resided to be engulfed in flames.
A fire that engulfed the entire mansion, not just a part of it.
‘What Blane did back then was… ‘
As Siren tried to recall the report from the past, Ness Krieger’s expression distorted and he ground his teeth. He was recalling the unpleasant memory of that day.
“He’s a pathetic kid who doesn’t know what he’s doing. He’s also very timid, which is unusual for a Krieger. If it were his turn, the testing center would definitely turn into a sea of fire. I guarantee it.”
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Ness Krieger was not wrong.
Next in Hamil’s sequence, where three Crulti Orcs appeared, was the fear of Blaane Krieger.
As a new turn began with a whooshing sound, a bright light poured down in front of the four surviving contestants.
Everyone was trying to cover their faces when suddenly a loud noise shook the ground.
Kwakwakwakwakwang!
‘The mansion is burning down.’
It wasn’t hard to guess who the mansion belonged to, because as soon as a new turn began, someone’s legs gave out and he fell to the floor.
‘I can’t just leave you to be eliminated like this.’
Rubin approached Blaine, who was sitting with his head down.
“Wake up, Blaine!”
If we leave it like this, Blane’s mind will completely break down. He may even be attacked by Kun.
Rubin hurried away, carrying Blanet on his back.
“Let’s go up that hill over there! Everyone hurry up!”
He shouted at Hamil and Kun. Hamil followed Rubin obediently, but Kun would not do so. Kun ignored Rubin’s words and stayed in front of the burning mansion.
Rubin, who reached the top of the hill, put Blane down in a safe place. Looking down the hill, he saw the mansion engulfed in flames and collapsing.
Kukukukung.
The fire that started in the mansion was gradually spreading its territory. It was only a matter of time before the garden in front of the mansion was completely burned down. Then this hill could not be safe either.
“The test site is limited in size. It has a circumference of only four kilometers. It won’t be long before the whole place burns down.”
“Then what should we do?”
“We must find Blane’s fear.”
“… Could that be the fire? There’s a burn mark on my face, so if I put out that fire… … .”
It was then that a huge roar echoed from the middle of the mansion.
Gooooooooo!
A roar so loud it almost split your ears. Blaine Krieger covered her ears with both hands and shook her head violently. She was already in a state of panic.
Hamil looked back and forth between the mansion and Blanet, his face looking awkward.
“It doesn’t seem like an ordinary fire, does it?”
In the middle of the collapsed mansion, a huge pillar of fire stood. It was the source of the flames that engulfed the mansion.
thud…….
thud…….
What I thought was just a pillar of fire was moving, shaking the axis of the earth. A huge body. And a pillar of flame surrounding it.
“Your Majesty, that thing… seems to be a golem?”
Hamil was right. The golem was an iron monster with a heart made of mana stones. It was an artificially created monster, not a natural creature.
If the mana stones buried in the ground are mined and the mana contained in the mana stones is completely depleted, there is only one use for the mana stones. It is only as a golem’s heart.
“Blane, who made that?”
“… … .”
When Rubin didn’t answer his question, this time it was Hamil who stepped forward. Hamil looked Blanet in the eye and asked.
“You have to let us know if we want to advance to the next stage without being eliminated, Blane.”
“… It’s me. It’s me.”
“What? You?”
“… Two years ago, after completing the first selection, I made a request to a wizard in the Pron region.”
“Did your master give permission?”
Blane shook her head. Her strict and principled father would never have allowed her to create a golem. Instead, it was her two older brothers who helped her.
The two older brothers, who were living as assassins in other cities, collected materials and provided funds for Blane’s training golem. The reason was that Blane failed the first test so easily. Blane wanted to become stronger, and he thought that special training was necessary to do so.
But the problem is.
“There must have been something wrong with the mana stone that was put into the golem’s heart. The golem lost control and went berserk. That’s why the mansion was all… … .”
Not only did their plans to secretly train in the underground warehouse go awry, but the golem’s rampage completely erased the family’s history.
It took only a few hours for the legacy of the Krieger family, passed down for generations, to be reduced to ashes.
“I couldn’t do anything. I just ran away while my father dealt with the golem… …!”
Blane howled.
Only after Ness Krieger shattered the mana stone on the golem’s chest did the golem’s rampage end.
In the midst of the chaos, the flames that had engulfed Blane’s body spread to her neck and arms. The one who rescued her from her suffering was her father, Ness Krieger, the head of the household.
“As if he was looking at me like a bug… Father’s gaze… I, I just can’t… … .”
Blane never forgot the look of contempt in her father’s eyes. Unlike her two older brothers who had always exceeded her father’s expectations, she despised herself for being a failure who only disappointed him.
“I understand, Blane. Your desire to be strong and accepted. I feel the same way. As you saw, I also messed up when I tried to train as a Crulti Orc.”
Hamil tried to comfort Blane. But was comforting Blane the right thing to do at this moment? Rubin didn’t think so.
If it can be overcome with mere comfort, then it is not fear.
“There’s no time to be sentimental right now. We have to deal with the golem quickly. Kun alone won’t be able to do it.”
“It would be better if you eliminated me… … .”
I had heard this before the return. The image of Blane hesitating at a crucial point in the mission came to mind clearly.
In the past, it was the decisive reason why she had no choice but to stagnate at 6-star. As she said, it was the sadness and pressure she received from her two talented older brothers throughout her life. The low self-esteem that was formed as a result.
‘That’s why it was a talent that couldn’t blossom. But… … .’
This life will be different. You can’t erase the marks that have already been made, but you can change your future.
Rubin raised Blanet to his feet.
“Blaane, I told you that I would make everyone grow. That golem is the stepping stone for that growth. You have to deal with it.”
You have to face it. Even if your whole body burns again, you have to face it head on and break it. That’s the only way you can overcome fear.
But Blane avoids Rubin’s eyes.
Now, the golem was swinging its two huge arms and confronting Kun. Kun was moving quickly and avoiding the golem’s attacks, but the flames surrounding him were gradually reducing his footing. There was no time.
“Let’s go, Hamil!”
Rubin and Hamil headed back down the hill.
Left alone on the hill, Blane trembled and cried. Through her tears, she saw Rubin and Hamil stepping into the golem’s attack radius without hesitation.
They dispersed the golem’s attacks, which had been focused on Kun. They constantly changed positions to distract the golem… and fought against the fear she had created.
“Damn it! It would be quicker to just eliminate that bitch!”
Kun shouted.
Kun had expected that it would be easier to destroy this golem, which was Blane’s fear. He also wanted to test his abilities against the golem.
But it was more difficult than expected. Golems are monsters that were created artificially, so there is no set standard.
The principle that movement will stop when the mana stone used as the heart is removed is valid, but the problem is that the locations of the mana stones are all different.
Even if you cut off its mechanical arm or mutilate its entire body, the golem will not stop charging unless its mana stone heart is removed.
“This is a golem transformed by Blane’s fear! Don’t think of it as a normal golem!”
Rubin shouted.
In fact, the golem created by the dream was showing movements that were impossible for a normal golem.
It was like an assassin’s sword. It was threatening and irregular.
furthermore…….
‘I can’t see the Mana Stone heart.’
A giant arm spewing flames descended upon Rubin.
bang!
Rubin twisted his body momentarily to avoid the attack. The steel arm struck the floor with a dull clank.
“Does anyone have any good ideas on how to destroy this fireball?”
Hamilton shouted.
Good idea.
“Just cut off all the joints!”
It was Kun who answered like this. It was a typical Kun answer, but that doesn’t mean it was a bad idea. No, it was a good idea.
“Kun, don’t you think about me and say something?”
“No, Hamil. Let’s do that. Let’s rush in and dismantle the golem’s skeleton.”
“Your Majesty, even if you do that, if you don’t remove the Mana Stone… … .”
“If you disassemble the entire body, you’ll get mana stones. Let’s try it first.”
In complex situations where the numbers are not visible, a head-on attack may actually be a good strategy.
“…All right!”
“When I give the signal, it starts at the same time.”
Rubin leaped into the air and motioned to Kun. Kun was displeased that Rubin was following his orders, but there was no other way at the moment.
A temporary alliance was formed and the attack began.
Rubin took charge of the front of the golem, while Kun and Hamil took charge of the flanks respectively.
The steel body that made up the golem was now red-hot. In order to remove the joints, one had no choice but to approach that terribly hot body.
But this was a dream world. It didn’t matter if I got hurt by the heat and flames. Anyway, when I moved on to the next step, my physical damage would be repaired.
Papapapabak!
Thump!
‘As expected, both of them have easily surpassed the normal level.’
Rubin thought as he slit the golem’s neck and cut off the iron pipe connecting it. Kun and Hamil, both of them, had also safely removed the arm and cut open the chest.
‘If it continues like this.’
Kukukukung.
As soon as all the iron pipes at the connecting part were cut off, the golem collapsed in an instant like a beast with bones removed.
“…Huh?”
Hamilton’s eyes sparkled as he wiped away the sweat.
“What? This golem doesn’t have any mana stones.”
“You idiots. I told you I’d rather deal with that Blane bitch! Look, it’s regenerating again.”
As Kun said, the golem’s disintegrated body was slowly coming together. Fortunately, the speed at which it was reattaching itself was not fast.
“Should we try again? It’s not hard to dismantle this thing, so let’s keep trying until we find the mana stone.”
Hamilton’s argument was plausible, but he overlooked one crucial thing.
“You’re funny. Look over there.”
Where Kun’s finger pointed, there was the border of the dream world that was gradually shrinking.
“Do you think this is going to last forever? It’ll probably be over in less than five minutes? I won’t stop until I kill either that monster or Blane!”
A dream world that gets narrower and narrower. If you don’t finish within the time limit, you’re all eliminated. This was the law of this world.
“What are we going to do now? No one will mind if I cut Blane’s neck?”
Hamil couldn’t readily object to Kuhn’s threats. Up until now, he had been following Rubin’s advice, but it was a completely different matter if he was eliminated because of it.
“I’m sorry, Master Rubin. I don’t think there’s any other way.”
Just as Hamil and Kun were about to run up the hill.
“for a moment.”
Rubin said with a smile.
“I think I found it, how to get rid of this golem.”
“what?”
Kun doubted his own ears. How could he get rid of this strange golem without even a mana stone? How could he do it?
“How? I don’t have time, Your Majesty!”
Rubin responded with actions. He aimed his dagger at something in front of him.
In the middle of the disintegrated golem, between the slowly coalescing molten metal, something unidentifiable was moving. Something black and sticky, like thick, melted jelly.
“There are no mana stones. You have to aim for that to get rid of the golem.”
“…What is that?”
What is it? It is the power to control the golem, and the answer to ending this test.
“Fear. It’s Blaene’s fear.”
