Chapter 17: Among the Beasts

Caius Astroweild’s POV

I moved swiftly through the stone maze, racing against time to get past this area that was about to eliminate me.

Finally, I reached its end and emerged from between the massive rocks, only to find myself in another forest, similar to the one where the trial had begun.

As time passed, the trial grew even more difficult. The space would be constricted, meaning more battles and early elimination of the weak, paving the way for the strong. Those strong groups capable of threatening the top-ranked monsters would soon form.

I scanned the areas around me as I advanced. I was still in good shape, especially since I had only used my essence when necessary. With a few scratches on my armor, I was still at my peak, but that was mainly because I hadn’t yet faced the truly strong ones.

I activated my ability for brief moments as I moved.

Then, suddenly, I sensed them in my perception… one of those groups. Not two, not even five… there were eight of them.

Even for me, that seemed like a lot.

But then I felt the essence moving violently among them, which meant they were fighting each other.

Perfect… now it’s time to steal some points.

I dashed straight toward them, and as I closed the distance, I began hearing the sounds of clashes and screams. When I got close enough, I saw six people fighting at close range—three against three. Behind one of the groups were two more providing support from the back: one wielded a bow and arrows, the other fired bullets made from compressed air.

So, it was five versus three.

I stopped at a safe distance to avoid being noticed, watching the fight and assessing their strength.

The group of three was being pushed back, looking on the verge of collapse. Their bodies were covered in wounds. The others were injured too, but in better condition.

I glanced back at the supporters, who were fully focused on the fight, and I smiled.

“This will be a great point boost,” I muttered as I started moving.

I didn’t head straight for the center of the fight… that would have been the dumbest thing I could do.

Instead, I ran sideways and made a wide loop around the group, careful to conceal my presence.

I reached the back of the supporters. The archer and the one firing air bullets were fully focused on the battle, which was nearing its end.

I clicked my tongue. “Fools.”

I moved toward them quickly, choosing the air-bullet shooter as my first target.As I reached behind him, my eyes met someone from the opposing team. I saw his eyes widen in surprise and confusion.

I smiled at him and nodded.

Then my sword moved toward the neck of the person in front of me. He noticed me and tried to dodge and resist, but it was already over… he was eliminated.

The archer turned toward me and shot an arrow, but I dodged and launched myself at him.At the same time, I heard a shout from the other side:”Give it your all! We can turn the tables on them!”It was probably the person I had nodded to.

I reached the archer, dodged another arrow, and stabbed him straight in the heart, eliminating him.I heard the satisfying chime of my watch, signaling points gained.

The others had noticed me, but what could they do while engaged in a fight?Of course… nothing but cursing.

Not wanting to lose any points, I leapt toward them.

I reached the closest two who were grappling, and by coincidence, one was the person I had smiled at earlier.

He shouted to me, “Here… help me!”What nonsense is he saying?

But in reality, he did a great job, keeping his opponent occupied and preventing him from turning to me, leaving his back open for me and my sword.

He was eliminated.

The other person smiled at me. “Thank you.”He even thanked me… only to find my sword at his neck the next moment.He didn’t even have time to react.

When the fourth person disappeared, the sounds of fighting among the others stopped. They all turned toward me, anger evident on their faces.

I raised my hand and waved at them with a gentle smile.”Hello, everyone… am I interrupting something important?”Apparently, I did not please them.

They glanced at each other in silent agreement before charging toward me.”Come here, you cowardly brat!”

The four surrounded me from all sides.

I smiled and waved between them, redirecting and dodging their attacks.

With brutal precision, I struck their vital points, activating my shield and making them vanish from my sight.

Silence fell over the area.

I glanced at my watch.

Time remaining: [7:52:12]

Points: 621

“Wow… I got 170 points from this group.”That was a huge boost and made me leap up the ranks.

Top Ten Rankings:

1.Elliot Sivrax [821]

2.Garon Blackfall [750]

3.Ellen Asterval [673]

4.Izel Ashvil [652]

5.Caius Astroweild [621]

6.Kyle Astro [580]

7.Leona Starlin [563]

8.Ivan Rexel [557]

9.Naira… [459]

10.Falia… [445]

I slowly made my way toward first place, knowing that soon I’d need to give it everything I had.

…

Far from Caius’ location…

A beautiful girl moved through the trees, her black hair and red eyes radiating an aura of authority and power. Her name was Allen Asterval, currently in third place, and princess of the empire.

Many had tried to offer her protection along the way… because she was their princess.

But she rejected them all.

Ellen wanted to claim first place on her own strength, without relying on shortcuts or others’ power.

As a princess, she would not settle for anything less than first place.

Yet, to her frustration, she could not close the gap with the first and second places no matter how hard she tried.

“Monsters…” she muttered.

Suddenly, a barrage of arrows flew toward her, while five people appeared in front of her.

Essence moved through her body, and she activated her ability.

All the arrows stopped inches away from her, then their tips turned toward the people before her, before she lunged at them with fierce speed.

Yet they easily dodged her.

They advanced toward her, and one spoke,”Your Highness, I hope you won’t take this as a grudge… you know this trial is important to us, after all.”

“Don’t worry, I hold no grudges… and you won’t bring me down anyway.”Her tone was calm, filled with authority.

In the next moment, they attacked from all sides with various weapons.

But Ellen didn’t move, nor did she draw any weapon. She stood calmly and raised her hand.

All the weapons aimed at her stopped.

Then they slipped from their owners’ hands and floated around Ellen.

All this was thanks to her ability… a power that allowed her to control all types of metal freely.

Then, at her will, the weapons moved and spilled the blood of her defenseless foes. Screams echoed, and the green grass was stained red.

After several minutes…

Silence engulfed the area.

Ellen stood alone, the weapons floating around her, drenched in the blood of her enemies.

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