----
Lucian could only smile bitterly at the situation he was currently facing. Because of his weak Fractal Pressure—the signature a Guardian exuded—he was an overlooked choice when it came to choosing a reliable team member.
The disregard stung but wasn't in the position to bicker.
Quickly, the other teams found members to complement the shortcomings of their abilities. On the other hand, there was another bizarre situation that took place. Unexpectedly, the 8 extraordinary members didn't accept one another into their parties.
To the outside, this decision might seem odd but there was sound reasoning behind it. Not only did some of their abilities conflict with each other, but they were making insightful moves to pave the way for the future.
Not to mention, they understood this option wasn't practical. If they joined hands, then it would become a war over who acquired the most resources, and that was a detrimental situation. Therefore, they traveled a different route.
These 8 weren't focused on developing a temporary team, they were setting the foundation for their inevitable factions. Hence, they spread out and examined the other individuals of their own accord, finally coming across the 7 they deemed worthy. The prior 800 then dwindled to a remaining 736 pseudo-Guardians.
Witnessing this ordeal, Lucian felt his heart clench, 'I should have expected as much, unwanted by all. I guess Overseer Vohr's attitude isn't infectious, announcing our Refinement ranking played a huge role in this situation,' Lucian thought, sighing deeply.
To make matters worse, the remaining number of selectable people was draining continuously. Reluctantly, Lucian took it upon himself to actively approach every squad lacking people. However, nearly all of his attempts were rejected, only for them to choose the person who came directly after.
Fortunately, they could only reject him for so long. The last party he approached was the only one left without a full roster. Thus, Lucian was granted entry by default, but that didn't resolve the disgruntled expression they bore.
Part of their attitude was due to Lucian's presence, but a majority of their displeasure was derived from their pickiness. Before Lucian, they rejected a number of people, but their decision resulted in the worst possible outcome.
Granted, the only reason they rejected so many people was due to their initial line-up—3 of their core members underwent an Elite Refinement. In other words, at the very least, their vessel would tackle the S Rank Boundary.
After all, only an Elite Refinement or greater was capable of creating a vessel capable of entering the S Rank. However, even then, there were special clauses in the strengthening process.
A few moments after everyone found a team to situate themselves in, Overseer Vohr snapped his figures, claiming everyone's attention.
"You are about to undergo a trial. We can also call it a tutorial. The task will be simple; survive and complete the tasks that arise. Should you complete them, you'll gain the fortune of becoming a full-fledged Guardian. If you don't, then your chance of becoming a Guardian will be revoked as will your Refinement privilege," Overseer Vohr announced.
Everyone reacted to this revelation differently; the most extreme ones gasped in fear of failure. These were the ones who barely reached the cusp of a Normal Refinement. Compared to the others, their abilities weren't as worthwhile.
"However, I will also reveal to you that as long as you pass the tutorial, there will be no revocation of your privileges," Overseer Vohr said, causing most of them to release their repressed breaths. Sadly, his next words were even worse—"Granted, there is always the chance of death."
Before they could even react, Overseer Vohr chuckled and snapped his fingers once again. The once vacant feeling disappeared, vanishing as if it was a facade.
An unknown force then wrapped around everyone, transporting the teams to different areas of the expansive forest. Each team was given an area large enough to avoid conflicts with anything outside of the matters related to the given tasks.
----
Lucian and 7 other individuals appeared in an unfamiliar zone within the large forest. The trunks of these particular trees surrounding them on all sides resembled steel yet wood at the same time.
The presence of Mana permeated the trees, affecting this area extensively. However, this wasn't what caught Lucian's eye. In the center of the trees, there was a large boulder bearing mystical inscriptions.
Looking at the stone presented a status of information.
[Guardian Stone (Objective)]
Integrity: Perfect
Damage Sustained: Zero
Barrier: Intact
Suddenly, another prompt activated; a wave of alerts appearing before Lucian and his teammate's eyes.
〈Alert: Both your actions and arrival have spurred the start of your main objective. [Estimated Objectives: 2]〉
«Tutorial Objective»
Objective Name: S&P - UTED
Information: As a Guardian, your purpose is to both survive long enough and protect your world. Because of this, your task will emulate these situations. Only by experiencing what is expected of you will you understand the responsibilities that befall a Guardian.
Details:
(Main Task)-
-Survive for 24 hours. -Incomplete-
-Protect the Guardian Stone. -Incomplete-
(Side Task)-
-Maintain the Guardian Stone's Perfect Integrity -Optional-
Reward(s)-
-Guardianship
-1 Enhancement Voucher (Inferior)
-50 to 500 Merge Tokens. (Depends on the final state of the Guardian Stone.
-0.4 Destiny Accumulations
*Completion of the side task will add a multiplier to certain rewards.
Everyone browsed through the objective's details, paying close attention to the side task. Upholding perfect integrity meant at most, only the barrier was allowed to sustain damage. In theory, it sounded simple, but there was more to it.
Suddenly, the rustling of the foliage and the shaking of the trees intensified, symbolizing the approach of the tutorial's assaulters.
'If that was the case, this can't be a solo mission. That rock is too big for one person to protect. How could Overseer Vohr say it's possible to climb the tower alone?'
Lucian's worries only increased when the rumbling worsened. Lucian tried his best to bury them. Unfortunately, it was more difficult than he thought.
"Why are you so nervous? We're about to fight; it should be exciting to you! What, are you some kind of a wimp? If so, I suggest you distance yourself. No one wants a hindrance around," one of the other individuals sneered. Lucian's behavior was amusing to him. When he smirked, sharp canines nearly pierced his lip.
"No," Lucian answered but before he could continue, one of the trees in the distance fell, producing a cataclysmic tremor. Immediately, this development put them on high alert.
"Cezar, stop messing around with him and sense what we're dealing with," a girl with crimson hair and an aloof expression commanded.
In response, Cezar, the olive-haired youth with sharp canines inhaled without end. "It's a stampede of beasts and they're headed straight this way."
Lucian gazed into the distance, alerted by Cezar's declaration. Not too far away, a cloud of dust was kicked up in wake of the stampeding horde. Inside, there was a collection of raging beasts indigenous to forest settings. However, a stark contrast to the typical appearance was their overgrown husks and extremely muscular build.
"Ho ho ho, my old man told me about these, these are ferocious animals! I think they should be E Rank Monsters if I'm not mistaken," Cezar revealed, withdrawing his hand from the ground.
Out of nowhere, Cezar lifted his head to the sky and inhaled until his chest threatened to burst. A moment later, he released a beastly howl, directed towards the horde. Although it didn't deter the incoming beasts, it achieved another effect.
Some of the beasts slammed into each other and caused a disruption in the stampede.
"Heh, dumb beast. This is gonna be a piece of cake!" Cezar sneered. "We're ready. Let's move."
He didn't even wait for the leader's signal, Cezar retrieved two short swords from his waist, dexterously wielding them. Even though they boasted the same quality as Lucian's weaponry, a thin blanket of orangish energy surrounded the blades.
Similarly, the scarlet hair girl named Elaine drew a line across the air before her, an amber spark flickering constantly. Arrows of flames materialized, which then zoomed towards the 4 of the incoming beasts.
With ease, Elaine's arrow incinerated their targets, reducing the number of approaching beasts. Conversely, Cezar sliced two enemies to bits in the same timeframe.
Meanwhile, Lucian could only spectate their actions with awe. 'E Rank monsters don't pose any danger to them, maybe my worries were just foolish.'
Lucian then turned his attention towards a disoriented lone beast. It was currently dealing with the effects of Cezar's roar, attempting to resolve them.