Time passed by bit by bit. The stars moved, the sun rose and the moon set. Four days had passed rapidly.
The group of Araquiel continued their journey through the Forest, they kept their eyes peeled for any signs of powerful monster. They had already defeated several creatures and accumulated 500k points, but they needed to find stronger monsters that would boost their score even further.
Vorlosva, the group's leader, consulted her map and suggested that they head towards the Waytry Elm Woods, which was another point of teleportation and they will probably find more monsters in the area. The others agreed, and they set off in the direction she indicated.
As they walked, the forest grew thicker and darker. The sounds of wildlife faded away, replaced by an eerie silence. The group moved cautiously, their weapons at the ready, aware that danger could be lurking around any corner.
"Zivrir, any monster nearby?" asked Vorlosva with her communication device.
Zivrir, who was tasked to track any monster, activated his device and scanned the area. He frowned as he studied the readings.
"I'm picking up some faint energy signatures ahead," he said, pointing in the direction of some part of the forest. "They could be monsters, but it's hard to tell from this distance."
Vorlosva nodded and motioned for the group to follow her. They moved forward slowly, scanning the trees and listening for any sign of movement.
As they approached, Vorlosva signaled for them to stop. She scanned the area with her own device and detected several energy signatures nearby.
"There are definitely monsters in the area," she said quietly. "We need to be careful."
The group spread out, each member taking a different path through the woods. They moved stealthily, their senses alert for any sign of danger.
Suddenly, there was a rustling in the bushes ahead. Vorlosva raised her weapon which was a large, long, heavy hybrid of a dane axe and a scythe with a foldable blade, which will fold out when the user performs a certain attack. It functions like the Two-handed Weapons, albeit with some difference. A moment later, a group of small, snarling creatures burst out of the undergrowth.
The group sprang into action, attacking the creatures with different weapons and spells. The monsters were fast and agile, but the group was well-prepared and quickly dispatched them.
As they rested and caught their breath, Vorlosva consulted her map again.
"The Waytry Elm Woods is just ahead," she said. "Let's move out."
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At the same time in the desert area named Treacherous prairie, a girl was sitting on a pile of different monster. She had white hair with some being red.
The girl's name is Shizuka, and she stands at a height of 5'8". Her eyes are unique, with one being red and the other blue, giving her a striking appearance.
Shizuka weapon is a combination of an Odachi and a Wakizashi blade, which she wields with great skill and precision. The Odachi is a long sword, while the Wakizashi is a shorter, more compact blade. By combining the two, she has a versatile weapon that can be used for both long-range and close combat.
She also has two teeth that resemble those of an animal, which add to her fierce and intimidating appearance.
Right now she had just finished devouring the monster she had slain over the course of several days, accumulating an impressive 700k points all by herself, surpassing even Araquiel group.
Shizuka was a skilled and experienced fighter, having trained for years to hone her ability and become a formidable force in combat. she approached each battle with a fierce determination and a strategic mindset, carefully planning her moves and utilizing her unique abilities to take down even the most dangerous of foes. Her senses were highly acute, allowing her to detect even the slightest movements and changes in the environment. She was also incredibly agile and strong, able to move quickly and easily through even the most challenging terrain.
Despite her impressive abilities, Shizuka was a solitary figure, preferring to work alone rather than relying on others. She was fiercely independent and self-sufficient, relying on her own skill and instinct to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world. However, she remained focused on her own goals and objectives, always pushing herself to become even stronger and more skilled in her craft.
Shizuka had been wandering the scorching desert for the last four days, battling against various monsters that lurked amidst the dunes. She wiped the sweat from her brow and glanced up at the relentless sun beating down upon her.
"These monsters are weak," she thought to herself, "I need to find more powerful ones if I hope to gain more points."
Shizuka has though of going to the ice zone located in the far north. There will be probably powerful monsters who can give her more points. Without hesitation, she set off towards the north, determined to face any challenge that lay ahead.
As she trekked across the endless sand, Shizuka's water supply began to dwindle. She rationed her remaining water carefully, taking only small sips to keep her body hydrated. The scorching heat made the journey grueling, but she refused to give up.
She didn't know that by going to the ice zone that she would have a interesting encounter.
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At the Interstellar union in a room wich was dimly lit, with the only source of light emanating from the bright, glowing images displayed on the holo-screen, different commanders of the Interstellar Union gathered around it, closely monitoring the progress of the participants in the test. The atmosphere in the room was tense.
The screen was split into several sections, each depicting a different zone where the participants were battling against fierce and terrifying monsters. The commanders watched intently as the participants fought valiantly, their weapons glinting in the dim light as they struck their foes.
As some battle raged on, the commanders analyzed the participants' every move, strategizing and making crucial decisions based on the information displayed on the screen.
In these four days, 10% of the participants had already dropped out of the test to join the Interstellar Union. Some found the challenges too difficult, while others succumbed to the dangers of the alien world they were on, such as poisonous plants, dangerous creatures, harsh weather conditions, and the lack of resources.
"The top three candidates, please," the supreme commander Hadrian asked.
"Sir, at the moment, the top three candidates are as follows: In first place, we have Vernon Palmer, with a score of 1.2 million points. In second place, we have Shizuka Kokushi, with a score of 700 thousand points. And in third place, we have a team consisting of five members: Araquiel Lucitor, Zivrir Dimush, Nevis Hyperion, Villis Hyperion and Vorlosva Alevtina Ivanovna, with a combined score of 550 thousand points," the staff sergeant replied.
"Interesting. What can you tell me about them?" General Linares asked.
"Sir, Vernon Palmer was born and grew up in a needy family in an average town, he lived out of trouble until he was about 50 years old, but at that point things took a turn for the worst. He lost his brothers in a food shortage and was now alone and forgotten. He had to survive in a crazy world. But with his wits and bravery, he managed to escape hell and keep ahead of the curve and after some years he became strangely more powerful. Shizuka Kokushi is the strongest warrior of the Kokushi family and was trained extensively in the art of the sword. She became known has the strongest and was feared by her enemies and respected by her allies. She's a master of multiple sword styles, incredibly fast and agile, and always fought with honor."
"I see that these two are very promising" said Hadrian, "What about the team?" he added
"For the team, this is their first time working together but have show a good teamwork, with Zivrir Dimush showing strong scouting skills, Nivis Hyperion providing exceptional combat skills, Villis Hyperion demonstrating proficiency in amplication, Araquiel Lucitor also providing exceptional combat skills and Vorlosva Alevtina Ivanovna showing remarkable leadership and problem-solving abilities."
"What about their origin?" the supreme commander asked.
"With all the respect supreme commander, I think that you should read it since it difficult for me to explain" said the informant with respect.
The supreme commander didn't know why the informant couldn't explain it but after reading the origin of each members of that team he understands why.
"I see. Keep monitoring their progress and report back to me regularly. We need to stay ahead of the game and ensure that we have the best talent on our side," Hadrian Richardus said, nodding in approval.
As the informant left the room, another commander spoke up. "Sir, may I ask what should we do about this team?"
The one who asked this question was the man know as Arzhel Guilcher, a the commander of the Alatheia Universe. An old veteran of the union.
Hadrian Richardus turned his attention to Arzhel Guilcher, acknowledging his question. "That's a good question, Arzhel. We will just let them continue the test. If they are here that means that they asked to be here, we will recruit them like all the other candidates."
Hadrian leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes scanning the room as he spoke. "We need the best and the brightest minds to join our cause. If they are able to successfully complete the test, then they will have proven themselves worthy of consideration."
Arzhel frowned slightly, clearly not convinced. "But sir, if their guardian come to complain because one these young one got hurt, that will be a huge problem to deal with."
"Do not forget that this is the Interstellar union Arzhel, your backing or family reputation is useless here." The one who interrupted him was another commander named Esasa Thoko. She was the commender of the Astar Universe and didn't really get along with the old Arzhel.
Hadrian leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Esasa is right, Arzhel. We can't let fear hold us back from finding the best talent for our cause. The test will be rigorous, but it's also safe. We have medical personnel on standby each time a participant come back, but you already know that."
Arzhel sighed, clearly still apprehensive. "I understand, sir. It's just that I've seen too many young lives lost in the pursuit of greatness and their family always coming looking for many compensation."
"I know," Hadrian said softly. "But we must continue to push forward if we want to resolve "that" problem. And who knows, maybe one of these young minds will be the key to turning the tide in our favor."
Esasa nodded, a fierce glint in her eye. "We need all the help we can get. We can't afford to let fear or sentimentality hold us back."
Rising to his feet, Hadrian's sharp gaze swept over the assembled commanders. "I'm pleased to see that we are all in agreement," he declared firmly. "The test will proceed as planned, and I have no doubt that we will find the best and brightest to join our cause."
Pausing for a moment, he scanned the room, as if daring anyone to speak up with a complaint. The silence was palpable, and Hadrian nodded in satisfaction.
"Very well then," he said, his tone commanding. "If there are no further objections, you are all dismissed. Let us proceed with focus and determination." With a final nod, he sat back down, observing different teams.
End of Chapter
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