Once through the portal, Kalen found himself in a dark but strangely lit place. Looking around, he realized that he was in a cave full of crystals, which were the only source of light, and that he was not the only one in the cave.
About twenty people were watching him with cold and cautious glances, some even with malice or curiosity.
But Kalen didn't care about the prying eyes of the others, instead he focused on the black screen with white letters in front of him.
[Name: Kalen Nohak]
[Rank: Challenger]
[Trait: Hunter]
'...So, this is what challengers talk about so much' Kalen thought as he read the screen again.
Even though there wasn't much to it, Kalen knew that this wasn't all Urasis had to offer.
He didn't know the full story behind the strange event that invited people from all over the world to take tests that could be deadly, depending on the type. Tests that, if passed, would allow the challenger to enter Urasis, the supposed world of salvation.
About 50 or 60 years ago, nobody knows the exact date when it all started, white scrolls suddenly appeared in front of some people, inviting them to this sacred land full of treasures and natural resources that were highly coveted in this time of crisis.
On the other hand, the challengers were those who agreed to pass the test set by Urasis. Only those challengers who could pass the test were fit to become true pillars of humanity in the new world.
While he was still lost in thought, another scroll appeared in front of him. This time, however, Kalen realized that not only did he have a scroll, but everyone in the cave had one that had appeared in front of them.
Forgetting the others for a moment, Kalen looked at the scroll and opened it carefully before reading it. Once his eyes fell on what was written, he could not stop reading until the end.
[Welcome to all challengers to the Cavern of Fireflies]
[In this place, you will have to pass your first test, where only those who pass the first assigned test will be able to enter Urasis]
[Those who fail will have to rely on their fate and luck]
Although Kalen was unsure of the contents of the others' scrolls, he were almost certain that the introduction that appeared on his scroll was the same as what the others had. Anything that came after the introduction could almost certainly say otherwise.
Each of the challengers' scrolls had a different content.
[First Test: Kill Rodhlann Danneir]
[Conditions: You cannot directly or indirectly kill anyone else during the test period]
[Second Test: Rescue Talika Bon]
[Conditions: Talika Bon must survive until the end of the trial period]
[Third test: Find the golden firefly]
[Conditions: Catch the golden firefly alive before the end of the trial]]
Kalen turned pale as he read the contents of the scroll, not expecting the contents of the test at all. He expected to be confronted with something, but not like this.
Before starting to analyze his test, Kalen finished reading the scroll.
[The first test is mandatory to pass the Urasis Test]
[The second and third tests are optional and can be ignored at your discretion but failing them will affect the final test reward]
[The deadline for completing the test is 30 days]
[Those who fail to complete the test within the time limit will be considered failures]
[Good Luck Challenger]
As soon as Kalen finished reading, he immediately closed the scroll and looked around.
Most of the people had finished reading their own scrolls, and many of them had serious looks on their faces as they examined each other.
'Rodhlann Danneir and Talika Bon... who are they?'
Kalen scanned the crowd and noticed that the number of women and men present was equal.
Exactly ten men and ten women, making a total of twenty people performing the Urasis test.
But there was no way for Kalen to tell who Rodhlann Danneir and Talika Bon were at a glance.
'This is going to be more complicated than I first thought…'
Steadying his breathing, Kalen tried to calm down and think clearly, only for one of the ten women to speak loudly, attracting the attention of everyone in the cave.
"Please, can I have your attention for a few minutes?"
Having accomplished her task of getting the attention of everyone in the room, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed young woman smiled and clapped her hands gently.
"Well, I think we're all aware that we have our own tests to complete... but I don't think it's impossible for us to help each other"
Kalen immediately began to gather information from every word that was spoken, starting with the young women.
He didn't quite agree with the young woman's suggestion, after all, he had to murder someone to pass his first test. And he doubted that anyone would be willing to help him complete it.
Kalen had no problem with killing, less than 10 minutes ago he had ended the lives of 3 men and almost killed another. He didn't kill for pleasure either, it was just his job, but if it was necessary, he would do it without hesitation.
But not everyone was like him, Kalen was an exception. Not everyone in society was an experienced assassin, specially trained to kill like he was.
Still, he said nothing and continued to listen carefully, not wanting to miss any details.
"You say we should help each other pass our first test... But if our tests collide, what should we do?" said a young man with brown hair and glasses that made him look intelligent.
This was another point Kalen had been thinking about. What if someone had the test to save Rodhlann Danneir as he had to save Talika Bon, but instead of a simple second test, it was the first one.
Then Kalen would have to end someone's dreams of becoming a challenger in order to complete his own test.
The young woman smiled softly and answered the young man's question without hesitation.
"Then we would have to fight each other, but we won't know if that will be necessary. Not until we know what our main tests are"
The young man nodded and said nothing more, agreeing with the young woman's words... as did Kalen.
Seeing the young man's reaction, the young woman clapped her hands together.
"Good, then we should start by introducing ourselves!"
'...Right'
Kalen wasn't sure if anyone else had proof of the killing or not, but knowing the names of the people would be helpful... maybe.
The young woman began to introduce herself.
"My name is Elisabeth Taylor, I'm a medical student"
Kalen didn't know if it was necessary to reveal anything else besides the name, but as before, the more information the better.
The young woman looked at the young man with the glasses who had spoken earlier, indicating that she should follow him.
The young man nodded and introduced himself.
"My name is Oliver Hans... also a medical student"
'Two medical students... I don't know if it's a coincidence or not' Kalen thought as he remembered Elisabeth's and Oliver's faces.
After Oliver's introduction, Elizabeth's eyes fell on the young man next to Oliver, who didn't hesitate to introduce himself as well.
"Donovan Miller, law student"
To Donovan's right, a young woman and another young man introduced themselves.
"Sarah Lincoln, Art student"
"Liam Lincoln, Humanities"
'Brothers... I didn't know that two people so close could be selected for the Urasis test at the same time.
Elisabeth struck up a small conversation with the brothers before continuing with the introductions, where it was the turn of a young man with a mushroom haircut, short and a bit overweight.
"I'm Jaume Che, engineering student" he said with a little nervousness in his voice.
Although Elisabeth greeted him warmly, Kalen was not spared the jeers of a group of men who had not yet introduced themselves.
They all let him pass while Jaume cringed in fear at the teasing, then it was the turn of a young woman who also looked quite scared, just like Jaume.
"M-my name is Talika Bon, s-student of administration"