A wave of relief washed over him when he turned and found her sitting with her legs crossed. With her eyes closed, DoHyun was in deep concentration.
Her aura surrounded her like a shield, creating a sense of purity within her. Like a bubbling effect, the translucent energy protected her from the poisonous gas that was released.
It felt like hours, the majority of them were on the ground unconscious with white foam coming out of their mouth.
The ones standing remained firm, it wasn't just about testing how long they can withstand the gas, but how long they can hold and maintain the shape of their aura.
Eiden, Gabbie, and Jason looked like they were having it easy, thought Chen.
From a safe distance, he observed them. Though they were seated and leaning against the wall just like everyone else, their behavior seemed rather strange.
He noticed that unlike the many who made use of their aura, theirs wasn't as visible. He couldn't conclude that it may be because they were strong because the intensity of their aura would've shown that.
If anything, it looked like they were breathing just fine as if the air wasn't contaminated in the first place. Lucky for him, the two guys just happened to be his roommates, he'll observe them closely from now on.
The doors that were shut for a long time suddenly opened, and the medical team stepped in. One could tell it was them judging by the logo on their clothes.
With their nose covered, they carried those that had passed out. Once they were done, they urged everyone else to exit the room.
"Sigh finally! Normal air again!" Exclaimed Gabbie, and no more warning signs.
Exhaling softly, DoHyun reached out to her neck, "I didn't think we'd even make it out"
"You're super pessimistic, did you know that?" Gabbie asked her
She averted her eyes and changed the topic "I'm just glad I taught you guys the basics on how to manage your Aura, otherwise you all would've been in the infirmary by now"
The three of them exchanged looked before laughing awkwardly "yeah, you're right" said Jason
Eiden added, grinning "if it wasn't for you, we probably wouldn't —"
His words were cut shut by a sudden beep sound, his system appeared
[Congratulations! Player has gained resistance to Venebrix]
Venebrix? Eiden thought, was it the gas that was released?
"Is something wrong?" DoHyun asked, he suddenly stopped talking
Eiden looked at Gabbie and Jason, Gabbie shrugged. They didn't get any updates from their own systems. He shook his head at her, "no, nothing".
The seven that made it through were led to the starting point, the large hall. Unlike them who had the majority of the group now in the infirmary, the blue team were rather much.
Ten out of the fifteen made it out.
Commander Ren, Captain Li, commander Lui Ling and Captain Ma Rong, gathered the two teams together.
In Ren's opinion, the number was far too many. He hadn't expected this much to come out successfully. He started "as the saying goes, many are called but only a few are chosen. I see determination and fast growing zeal".
"Of course, I know the only reason you're here is to secure your greatest wishes which will be granted by the Emperor. Still, we will use this opportunity to shape you into real warriors for the protection of Jingwu and its inhabitants''.
Commander Liu took over, her stern voice piercing through the already cold air, "The gas released today and its effect was merely a hint of what the Grotwriath is capable of. With its habitat as a dark cold cave with limited ventilation, it releases a yellow-brown toxic gas that can harm humans"
She paused, her eyes as if reminiscing
"I've seen with my own eyes someone get devoured by this beast" a scowl appeared on her face, "after being paralyzed by its gas"
She looked like she could throw up just thinking about it.
Commander Ren finished her statement, "that's why it's important to gain resistivity to this gas so as to fall prey to the Grotwriath. With that said, you have all shown great promise".
Confidently, Eiden raised a question "the gas released by a Grotwriath, what's it called?"
"Venebrix" commander Ren answered.
His intuition was right, his system had granted him the ability to resist this noxious gas called Venebrix. Battling a Grotwriath will be a whole lot less hard...or at least that was his thoughts.
.....
Moving over to the second course of the day while waiting for those who were poisoned to recover, the mixed teams were split up again.
As known already, there were some who possessed natural abilities believed to be bestowed by the goddess and there were some who had none
So the teams were split. Commander Ren handled those who were like him, the no power team while Cap Li took the others.
Gabbie had long thought about her power and its use in battle; she was skeptical about being able to control beings who neither had a conscience or a mind to manipulate.
She joined Eiden to commander Ren's team, leaving Jason and DoHyun to join the other team.
Today, she would have to learn to hold a sword.
In total, eleven were found to be without skill while six had powers.
"We're kinda small" Cap Li scratched his chin while staring at the six.
"Hey you!" He pointed at DoHyun, "why's that wrapped around your neck?"
Her heart made a thud sound as he pointed her out. She reached out to her neck, the bandages were still intact "I've got a terrible scar, it's an eyesore so I cover it up" she lied through her teeth.
He nodded slowly.
He clapped his hand and grinned "Let's start with introductions. I'm Cap Li as you all know already, I have the power to manipulate my Aura easily and change its shape and form whenever"
As said, he made a spear in his right hand. It was made purely out of his own energy, taking a soft warm glow and golden fragments that surrounded it.
They watched in awe, he did it so effortlessly.
"Can that even hurt anyone?" A guy asked,
Cap Li tilted his head, his smile diabolical "would you like me to show you?"