As soon as Renly stepped through the portal, he felt the world shift around him. It wasn't just a physical sensation but a disorienting mental tug, as if he were being extracted from one reality and thrust into another.
His mind spun, and dizziness overcame him. His vision blurred, swaying between foggy streaks and fleeting clarity.
Shaking his head to dispel the haze, Renly fought to regain focus. A flicker of panic surged within him as he struggled against the disorienting sensation. Gradually, his sight sharpened, and what he saw took his breath away, the world had transformed completely.
Gone was the charred, barren landscape outside the portal. Before him now stretched a vibrant, verdant expanse, a lush forest teeming with life. Towering trees rose like ancient sentinels, their branches weaving a canopy above, while thick grass and dense bushes carpeted the ground.
It was just as the head examiner had described, an entirely different world. Renly barely had a moment to absorb the scenery before he noticed the chaos that had erupted around him.
The instant he set foot in this fragment world, he was confronted by the sight of battle. Participants who had entered earlier were locked in a fierce struggle against creatures that were anything but human.
The air was alive with the clash of steel and the piercing cries of the combatants. Weapons tore through flesh, and eerie, guttural screams echoed through the forest, chilling him to the bone. It was a brutal scene, one that underscored the unyielding determination of the candidates. Each fought with fierce resolve, vying for their place in the prestigious Crimson Moon Sect.
Renly's chest tightened as he took it all in. If he wanted to stand a chance, if he even hoped to qualify, he would have to join the battle without hesitation. Yet before leaping into battle, his gaze swept over the strange creatures the candidates were fighting. He needed to understand his enemies.
The creatures had a vaguely humanoid form, but their sizes were off. Most stood no taller than a man's chest. Their skin was a sickly green, stretched taut over wiry frames, and they had long, pointy ears, sharp teeth, and elongated noses.
Their primitive, barbaric appearance was emphasized by the crude weapons and tattered garments they wore, though there was a hint of evolution, just enough to make them dangerous.
'Goblins.'
The realization hit Renly immediately. He had read about these creatures in preparation for the assessment. All candidates had studied extensively, memorizing records about the monsters that frequented low-level fragment worlds. Recognizing their traits was essential for survival, and the goblins matched the descriptions perfectly.
Without further delay, Renly readied himself. From what he observed, most of the candidates were managing the goblins with relative ease. Even as first-stage warriors, they appeared confident and efficient, cutting down their enemies with practiced strikes.
It wasn't surprising, the head examiner had explained that weaker monsters often roamed near the portal's edge. Stronger, more dangerous creatures would lurk deeper within the fragment world.
Still, hesitation wasn't an option. These goblins, primitive as they seemed, were formidable enough to pose a threat if he faltered. With determined strides, Renly surged forward. His eyes locked onto a goblin skulking nearby, and in one swift motion, he launched himself into the battle, striking with precision and unrelenting force.
The goblin, seeing Renly approach with his spear, let out a guttural growl and raised its spiked club. Its sharp, yellowed teeth gleamed as it rushed forward, eyes glinting with feral malice. With a vicious snarl, it swung the club in a wide arc, intent on breaking through Renly's charge.
Renly didn't flinch. His grip on the spear tightened, and he lunged forward, executing a technique he had learned from a basic skill manual a bought at the city store.
"Thrust of the Viper!" he roared, his spear shooting forward with deadly precision.
The goblin reacted swiftly, as Renly expected. With surprising speed, it raised its spiked club to intercept the spear's tip. The strike met resistance, but Renly had anticipated this. Goblins, while fast, lacked the raw strength to endure the power of an attack infused with spiritual energy. The force behind the strike shattered part of the goblin's club, and the creature stumbled backward, thrown off balance as it hit the ground.
Renly pressed his advantage. Without giving the goblin a chance to recover, he swept his spear in a wide arc, aiming for the creature's torso. Although quick on its feet, the goblin was disoriented, unable to react in time. The spear struck true, tearing through its flesh with a sickening sound. A blood-curdling scream pierced the air as thick, blue blood splattered across the grass.
But Renly wasn't finished. Steeling himself, he thrust his spear again before the goblin's cry could even subside. The weapon pierced its skull with brutal efficiency, the tip emerging from the back of its head. The goblin's body convulsed once before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
Renly yanked the spear free with a sharp motion, wiping the blue gore off on the grass. His gaze flicked to the small device clamped around his wrist. A glowing screen displayed updated information, a single point now appeared above a numerical indicator, marking his first kill. Below it, a rank tracker showed his position: 149.
Renly frowned. A single goblin kill was an insignificant accomplishment, he knew most of the other participants had likely achieved as much, if not more. This rank wouldn't secure him a place in the Crimson Moon Sect. Determination surged through him. If he was going to rise above the competition, there was no time to waste.
His senses tingled, a faint rustle behind him. Whirling around, he caught sight of another goblin creeping toward him. It lunged, swinging its spiked club in a desperate attack. Renly met the strike with his spear, the clash of weapons reverberating in a metallic clang. The goblin stumbled back from the impact, momentarily unbalanced.
Renly seized the opening, launching a quick, precise thrust at the goblin's chest. But this one was faster, it deflected the attack with its club, though the force of Renly's strike drove it back further. Without hesitation, Renly shifted his stance, sweeping his spear in a deadly arc aimed at its neck. This time, the goblin wasn't quick enough. The blade of the spear sliced clean through, severing its head in one fluid motion.
The creature's body crumpled to the ground, lifeless and still.
After killing the second goblin, Renly paused, drawing in a deep breath. A faint exhaustion began to creep in, the telltale sign of the battle wearing on him.
The spiritual energy he had expended in both attacks was taking its toll. As a first-stage warrior, his capacity to manipulate spiritual energy was still limited, and rapid use of it drained his stamina quickly. He took a moment to steady himself, his chest rising and falling as he fought to recover.
But as his gaze swept the battlefield, he saw the others engaged in fierce combat, cutting down goblins relentlessly. Their movements were unyielding, their focus unwavering. It spurred him on.
'These guys aren't playing. I can't afford to rest now,' he thought, his determination reigniting.
Pushing past the fatigue, Renly charged toward the nearest goblin, resuming his assault with renewed vigor.
The battle raged on for what felt like an eternity. Blood-curdling screams tore through the air, mingling with the clang of weapons and the sickening sound of flesh being pierced. The group fought with unrelenting ferocity, slaughtering goblins as though they were no more than pests.
However, as time passed, even the relentless pace began to take its toll. The sheer number of goblins was overwhelming, and while their individual strength was negligible, their numbers made them dangerous.
Many of the participants began to sustain injuries. Cuts and bruises marred their bodies, some inflicted by goblins wielding crude weapons or striking from the shadows. Though the injuries slowed them, they did not stop. The group continued to fight, driven by their shared determination to succeed.
Renly was no exception. Several minor wounds dotted his body, the results of sneak attacks from goblins armed with small daggers. Blood trickled from the gashes, staining his clothes. Despite the pain and inconvenience, the injuries weren't life-threatening.
As a warrior, his body healed faster than an ordinary human's, and with a small expenditure of spiritual energy, he was able to staunch the bleeding. Still, the battle's relentless pace took a toll, slowing his movements slightly.
By now, the goblins' numbers had dwindled significantly. Where once the battlefield teemed with the creatures, only a few remained. This scarcity sparked fierce competition among the participants. More than once, Renly found himself clashing with another candidate over the right to deliver a killing blow, as the group's desperation to secure points grew.
Then, amid the chaos, a voice rose from among them.
"Hey, everyone!" someone shouted. "I don't think we should kill the rest of them just yet. Let's let them escape. That way, we can track them back to their village and take them all out at once. More kills for everyone!"
The suggestion gave everyone pause. Several participants froze mid-strike, their weapons hovering inches from the remaining goblins. Slowly, the group began to see the logic in the plan. The goblins, disorganized and panicked, would undoubtedly flee to their main village, a chance to hunt them en masse.
With nods of agreement, the group pulled back, allowing the goblins to scatter into the forest. The terrified creatures fled, their primitive instincts driving them to seek refuge in their stronghold.
The group gave chase but maintained a cautious distance, ensuring they wouldn't be detected. Moving stealthily through the dense, lush forest, they tracked the goblins as the creatures made their way to their village.
The strategy worked flawlessly. Goblins, lacking the higher reasoning of humans, did not suspect they were being followed. Believing themselves safe, they guided the group straight to their settlement.
When the group finally arrived, they spotted the goblin village. It was a crude arrangement of small huts, clustered in a clearing and surrounded by rudimentary defenses. At the center stood a larger structure, its design hinting at some sort of shrine or chieftain's dwelling.
The group wasted no time. Hiding in the shadows of the trees, they planned their ambush. Then, with a signal, they launched their assault.
Bursting into the village, they struck with devastating force. Goblins screamed in terror as the group stormed through, slashing and stabbing anything monstrous in sight. Chaos erupted as huts burned, and the village descended into a blood-soaked frenzy.
Renly moved with precision, his spear flashing as he took down one goblin after another. He trailed along with the group, his shoulders slouched as he trudged through the Goblin Village, determined not to be outdone by any of the other participants.
The village teemed with goblins, their numbers far surpassing those encountered at the entrance to this fragmented world.
They were up against a relentless horde, though not all goblins were fighters. Interspersed among them were women and children, vulnerable and untrained. These fell quickly under the participants' assaults, but the seasoned warriors among the goblins put up fierce resistance.
As the day wore on, the clash turned increasingly brutal, painting the village in blood and chaos. Injuries multiplied, and battle points accumulated, each participant pushing themselves to their limit.
The sheer number of goblins and the constant expenditure of spiritual energy began to take its toll. Exhaustion crept into the participants' movements, their strikes slowing as weariness set in.
Rankings fluctuated as the stronger fighters surged ahead while others fell behind. Renly, having just slain a particularly tenacious goblin, leaned against a charred tree trunk, gasping for breath. Sweat streamed down his face as he struggled to contain the toll of overexertion, his body trembling from the drain on his spiritual energy.
He glanced at the device strapped to his wrist, noting with frustration that his points stood at 19, placing him at rank 137. His frown deepened.
"I've been giving this fight everything I've got," he muttered through gritted teeth, his voice barely audible over his labored breathing. Despite his efforts, despite the several goblins he had killed, his performance lagged far behind his expectations. At this rate, how could he hope to pass the test and earn a place in the Crimson Moon Sect?
Renly wasn't the only one resting. Many participants had been forced to take breaks, sprawled across the battlefield to recover from the relentless battle. Yet, a select few continued to fight with unrelenting ferocity, cutting through goblins with an ease that bordered on terrifying. Their stamina and precision starkly highlighted the gap between them and the rest.
"These guys... They're monsters," Renly muttered, his eyes narrowing as he watched their tireless efforts. "How am I supposed to compete with that?"
The truth was undeniable, every year, aspirants from far and wide came to prove themselves in the Crimson Moon Sect's grueling assessment. It was no surprise that among them were prodigies, monsters in human form. Yet, even knowing this, witnessing their prowess firsthand left Renly shaken and uncertain.
Before he could dwell further, a shift in the atmosphere seized everyone's attention. Heads turned sharply toward the horizon, where a new threat emerged.
In the distance, a group of goblins advanced, but these were unlike any they had faced before. Mounted atop hideous, beast-like creatures as large as horses, the goblins radiated an aura of chaos and malice.
The beasts beneath them were armed with jagged fangs and razor-sharp claws, their sheer presence exuding a predatory menace. The goblins themselves carried weapons far deadlier than the crude wooden clubs and daggers of their kin. These wielded steel blades, haberds, and spiked maces that gleamed menacingly under the fractured light.
An oppressive energy poured forth from the approaching force, a torrent of primal bloodlust that prickled against the skin. Their crimson eyes glowed with a murderous intensity as they closed the distance, and an intense killing aura spread out like a suffocating fog.
The participants froze, their expressions turning grim as fear rippled through the group.
"Shit!"
Renly's thought stirred. His stomach knotting as his instincts screamed at him to retreat. His legs tensed, ready to bolt, but he remained rooted in place. The fight so far had been grueling, but this? This was a different beast entirely.
"The real battle is about to begin."