Chapter 8: Hide And Seek Test
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Kalon felt his body surge with newfound power, his stats so overwhelming that he nearly faltered mid-stride. Yet, as a Sword Grandmaster with mastery over the minutest movements of his physique, he quickly regained his balance. His feet moved steadily again, even as his mind lingered on the details of his enhanced status.
Among the new additions, "Shinsu (Apprentice)" caught his attention. Could Shinsu, like his other skills, possess ranks? If so, what would happen if he maxed it out? The thought filled him with curiosity. Would mastering Shinsu make him as formidable as a Family Head?
...
The arena buzzed with anticipation as Team A prepared for their Hide and Seek Test against Quant Blitz, the fearsome Ranker. Khun, their leader, stood before them, crafting a meticulous strategy. Quant's Ranker status made him a terrifying opponent, but Khun's calm demeanor betrayed his confidence.
Kalon stood near the back of the group, observing quietly. His role was simple yet pivotal: act as bait alongside Shibisu to lure Quant away from the team's true objective—securing the exit point. Khun's plan relied on calculated misdirection, and Kalon knew he couldn't afford to break character.
"Alright, everyone, stick to the plan," Khun said, his sharp gaze lingering on Kalon and Shibisu. "You two, make sure Quant stays focused on you for as long as possible. Don't mess this up."
Shibisu groaned. "Yeah, yeah. Easy for you to say, genius."
Kalon merely nodded, keeping his thoughts to himself. He wasn't surprised by Khun's choice. From the beginning, Khun didn't want to win but instead was making way for Team B—or, to be precise, Baam—to pass the test.
The buzzer sounded, signaling the start of the test. Team A scattered into the maze-like arena. Kalon and Shibisu sprinted together, heading toward their designated area. Since Kalon was also a Lightbearer, Khun did not need to waste his Shinsu on conjuring a lighthouse cube to serve as the torch in the dark environment.
"Remind me again why I agreed to this?" Shibisu muttered, glancing nervously over his shoulder. "That guy's a monster."
"Focus," Kalon said, his voice steady. "He's fast, but we don't need to fight him. Just keep him chasing us."
Moments later, Quant's presence became unmistakable—a blur of motion followed by a wave of oppressive energy. The Ranker landed ahead of them, his confident smirk sending a chill down Shibisu's spine.
"Found you," Quant said, cracking his knuckles. "This'll be over quick." His nonchalant behavior showed that he had already seen through Khun's Plan A.
"Not if we have anything to say about it!" Shibisu shouted, adopting an exaggerated fighting stance. Kalon suppressed a smile, appreciating Shibisu's theatrics.
Quant lunged toward them, his speed blinding. Kalon reacted instantly, activating his Lighthouse to create a brief barrier of Shinsu. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, but the barrier held just long enough for Kalon and Shibisu to dart away.
"Nice trick," Quant called after them, already in pursuit. "But you'll need more than that to slow me down."
Shibisu panted as they ran, his nerves fraying under the relentless chase. "This guy's insane! How are we supposed to keep him busy?"
'Well... Were you really planning on stopping a Ranker, even though he is the weakest? Shibisu, I am proud of you,' Kalon thought while dodging Quant's attack after the Lighthouse shield was breached. He stepped aside but kept his expressions as natural as possible, knowing the other judges and Team B could observe the match.
Kalon activated his Lighthouse again, projecting decoy signals to confuse Quant. The Ranker hesitated for a split second, scanning the arena for the real targets. It was all the time Kalon needed to reposition himself, drawing Quant's attention back toward him.
"Over here!" Kalon called, deliberately exposing himself.
Quant grinned, his figure vanishing in a blur. Kalon braced himself, narrowly dodging the Ranker's strike. The ground where he had stood shattered under the force of Quant's attack.
Shibisu watched in disbelief as Kalon continued to evade Quant's onslaught with calculated precision. "What the hell? You're way better at this than I thought."
"Remember, my student! Since a Scout is always in the frontline, there is a high possibility of confronting a number of enemies at once! The best thing to do is to get rid of their eyes—the Lighthouse! Once the Lighthouse is gone, it doesn't matter how many enemies there are, especially the Spear Bearers. Are you wondering how I can see in the dark? Sorry, but a good Scout can read the Shinsu in the dark and figure out enemies' locations. A top Scout doesn't need any lights," Quant said, targeting the Lighthouse Kalon had set up for Shibisu to see in the dark maze.
Kalon wasn't affected, his focus entirely on the Ranker. Despite his calm exterior, he exerted considerable effort to maintain his facade. He liked the normal life he had now. Quant himself was holding back considerably, relying only on physical prowess without using Shinsu.
In the dark, Quant targeted Kalon, aiming for a knockout blow. Kalon saw the attack coming at his neck. He could dodge but chose not to, maintaining his cover.
Thud!
"Hey, what was that sound? Kalon... Kalon, what happened there?" Shibisu shouted in the dark when he heard something fall.
"Do not worry, my student. I will send you to meet your friend now..." Quant appeared behind Shibisu like a predator, but the dark hall lit up. Quant chuckled, not realizing Khun had been waiting for this moment.
The position of Shibisu and Quant became visible again while Kalon was down on the floor. Shibisu noticed Kalon's chest heaving up and down, indicating he wasn't dead.
"Now, Amigochaz!" Khun's voice echoed through the Lighthouse.
Hearing the leader's call, Amigochaz launched his spear in Quant's direction. The spear moved at incredible speed, infused with Shinsu for added momentum.
Kalon, lying on the cold floor, pressed his ear to it. Suddenly, the maze materialized in his mind. He could hear the faintest footsteps, his senses stretching beyond 100 meters like a towering sentinel. His awareness spanned the arena, encapsulating the bustling intensity of the test.
The spear, however, failed to hit its mark. Quant dodged it effortlessly. Khun, undeterred, directed Anak to attack with the Green April. Anak charged forward, her weapon glowing ominously, but Quant swiftly caught her weapon, grinning as he neutralized the strike.
Defeat seemed imminent, but Quant laughed it off.
What followed was all part of Khun's elaborate plan. Quant decided to toy with the Regulars, giving Shibisu and Team A exactly 32 minutes and 15 seconds to regroup. It was a calculated gamble.
Thirty-one minutes later, elsewhere in the arena, Anak and Hatz made their way toward the exit, executing the second phase of Khun's plan. But Quant, ever the seasoned Ranker, picked up on their intentions. With a sudden burst of speed, he intercepted them.
Meanwhile, Kalon was being carried by Shibisu, one arm slung over Shibisu's shoulder.
"You okay, Kalon?" Shibisu asked, his tone filled with genuine concern.
"I'm sorry," Kalon replied, his voice soft. "Because of me, Plan A failed. We might lose the game now."
Shibisu's expression shifted, a mix of pity and determination crossing his face. Kalon smiled inwardly, letting the misunderstanding linger.
Despite their efforts, Team A's defeat was inevitable. Quant's overwhelming skill and experience left them outmatched. The buzzer sounded, confirming their loss. Team A regrouped in the waiting area, the weight of failure heavy in the air.
Shibisu collapsed onto a bench, his head buried in his hands. "Man, that was rough."
"You did well," Khun said, his tone surprisingly soft. "Everyone played their part."
Khun's outburst earlier had been calculated, a deliberate show of anger to shift blame. It was a common tactic of playing both sides of the fence—aligning with opposing interests to gain advantage. His self-blame acted as a smokescreen, ensuring Team B's success while absolving himself of suspicion.
Kalon, silent as ever, watched his teammates. From the sidelines, he noticed Khun's fleeting smile amidst his contrived self-reproach.
Team B, meanwhile, prepared for their turn. Kalon observed quietly, his thoughts detached. Winning or losing this game held little meaning for him; it was merely an exercise in class dynamics and teamwork. The 2,000 points, though tempting, didn't excite him. He wasn't a foodie, nor was he like a certain baldy who obliterated entire villain organizations over meat sales.