After a few more minutes, the applicants were once again instructed to head down to begin the second test. Pyun stood up from her seat, walked to the front to address everyone, and introduced the details of the challenge. "Soldiers face danger on numerous occasions, so I will test whether you are capable of defending yourselves against monsters," Pyun announced. She explained that the next trial was a race. The applicants had to reach the alternate arena at the far end of the island in just three hours. "All you need to do is enter that arena, and the second point is yours," She added. Murmurs rippled through the crowd as the applicants expressed their confusion, finding the task suspiciously simple. "Is that really all we have to do?" "This test is way too easy." Holding her puppet, Pyun smirked as if harboring malicious intentions. "Oh, you want something difficult? Very well, I'll grant your wish," She said, raising her hands. The moment he lifted her arms, black magic c

Suwi was startled by what she heard from Sei. Nevertheless, Agane didn't hesitate to step forward and drop to her knees beside Sei, pleading with her to rethink her decisions. "I beg of you, Your Majesty. You once trusted the Soul Eaters, and besides, if you side with her, you might turn the whole world against you," Agane pleaded. Sei glanced down at Agane and motioned for her to stand back up. "Agane, can you trust me?" she asked. Agane didn't hesitate to answer, reaffirming her loyalty to her queen, though she remained strictly opposed to Sei's decision out of fear for the queen's safety should public outrage turn against her. "I am ready to lay down my life for you, Your Majesty. However, I cannot agree with what you are planning, because I see no good coming from taking the side of a Soul Eater." Agane did not doubt the sheer strength of Sei's power, but she knew Sei's influence wasn't vast enough to protect her against other nations and powerful factions combined. She re

​In the other arena, the soldiers and officials had arrived first using teleportation magic. ​As the trial continued, the soldiers attentively watched all the screens broadcasting what the applicants were doing. They were tasked with monitoring the participants and dispatching aid to those who were wounded and could no longer go on. ​Using magic and potions, they healed any physical injuries so an applicant could recover and finish the examination. The officials watched alongside them, keeping an eye out for applicants with high potential. ​"Very few of them can actually fight off the wild rabbits, even though they aren't even that dangerous," Ruri remarked. ​"You only say that because it's easy for you to fight them," Kyros countered. "It's genuinely difficult to protect yourself against so many monsters, especially when they move that fast." ​They shared their thoughts on what they observed, and several of them grew concerned as the number of applicants successfully pushing fo

Melon explained to me that he was a fragment of the God of Creation system, granting him the ability to recreate any object using the memories of other living beings."All I need to do is rest on her head, extract her memories regarding the item, and I can bring it into existence, provided the conditions are met," Melon stated."Wow, how cute is that thing? Is he your pet, Mister Nathaniel?" Isay asked."Ah, well... actually, he's my partner, and his name is Melon," I replied.Melon suddenly leaped onto Isay's head and instructed me to tell her what he was planning to do."Huh? What is he doing?""Ah, well... Miss Isay, could I ask a favor? You see, Melon has the ability to provide the exact amulet you mentioned, as long as he reads your memories."I didn't expect her to believe me immediately; I figured she'd think I was joking. Instead, she just smiled and looked amazed by my words."Oh, really? In that case, Melon, could you please supply us with the Amulet of Tahako?"She didn't h

We were completely surrounded by spiders ready to strike at any moment. Despite the agonizing pain in my feet, I forced myself to take a step. "You aren't dying here, I promise you that!" I shouted as we sprinted away. We bolted, dodging the spiders obstructing our path. However, the Red Star Giant Tarantulas were relentless. They pursued us, continuously spewing thick webs. They were fast—almost keeping pace with me—and I knew they would catch us the moment my feet gave out from the strain of the Crimson Item. "This is bad," I muttered. Before I could even clear the forest, a small spider lunged at me. It struck my body with such force that I lost my balance and tumbled. "Ahhh!!" We both slammed into the ground, unable to move. Knowing how dangerous the area was, I tried to stand, but my feet were swollen from the overexertion of the Crimson Item. The pain was excruciating, and I was utterly exhausted. This was as far as I could go. I looked at the wild fox maiden; she had fa