[Valeria's POV]
The participants were bolting toward the city center, specifically the area surrounding the Town Hall. Having secured our supplies, Raul and I intended to vacate the central district. However, upon reaching the Town Hall, a massive swarm of monsters suddenly materialized and laid siege to the entire area.
"Form a perimeter! Don't let them encircle us and cut off our escape!" Elena commanded.
The participants abruptly ceased their infighting and began to cooperate, desperate to escape the hundreds of attacking monsters.
Currently, I was perched atop a building. Beside me, Raul was watching the monster horde with detached interest while eating a piece of bread.
How can he be this relaxed? With hundreds of monsters crawling through this area, we'll struggle just to reach the finish line. We should be helping and cooperating with the other participants.
Besides, why did the academy allow a swarm like this to roam here? Wouldn't it be dangerous if they bred rapidly and threatened the safety of nearby cities?
"Raul... do you have a plan? What exactly are you looking at?" I asked, curious about what was going on inside his head.
Though I already realized this man was incredibly sharp at finding ways out of dire situations, I still didn't understand how his mind worked.
"Well... I'm looking for a way out of this encirclement," Raul answered after swallowing his food and taking a swig of water. "It's the fourth day. If we don't reach the oasis today, it'll be much harder to hit the finish line before the fifth day ends."
He was right. However, I turned my gaze back toward the participants struggling against the monsters.
—Groaaargh!
Elena, Brian, Scarlett, and the others were currently battling a seven-meter-tall behemoth. None of their coordinated attacks seemed to have any effect on the giant.
Furthermore, the perimeter established by the students was clearly buckling under the weight of the endless waves.
"You want to win, don't you? To be the first to cross the finish line?" Raul asked, staring directly into my eyes. "This is your chance to pull ahead while they're all busy fighting here."
He was right... On the first day of the exam, I had vowed to be the first to finish. I wanted to surpass every other participant in this test.
"Don't falter! We can definitely defeat them!"
"Don't let them breach the perimeter and break our ranks!"
The voices of the struggling students echoed throughout the area.
But... did I really want a victory like this?
"Aghhhh! Justice Strike!"
I saw Brian land a heavy blow on the giant monster's leg, forcing it down to one knee. However, it wasn't enough; the creature surged back to its feet almost instantly.
In a moment like this, for some reason, I remembered Brian's words back when he formed the alliance during the first stage.
'Those who abandon their goals are trash, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash.'
This monster incursion was undoubtedly a failure on the academy's part in organizing the exam. It was impossible for students to defeat such a creature. Therefore, it felt wrong to abandon them just to gain an advantage while they were suffering.
I looked back into Raul's black eyes to answer his question. "I want to help them. I don't want to win that way."
Upon hearing my answer, Raul's expression shifted. I couldn't tell what he was thinking.
"Is that so? It seems we'll be parting ways again here," Raul said casually. "Good luck, Valeria."
Hearing his words, I hurried to correct his misunderstanding. "Hey, I still intend to be the first to reach the finish line, you know. So, after helping the others here, I'll be coming after you, Raul."
With that said, I leaped from building to building using Axio magic to close the distance and join the fray.
I spotted several monsters nearly breaching the students' perimeter.
'Wind Blow!'
I unleashed a gust of wind magic at the monsters, blasting them into the air. I then leaped down from the rooftop to join the other participants.
"Thank you, Valeria! You saved us!"
"Exactly! If those monsters had breached the line, we would've been outflanked and our formation would've crumbled!"
I simply nodded at their gratitude. "More importantly, what is our current status?" I asked.
"Bad," one participant replied. "These monsters... they just keep multiplying every time we sever a limb or kill them!"
"This is a nightmare come to life! Did the academy really prepare these for an exam!?"
Hearing their testimony, I began to analyze the creatures. If I recalled correctly, I had read about a monster with similar capabilities.
—Groaaargh!
A roar shattered my train of thought. The giant monster was rampaging against Brian, Elena, and Geralt.
I rushed toward them and saw the beast preparing to stomp on Geralt, who was sprawled on the ground after a failed attack.
"Straight Vortex!" I fired a powerful spiral of wind at the monster's leg, forcing it back.
"Get out of there, Geralt!"
Hearing my command, Geralt scrambled up and used his fire magic to propel himself away from the giant.
"Thanks, Valeria! That was a close one!" Geralt panted, catching his breath.
"Valeria! Where have you been? We need you to fight this crazy monster!" Brian shouted as he approached.
Everyone was gathered now: me, Brian, Elena, Geralt, Scarlett, and Ariel. With all of us together, we had to find a way to take this thing down. If only that man was here to fight with us as well...
"Valeria, how do you think we can stop these things?" Elena asked.
At Elena's question, I began to think while Brian and Geralt moved forward to keep the giant occupied.
Every monster must have a weakness.
These creatures had the ability to split and regenerate upon death or dismemberment. However, there had to be a flaw.
—Groaaargh!
Brian unleashed a flurry of slashes at the beast while Geralt bombarded it with fire magic.
That giant monster... I'd bet anything that these monsters share a single primary body, even if they can split a hundred times.
Could this giant be the host? If we kill it, will the rest of the horde vanish?
"Take this! Fire Fox Slash!"
Geralt swung his flame-shrouded blade, severing the giant's leg.
"How's that for a new technique, huh! Eat that, you bastard!" Geralt cursed, visibly exhausted after using his high-level magic.
Yet, the monster rose again. The leg Geralt had just lopped off began to knit back together.
"Tch, this thing's ability is a pain!" Brian grumbled, his frustration peaking.
—Groaaargh!
I didn't have the answer yet. How were we supposed to actually kill this thing?
***
[Raul's POV]
There was no mistake; this monster was a Neracion—a Level 10 monster with a troublesome special ability. It was certain that the participants were currently incapable of defeating it.
It seemed someone had triggered a chest trap at the Town Hall last night, causing this rare monster to spawn.
This was tricky... If I didn't find the original body of the Neracion, every participant here would fail. I had let Valeria help them hold off the main wave of Neracion clones while I searched for the true body.
—Keyarooo!
In front of me, three fake Neracions approached.
Sliding between their legs with a fluid motion, I easily bypassed the trio. I couldn't kill them; doing so would only cause them to multiply.
Leaping onto a rooftop to gain a wider vantage point, I continued my search for the original. The true Neracion possessed a red underbelly, distinguishing it from its clones.
However, finding it amidst hundreds, if not thousands, of fakes was like finding a needle in a haystack. My only lead was the fact that the original Neracion had to remain within a two-kilometer radius of its clones to maintain control.
—Keyarooo!
Four Neracions leaped onto the roof I occupied. They simultaneously spat a green fluid toward me.
Using Accel magic, I sidestepped the attack. The roof where the liquid landed began to hiss and smoke.
—Keyarooo!
Two of them lunged to grab me, but I nimbly activated Axio to leap to a neighboring building.
From every direction, more Neracions were closing in. This was becoming problematic... Not only did I have to find the host, but I had to do so while running from a horde I couldn't afford to kill.
The clones fired more acid at me, the volume of the shots increasing. A few drops caught my uniform, burning holes through the fabric.
I continued jumping from building to building, scanning the chaos for the original. I had to be fast; the others wouldn't last much longer against the relentless pressure.
—Keyarooo!
I glanced back; a dozen Neracions were on my tail. To make matters worse, four more appeared ahead of me, lunging in unison.
—Bam!
Kicking the first monster, I flipped to the side. However, another Neracion lunged toward my landing point.
—Bam!
I blocked its fist with both hands, but the momentum of the strike sent me skidding back, slamming into a wall.
Ugh... That actually stung.
Struggling to my feet, I hurried to move before they could pin me down again.
Where is it...?
I scanned the area frantically, but the host was nowhere to be found.
Where...?
I climbed to the highest point nearby. The clones followed, scaling the walls. I ignored them, focusing entirely on the search.
Finally, luck favored me.
At eleven o'clock, roughly 400 meters away, I spotted a cluster of Neracions guarding one specific individual with a red underbelly.
Found you!
However, the host was heavily guarded by dozens of clones. How was I supposed to get close enough to kill it? I lacked the explosive magic needed to clear a path through the guardians.
"Piers! Two o'clock, three monsters heading this way!"
Suddenly, I heard a woman's voice scream.
I turned and saw two students—a girl and a boy—fighting off several Neracion clones on a rooftop.
"It's Viera and Piers..." I muttered.
—Keyarooo!
The Neracions had reached my rooftop. They spat acid again.
I leaped off the building and surged toward Piers and Viera using Acceleration.
"Viera!" I called out. "Shoot the monsters following me!"
Viera's face filled with shock. "Huh? Captain? O-okay! On it!"
She began to aim, a glow radiating from her bow.
"Triple Shoot!"
Three magic arrows streaked past me. I heard the shrieks of the monsters behind me, signifying that Viera's aim was true.
Reaching their rooftop, I didn't waste a breath.
"Viera, have you mastered the Explosive Arrow spell?" I asked.
"Of course, Captain," she replied confidently. "But I need time to charge it."
"Captain, what is actually happening? Why did so many of the same monsters suddenly appear?" Piers asked, looking bewildered.
"I don't have time to explain, Piers. I need you both to follow my orders exactly."
They both nodded firmly.
"Viera, do you see that cluster of monsters over there?" I pointed toward the host Neracion. "Fire an Explosive Arrow right into the center of them. How much time do you need?"
Viera nodded, focusing on the target. "I need about one minute to gather enough mana."
One minute? There was no guarantee that the explosion would destroy the host's heart, though.
Yes... the only way to kill it for good was to destroy the core heart of the host.
"Alright, I'll buy you that time. Just focus on preparing your spell."
Turning to Piers, I gave my final instruction. "You and I will hold off the monsters. Don't let a single one disturb Viera, understood?"
"Understood, Captain!" Piers replied.
"Alright, let's do this."
Viera began channeling her mana, while Piers and I moved to intercept the monsters approaching the building.
Three monsters lunged toward us.
I blurred toward them, kicking all three off the roof in rapid succession.
Nearby, Piers was struggling against two Neracions. I rushed to his side and landed a double spinning kick, sending both monsters tumbling.
"Twenty seconds left!"
I heard Viera's voice signaling the countdown.
"Piers, I'm leaving this spot to you."
With that, I used Acceleration to bolt toward the host Neracion's position.
Leaping from one roof to the next, I closed the distance in seconds.
—Kreyaaa...!
Two Neracions intercepted me.
"Out of my way, you ugly beasts!"
Dodging their lunges, I punched them both with enough force to send them flying off the building.
A flash of light caught the corner of my eye; Viera's bow was emitting a brilliant blue radiance—the signal that her magic was ready.
I pushed my speed to build momentum for the final jump.
—Swosh!
A magic arrow enveloped in blue particles streaked past me, heading straight for the cluster of clones guarding their host.
—Boom!
An explosion ripped through their ranks. Monster shrieks filled the air as body parts were scattered by the force of Viera's powerful spell.
Seeing the opening, I leaped and landed directly in front of the host Neracion. The creature looked stunned that I had found its true self.
—Keyarooo!
Two clones lunged to protect their host.
"Leaping Slash!"
I took their heads without breaking my stride, charging straight for the host.
—Keyarooo!
The host spat acid at me, but I nimbly leaped over it, landing in a roll that brought me right to its feet. Nothing was going to stop me this time.
"Radical Blow!"
I launched a left-handed punch aimed at its heart.
—Bam!
However, my fist missed slightly, piercing the monster's left abdomen instead. It had managed to flinch away at the last second.
It immediately began to scramble away, clutching its wounded side.
"There's no way I'm letting you run!"
I lunged again, but the clones began to throw themselves in my way once more to protect their core.
—Boom!
The path was cleared again; another explosive arrow detonated right on top of them.
Well done, Viera... You truly are one of my most useful subordinates.
"Acceleration!"
Boosting my speed, I easily caught up to the host Neracion.
"Radical Blow!"
My right hand slammed into its back.
The host stopped dead in its tracks as my hand burst through its chest. I felt a steady heartbeat against my palm.
"You... die..."
Its body went limp as I crushed the heart in my grip.
Blood poured out, soaking the ground.
All around the city, the bodies of the fake Neracions began to crack and crumble into dust, scattered by the wind the moment their host's heart was destroyed.
***
[3rd Person POV]
Just moments before Raul defeated the true Neracion, Brian, Valeria, and Geralt were struggling against the rampaging Giant Neracion. Elena and Scarlett were preoccupied helping the others fend off the nearly overwhelming wave of clones.
"Brian! I'm going to unleash my strongest magic!" Valeria shouted, gathering her mana.
"I understand!" Brian replied, his body beginning to glow with a golden light. "Geralt! Let's keep it busy!"
"On it!"
—Groaaargh!
The seven-meter giant lashed out with its long arms in every direction.
"Take this! Raging Blade!"
Brian launched his attack, clashing directly with the monster's arm. However, he was overpowered, sent crashing through several buildings.
"Damn it, Brian!" Geralt shouted, worried for his comrade. "Flame Panthera!"
Geralt's hands and feet became wreathed in roaring flames.
"Sword of Fire Destruction!" His blade was coated in a brilliant red fire as he utilized double-casting—a feat reserved only for the most talented mages.
"I'll finish you with my strongest technique!"
Geralt blurred toward the beast, weaving through its massive arms. The red-haired youth leaped and plunged his sword deep into the monster's chest.
"Take this! Fire Expulsion!"
—Groaaargh!
The monster shrieked as its chest erupted from the internal explosion.
"Geralt! Get back, I'm firing!" Valeria warned.
Geralt leaped clear.
Valeria's body was enveloped in green light, a magic circle manifesting before her palm.
"Rayo del Verde!"
A beam of green energy lanced through the air, striking the giant. A massive explosion followed, and thick black smoke swallowed the creature.
"Valeria, that was incredible magic," Geralt praised.
"But I don't know if it was enough to take it down."
As the smoke cleared, the monster's state was revealed.
Its entire upper torso had been vaporized by Valeria's spell, leaving only chunks of flesh scattered about.
"Is it over?" Valeria whispered.
However, the remains began to twitch. From the bones and internal organs, muscle and skin began to knit together with horrifying speed. In moments, the monster was completely restored, as if it had never been touched.
"It can't be..." Valeria muttered, her voice tinged with despair. "We've destroyed its body multiple times, why won't it die?"
—Groaaargh!
The monster roared and resumed its slaughter of the other participants.
"No! This thing is unstoppable!"
"Help! We're all going to fail here!"
Cries of desperation filled the square. The monsters were pinning the students down, and the giant was tearing their defense apart.
Nearby, a badly wounded Brian tried to stand but failed. He could only listen to the screams of his comrades being decimated.
"Ugh... why am I so weak?" Brian muttered.
"I wanted to be a hero... to save everyone from the monsters!"
He punched the ground in frustration. Suddenly, particles of light began to swirl around him.
"Huh? What's this?"
Brian's vision blurred, fading into total darkness.
"Have I failed? Has my body reached its limit? This can't be how it ends..."
Brian felt a surge of panic; he didn't want his journey to stop here.
"No, Brian. Your journey is only just beginning."
A stranger's voice echoed in his ears.
His vision cleared, but he was no longer on the battlefield. He found himself in a vast room filled with endless bookshelves. Before him stood a table and an empty chair.
"Huh? Where am I?" Brian muttered, confused.
Moments later, a light materialized before him, revealing a blonde man wearing majestic Knight's armor.
"Who are you?" Brian asked.
The man smiled and crossed his arms. "I am Pendragon—the Guider who will help you become stronger, Brian."
"Pendragon? Isn't that the name of the Empire's legendary knight!?" Brian gasped. "But... didn't you die hundreds of years ago?"
The man laughed heartily. "Hahaha! Well... it's a long story for another time. There is something more important at hand."
Pendragon explained that he was the Guider of the Codex Brian possessed. Once someone awakens their Codex or Blessing, they can access a 'Soul Room' to train with their Guider.
"We'll talk in more detail later, Brian," Pendragon said. "For now, I will teach you one of the Profound Codices of the Codex of Pendragon."
Brian's heart hammered against his ribs. He never imagined he would be trained by the very hero he had idolized since childhood.
"This Profound Codex is called—" Pendragon whispered the name to Brian. "Shout that name with all your heart and crush your enemies with it."
"I won't let you down, Master!" Brian said with fierce determination.
Seeing Brian's resolve, Pendragon smiled again. His body dissolved into light, and the mysterious room faded away.
Brian returned to the battlefield, right where his physical body lay.
He stood up, realizing his wounds had vanished completely. His strength was restored as if he hadn't fought at all.
"I... I can feel it. I'm stronger than before..."
He could hardly believe what had transpired. Being summoned to a mysterious place, meeting a legendary hero, and receiving an ultimate technique... it felt like a dream.
—Groaaargh!
But he had no time to ponder it. The giant monster was still rampaging, slaughtering his peers.
"I have to hurry!"
Brian sprinted toward the giant. He scaled a building to get a clear view of the carnage.
Dozens had already fallen. Less than 25 students remained of the original 70.
"Over here, you ugly beast!" Brian taunted.
The giant Neracion turned toward him. They were only a hundred meters apart, facing each other down.
—Groaaargh!
The giant roared and charged. Brian didn't flinch. He prepared the technique Pendragon had given him.
He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Gripping his sword with both hands, he raised it high above his head.
"I am the Protector of this Motherland..."
The moment he began the incantation, his body and blade were wreathed in golden particles of light.
"Destroyer of Evil, Defender of the Truth..."
A massive amount of mana condensed into his blade, ready to be unleashed. The giant was now only 30 meters away.
—Groaaargh!
Brian's hands trembled under the sheer weight of the mana. "Roar, Incursioooo!"
With a mighty shout, he swung his blade toward the monster.
A colossal wave of golden magic slammed into the creature, the sheer force driving its massive body backward.
—Groaaargh!
The giant was pushed back further and further, its feet carving deep furrows into the ground. Brian's magic didn't stop, plowing the beast through several buildings.
The watching students couldn't believe their eyes; they had never seen an academy student unleash magic on such a scale.
After pushing the monster 150 meters, the magic finally dissipated. The creature's body was charred black, like coal.
—Thud!
The monster collapsed.
"Is that enough?" Brian muttered.
However, the giant monster began to rise once more. Its charred flesh started to revert to its original state. It sneered at Brian, mocking the fact that even his ultimate attack had failed.
"How is this possible..." Brian whispered, his heart sinking.
But then, the giant's body began to crack, piece by piece. The Neracion's face twisted in panic before its massive form dissolved into fine dust, scattered by the wind.
The smaller Neracions suffered the same fate. Their bodies cracked and shattered into worthless grains of dust.
"Huh? They're all disappearing?" one student muttered.
"Does that mean... once Brian defeated the giant, the smaller ones died too?"
The students looked on in disbelief. They had been on the verge of slaughter, only to have the tide turn in an instant.
"We won! We actually beat those stupid monsters!"
"We did it! Brian killed their boss!"
Cheers of victory erupted throughout the square. Students hugged each other in relief, momentarily forgetting they had been fighting each other for food just hours prior.
"Brian!"
"Brian!"
"Brian!"
They began chanting the name of the blonde man, hailing him as the hero who had saved them all.
Seeing their joy, a sense of deep satisfaction filled Brian's heart. He had saved them.
"Long live Brian!"
"Long live Brian!"
They continued to chant the name of their hero—the one who had defeated the terrifying giant that had eliminated dozens of their classmates.
.
.
In the distance, a black-haired man sat alone, leaning against a building. He, too, heard the cheers of victory and the praise being heaped upon Brian.
He was the true hero who had saved them all, though they would never know it.