--- [Alex’s perspective]
A while has passed since Shin and I split up.
I haven’t found a flag yet, but at least it doesn’t seem like anyone else has either, other than that first person…
At least no one has returned with one since then.
But…
Who was that?
Who could have found one and gotten back THAT quickly??
They must have just gotten lucky, right…?
Anyways, what I need to focus on now is finding one myself.
I feel like I’ve looked everywhere; under rocks, on top of trees, in the rivers, and even under the bark of some trees…
This forest is just too damn big!
How am I supposed to find one when they could be literally anywhere?
Hmm…
There must be some kind of trick to it; this is a test after all.
But what are they testing?
Ability to search for stuff?
Our speed?
Maybe our intelligence?
What if they aren’t hidden just anywhere, but there is some kind of pattern behind it?
When I think about it, she never specifically said that they could be hidden anywhere, just that they were hidden…
I feel like I’m reading into her exact words a bit too much…
Gaaah!
What could it be?!
--- [Shin’s perspective]
I’m guessing Alex is losing his mind right about now…
I hope he figures it out.
The trick…
It’s so simple, so obvious…
Maybe too obvious…
If he doesn’t figure it out, he will very likely not pass…
Oh!
There’s a guy there.
Why is he running like that?
Could it be that…?
I sneak up on him without making a noise.
As soon as he’s within range, I shove him as hard as I can.
“Uah!”
It caught him off guard, making him stumble forward, dropping something…
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It’s a flag!
I knew it!
Before he manages to get up on his feet, I quickly grab the flag, and run away.
“Hey! Give that back!”
…
Does he think I’ll give it back just like that?
Just because he asked…?
“Sorry mate, I need it.” – Shin
Now I just need to make my way back, and I’ll win my bet with Alex!
“Not so fast there!”
He quickly catches up, and grabs my ankle making me fall over.
“I won’t let you get away that easily.”
I try to get back up, but he kicks me down again.
“Gahhh!” – Shin
“You may have surprised me with that sucker punch, but in a real fight there is no way you could defeat me. Had you been faster, you might have gotten away, but you lost your chance.”
“Are all hunters this cocky? Not that I’m one to talk… Anyways, this’ll be a good warmup for the second round. Tell me your name.” – Shin
“I’m Lucas, not that that matters. I’ll get my flag back, no matter what.” – Lucas
I stand back up.
“How about this… We fight, the winner gets the flag. Simple.” – Shin
“Okay, but if you pull anything, I’ll show no mercy.” – Lucas
“Don’t worry, I don’t need your mercy.” – Shin
I put the flag down on the ground and step forward.
“You’re right…” – Lucas
“Always.” – Shin
Lucas chuckles.
“You’re right, this will be a good warmup. I haven’t had a challenging fight yet in this exam, maybe you’ll be my first.” – Lucas
“I’d be honored, Lucas.” – Shin
--- [Alex’s perspective]
AAHHHHH!
I’m going crazy!!
What’s the trick?
What’s the trick?!
What’s the trick?!!
What’s the trick?!!!
Gaaah!!
I give up…
Shin has probably figured it out already, he’s so much smarter than me…
I only have one option left; steal a flag from someone else…
--- [Shin’s perspective]
I run up to Lucas and throw a right hook.
He ducks under it, then does a sweeping attack with his leg; trying to trip me up, but I manage to jump over it before it lands.
He takes advantage of the fact that I’m suspended in mid-air and kicks me in the stomach.
I can’t dodge, so I have to block.
The kick is surprisingly powerful, and it launches me backwards at an enormous speed.
“GUAH!!” – Shin
I fly right through tree after tree, only stopping after colliding with a rock wall.
This guy is no joke…
He’s nothing like the others I’ve fought here so far.
So, this is the level of real E-rank contenders…
I get back up and walk back over to him while brushing dirt off my shoulder.
“Not bad, it seems I underestimated you, Lucas.” – Shin
“Oh? I intended to break your ribs with that kick, but it seems you’re mostly fine. I may have underestimated you too.” – Lucas
He rushes towards me as soon as he finishes talking.
I stand still and charge up an attack that I can use to counter him when he gets close.
He gets just within my range, and I punch as hard as I can.
My fist drills into his stomach; that should mess him up quite a bit!
BAM!
He punches me right in the jaw, making me almost pass out.
Before I’m able to get back my balance, he hooks his foot around the back of my head, then slams me down into the ground.
“GUH!!” – Shin
My nose is bleeding so much I barely breathe…
What just happened?
That punch I threw at him connected!
It should have sent him flying…
Yet…
How was he not affected?
Wait…
I have a theory…
I get back up on my feet, but my vision is blurry, and my balance is off.
“Still able to continue, eh?” – Lucas
I spit some blood out then respond:
“Of course!” – Shin
I think I understand what happened, but I need to make sure that I’m right before I can figure out a way to beat him.
I dash towards him and slam my fist down on his shoulder.
He moves his shoulder down ever so slightly, making it slide right off.
He perfectly deflected the attack; it technically hit him, yet it dealt no damage.
I throw a second punch with my other arm towards his face.
My fist smashes his nose.
Or that’s what it looks like…
But I saw it!
I saw what really happened.
My theory was right.
What happened just now was that he moved his head back just the tiniest amount.
Just enough for it to look and feel like the attack connected, while in reality it just barely scratched the tip of his nose.
That’s what he did earlier too.
He sucked his stomach in just enough for the attack to connect, but not enough for it to deal any damage.
It’s like he has perfect control over every single movement he does.
No matter how small, no matter how weird.
If the movement is possible, then he will do it.
It’s a perfect defense.
My hits won’t ever be able to deal any damage to him, and every time I try, I will just end up putting myself in a compromising position…
He can take advantage of even the smallest opportunities because he’s not limited by normal movements.
Is this a specialty?
No…
It’s more like…
A martial art?
That doesn’t feel quite right either…
I’m not sure what the mechanism behind it is, but at least I know what he’s doing now.
Even a perfect defense can be overcome.
Everything has a weakness.
Everything…!
I just need to figure out what it is.