As Amber continued with renewed energy, as indicated by her glowing eyes, she made her way to the second obstacle, which entailed crawling underneath a lengthy net. Strangely, her face shriveled up into a distraught expression.

As she got down and began to crawl, dirt quickly found itself onto her clothing and skin, causing her to repulse in disgust.

"Ugh... in my eyes, my clothes...it's everywhere!!!" Amber complained. Although crawling underneath the net was much easier for Amber than the wall, the discomfort from the excessive dirt easily made up for the struggle.

As she crawled, she began to reminisce about her deceased family. The wholesome moments she once had with each of them came to the forefront of her mind.

Just a few days ago...I was enjoying my family's company. Amber thought. But because of that demon, Jack...I have to wallow in the dirt to get revenge. To save others from what I experienced, I had to move out of my comfort zone.

After around a minute, Amber crawled to the end, clearing the second obstacle. Upon looking at herself, she got covered in dirt from head to toe.

"Why...my favorite clothing..." Amber muttered as she continued. "Well...this was the last clothing I had...because of...the demon's attack..."

Of course, her suffering was not over, as she eventually arrived at a body of water after a few minutes of running.

It seemed to span a hundred meters and visibly polluted by a brown color. Since Amber was left behind, many other participants had already swum through after being covered in dirt from the previous obstacle, which they brought in the water.

Just from the sight, Amber stepped back in disgust.

Don't stop...you can do it, my daughter. The voice assured Amber in her head. In response, Amber exhaled before diving into the dirt-polluted water.

The words of her god had motivated Amber heavily, to her quickly swimming through the water.

M-My god called me her daughter! Amber thought. I can't fail her now!

While swimming front crawl style, the dirt that covered her clothing began to morph into mud due to the interference of the water. Choking sounds were audible as water entered her mouth and nostrils. Normally, Amber wouldn't have had a hard time keeping the water from entering her system, but due to the increasing physical fatigue, she failed to avoid this by gasping.

WHHHYYYY...IT'S SALTY!!! Amber thought. GET ME OUT!

In only fifty seconds, she successfully reached the other side. After getting out, Amber immediately fell to her knees and violently coughed out the water that entered her respiratory system.

The pitter-patter sounds as a large amount of water dripped from Amber's clothing were audible.

This isn't even fair...I never got any training but had to go through all this immediately!? Amber thought as she began to gasp for air. No, it's all necessary. This is...my first test...to get stronger.

After catching her breath, Amber stood up and moved again. Her running slowed as the fatigue stacked again. To add insult to injury, the water her muddied clothing absorbed made it heavier, which restricted Amber even more.

Ugh, I'm getting tired again... Amber thought. But I can't stop here. I can't...put what the opportunity my god has given me to waste.

With nothing more than her determination and near-empty energy, Amber overcame even more obstacles. Accumulating more callouses on her hands from climbing more walls, gaining cuts and grazes from crawling under barbed wires, and feeling extreme muscle fatigue from extended periods of running would cause a 'normal' person like Amber to succumb...but this was not the case.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

For some reason, Amber could keep moving. In times when she felt like she could not continue, it was as if her god was helping her, as she could take a step and another step. She truly was given the capacity to overcome this trial.

She even outlasted other participants, who gave up on the course due to their inability to complete it.

Her determination paid off as Amber noticed the finish line ahead. The finish line, a blue holographic gate, had a timer on it.

"H...Huff*...Huh?" Amber muttered as she noticed the timer. She saw the number 0:20 displayed in the center. She also noticed all the other participants on the other side of the gate.

W-What! I have to...hurry! Amber thought as she tried to pick up the pace. She could barely keep on her feet as she was a groggy, exhausted, muddy, wet mess. The yellow glow in her eyes was starting to dull as well. As she staggered while running, the timer was not waiting.

A-Am I...going to...make it? Amber thought. Suddenly, on the other side of the gate, Amber noticed Ariel cheering her on, much to the confusion of the other participants.

"Come on! You can do it!" Ariel cheered, causing Amber's eyes to widen.

I...have to make it...because of Ariel...I won't be alone so I have to make it!

5...4...3... The timer counted down

Suddenly, the glow in her eyes brightened again, and with a final push, she dived for the finish line. Simultaneously, the timer struck zero, and the holographic gate switched to red.

With a thud, Amber fell to the ground in pure exhaustion as the participants looked at her.

"That woman got through..." The same participant who mocked her said with a raised eyebrow. With a smile, Ariel stooped to Amber's level.

"Good job...I knew you'd do it," Ariel congratulated her as Shadow (her dog) began to lick the heavy-breathing Amber's face.

Thank you, god...Amber thought.

You overcame this because of your determination. The voice corrected. As long as you keep that mindset, no evil will prevail against you.

Amber smiled in response to what the voice said.

"Good job to all the participants who have completed the preliminary course to be accepted." The same voice that instructed the participants spoke on the mounted speakers. "You all are now accepted into the Enlightenment Program, where you will receive training to become protectors of your country."

Ah, I...did it. Amber said as she drifted from her state of consciousness, likely due to the exhaustion she suffered. Her glowing eyes also returned to normal, but it didn't matter - she finished her first trial.

* * *

Returning to what seems to be a military base, Chief of Defense Barry Alexander noticed a peculiar scene. At the military gates stood Kreuger, a second individual gathered, and multiple soldiers.

After disembarking his CR-V, Barry could hear them having a conversation.

"Chief Barry will be here soon to speak with you two," A soldier advised.

"Wow, your eyes emit the same glow as these spots on my face, Kreuger," The second individual said, to which Kreuger ignored.

This individual was right, as the right side of his face had ten glowing red spots. His pupils were similar in color, having an orange hue and three reddish rings around each of his irises. Apart from his medium-length black hair, made in a tousled balayage hairstyle, there was little to analyze about his features as he donned a crimson-red Japanese haori over full black clothing covering his well-built body.

His haori was detailed, as it was decorated with many black spots.

Tsk, what are the chances of meeting with an annoying person like this guy...? Kreuger asked himself. But why does he have those spots on his face? There's something about him that's different, creepy even.

"Well, if it isn't the anomaly that's always missing, Ryzen Cain...?" Barry greeted as he approached everyone.

Ah, finally, I won't have to deal with this bastard any longer. Kreuger thought as he sighed in relief.

"How ya doing, Barry," Ryzen returned the greeting. "But before you answer that, didn't I tell you not to call me by my full name?"

"My apologies. I take it you know what's been happening." Barry responded. "I take it that you're leaving your 'vacation' and will lend your assistance?"

"Well, sure. I don't have anything better to do anyways," Ryzen said as she strangely looked to the side while smirking.

"You should have notified me of your desire to assist instead of just showing up," Barry said.

"I like being spontaneous."

While speaking with Ryzen, Barry turned his attention to Kreuger.

"Oh, pardon my manners...who might you be?" Barry asked.

"Ahem, I'm here for one thing," Kreuger said. "I'll help you guys kill that bastard Jack."

Hearing his reason, everyone except Ryzen was surprised.

"W-What?" Barry questioned with visible shock.

"Before you say this mission is too dangerous for me, trust me...you'll need my help, mate." Kreuger continued. "I'm the only one that can kill him."

"...And why's that?"

"I know his abilities...at least, most of them," Kreuger said. "Because...Jack and I were both raised as assassins."

"Oh my!" Ryzen uttered.

"What...? Raised as assassins?"