In the middle of the cadet escape ship, several crows perched on the edge of the ship's log. Gradually, more and more crows appeared, flying over the crowd of cadets and making strange chirping sounds. The cadets were disturbed by the arrival of the flock of blackbirds as if they were harbingers of an impending disaster. One of them pointed to the ocean where an island could be seen in the distance. They gathered on the side of the ship, looking at the island that was getting closer and wider. They felt the thick and dim miasma mist and the air getting heavier to breathe. The island had an ominous aura. Further away, a tall mountain rose from the island, but its peak was still covered in mist, and its body was shrouded in torn clouds. As they got closer, they felt either awe or fear, but they didn't like the existence of the black mountain standing alone across the swamp and forest.
Initially, most of the cadets believed that they were in the Mist Desert, but cadets from foggy areas like Karanzo, Joel, Kirana, and Yuria, contradicted this claim. Thanistor, who seemed familiar with the mountain from his childhood, guessed that they were in one of the areas near his kingdom, the Blaze Desert. Several cadets who often skipped studying at the academy to wander outside the fort, such as Aleister, Zain, and Lucius, agreed with Thanistor's assumption. The island of Tartaros is situated to the south of the Blaze Desert, and on clear days, the demon mountain of Tartaros can be seen from the Malazenian Peninsula.
A cadet in the navigation section shouted, "Hey! This ship runs on its own!" startling the others. "I tried to turn the steering wheel away from the island, but the ship won't move!"
"What did you say?" Thanistor stammered in disbelief.
As the ship drew closer to the island, the air grew colder and the cadets felt the thick, purple mist of Miasma poison filling their lungs. The bone-chilling cold and the deafening cawing of the crows startled and frightened them.
On the coast of the island, they saw a mysterious person waiting for them. He was a man dressed in all black with leather armor and a crow's helmet with thick fur around his neck. He carried a Dual-Saber behind his back. They recognized him as one of the instructors named Hyoh The Phantom and knew that this island was the place for the next test.
After the ship docked at the shore, Instructor Hyoh announced, "Introducing! I am the instructor of the fourth exam, Hyoh of Ashenvale! Before I explain the exam in detail, I need all of you to line up here right now!"
Hyoh of Ashenvale is the newest and youngest instructor at the Assassin Academy, but his reputation as the most skilled and accomplished professional assassin of his generation precedes him. He earned the title of King of Combat by defeating the champions of both the Wizard Academy and the Fighter Academy in the prestigious Triacademia World Tournament of his time.
Despite his impressive history as an assassin, Hyoh's priorities shifted when the Kaliyuga Explosion occurred and the Chthonians emerged as a new threat. To combat this danger, Hyoh founded the Nightblade faction in Ashenvale. However, he has since retired from his previous life to serve as an instructor for personal reasons that he cannot reveal publicly. His vast experience and expertise make him an invaluable asset to his students, and he is highly respected throughout the academies for his achievements and unwavering dedication to his craft.
The ship's anchor was lowered, and all the cadets disembarked, lining up neatly as instructed by Hyoh. However, his concern grew as he noticed that their numbers were dwindling. "Is this all of you?" he asked, his worry evident in his voice.
The cadets remained silent, too afraid to respond. The crashing waves drew their attention to the sea, where an S-level creature, the Kraken, emerged from the depths. The sight left them stunned, and they realized that had they been late to the dock, the Kraken would have destroyed their ship, causing it to sink to the ocean floor. Was it all part of Manseto's plan?
As the Sea God departed from the poisonous mist, the cadets were reminded of the dangers that always lurk in the sea and the importance of being vigilant at all times. Their journey to the island had been fraught with strange occurrences, and the appearance of the Kraken only served to reinforce the importance of staying alert.
Instructor Hyoh was stunned, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. None of the cadets noticed, but the instructor's crimson eyes seemed to sense the presence of a cadet who had just jumped onto the ship. He found it hard to believe that a cadet could swim across the ocean alive from Manseto's Prison to Tartaros Island. Perhaps he was just hallucinating. After all, Swordmaster Theodin had said that the stronger cadets would survive, and this lone swimmer was a testament to that.
Hyoh clenched his fists to his chest and lowered his head as he addressed the cadets, "I apologize for underestimating you all. You are truly remarkable to have made it this far..."
The cadets were taken aback by the sudden change in the instructor's demeanor and thought it was unnecessary. Hyoh's voice carried across the ship as he described the island in detail. He painted it as a den of monsters where survival for even a week was impossible. The air was thick with poison mist from the mountain, making it difficult to breathe. Hyoh also pointed out the looming Tartaros Mountain in the distance.
The Academy of Assassins always collected samples of monsters on the island for experimentation and potion serum production. The monsters on the island multiplied at an alarming rate, particularly in the forest and mountain areas. Moreover, there was an abundance of negative energy emanating from dangerous locations, as though some otherworldly dimension had entered the island. This was just a glimpse of Tartaros Island.
"Next, I will explain the exam. It is a life-or-death test that focuses on two aspects: physical and spiritual. First, we will head to the Monster Holding Area in the middle of the island, the safest place here. There, I will release you to explore the entire island and undergo the Physical Exam."
Hyoh's helmet eyes glowed red, revealing his killer instincts. "For the Physical Exam, you must hunt at least one monster on this island within three hours. The rarer the monster, the higher your score. Any questions?"
Thanistor raised his hand. "Cadet number two hundred and twenty-nine, please," said Hyoh.
"How do we get the monsters to the center of the field?" Thanistor asked. "Dragging them will be painful, and we haven't prepared any tools because we weren't notified in advance."
"Don't worry," replied Hyoh. "In the middle of the field, we have prepared everything you need, including ropes and chains. When you return, use them to tie up the monsters. Any more questions?"
Hyoh observed the cadets, all of whom were silent. He believed they should have a good understanding of what they had studied, including the names of monsters and their criteria. Zain and Karanzo exchanged glances that seemed to emanate clashing energies, while Lucius appeared as grim and impatient as ever to hunt. A mysterious hooded cadet also caught Hyoh's attention, who seemed pleased and stifled a laugh, likely tired of being on the ship for too long.
"I repeat, the judgment is based on the rarity of the monsters you hunt. The rarer your hunting targets are, the higher your value will be in my eyes. You have only three hours to hunt. If you encounter difficulties in fighting the monsters or if your life is in danger, return to the center of the field. I will be waiting for you there and will ensure your safety. However, if you fail to catch any monsters within three hours, you will fail the test. As for the Spiritual Exam, I will give you instructions after the Physical Exam is over. Do you understand?" asked Hyoh.
"Yeah, got it!" replied the cadets in unison.
Hyoh raised his index finger and said, "One more thing. I'll give a bonus to whoever manages to kill the rarest monster on the island. The bonus is that they won't have to take the spiritual exam, and they will have already passed my exams!"
Upon hearing Hyoh's words, the cadets felt relieved, and their competitive spirits were ignited as they aimed to become the strongest. Meanwhile, Fenrius lay alone on the ship's deck while listening to Hyoh. He was only wearing leather armor and had bare hands without any weapons. After swimming for a while, his body felt cramped and in need of a short rest. The sea, fog, and wind failed to cool his hot soul, and he felt as though thousands of weaver ants were crawling around in his flesh and blood.
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Hyoh then ordered all the remaining cadets to follow him into the dense forest, saying, "We won't waste any more time. Let's go to the center of the field."
Fenrius got up and jumped down to join the others from behind, his Draconic eyes blazing like smoldering fire.
***
A fortuitous ray of light pierced through the forest, which was shrouded in darkness. The dimness appeared to linger in the thicket of bushes and even in the tree trunks. Shadowy shapes moved like pendulum bells, swaying tree branches as they followed the cadets. The Miasma mist obstructed their vision, and they did not want to entertain any thoughts about what might lurk in the dark as it could cause their sanity to decline, leading them to hallucinate. However, with the instructor present, they somehow felt secure. The creatures seemed to be wary of the instructor's presence rather than the sheer number of cadets. As they proceeded, a light shone behind the clusters of leaves ahead, revealing a vast field. When they parted the curtain of leaves, they were astonished by the enormity of the field. If one were to estimate its size, it could span about twice of Baron's Amphitheater.
They continued walking until they reached the Monster Holding Area in the center of the field, where they came to a stop before the Tartaros monument featuring a mysterious ancient elven inscription. In the distance, the solitary demon mountain on the island became more discernible, although its upper part remained shrouded in fog, and the sound of chirping crows could be heard emanating from that direction.
The Monster Holding Area is an open and flat terrain where dead monsters are temporarily stored after being hunted and captured. The area is surrounded by a high fence or barrier made of sturdy materials to prevent any escaped monsters from causing harm to the environment. The ground is covered with a layer of dirt or sand to absorb bodily fluids or waste from the captured monsters. Large tarps or sheets are spread out on the ground to assist with organizing and managing the dead monsters. Ravenguards, who are subordinates of Hyoh, patrol the area to ensure that the monsters are securely held and that the area is kept safe and clean. The monsters are later transported from this holding area to the Dawnstrike Fortress for further processing and analysis.
The Ravenguards are known for their expertise in covert warfare and are often dressed in dark, sturdy armor that conceals their identities behind raven masks. Their preferred tactics involve using speed and stealth to stalk their enemies before delivering a lethal killing blow, then disappearing back into the shadows. Despite their small weapons, such as daggers, tasers, tomahawks, claws, and sometimes handguns, they execute their duties with a serious and focused demeanor, always vigilant in their protection of the Monster Holding Area.
Hyoh stood beside the monument, facing all the cadets who were ready to take their exams. The Ravenguards had prepared countless ropes and chains for the cadets, placed next to Hyoh. "Take as many ropes or chains as you need," he reassured them. "They won't run out. We always come prepared for this important test. Remember, the hunt lasts for three hours. Study the monster, understand its strengths and weaknesses, and use your knowledge to capture it. It's better to die trying than to fail."
All the cadets appeared confident and determined as Hyoh gave them his final advice. He turned toward the Tartaros monument and pulled out his timepiece. "The hunt starts now," he declared.
After grabbing the ropes and chains, the cadets swiftly made their way into the forest, fanning out in different directions to begin their hunt. However, Fenrius was running behind schedule and still getting his gear together, causing Hyoh to take notice of him. It was apparent that Fenrius had more ropes and chains than the other cadets. Eventually, Fenrius emerged from the field, strolling calmly with his equipment securely fastened to his back.
As Hyoh thought about cadet number five hundred and sixty-four, he remembered the words of the senior cadets and began to understand. ("So, he's the rumored cadet, huh? He's not carrying any weapons, and I can't sense his spiritual aura. It's strange, but regardless, I can tell that he's a dangerous cadet.")
*
1 hour has passed...
The charming scenery of the light mist, flowing stream, and amber waves of grain seemed like a perfect spot for an ambush. Karanzo had hidden behind the bushes in the desolate forest far to the east, patiently waiting for the beasts to be lured in by the large piece of meat he had prepared. The wind was in his favor, and the scent of the bait spread quickly. In addition to the bait, Karanzo had also readied his secondary weapons, including five throwing knives, three explosives, two swords, a bow, and some arrows.
There was a howling roar from within the swaying forest, causing small animals such as rabbits, deer, and birds to scatter in every direction. The ground shook with the heavy footsteps of something enormous. Peeking out from the bushes, Karanzo slowly drew his sword. A colossal shadow emerged from the forest, revealing a giant lion with a goat on its back and a snake on its tail. The creature fixated its gaze on the bait, and Karanzo's heart skipped a beat. "Chimeras, huh..."
The Chimera charged toward the lump of flesh as Karanzo lit the fire on the rope that was connected to his trap. The flames spread to the rope inside the bait at the same time the Chimera devoured it in one gulp. The Chimera's mouth exploded, and its jaw ripped apart. Karanzo emerged from the bushes as the creature groaned in pain. The gunpowder he had mixed into the meat had worked effectively, and now he no longer had to worry about getting bitten.
Karanzo was facing a perilous situation as he confronted the menacing chimera. He knew that his life was at stake when the creature emitted poisonous fumes from its snake-headed tail, causing his vision to blur and forcing him to retreat. The goat's eyes on the chimera's back glinted with a dangerous glimmer, and the goat spat fire like a flamethrower.
Realizing that attacking the creature head-on was not wise, Karanzo jumped back, searching for a weakness to exploit. However, the combination of poison and fire made the task more difficult than he had anticipated. As he moved, he felt the cold ground beneath his feet and instinctively jumped back twice to avoid an ice tower that had suddenly appeared from the ground.
Karanzo knew that removing the lion's head was not enough to defeat the chimera; the eyes of the goat and the snake were still watching, and the lion's body and legs were still moving. He prioritized eliminating the goat first, as it was the only part that generated deadly magical attacks. Once he did so, his chances of winning would increase significantly, as the Draught of Agony serum he had taken would render the poison and snake bite useless.
As the Chimera lunged forward with its claws, Karanzo realized he was unable to dodge and had to deflect the attack instead. His sword was knocked away, but he still had a spare sword and quickly readied himself to aim for the goat's head. However, as he made his first attempt, the snake's head countered with a poisonous attack, forcing Karanzo to switch tactics and strike at the snake's tail first.
As he shifted his target, the goat's eyes began to glow and suddenly dozens of lightning bolts flashed down from above, causing Karanzo to frantically retreat and dodge to avoid being hit. He quickly realized that this battle was much more difficult than he had anticipated.
As Karanzo struggled against the Chimera, he grew increasingly frustrated with the battle. He knew he needed to come up with a new plan if he was going to defeat the beast. Suddenly, a girl cadet came running toward him and shouted, "Karanzo! Aim for the snake-headed tail! It will paralyze him!"
Realizing the voice belonged to Rin, his childhood friend, Karanzo turned to face her. Rin, the blonde-haired girl nodded her head in response, which helped Karanzo dispel the frontal attack from his mind. With a renewed sense of focus, he quickly grabbed the bow and arrow that was tucked into his back and aimed for the Chimera's goat head.
"I trust you," Karanzo said to Rin as he aimed toward his target.
The Chimera goat opened its beaming eyes as a swift arrow was pulled taut and released, managing to pierce one of its eyes and stop its magic. The man put down his bow, drew his sword, and ran toward the Chimera while its eyes were blind. The Chimera's snakes emitted poisonous fumes that interfered with vision. Not wanting to lose momentum, Karanzo threw his sword like a boomerang, severing the snake's head and leaving the Chimera paralyzed in pain. ("That girl is right, it seems.")
Karanzo picked up the sword that had stuck in the ground, then jumped onto the Chimera's back, slashing the monster goat's head. Blood gushed from the goat's neck like a fountain, and the Chimera's body constantly writhed in agony. For the final strike, Karanzo plunged his sword into the Chimera's heart, ending the monster's suffering. The battle was over, and there was no need to use the Karambit primary weapon and Signs.
Karanzo pulled out his sword, which was covered in blood, and walked over to Rin. "How did you know that the weakness was in the tail?" he asked her.
Rin replied, sounding fretful, "Sheesh! All boys are the same... We spent ten years learning how to analyze monsters, yet none of you remember it now. You prioritize muscles over brains, even though all you need to do is open the monster collection book to see the advantages and disadvantages."
Erina (Rin) Nohana, cadet number 167 from class C, is also known as Erina the Flower. She has snow-white skin with a flower tattoo on her right shoulder, shiny golden hair, and two dark blue beads in her deep eyes. Her hair is styled in a small roll adorned with flowers, a traditional Taiyo hair ornament with a long hairpin, and a cloth hair tie. Rin is a Signer in the village of Shinra, just like Karanzo. And like the samurai and ninja of the Taiyo region, she is also skilled in using katana, shuriken, and secret scroll techniques.
Karanzo sheathed his sword and spoke, "Ten years is a long time for us, lady. Have you found what you were hunting or do you need my help?" He looked past Rin to where a tied-up Kobold corpse lay on the ground.
Rin replied, "Oh, this? I've been doing my own hunting." She dragged the Kobold's corpse toward Karanzo. "You never change, always saving that explosive weapon of yours."
Karanzo responded, "Thanks to you, I don't have to waste knives and explosives. I only use it in emergencies."