They all departed at full speed, hurling through pillars, dodging the traps, and utterly demolishing other competitors, Without taking any breaks they rushed through. Like that 30 minutes passed, and everyone was tired from the continuous struggle, they were dripping sweat due to the immense heat of the sun. Ric noticed that and stopped “OK everyone! Let’s take a break for now!”

They all stopped on the pillar, and sat down with a big Thud! Their exhaustion was evident as they were running, fighting, jumping nonstop from pillar to pillar, foe to foe, like they eliminated many other competitors by making them fall, either willingly or unwillingly due to Ric.

“I know all of you are worn out, but be patient. We only have 500 meters left to reach the goal.” Ric exclaimed as he walked around giving instructions to them.

“Even though you are resting, make sure that no more than 2 people are sitting together so that even if we are attacked, all of us won’t be eliminated.”

As Ric was advising them, Suddenly Yota rushed towards Ric and grabbed his collar, His eyes were furious, Fuming with anger as he questioned Ric “Pushing him off is one thing, why did you stab him?! He surrendered! He had no will to fight! So, why?!” his voice reverberated in the atmosphere as he screamed on top of his lungs, After a brief moment of silence Ric answered calmly.

“You need to finish them.”

“Huh?!”

“Yes, you have already experienced it haven’t you?”

“What are you talking about?!”

“Being backstabbed, do you want to experience it again?”

Yota was speechless, unable to refute Ric’s argument as what he said was true, he removed his hand from Ric’s collar in confusion and bewilderment.

“B-but he said that he gave up-”

“Trusting the words of your enemy is carelessness, You need be more cautious Yota.” Ric patted on Yota’s shoulder and continued his walk.

Yota just stood there in confusion, “Is what Ric said true? Do I need to finish off someone who is defenceless? Is there really no mercy in this world?” As he was contemplating his thoughts, Desos called out to him.

“Sir Yota, Are you alright?”

“Huh? O-oh yes, I'm fine…” Yota snapped out of his thoughts and continued.

“Hey Desos”

“Yes?”

“You have seen the world, right? Is the world that merciless? Was what Ric did right? He just pushed off a defenceless person without a reason.” Yota’s voice was shaking as he contemplated Ric’s actions.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“Yes, What Sir Ric said is right, this world is truly merciless.” Desos replied in a serious tone, which left Yota speechless “But, where there is bad, there is also good! There are many good people in this world… like you! And what sir Ric did was not without a reason.”

“What?” Yota was perplexed

“Yes, since I was behind you two, I saw everything…”

[10 Minutes Earlier]

On their way, Ric and others fought many other contestants, some ran away, some got eliminated, and some of them surrendered. The one Yota was fighting also surrendered, he was of the same age as Yota, but he was weak.

“I-I give up, please don’t push me off the pillar!” The boy raised his hands in fear and surrendered.

Yota looked around, moving his head sideways, scanning the surroundings, seeing that everyone was busy in their fights, he let out a sigh of relief and said with a cheerful smile on his face

“Everyone is busy, no one will know what happens to you right?”

The boy named Krem became frightened, seeing the cheerful smile on Yota’s face (which looked quite evil to him), he got scared even more “I-is he gonna torture me? Is he some kinda sadist psychopath?”

“Run” Yota exclaimed

“W-what?”

“Since everyone is busy, no one will come after you, You can get away easily right now.”

“R-really?”

“Yes, now go, I hope we can both pass this exam, and next time when we meet we will be the students of the academy! Bye.” Yota exclaimed cheerfully, then he turned around, activated his fire suit and was ready to jump off to another pillar.

“Is this guy stupid? Well, since you are so naïve, let me give you a lesson.” A wicked smile appeared on his face as he slowly took out a knife and got ready to stab Yota. Yota was unaware of what was happening behind him and got ready, “I can’t cover this much distance with a simple jump, I need to focus.” Since the pillar was somewhat far, he concentrated his energy into his legs, tightened his muscles and as he was about to jump, Krem said

“You shouldn’t trust anyone on a battlefield!”

But Yota couldn’t hear it as he was completely focused and remained in the same position without guarding himself. Seeing this Krem thought “Haha! What an idiot! He believed that I would run away! That stupidity will be the reason you are eliminated!!” Suddenly! Shattering his expectations, a voice reverberated in the atmosphere, which sent chills down his spine.

“Agreed, I also tell him that many times.”

It was Ric, with his incredible agility he suddenly appeared in front of Krem, kicked the knife out of his hand, caught it in the air and stabbed his leg while Yota safely jumped off to another Pillar.

“AAGH!” Krem screamed In pain and agony, His voice reverberated in the atmosphere, piercing the air and reaching Yota’s ears. Yota hastily looked back and saw Blood spurting out of Krem’s leg, rendering him unable to stand as Ric took this opportunity and kicked his abdomen, making him fall from the pillar, eliminating him in the process.

Desos was behind Ric, watching everything from another pillar, knowing this, Ric glanced at Desos and jumped off to another pillar ignoring Yota, and leaving him behind.

[Back To The Present]

“So, That’s what happened…” Desos explained what he saw to Yota as specifically as he could.

“What?! So, Ric did that to save me? Why didn’t he say anything to me then?!”

“Maybe, Sir Ric was testing you?”

“This guy! I will go and ask him right now!”

Yota stood up and approached Ric and exclaimed “Hey Ric! I am sorry about what I said earlier, but why didn’t you tell me that, that guy was trying to hurt me so that’s why you pushed him?”

“Did you ask?”

“What?”

“You didn’t ask me that’s why I didn’t say anything” Ric teased Yota with a smirk on his face.

“Why you!”

“Haha! You are such an idiot Yota.” Ric giggled and teased him before adding “But… I meant what I said, You should watch your back.”

“Ehem! That was a mistake, It won’t happen again.” Yota exclaimed, assuring Ric that it wouldn’t happen again.