A-Class Promotion Exam (6)

It was dull and barren. That was the first emotion I felt upon seeing this place.

I picked up a bone rolling on the ground. With just a little force, it crumbled and scattered into dust. It was only natural, but I let out a low murmur of admiration anyway.

'They implemented it perfectly.'

Typically, battles between Awakeners were decided by the level of their strength—their realm. Various factors like ability matchups, tactical experience, or gear luck would ultimately settle the outcome.

But there were two secret weapons called "cheats" that ignored and overturned all those premises entirely.

'The first is the ultimate skill.'

Like Song Junho's overwhelming destructive power or Cheolwangguk's summoning of masses to dominate the battlefield, ultimates came in various forms but could flip the fight if they landed.

And the second was something like the Mental Image Realm that had activated during the beast raid, [Mantle of Demons].

'Simply put, it constructs one's own domain, unfolding a space with special effects.'

Of course, each user's version differed—some even eroded and blended with reality, while others only affected themselves. The details varied, but one thing was certain: they played a crucial role in deciding victory or defeat.

That's why I was impressed.

Mental Image Realms were far harder and trickier to use than ultimate skills, even for experts. Even if activated successfully, maintaining them was exhausting, and properly setting internal laws was no easy feat. In the worst cases, it could backfire spectacularly, weakening the user while empowering the enemy.

But here, the laws of physics were applied flawlessly. Ancient bones weathered at the slightest impact. The flowing sand carried a gritty texture and scorching heat. The fact that these minute details held steady was proof he'd crafted it right.

I quietly clapped for him.

Hwangbo Han, panting heavily, looked at me in confusion. When he didn't get it, I gave him a thumbs-up as well.

His face turned beet red, like a ripe tomato.

"You little shit! I didn't unfold this to get your damn praise!"

Hwangbo Han bellowed in rage, clutching his chest. His eyes turned crimson. Vast mana swirled around his body, slowly dyeing his flesh.

"I told you—I wanted to show you! I made this place so no one would interfere. And to use this technique!"

Red sparks coiled around the ground. Boom-boom-boom! Nine stone statues burst forth, forming a circle around him.

Hwangbo Han's bulk began to swell. Thick black fur billowed dense smoke.

"Behemoth! Lend me your power!!!"

A raging wind whipped up a sandstorm. Moments later, a colossal bear over 20 meters tall revealed its majesty. My jaw ached just looking up at it.

"Grroooaaarrr!"

Bones protruded from the bear's body in grotesque spikes. Its abdomen was split wide open, revealing an empty cavity devoid of organs. Ribs jutted outward from its flanks like thorns.

'Consciousness... you mean that Behemoth he mentioned?'

I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠nodded vaguely, figuring that made sense—

Then a thunderous roar shook the air as a black flash hurtled toward me.

I instantly raised my arm.

Bam! A massive shock rippled through my body. An ear-shattering boom accompanied the beast's enormous paw hurling me far away.

Through the swirling sand, I saw Hwangbo Han on all fours, mouth agape.

Vrrr! Immense power gathered. The space around his maw distorted from the impending strike.

Thud! The shockwave fired as a yellow ring, barreling toward me.

"...Hoo."

I slowly gripped the hilt at my waist. Will flowed through my arm. I coated the blade with minimal mana for reinforcement.

I swung upward sharply, cleaving the strike in half. It harmlessly pounded the sand.

"Kraaaack!!!"

Seeing his strike split, Hwangbo Han charged with full power. Choi Siwoo had finally drawn his sword. Until moments ago, he'd been toying around—this meant he was getting serious. His heart pounded involuntarily.

Power surged into his legs, thighs bulging like they might burst. He leaped high.

Ten elongated claws on his paws crackled with ominous energy. Dark clouds gathered overhead. The world he'd willed into being struck down purple lightning, empowering his claws.

He smashed down with everything he had.

-Boom! An explosion sent sand erupting. The ground quaked and split, revealing bottomless darkness in the fissures.

Hwangbo Han was certain. This sensation, this feedback.

'Got him!'

His all-or-nothing blow had landed. He hadn't been wrong about this guy. No matter what tricks he pulled, in a head-on clash—

-Plack!

"Kwoooong!!"

Hwangbo Han's jaw snapped back. A pathetic yelp like a kicked puppy echoed from his maw.

What the hell? What just hit him?

His massive eyes caught a tiny figure—a rat-sized silhouette. Choi Siwoo, swinging his fist with a grin that said 'this is fun.'

'Th-this is impossible...'

Impossible. Unthinkable. He wasn't just a big punching bag right now. With Behemoth's Blessing, he'd maxed out power beyond his limits.

And this guy sent him flying with a barehanded punch? No skill, no ability?

"No way..."

"That was fun."

I twirled the sword in my hand.

"Let's play again sometime, Bear Boy."

"You... fucking bastard!!!"

A chilling screech filled the air as dozens of sword strikes saturated the area. Sand shattered; remaining beast bones pulverized into powder. The storm of blades whipped up razor winds.

Finally, the space fractured into dozens of shards, crumbling slowly.

The shredded bear vomited massive blood. It scattered like dust, shrinking back to normal size. Finally, clothes in tatters, naked Hwangbo Han rolled on the ground.

The punk had passed out cold, proudly displaying his junk to the world.

My head spun for a second.

This little shit...

"A mental attack at the end? Not bad."

'...Kay. Please don't do that shit.'

With a sigh, I shrugged off my reinforced coat and draped it over him.

"Hoo..."

Next guy's turn now, huh? I turned slowly.

The moment the space shattered, I'd sensed killing intent. I locked eyes toward its source: the tree where Dangmari perched, center mass. Cross-shaped flashes crackled there.

Even from afar, the overwhelming mana sent chills down my spine.

Fwoosh. The pattern on my hand blackened and burned. The intense pain signaling full activation told me Dangmari was going all-in too.

'Ultimate skill.'

I almost laughed in disbelief. No prep stance meant she'd been holding it ready. Even without firing, maintaining that standby drained insane mental stamina—pure willpower territory. I tipped my hat to her tenacity.

'Impressive.'

In that instant, the arrow launched. Space warped around it. The frontal shot rocketed skyward, multiplying exponentially. Near-proliferation levels. Eyeballing it, easily over 500 arrows.

A literal rain of arrows. They soon converged into a single spear-like lance. All destructive force focused on a pinpoint, plummeting straight at me.

"Nice."

I was satisfied. Worth dragging it out and waiting. Both Hwangbo Han and Dangmari had made today a blast.

I crouched low, drawing a quiet breath. Left fist clenched, I slammed it into my chest.

The sudden shock revved my body like an engine. Blood raced through my veins; power surged, nearly blasting away reason.

The technique that failed in the beast raid teetered on the edge of activation.

Cool air on my skin, power surging through my arms, vivid colors piercing my closed eyes. Every sense sharpened crystal clear.

Then, the world fell silent.

Thoughts accelerated; time dilated far beyond normal. That realm which had made me a powerhouse in my past life flickered to life, if only faintly.

I slashed upward at the sky. Sword ki spread, blanketing cold frost. The surrounding forest froze solid, then shattered into pieces.

-!- A brief flash erupted. The spear of hundreds of arrows shattered, snowing down like flakes.

"...Wow..."

Dangmari muttered something between awe and a sigh. She hopped down from the branch.

"Argh, I give, I give. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Can't do more."

She wondered what Choi Siwoo saw in his eyes. Probably something she'd never grasp.

Stretching, a wave of relief washed over her. The guilt, shame, and competitive fire from the fight evaporated in that final strike.

"I lost."

She raised her arms in surrender. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Choi Siwoo approached.

Seeing the sword at her throat, she chuckled nervously.

"So, can you put that away now? This senior hates pain."

"Sure."

"...Huh?"

Dangmari deflated as he sheathed it casually. No worry she'd ambush him—he just yawned, mouth agape.

Anyway, this farce was over.

'The Association should let it slide at this point.'

They weren't idiots. They'd know she and Hwangbo Han had thrown everything they had.

She extended a hand to Choi Siwoo.

"Congrats on passing, junior."

"Huh? Wait, it's over?"

"Yeah? What else? No one's left to fight."

"Hmm...?"

Choi Siwoo shook his head, puzzled. As Dangmari tilted her head too, he suddenly grabbed her hand.

"Huh?"

He yanked her into an embrace.

"?!"

Her face burned. What? Way more aggressive than he looks.

'Seems like an innocent newbie on the outside...'

She swallowed her fluttering emotions.

"Um, junior. Even so, we were just fighting— this is a bit much. Confess properly later, then—"

"—Not that. Shut up and stay quiet. Can't focus."

"...Huh?"

Choi Siwoo frowned. Following his gaze backward, ping!—an object burst from the ground.

That was...

'A grenade?!'

The explosion blurred my vision. I released my hold slowly.

Dangmari, whom I'd shielded, looked up at me.

"Th-thanks—"

I tossed her aside roughly. I felt her dumbfounded stare, but no time to care.

"Hey, you got spotted. Come out."

"......"

A ripple spread across the ground. With a slithering sound, a bushy-haired boy in an oxygen mask and hood rose up. Those dead-fish eyes gleamed.

I met his gaze and slowly opened my mouth.