As the clerk led me deeper into the guild, my steps echoed faintly in the dim hallway. The air grew colder, the light dimmer, and my nerves sharper. I tried to sound casual— masking my nervousness— as I asked, "So... what exactly do I have to do in the examination?"
He glanced back at me with a raised brow, clearly a little surprised by the question. "Well, of course, you have to fight a monster. Based on how you perform, we'll assign your rank." Then, as if switching gears, he flashed an encouraging smile and added, "No need to worry, sir. I'm sure you'll do just fine," giving me a cheerful thumbs-up like he was my biggest supporter.
Wait— did I give him too much money? Isn't the change in attitude too much?
Before I could dwell on that, he continued, voice light and reassuring, "Since you're taking the basic-level exam, the requirements aren't too demanding. You just need to survive for one minute—even if you don't kill it. The monster is a low-level one and we've also got a healer on standby, so don't panic. Just give it your best!"
A flicker of hope stirred in my chest. "Oh, I see. Thanks."
"Don't mention it, sir. I'll be going back to the counter now. All the best." he replied as he lightly patted my shoulder and turned to leave.
---
The arena wasn't some grand, awe-inspiring coliseum— it was brutal and utilitarian. A wide stretch of dirt, enclosed within tall stone walls reinforced with glowing magical barriers, to prevent monsters from escaping. The ground was scarred with claw marks and stained with old, dark patches—unmistakably blood.
A single row of stone benches overlooked the arena from a raised platform. Two figures sat there, watching with impassive eyes. Judges, most likely.
I stepped into the ring, the heavy iron gate clanging shut behind me.
I turned to look at them, Wait, they are locking me? What if I want to quit halfway?
This is insane. What was I thinking? How am I suppose to confront a monster? Even if doesn't kill me, I don't want to be injured. Maybe I should've just ran away without an ID?
I forced myself to take a deep breath, pushing back the fear clawing at me.This is not the time to doubt myself.
No need to panic. I just need to survive for a minute. Run around, dodge, and they'll end the fight. I'll get the lowest rank, but I'll get my ID. And then— I can disappear. It's a solid plan. I can do this.
But when the buzzer echoed through the arena and the gate on the far side creaked open, all those thoughts shattered.
The monster that emerged was nothing like the 'low-level' creature I had expected.
It was the size of a wolf, with sleek black fur bristling like razors. Its red eyes locked onto me with predatory precision, glowing with bloodlust. Muscles rippled beneath its skin as it crept forward, its claws clicking against the stone floor.
Then— it charged.
I barely had time.
Instinct took over. I thrust my spear forward, but the attack was clumsy. The beast dodged effortlessly, letting out a furious growl that sent a chill down my spine.
Run? Too late. Its speed was monstrous, faster than I had imagined. My plan was flawed from the start. There was no escape, no way to delay my approaching doom.
I began to retreat, each step slow and calculated, trying to maintain just enough distance between us. A desperate strategy took shape in my mind — keep it at bay, lure it into a predictable charge, then drive the spear straight into its eye the moment it lunges.
Then it came.
The beast's muscles coiled like a spring, and in the blink of an eye, it launched forward with terrifying speed.
I braced myself, tightening my grip on the spear and focusing everything on the perfect moment to strike.
But I was too slow.
A flash of pain tore through my thigh— hot, sharp, and blinding. Its claws had raked deep into my flesh, and I crumpled to the ground with a strangled cry, blood already pooling beneath me. The cold air bit into the open wound, and every nerve in my body screamed in agony. My strength faltered, and a creeping darkness tugged at the edges of my vision.
Above me, the beast snarled— its maw open wide, fangs glinting, saliva dripping, eyes fixed on my exposed neck.
But just before those fangs could tear into me, everything shifted.
Time seemed to freeze. The world blurred at the edges. My vision dimmed, not from pain or fear, but from something… otherworldly. Then, like a whisper carried on windless air, a phrase echoed through my mind. The words were strange— ancient, alien— utterly unfamiliar. I didn't know their meaning, didn't know their origin. And yet, something deep inside urged me to respond.
I didn't speak aloud. I didn't need to.
I recited them in my mind, instinctively, as though they were etched into my very soul.
For a brief moment, the world held its breath.
And then— everything changed, I felt the air shift.
The weight pinning me down vanished. The snarling, bloodthirsty beast was simply… gone. No corpse. No sound. No remnants of a struggle. It was as if reality had blinked and erased it from existence.
I lay there, gasping, my chest heaving as I stared at the empty space where death had been just a second ago.
What… just happened?
But there was no time to think.
The pain surged back, overwhelming and raw. My vision blurred once more. Darkness swallowed me, and I finally lost consciousness.