Chapter 110: Forming a Team for the Second Trial [Bonus - ]
The huge hologram on the side wall was still displaying the rankings of the two hundred and seventy contestants.
Some hunters continued discussing their positions.
Liam remained with Lydia, Emily, and Chuck, watching the activity in the hangar.
Then James took the microphone again.
"Alright, contestants. Now that you know the results of the first trial, we can continue."
The murmurs gradually died down.
James smiled.
"The second trial of the Squad Selection will be..."
He paused briefly.
"THE TRIAL OF UNITY."
The name appeared on the giant screen.
Several contestants began looking at one another.
James continued:
"As its name suggests, this trial is not designed to measure you individually. This time, you’ll need to form teams with other hunters."
Liam immediately looked at Lydia.
’Finally.’
She responded through the system chat.
[Lydia: This one actually seems like a trial made for us.]
Liam smiled.
James slowly walked across the platform.
"What we want to measure this time is something fundamental for any squad: your ability to work alongside other people."
A new image appeared on the screen.
It showed a representation of the enormous hangar transforming into different landscapes.
"During this trial, we’ll simulate different dungeon biomes throughout this entire area. You will have to form groups with other hunters."
Some contestants began murmuring.
James raised a hand.
"All groups will be inside the same simulated dungeon."
The expressions of several hunters changed.
"That’s right. You won’t have an area exclusively for yourselves."
James smiled.
"The monsters will also be simulated. You’ll encounter different creatures throughout the dungeon, and you’ll have to decide how to deal with them."
Liam narrowed his eyes.
’So it’ll be like a real dungeon.’
But James wasn’t finished yet.
"You may interfere with other groups."
The murmurs grew louder.
"You may change groups if you wish."
Some hunters began looking at each other suspiciously.
"And you may act however you deem necessary during this trial."
James paused.
"At the end, the ones evaluating your actions will be the five sub-captains."
The instructor pointed toward the screen.
"There is one main objective."
The words appeared in large letters.
REACH THE END AND DEFEAT THE FINAL BOSS.
"You must reach the end and defeat the final boss."
James smiled.
"How you choose to accomplish that..."
He shrugged.
"...is entirely up to you."
The hangar erupted in murmurs.
The contestants immediately began looking for teammates.
Some approached groups that had already formed.
Others were rejected.
"Sorry, we need someone higher up in the rankings."
"No, thanks."
"You? Seriously?"
"We’re looking for a support."
"We need more offensive power!"
Some hunters even glanced at the rankings still displayed on the wall, comparing names and positions before deciding whom to team up with.
Liam could see several desperate contestants.
Some seemed convinced that it would be impossible to pass the trial alone.
Others, meanwhile, were trying to form enormous groups.
Liam looked to the side.
Robert Hanks was surrounded by hunters.
The gray-haired man remained calm while several contestants stood in line in front of him.
One of them handed him some money.
Robert calmly counted it.
"Alright. I’ll make sure you stay alive."
Another hunter approached.
"How much do you charge?"
Robert smiled.
"Depends on how much you want me to do."
Liam raised an eyebrow.
’He’s selling his services.’
Emily watched the scene.
"I suppose that’s to be expected from him."
Chuck crossed his arms.
"I’m not paying anyone."
Liam laughed.
"Neither am I."
James spoke again.
"Before we begin, you’ll have ten minutes to form your teams."
A huge blue timer appeared in the middle of the hangar.
10:00
The countdown immediately began.
09:59
09:58
The contestants began moving even faster.
Lydia looked at Liam.
’What kind of hunter should we look for?’
Liam thought for a few seconds.
"I’m not sure."
He looked at the different groups.
"Maybe someone who can cover a role that we don’t have."
Lydia nodded.
’Any ideas?’
"We could ask Archie."
Liam searched through the crowd.
"I don’t see him anywhere."
Lydia looked in different directions.
’I could split up and look for him.’
"Maybe..."
But before Liam could finish his sentence, someone approached them.
"Emily!"
Emily turned, and her face lit up.
"Carol!"
A blonde woman approached the group.
Her hair was tied up in several braids, and she wore a tight black leather suit accompanied by a tactical belt filled with small compartments.
Emily smiled.
"Guys, this is Carol. We train together at the gym."
Carol raised a hand.
"Nice to meet you."
Lydia responded cordially.
’Nice to meet you.’
Liam did the same.
"Nice to meet you."
But when Liam looked toward Chuck, he noticed something strange.
The man was looking away.
He was chewing his gum much faster than usual.
Liam frowned slightly.
’Is he nervous?’
Emily didn’t seem to notice.
"Carol, do you want to join us?"
Carol looked at the group.
"All four of you?"
"Yeah. We’re actually looking for at least one more person."
Carol lowered her voice.
"And Chuck won’t mind?"
Emily let out a small laugh.
"Chuck?"
She looked at the man.
"He said he didn’t care who joined."
Chuck continued looking away.
"Yeah."
Emily smiled.
"See?"
Lydia chimed in through the chat.
’I’m fine with it.’
Liam nodded and looked at Carol.
"What’s your Awakening?"
Carol smiled.
"Ah, right."
She opened several compartments on her belt.
Inside were various materials.
A stone.
A small piece of metal.
Wood.
There were even a few fragments Liam didn’t recognize.
Carol took the piece of wood, held it between her fingers, and began squeezing it.
Then the skin on her hand began to change.
The transformation traveled up her arm until it was completely covered.
Her skin took on the rough texture of wood.
Carol smiled.
"I call this Material Coating."
Liam watched in surprise.
"You can transform your body?"
"More or less."
Carol flexed her arm.
"I can take on the properties of the materials I carry with me and use them as a coating."
Lydia immediately responded.
’That looks amazing.’
Carol put the piece of wood back into its compartment.
"Each material has different properties. Wood can be useful for certain things, metal for others, and stone for others."
Liam nodded.
’She can definitely be useful. I think we have a good team.’
Emily smiled.
"Then it’s decided."
Liam extended a hand toward Carol.
"Welcome to the team."
Carol shook his hand.
"Thanks. I’ll do my best not to get in the way."
Chuck finally spoke.
"I don’t think that’ll be a problem."
Liam looked at him again.
Chuck’s voice sounded completely normal.
But he was still chewing his gum far too forcefully.
Emily gave him an amused look.
"Are you sure you’re okay?"
Chuck ignored her.
"How much time is left?"
Liam looked at the timer.
07:42
"We still have time to look for at least one more person."