Chapter 114: The Trial of Unity [4]
The top of the simulated mountain had become an improvised refuge.
Liam stood near the center, watching the injured hunters while Lydia continued applying her [Healing Growth].
The aloe covered the most serious wounds and was slowly beginning to close the cuts.
The woman who had fallen from the mountain was there as well.
She had managed to recover after receiving Lydia’s treatment and was now sitting alongside the others.
A few feet away, the four hunters who had accompanied Robert Hanks were tied by their hands and legs.
The ropes were made of slime.
Lydia had used her [Split Slime] to create small pieces of her body and turn them into thick restraints with her [Harden] ability.
Robert was also incapacitated.
Although that didn’t seem to be enough.
Jordan continued holding him with both hands.
The enormous man kept him trapped against his body.
Liam crossed his arms.
"So, what do you think is going to happen?"
Robert raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"If you eliminate the competition."
Liam gestured around them.
"Do you really think taking out other hunters will make you climb higher in the rankings and, therefore, increase your chances of being chosen for a good squad?"
Robert burst out laughing.
"It makes sense."
He looked toward the other hunters.
"There are two hundred and seventy of us. And the weakest ones are already gone."
He shrugged.
"The ones who couldn’t handle the pressure or simply couldn’t get through the first trial."
Chuck, who was sitting on a nearby rock, raised an eyebrow.
"But that doesn’t make sense."
Robert looked at him.
"What doesn’t?"
"Wanting to climb higher in the rankings."
Chuck pointed at Robert.
"You’re already fourth."
Robert smiled.
"I’m fine with that. But the idiots who paid me also need to climb."
Liam looked at the four tied-up hunters.
"Or at least that was the idea."
Robert smiled.
"Now I don’t care."
He looked toward the four hunters.
"If they’re not even capable enough to deal with a couple of weak hunters, then they don’t deserve to be here."
Jordan tightened his arms.
The hardened fat around his body closed more tightly around Robert.
"Ugh!"
Robert grimaced in pain.
Jordan increased the pressure even more.
"Does it still feel funny?"
Robert began laughing.
"Ha... ha..."
The pressure increased.
"This is like getting a massage."
Jordan’s eyes widened.
"What?"
Robert laughed again.
"A pretty strong one."
Liam sighed.
"Robert."
The man stopped laughing for a moment.
Liam pointed toward the four hunters.
"This Selection isn’t about climbing some damn ranking."
Robert raised an eyebrow.
"It isn’t?"
"No."
Liam looked toward the others.
"This trial is literally called the Trial of Unity."
He gestured toward the surrounding terrain.
"We’re supposed to work as a team."
Robert let out a small laugh.
"What a nice speech."
Liam ignored the comment.
"If you don’t understand that, then you’ve already lost."
At that moment...
RUMBLE.
The ground began to shake.
Everyone froze.
RUMBLE...
The mountain shook again, and small rocks began falling down the slope.
Carol raised her head.
"What was that?"
Liam looked around as cracks began appearing in the ground.
The sound of the mountain breaking apart echoed across the entire summit.
Then a message appeared before Liam’s eyes.
[Danger]
Liam felt a chill.
"A simulated monster must be approaching."
Everyone looked at him.
"Get ready."
Robert burst out laughing.
"Then you’re going to have to release me sooner or later."
The injured hunters exchanged glances.
One of the women who had been attacked by Robert stepped toward Liam.
"Don’t release him, please."
Liam looked at her.
Robert smiled.
"Did you hear that?"
Liam turned his gaze toward him.
"If you promise not to get in the way and to participate in the fight if necessary, we’ll release you."
Robert laughed.
"You’re pretty damn stupid if you trust someone who just attacked you."
Liam didn’t respond.
The four tied-up hunters began speaking.
"We also..."
One of them swallowed.
"We’re sorry about everything."
Another quickly nodded.
"Really. If you untie us, we’ll help in the fight."
"Yes."
"Please."
"And if you don’t want to trust us, at least protect us."
Robert laughed again.
"They’re all mediocre."
The four lowered their heads.
CRACK.
Another crack appeared in front of them.
RUMBLE.
The mountain shook again.
Lydia looked at Liam.
"Darling, you have to decide."
Her voice sounded more serious than before.
"We don’t have much time."
Liam looked at Robert.
Then he looked at the four hunters.
"Jordan."
The enormous man raised his head.
"Don’t let go of Robert."
"Got it."
Liam looked at Lydia.
"Darling, release the other four."
Emily’s eyes widened.
"Are you sure?"
Liam nodded.
"We have no idea what’s coming."
He looked toward the edge of the mountain.
"We need all the help we can get."
Chuck blew a bubble with his gum.
POP.
"I agree."
Everyone looked at him.
Chuck continued chewing calmly.
"I think Liam made the right call."
He stood up and walked toward the edge.
"I think we’re going to need all the help we can get to deal with whatever is climbing up."
Carol frowned.
"What’s climbing up?"
Chuck didn’t answer. He simply pointed downward.
Carol approached.
Lydia took Liam’s hand.
The other hunters slowly moved closer.
Everyone looked over the edge of the mountain.
And then they saw it.
"What the hell...?"
Dozens of enormous creatures were climbing up the mountain.
They were humanoid.
But much larger than any normal human.
They had muscular bodies, greenish skin, and enormous arms.
Some carried crude weapons.
Others simply used their hands to dig into the rock and continue climbing.
Liam narrowed his eyes.
"They look like orcs..."
The creatures continued climbing.
One of them slammed its enormous fist into the mountain.
BOOM!
The rock shook, and more cracks appeared.
Emily gritted her teeth.
"They’re huge."
Chuck stopped chewing for a second.
"This doesn’t look like an easy trial."
Jordan smiled.
"Finally!"
Lydia extended her hands.
The slime ropes began to move.
The small green masses holding the four hunters in place detached from their bodies.
Then they returned to Lydia.
Each fragment fused back into her body.
The four hunters slowly stood up.
One of them rubbed his wrists.
"Thank you."
Another bowed.
"We’re really sorry."
"Yeah. We shouldn’t have..."
One of the injured hunters approached and helped one of the newly freed men to his feet.
"Now isn’t the time to apologize."
The hunter looked at him.
"Huh?"
The man pointed toward the orcs.
"There’s a reason we’re in the Trial of Unity."
He looked at the others.
"Get ready to fight."
The four exchanged glances and nodded.
One after another, they took combat stances.
Emily raised her fists.
Carol prepared her metallic arms.
Chuck drew his knives.
Lydia stood beside Liam.
And Liam watched as the creatures continued approaching.
Meanwhile, Robert remained trapped between Jordan’s arms.
He looked at all the hunters and began laughing.
"You’re all idiots."
Liam looked at him.
Robert smiled.
"Do you really think forming a group like this is going to make you stand out?"
He laughed again.
"None of you are going to stand out like this."
Jordan frowned.
"I can’t stand this guy."
Before Robert could continue, Jordan covered his mouth with one enormous hand.
"Mmmph!"
Robert’s eyes widened.
Jordan sighed.
"Much better."
Liam couldn’t help but smile.
But his smile disappeared when he heard another roar.
ROOOOOAAAR!
One of the creatures finally reached the summit.
The orcs began climbing over the edge of the mountain.
Liam clenched his fists.
’’So this is the real challenge.’’
Liam stepped forward, drawing his pistol.
"Get ready."
The creatures raised their weapons.
"Because if we want to get out of here..."
Liam smiled.
"...we’re going to have to do it together."