Chapter 125: The Trial of Judgment [3]
The shadows continued approaching.
They grew larger with every passing second.
At first, they could barely make out their silhouettes through the dust kicked up by the wind, but now they could hear their footsteps pounding against the ground.
THUD. THUD. THUD.
Screeches mixed with deep growls that made the civilians tremble.
Liam remained still, watching the horizon.
’So these are the monsters that attacked them.’
He still couldn’t make them out clearly.
But someone stepped forward.
Duncan Steel.
The hunter positioned himself in front of the group, a calm smile on his face.
Then he slightly turned his head toward Liam.
"I like the way you think."
Liam looked at him in surprise.
Duncan continued.
"In fact, I think you just motivated me."
He pointed toward the horizon.
"I’m going to be the one who destroys the core and finishes this third test."
Some of the hunters standing beside Liam exchanged glances.
Duncan looked at them.
They were the ones who had hesitated when Liam decided to stay behind and protect the civilians.
"If any of you want to come with me, you can."
Duncan crossed his arms.
"Right now, everyone here is part of the same group."
His words made several hunters look up.
"But we have to split into two."
Duncan pointed at Liam.
"Those who want to stay with this man will protect these civilians. And they must be willing to give their lives for them."
Some of them looked surprised.
Duncan didn’t even change his expression.
"Even if they’re just simulations."
Liam watched Duncan in silence.
The hunter turned his gaze back toward the horizon.
"Those who want to follow me, on the other hand, will give their lives to destroy the core."
Then he smiled.
"But don’t get confused."
Duncan extended a hand toward both groups.
"We’re still one team."
For a moment, no one answered.
Liam smiled.
’The top three in the rankings...’
Now he understood why someone like Duncan had managed to climb so high in the rankings.
He didn’t need to think exactly the same way Liam did.
He had simply understood the purpose behind Liam’s words.
Liam turned toward his own group.
"I won’t be upset if any of you decide to go with Duncan."
Emily looked at him.
"Really?"
"Of course."
Liam nodded.
"This is part of the test, too. Everyone has to make their own decisions."
Emily crossed her arms.
"Then I’m staying."
Carol raised a hand.
"Me too."
Jordan popped a chip into his mouth.
"I’d rather stay here."
Chuck smiled.
"You already know I’m not leaving."
Liam looked at them one by one, a smile appearing on his face.
"Thank you."
Lydia, who remained beside him, smiled as well.
"Thank you, everyone."
Emily looked at the small slime.
"You don’t have to thank us, Lydia."
Chuck nodded.
"Exactly. After all, someone has to look after these poor civilians."
Jordan pointed at the wounded.
"And besides, staying here seems a lot more comfortable than running after Duncan."
Chuck burst out laughing.
"I don’t think comfortable is the right word."
◇◆◇
While the group talked, the other hunters continued making their own decisions.
Some looked at Duncan, while others watched Liam.
Finally, one of them stepped toward Duncan.
"I’ll go with you."
Another followed.
"Me too."
Little by little, several hunters began splitting off.
Liam recognized some of their faces.
They were hunters who had helped during the second test.
The young man who could manipulate air between his hands hesitated for a few seconds.
Finally, he took a deep breath.
"I think I’ll go with Duncan."
The woman in the green suit also stepped forward.
"Me too."
Liam nodded.
"Don’t worry."
Both of them looked at him.
"I’m not offended."
Liam smiled.
"In fact, I think Duncan’s idea is pretty good."
He looked at both groups.
"If we can accomplish both objectives at the same time, even better."
The young air-user seemed to relax.
"Thank you."
"You don’t have to thank me."
Liam waved a hand.
"Go."
Then a lazy voice interrupted.
"I’m staying."
Everyone looked at Carl.
The hunter shrugged.
"I’m too lazy to go."
Chuck looked at him strangely.
"That’s your reason?"
"Yep."
Carl yawned.
"I’d rather stay here."
Chuck started laughing.
"You’re definitely weird."
"I get that a lot."
◇◆◇
Duncan looked at Ivy.
"Then it’s settled."
Ivy nodded.
"Yeah."
They both prepared themselves.
Duncan slightly bent his knees.
Ivy extended one hand forward.
"Let’s go."
The two of them began running.
Straight toward the shadows.
BOOM!
Duncan was the first to make contact with the creatures.
A powerful blow sent one of them stumbling backward.
Ivy raised both hands, and thick vines burst from the ground, trapping several other creatures and hurling them to the side.
"Now!"
The hunters who had decided to accompany them began running behind them.
The formation moved forward.
Some attacked from a distance.
Others dealt with the creatures that managed to get too close.
Within seconds, Duncan and Ivy were surrounded by the first wave of shadows.
But they didn’t stop.
They continued moving forward.
Farther and farther away.
The other hunters followed them.
Until their figures began disappearing into the dust.
Liam watched the group leave.
’I hope they can find that core.’
Around him, the civilians began to react.
A woman slowly approached.
"Thank you..."
Her voice trembled.
"Thank you for staying with us."
Another man nodded.
"I thought everyone was going to abandon us."
Liam felt a strange pressure in his chest.
’Even though I know they’re simulations...’
He couldn’t help but be affected.
Those people seemed genuinely terrified.
Genuinely injured.
Genuinely grateful.
Liam took a deep breath and looked at his group.
"Get ready."
His tone had changed.
He was no longer smiling.
Emily immediately assumed a combat stance.
Carol grabbed one of the materials from her belt.
Chuck stopped playing with his gum.
Jordan quickly finished eating.
Carl sighed.
"I guess we’re not going to get a peaceful break."
"Doesn’t look like we’re that lucky."
Liam drew his pistol.
The sounds of battle could still be heard in the distance.
BOOM!
CRASH!
GROOOAAAR!
Duncan and his group had disappeared into the dust storm.
But that didn’t mean the danger had disappeared.
Quite the opposite.
The screams could still be heard, getting closer and closer.
So could the growls.
Liam looked up.
The shadows were no longer mere silhouettes.
Now he could see them.
They were humanoid creatures.
Their bodies were covered in thick fur.
They walked on two legs, but their movements were much faster than Liam had expected.
They had long, muscular arms.
Large fangs protruded from their mouths.
And their eyes...
They were completely red.
One of the creatures let out a roar.
"GROOOAAAR!"
The civilians began screaming.
The creatures sped up.
They were coming straight toward them.
More and more appeared through the dust.
Liam aimed his pistol forward.
Emily moved to his side.
Carol and Jordan positioned themselves behind the group to protect the civilians.
Chuck prepared to throw one of his knives.
And Lydia remained beside Liam.
"I’m ready."
Liam gritted his teeth.
The wind began blowing hard again.
Dust partially obscured the battlefield.
And the creatures, with their red eyes and enormous fangs, continued charging toward them.