Caius Astroweild's POV
Standing before Kyle Astro, I felt a hint of amusement.
It was obvious he was wondering how things had ended up like this.
This poor guy didn't know that I had been personally looking for him… and why?
Simple. He had a large number of points, and among the top ten, he was the weakest in direct combat.
So, using my ability and my knowledge of his behavior from the game, I searched for him across this volcanic field—only to find him here in the end.
Now I looked at him as he drew his daggers and aimed them at me.
I smiled as I tightened my grip on my swords. The essence within my body stirred, and in the next moment, I closed the distance between us.
We exchanged no words. In truth, there was no time for talking—this area would soon be eliminated, so I had to finish this fight quickly and get out of here.
I reached him and swung my sword. Sword and dagger clashed, a metallic ring echoing through the area.
Kyle clenched his teeth."How did you find me?"He finally decided to ask what had been weighing on his mind.
I chose to satisfy his curiosity."Let's just say I have an ability that allows me to scan large areas in an instant."
Kyle was the kind of person who hated it when things went beyond his expectations—especially when his hunting plans failed. Maybe after this, he would start reviewing every step he had taken and doubting everything, like a madman.
Knowing his personality from the game, I decided to spare him the self-reproach he would inevitably put himself through later.
"Don't worry. Your concealment wasn't bad… you were just unlucky that I decided to clear this test."
Kyle shoved my sword aside with his dagger."What nonsense are you spouting, you lunatic?"
I let out a small laugh at his words.
I continued pressing my attacks. I'd admit it—for an archer specializing in long-range combat, he was very good, even excellent, in close combat… but that was where it ended.
My hand moved swiftly, carving a deep gash into his ribs. Kyle let out a painful groan as he staggered backward.
I gave him no room to breathe. I followed up with another strike from my second sword, but he managed to block it. He grit his teeth and struggled to resist, yet it was pointless—he had lost his greatest advantage the moment I closed in on him.
I brought my sword down vertically. He raised his dagger to block, and the blade and dagger collided once more. The force of the blow made his arm tremble—perhaps I was close to breaking it… it didn't matter.
While his hands were occupied blocking my swords, I lifted my leg and drove a kick straight into his stomach. The air burst from his lungs as he was sent flying several meters before barely managing to land on his feet again.
He steadied himself, ready to block another attack, streaks of blood forming at the corner of his mouth.
I walked toward him slowly. Unlike him, I was in excellent condition—both physically and in terms of essence. I still had seventy percent of my essence reserves remaining.
Since the start of the test, I had consumed it with extreme caution. I had even gone through some fights without using any essence at all.
Unlike the others, I chose my battles carefully. I didn't challenge the strong ones. Instead, I focused on groups that were already fighting, waited until they exhausted each other, then stepped in to harvest the fruits of all their hard work… I might gain a few enemies after this test was over.
All of this—why?
Naturally, for the final hour.
The others didn't know what the final area would be like, but I did.
I stood before the already broken Kyle as he struggled just to remain standing.
Unfortunately, I didn't have much time. I stepped forward and carved another wound into his body. Kyle clenched his teeth and thrust his dagger toward my heart. I raised one sword and knocked the stab aside, then used the other to sever his knee, sending him crashing to the ground.
He gritted his teeth and tried to get up, but I kicked him, making him roll through the volcanic soil.
"W-who… are you?"He asked through bloodstained teeth.
I stepped closer and placed my sword against his neck."Just someone who wants to live."
With those words, my sword moved, and Kyle Astro was eliminated.
I heard the faint chime of my watch and raised my wrist.
Remaining Time:[1:09:19]
Points:3394
Top Ten Rankings:
1.Elliot Sivrax [3621]2.Caius Astroweild [3394]3.Leona Starlin [3386]...
Only nine minutes remained before the area would be eliminated. Without delay, I began moving toward the pillar of light, now closer than ever.
As I ran, I thought about the fight I had just had with Kyle Astro.
It felt strange—fighting people you once only saw behind a battered computer screen. It reminded me of a question I had asked myself many times since regaining the memories of my past life.
What is this world?
It definitely wasn't a game—that much I was certain of. How could a game contain an entire world, unless the players themselves were beings beyond imagination?
I pushed the thought aside and focused on the path ahead. There was no point in pondering philosophical questions right now.
I ran, racing against time. Along the way, I saw several others rushing in the same direction. Unfortunately, I couldn't stop to eliminate them—doing so would risk my own elimination—so I simply passed them by and left them behind.
With every step forward, the pillar of light drew closer… and then, finally, I saw it.
The final area.
Unlike all the harsh terrains we had passed through, the final area was a massive circular arena, seemingly the size of dozens of football fields. Its surface was flat, made of special concrete, and from its center rose the light that had guided us here.
I saw dozens of people already inside, while several battles erupted across the arena.
At last, my feet crossed into the arena. Behind me, gray fog surged upward, swallowing the volcanic terrain and eliminating those who were too late.
"That was close," I muttered.
When the previous area was eliminated, the pillar of light extinguished and vanished, announcing the start of the final round of this test.
I swept my gaze across the crowd. There were around a hundred people—perhaps slightly more—and all of them were loaded with precious points.
Some were in groups, others alone, but they all shared one thing in common.
They were exhausted and drained. Only a few were still in good condition.
In this arena, the last-place contender could rise to first, while those who had dominated the top ranks throughout the test could fall.
I smiled broadly as I tightened my grip on my swords.
My essence surged, and I activated my ability, sensing every soul within a radius of 200 meters.
Now… it was time to harvest.
This time, I would give everything I had, without any hesitation.
The essence I had saved for this moment surged through every inch of my body. I felt my muscles contract violently and harden, veins bulging as my heartbeat accelerated.
Then, in the next instant… I felt it.
A pitiful soul heading straight toward me.
And the first one I would begin this show with.