Chapter 7 (edited)
When Arthur opened his eyes, he found himself in a dense, ancient forest—its towering trees rose into a canopy that blocked the sky.
It wasn't real, of course. Even if he died here, he'd simply be ejected from the simulation.
But the beasts? The danger? The competition?
All of that was very real.
Arthur climbed a tree swiftly, his footwork light and precise. He reached a high branch and scanned the forest. A moment later, his instincts flared.
Danger.
He leapt sideways just as something rustled below. His eyes narrowed—there it was: a crimson-furred monkey with violet eyes and a single horn.
[Skill Activated: Appraisal]
• Name: Crimson Horned Simian
• Level: Mana Circuit Opened – 8
The beast lunged.
Arthur drew his sword and decapitated it midair with a single clean stroke.
His tournament watch blinked: +35 Points.
Without pausing, he moved on, leaping from tree to tree like a silent ghost.
This round was simple: hunt monsters for points.
Top scorers advance.
Time limit: 6 hours.
Suddenly, a low guttural sound "Hirk!" echoed from the north.
Arthur crouched, hidden behind leaves, eyes narrowing. In the distance: a goblin village. Dozens of them, armed and alert.
He counted at least thirty-five 8th mana circuit and other five radiated the pressure of 9th mana circuit openers.
Before he could act, a voice called out.
"Oye! Kid! What are you doing up there?"
Arthur glanced sideways. A boy stood at the base of the tree, arms crossed.
"Who are you?" Arthur asked, voice sharp.
The boy smirked. "Julien Reinhart. You're Arthur Valerian, right?"
Arthur didn't reply.
"My father's Count Reinhart. One of the Five Counts. Heard of the Spear of Flame?"
Arthur gave a nod. "Why are you here?"
"Saw you staring at that village. Planning to raid it?"
Arthur tilted his head. "Come up and see."
Julien climbed with ease and whistled.
"Damn, that's a lot of points "
"Too many strong ones," Arthur replied coolly. "Five 9th circuits."
Julien shrugged. "If I went all out, I could manage. Barely."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. Went all out?" The boy is hiding something.
Still, he had no intention of sharing kills. "I don't need help."
Before Julien could argue, Arthur vanished.
He struck the first goblin in the watchtower, then dashed through the camp like a blade of wind. Steel flashed—goblins dropped. No wasted movements. No hesitation.
Alarms rang. Goblins charged. Arrows flew.
Arthur activated [Lightning Step]—his footwork blurred. He danced between attacks, slicing arrows mid-air, disarming enemies in single swings. Goblins fell by the dozen.
Then came the real threats.
A fireball roared from the chieftain's tent. Arthur dodged, then spun—three elite goblins appeared: one with twin swords, one with a massive shield, and a goblin shaman glowing with cursed tattoos.
All three were 9th circuit openers.
And behind them, two more elite guards emerged from the cave at the village's edge. Their presence alone made Arthur's breath hitch. Possibly about to form their core.
Arthur smiled faintly. "Now this is worth my time."
He charged.
The twin swordsman met him first—fast, precise. But Arthur's mastery of [Thousand Sword Strikes]overwhelmed him. His blade became a storm.
The shield-bearer lunged. Arthur sidestepped, kicked off the shield, flipped, and drove his sword straight into the creature's throat.
The shaman chanted—bolts of black fire rained down.
Arthur slashed upward, splitting the magic with glowing silver. He was using sword aura now, the faint outline of his will shaping each attack.
From a distant branch, Julien's eyes widened.
"He's using… Sword Aura?"
A voice echoed from the ring on Julien's finger.
"Interesting… Mastering sword aura at just 9 circuits. Rare."
"Is that even possible in the Upper Realm?" Julien whispered.
"It is. But not common even there. That boy… he's dangerous."
Julien narrowed his eyes.
Below, Arthur sliced through two more elites. The last goblin leapt forward with a greatsword.
Their blades clashed. Mana exploded.
Arthur slid under the strike, pivoted, and drove his sword upward—a perfect killing blow.
+1000 Points.
Silence followed.
Julien stared down at the battlefield. One boy had done all this… alone.
Arthur turned back once. Their eyes met.
"He's more than he appears," Arthur thought. That pressure… it wasn't normal. He's not an ordinary noble brat. And that voice in his ring—it wasn't from this world."
"Fuck this world is dangerous"
Without a word, Arthur turned and melted into the forest shadows, his sword dripping with mana and silent judgment.