Chapter 7: The Hunt Begins
Date: 14-11-400
Continent: Varnokas
Kingdom: Yuravan
City: Astragar
[Commentator's Voice Echoes Across the Colosseum]
"This is no ordinary battle… it's a hunt.
Welcome to Round 2 of the Trial of Vaga — the Wild Beast Hunt!"
"As you all know, the Trial of Vaga consists of six rounds — but only the first round is fixed. From Round 2 onward, the formats are chosen randomly by the high authority — even we don't know them until the moment they're revealed."
"But today, I'm honored to announce that this year's Round 2 will be a full-fledged Wild Beast Hunt! And as for Round 3… well, let's just say, it's not held in a stadium. That's all I can tell you. The rest? Top secret!" [He laughs]
"Now, without further delay, we begin with Match 1 of Round 2!"
[Scene Shift — Astragar Stadium Seating]
Nile checked his entry scroll with a mild frown.
"Third match already? Isn't that a bit early?"
Arnox leaned back in his seat, arms folded.
"For once, I get to watch your fight before mine."
Nile smirked.
"This round's still a competition."
Arnox replied dryly,
"You already showed off everything in Round 1. Both elements, flashy moves... I doubt you've got anything left to surprise."
"Oh?" Nile tilted his head. "I've got someone else with me this time — someone who might surprise you."
Arnox raised a brow.
"So you're planning to make a flashy reveal now?"
[Scene Shift — A Hidden Alley, Near the Arena's Archive Tower]
A girl leaned quietly against a marble wall, eyes closed, ears focused.
From the shadows, muffled voices spoke of Round 3 — something secret, something strange.
Her eyes opened. Without a word, she slipped away, quietly moving through the crowd until she found a seat beside Arnox in the stadium.
[Scene: Stadium — Beast Hunt Round Begins]
Nile stepped onto the battlefield, the arena terrain now transformed into a wild forest simulation filled with hidden dens and roaming beasts.
Arnox shouted with a grin,
"Whoever scores fewer points owes the other a coffee!"
The girl beside him smiled shyly.
"You really love coffee, don't you?"
Arnox blinked, then turned.
"Yeah… wait, who are you? And how do you know that?"
She hesitated, brushing a strand of crimson hair behind her ear.
"I'm Ruby. Ruby Auralith… of the Auralith Clan."
Arnox raised an eyebrow.
"So… you're a traveler?"
"You don't recognize me?" she asked, a little hurt. "And you don't know the Auralith Clan?"
Arnox rubbed the back of his head.
"I know the clan — you guard the unplanned mountain region, right? South of Yuravan. But you... sorry, I'm terrible with remembering faces."
She smiled softly.
"We met three years ago at the Yuravan Royal Fort. I was twelve. You were there with your clan."
"I'm Ruby."
Arnox blinked.
"That long ago? I really don't remember. Sorry."
"You forgot something from just three years ago… classic," she said, laughing.
[Arena — Combat Display]
Nile swiftly moved across the simulated jungle, taking down beast after beast.
"Eighteen wild beasts defeated… 87 points so far!"
Then, without warning, he raised his hand — and the earth cracked beneath him.
From the ground, a large serpent-like beast slithered out, covered in silver-green scales.
Arnox leaned forward, eyes widening.
"So that's his creature… A serpent?"
Ruby studied the field closely.
"He already has it in Water Form… he's incredibly talented."
Arnox smiled.
"Well, what do you expect? He's my friend."
Ruby turned to him, voice serious.
"Arnox… I need to tell you something—"
"Wait—" Arnox cut in with a grin, "Are you into me or something?"
Ruby flushed red.
"W-What?! No! Not even close!"
"Kidding," he chuckled. "Just breaking the tension."
She calmed, folding her arms.
"You're lucky I don't punch you for that."
A brief silence passed before Ruby looked away and whispered:
"...I overheard something about Round 3.
It's not what anyone expects.
And if I'm right—
we won't just be fighting beasts or each other anymore."
The stadium faded to background noise as the weight of her words settled.
To Be Continued…