Tyrin's legs were eating themselves alive, literally. He had no idea who this hooded person was, but he stuck to him like an annoying fly, refusing to let go of him. His legs, despite being able to erase the runes on the ground, were also being affected by the Ender's miasma.
And this damn ape, too. Everything was going so well until the competition started, now even a primitive monster hindered him. As soon as he was about to catch it, the ape started climbing the trees and jumping from one to the other.
"Leave me alone!" Pain stung his back, making him groan and roar at the evil spirit behind him. However, this person kept sending wind slashes his way, even though he had a box of his own.
It was a matter of fact that Tyrin thought about facing this person and snatching the box for himself, but the abnormality of his enemy steered him otherwise. If Tyrin didn't know better, he would have suspected this person to have contracted an Ender himself.
However, this person was someone none of their plans included. Tyrin had a strong suspicion that this person was affiliated with the spy from yesterday, but he was unsure if they were the same or simply belonged to the same organization.
It was a fearsome thing to think about, as he has placed every dream he had on this plan. He was never destined to be favored by the heavens, often called an empty doll by everyone for his looks. He lacked the talent, the connections, and even the brains to rise above others. That's when it whispered to him, promises of power and a glory-filled future. But now, everything was going to ruins because of a single person.
Anger rose in his heart as he thought of how much risk he has taken, how much pain he endured, and how dreams he had planned being ruined by this person.
He decided to stop running and the darkness within him obliged. He sent a spear as dark as the night's sky at the ape, killing it instantly. This was the reason abilities and skills weren't forbidden in the contest since monsters roamed the forest.
The ape was split in half and the box fell between the branches, landing between two twigs and getting stuck there. Tyrin jumped in the air and as he expected, the man was right behind him, persistent in taking him down. However, his haste would bring him down. A spear of darkness was launched from the ground toward him.
The close-proximity made it impossible to dodge, and this spear would eat away the skills, mana, and even abilities to a certain extent. Tyrin grinned as he reached his hand out in the air toward the box, expecting to hear the screams of this insolent fool.
Instead, he heard the hisses of the ender, felt its retreat, and started sweating as the temperature rose in the air. His shadow appeared so prominent as it stretched, revealing a horrifying truth. He glanced behind and his irises dilated as flames filled his view.
His body burned, his skin scorched, and his consciousness buzzed. The blackness tried to help him, but it was only able to extinguish the fire. He fell, helpless, to the ground and the fire burned the tree as well, making the box land a few feet away from him. He opened his eyes in slits as he watched the box with regret, trying to crawl his way there.
His ring buzzed twice; he had already activated two traps. However, there were just a few more steps. However, a foot landed on his back, pushing him to the ground like celestial justice.
"It's over,"
A voice, familiar yet so unfamiliar, spoke behind him.
***
Arthur's fire engulfed the spear, tore it away, and burned Tyrin until his back was charcoal black. He started breathing heavily, the back of his hood burning. Arthur would've felt bad for him if not for the fact Tyrin tried to rob him, endangered his life and was selfish enough to betray his kingdom.
This was the fate of those who sold their souls and morals. Tyrin tried to grab the box, to crawl over to it, but Arthur pushed him to the ground with his foot. He didn't plan on killing him, but to eliminate him.
"It's over," Arthur glanced at the rune next to them, shining ever so brightly in his eyes yet so hidden for the masses. As he was about to kick Tyrin's body to the side, a whistling came from his right. His perception allowed him to sense the change in air pressure and Arthur had to duck instantly. An arrow passed over his head by a few inches.
Arthur sensed several others that he tried to dodge in time. However, one of them struck his shoulder. There was no pain as the arrow passed right through him, only mana seeping through his body, stopping him from moving. It was a paralyzing arrow.
Sliding from behind the trees was a petite figure with a golden hood. Judging by their body frame and curves, it was a girl. As Arthur peered closer, he was able to see golden hair beneath the hood. It took moments to realize this was the fourth princess of the Yalen kingdom.
"He's from the same kingdom as you are, why would you treat him this way?" She said with an imposing self-righteousness, appearing to have witnessed the whole pursuit.
'Damn it, this is not the time for your heroic bullshit.' Arthur gritted his teeth, and his eyes snapped toward Tyrin trying to crawl toward the box. He used his legacy rune and broke free, for a short amount of time, as his hand reached out to push the crawling piece of charcoal toward one of the traps.
Another arrow of paralysis landed on him, and he was delayed for another moment before he broke free. At that moment, however, Tyrin's fingertip touched the box and he disappeared, passing the first round.
Cold anger washed Arthur's body like waves preceding a violent storm. The forest, shadowed by the platform with barely illuminated trees and uneven grounds, felt a lot colder all of sudden.
"You…" Arthur looked at her, stupefied at how someone could bring calamity into their doorsteps. Even at this moment, he had a weird sense of déjà vu. This was familiar, yet not that familiar.
'I've done the same thing before with Erin,' Arthur realized to himself. He hated Erin and would kill him himself if he had the chance, but this wasn't important. He looked at the girl after he stood up, the paralysis wearing off.
'I was so childish,' He realized. 'Playing the hero as if I can decide who was the villain and who was the victim. What kind of arrogance did I have to determine good and bad?'
He couldn't be angry anymore. If he did get angry, it would be toward himself. He played the hero before, getting his nose into other people's business.
He was lucky that Erin was a bastard, but what if he wasn't? What if things were just like now where the other person didn't deserve mercy or saving? What if his actions led to far more dire circumstances because he sought the self-satisfaction of helping others using his newfound strength?
His mind was chaotic. Did that mean he wouldn't help those who need help? However, what right did he have to determine who needs help? Who gave him the right to decide?
He looked silently at the princess before starting to walk away. Somehow, her childishness had taught him a lesson. He never knew what people's reasons were and should never act without knowing.
"Stop! I won't allow you to obstruct others!" She nocked her arrow again, threatening. This time the air changed, and Arthur felt this was not a simple paralysis arrow. He stopped in his tracks; his chaotic mind calmed a bit.
"I have no plans to do such a thing, princess." He said, making her flinch at her identity being revealed. "I had my reasons for this one," He sincerely said but he doubted she would trust him. "Even still, if a fight is what you wish, you'll get hurt." His tone changed into one of threatening.
Her hand trembled slightly, but she lowered it eventually. She started walking toward the black box on the ground while avoiding the runes. Arthur's surprise was genuine at how she was able to evade them, albeit slightly inferior to him.
She disappeared.
Arthur stood there silently, thinking about his earlier realization. After a few moments, he saw some movements in the trees and another figure appeared, a tall one wearing a blue hood. A Halin contestant. He, judging by his body figure to be a robust man, started warily staring at him.
"I seek no fight," He said, hoping the man would understand. "Please go ahead," Arthur gestured toward the box and turned around to meet up with Reece. He felt the teleportation rune activating as his thoughts swirled in his mind.