Chapter 12: The Hunters Test

  “He got bitten by a snake!”

  Aspen panicked and looked around desperately.

  “What should I do…” His voice shook.

  “Okay… relax. First aid. First aid…”

  He ripped a piece of cloth from his sleeve and tied it slightly above the wound.

  “This should prevent the poison from spreading further…”

  His hands trembled as he tightened the knot.

  The boy’s skin had already turned pale blue.

  “It’s getting worse…” Aspen whispered, panic rising again.

  “Aahh! Sitting here won’t help! Think, Aspen, think!” he squeaked.

  He turned and spotted his herb basket.

  Immediately, he grabbed it, dumped everything onto the ground, and started digging through the pile.

  “Please… please something should be useful…”

  His eyes widened as he picked up a broad, oval leaf.

  “Lancernale! Mia told me once - it slows poison spread!”

  He clutched it like a lifeline.

  “I can use this…”

  Without wasting even a second, he crushed it with a stone until it turned into a soft paste.

  “It won’t stop the poison completely… but at least it’ll buy him time…”

  He tore another piece from his sleeve, pressed the paste gently onto the wound, bandaged it, then lifted the boy onto his back.

  “Hang in there…” he muttered and sprinted toward the hospital.

  _ _ _

  He burst inside and handed the boy over to the doctors.

  Just as he turned to leave, something tugged his shirt.

  He looked back.

  It was the boy—weak, eyes half-open.

  “Thanks, brother…” he murmured softly.

  Aspen’s expression softened.

  He held the boy’s tiny hand and squeezed gently. “Don’t worry. You’re safe now.”

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  He went to settle the bill just as the boy’s parents rushed in, panic all over their faces.

  When they heard what happened, they thanked him over and over, even tried to give him money.

  Aspen shook his head with a small smile and walked out.

  “Huuuuh… today was tough.”

  He exhaled and looked up at the pink-blue sky, birds flying home.

  “I’m glad I chose this job,” he murmured, smiling to himself.

  Then—

  he suddenly froze.

  “I… forgot my herbs basket at the hill…”

  He groaned and went to retrieve the basket.

  The next day…

  “Ryl!” Aspen yelled. “Wake up! Today is the hunters test!!”

  Ryl, buried in his blanket like a terrified rabbit, peeked out and whispered.

  “No… I don't want to be a hunter…”

  “You're grown up, Ryl! Don't act like a silly child!” Aspen said, tugging the blanket.

  “I DON’T WANT TO DIE!!”

  “It’s just a test! Not an execution!"

  “NO!! I DON’T WANT TO GET EATEN BY UGLY BEASTS!!”

  Aspen dropped the blanket with a tired sigh.

  “Last chance. Either you walk on your own, or I drag you. And you know I can.”

  “You can't do that!”

  “Oh yes. I can.”

  Ryl gritted his teeth, defeated.

  “...Fine.”

  _ _ _

  At the registration counter…

  “Hello! We’re here for the hunters test.” Aspen said.

  “Please place your hand on the mana orb.” the worker instructed.

  The orb hovered in the air, glowing a soft misty blue.

  “It checks your mana presence and amount. It’s required for you to become spirit wielders in the future.”

  Aspen and Ryl placed their hands one by one.

  The orb shone brightly.

  The worker handed them the registration forms.

  Ryl leaned closer and whispered, “Aspen, are you putting your real name?”

  “Yes?”

  “You shouldn’t use your second name - Everard!” Ryl hissed.

  “What if someone who knew your father sees it? You’ll be doomed!”

  “I’ll just write Aspen, then.”

  “You could,” Ryl said, nodding seriously.

  “But it’s better not to take risks. Change your name.”

  Aspen hesitated. “…Then what name should I use?”

  Ryl puffed out his chest proudly.

  “Don’t worry! I already thought of it!”

  Aspen sighed. “Okay… what is it?”

  “Aren. Like Aspen - but I added the R from Ryl!”

  Aspen stared at the paper for a moment.

  “…Not bad.”

  “Then about appearance?”

  “That would not be a problem.” Aspen said, filling in the details.

  “Since my father only hunted near our home town, no one knows him and... he hates to be recognised.”

  As they submitted their forms and turned—

  BAM!

  Someone bumped into Ryl, knocking him down.

  “Watch where you’re going!!” he snapped.

  The boy looked down at him with cold blue eyes. Tall. Jet-black hair.

  Dead serious expression.

  He bowed silently and went to register his name.

  The moment he touched the orb—

  FLASH.

  The orb glowed so brightly people covered their eyes.

  Aspen and Ryl stared, jaws open.

  The worker handed him his form without blinking.

  He glanced at their expressions and sighed.

  Ryl peeked at his form—

  Name: Dior Valen

  “...Dior Valen…” he mumbled.

  “He's cool…” Aspen whispered.

  Ryl huffed. “The orb definitely broke…”

  _ _ _

  The participants gathered in a wide, sun-baked clearing, the dirt packed firm under countless boots.

  Wooden markers and fluttering banners ringed the area, and the murmur of nervous chatter hung in the air like a buzzing cloud.

  Some kids stretched, some shook in place, and a few looked like they desperately wanted to run back home.

  Aspen glanced around, certainly looking for someone.

  “Where's he…?”

  Then an old man walked up on the stage—long beard up to his chest, his posture straight despite his age, a cane in his hands and eyes like steel.

  He raised his hand.

  Silent filled the area instantly.

  “Welcome to the Hunters test!”

  His voice echoed strongly.

  “Today, you will prove not only your strength, also your spirit. You’ve shown your courage by applying, so let your efforts shine. And I pray for your victory.”

  An instructor stepped forward.

  “This is round one. You will be sent to the low-rank beasts forest and your goal is to collect mineral stones from the beasts you defeat.

  And the rules you have to follow are—

  1. Collect at least fifteen stones.

  2. The time limit is six hours.

  3. Do not attack fellow participants.

  4. Do not cross the boundary or you will be eliminated.

  5. If you wish to give up, tear the teleport paper.

  6. We are not responsible for your death.

  These are the rules. Follow them accordingly.”

  Tension thickened.

  Several participants turned pale.

  Aspen inhaled deeply.

  “Collecting stones… I think I can do it.

  I've done it since I was a kid so… it should not be a problem.”

  He glanced around again.

  “...Where did this idiot go?”

  Ryl was leaning against a post, chatting up a girl who looked two seconds away from punching him.

  “So, what do you say?” he said, slicking back his hair. “If I pass—will you go out with me?”

  “In your dreams,” the girl snapped.

  “I promise it’ll be fun!! Just one date—”

  As he reached for her hand-

  Bonk!

  Aspen smacked his head, murmured a quick apology to the girl, and dragged Ryl away by his collar.

  “What are you doing?! We came here for a reason!”

  Ryl rubbed his head dramatically. “I was just talking!”

  “Did you even listen to the rules?”

  Ryl looked off to the side. “I think…yes! But no. But also yes—? Maybe…”

  “Hopeless.” Aspen muttered.

  BWOOOONNN!!

  The horn blew as the signal blared.

  Everyone tensed.

  Aspen drew his dagger—

  “And here it comes…”

  *****

  Chapter 13: The Hunters Test 1