Chaos Carrier With A Broken Talent

Nine participants and six bells.

This meant not only that only six people would survive to the next stage, but also something else, something more important to most of those present.

Only six of all who arrived at the Desolate Meadow could face the Lost Knight. The Carriers from the Hail of Swords just couldn't miss this, they valued this goal above their lives.

However, the Walking Crypt was not a threat they could ignore. Even the Grim Knights, the Bronze Tier Creatures, were dangerous, and their swords could easily kill a careless Carrier.

Ethan's eyes trembled from the ancient fear that awakened in him because of the Walking Crypt. He couldn't determine what Tier the Walking Crypt was, the monster's aura was overwhelming.

Considering that Ethan didn't have a single Ring yet and didn't have much experience, that meant that the Walking Crypt was at least a Silver Tier Creature, possibly even higher.

In any case, even if it was a Silver Tier, neither he nor anyone else on the field stood a chance against the Walking Crypt.

Even if Ethan had the Soul Stone that helped him defeat Black Horn, it wouldn't have made much of a difference. Perhaps if all nine participants had a weapon of similar power, they would be able to defeat the Walking Crypt, but that wasn't the case.

The reason for this was not the terrifying appearance of the Walking Crypt, nor was it because he was part of the trial. This was how power worked in this world, and Tiers were an attempt by people to determine who ranked where.

Two Bronze Tier Monsters were not capable of defeating a single Iron Tier Monster, all other things being equal. This rule always worked exponentially. Sure, there were exceptions, many of them, as there were a vast number of conditions, but sometimes the power gap was too great for there to be any option other than to run.

Fortunately for Ethan and the others, they didn't need to defeat the Walking Crypt.

Six bells — that was their goal.

Flaming projectiles flew across the dark field, powerful enough to burn the Grim Knights or even wound the fallen warriors.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

With a fiery blast, they slammed into the Walking Crypt, but the monster didn't even flinch. His heavy armor remained cold, and there were no burns on his flesh.

Ethan narrowed his eyes as he noticed a faint mist wandering around the Walking Crypt's hideous body.

'I see. Even if he is significantly stronger than we, those two fireballs looked pretty powerful. It can't be that he didn't react to them at all, but if he has decent protection, then that's not surprising.'

"Guys, what do we do?" Aime asked as more flaming projectiles flew out from the same western side, this time four of them.

The Walking Crypt raised his two right arms, blocking the projectiles, but he did not ignore the attackers.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

The coffins on his back shook as several clumps fell out of the half-open lids. A multitude of hands emerged from the formless mass, and two red eyes lit up in the darkest spot.

The Hollow Walkers looked like they had come out of a nightmare, but they were nothing more than a way for the Walking Crypt to deal with his enemies.

Several Hollow Walkers rushed east, forcing two similar figures to stop their attacks and retreat to a safe distance.

"Rgha... Rgha... Rgha..."

The Walking Crypt's heavy breathing echoed, while the chains holding the coffins on his back shook with each exhale.

Ethan frowned, watching Loena and the other three on the west side.

"I don't know, but we have to get three bells, that's half of them. Let's wait and see what happens."

"What?" Klaus exclaimed in disbelief. "You want to just let them take our bells?"

Aime turned to Ethan.

"Yeah... Ethan, I agree with Klaus. We got this far because we weren't afraid to fight. Even the Twilight Reapers weren't a threat to us!"

"Hah, did you hear that?" Klaus clenched his fist. "Let's go take down this monster together!"

In response, Ethan sighed calmly, shaking his head.

"First, deal with that thing." Ethan pointed ahead.

"Agh?"

Klaus turned to see the Hollow Walker moving toward him.

"Fuck! Get that thing away from me!"

Slash. Slash.

Two X-shaped swings of the sword cut off several hands of the monster. Instead of continuing to attack, the Hollow Walker shuddered and ran away in fear. It moved toward the Walking Crypt to return to the coffin.

"Second, you need to think about our situation from a different angle." Ethan continued in a calm voice. "It's not that there are six bells, it's that there are only nine of us."

Klaus and Aime exchanged glances. They didn't understand what Ethan meant, but he didn't have to explain anything else.

Someone else did it for him.

Step. Step. Step.

A middle-aged man in heavy armor moved through the dark grass. In his hands was a massive, two-handed sword with a blade as wide as his waist.

It wasn't the most popular type of sword at the Hail of Swords, but it couldn't be called unique either.

"Come on! Show me what you've got, monster! That bell is going to be mine!"

With a fiery burst, his frame shook as he surged straight at the Walking Crypt, who didn't even look in his direction, yet.

The sword was ready to strike the gap between the monster's armor, leaving a scorched cut on its back.

Then...

Two arms bent at a strange angle, grabbing the man in midair.

The shocked man found himself in front of the Walking Crypt's face, who opened his jaw without any emotion.

"NO...! Someone, stop this...!"

Crunch. Crunch.

Crooked teeth clenched as a mixed sound of breaking bones, torn flesh, and crumpled armor rang out under the slow movement of the jaw.

"You see?" Ethan leaned forward, resting his hand on one knee. "Now there are eight of us, but there are still six bells. The problem isn't resources, it's how many people want them."