Deadly Kingdom

Two minutes had passed since the exams began. Kael didn't know what to do. He leaned against the wall anxiously, waiting. At that moment, a voice echoed in his mind:

"Participant number 45, Kael Blake. Your mission: Protect the temple priestess. Duration: Three days."

At the same time, a few more voices rang in his head:

"Level: 0

Dominant ability: None

Companion: None"

At first, Kael didn't understand what was happening. Just then, Morgoth whispered in a low voice:

"Kael."

Curiously, Kael asked:

"Yes?"

Morgoth added:

"Find the priestess and start moving. The good times will end soon."

After reaching the temple, Kael climbed the wooden stairs. He looked around and finally entered the room where a pleasant scent lingered. Inside, he encountered a tall woman dressed in a kimono, with golden hair and striking eyes.

With a gentle voice, the woman spoke:

"Greetings, Hunter. It is a pleasure to see you. I assume you will be accompanying me?"

She waved her blue fan adorned with a dragon pattern and gracefully stood up. Stepping closer to Kael, she inhaled his scent.

Kael's face flushed at the unexpected gesture. He took a deep breath, regaining his composure.

"Alright, let's go." He nodded before asking,

"Will you be able to walk on your own?"

The priestess laughed softly:

"Alright, alright, young hunter."

Upon leaving the temple, they noticed a significant decrease in the number of people inside. While Kael was contemplating his next move, a loud explosion cut through his thoughts.

At the back of the temple stood a massive troll, nearly ten meters tall. It had a huge nose, a giant club strapped to its back, and severed body parts in its hands.

The remaining participants were screaming for help, but no one came to their aid. Kael scowled in anger, his grip tightening on his sword. Just as he was about to draw it, the priestess spoke:

"This is not our fight. That is a B-rank troll. Defeating it won't be easy. If we encounter it again, then you may kill it."

Kael stood still, pale-faced. The screams grew louder. He clenched his jaw and muttered:

"Damn it… The next time I see that bastard, no one will be able to save him."

He reluctantly sheathed his sword, lifted the priestess onto his back, and took one last glance at the bloody troll and the fleeing survivors before heading toward the dark forest.

The forest was eerily silent. The priestess broke the silence:

"Alright, alright. Can you put me down now?"

Kael nodded. "As you wish."

There were no visible signs of life, though creatures hidden in the darkness surely lurked. For now, they were safe thanks to the cover of the trees.

After walking for a while, they spotted a cave in the distance. A fire was burning inside.

Kael hesitated at first. He turned to leave, but the priestess gently placed her hand on his shoulder and asked in a soft voice:

"Kael, what are you waiting for?"

Kael couldn't respond. When he opened his mouth, the words refused to come out.

Damn it… Was it really the right choice to enter this exam?

He shook his head and took a deep breath. His first priority was himself, and the second was the safety of the woman beside him.

Finally, they entered the cave.

Inside, ten people were gathered. Except for two, the rest were asleep, covered with blankets. Near the fire, a pot of stew was simmering.

One of the people welcomed them:

"Welcome. Would you like to join us?"

Kael nodded. "Gladly."

They sat down, exchanged introductions, and had a short conversation before extinguishing the fire.

After a brief silence, Kael asked:

"Why are you all here? And how did you meet?"

A young boy named Aue answered:

"Our giant friend is here because—"

Kael frowned in confusion.

"I don't see him."

Aue grinned and pointed at the stew.

Kael's hand instinctively moved toward his sword, fear creeping up his spine. Aue burst into laughter.

The girl beside him stood up and scolded him:

"Aue! That was completely inappropriate!"

Her name was Maria Sharapovie, and she was seventeen years old.

Aue chuckled. "Alright, alright. If you really want to see him, just wait."

He stood up and walked toward the depths of the cave.

Maria turned to Kael and smiled.

"Don't mind him. He came here claiming that 'the giant called him,' but this place is empty. He's not in the right state of mind."

Kael sighed in relief and lay down on the ground.

But soon, a strange smell filled the cave.

At first, they assumed it was the stew, but the scent grew stronger.

Kael's eyes widened. "No… This smell… It's blood."

Except for three people, everyone else was asleep.

Kael turned to Maria and asked:

"Did the stew have any meat?"

Maria hesitated before replying nervously:

"No…"

The atmosphere grew heavier, tension thickening the air.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from the cave's depths.

Emerging from the shadows was Aue, his body half-torn apart, drenched in blood.

With a twisted grin, he spoke:

"I found him."