As Erik effortlessly evaded the man's frantic attacks, the bitter taste of defeat began to seep into the man's mouth. Each time, his axe encountered nothing but the empty air, a startling lack of resistance that jarred his mind and reverberated through his desperate soul.
Despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins and the ringing shouts of the surrounding robots, a cold, creeping fear crept into the man's heart. Erik moved as if he were a ghost, unhurried and fearless, mocking the man's anxiety.
As he realized Erik was an unbeatable foe for him, his movements became more desperate. The young man did not retaliate or strike back, however. As a result of his lack of aggression, the cloaked man's resolve wavered. His spirit wilted like a flower in the scorching summer sun, and his strength drained with each futile swing.
Erik's eyes remained calm and impassive through the eyeholes in his mask. At that moment, the man saw a reflection of his defeat in them. He realized he had no chance against this masked man and had to decide whether to keep fighting or flee.
A storm of emotions raged within him, and then the man made a choice. He mustered all his remaining strength and charged, not towards Erik, but towards the alleyway adjacent to them. With one last glance at Erik, he turned and fled, his eyes filled with fear, resentment, and resignation. He had been hired by the guild to pose as a challenge for this Novice, yet, he toyed with him and humiliated him in front of the general public.
His departure caused a ripple in the crowd watching the fight from home, followed by a brief pause and a collective gasp. The eerie echo of the man's footsteps as he disappeared into the narrow alleyway stunned the viewers.
Erik stood amid the chaos, unaffected by the man's flight. His expression remained unchanged under his mask, as did his gaze. He made no pursuit or movement attempts. His figure became a symbol of unwavering calm amidst the chaos.
<I hope my performance wasn't too shitty. I wouldn't like for the viewers to notice I was holding back a lot.>
Erik stopped as he observed the man disappear into the maze of alleyways. Not long before, he felt a familiar feeling inside him; the thrill of the chase beckoned him to catch his prey. Erik followed him with a swift, determined stride, leaving chaos in his wake.
The complex labyrinth of winding and convoluted alleyways could easily disorient a newcomer. Erik, on the other hand, navigated them effortlessly. His senses were keen, and his mind was concentrated. He wasn't simply evading; he was actively hunting.
On the other hand, the man wearing a hood was fleeing. Every frantic turn and hasty step betrayed desperation. His breathing was irregular and rapid, and his movements were jerky. Every second felt like an eternity to him as he ran down the cobblestone street, his heart beating in time with the rhythm of his feet.
Erik's pursuit was methodical rather than hasty. The man's labored breathing, the faint rustling of his cloak, and his soft footfalls were audible to the viewers at home as drones and cameras showed the chase.
He moved as smoothly and swiftly as a shadow, with only the dim artificial lights of the surrounding buildings illuminating his path.
He took a shortcut by effortlessly leaping over a low wall, his robotic guards' clothing barely rustling. A quick look in his rearview mirror revealed that the distance between them was shrinking. The hunt was coming to an end.
As Erik turned into a different alley, he observed the man. He was hunched over with his hands on his knees and was breathing heavily. Fear filled his eyes when he saw the Novice arrive. He attempted a shaky run, but his legs did not cooperate. He stumbled and fell to the ground in a humiliating display of cowardice. The people at home, in the bars, at the guild, and in every place displaying this sorry display started to mock him.
In the meantime, Erik cautiously approached the fallen man. He never took his eyes off him. As he looked up at Erik, the masked man sighed in defeat. He never attempted to flee again. The pursuit had ended. Erik completed his first task for this test in under five minutes.
Thousands of people watched the live feed from their homes, guild halls, and local pubs. There were mentions of Erik Kay in chatrooms, forums, and conversations. The man's identity behind the mask was unknown, but his performance had left an indelible mark.
"I've never seen a Novice handle themselves so well in all my years."
The intensity of the pursuit, Erik's effortless movement through the artificial city, and his calculated efficiency in capturing his prey were breathtaking. They had previously observed numerous Novices take the exam, but none with such skill and command.
"He must be at a higher level than the Omicron one," a spectator muttered, unable to tear his gaze from the screen.
"Did you see how effortlessly he avoided those attacks? And that chase...it's like he knew the city like the back of his hand," added another.
"His tactical approach is commendable," a man dressed in official mercenary guild attire commented, his eyes scanning the feed keenly. "He's displaying excellent resourcefulness, planning, and execution. I'd kill to have him on my team."
Each voice continued, filled with amazement, admiration, and a trace of envy. Erik's performance captivated thousands of people, who could not contain their admiration for the young man. As they observed him from the screens, they speculated about his rank, past, and future.
The mercenary guild played its cards close to the vest, never disclosing the test-takers ranks. It was part of their policy, designed to protect the mercenaries and avoid unnecessary speculations.
Yet, Erik's performance stirred curiosity like never before, causing a gale to brew in the city. The viewers yearned to know more about him, to unravel the mystery of this masked Novice who'd taken the guild by storm. But for now, they could only watch and marvel at Erik Kay's prowess.
(A.N: Hello, guys; I just wanted to say that I will not be able to upload chapters during the 23-25. However, starting from 26, I will upload 3 chapters daily until we get on par. Sorry for the trouble.)
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶