Chapter 1755 Intruders
By the time Eren, Horen, and Vasco had successfully dealt with two sizable groups of demonic creatures, the fourth day of the test had officially dawned.
As they were on the cusp of reaping the rewards of their hard-fought victories, another group of candidates decided to make an entrance.
It was evident that these intruders intended to capitalize on the fruits of Eren's team's labor, aiming to claim the demonic energies emanating from the corpses strewn across the ground.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
"Hehe. Excellent performance, guys," exclaimed Jen Omer, applauding as she strolled toward the trio of candidates, who regarded her warily. There was a hint of ridicule mixed in her voice as if mocking Eren and the rest for their pitiful states.
She seemed unconcerned about stepping on the corpses of werewolves and demon flies scattered on the ground. Walking carefreely, she knew that neither the deceased creatures nor their killers posed a threat at this point.
Jen Omer, a young woman with orange hair, appeared to be in her early 20s by mortal standards. Slim and tall, she possessed the figure of a nimble dancer. Her bright orange hair and captivating blue eyes complemented her sharp nose and oval face.
Unusually long ears hinted at a potential elven lineage. And yet, her aura told Eren a different story. He could feel that the approaching woman was not an elf even though her ears made her look like one.
Clad in Hex armor, a fusion of brass-like metals and dark brown animal hide, Jen carried no apparent weapon. Her presence suggested an assassin, yet her gaze exuded the confidence of a frontal combatant.
Jen was not alone in approaching Eren's group.
Two allies flanked her closely as they advanced, assuming a defensive formation. The candidate on her right, Raif Karsaal, was a Berserker by Profession, heavily invested in transforming his body into a weapon akin to a Body Cultivator.
Eren surmised that Raif practiced a unique Tantra or Art that allowed him to retain his elemental magic casting ability while strengthening his body, positioning him between a Ranker and a Body Cultivator in terms of Path.
Yugi Olen positioned herself on Jen's left as they approached Eren, her gaze cautious and inquisitive. Her mint-colored eyes lent her a perpetually curious appearance, complemented by mint-colored hair with peach highlights. Puffy red lips adorned her slim face, and while shorter than Jen, she displayed expertise in movement-type Skills.
A Professional Elementalist, Yugi exuded a commanding presence as an A-Ranked Savant. Her mastery over Elementalist powers surpassed Vasco's, despite them sharing the same Rank.
Eren swiftly discerned that Jen shared a similar strategy. Just as he had approached Horen and Vasco before the test, choosing to lead them, Jen had also adopted the idea of forming a balanced team. Opting for a Body Arts Specialist and an Elementalist, she mirrored Eren's approach in selecting a team that made her adapt to any form of challenges heading her way inside the isolated dimension.
"Miss, you might want to stop right where you are," Eren rose from his position, delivering a stern warning. Yet, he smiled slightly at the intruders before issuing another caution. "Unless you and your teammates want to face the same fate as these dead demonic creatures," his slightly cheerful tone added an eerie touch to his words.
Jen disregarded Eren's words, but her subconscious mind compelled her to pause. It was as if a part of her believed Eren's warning and knew he would follow through.
Her two companions also stopped, positioning themselves at a distance, weapons drawn, ready for potential confrontation. Facing Eren's group, they awaited the unfolding situation.
"You're the leader, I presume?"
Jen scrutinized Eren and spoke in a clear, cold voice.
"Let's get to the point. Allow us to harvest these kills, and we'll let you leave unharmed. We promise not to attack if you agree to these terms." she said as she took out her glass slab and flaunted it in front of Eren in a playful way.
Eren, Horen, and Vasco were supposed to collect the demonic energies exuded by their dead foes into their respective glass slabs given to them at the start of the test. However, they were so busy battling with so many opponents at once that they decided to do this manually after they were left with no surviving enemies.
It seemed that Jen and her teammates had counted on the fact that Eren and his teammates would be forced to implement this strategy. They had intercepted Eren at the right time as well.
"Feel free to decline," Yugi added softly, gripping her rapier firmly. "But then, we'll have to kill you and claim these demonic energies. Let's not pretend you're in any condition to negotiate a better deal," she warned Eren and the others.
"Hahahaha. You fucking beggars with your pompous-ass attitudes. Didn't your mommy teach you that you get down on your knees whenever you beg in front of your patrons?
You want a favor, right? Alright. We can do something about that.
Why don't you come here and suck my—"
Horen laughed angrily, ready to berate the intruders, but Eren stopped him with a raised hand. Waving Horen to stand back, Eren addressed Jen and her group.
"Miss, I'm not interested in lengthy discussions with nobodies. I'll count to three, and if you're still here by the time I finish, I'll attack without hesitation," Eren's emerald-green eyes exuded a peculiar shine as he warned.
'Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. we are screwed.
The muscle head doesn't know how to de-escalate the situation. And Eren's words aren't helping either. We have lost so much time killing these creatures. But we could still make it to the cut-off list. Maybe. If we just—' the Elementalist from Eren's team couldn't help thinking of the worst outcome.
He felt nervous in this tense situation, and less optimistic than Eren and Horen. Yugi's words about their inability to fight held some truth, and his mana consumption worsened his condition.
Yet, Vasoc knew better. Despite his worries, he chose not to voice them, fearing it might discourage his teammates.
"Hehehe. You sure jest, Mr. Tough Guy. But do you think we haven't done our homework?"
Jen laughed at Eren's tough talk, claiming they had been keeping tabs on them.
"Three—"
Eren began his countdown, prompting an exchange of glances between Jen and her teammates. Jen stood her ground, poised to give another threat, when she sensed something amiss.
Suddenly, Eren vanished from her sight. The next sensation she felt was a deadly strike to her vulnerable nape.
Eren had initiated his attack even before completing his countdown.
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