NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Closing Trainings.
[Three years later. My bad, it was a typo last chapter.]
With the children of Cave Of Latent Demons getting closer to their adulthood, their bodies showed changes one after another.
However, unlike ordinary children of their age, they all concealed a ferocious aura like beasts.
Changes happening within the cave weren't only physical though.
The emergence of groups and factions based on personal interest was only natural.
Over the three years, the children gathered forces and a number of factions were created.
But not all children were part of a faction.
If they were too strong, making such hassle unnecessary, or the complete opposite, they lived alone.
Number 800 was the former.
In a certain room, a shirtless figure could be seen moving like a phantom as he swung his sword around, creating afterimages with every movement.
His body was filled with scars and a black skin deep mark covered his forearm down to his hand, looking as if it was a curse.
But this didn't affect the figure. He wielding a longsword in one hand, spear in the other, every movement filled with speed and aggression.
This continued on for hours until a bell was rung, causing the figure to stop his training, his entire body dripping with sweat from the intensity.
"An assembly? Strange. They haven't called one within the last year."
Quickly grabbing some black robes, the figure laid his weapons on his bed and left his room, heading to the main hall.
When he got there, the figure just stood behind the crowd and leaned on a wall, looking at them clamoring needlessly.
"Hm, they still haven't changed too much."
Suddenly, another figure approached him, sitting down on the ground while leaning on the wall.
"800. Have you considered my offer?"
Of course, the figure in black robes was the one and only Number 800, the sword maniac.
"As I said before, 109. I have no intentions of forming a team with anyone. I need to focus on my training."
Sighing at Number 800's response, 109 just turned his attention to the rest of the crowd, a little annoyed by this rejection.
Just like Number 800, 109 was an advanced swordsman. At first, he had approached number 800 to train in swordsmanship with him, but 800 just kept refusing.
Now, he changed his approach, hoping that the solitary Number 800 would want a friend that shared the same interests in this cave. Getting rejected again was starting to get on his nerves.
'Tch. There's no way he's that good with the sword anyways. No one has really seen him train outside of his room for years. Plus, there are rumors that he had begged the instructors to let him learn the martial arts for the spear too. Training in two weapons is only going to make him weaker. For all we know, he could be putting on a show. But...'
Taking another glance at Number 800's body, 109 wanted to reconsider his stance. Number 800 was muscular, one of the largest students in the Cave. There were visible veins running along his body from the neck down, giving him a terrifyingly brolic appearance.
'...I think I should wait and see before I make that judgment.'
BOOM!
"SILENCE."
The senior instructor landed down onto the stage, breaking the rock under his feet as he caused the students to stop the clamoring.
"First of all, you all have down well. You may take off the metal bracers."
Number 800 raised an eyebrow at the instructors words, but he wasn't going to take off the bracers. They were an instrumental part to his training.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The other students were happy though.
Number 109 wanted to take his bracers off, but when he saw 800 not budging, his pride didn't allow him to move. If Number 800 could keep them on, then he should follow suit.
"The second trial of life and death will start soon. And it will start with the closing trainings."
The atmosphere immediately changed when the the trial of life and death was mentioned.
'Looks like it's time for things to get serious again.'
Number 800 started to get a bit excited at this prospect, his crimson pupils shining as he stared at the senior instructor.
"The second trial of life and death will be conducted over 4 years. The first part of it, the closing trainings, will begin in 5 days. Tell us if you need anything. We will prepare it for you if it is simple. Of course, don't worry about food and water, we will provide enough of that. Now, go take your dinner! Dismissed!"
As most of the other students went to dinner, two of them stayed back to talk to the senior instructor.
Number 800 and Number 900.
"Hm? What do you two want?"
Glancing at Number 800, Number 900 took his silence as approval and went first, stating what he wanted from the instructor.
After cupping his hands in gratitude, Number 900 passed by Number 800 and muttered, "The day is coming. I hope you're ready."
A small smile appeared on Number 800's face as he heard this. The day couldn't come fast enough.
"Number 800. How is training going?"
Cupping his fist, Number 800 simply responded, "I've already made large improvements with both the sword and spear. It's gotten to the point where I can use spear arts and sword arts on either weapon."
The senior instructor smiled and nodded at this.
"Good. Expectations are high for you, Number 800. Now, what do you need?"
[5 days later. Initiation day of the second gate of life and death.]
"All trainees, come receive the items you requested! After you check them, get ready to start moving!"
With his sword and spear both strapped across his back, Number 800 went up to receive his items.
"Are they the right items?"
Looking into the thick fur bag, Number 800 smiled as he saw the metal bracers within.
"They are."
After everyone received their items, the instructor shouted, "Alright everyone! Get ready to move!"
The senior instructor took the students through a series of caves, leading into a place called the inner caves that were heavily guarded.
Several minutes later, they arrived at a candle lit cliff with a massive wall on the other side.
The wall was filled with innumerable doorways leading into dark hallways.
"These are the entrances to the closing training grounds. Inside, there will be enough food and room for each of you to train. Once you enter, you will not be allowed to leave until you finish your training. Because we will seal the entrances. So prepare yourselves...and good luck."
The students jumped down into the doorways, no one knowing what to expect within.
WHOOSH!
The moment Number 800 entered the room, the door closed behind him, plunging the place into pitch-black darkness.
There was no sound, no light, barely any air. If one stayed in a place like this for too long, they would probably go mad.
'I see. The last trial was a physical test. This one mostly test's our mental fortitude. Unfortunately for them...training like this is what I'm best at.'
Dropping his bag on the ground, Number 800 changed the bracers on each of his limbs, increasing the weight on his body massively.
'These bracers weigh 60kg each...it's a miracle that they even had bracers of this weight lying around. With this...'
Number 800 took off his robes and summoned the black mortal blade into his grip, immediately unsheathing the blade.
'...I'll ascend to greater levels. I've made a promise to myself...'
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Number 800 performed slash after slash, shaking the air around him with every movement. His Qi surrounded his body, making it seem as he was a crimson star in the darkness.
'...by the time I leave this cave, I will become strong enough to forge my own legend in the murim. I will become the strongest swordsman in history! I cannot fail!'
----
[4 years later]