Chapter 163: The First Filtering

[ Book 2 ]

Name: Baek-Ho (Leo Lock)

Age: 8 (18)

Role: Reader

Reading Points: 24

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Personal Statistics:

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Physique: 0.75

Mind: 0.32 (+2.16)

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Personal Skills:

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'Advanced Swordsmanship' - Chapter 3 - page 0/10

'Intermediate Smithing' - Chapter 2 - page 0/10

'Intermediate Close Quarter Combat' - Chapter 2 - page 2/10

'Basic Horsemanship' - Chapter 1 - page 9/10

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Events:

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- Suffering Delayment - Unique

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Quests:

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[ Main Quest: Kill The Protagonist. ]

[ Side Quest: Prevent the Heavenly Strength Society's alliance with the Just Faction. ]

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Gulp… gulp…

Taking a quick look at his Personal Book at the start of the day, Leo raised his bamboo bottle as he quenched his thirst. After spending a week here, he could roughly guess that was about time the door would open.

Shhhhik!

Stepping out of the door on schedule, Leo witnessed Yeon's emergence as usual. However, they didn't smile or call out to each other, such was what they tacitly decided on so that they wouldn't stand out in a bad way.

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Six days didn't seem like a long period, but it felt that way to all the children to this moment. Some looked energetic like Leo and Yeon, while others were still covered in colorful injuries. Clearly, the vicious cycle of persistence had long taken effect, causing some children to fall into the abyss of failure. Only, the emotional division was no longer that obvious.

Smart or not, even those who were particularly slow had faintly recognized the difference that failing or succeeding in the first task of the day imposed. What seemed hard to notice at the start was now blatantly obvious, especially when those with a failing streak continued accumulating injuries, rendering themselves as punching bags for the battle instructors.

"Start."

Under Instructor Han's casual observation, the crowd of children split into several groups, starting with those who directly sat down on the ground. Their bodies hurt that even eating or drinking felt painful, why would they try the impossible by lifting heavy stones?

However, not all those who looked hurt had completely given up. In fact, the first ones to start their training was a group with swollen faces, they were giving their all to escape the darkness of the abyss!

'It does work.'

Leo only took a few glances before starting his own routine as well. With the help of the miracle meal he received every day, he had already moved on to the third rock by now. On the other hand, Yeon firmly picked the second one for the first time!

Perhaps because her talent in a certain 'aspect' was extraordinary, the effect of the daily meal seemed to be even more apparent on Yeon than it was on Leo. In just a mere week, her body was no longer as frail as it was, she now possessed the capability to deliver attacks against the battle instructor who was like an insurmountable wall at the beginning.

Even though she still had to push her body beyond the limit to finish the training list, Yeon no longer lacked the confidence to do so every time. At the same time, she didn't take it for granted, always giving her all to finish on time.

Duangduang! Duangduang!

Dragging their exhausted bodies to the dining room, Leo, Yeon, and those who had successfully finished the list partook in their lavish meals, while those who failed or gave up from the very start settled down for their sub-par lunch, silently finishing before returning to their room in preparation for their daily 'beating'.

"There will be a slight change starting today…"

However, for the first time since their arrival, things proceeded differently today!

"Those of you who no longer wish to continue the current routine are free to step forward. You don't get to leave, but things will be slightly easier…"

'Here it is.'

Leo made a remark in his heart, this was the first true show of mercy, but it wasn't that simple. Giving up here was basically downsizing the opportunity… Though it wasn't like the specific group targeted by this offer had any other choice.

"Just make sure to remember this, easier doesn't mean better. Every single step you take is a chance, so choose wisely."

'Gentle Han' felt out of character as he spoke with some detail for the first time. This wasn't an act of pity towards those that had given up, but a reminder for those who still had a chance. After all, no choice could be taken back in the Heavenly Furnace.

Tap!

Being given the chance to escape the endless torture, the light seemed to have returned to the eyes of the 'punching bag' group as they heartily stepped forward. However, they weren't alone in doing so, reminders did little in front of certain temptations.

'Understandable…'

Letting out a silent sigh, Leo glanced at the calm girl next to him. Not everyone was as special as the future Heavenly Demon, persisting despite being an original member of the 'punching bag' club. Although she probably did so in order not to part with the old him, that only made Leo praise her more in his heart.

"Very well."

A small squad of guards stepped forward to guide those who made their choice away, causing the number of the children to drop under one hundred on the very first filtering!

"Since you steeled your heart to stay behind, then you should be ready for the start of true combat training!"

Clap!

'Gentle Han' lightly tapped on his palm, prompting guards to thrush through the entrance, carrying something in with great agility before dispersing to reveal several rows of wooden racks…

"Starting today, weapons will be included in your training battles."

As the gazes of the children interchanged between the weapon racks and the gentle smile on Instructor Han's face, the resolute expressions that they took the recent life-changing decision with were immediately washed away.

Gulp.

Gulping seemed to echo through the battle hall as the battle instructor moved forward to pick their weapons… Perhaps they made the wrong choice after all?

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