HEX: Aspect Of The Void

Chapter 89 - Adventurers Test

I shrugged unenthusiastically. The man in the room in most likely the supervisor for the test I'll be having. He has rugged appearance and is taller than I am. I can sense faint Aspect essence from what he is wearing, from his clothes to even his accessories, they must be Relics. 

I walked further into the room and got closer to him, looking around to observe the room.

The empty room is surrounded by nothing but brick walls and a sturdy floor. There is a massive gate behind the test supervisor, and beside it are two small levers. Most likely they have something to do with the test. In any case, the sooner I get this over with, the better.

"So, when do we start?" I asked him.

"Oi oi, That's not any way to greet your examiner, now is it?" He said in a slightly annoyed tone.

I maintained my face of disinterest. This is just something I ought to breeze through. What else does this man want?

"I'm a senior veteran Adventurer, you know? You ought to show more respect in your words and tone!" He said in a more agressive tone. 

It looks like he expects me to show him some form of respect due to his position. According to Nathan, if you kiss up to the ass of your test supervisor, he can help you score a few free points and lessen the difficulty of the exam.

How pathetic. That method is only ever used by the weak. Besides, it doesn't make sense for someone more powerful to be subservient to a weaker one.

For him to be a test supervisor, he must be quite the seasoned Adventurer, but what does that matter to me? In any case, he is still my test supervisor so I can't ignore him.

"Let us begin already, you're wasting my time" I said with a stoic expression.

"You little..." The man said with gritted teeth.

"You think you're something uhn? You entitled brat. I see you've got spunk, let's see if you can still boast of that after this is over" He grunted.

"You want the test so badly? Fine then, Why don't we begin!" A wicked smile formed on his face.

He walked over to the gate and pulled one of the levers down. The mechanism creaked as it was brought down by the force of the middle aged man.

Suddenly the gates opened up, and beyond the gate was a dark passageway.

"You see, one of the reasons that Adventurers take their tests in different rooms is for confidentiality in their performance and capabilities. But that isn't all..." He began.

"It is also because each Adventurer is given a test based on their specialty filled in the form they submit. For you to be in this room, it means your specialty is trade and loot related. Heh, just what I expect from someone who dresses all fancy" 

"Just cus' you see Relics and the spoils gotten from Adventuring selling for a high price, you merchants and nobles think you have what it takes to do it yourself and not rely on us. Well, I'll have you know that looting, trading and obtaining spoils in Adventuring is not as easy and fancy as you think! Now that we're done with the small talk, I'll have you introduced to the test you'll be taking today!" He concluded with a sadistic smile.

Nathan told me one other thing. If you manage to piss of your test supervisor... Then he'll rain hell on you during your test.

I smiled.

"Bring it"

Suddenly the entire room quaked. I heard noises of clacking hooves and a desperate march. The vibration caused by this strange sound made the whole room reverbete.

The sound is coming from beyond the gates, and the cause is drawing closer. I used my enhanced senses to uncover the cause of the sudden change. I smiled when I saw them.

Of course, what else would cause such a sound... If not a stampede?

Dozens of monsters charged through the gates and poured out. They didn't stop even after entering the empty room, and since I was standing a small distance from gate, they all concentrated on me.

The size of the monsters aren't too intimidating, they are just as large as wolves, but their numbers make up for their size. They all possess massive horns, with strong looking hooves and thick hides. They have piercing and focused eyes all directed in a single direction. They have blunt teeth, so they must not be carnivorous... Still, they don't seem very friendly.

My supervisor smirked as he saw this. Since he was by the levers, beside the gate, none of the beasts focused on him since they were fixated on me.

Is this a joke? This is a test for someone whose specialty is trading, isn't it? How is a bunch of monsters charging at me supposed to be related to that In any way. Well, it doesn't matter. I guess all I have to do is destroy all of them before they reach me. The rest will come after that.

Before I could attack, suddenly chains appeared with collars attached to their ends. The collars locked on the necks of the dozens of monsters, causing them to halt immediately. I glanced over to see the origin of the constraints on the beasts.

The collars with chain extensions were all connected. They came from none other than the supervisor himself. His hand was stretched and a single chain proceded from it, dividing into many which held down the beasts, paralyzing them.

"I'm guessing you're scared shitless right now, aren't you?" The supervisor made a pleased grin.

"No, not really" I responded.

He frowned at my statement, but I only stated the truth. If they drew even a step closer, I would have blown them all away. But for him to stop them, it must mean my test isn't to destroy these monsters after all.

"Let's see if you'll still be able to flap that cheeky tongue of yours" He grunted.

What's his deal?

"Now listen up! I'll only say this once. These beasts are called Maalu. As you can see, they aren't too large and they move in herds. They are usually quite docile, unless they are provoked... Or hungry." He started explaining.

"The issue now is, they haven't been fed for quite some time now, so they are a little on edge. Oh, but don't worry. They don't eat human meat, so they won't rip you to shreds and devour your flesh. However, they are still antsy and are very defensive, so they won't hesitate to attack you and trample on you till you pass out or even die"

I see, so in essence the beasts feel I'm invading their territory. This test recreates a scene in the wild where Adventurers intrude the natural territory of monsters like this.

"Now then, for the second part of the explanation....!"