Chapter 65: Battle For The First [ 1 ]

The final mountain pass leading toward Helheim’s southern extraction station had become a battlefield.

It was a broad stretch of broken stone wedged between two towering cliffs, with a narrow river cutting through its eastern side. Ordinarily, applicants traveling through the pass would have little reason to linger.

The extraction station lay less than two hours beyond it, and sunset was approaching.

Unfortunately, a herd of Common Rank Demonic Beasts had occupied the passage, turning what should have been the final stretch of the examination into its most dangerous obstacle.

There were twenty-seven of them.

Most resembled enormous mountain bulls, their bodies covered in dark stone-like armor and their heads crowned with thick, curved horns.

Each stood taller than an ordinary horse, and the ground trembled whenever they moved. Several smaller Demonic Beasts prowled among them, feeding on the remains of animals that had wandered into the territory.

There Demonic Beasts are called: Ironhorn Gordons.

The bulls had apparently descended from the northern mountains during the previous night, following the same disturbance that had driven other Demonic Beasts into unfamiliar hunting grounds.

For ordinary applicants, the safest choice would have been to avoid the entire area.

For the strongest candidates in Helheim’s entrance examination, however, twenty-seven Common Rank Demonic Beasts represented two hundred and seventy potential points.

And the candidates who wanted those points were already arriving.

Sigurd stood on a rocky ledge overlooking the pass, examining the herd below. He had reached the area after following the southern extraction route, only to discover several groups of applicants gathered along the surrounding cliffs.

Some were preparing to retreat. Others were watching the beasts with unmistakable greed.

He recognized several familiar figures among them.

Odin stood beside the eastern riverbank, his spear resting against his shoulder. Golden lightning occasionally flickered across his fingers as he studied the herd’s movements. Farther west,

Tristan occupied a narrow ridge overlooking the pass, accompanied by two applicants from the Eisenwald Branch. Astrid had taken position near the southern entrance, while Konrad sat on a fallen stone pillar, casually examining his sword.

Cassian arrived several minutes later with four companions.

The moment he stepped onto the ridge, his gaze moved across the gathered applicants before settling on the herd.

"Twenty-seven," Cassian observed, counting the beasts below. "Enough to change the entire examination."

One of his companions glanced toward the other contenders. "Young Master, should we withdraw? There are too many strong applicants here. Even if we defeat the beasts, someone might attack us while we’re exhausted."

Cassian considered the suggestion before shaking his head. "We’ve come too far to retreat because the competition has become difficult. Stay together, watch the other groups, and don’t pursue anything beyond the pass."

Sigurd heard the exchange from his position above them. He understood Cassian’s reasoning. The herd was dangerous, but the greater threat came from the competitors gathering around it.

Everyone knew that a single Demonic Core was worth ten points, and with the provisional rankings separated by narrow margins, even one successful kill could determine who received the Crown.

Kong Zhen arrived shortly afterward, emerging from the forest with his staff balanced across his shoulders.

He stopped when he saw the herd.

Then his face split into an enormous grin.

"Now this is what I’ve been waiting for!" Kong exclaimed, looking between the beasts and the assembled applicants. "I thought everyone was rushing toward extraction. Turns out the interesting people were coming here instead!"

Odin glanced toward him. "Try not to bring the entire herd down on us before we’re ready."

Kong laughed. "You make that sound like a bad thing."

"Because it would be," Odin replied, his expression remaining perfectly serious.

Sigurd descended from the ledge and landed near them. "The bulls are staying close together," he observed, examining the narrow spaces between their armored bodies. "If someone attacks the center, the entire herd will charge. The smaller beasts will follow."

Tristan approached from the western ridge, his sword already drawn.

"Then separate them before attacking," he suggested. "The eastern riverbank is narrow enough to prevent more than three bulls from advancing together."

Astrid joined them, looking impatient. "We can discuss the terrain all afternoon, or we can start hunting before sunset makes the decision for us."

Konrad rose from his seat on the stone pillar. "I agree with Astrid," he remarked pleasantly. "Although watching everyone argue over twenty-seven beasts might be entertaining too."

Cassian stepped forward and examined the pass one final time.

"We divide the herd," he said, indicating the surrounding terrain. "Anyone who wants to hunt independently can do so, but nobody should drive the beasts toward the extraction road. There are weaker applicants still traveling through these mountains."

The others understood the danger immediately.

A stampede of twenty-seven Common Rank Demonic Beasts could slaughter an entire group of exhausted applicants before anyone had time to intervene.

For several moments, the strongest children of their generation studied one another.

Then Odin lifted his spear.

"I’ll take the eastern side," he declared.

Tristan nodded toward the western ridge. "I’ll prevent them from climbing the cliffs."

Astrid drew her sword. "I’ll handle anything that breaks toward the southern entrance."

Kong spun his staff and laughed. "Then I’ll go wherever the fighting looks best!"

Sigurd glanced toward Cassian, who was already directing his companions into defensive positions.

Neither needed to say anything more.

The battle began when Odin descended into the pass, his spear already crackling with golden lightning as he approached the nearest mountain bull.

The enormous creature noticed him almost immediately and lowered its armored head, its curved horns pointing forward as it charged across the uneven ground.

Odin made no attempt to evade.

He planted his leading foot, twisted his waist, and thrust his spear directly between the beast’s horns. A violent discharge erupted from the point of impact, spreading across the creature’s skull and shattering several plates of its stone-like armor.

The bull’s momentum carried it another few feet before Odin stepped forward, redirected its head with the shaft of his weapon, and drove the spear through the exposed flesh beneath its jaw.

The creature collapsed heavily onto its side, its legs kicking twice before falling still.