Fog surrounded us, blinding and dense, yet extending my sensory field allowed me to vaguely perceive our immediate surroundings.
Besides, I had my Gift.
Even without conscious thought, my instincts would sharply alert me to danger, urging me to dodge any imminent threat instantly.
When I concentrated fully on that sense—
Crackle!
“Watch out! Something’s coming!”
Detecting danger wasn’t difficult.
Even without sight, it hardly mattered.
A shiver ran down my spine, electrifying my senses, and immediately I twisted my body to the right.
Crack! Rumble…
The sound of splintering wood echoed through the fog, and from within the mist, a massive boulder crashed downward.
But having already moved off its path, it posed no danger.
We passed the rolling stone and pressed onward without hesitation.
Click! Whizz!
Crackle!
My instincts activated sharply again.
Something was approaching rapidly through the mist.
Without hesitation, I shouted urgently, “Ha-neul, barrier!”
“O-okay!”
Although Yeon Ha-neul was hardly one to panic over something like this, caution was always wise.
Instead of blindly dodging, I drew my sword swiftly and deflected the incoming projectiles.
Clang!
Arrows.
They came from the same direction at set intervals, clearly from an automated arrow trap ahead.
At least one trap—likely more.
We had no choice but to pass through. Continuous traps, rather than single-use ones, were particularly troublesome.
Yeon Ha-neul seemed to have reached the same conclusion.
“I’ll take care of that.”
She stepped forward, projecting a barrier, and extended her right hand toward the direction of the incoming arrows.
Magic formulas materialized around her as a dark magic circle formed in the air just ahead of her palm.
Zzzzzt!
Darkness rapidly converged, creating a sphere larger than her hand, shimmering black within the dense mist.
A First-Grade dark elemental spell.
Compresses dark-attribute mana into a dense sphere, then fires it forward in a straight line.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Yeon Ha-neul repeatedly fired spells until the trap stopped activating.
Every spell discharged with a sound akin to exploding air.
“It seems like it’s stopped firing.”
“Then let’s hurry.”
With the trap neutralized, we swiftly passed, wary of further danger.
Click!
‘It’s coming.’
Another faint sound echoed somewhere nearby.
Experience honed from past trials immediately sharpened my awareness.
The fog around us suddenly shifted.
Whoosh!
A huge log swung toward us, seemingly from nowhere.
Yet, I didn’t react.
“It’s alright.”
Even as I saw it clearly, my instinct hadn’t triggered.
Which meant it wasn’t a danger.
Just another illusion.
Having repeatedly faced illusions while climbing Fog Mountain, I walked forward calmly through the phantom.
Whoosh!
Occasionally, genuine threats were mixed in.
But nothing changed.
If my instinct activated, it was real; if not, merely illusion.
‘Illusions don’t work on me anymore.’
I felt confident. I wouldn’t be fooled by mere phantoms.
Yet, my instinct was not infallible in distinguishing illusion from reality.
Click!
“…!”
“Gyeon-woo!”
My instinct didn’t activate if something wasn’t dangerous enough.
Because of that—
“…Damn it.”
—I stepped right onto a hidden trap.
A trap that posed no immediate lethal threat until activated wasn’t detected by my instinct.
Especially troublesome were traps designed not to kill but to violently launch a person high into the air.
Hurled upward into the fog, I cursed involuntarily.
Hopefully, nothing worse awaited—
Whoosh!
Crackle!
Of course, trouble awaited.
Suspended midair, completely vulnerable, threats approached swiftly from all sides.
Instinctively detecting the danger, I quickly envisioned a sword technique suitable for this exact scenario.
‘This should work.’
I twisted my body midair.
My face pointed toward the ground below.
Relaxing every muscle, I slowly released a controlled breath.
Not to lose control—but to deflect incoming attacks.
I steadied my breathing, swiftly wrapping my entire body in mana.
Lion’s Spinning Thunder
A sword technique blending swiftness and fluidity.
The previously stray projectiles finally reached my position.
With my instinct triggering sharply, I turned my body toward the incoming attacks, placing my Azure Sword directly in their path.
Clang!
My sword couldn’t fully resist the force, knocked aside by the attack, causing my body to spin midair.
Helplessly tumbling, sparks of lightning flashed around the Azure Sword as my mana reacted violently with the ambient energy.
Then—
Clang!
The second strike came.
Momentum reversed, my body spun even faster, intensifying the lightning around the Azure Sword.
Bolts flashed brightly in the fog.
Clang!
Third strike.
Clang!
Fourth strike.
Clang!
Fifth strike.
Soon, lightning spiraled around me, forming a stormy barrier. Anything approaching vaporized upon contact.
Nothing else could reach me now.
The ground finally neared.
Thud!
Crackle!
I landed safely.
But my technique wasn’t finished yet.
Lion’s Spinning Thunder was not only defensive—it was also designed for counterattack.
All the accumulated lightning had to be immediately released.
I swung my sword upward.
Rumble!
A massive bolt of lightning erupted skyward, roaring like a lion’s cry.
The mist briefly parted, revealing a clear patch of blue sky.
Crackle…
At last, the Azure Sword calmed.
Fragments of residual lightning dissipated gently into the surrounding mana.
At this level, I could handle it easily.
Activating my sword’s second skill, I absorbed the remaining lightning.
Enhancing my sword before completing the second test was undoubtedly beneficial.
‘Speaking of…’
I quickly scanned the area.
Extending my senses beneath the ground revealed previously invisible traps—specifically, the ones I’d triggered.
“You nearly gave me a heart attack! Why didn’t you check your footing more carefully?!” Yeon Ha-neul complained.
“Ha-neul.”
“Huh? What’s wrong? Did you get hurt? Let me see—I’ll use healing magic right away…”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“About that trap I stepped on…”
An idea suddenly occurred to me.
I moved closer until Yeon Ha-neul’s face was clearly visible.
“Maybe we can use it.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“Well, I was thinking…”
After hearing my explanation, Yeon Ha-neul’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.
“Whaaat?”
“It’s possible, isn’t it? Time’s short, and with this method…”
“I mean… it’s not impossible, but isn’t this too reckless?”
“You and I can handle it. Just get on my back already.”
“You’re really going to do this?”
“Yes.”
“Think carefully one more time.”
“Stop hesitating and get on.”
“Sigh…”
I crouched down, offering my back.
After a moment’s hesitation, Yeon Ha-neul finally gave up resisting.
Gingerly, she held my shoulders and pressed herself close.
“Here we go!”
“Eek! Where do you think you’re touching?!”
“Your butt. I have to hold it to carry you properly.”
“Ugh, the fact you say that so confidently irritates me so much.”
“Forget that. Just get ready. Ha-neul, I’m counting on you for the explosion and landing.”
“Alright. And you better jump well.”
“Also, hold tight. Don’t fall off halfway.”
“O-okay…”
Explosions were art.
No—rather, they were exhilarating.
Fog Mountain Summit
Evaluators checking examinees’ arrival times briefly glanced at the “Gate Clock” installed near the portal.
03:22:18
Three hours, twenty-two minutes, eighteen seconds had passed since the second practical test began.
“It’s about time someone arrived,” one evaluator murmured.
Thirty-seven minutes, forty-two seconds remained to receive a Grade 1.
Just as evaluators anticipated a candidate—
Rustle.
The bushes parted, and the first examinee emerged clearly.
Cha Eun-sol of the Cycle Carriage Dormitory appeared.
03:29:57
“Ah, finally someone’s arrived.”
Silence briefly filled the air.
After spending hours reaching the summit, one might expect a sense of triumph or relief.
Yet Cha Eun-sol, with her emerald eyes, seemed utterly indifferent.
Even so, faint traces of fatigue were visible on her otherwise emotionless face. Even with the aid of her spirits, exhaustion was unavoidable.
The examiners greeted her calmly.
“Candidate number 11586, Grade 1.”
“Congratulations. You are the first to reach the summit, making you first place.”
“Am I free to leave now?”
“Yes. Your second practical test ends here. You can exit through the gate. Outside, assistants will brief you on tomorrow’s third test—”
Rather than showing joy at her first-place achievement, Cha Eun-sol was already eager to leave.
The evaluators exchanged wry smiles but understood her impatience. She must’ve been tired and eager for rest.
They stepped aside, allowing her to proceed toward the gate.
It was at precisely that moment—
3:34:38
Rustle.
A second candidate emerged through the bushes.
The evaluators immediately turned their attention to the figure stepping forward.
“I-I finally made it….”
“…”
The newcomer was trembling, covered in leaves from head to toe, barely standing as she leaned heavily on her staff. Min Ah-rin of the Mage Folk Dormitory.
Unlike Cha Eun-sol, Min Ah-rin appeared overwhelmed with emotion at finally reaching the summit—but only for a brief instant.
“What do you mean… I’m not first?”
“…”
Chew, chew.
“Me, Min Ah-rin, not first…?”
Spotting Cha Eun-sol standing calmly among the evaluators, Min Ah-rin’s eyes widened, clearly shaken even from a distance.
Then her expression quickly shifted.
“Tch.”
Min Ah-rin clicked her tongue bitterly, forcing her shaky legs forward toward Cha Eun-sol.
“You there.”
“Hmm?”
“Don’t get cocky just because you won this round. This exam isn’t over yet.”
Min Ah-rin completely disregarded the presence of the evaluators and snapped irritably at Cha Eun-sol, who’d somehow produced a sausage and was already eating calmly.
“In the third test, I’ll definitely—”
“So can I leave now?” Cha Eun-sol interrupted flatly, showing zero interest in Min Ah-rin’s challenge.
“Are you ignoring me now?! You think you’re better just because you got first place this time? I’ll definitely take first next—”
“Sure. You take first next time.”
“…What?”
“I don’t care. I don’t need it.”
“What do you even—?”
“I just need to pass. That’s good enough.”
“…”
Min Ah-rin was speechless. What kind of girl was this?
She stared into those unfathomable green eyes, feeling both baffled and strangely insulted. Clearly, Cha Eun-sol didn’t see her as worthy of attention at all. Min Ah-rin was about to vent her frustration—
“Anyway, I can leave now, right?”
“Wait! Hold it!”
“Bye.”
Cha Eun-sol abruptly turned around and stepped through the gate, vanishing without hesitation.
“She just ignored me…”
“…”
“Just wait and see. I’ll show you…”
Grinding her teeth, Min Ah-rin glared bitterly at the gate where Cha Eun-sol had disappeared. Her fatigue momentarily forgotten, she angrily stomped through the gate and exited as well.
The evaluators sighed quietly once she was gone.
“There she goes.”
“Indeed. We didn’t even finish our instructions.”
“Well, at least she passed.”
“And with a Grade 1 at that.”
The examiners stared in mild disbelief at the gate Min Ah-rin had vanished through.
Yet her departure quickly faded from their thoughts when the third candidate appeared.
03:48:52
“Oh, that was more fun than I expected!”
“…”
Nam Yu-ri of the Alchemy South Dormitory.
Unlike Cha Eun-sol or Min Ah-rin, Nam Yu-ri didn’t show the slightest sign of exhaustion. She smiled brightly, appearing genuinely cheerful, despite being soaked in monster blood.
“Candidate, are you injured—?”
“Huh? Oh, this isn’t my blood! Come on, how could human blood be blue?”
“Yes, we know, but your current state—”
“I’m perfectly fine.”
“…Alright then.”
Standing barely 160 centimeters tall, Nam Yu-ri had gray hair and pale white skin, making the blue blood staining her white clothing stand out starkly. Her cheerful, innocent expression was somehow unsettling, causing the evaluators to quickly change the subject.
“Candidate number 1145, Grade 1.”
“You passed. When you exit, assistants will inform you about the third test.”
“Okay! Good job, everyone!”
Nam Yu-ri exited through the gate. Only then did the examiners breathe freely again.
“What in the world happened out there? She was completely covered in blood…”
“I’ve never seen someone like her.”
“Don’t try too hard to understand. In my experience, people like her are dangerous. Better not get involved.”
“We’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Anyway, are there no more Grade 1 candidates left?”
“How much time remains?”
They checked the clock.
03:56:11
Just over three minutes remained for anyone else to qualify for Grade 1. After that, candidates could only achieve Grade 2.
“Not much time left.”
“Think anyone else will show up?”
“I’m scanning with my detection, but no one’s nearby.”
“So only three Grade 1 candidates this year?”
They quietly watched the clock count down.
03:57:23
Barely two minutes remained.
03:58:07
Now, only a minute left.
At this point, it seemed almost impossible anyone else would appear.
Less than a minute remained—
03:59:12
“Looks like three is all we’ll get.”
“A shame, but yes.”
Evaluators shifted attention to upcoming Grade 2 candidates.
03:59:20
40 seconds left.
03:59:30
30 seconds left.
03:59:40
20 seconds left.
It was precisely then that the unexpected happened.
KA-BOOOOOM!
“W-what the—!?”
“Did someone trigger a trap!?”
“That’s far too large to be an ordinary trap!”
A massive explosion erupted from somewhere nearby, startling everyone. The evaluators quickly turned toward the sound.
03:59:48
Black smoke surged violently through the white fog, churning and mixing dramatically.
Whooooosh!
03:59:50
Something shot upward from the blast, then rapidly descended toward the evaluators.
03:59:52
Eyes wide, the evaluators watched, initially mistaking the descending object for explosion debris and preparing protective spells.
03:59:53
But when they expanded their detection, they realized it was actually two candidates falling toward them.
03:59:54
“…”
Just what were these two thinking?
What kind of trick had they pulled?
The evaluators couldn’t comprehend.
03:59:55
Now, the evaluators could even see them clearly with their own eyes.
03:59:56
“Ha-neul, now!”
“O-okay!”
“…”
A girl, clearly an Ain, with rabbit ears, clung tightly to the back of a young man as both plummeted rapidly toward the ground.
03:59:57
“Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Should we help them land…?”
“No, wait—they’ve got this.”
Just then, a fierce wind erupted beneath the two, conjured by the rabbit-eared candidate’s magic.
03:59:58
The magical wind gently cushioned their fall, completely absorbing the impact.
03:59:59
The two safely landed just as the gate clock’s alarm sounded loudly.
04:00:00
Beeeeeeeeep!
Exactly four hours had passed.
Ignoring the sound, the evaluators stared silently toward the slowly settling dust.
“What on earth are those two…?”
“I have no idea…”
The dust finally cleared, revealing two figures sprawled on the ground.
“A-are we still alive…?”
“Told you it would work…”
Candidate 1532, Do Gyeon-woo.
Candidate 5784, Yeon Ha-neul.
Grade 1, second practical test—passed.
Leave a Reply