"But, don't worry! This electrical current won't be open for 1 month. All of you still have time to acclimate and pace yourselves in the trial."
Instead of being glad, the earlier demonstration set the tone of the atmosphere. The children inwardly lamented how short the time was helplessly shoved on them.
Some of them were smart and thought about the nuances such as rest timers and recovery on injuries inflicted by the wires, and the other unknown exhausting obstacles.
The result? One month wasn't enough to wholeheartedly adapt to a drastic tribulation.
"Next, the three obstacles were fairly easy. It was roll-over logs requiring adequate balance, up-and-under logs for flexibility, and monkey ladder bars demanding upper strength!"
While looking at the processed logs, Yoichi nodded. It wasn't as lethal and punishing as the 50-meter barbed wire crawl. Then, what Yoichi fully focused on was the next task which involves heights.
"Coming after that log obstacles was a rope designed to balance and move forward to the next trial which is water diving. Both of these were prepared to condition your minds against fear of heights and strengthen your core."
As Motoyasu explained each function and description, Yoichi instinctively gulped while remembering his fears of the past.
In his previous life, his anxiety stemmed from the fact that there was always a desire to leap, facing any edges of tall establishments.
It is dubbed the call of the void.
Bungee jumping and other extreme sports having to do with heights made him feel apprehension.
'I hope it will be alright... Hooooh. Man up! I wasted my time in my past life doing nothing, it's time for a fresh start!'
Encouraging himself, Yoichi sighed and began listening once more.
"Once you all come up to the surface, there will be 9 pop-up targets launching a barrage of attacks. All you have to do is destroy each popping-up target with your kunai and shuriken."
Yoichi looked at the targets, which were intricately painted and made akin to shinobi of major villages.
"Now, form a group. The party must be united and rhythmic. With each failed attempt, someone else will whip your backs and force your team to move on. I'll give you all 30 minutes to build a group. Starts... Now!"
As soon as Motoyasu's words came out, Yoichi glanced at Haruhiko and Hikari. Rather than forming a big squad, it's better to have cohesion and proper understanding between only a few people.
As they said, "Don't bite off more than you can chew."
"Hehehe, looks like I'll be on your hands." Haruhiko cheekily smiled.
Hikari nodded like a pecking chicken.
"You two should follow my orders and wait for my instructions, understand?"
Yoichi informed them. After all, this obstacle course was incredibly hard as a child, and sometimes, being stuck with a dog-like companion was worse than having no teammate at all.
"Of course, I'll believe in you!" Haruhiko yelled.
"Mmhm! Fighting!" Hikari's eyes shone with competitive spirit.
"Good. Now we wait for further instructions." With the approval of his teammates, Yoichi took the trial seriously.
"Ready?!"
After a moment, Motoyasu's voice was heard while the children prepared themselves for a challenge that could change the whole course of their lives.
"Yoichi! You and your group should start the challenge." On the side, Motoyasu grew interested in Yoichi's hidden potential.
"Hahaha, sucks to be him."
"Idiot! Just look at them and observe. We need some tips to finish this trial."
"Yeah, you are right. He's the top dog here anyway!"
As the youngsters murmured, Yoichi and his group went into the starting line as the rain soaked their ragged clothes.
"If someone's clothes have been stuck in those protruding wires, just say it and help them immediately. Ignore the pain and everything, just focus on the task." With a furrow in his brows, Yoichi began explaining the initial strategy.
"O—okay!" Haruhiko felt nervous until he took a deep breath.
"Understood, Yoichi-kun." Hikari replied.
"Okay, go!"
In an instant, Yoichi crawled his way inside the bristled metal forest and patiently waited for his teammates.
On his side, Haruhiko crept slowly while Hikari followed the group's rhythm. Even though their pace was like a turtle, each wriggle was careful and attentive, slithering unhurriedly.
Muddy soil splashed on his face, scratches of bulbous points, and a constricted path made Yoichi grit his teeth in pain yet he persisted.
"Yoichi, help."
Soon, Haruhiko's clothes were impaled by the barbed wire. Therefore, Yoichi's right hand easily pulled Haruhiko's clothing in the opposite direction away from the obtrusive edge, unbinding Haruhiko.
"Good call. Now go."
Not even halfway there, Haruhiko felt embarrassed until the reassuring voice of Yoichi reverberated.
As the same situation happened again, their cooperation became smooth and effortless, trudging through the ground with mud plastered on their faces.
"As expected of the top dog. His leadership among his teammates was commendable."
"We should copy their strategy, it seemed too easy. Now who's gonna be our leader?"
"Fuck off, observe their movements and don't talk! Such a nuisance."
While the children applauded, Yoichi and his party soon came out of the barbed wire forest. A supervising shinobi held his whip and readied himself as the first contenders made their way to the roll-over logs.
"When the logs move, step to the opposite direction," Yoichi instructed.
The logs were wobbly with a small puddle of water underneath as a saving grace for the failed attempt.
'Shit! This is slippery!'
With his attempt, Yoichi's arms became a balancing scale while his muscles tightened. Each step along the slippery log felt like comedic acting yet Yoichi was fighting for his life just to balance.
Subsequently, Yoichi, Haruhiko, and Hikari fell into the puddle and went back on the logs until they were lashed by a whip to their backs.
"What are you doing? Go!" The supervising shinobi shouted.
'This is harder than I thought.'
A searing gash emerged on Yoichi's back as he tried once again. Now, he used his bare feet and slid to the logs like a professional skater. Seeing his successful attempt, Haruhiko and Hikari felt delighted, neglecting the pain behind their backs.
"Use your bare feet and slide on the logs. Press your heel and toes down like an arch... Yes, like that! Then, straighten your spine and tighten your calf muscles!"
Therefore, Haruhiko and Hikari followed his instruction. Evidently, they didn't quickly comprehend the teachings and made continuous failures until the 4th successful attempt.
"Just hold hands together in each opposing log."
Correspondingly, Yoichi also took 4 lashes on his back. Regardless, he was still focused as if the adrenaline had been injected into him and efficiently ignored the searing sensation in his skin.
"Hoooh... It's done!" Haruhiko cried out.
Finally, the two successfully crossed the roll-over logs with pained expressions on their faces.
________
(Current Progress)
[Heavenly Demon Posture: (Small Success) 163/300]
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There is still another part for this since it was cut off right in the middle, sorry for that one. Of course, such trials required punishment and some sacrifices to be accomplished.
Thanks for reading the chapters and bookmarking the novel. See ya! XDD!