The introductions were quick and concise, as if the challengers still didn't trust him completely. It was understandable, but Jin hoped that it wouldn't be the case for too long. If they were to fight together in this mission, he needed them to trust him enough for them to tell him about their abilities.
Looking at the timid young man right behind him, Conrad spoke sarcastically.
"What about you, Sammy? Do you think all of us will pass this 'test' with flying colors?"
Sam's expression turned grim. It looked as if he were going through every possibility where he would fail or get killed in the process. Fortunately, with Elias present, Jin was certain that no one would die or even get severely injured.
Finally, Sammy spoke with uncertainty.
"Ugh… I don't know. I don't want to know."
Shaking his head, he turned to the other man accompanying Sam. Unlike Sam, this young man seemed overly confident in himself, a bright smile covering his face.
"Do you even know something as self-doubt, huh?"
Dean replied nonchalantly.
"You know it. I just want to get done with this and move onto some real missions. The big guns from our batch have already gained enough credit to be respected among the veterans."
Conrad chuckled faintly, turning back to the approaching outpost. Dean was Sam's brother, both being of the same age. Yet, the two had contrasting personalities, one being completely opposite to the other.
Meanwhile, the female challenger was now walking beside Evelin, both walking in utter silence. It was strange how both knew nothing about each other yet already had an opinion on the other.
On the other hand, he was more interested in Conrad's situation. A beautifully engraved staff attached to his back, his armor relatively heavier than Jin's himself. It was only natural since his physique itself was sturdier than Jin's, his height reaching six feet.
Narrowing his gaze, Jin asked Conrad.
"Tell me something. Both your armor and weapon seem to be of the highest grade, while you look like a young master yourself. Your background must be strong enough to support your endeavors. In the end, you decided to waste a few years and then finally chose to enlist yourself in the Hope guild. What changed?"
Conrad laughed.
"Young master? You flatter me! Well, I do think I don't look half-bad myself."
He continued to laugh for a while, as if reminiscing about the years he had spent after clearing the first trial. Somewhere in that lighthearted nature of his, Jin could sense unease and guilt. As to what it was, he couldn't know even if he wanted to.
Having calmed down, Conrad continued.
"As you said, yes, I do come from a wealthy house. One of the wealthiest in Acropolis, perhaps, if you ask me. Even if I don't become a challenger, I can easily live the rest of my life in fortune and comfort."
His gaze turned somber.
"But oh well, life isn't as easy as people make it seem, is it? I had my own circumstances, one of which needed me to return to being a challenger. I'm sure everyone here has their own reason to become a challenger as well, some even more than others."
He smiled at Jin.
"When the time is ripe, I hope you can tell me your reason. When that day comes, I'll tell you mine as well. How about it?"
Jin grinned faintly. Conrad was certainly a year or two older than them, but he was much more mature than he seemed. He looked like he had come to peace with being a challenger, having to go through horrible trials that stripped one of their humanity.
He was glad to make the acquaintance of someone of Conrad's caliber. He reminded Jin of his earlier days with Seo, having made ridiculous promises despite knowing that one of them could die the very next day.
'Haah… those were the good times.'
Looking at the two, Dean laughed sarcastically.
"Alright, Shakespeare, if you say so. How do you even come up with these cheesy lines?"
Conrad chuckled.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
The playful banter continued for a while as they neared the outpost.
It was quite the fantastical sight. As far as he could see, a tall wall stood between the outside world and the Acropolis. The city wall was several times thicker than the one inside the city, separating the inner and outer parts of the city.
The more he examined, the more he realized just how hastily the wall was built. There were noticeable cracks and architectural flaws visible to the naked eye.
There was a quick security check at the small gate embedded at the bottom of the wall. On their right, they could see several barracks, soldiers, and guards making preparations, while some returned from their duties.
Among those soldiers, Jin could sense a few challengers as well, the majority being normal people.
Seeing the sheer number of barracks, Jin knew they weren't there since the beginning.
Handing the identification card Morgan had given him to the guard, Jin asked Conrad.
"Why are there so many soldiers here? I doubt mundane people or lower ranks would be of any use if a beast were strong enough to break the tower's barrier and also break down the wall."
Conrad smiled at him, his gaze sweeping over the barracks.
"I don't think I want to answer that."
Jin could understand his response.
The barrier itself was strong enough to keep most of the entities outside while only letting humans pass through. No one really knew how it worked, but it seemed people didn't trust it completely.
Deep in Lian's memories, he could see an incident that had happened in the past. It was after that incident that the city fortified itself even further, splitting the barrier into two while fortifying it with unsurmountable walls.
But humanity couldn't be contained in an enclosed space. They had to explore the area around them, procuring whatever they could from this broken world. This mine was no different, having been discovered unknowingly.
Regardless, they had managed to clear out a general vicinity even outside the barrier. This way, they could routinely venture outside the barrier.
With the wall being so thick, the gate seemed like an entrance to a tunnel, the other side being much dimmer.
With every step, he could feel a strange weight falling over his shoulders. It wasn't anything noticeable, not in the sense it could hinder his movements severely. But it was enough to alert him.
It was only now that he realized what it truly meant to go outside the barrier.
He had thought that it was simply overgrown vegetation and unknown beasts outside, but the change was much more fundamental. The air was thicker, the qi here much more organic and raw.
On the other side of the wall, sunlight couldn't travel past the thick trees and vegetation. There was barely enough light to illuminate the parts of the forest near him. But the farther he looked, the darker it became. He could already sense a few gazes from the dark, having noticed their appearance.
'Impressive… But this is much worse than what I had expected.'
His confusion kept growing the more he looked around him.
It was as if trees didn't care where the sunlight came from, growing in all the directions like a spider's web. Because of this, the branches high above were tangled between each other, blocking most of the sunlight. Regardless, none of them bore any fruit or flower.
What made it even worse was that the ground below seemed fertile enough for weeds and grass to be filled in. But there were just patches of green spread throughout, some huddled around trees while others spread randomly.
There were no birds inhabiting the branches, nor were there any animals resting in the shade. Everything about it seemed wrong, as if nature itself were being bent to the will of a higher being.
Thankfully, he could still hear the occasional chirp of a bird, the crickets, and other insects, as well as the rustling leaves. It wasn't completely quiet but was quiet enough to put him on edge.
In front of them was what could be called a makeshift path, sturdy enough for the carts to pass by. He could still see the faint marks of the wheels and footprints of challengers who may have passed through.
He noticed Evelin shift ever so slightly, her demeanor completely different than inside the city.
Having cleared the security check, Elias arrived behind them.
Glancing at them, he spoke crudely.
"From here on out, you're on your own. Of course, I'll be with you, but I won't be leading you."
Everyone turned to Evelin, even Jin.
Evelin shook her head in embarrassment.
"You numbskulls, I'm already a guild member. I just came here to watch your test."
Finally, everyone turned to Conrad. Conrad blinked, clearly caught off guard.
"... What?"
Jin didn't answer. Because for the first time since entering the forest, something felt… wrong.