And The Winner Is...

As the group of three humans and one snake came out of the jungle, and back to the spot where they had once previously gathered at the beginning of the ceremony. They came to note a large gathering of spectators, even more than before. The crowd this time was not only unrelated tribespeople with nothing better to do, but families too had gathered to welcome their children-cum-adults home.

The audience had noticed the three leaving the jungle as they were some of the first to exit, and two of them were noteworthy individuals amongst the tribe.

"Hey look, there's the Tribe-Chief and Great-Warrior's son. I can't believe he even lasted that long inside, he's only 11-years-old right?"

"The Great-Warrior's disciple is with him, as-well-as another woman, I wouldn't be surprised if they coddled him."

"Is that a snake on his wrist? And a pitch-black colored one at that? Has anyone seen or heard of a black snake before?"

"Can't say that I have." " Me either." " Nope, not here."

As the crowd of overenthusiastic spectators discussed away, more and more participants began filing out of the looming forest and began gathering together once again. All of them were waiting for the evaluation to begin, and subsequent top 3 announcement.

When the rate of competitors trickling in slowed some amongst the crowd realized that there were seemingly a lot less coming out of, than there were that went in. Telling just how many had either quit and came out earlier than 7 days, or how many had died within the bowels of the jungle.

"Aren't there a little too few participants here? Just what happened this year?"

"I heard from some kids who came out of the forest early, battered and beaten, that there were many groups of organized goblins patrolling the forest."

"What!? Since when are goblins organized?"

"Something must have riled them up enough for the tribes to start banding together."

Many contestants were now running out of the forest, hoping to get there before the evaluation began, praying they would get there in time.

With the time trickling down, getting closer and closer to the cut-off the crowd noticed the absence of the Great-Shaman's son; Liang, and his Rank 2 Warrior lackey; Chao.

"Anyone else notice that Liang and Chao aren't here yet?" " Yeah, I was wondering about that myself." " Took the words straight out of me."

"I know where they are! I saw them leaving the jungle a few days ago, they were both pale white and they looked to be in pretty bad shape. They tried to stay out of sight and didn't speak to anyone as they made there way back to the tribe."

"Wow really?" "Just what happened inside the forest this year?" "Even Liang and Chao came back early, beaten, just how did the Tribe-Chief's son last? Did he just get lucky?"

While the crowd continued their loud speculation, Tribe-Chief Zheng set foot on top of the platform overlooking the area.

"Silence!" His voice bellowed out to the surroundings, demanding the command to be followed.

After a few seconds, people began to quieten down one-by-one, affecting the area like a contagious disease, until silence reigned.

"Times up for the ceremony, and it is now time for the evaluation! I want all you participants to come up one at a time and hand over your monster-cores. Remember, you must give at least one to be able to pass and be able to be labeled an adult! If you do not have a core then I'd suggest you step back now and not embarrass yourself later!"

Tribe-Chief Zheng swept his gaze over the crowd in silence for a few seconds, waiting for any to step back. "No one? …Good!"

"If you want to enter the top 3 and be in the running to win one of the leather armors, then hand in multiple cores! However, remember, even if you don't win you won't get those cores back. When counting quality comes first, followed by quantity, meaning if you somehow hand over an E-Rank Core, then the only way for you to lose would be for someone to hand over 2 E-Rank Cores!"

"Any questions?" Tribe-Chief Zheng once again swept his gaze over the crowd, "…No? …Good, let's begin the evaluation!"

One-by-one the participants went up onto the platform to hand over their monster-cores, most handing in one just to complete the coming-of-age ritual, while some hopefuls handed in multiple cores in an attempt to get into the top 3.

Eventually, after what felt like hours, all of the participants had been up and handed over at least one monster-core.

Tribe-Chief Zheng clapped his hands, "Alright, now that everyone has come up we can announce the top 3. When I call your name, come up onto the platform and when all three of you are up I'll hand you the prizes. Now let's begin with 3rd place."

"In 3rd we have Miss Wei who handed over 2 F-Rank Cores and 11 G-Rank Cores! Well done!" Tribe-Chief announced.

Wei silently walked up the platform and quietly waited as the crowd of spectators and her fellow participants clapped for her.

"Next in 2nd, we have my wife's disciple, Miss Lei! She handed over 3 F-Rank Cores and 15 G-Rank Cores!"

Lei put on her crowd-pleasing act and ran up onto the platform excitedly waving at the clapping crowd, giving them her heartfelt thanks.

"And finally in 1st place, we have my son, Xing! Who handed over 4 F-Rank Cores and 18 G-Rank Cores!" Tribe-Chief Zheng clapped himself, a proud smile adorned his face.

Xing casually strolled onto the platform and stood alongside Lei and Wei in front of his father.

Because Xing had heard people gossiping about his competence, and speculating about how long he could even last in the forest previously, due to only being 11-years-old. He assumed that there would be whispering amongst the crowd, questioning whether cheating involved. But he heard none of that, he instead received the same level of congratulations that Lei and Wei acknowledged.

Tribe-Chief Zheng stopped clapping and continued addressing the crowd, "They will each get a set of the best-crafted leather armor that the tribe is capable of producing, made from the hides of G, F, and E Rank monster, as-well-as 5, 10, and 15 mana-crystals, for 3rd, 2nd, and 1st respectively!"

He looked at the three winners, "You three will receive your prizes from me later in the tribe, but for now," Going back to overlooking the spectators, he shouted, "Let's give these three another round of applause!"

***

After the ceremony was officially over, Xing, Lei, and Wei found themselves inside the Chief's tent on top of the plateau.

Tribe-Chief Zheng had his guards bring in three pairs of leather armor, each different from the others, whether it be design, color, weight, or thickness.

After the guards had left, Tribe-Chief Zheng picked up the best-designed armor and brought it over to Xing, "This one belongs to you, son, made from an E-Rank beast"

Xing took the leather armor off his father and inspected its quality. It was easy to tell that this was the best, since not only was it aesthetically pleasing, it was light yet had retained the thickness of an E-Rank creature.

Zheng had picked up another set and brought it over to Lei, "This is your set Lei, made from an F-Rank monster."

"Wow, thanks, Uncle!" Lei practically grabbed the armor out of his hands and started looking it over with gleaming eyes.

Chuckling at Lei's enthusiasm, Zheng picked up the last armor and handed it to Wei, "And finally, yours Miss Wei, made from an F-Rank monster."

Wei took it carefully, "Thanks."

Tribe-Chief Zheng stepped back and looked over the trio, "Now, I know that something different happened inside the forest this time, goblins acting in an organized manner, investigations will be carried out, but I want to hear what your three experienced."

Xing turned serious and went on to explain all that happened to them over the 7 days. He included everything from Liang and Chao, to leaving them there to die. He talked about how Umbra saved him, and how she signed a soul contract with him using a complicated and ancient spell. Going on to talk about the Goblin Leader, his tamed Forest Troll, and his army of thousands, attacking the powerful pink flower, as-well-as the aftermath. He also brought out the E-Rank core they acquired from the Blood Tiger.

After Xing, Lei didn't have much to add, since they were together for the most part. While Wei talked about having to avoid large amounts of roaming goblins.

Tribe-Chief Zheng listened quietly to each of them before nodding in acknowledgment, "I see, so there is a goblin chieftain in the jungle who can use what sounds like the Life Element, and has united a few tribes, as-well-as being able to tame Forest Trolls."

"Life Element!?" A collective gasp came from all three of them.

"Mmmh, the green light you saw healing the troll sounds like what the life element would do." He said nonchalantly.

Xing asked his father, "Why do you sound so carefree when there is a powerful enemy so close-by?"

"Haha, it's because the goblins even if the goblins do leave the forest, they won't bother with humans. They are life or death enemies with the Centaurs, just like us, since there have always been times where entire goblin tribes have been enslaved by the four-legged bastards. If anything we should be happy that the goblins may start a war against Centaur tribes."

While his father was speaking, Xing noticed a scowl appear on Wei's face at the mention of Centaurs. His thoughts about why were interrupted by his father.

"And also Xing, both Liang and Chao are still alive and managed to stagger their way back to the tribe a few days ago."

"Wha-!?" "What!?" Both Xing and Lei were shocked, that guy actually managed to not only survive but make it back to the tribe!

Zheng continued through their shock, "What you did to Liang will certainly enrage that traditional bastard Peng and there is no telling just what he will do, although I have a good idea. But either way, you need to be cautious, even when inside the tribe."

"I will," Xing said.

"Good. Now you three can leave, oh wait, you can go and get the number of mana-crystals you earned from the stockpile, the guards and workers there have already been informed."

With a nod of acknowledgment, Xing, Lei, and Wei turned and left the tent.