Chapter 40: Conclusion of the Exam

"Heh, hehe, ahahahaha! That's what you get you shitty brats. Haaaahhhhh, that was painful you shit!"

He said kicking the two boys to the ground, he vented his anger towards them like he lost something important. And yes, he did lose something during that outburst of power.

"I burned too much of my core during that fight. And I just made my mana core not too long ago, so it is not quite strong yet. If it weren't for these brats none of this would have happened."

He said lashing out at them.

"For now, let's cuff them up before they can get back up."

He hurriedly got his mana seals in his pockets, but before he could fully take them out a hand grabbed him by the foot without his notice, and with a pull, it made him lose balance as he fell down.

"How did that red hair-." Thinking it was Clayton he described his features only to be surprised again to see Jayven was the one pulling him.

Without being able to react, he received a punch from Jayven as though he was a madman. He was then forced to stay put as he received Jayven's assaults.

But that didn't last long as he burned his mana core again.

"This is the second time! Now you are dead, no need for you to work for us you are going to die from me."

Not letting up Jayven pushed forth and fought against him one on one.

"Take this." With a rapid and successive swing of his whips, the attack continued to hit Jayven.

But not backing down Jayven pushed forth Making him face the rain of attacks.

"Ahhahahaha! You won't last long you idiot!"

"True, if I continued to get hit that is."

As he said that. Changes started to happen to Jayven as he slowly started to reduce the amount of hits he received.

"No way? It can't be!" Surprised the man got even angrier as he tried to increase his speed.

But he clearly is reaching his limits as he starts to slow down.

Then seeing a chance Jayven moved to deliver his finishing blow.

"Heh, your still green kid."

As though he was expecting this his whip suddenly wrapped Jayven.

"Too bad huh? It's true I am losing strength but I am not like you is just pushing yourself to the brink, that is why it is easy to fool you."

"Think again." Proclaiming so proudly he said those words to Jayven only to be rebuked by Clayton who suddenly appeared.

"You, but how?" Noticing he was already near him the man panicked.

Not letting the chance go to waste he plunged his arms into his body killing the man in the process.

"I broke our rules and used my skills. I am gonna hear a handful of complaints."

Feeling depressed Clayton sighed but later he changed his thoughts and spoke.

"Well, it is not the first time so I'll just let them be."

"You break the rules. What rules?"

"Using my skill."

Hearing that made Jayven feel the wide gap he had against this guy.

"Well even if I say that I still won't be able to match up against him even If I used my skill earlier."

"What do you mean?"

"He has a mana core that's what."

"Eh? Wouldn't that mean?"

"Yes, that's how it is for this guy."

He said showing the crystal orb.

"It really is mana core, like what monsters have. But that's it is I guess it wouldn't mean much for us."

"True I guess this is how it is for us who follow a different path."

Jayven was amazed at first for this was the first time he had seen a mana core from a human being. But like the two said the value of this mana core would roughly be the same as a monster of high ranks.

"Now then let's see what he has."

Clayton then started to rummage through the man's things. He opened his phone and other devices he also took out many items that seemed to be herbs monster carcasses potions and weapons.

"Oh, would you look at that this guy has many items at hand, although he doesn't have many credits it isn't that bad."

Hearing that made Jayven feel complicated. But he understood this is normal for everyone who wants to be a hunter.

There are rules about this as long as they encounter a corpse it could either be their work or not. And as long as they send it for autopsy to prove their innocence then, they could get a share from the corpse, only if it is not a criminal.

But if it is like what is happening right now then the hunter who committed the deed of hunting the criminal then they will have 100% of the corpse's belongings but if they bring it for autopsy, they only have to pay the fee for autopsy.

It may seem okay to not go for an autopsy but many hunters still do since this would be put in their records increasing their prestige. So, it is rare for a hunter not to go to a hunter association for an autopsy.

"I'll give this to you." He said as he gave Jayven the items inside the storage bag.

"Eh, but you mostly did the work though?"

"As much as I want, he has they are of no use to me, except his devices that could be used to hunt down their group."

Clayton said that then walked away heading in a certain direction. Confused Jayven asked.

"Where are you going?"

"I need to go hunting for more of these guys". He said pointing at the demon activists.

"I see too bad I can't be of help now."

Yeah, you seem to be in bad shape anyway. Next time we see each other make sure to get stronger or I will regret giving you some pointers.

"Sure, thing Next time I see you I will be the one winning."

"Now that's something I will look forward to. Goodbye then."

"Yeah."

Leaving, Clayton ran fast looking for his next prey.

"Damn, that guy is something else. But that doesn't mean he is out of reach."

Jayven faced the direction Clayton left and spoke.

"I will surpass you the next we meet and at that time I'm going to win."

Then as though the heavens heard his voice the sky brightened as the dark veil was destroyed.

"They just have to arrive late. Yeah, very late indeed...."

Looking at the arriving hovercraft Jayven slowly drifted into sleep as he finally felt relieved as he released all his tension.

'Damn, restraining those debuffs is too much not to mention that guy's attack is so powerful.'

Complaining in his mind he lost consciousness as he finally fell asleep.

~~~~~The Next Day~~~~~

Winner Clayton Meirs! This Concludes Blossom City's National Exam.

"Nngghh… Huh? What was that?"

Waking up from the sound of the Holovision Program Jayven was confused as he saw Clayton receiving the trophy with an unconcerned face.

"You finally woke up."

"Miss Chris? Am I at a hospital?"

Noticed Chris Jayven asked about his current situation.

"Yeah, a whole day had passed since the demon activist attacked. I'm surprised you woke a day earlier than expected seeing as you received the most injury in camp."

"I see, also what's that?"

Seemingly unconcerned about his state he asked what is currently happening.

'Although I get the jest of it, I'm still confused since it wasn't long since the attack of the demon activist.'

"Oh, that? The tournament continued this morning. It seems like the top ten contestants were still able to fight so after a day of rest they continued to let them fight."

"As expected, he won huh? By the way, what is my rank?"

"Yours? I think it is around 72."

"Not even close huh?"

"Don't sweat it you did great and it is understandable if you reach that rank when facing that kid."

Hearing that didn't make him feel better but Jayven already knew the outcome. And ever since he lost to Clayton, Jayven understood that there are more strong people out there who are good at hiding their strength.

'As much as I want to get to the top Three Institute it would be impossible. I can only opt to consider entering a school at a Metropolis City in the continent.'

There are ranks of cities in the world and Metropolis City is said to be the top-ranked cities on every continent. And here all kinds of resources and schools gather for supremacy.

"Yeah, your right so next time I'm going to be the one winning."

"Oh, didn't think you could have a positive thinking like that. That's good here take this."

Chris then gave Jayven a box the size of a palm.

"What's this?"

"It's a reward from your master."

"But I failed to get in the top ten?"

"Yes, and this is the punishment you will receive. As this is all the rewards you avoided to receive combined, make good use of it."

"Oh okay." Opening the Box Jayven was surprised.