chapter nine

The fourth test has begun: the sniper test.

Both competitors must dodge and hit the devilish simulations. If they hit it, they gain ten points. If they hit it from the simulation, they lose fifty points.They must score a thousand points before the end of the test, otherwise they will be eliminated.

The whistle echoed through the air, signaling the start of the fourth trial. The moment it sounded, it felt as if the ground itself trembled beneath the feet of the eighty contestants who found themselves inside a massive, intricately designed, and deceptive hall.

The maze stretched before them like a devilish labyrinth, its reflective walls deceiving the eyes and confusing the senses, making even the simplest decisions—moving forward or turning—a perilous gamble. Fragile bridges swayed with every step, narrow passages threatened to crush anyone daring enough to cross them, and worst of all, deep pits appeared without warning, like hungry mouths waiting to devour any reckless contestant.

But this was only the first challenge.

At every corner of the maze, moving targets appeared, flickering in and out of sight at unpredictable moments, zipping around with such speed that tracking them seemed like madness, requiring pinpoint accuracy and razor-sharp reflexes. Some targets glided on fast-moving rails, shifting direction at random, while others leaped between walls like ghostly dancers, their movements impossible to predict. There was no clear pattern the contestants could easily exploit.

But the real challenge lurked in the shadows…

"The Devil Emulator."

A highly advanced sniper machine, moving with lightning speed, watching the contestants like a hunter stalking its prey. No one knew exactly how it operated, but everyone was certain of one thing: if it targeted you, you had two options—run or brace yourself to lose 50 points from your total score. This was not a beast that could be defeated; it was a relentless enforcer, reminding everyone that this trial was far from a mere game.

The moment the whistle blew, every contestant moved according to their own strategy. Some sprinted wildly, trying to evade the "Devil Emulator" while focusing on hitting the targets, while others slipped through the shadows, hoping to avoid direct confrontation for as long as possible.

John stood still, unlike everyone else.

He observed the maze with the eyes of a seasoned hunter. For a moment, he felt puzzled, but he quickly realized that if he didn't act fast, he'd become easy prey. The problem was that the hall was designed to make anyone unprepared an inevitable failure.

Then, an idea struck him.

He whispered to himself, "If only I had a bow and arrows…"

In an instant, as if his very being responded to his desire, he felt something materializing in his hands. It was a surreal moment, as if he had summoned something from nothing. Looking down, he saw a sturdy bow and a sharp arrow, as if they had emerged from within him. For a moment…