Chapter 7 – A Last-Minute Offer

Cain's body felt heavy. His legs throbbed with pain every time he tried to move, his breathing quickened like an engine running out of fuel. Nature's traps, wild monsters, the ever-changing terrain, it all felt like an endless maze that wanted nothing more than to swallow him alive.

He fell between the large roots that protruded from the ground, his body shaking with exhaustion. The sun began to tilt to the west, indicating that they had less time before the trial ended. Cain tried to force his body to get up, but every effort only made him sink deeper into despair.

Then, a voice rang out. Soft, yet piercing.

"My… You really are pathetic."

Cain lifted his head, and there she stood.

A silver-haired woman, the figure he had seen earlier on the Arcaneum grounds. Her battle dress was clean, her steps light, and her dark black eyes filled with curiosity. If Cain looked like someone who had just escaped from hell, she looked like she was enjoying an afternoon stroll.

"If you keep lying there, you might as well give up." Her voice sounded casual, but there was something strange in it.

The tone was light, almost like a child who had found a strange insect and was deciding whether to crush it or let it live a little longer.

The look in her eyes was like a hunter who had found a dying prey, savoring every last second before it took its last breath.

"Tsk. You can't even stand up?" she said, looking down slightly, looking at Cain like she was looking at something boring.

"I thought you would be more fun than this."

Cain swallowed, this was bad.

He thought hard and observed the woman, every expression on her face, every word she said, every action she took, not someone who would help others for no reason. If he couldn't make himself 'interesting' in her perspective, then he would just be trash that was left behind.

A woman who sees others as nothing more than prey or toys, now Cain must try to stay alive and find his identity, he will try everything he can to survive.

In the end he thought of one conclusion.

I am very weak and I know this very well, there are no rules in this test other than survival, that means anything can be done including cooperation. I will put aside everything for one goal, which is to survive, to achieve that I must cooperate with this woman.

He caught his breath, trying to speak in a voice that did not sound desperate.

"So... You're just going to stand there and watch?" His eyes stared directly at the woman, sparkling golden eyes staring into dark black eyes.

The woman grinned.

"Of course. I like to see something interesting. But unfortunately, you are not interesting enough."

It was a subtle threat.

Cain racked his brain. He had to change the way the woman saw him.

He thought about it. This type of person was only interested in something that could entertain him.

A toy that can fight, not one that gives up immediately.

"I'm weak now," he said, trying to get up despite his shaking body.

"But that makes me more interesting, doesn't it?"

The woman raised her eyebrows, her expression changing to a slightly interested one.

Cain continued, using her weakness as a weapon.

"You've seen too many strong people, haven't you? They're perfect, efficient, uninteresting. But someone who's about to die… who still tries to stand up even though he knows he has no chance?" Cain grinned faintly. "Isn't that much more fun?"

The black eyes narrowed.

"Huh…? So you're saying, you can be my entertainment?"

Cain shrugged his shoulders with difficulty.

"Who knows? But if you help me, I can last longer. And the longer I last, the more entertainment you can get, right?"

Silence.

The woman stared at him for a long moment.

Then she laughed.

Not an ordinary laugh, but a laugh filled with strange joy.

"You know… I'm starting to like you."

She crouched down, bringing her face closer to Cain's, as if examining something that had just become interesting to her.

"Very well. I will help you."

But then, her tone turned darker.

"But remember this well. I do not like toys that break easily."

Cain nodded. He had taken that into account.

"And one more thing," she continued in a lighter voice.

"If you disappoint me… I will end your life myself."

Cain smiled faintly. "At least it is better than dying here like an insect."

The woman chuckled before extending her hand to him.

"Very well, let's see how long you can last, my toy."

Cain took her hand.

He had just made a deal with a predator, and he had to make sure he remained attractive enough not to be eaten early.

Cain still felt the tension in his grip on the silver-haired woman's hand. He had made a deal, but that didn't mean he was safe.

"Then let's get started," she said casually, as if they were playing a child's game, not facing a forest full of deadly dangers.

Cain struggled to his feet, catching his breath. His body still felt heavy, but he couldn't slow down now.

They started moving. The woman didn't give her name, and Cain didn't ask.

However, it didn't take long for Cain to realize just how terrifying this woman was.

As they continued on their way, a Serpentine Behemoth, a giant snake with steel-like scales and a pair of large horns protruding from its head, emerged from behind the trees.

Cain immediately stiffened. The creature was a major threat.

However, the woman only moved her fingers slightly.

CRACK!

Suddenly, the Behemoth's body stopped moving, as if an invisible force had gripped it.

Cain saw something he couldn't believe.

The Behemoth's body parts twisted on their own, wrapping around its own neck like a knotted rope.

The huge creature was strangling itself.

SRAKK!

With a loud sound, its head was torn off from its own body.

Cain froze.

The woman only smiled slightly, as if killing such a large monster was nothing special.

"Don't be so impressed, I was just playing around a bit," she said, waving her finger as if she was dusting off.

Cain swallowed. This wasn't a game, this was a massacre.

She wasn't just strong, she was something far more dangerous.

However, as agreed, the woman would only move if the situation was truly urgent.

When the smaller monsters attacked, Cain had to face them alone.

He felt an incredible sense of pressure.

Every step he took felt like a test, knowing that she was watching him from behind, judging whether he was still 'attractive' enough.

He couldn't fail.

Several hours passed.

Cain fought the monsters that stood in his way. He avoided nature's traps, adjusting his steps to his survival instincts.

He was beginning to understand something.

He couldn't just rely on his physical strength.

He had to think.

Over time, he began to exploit the environment, using tree branches as weapons, directing monsters towards each other so they would attack each other.

He survived.

And behind him, the silver-haired woman smiled faintly, enjoying the show Cain was putting on.

The sun was sinking lower in the west, and the sky was turning shades of orange and purple. The shadows of the trees stretched long, creating the illusion of large figures lurking in the darkness.

The air became more humid, and the scent of wet earth mixed with the smell of rotting wood became more intense. In the distance, the sound of nocturnal insects began to replace the chirping of birds that had dominated the day.

Cain could feel a marked change in the atmosphere. If the forest had felt oppressive during the day, then as the sun set, the atmosphere became far more dangerous.

Cain was almost exhausted, but he couldn't stop.

The woman walked behind him, still calm, not the slightest bit tired.

"You're not bad," she said casually. "But this game isn't over yet."

Cain could only nod, holding his breath. Three days ago, he had been a nobody who couldn't sense Xenova very well.

Now, he had survived the first test of the Arkaneum, albeit with the help of a predator behind him.

He just had to hold on a little longer.

Cain walked faster. He looked at the creatures around him with a sharp gaze, the signal clear.

The creatures he encountered were different now than before. Land-type and water-type monsters began to appear, a sign that he was getting closer to the water.

The ship was probably only a few hundred meters ahead.

His heart raced. Adrenaline surged through his body.

This opportunity was too precious to pass up.

I have to get out of here as fast as possible!

He unleashed all his energy, pushing his body beyond its limits.

Cain moved like a flying arrow.

His feet kicked off the ground, his jump was farther than ever before.

He jumped over tree roots that were sticking out of the ground, avoiding low-hanging branches.

However, he did not let his excitement overcome his caution.

The water churned.

Cain immediately stopped when he saw something crawling beneath the mud.

SWOOSH!

From the water, a creature shaped like a crocodile, but with additional legs like an insect, lunged at him with its jaws open.

Cain jumped to the side in last second.

CRACK!

The monster's teeth sank into the tree trunk, crushing it in one bite.

If I had been a little slower…

Cain didn't want to imagine it.

He quickly picked up a sharp stone on the ground and threw it at the creature's eyes.

THUNK!

The monster roared in pain, giving Cain a chance to escape.

However, just as he was about to move…

SPLASH!

From the water nearby, another creature emerged.

A large figure with smooth skin and glowing yellow eyes. A large frog emerged from behind him, he had not noticed its presence at all until the creature revealed itself.

Cain slowly backed away.

There's no way I can face these two monsters at once!

He glanced behind him. The woman was still standing still, not moving an inch.

Of course… she won't help me unless I'm really dying.

Cain took a deep breath, then put on a serious expression.

He only had two choices.

Fight, or find another way.

Cain looked around.

Water, mud, trees, and rocks.

Then he saw something… a large tree root hanging low, slightly submerged in water.

That would work.

I have to bait them both into attacking each other!

He grabbed a rock on the ground and threw it at the giant frog's head.

THUMP!

The creature let out a growl and turned its gaze to Cain.

Cain smiled faintly. The plan was working.

Now the hard part.

He stepped back a little, pretending to be scared.

Then, he jumped onto the submerged root!

Just as he expected, the giant frog lunged at him with its mouth open.

SPLASH!

However, Cain jumped to the other side just before the jaws closed.

What happened next was even better than he had imagined.

The large jaws actually swallowed most of the head of the insect crocodile monster behind it!

CRACK!

The monster writhed in pain.

The giant frog tried to pry the crocodile from its mouth, but the slippery slime made it too difficult to pry, and the crocodile was moving constantly.

Good, they'll have their own business!

Cain didn't wait any longer.

He immediately resumed his run, leaving the two monsters to their own devices.

Cain's pace quickened, his breathing quickening as he pushed through the dense foliage. His feet nearly tripped over the large roots that ran along the ground, but he forced his body to continue forward.

In the distance, he began to hear a different sound, not the roar of a monster or the rustle of trees swaying in the wind, but the sound of surging water.

The light of the setting sun filtered through the trees, creating orange silhouettes that reflected off the water's surface. Cain quickened his pace, pushing through the last of the bushes before finally reaching the water's edge.

And there it was.

A large wooden ship with a slightly worn hull, but still looking sturdy. The flag of Arcaneum fluttered at the top of its mast, flickering in the salty sea breeze. The anchor rope hung, swaying gently in the calm water, and on the deck, several organizers stood guard, staring out into the forest as if waiting for the remaining participants.

Cain stood there, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Relief almost enveloped his body, but the cold sensation that crept up his spine reminded him that this was not over yet.

I did it!

Right now, the only thing he cared about was getting to the ship.

With the last of his strength, he stepped onto the dock and boarded the ship.

Cain stepped onto the wooden bridge that connected the land to the ship. Each step felt heavy, not only because of the exhaustion that gripped his body, but also because of the tension that had not yet completely disappeared.

As soon as his feet touched the deck of the ship, the coldness of the slightly damp wood spread to the soles of his feet. His breath was still labored, his chest rising and falling in an irregular rhythm. He stood there, letting the sea breeze hit his face, bringing the scent of salt mixed with the smell of old wood.

For the first time since the trial began, he could feel something approaching relief. However, it was not a complete relief, more like a brief respite between a bigger fight.

He lifted his face, staring at the sky that had now turned dark, the stars starting to appear above. His body was still tense, his mind was still working hard, remembering every moment that almost took his life in the forest.

Cain gritted his teeth. He had succeeded, but for some reason, there was no sense of pride in his heart. There was only the knowledge that this was just the beginning.

However, before he could enjoy the moment of calm, a small, mocking laugh crept into his ears.

"I must admit, you are quite entertaining."

Cain turned his head and saw the silver-haired woman standing behind him, relaxed like someone who had just taken a walk in the park. There was not a speck of dust or sweat on her, as if all the dangers they had gone through were merely entertainment for her.

Cain gritted his teeth. "I don't know if that's a compliment or just another way of mocking me."

The woman smiled, her lips curling up slightly in a way that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. "Why do I have to choose one? You made it all the way here, but you look absolutely pathetic right now."

Cain turned his gaze to the vast ocean before him. The salty breeze hit his face, bringing a little freshness to his nearly collapsed body. He wanted to savor the moment, but the woman's piercing gaze was still locked on him, making it difficult to feel relieved.

"So, are you going to keep staring at me like this?" Cain murmured, trying to disguise the exhaustion in his voice.

The woman walked closer, her steps light and silent. "I was just wondering... how long can you last before you finally break?" Her finger reached out, touching Cain's chin in a gentle but controlled motion, forcing him to look directly into her eyes that were as dark as a moonless night.

Cain held his breath. "I don't plan on breaking anytime soon."

She chuckled, her eyes narrowing in interest. "Good. I'll enjoy watching you struggle."

Cain wanted to retort, but his body was too tired. He could only stand there, letting the woman bask in her dominance. In the end, this was not a victory for him, just the beginning of a much bigger game.

Cain swallowed.

The world of Arcaneum was no place for the weak, and tonight, he had truly felt that.