Chapter 5: The New Beginning

  Taro:

  That place was a nightmare. Darkness everywhere… and that figure standing right in front of me.

  No. I can’t think about that now. I have to clear this trial first.

  Alright then—here I come, crocodiles.

  Cadet:

  I told you he was hiding something. Look at him—trying to clear the trial alone.

  I don’t think he even noticed the hidden path.

  Narrator:

  Taro stayed silent and allowed them to move ahead. He knew better.

  To face the shadows, he first had to cross the river.

  Taro (thought):

  Go ahead and die.

  If you chose that path, you’re nothing more than sacrificial material.

  I hope I see your terrified faces one day on the battlefield.

  For now… I focus on surviving.

  Narrator:

  The river turned violent the moment Taro stepped in. Crocodiles lunged from below while others charged from the front.

  Then, in the chaos, Taro noticed a pattern.

  Taro (thought):

  Below and front… predictable.

  If I step on their faces while jumping, they’ll bite each other.

  Blood will draw more of them in.

  So that’s it—this trial isn’t about strength. It’s about thinking.

  Looks like I did it… but a few are still chasing me.

  Narrator:

  Taro leapt forward, using a crocodile’s skull as a foothold.

  His gamble paid off. The beasts turned on one another, the river erupting into violence.

  By the time he reached the other side, his body was torn and bleeding—but he was alive.

  Taro:

  This hurts. My vision is getting blurry. I can't see properly.

  Narrator:

  The medical staff rushed in.

  ???

  Welcome, sir. You’ve successfully cleared the second trial.

  Please lie down—we’ll treat your injuries before the next one.

  Taro:

  You didn’t even ask my name.

  Whatever. Treat me.

  It’s Taro.

  M:

  That’s a beautiful name. You may call me M.

  I prefer not to share my real one.

  Taro:

  So you like playing games.

  I gamble with my life.

  Tell me—how do you survive in this world?

  Narrator:

  She didn’t answer. She simply looked at him, her smile perfectly fixed.

  Taro:

  That smile is fake.

  Drop the act. I’ve seen people like you before.

  M:

  …You’re right.

  It is fake. I’m sorry.

  You saw through me faster than most. I’m impressed.

  Taro:

  Looks like you’re done here.

  I should move on.

  See you later, M.

  Narrator:

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  And after some rest, Taro stepped toward the final trial.

  Final Trial — Strength

  Objective: Face a tiger.

  Warden:

  Impressive. Ten of you have made it this far.

  That’s the highest number in this kingdom’s history.

  As for those who took the shortcut… they didn’t survive.

  Prepare as long as you wish—but remember, only five of you will become soldiers.

  That is the king’s command.

  Narrator:

  Three rookies charged in without hesitation.

  None of them returned.

  The message was clear—recklessness meant death.

  Taro prepared carefully, equipping himself piece by piece.

  A tiger was not an enemy one defeated barehanded.

  While he prepared, two candidates cleared the trial.

  Fear crept in.

  If he waited longer, there would be no place left.

  So he stepped forward.

  M:

  Looks like someone finally made up his mind.

  You actually look handsome in that gear.

  Taro:

  Don’t misunderstand.

  I’m not here because of you.

  I’m here to survive.

  Narrator:

  With a strange, unstable resolve, Taro entered the arena.

  Taro:

  So… this is it.

  Ah—sneaky I saw you. Don't run if you get injured. Interesting.

  I already have a plan.

  You’ll never break through this armor.

  Narrator:

  Steel flashed.

  The fight ended within minutes—decided by a single, precise strike.

  Taro:

  …That was easier than I expected.

  I a bit of my strength I don't think this ends here.

  Warden:

  Taro. You’ve cleared the trial.

  But I never told you how vast this arena truly is. In reality the tiger you killed was not real. It was not trained to kill people by nature. There is one who actually is.

  Narrator:

  As Taro moved near the gate someone was waiting for him. A another tiger.

  Taro:

  That one wasn’t real.

  This one is.

  The first was trained by humans.

  This one was trained by nature—to kill.

  I need to hold my ground.

  Wait for the charge.

  Legs. Eyes. Head.

  Narrator:

  The second battle was nothing like the first.

  Blood soaked the ground. Taro’s chest and leg were torn apart.

  But with a perfectly timed strike, the tiger’s jaw was destroyed.

  Days of brutal training finally bore fruit.

  Taro:

  This is your last attack!

  I will live!

  I will see those mountains and rivers—

  I will be free!

  Narrator:

  The tiger collapsed.

  The trial was over.

  Taro fell unconscious, his body barely holding together.

  Next Saturday —

  Effect.