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墨書 Inktalez
Driven by a determination that had brought them this far, the number of those who persisted among the Examining group dwindled as time went on.
Gordon felt that if this year's candidates were placed in previous years, those who had managed to endure such unexpected circumstances would have already passed the assessment. However, for the sake of making it easier for the judges in the next round, it was necessary to eliminate most of the participants. Only a select few who remained until the end might be the talents that the Hunter Association would need in the future.
"Isn't there an Ultimate?" someone shouted as they reached this point.
More and more people began to loosen their upper garments, tying them around their waists as they ran forward. Even if it was to reduce heat and alleviate the internal warmth generated by their exertion, this action helped them better manage the overheating of their bodies, balancing out their fervor.
Soon after, an overwhelming sense of fatigue began to wash over many participants. Some continued to push through, while others contemplated withdrawing after a moment. Yet, with wavering minds, it became clear that some had already resigned themselves to the fact that they would not finish. They attempted to track others' progress, merely curious about how many would announce their withdrawal next.
After a while, indeed, some individuals ahead came to a halt. They knelt on the ground, clutching their chests as if millions of ants were crawling in their throats, causing waves of itching. The more intensely they exercised, once they stopped and tried to resume chasing or vigorous activity, it became less about what their minds desired and more about what their bodies could actually accomplish. They had undoubtedly forfeited; the two hundred meters between them and the finish line seemed to stretch infinitely.
As soon as doubt crept into their minds, their bodies reacted inappropriately.
Action is determined by predictions made by the brain; once fatigue sets in, it can create a vicious cycle that drags down mental resilience. Even when emotions are high, one cannot escape the pull of negative feelings, which often affect those around them.
Some had already begun to lament loudly. In normal circumstances, such complaints would hold little weight; however, in this situation, emotions—especially negative ones—could make anyone uncomfortable. More candidates aspired to achieve better results in this assessment; even though they had improved their abilities this year, they could not fathom that the evaluation criteria were stricter than ever before. They had been labeled with a tag akin to an exaggerated classification.
[This is exactly right; under extreme conditions and intense fatigue, just observing their reactions allows me to gauge how they will respond in similar situations in the future. It’s unfortunate; if I were the final examiner this time around, I would never allow them to pass the Hunter Association's selection!]
[There are still others who have different approaches under these circumstances than I expected—Freyr and that big guy Xiong Tai? The two were college classmates and teammates from different teams. Despite this background, their synergy was exceptional. In such dire conditions, encouraging each other was crucial; no matter how harsh or extreme the environment or dangerous the mission, they could support one another. I’m curious whether their bond is truly unbreakable or if even such intense exertion could touch upon their psychological limits—they are not ordinary individuals.]
After deep contemplation, examiner Gordon suddenly accelerated again. At that moment, it seemed he expressed satisfaction with the strength displayed by this year's examiners. Perhaps it was a connection shared among skilled individuals; regardless of how things turned out, Gordon's actions clearly aimed at uncovering deeper values.
Sometimes, character, friendship, and the bond of life and death among companions cannot be concealed, no matter how hard one tries. The first step in the assessment is to check whether the examiner has enough stamina; this is the truth hidden beneath the surface. Sometimes, it is not the strongest individuals who pass but those with strong willpower, a resilient heart, and an unwavering dedication to life. In other words, the true meaning of this round of assessment is not as simple and straightforward as it appears. Presence, thoughts, and choices are all closely observed by the examiner, Gordon, who makes his first judgment on those teetering on the edge of elimination.
"Are you okay?" Freyr asked. "Follow me; I used to run often in the army. This distance is nothing. Lean on my back; I’ll shield you from resistance with my body so you can run better. You look like you're about to reach Ultimate; there’s nothing here that resembles Ultimate at all. We must have been caught off guard before we intervened; it happened too quickly."
"I'm really sorry for this; I appreciate your kindness and will repay you later." Xiong Tai said, slightly taken aback. His massive frame began to retreat. From the very beginning, Xiong Tai had stood at the forefront, absorbing most of the resistance, which allowed Freyr to conserve his strength—a miracle in itself.
Freyr took a deep breath and ran ahead, focusing intently on the examiner in front of him. He was determined not to give up; otherwise, all his past efforts would be in vain. Now was the moment to reap the fruits of his hard work, and he continued to run forward without knowing how long or winding the path ahead would be.
After running through a dark stretch for quite some time, only a few were left keeping pace—just over twenty individuals. Familiar companions had gradually given up, and those remaining were parched, their eyes reddened and skin flushed with moisture. Some began showing signs of dehydration. Just then, not far ahead, a faint light appeared at one end.
After running for so long, seeing this felt like catching a glimpse of hope's dawn. Everyone poured their remaining strength into reaching that glimmering light, crawling if necessary.
Finally, Freyr was the first to burst into the light. Once inside, he was taken aback; this was exactly where they had been moments ago. In a corner against the wall lingered an odd smell. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the source of the odor was none other than Xiong Tai's partially dried vomit stains.
Now there were only faint traces left, still damp as if this place had remained unchanged throughout their lengthy escape—a peculiar phenomenon indeed.
More people began arriving from behind; they collapsed onto the ground without regard for their earlier prideful demeanor. They had lost track of how long they had been running. During this process, they had repeatedly pushed past Ultimate and were truly on the brink of it—likely just a few more meters away from losing their lives in this assessment.
Suddenly, an Examiner expressed confusion: "Strange, this place feels familiar. Didn't we wait here for quite some time before? How did we end up back here? What happened to all that distance we just covered? Is it just my imagination or has my brain started hallucinating due to insufficient blood flow?"
"I feel the same way; it's a collective hallucination!" someone shouted in response.
Panic and anxiety spread among the remaining twenty-three individuals as they wore expressions of disbelief.
At that moment, the examiner, Gordon, turned around, his demeanor solemn. He shouted, "Hmph, I didn't expect this outcome. What a hassle, eliminating so many people already? Well, it can't be helped. Silence, listen to me."
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