(CHAPTER 22: TEST)

"Since one of yus accidentally destroyed the rating serpent, you today will do the test the old fashion way." It was dusk, and the candidates of Section D all grouped at a field behind the base. The same old man was standing in front of a makeshift stage created by stacked crates, still smoking vigorously, cancer is a bitch. "Enter the Terror Peaks behind me, survive one night, and the license will be delivered straight to you, no more questions." Upon hearing this, there was quite a huge commotion amongst the crowd. Most of them are already deciding to quit, I stood at there and stare at the mystic mountain. It was not that tall, somewhere at four hundred meters from the base till the peak. It is shaped as a skeleton's face, with fog all around it, shredding a curtain of mystery.

"And, you will get a Golden license." The old man added, this time causing a bigger commotion. Mostly astonishment about how valuable the Golden license was. "What is a Golden License though." I shrugged, are not all the license same? "Thrice the rewards, that's a steal!" I heard one of the participants exclaimed, oh, so more money. Some started to leave despite the reward of succeeding, while some stay, those who are truly confident in their abilities, or just poor as fuck. But not me, jokes on you, but I'm into this shit. I take a good look around, only ten left, including Toby, He waved at me, I turn around, ignoring him.

"Very well then." He tossed each of us a small packet, with basic survival items within it. "Choose a path." I didn't care much, I just picked one, and into I go to the belly of the beast. Little did some of us that stay know this mountain is the wall separating the Moon and the Sun. And little did we know, this place is right now a monster infested heaven.

Upon reaching the middle waist of the mountain, I placed my items down and began setting up a campfire. It is not a race to the peak, as long I can stay one night alive, that's all. With my ability, I set up a fire easily, before taking out a canned beef as dinner. The moment I take out the can, a piece of paper rolled out from the pack. I raised an eyebrow, who put this here? I take it and spread it open, reading it under the light of the campfire.

"Only one winner"

I stare at the paper for a moment before shredding it into pieces and toss it into the crackling fire. Oho, what is this, phycology war? I am not on, thinking we will murder each other? No, hell no, at least not me. I laid beside cozily, on the patch of dry grass beneath me. Deep down I felt a little uneasy as I activated my heat vision and take a great look around. Luckily no one was beside, the mountain was huge, maybe we will never met each other, right? I manage to persuade myself as I lied back.

Little did I know the killing is already starting.

"Argh!!"

I jolted up, somehow I managed to doze off in this situation. I look around, alerted. "Help!!" there it is again, I activated my heat vision and dashes towards the location. The screaming continues, but smaller and smaller as time passes, but with my ability I manage to arrive at the location. And sure as hell someone is dead.

In front of me was a girl dangled midair, her hand grabbing something that doesn't exist. Her eyes flip white, tears and saliva drooled down from her face. She seems to be dead, I am too late. Upon seeing my arrival, the killer tossed her away, seeing from afar, it was as if she was tossed by an unknown force.

"I can see you!" I shouted, I am not joking, this heat sensor sure is handy. "Why can't we chill!?" through my vision, I could see a man, somewhere at thirties, wearing a heavy cloak. He was a bit taken back at first, as he backs up a bit. Before suddenly stop, and get ready his position, as if he was about to dash. Looks like some people really just didn't listen to advice. Well, you ask for it.

The figure jolted towards me, I raised my fist, and punched right hard at his face. I am almost sure that should've hit him square at his face, but instead he turn into a mist. And before I even knew, someone grab my shoulder from behind and with kick me by the knee, forcing me to kneel before tossing me against a tree. I landed hard, but that was nothing.

"Who are you." I rub my shoulder. "A figure slowly emerges out of thin air. "Call me Yokai." He spoke, he is wearing a dark ninja outfit, some gooey liquid was coated on the suit, so this is how he manage to escape my heat vision. "Why can't we just get over this fine." I tried to persuade him. "You knew nothing, I knew everything." He lowered his stance prepare to attack.

"Oh come on." I rolled my eyes, sure as hell an old mule. "You mean that sheet of paper in the p-" Before I finish, he drop down a smoke bomb, before disappearing again. Why are people so impatient here? I rolled my eyes again, I am enough of this shit. Although it seems that he disappeared, but I am almost sure he is around me. Waiting for the perfect window of opportunity"

Looks like he left me no choice.

I lowered my stance, my body crouching to the ground, hands beneath as I concentrated. This must've been enough to catch him, or at least scare him away. "Heat…." I charged, my body turning red, veins filled my entire body. Sizzling smoke makes me looks like a freshly out of the oven turkey, take this as a fucking warning.

"Bl-"

"Rey!" A familiar call forced me to stop my move, I turn around, and see Toby standing not far away from me, with a torch in his hand. "What are you doing here?" He look at me, still steaming hot, and at the lifeless corpse of the girl. His mouth open wide, so do his eyes, staring at me. "Get out of here you idiot!" I screamed, too late, he was suddenly lifted up by an unknown force, finger prints started to form on his throat as he chocked.

Shit.