56 Entrance to Fate (2/2)

Looking down at my wrist I find that a simple string bracelet with a red orb was around my wrist. I don't remember it being there, to begin with, this must be the bracelet that the prompt was talking about then.

If I felt endangered, I could just break this and I'd be taken out of the testing area, that was convenient. At least it seems like it wasn't trying to completely kill me within the testing grounds.

Well, it seems that I had some time to prepare myself. It hadn't specified anything about the actual testing that I'll be taking. But it seems like this was the starting area at least for the first test.

Sighing to myself, I push myself up from my position on the ground and stretch a bit. My body felt a little stiff after being transported here. My spine pops a few times and I keep twisting. Waving my hand my sword appears in midair.

Strapping it onto my back, I adjust the straps and get it all lined up. Waving my hand again, the scissors and the glasses appear. The scissors slam into the ground and easily cut into the dirt at my feet.

Catching the glasses, I slide them onto my face and let them rest there. The whole of the area lite up in a bright wave of color.

「Activation Cost 500 MP」

「Yes or No? 」

”Normal mode,” I say softly.

「Normal mode activated」

With that, the color spectrum that the glasses normally displayed vanished, and a slightly crisper version of the world was displayed through their lens. Nodding, I leave them on my face.

Looking at the scissors that are sticking out of the ground, I wrap my fingers around the top of it. Even though I hadn't gotten the chance to practice with these much, I imagine that the first part of the testing area wouldn't be too difficult.

I'd use this time to get accustomed to the weight of these bad boys. Pulling it from the ground, I found that the weight was still a bit heavy, but it was getting more manageable. Twisting them in my hands, I find that once they got moving, they had a lot of force behind them.

This should be fun to use, I thought giddily to myself.

It looks like everything I needed was in order, all that was left was to leave this safe zone and start the test. Taking a deep breath, I walk forward towards the darkened entrance of the forest. The closer I got the more ragged my breathing got as I tried to peer into the darkened forest.

Stopping right at the edge of the darkness, I plan to step forward, but before I could a voice sound.

”Stepping forward indicated that the participant would like to leave the safe zone. Please be warned once leaving the safe zone participants aren't allowed back in. They'll immediately begin their test.

If you wish to begin please step forward into the forest,” the voice concludes, and I'm greeted with a heavy silence.

Shaking my head, I steel myself and step forward into the darkness in front of me. A similar feeling washes over my body like when I passed through the temple doors.

My body was quickly thrust forward, and soon I found that instead of the warm and comforting meadow that I'd just been in. I was standing in a darkened forest that was bubbling with soft noises.

Glancing upwards towards the sky, I find an inky black night sky greet me and a small crescent shape moon hanging in the darkness. It did little to illuminate the dark forest that I was within.

It was completely blanketed in utter darkness; I hope my eyes adjust soon to the new lightning.

「Night Vision Activated」

As soon as the notification appeared the completely black forest appears in more clarity, the once dark surroundings are clear as day. I don't remember having a skill like that… it must be from the glasses then.

These things are pretty handy, I'd have to give my thanks to the Goddess when I got the chance.

With the darkness lifted I could see, but even before that, I could feel the presence of a couple of beings. Soon I was completely surrounded on all sides.

All around me are goblins!