Chapter 20：Hazel (1/2)

Hazel opened her eyes to the sound of sizzling meat. Even with her consciousness barely awake, her body was honest as her stomach growled. As if scared by the rumbling of a beast, the young man in front of her was startled. The two stared at each and Hazel took the time to study him.

He was an average-looking young man with dark hair and golden eyes. If not for his eyes, he would have been someone you can pick from anywhere in the street. As she stared into his eyes, Hazel knew he was someone special. What she couldn't understand was the fact that he wore a primitive grade armor.

”Pfft.” A muffled laugh escaped his lips after he heard her stomach. Hazel blushed deeply as she sat up in a hurry.

”Where am I?” She asked in a fluster but she already knew the answer. What puzzled her more was the answer of the young man in front of her.

”I don't know? I hoped you would tell me. I was hunting when I saw you in the river. You're the only person I found after I arrived here, so I needed some answers.”

”Arrived here? You mean The Holy Crown's trial?” Hazel asked, dazed. How could someone be here without knowing this?

”That! The voice also said this but I didn't understand what he meant.”

Hazel looked in a daze as if she just woke up. She had so many questions to ask but her stomach rumbled again. The young man in front of her smiled this time as he offered her some meat to eat.

***

After a lengthy talk, Arthur finally knew where he was. The person he saved, Hazel, answered his questions as detailed as she could. He saved her since she was his only hope of knowing where he was, but he realized she was a good person. She kept being polite as she answered his questions and thanked him multiple times for saving her and giving her food. Arthur dismissed it as he saw the answers that she gave him to be more valuable than some effort and food.

In summary, he got himself into a shit of a situation. This was some sort of trial between the most powerful families in the world. Doors leading here appeared all over the world and young people from these families would have to go through them to get here. This was the first trial of a long trial that lasted five years. There would be a trial like this one every once in a while, to reach a final champion, someone who would be rewarded with the 'holy crown.'

As long as he survived this, he would be able to leave this area. However, to leave he needed an insignia that he would get by clearing this trial.

”Then what about those who don't?” Arthur asked, bewildered. As she heard this, Hazel's face grew a shade darker.

”They need to remain here until they're able to clear this trial. If the trial comes to an end, they would die with this trial.”

”Then what if they stay here until the second trial begins?” Arthur knew this place had what it takes to live. There was plenty of food, water, and natural shelters.

”That's not possible. The moment you enter this trial, time stops in the outside world.”

”Doesn't that mean that everyone would clear it eventually?” Arthur asked as he found this to be an extremely easy trial. He could just level up and pass this trial.

”That's impossible. There is a limited number of insignias for each trial. Only a half could pass. Furthermore…” Hazel words stretched for a moment. Before she could continue, a roar shook the forest and the two people sitting facing each other.

As Arthur realized how terrifying such a monster was just by the roar it made, Hazel's words continued in his ears.