63 We Will Not Wait for Death! (2/2)

Of the one-hundred-eight contestants, Konrad excluded, there were forty-four Arch Knights and among those, twenty at the second step or above.

Individually, there was no superior beast those Arch Knights couldn't slay. However, even if they all joined force, they couldn't slaughter the three hundred leading Superior Beasts.

…

”This is nothing like the previous competitions. The numbers are abnormal. Is the Holy Flame Church trying to get us all killed? Knowing these numbers, why is it that this time they specifically asked us to slaughter all beasts within the first and second level? Even if it were only the first, it would be impossible. Now we've antagonized all the Superior Beasts of the second level, leading them to gather this army.”

Koloman despaired. It was impossible for the Holy Flame Church not to know the current composition of the Prism World. It was also impossible for them not to know what would happen.

A trap. Like sheep, they'd driven themselves into a deadly trap. But what was the church's goal?

…

”If we can slaughter the leading Superior Beasts, their army will disperse. The problem is that we're scattered while they're all together.

And even if we formed one group…slaying I don't know how many Superior Beasts within that army is…impossible.”

Holger concluded upon assessing the situation.

At that time, a stampede of thousands of demonic beasts marching in one unit began. And the earth shivered.

”Run! We must flee the forest!”

That same thought swirled through the minds of all the contestants. A barrier surrounding the forest prevented the demonic beasts from escaping it regardless of their cultivation level. Therefore, as long as they managed to exit, they were out of danger.

Most of the contestants only used the competition as an opportunity to temper themselves and challenge their rivals. Not many truly hoped to seize the Holy Flame Baptism quota.

They were not going to throw away their lives for a simple competition. Alas, even fleeing came at a price.

The nearly one thousand ”man” strong horde of flying beast flew to survey the limits of the Prism Forest, and although it was too vast for them to completely cover, they could at least pluck some of the fleeing contestants.

The advantage of flight quickly showed itself. Spells from Voracious and Superior Beasts came crashing from above and tore through a dozen of the fleeing contestants.

”AAAAAAAAAAAARGH!”

However, even their screams were muffled by the advance of the army.

Even the von Jurgen team readied itself for a getaway. Although they couldn't change the situation, they would have no problem fighting their way out if need be. In any case, Holger had been ordered by Konrad to feign injury for the next round. Therefore, he had no misgivings.

It would be best if they all failed.

However, he was bound to be disappointed.

…

”With your bloodline level, you can use your demonic energy to directly subdue beasts beneath the Accursed Rank. You can directly brand them with the mark of servitude. Unfortunately, you don't have a reliable space treasure at hand to hide them.”

”Why didn't you say that sooner? That's easily solved.”

Konrad entered the system and exchanged 150,000 exp for a low-grade Arch level space treasure whose shape could be changed at will. He also used the opportunity to trade 270,000 exp and promote his Hundred Flowers Scripture to the Arch level. His exp count dropped to 11,953,225.

He then sat cross-legged to wait for the chaos to subside.

Soon enough, all the contestants fled the forest, leaving only the still vigilant demonic beasts to patrol the surroundings.

Satisfied, Konrad stealthily stepped toward the center where the leading Superior Beasts gathered and emerged from the shadows.

As soon as he appeared, their ire fell upon him. But before they could make a move, vast demonic energy erupted from his body alongside demonic glyphs that barreled into them, subverted their minds, and forced them onto their knees. Without a sound, three hundred Superior Beasts lowered their heads and chose submission.

Using them, Konrad lured in the thousands of patrolling beasts and subdued them all the same. The scene was a marvel.

He then packed all of them into his new space treasure which he shaped into a mini-paper talisman and hid within his sleeve.

Afterward, he returned to the third level to carry on recruitment.

Since he'd already started, he might as well do it thoroughly.