Chapter 3: Essence Buffs

Ethan remained where he was while his experience steadily increased.

More and more Shadow Soldiers returned.

Each silently placed an Essence Orb beside him before disappearing back into the shadows.

The pile slowly grew larger.

Some contained a glowing fist.

Others held a feather.

A few contained a red heart.

Ethan immediately recognized them.

Strength.

Agility.

Constitution.

He didn’t crush them all immediately.

Instead, he only used the ones he needed and left the rest beside him.

Essence Buffs couldn’t be stored inside an Inventory or the Legion Space.

Once they dropped, they could only remain in the outside world.

After one hour, they would disappear on their own.

The same type of Essence also couldn’t be used twice at the same time.

There was no point crushing another Strength Essence while its blessing was still lasted.

Ethan picked up the orb containing the feather and crushed it.

[Agility +10]

[Duration: 10 Minutes]

[One Mind, One Legion activated.]

[Agility +10 has been shared with all 50 Shadow Soldiers.]

Not far away, Lucian pulled his dagger free from another monster.

He was about to rush toward the next one when he suddenly stopped.

Several monsters in the distance collapsed one after another.

There wasn’t a single person near them.

Lucian frowned and turned toward Ethan.

From the beginning of the battle until now, Ethan had remained beneath the same tree.

He hadn’t taken a single step.

"I must be overthinking."

...

As the battle continued, more and more people discovered the use of the Essence Buffs.

The temporary buffs greatly boosted their strength, making the remaining monsters much easier to deal with.

Before long, the last monster fell.

[The First Trial has ended.]

[Calculating results...]

Relieved sighs spread across the grassland.

"We survived..."

"I thought we were dead."

"Those Essence Buffs are incredible."

"If only they lasted longer."

Not far away, Elena let out a small sigh of relief.

Although she had no combat power, her healing had kept many people alive during the battle.

One after another, the injured stepped forward to thank her.

"Thank you."

"You saved my life."

"I would’ve died without your healing."

Elena smiled gently.

"I’m just glad everyone is alright."

...

As everyone waited for the results, someone suddenly froze.

"...Wait."

His eyes widened as he pointed toward the tree at the edge of the grassland.

"Why are there so many Essence Buffs over there?"

The moment those words were spoken, countless heads turned.

Around Ethan lay dozens of Essence Buffs. There were simply too many.

"How many monsters attacked him?"

"That’s impossible..."

"I only got two."

"I didn’t even get one."

A young man frowned.

"Ethan, if you were strong enough to kill that many monsters, why didn’t you tell everyone earlier?"

"If you had helped from the beginning, fewer people would’ve been injured."

He turned toward Lucian.

"Look at him."

"He fought from the very beginning."

"And Elena kept healing everyone without stopping."

"They never thought about themselves."

"But you..."

"Why didn’t you help us?"

The young man’s voice was filled with anger.

"If you had joined the fight from the start, fewer people would’ve been injured!"

Everyone looked toward Ethan.

Ethan met his gaze and scoffed calmly.

"Am I obligated to protect you?"

"If you expect others to risk their lives for you, you won’t survive for long."

After saying that, Ethan bent down and picked up another Essence Orb, completely ignoring everyone’s expressions.

"You bastard!"

The young man’s face twisted with anger as he charged toward Ethan.

Ethan didn’t even look up.

A Shadow Soldier was already hiding within the young man’s shadow.

The moment he crossed the line...

It would strike.

"Stop!"

Lucian grabbed the young man’s arm and forcefully pulled him back.

"Let me go!"

"He just stood there while everyone risked their lives!"

Lucian slowly shook his head.

"Enough."

"He has the right to make his own choices."

"We’re all still alive. That’s what matters."

The young man gritted his teeth, but eventually stopped struggling.

He shot Ethan a hateful glare before stepping back.

At that moment, the familiar voice sounded once more.

[Trial Performance Evaluation Complete.]

[Top 10 Contributors]

10th: Ryan

Contribution: Eliminated 8 Level 1 monsters.

Reward: 50 Gold Coins.

...

9th: ...

Reward: 60 Gold Coins.

...

8th: ...

Reward: 70 Gold Coins.

...

7th: ...

Reward: 80 Gold Coins.

...

6th: ...

Reward: 90 Gold Coins.

...

5th: ...

Reward: 100 Gold Coins.

...

4th: ...

Reward: 150 Gold Coins.

[3rd Place]

Elena

Contribution: Healed 41 participants.

Reward: Common-Grade Healing Staff.

A wooden staff slowly descended before Elena.

...

[2nd Place]

Lucian

Contribution: Eliminated 28 Level 1 monsters.

Reward: Common-Grade Steel Sword.

A steel sword slowly descended before Lucian.

"As expected of Lucian!"

"He really got second place!"

"But... if Lucian is second..."

"Then who’s first?"

The grassland gradually fell silent.

The voice continued.

[1st Place]

...

Ethan

Contribution: Eliminated 99 Level 1 monsters.

The entire grassland fell silent.

"Ninety nine?"

"That’s impossible!"

"He never fought!"

"He didn’t even leave that tree!"

"Then... who killed all those monsters?"

Even Lucian’s pupils contracted.

He actually killed ninety nine?

It was almost four times more his own contribution.

The voice continued.

Reward: Uncommon Supply Package.

An exquisite wooden package slowly descended before Ethan.

He reached out and stored it inside his Inventory.

The familiar voice sounded once more.

[Map Function Unlocked.]

[Inventory Function Unlocked.]

[Chat Function Unlocked.]

[The second trial will begin in three days.]

As soon as the announcements ended, everyone opened their maps.

The Novice Village wasn’t close.

It would take several hours to reach it.

Lucian checked the map and looked around at the exhausted crowd before stepping forward.

"Everyone."

"We’ve all just gone through our first battle."

"Many of us are injured, and everyone has used up a lot of stamina."

"We’ll rest here for one hour."

"After that, we’ll head to the Novice Village together."

No one objected.

After everything that had happened, Lucian had naturally become the leader of the group.

The crowd quickly agreed.

"Finally..."

"I need a break."

"My arms are still shaking."

People sat down one after another while Elena continued healing the injured.

Lucian walked over with a smile.

"Congratulations."

"I didn’t expect you to become this strong."

His gaze swept across Ethan before asking casually,

"Those people you summoned earlier..."

"They’re your profession’s ability, aren’t they?"

Ethan didn’t answer.

Lucian continued as if he hadn’t noticed.

"Those black-robed soldiers you summoned earlier, they vanished into the shadows."

"Were they responsible for those ninety nine kills?"

"Were they the ones hunting those monsters?"

Ethan looked at him calmly.

"Is that what you came here for?"

Lucian chuckled.

"I’m just curious."

"We’ll be companions from now on."

"It doesn’t hurt to understand each other’s abilities."

Ethan smiled faintly.

"My abilities are my own."

"There isn’t much to explain."

Lucian’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly before the smile returned to his face.

"Fair enough."

"Then let’s talk about something else."

"The Novice Village is the closest place marked on the map."

"It’s probably the safest place for us to gather information and rest."

"The three of us should lead everyone there."

"With your strength, my combat ability, and Elena’s healing, we can greatly reduce the casualties along the way. What do you think?"

Ethan shook his head looking disinterested.

"I’ll pass."

Lucian was slightly surprised.

"You want to travel alone?"

"I prefer it."

Lucian smiled.

"The road ahead won’t be as peaceful as this."

"There will be stronger monsters."

"And there will be safety in numbers."

Ethan met his eyes.

"Safety?"

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"I’ve found that relying on others is often the quickest way to lose your life."

Lucian’s smile stiffened for a brief moment before returning.

"I didn’t expect you to think that way."

"People need each other to survive."

"Maybe."

Ethan replied calmly.

"But I only trust myself."

Lucian hesitated before speaking again.

"...What about Elena?"

"You’ve always worried about her."

Ethan glanced toward Elena, who was busy treating the injured.

"...What about Elena?"

"I thought you’d want to stay by her side."

Ethan smiled faintly.

"Some roads are better left untraveled."

Lucian looked at Ethan for a few seconds.

Then he smiled.

"I see."

"If you ever change your mind..."

"You’re always welcome."

He didn’t press the matter any further.

Instead, he turned and walked back toward the others.

Watching Lucian leave, Ethan’s expression remained calm.

His previous life had begun the same way.

Lucian had approached him with a smile.

Elena had stood by his side.

The three of them had traveled together to the Novice Village.

From that day onward, they had become even closer.

Ethan slowly closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, there wasn’t the slightest fluctuation in his gaze.

"This time I’ll walk my own path."