đźź Chapter 16 :
Children were handing out flyers for the event to passersby, trying to use their innocent charm to win people over. One of them approached me with a flyer.
"Grandpa, would you please take part in the Hunter Test?"
"Who are you calling grandpa, kid? I'm in my twenties."
"All right then—uncle, here's the flyer! I hope you say yes."
He looked at me with those innocent-yet-scheming eyes, clearly trying to guilt me into joining.
"I'm actually already taking the test."
The boy's eyes lit up the moment I said that.
"Really? That's awesome, mister! Good luck! Just… don't die in the test, because you don't look like someone who'd survive it."
What kind of encouragement is that?
I walked over and sat beneath a fountain to rest from all this madness. As I sat, I suddenly heard a voice:
"Do not fear… do not give up. This test will reveal your true mettle. Go forth, hunt, and become a hero."
An old man was sitting across from me, repeating the line with conviction. It looked like he was talking to me…
…but he was staring at a cat drinking from the fountain.
"Sir, I'm over here."
The old man turned to me and tried to repeat what he'd said earlier.
"Do not fear… do not give up… this test will reveal your true—uh—your true copper. Go forth, hunt… and bring me my glasses."
He'd completely butchered his speech. The poor man was trying to sound wise, but—
"Excuse me, what was I saying again?"
Even the elderly are being prompted to say this stuff now? I decided to help him out a little.
"Hey, old man—don't be afraid, don't lose hope, this test will reveal your true rust! Go forth, hunt… and look for your glasses!"
I was joking, of course, but to my surprise the old man got fired up by my words.
"You're right! You're absolutely right! I will find my glasses, no matter how long it takes!"
He stood up, determined to begin the noble quest of retrieving his lost spectacles. But then… his glasses fell out of his pocket. Yep—they'd been there the whole time.
Just then I heard a girl calling to him.
"Grandpa, you're at the fountain again?"
She looked about my age. She came over, picked up the glasses, and handed them to him. The old man smiled warmly as he took them.
"Oh, Margarita! Is that you?"
"No, Grandpa, I'm your granddaughter Lisa. Your wife Margarita passed away fifty years ago."
…Wow. That was kind of sad.
They've got even the old folks mouthing empty words— isn't this a bit over the top?
The girl stepped closer to me and said,
"I'm really sorry. Did my grandpa bother you?"
"Not at all."
"That's good. By the way, are you taking part in the Hunter Test?"
She's brainwashed too, it seems…
"Yes, I'm participating."
"Great! I hope you don't die— I mean, I wish you good luck!"
These people are truly insane. Even the people back in Valoris weren't this far gone. Maybe I overestimated that city.
I decided to look for a shop—maybe I could find something useful for tomorrow. As I wandered the streets, I came across a store with a sign:
"SPECIAL DEALS FOR HUNTER TEST PARTICIPANTS!"
"Perfect. I might actually find something helpful here."
I stepped inside. It was packed with swords, shields, magical potions, and a bunch of weird tools I didn't recognize. Each item had an "original price" listed with a "special price for today" underneath…
Wait a second… this isn't a discount. The original price is actually cheaper!
How does that even happen? Isn't the point of special offers to lower the price?
I turned to the shopkeeper and asked him,
"Hello, sir. Looks like tomorrow's a big day, right?"
"Yes, it is."
"Then why are the prices so high? Shouldn't they be lower for an event like this?"
"Sorry, kid, that's just how things work. Prices always go up during special events."
"Didn't anyone complain?"
"Who cares? The merchant is always right."
I thought the customer was supposed to be always right… but apparently this man lives in an upside-down world.
With prices like these I can't afford anything.
I asked if everything in the store had jumped in price.
"Has the price of everything gone up here?"
"No, there's a section with a few items still at the regular price. Reserved for poor folks like you."
And the wealthy shop here? What a joke.
I walked over to the section he mentioned. Unsurprisingly, it was the worst part of the store. Everything looked like it would expire in three days. No swords, no shields—just some odd potions and bundles of dried herbs.
"Magic herbs that heal injuries."
That actually sounded useful. I don't have any healing skills, so I grabbed some and kept looking.
Then something else caught my eye.
"Magic powder that blinds the enemy for a short time upon contact."
Perfect. That's something I could actually use. Maybe this section wasn't as bad as I thought. I decided to take some of that powder too. In the end I stuck to just these things.
I paid for my purchases and left the shop.
[Are you planning to make something with these?]
"Yes, I might turn this powder into blinding bombs."
[You mean I'm the one who'll make them for you.]
"You talk like you're a person or something, system."
[I may not be a person, but I treat you better than most humans. With your consciousness that lets me act more human than an automated system.]
"Great… so you insult me again. And wait, did you just say you use my consciousness to act human instead of like an automated system?"
[Exactly. That's why I keep insulting you.]
What a wonderful revelation. I never knew I was the source of all this sarcasm.
Now I had to find someplace to stay the night before the madness began tomorrow. I asked a passerby about a cheap hotel nearby.
"Excuse me, sir, is there a cheap hotel I can stay at?"
He paused to think. If there wasn't, I'd probably end up sleeping on the streets.
"Well, most hotels are a bit pricey… but there's a cheap place reserved for those taking tomorrow's test. Most guests aren't from this city, the rooms are ordinary, but the food is special—at least on this particular day. So if you're here for the test, you're welcome. Are you taking the Hunter Test?"
I was already sick of people telling me not to die… but if the hotel's free tonight, I should secure a spot.
He kept staring at me, waiting for my answer.
"Actually, I'm taking the Prey Test."
He gave me a pitying look.
"Oh… I see. Then you won't need any support. Obviously you'll pass without a problem."
Everyone in this town is crazy. But there's no choice.
I asked one more thing.
"So where exactly is this place?"
"Go straight down this road, then after five buildings turn left and keep going—you'll find it right in front of you."
"Thanks."
I followed his directions to the hotel. When I arrived… I wasn't even sure I could call it a hotel. It was tiny. And its name fit its size perfectly.
"The Little Hotel"—what a name. Well, whatever, it's just for one night.
I went inside. The interior was wooden and simple, with a small reception desk manned by a single clerk.
"Welcome to the Little Hotel, sir. How can I help you?"
"I'd like to stay for one night."
"Just you?"
"Yes."
"All right, are you participating in tomorrow's test?"
Ugh, that question again. I think it's going to haunt me in my dreams
"Yes, I'm participating."
"Great, then please sign here."
He handed me a small paper to write my name and sign—apparently a special form for participants. I was assigned room number 10. I wrote my name, signed, and handed it back.
"Thank you, sir. We wish you a pleasant night—it may be your last."
Enough, seriously. I'm already tired as it is.
I headed to the room, which looked like no one had set foot in it for a hundred years. It was covered in dust.
[Maybe that dust could come in handy with your magic powder.]
I opened the window and brushed the cover clean. Then I lay down on the bed. Since arriving in this city I hadn't had a moment's rest. I'd been traveling for three days. I was exhausted. Maybe I'd take a quick nap…
Within minutes I'd fallen asleep.
Hours later I woke up to strange noises. Night had fallen. The sounds were coming from downstairs. The hotel had only two floors: ground and first. I was on the first floor, and the noises were definitely coming from inside—not the street.
I stepped out to check. As I went down, I heard it clearly.
The sound came from the hotel's dining area. It was probably dinnertime. I was starving—I hadn't eaten anything since I arrived.
I approached the dining hall and saw a scene that oddly reminded me of "chicken day" back in prison. The place was packed. Orders flying non-stop. Most of the people looked like they were taking the exam tomorrow. Knights, witches, elves, half-beasts… some looked ordinary like me, but you could tell who the participants were.
"Let's celebrate tonight—we might not get another chance!"
"YEEEAAAHHH!"
Even the participants are insane here. Hardly any of them seem to grasp what awaits them.
A massive man beside me laughed loudly, tearing into a piece of meat like it was war spoil, then shouted:
"Listen up! Tomorrow… I'll take down the first hundred prey by myself! And whoever gets ahead of me… I'll make them my prey!"
Laughter erupted around him.
I didn't laugh. Not because I was afraid— but because I know this type of person.
The louder they shout, the quicker they go silent… once the blood starts spilling.
I looked up at the wooden ceiling, sighed, then reached for the last piece of bread on my plate.
"At least if I die tomorrow… I won't die hungry."
I finished my meal, stood up quietly, and went back to my room on the upper floor.
The hotel had gone quiet, as if the upstairs had forgotten the chaos below.
I closed the door behind me and sat on the edge of the bed.
[Are you afraid?]
"No…"
I paused for a moment.
"…Actually, yes. I'm terrified."
[That's normal. Tomorrow's test isn't exactly a picnic.]
"I know… but if this is the only path forward, then I'll walk it—even if it's paved with corpses."
The room was still cold, and the window was half open. I didn't close it. I let the air in— as if I needed something from outside to keep me awake… or just to remind me I'm alive.
"Tomorrow all this madness begins. I'll either be the hunter… or become Takeru stew for them."
[Terrible joke.]
"Shut up and let's start crafting things."