Era of Players: Death God
Chapter 37 - 37: Clash

This test is not so easygoing.

In this survival test, there are students assigned the role of "Criminals."

These criminals cannot earn points through survival or any other additional factors, but can only obtain points through "plundering."

And the points acquired are a whopping double!

So, the students assigned the role of these criminals must hunt others if they want to survive themselves. It's unavoidable.

Of course, the students who takes down a criminals also receives double the points.

This existence known as the criminals, creates suspicion and mistrust even among close friends.

Moreover, out of 400, a staggering 50 are criminals.

The odds are such that it's impossible to cooperate without reservation.

''No wonder, you were so generous. You won't even let me summon my sword. Well, I guess it won't be a survival game anymore. Either way this will be fun. Those with the mage class will be happy because they'll have a certain advantage. Well, I'll do my best and earn points, my points are precious after all.'' The corner of Noah's lips rose to form an evil grin.

Since betrayal is the premise of this 'game', betraying is natural.

It's natural for the mafia to deceive the citizens in a game of Mafia.

Few people would genuinely feel betrayed just because the mafia deceived them.

Of course, there may be lingering resentment as points are at stake.

''A hellish test that even breaks human relationships.''

The more Noah think about it, the more vicious this test appeared to be.

[Ding! Sub-Quest: A New mission is starting!]

The system sudden notification took Noah pleasantly by suprise. He calmly await the system to notify him of his new mission, who said mission obviously means reward and this couldn't be more welcomed.

[Win the next fight.

Rewards: 1000 Gold Coins and a random stat increase!]

''Wow! Such a generous mission. Well, even if I don't know who my opponent will be I can infer to some extent, either Arthur or Aiden, maybe Lilith. Preferably I don't want to face the last one yet.'' Noah mused and walked forward. He had to secure a weapon first. He will make a wooden sword and then a bow.

Thanks to his new skills he wouldn't have any trouble handling a bow. The bow is for hunting.

Minutes passed and finally Noah met his opponent.

Unexpectedly, Noah came face to face with his archenemy, Aiden. The tension between them was palpable as they locked eyes. Aiden gripped a crudely made wooden sword, and to Aiden's surprise, he found Noah holding one as well. They stood in silence, the anticipation hanging heavy in the air.

With a sudden surge of energy, both boys lunged forward, their weapons colliding in a clash of wood. Noah's mind remained calm, his focus unwavering. He had always been intrigued by the art of combat and saw this unexpected encounter as an opportunity to test his skills.

As they exchanged blows, Noah noticed the determination in Aiden's eyes. It was clear that Aiden had a score to settle, an eagerness to prove himself. Noah, on the other hand, approached the fight with a sense of exhilaration. This was his first real fight, and he was determined to make it an enjoyable experience.

They continued their duel, their wooden swords dancing through the air. Noah's movements were fluid and precise, his strikes calculated. He could sense Aiden's frustration growing as he struggled to land a hit. Noah's calm demeanor only seemed to fuel his opponent's determination.

Noah decided to amp up the challenge. With a swift spin, he disarmed Aiden, sending his wooden sword clattering to the ground.

After disarming Aiden and sending his wooden sword flying, a tense silence settled in the air. But the stillness was abruptly shattered as Aiden jumped back, conjuring a wind bullet aimed directly at Noah. With his own wooden sword now gone, Aiden had turned to his magic as a means of attack.

The wind bullets came one after another, propelled by Aiden's skilled control over the element. Noah, relying on his agility and quick reflexes, did his best to dodge the projectiles. However, he couldn't evade all of them, so he swiftly adapted his strategy.

Using his mastery of mana, Noah hardened his wooden sword, creating a makeshift shield to deflect the wind bullets that came too close for comfort.

But Aiden was not one to be easily deterred. He used the distraction of his wind attacks to retrieve his wooden sword from the ground. With his weapon regained, Aiden clashed with Noah once again. The wooden swords collided repeatedly, the sound of their clash echoing through the area.

Aiden, determined to turn the tide in his favor, mixed in his wind magic with his sword strikes. The combination of physical and magical attacks made the fight incredibly challenging for Noah. But Noah refused to back down. He relied on his genuine swordsmanship and quick footwork to keep up with Aiden's onslaught.

Noah's movements were precise and calculated, each step planned with utmost care. He analyzed Aiden's patterns, looking for openings and weaknesses. With each clash, Noah grew more confident in his abilities. He knew that winning this fight was not just about defeating Aiden, but also proving his own skills and determination.

With every swing and parry, Noah's resolve strengthened. He could feel victory within his grasp. And after a grueling battle that pushed both of them to their limits, Noah emerged as the victor. His final strike landed true, disarming Aiden once again and leaving him defenseless.

Aiden didn't want to admit defeat, he fired a Wind bullet onto the ground.

Boom!

Momentarily, blocking Noah's sight, he thought it would be enough as he had planned to launch a sneak attack from the distance but unaware that he had been locked on by Noah's Seal of Death showcasing his location, he made a fatal mistake.

Before he knew it Noah was already before him.

''What?" Aiden was shocked, Noah's speed was too fast, surpassing his previous speed.

Like a heavy truck, Noah's fist rammed into Aiden's stomach.

Gravity took hold of him as he felt his body spiraling in the air before being brutally slammed into a tree two meters away.

Pain assaulted him. He desperately tried to rise on his feet.

Every movement sent waves of throbbing pain through his chest and back. It was exhausting and he felt sick, but there seemed to be nothing he could do about it.

Aiden wanted to give up, there was no way they could keep going feeling like this. He tried as best he could to block out the pain, to find some form of meditative trance in order to cope with the agonizing sensations.

He took a deep breath, then another and then another. A state of calm returned to Aiden's mind for a moment.

Noah calmly approached him. Each step echoed loudly in Aiden's ears like a war drum. He greeted his teeths, glaring at Noah.

As the realization of his defeat sank in, Aiden looked at Noah with a mix of astonishment and fury. He had lost yet again.

The fight had been arduous, but Noah's genuine swordsmanship and quick thinking had prevailed. He had shown that even without his own weapon, he could adapt and overcome. This victory was not just a testament to his physical prowess, but also to his mental fortitude and unwavering dedication to his craft.

Noah's win marked a significant milestone in his journey as a Player. It was a reminder of the power that comes from embracing challenges and pushing oneself to the limits. With this victory, Noah knew that he had the potential to become an even greater warrior, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

''It is my win this time. Well, I barely won. I'll be collecting my points. Let's meet here in two days for the rematch.'' Noah plundered Aiden's points. His bracelet displayed 15 points.

Noah ignored Aiden's glare before knocking him unconscious. The system's voice rang out at the moment.

[Mission accomplished

Rewards: 1000 gold coins, Dexterity +2.]

''Not bad. More to go.''

Noah could have removed Aiden's bracelet and eliminate him right here but he didn't do that because he had decided to use Aiden as his farming tool. Just imagining what he would do from now on, earning points crazily and surviving in order to get revenge made him smile and he couldn't wait to crush him. He would plunder the points he would gather.

[Ding! New mission: Thoroughly crush your enemy next time.

Reward: 2000 gold coins and a random stat increase.]

A new mission as soon as he made that choice and it was exactly what Noah had been aiming for. From this mission he could infer that it wouldn't be easy, there may be some variable, still he had no intention of backing out. One must overcome challenges to grow, even if it was a challenge you set up yourself.

Noah kicked his feet against the ground as he disappeared into the depth of the forest.