Chapter 40. Multi-Level (2)

There was one crucial difference between Yurie's silver coin and the boy's silver coin.

'The numbers are different.'

The number engraved on Yurie's silver coin was 10,000.

But the boy's was 50.

'Could it be?'

Yurie's eyes lit up as she realized something and asked.

"Hey, are you a Yellow Dragon Token holder?"

"Originally, those who came in through charity recommendations... didn't take the... chu... test... so they're all Yellow Dragon Token holders."

The boy, who had been slowly savoring the taste of the tosaba, quickly answered and gave a look that said not to disturb him anymore.

Yurie nodded as if she understood and fell into her own thoughts.

'This is also a differential distribution, right?'

There were two possible scenarios for differential distribution.

The first: those recommended by the Black Dragon Token holder receive a total of 100,000 silver coins, while those recommended through charity receive a total of 500 silver coins.

The second: those who receive the Black Dragon Token get a total of 100,000 silver coins, and those who receive the Yellow Dragon Token get a total of 500 silver coins.

Whichever scenario it was, the meaning was the same.

'You're telling me to compete, but not to think that it will be a fair competition?'

If these strangely shaped silver coins were indeed the currency used in the Cradle, then receiving 100,000 silver coins would put her in a better position than anyone else.

However...

'It would also make me a target, wouldn't it?'

If the existence of the 10,000 silver coin was discovered, she might face numerous challenges.

Capturing her alone would have the same effect as capturing 200 Yellow Dragon Token holders.

A smile of amusement appeared on Yurie's lips.

Meanwhile, the boy, who had finished his tosaba, licked his lips regretfully and looked at Yurie.

With a look that seemed to ask if there was more, Yurie got up from her seat.

The boy quickly grabbed her sleeve in a hurry.

"Where are you going?!"

"It's over, so I have to go."

"Hey, do you have any more tosaba?"

"Of course I do."

"Then...!"

At the boy's pleading gaze for just one more, Yurie snorted.

"Come on, I'm not a charity worker, and I can't give away food for free, can I?"

"I'll pay!"

"With what?"

"......?!"

"With what will you pay? Are you going to give me that ring again this time?"

"......"

The boy's pupils wavered, realizing he had nothing to offer.

Then, he suddenly remembered something and shouted.

"Ah, didn't you say you have a compassionate nature and can't pass by people in need? That you would help me?"

"I did help you."

"...When?"

"Just now, I sold you this rare tosaba at a dirt-cheap price, so you can survive for a few more days, right? Isn't that enough help?"

Yurie emphasized 'rare' and 'dirt-cheap,' but the boy couldn't argue.

He had painfully realized how precious food was in this forest over the past few days.

Moreover, it was true that he could survive a few more days thanks to the tosaba he just ate.

As a result, his initial resolve to give up everything and go home had completely faded.

"Well, that's true, but..."

As the boy hesitated, Yurie reluctantly said,

"Well, there is a way to get more food, but..."

"Really?"

"No, not really."

"What do you mean, not really?!"

"Hmm... do you really want to know?"

"What is it, that way?"

"Fine! I'll tell you because it's you."

The boy's eyes, which urged her to speak without delay, made Yurie hold up two fingers.

"There are two ways. The first is..."

Yurie showed the silver coin she received from the boy.

"Bring me silver coins that add up to 500, and I'll give you one tosaba."

"...Where am I supposed to get that?"

"Do I have to tell you that too? Is your brain only good for balancing your head?"

"...What's the second way?"

"Bring other kids here."

"Huh?"

"Bring someone else who will buy my goods, and I'll give you a tosaba. One for each person you bring."

"One for each person you bring?!"

The boy's eyes widened in surprise.

It seemed much easier to bring two people than to find the silver coins, whose whereabouts were unknown.

"Alright! I'll be right back, so wait here!"

With that, the boy dashed into the forest.

The tosaba's sweetness had completely revived the zombie-like boy.

Watching the boy's retreating back, Yurie smiled.

'This is the beginning.'

When Yurie first deduced the purpose of the silver coins scattered by the Black Sword Soldiers, her thoughts began to churn.

[Is this right?]

The scattered silver coins were clearly meant to encourage competition among the prospective cadets.

The quick-witted ones might attack other prospective cadets to get the silver coins.

No, it was almost certain that such incidents would be frequent.

This was what was known as 'silver coin hunting.'

'Do I have to run around sweating and panting in this chaos? Is that the best way?'

The Forest of Beginnings was vast.

Even if she ran around diligently once the silver coin hunting started, the number of silver coins she could obtain in a day would be limited.

That would be too inefficient, wouldn't it?

Then...

'I need to make them come to me, not the other way around.'

She needed to make the prospective cadets come to her with the silver coins.

If her plan worked, all the silver coins scattered now would flow to her.

'The Cradle probably wanted a competition where the winner takes the silver coins through fighting.'

But Yurie thought differently.

'Is it really necessary? If this fight is just a means, and the one who ends up with the most silver coins wins... wouldn't it be better to win without fighting?'

Yurie wanted to break the game set by the Cradle and become the main character of a new game.

Fortunately, she had the weapon to break the game and the most valuable resource in the harsh forest in her hands.

'If the Cradle created a game by controlling food, I'll break it by releasing food.'

The released food would be the means to control the new game she created.

A deep smile spread across Yurie's lips as she thought of her plan.

And before 20 minutes had even passed after the boy left,

"I brought them!"

The zombie Yurie had saved brought two more zombies.

Like the boy before eating the tosaba, they were prospective cadets loitering near the shrine.

Their haggard appearances, as if they were half out of their minds, made Yurie's eyes widen.

'This is the start with these guys.'

These three would be the foundation of the new game she created.

Quickly composing her brief moment of inspiration, Yurie smiled broadly and bowed deeply.

"Hey, come on in! Welcome, customers!"

Thus, in a part of the forest not far from where the survival test first began,

"I'll serve you at a very reasonable price!"

One madman began to deviate from the test's intended direction.

* * *

Swoosh.

Two boys were racing through the forest.

One was fleeing, and the other chasing him was none other than Gunter.

The distance between them was closing, and finally, it was within arm's reach.

The fleeing boy turned around in a panic and shouted,

"Stop chasing me!"

At the same time, he swung his sword at Gunter in a surprise attack.

But Gunter, as if he had anticipated the attack, calmly deflected the incoming sword.

Swoosh - Clang!

Despite the failed surprise attack, the boy gritted his teeth and continued his desperate assault.

It was as if he was determined to get rid of this thorn in his side.

But the more he attacked, the more he realized the gap in skill between him and Gunter.

'Damn it!'

Gunter was blocking his all-out attacks with ease.

And he was doing it with one hand, as if swatting away a fly.

Then, at some point, the boy, who had been attacking, found himself on the defensive against Gunter's attacks.

Desperation filled the boy's eyes as he barely managed to block the sword.

'...Is he a monster?'

Gunter, wielding a large two-handed sword with one hand, made the boy stagger with each light swing.

'Gah! What strength?'

The time the boy managed to withstand Gunter's attacks was not long.

Clang - Clang!

Finally, the boy's sword was knocked into the air.

At the same time, Gunter's sword was placed on the boy's shoulder.

The cold edge of the sword at his neck made the boy swallow hard.

"What the hell are you doing to me?"

To this question, Gunter replied with a blank expression.

"I don't have any ill will towards you."

"Then why?"

"Just because I need to."

"What?"

"I won't say more. Hand over your pouch, and I'll let you go."

"Pouch?"

The boy blinked in confusion at this unexpected request.

Gunter's monotone voice continued,

"A few days ago, the Black Sword Soldier gave you a pouch, didn't he?