Chapter 33: Recruitment (6)

It was as expected.

As soon as the first round resulted in injuries, cowards like Morrison hastily turned and left.

"I won't participate in such a barbaric test!"

"Enduring arrows piercing your body? If I become disabled because of this, can you take responsibility for my life? I don't know what you're thinking by conducting such a test, but I'm giving up here."

"I'm giving up too. I'm not a noble from the central government, and I don't want to risk my life for Roman Demetri."

People uniformly declared their intention to give up.

Even as those who had made the futile trip vented their frustration, Chris did not impose any penalties.

Before the test.

Roman had said not to force anyone.

He needed people who would genuinely show loyalty, not just random individuals interested in the rewards Kevin had received.

Even after filtering and selecting, humans can still betray.

But if the basic qualities could be confirmed at the first stage, at least it would quickly distinguish those worth investing time in.

The test continued.

Although over a hundred people left the testing grounds, not everyone declared their intention to give up.

"Henderson."

The man from Lawrence stepped forward with a solemn face.

Though he was just a commoner and rarely had to risk his life, he clenched his teeth, trembling with fear.

In fact, he wanted to give up the test just like the others.

But every time he recalled how Roman had punished the Blood Gang for tormenting his villagers, Henderson reminded himself of the resolve he had made to take this test.

Just once.

He wanted to swear allegiance to someone like Roman, not to achieve something great, but because listening to Roman's stories made his blood boil with passion.

"One shot."

The archer loaded an arrow.

Despite witnessing the bloodshed in the previous rounds, he aimed the arrow calmly as if nothing had happened.

Henderson's eyes widened.

His trembling was visible.

The archer smirked and fired the arrow.

Thud!

"..."

He took a deep breath.

Right next to him.

An arrow was embedded 5 cm from his face.

His heart pounded, and as he considered giving up, the archer loaded the next arrow.

"Two shots."

It was too late.

His mouth couldn't form words.

He wasn't continuing the test out of great courage but because, before he knew it, the next arrow had been fired.

Thud!

"Three shots."

Thud!

Time passed in an instant.

Confirming that all the arrows had safely hit the board, Henderson's legs gave out, and he collapsed.

Cold sweat dripped from his forehead.

As Henderson, with his pale face, looked up, Chris said indifferently.

"Henderson, you pass."

Truly.

He never wanted to take this test again.

The number of passers was more than expected.

400 applicants.

120 passed the first test.

Most were men like Henderson, trembling with fear, but some passed with confidence.

The gathered passers.

Roman stepped forward.

"You have passed the first test. Through this test, you have proven your worth as warriors, but I only need 30 people. Therefore, I will conduct a second test to further evaluate you."

In fact.

While observing the test, he had already determined who was more useful.

Lucas, who took the test with a smile, was more valuable than Henderson, who had been pale and trembling.

There was a real difference in their combat abilities.

But by Roman's standards, the difference wasn't significant.

Henderson didn't leave his position even as the three arrows were fired, and what Roman wanted to confirm through the first test was the courage to suppress fear.

Everyone feels fear.

Being desensitized to fear on the battlefield was less impressive than enduring it.

And.

'Those gathered here have their own reasons.'

Demetri's fool.

People who had gathered despite hearing about his infamy.

Their reasons for applying were diverse.

Some, like Henderson, had been deeply moved by Roman's actions in Lawrence, while others, like Lucas, were intrigued by the rumors and wanted to satisfy their curiosity, or simply found the conditions of being a mercenary appealing.

Everyone had their own purpose.

Roman wanted to identify the gems among them.

Regardless of their goals or combat skills.

He needed those who were born with the heart of a beast and felt reverence rather than fear when facing him.

Therefore, combat ability was not the absolute criterion.

Lucas, who had the qualifications of a B-rank mercenary, was undoubtedly skilled, but Roman was confident he could train soldiers like Lucas.

Thus, it was a matter of choice.

Whether to accept Lucas and make him a stronger soldier, or to accept Henderson and nurture him gradually.

Roman looked around the applicants.

Those with skills like Lucas showed confidence in passing, while others lacked it.

'What I want to confirm now is their attitude towards me. Only those who feel reverence rather than fear after directly observing what kind of person I am can dream of a future with me.'

When meeting Kevin.

When meeting Chris.

Roman always proved his value in the same way.

In a world of survival of the fittest.

To rule over others in that fierce world, visible strength was needed, not sweet words.

Perfect dominance.

Roman always sought blind loyalty.

"I will now conduct the second test in sequence. The method is simple. Prove your worth through a sparring match with me. I don't expect you to win. If anyone can last one minute against me, they will pass, and their conditions will be improved."

Roman's statement.

It was incredibly arrogant.

At first, everyone was taken aback.

The second test would involve 120 people.

While they knew Roman was skilled, even facing each for just one minute would take 120 minutes in total.

Yet, lasting just one minute meant passing.

People reacted with disbelief.

Roman was arrogant.

If his statement was just empty words, the disappointment in Roman would be immense.

"I'll go first."

A man.

A mercenary, stepped forward confidently.

Standing nearly 2 meters tall, his muscular build and scarred face showed his extensive battle experience.

He was the type who passed the first test confidently.

His confidence made him bristle at Roman's statement.

'If I can pass by just lasting one minute, Roman Demetri's confidence must be sky-high. If he really single-handedly exterminated the Blood Gang, he must be that strong, but even so, it's impossible to knock me down in one minute. I will prove my worth by passing the test in the first round.'

Thud.

He stood in front of Roman.

People alternated their gaze between Roman and the man, noting the significant size difference.

"Take the sword."

Chris threw him a wooden sword, which, compared to the man's size, looked like a toy.

Finally.

"Start."

The signal was given.

The man, who had been waiting with his massive muscles tensed, immediately lunged at the signal.

He didn't intend to just last one minute.

Even if this was someone he might serve, he needed to leave a strong impression of who he was.

Therefore.

He showed no mercy.

People naturally expected Roman to be overwhelmed by the man's sword aimed at his neck.

But.

Whoosh.

The wind blew.

Roman's head swayed as the man's sword swung, and his light movement to evade the attack was almost surreal.

Chris shuddered.

Having faced Roman before, he knew how threatening it was to nullify an attack with a single step.

Instantly.

The man's face showed confusion.

He hurriedly tried to recover and attack Roman, but before he could react, his vision spun.

Thud.

Crash!

"Ugh."

Roman tripped him.

The man's balance was lost, and his heavy body fell to the ground.

There was no need to see more.

As the man tried to look up at Roman, Roman was already pointing his sword at his neck.

"Next."

Only then.

People realized this test might be even harder than the first.

They thought.

Even if Roman was strong.

By the 60th round, his stamina would surely be depleted, and many would pass.

So, people delayed their turn.

They wanted to buy time and secure the title of a passer.

However.

The result was different from their expectations.

"Unbelievable."

The 60th challenger.

He was also knocked down in one move.

People rubbed their eyes, unsure if this was real.

'Is Roman a monster?'

60 matches.

60 defeats.

No one lasted even 30 seconds.

Even those with considerable combat experience were knocked down in a flash.

It was chilling.

The rumors were true.

Roman Demetri was strong enough to single-handedly exterminate the Blood Gang, and there was no trace of the "fool" of Demetri.

His attitude, overwhelming strength, and charisma that gripped people's hearts showed what kind of person he was.

As he had said.

Roman was a predator.

In a world of survival of the fittest, a predator who could decide his own life.

People's hearts raced.

Looking at Roman, they believed his words would come true.

"If you pass the test and become my people, you will live as predators who can decide their own lives. I, Roman Demetri, promise you this one thing."

The promise of autonomy.

In this world, it was the sweetest offer.

People faced reality.

From then on, their eyes became serious.

'Somehow, I must pass the test. Becoming Roman's person might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.'

Instinct told them.

To grab the lifeline falling from the sky.

While Roman was still called the "fool" of Demetri.

Now was the best chance to ride the back of the hidden dragon.

Then.

"Next."

"Sure, I'll go."

The 61st turn.

Lucas stepped onto the stage.