Only I Am A Reader

"This is the second task of the day."

Although they had been here for less than two days, the children were no longer surprised by the new hall after everything they had experienced. Instead, the friction between the two 'factions' only felt like it intensified since they had two hours of solitary confinement to think it over.

'It's not a bad filtering strategy, but it isn't something that children should have to deal with…'

Leo's understanding of the scheme running deep underneath the simple-looking first phase was almost equal to that of the instructors as their 'inner thoughts' had been revealed in the novel. However, he couldn't help feeling that they were overdoing it.

"Each one of you will be fighting an instructor for the duration that it takes the candle to burn…"

The new hall was as spacious as the hellish training hall. A total of 24 square-shaped stages were orderly designed with a person standing on top of each of them. Although they also wore black, they differed from the guards by having two symbols inscribed on their chests. Most of the children were illiterate, but Leo recognized their meaning to represent an instructor or teacher.

No one rushed to do anything as they took their experience with their first task in mind. Perhaps they could also abstain from fighting just like the failures had gotten their meal?

"Only when it's done will you be able to retreat back to your caves!"

'Gentle Han' firmly announced as he read the doubt in the children's faces. He had never lied from the very start. All children were supposed to have that 'meal', but those who failed didn't get their 'food', only after a while would they start realizing the meaning of his words.

"This time, you will proceed according to the order of your 'name'."

After throwing a glance at the passive Leo, Instructor Han added one more line to emphasize that there was no escape. Every single one had to get their fair 'share' this time!

"Ahem."

The person who took number one let out an awkward cough as he rose to the first stage. He happened to be one of those who failed so he could feel the hostility directed at him as he moved.

"The first battle will act as a demonstration, so you can all watch for now."

As the following numbers hesitated whether to walk out as well, Instructor Han's voice brought comfort to their heart, things would naturally go better after they got an idea of what was going to happen.

"Each one of you gets the advantage of making three attacks before the instructors throw out any attacks of their own."

Using the battle that was about to start as his 'presentation', Instructor Han slowly started explaining the rules.

Snap!

The first battle instructor lit the candle by the side of the stage before standing with his arms crossed. Looking at the calm figure in front of him, the thought to do nothing immediately emerged in the boy's head.

'Another sacrifice.'

Considering that his three attacks were the trigger for the battle instructor to move, the child believed that he would be safe if he didn't move just like he obtained a meal even when he gave up. Instructor Han being silent only made him more confident in his guess. However, Leo couldn't help feeling some pity for him.

The candle wasn't an accurate measure of time, but the author's narration had explained that it roughly lasted 15 minutes. The children observed the silent 'battle' with mixed feelings, was everything really that easy?

Swish!

The answer to their question didn't take long to show itself! As soon as a third of the candle had burned down, the battle instructor lunged towards the nonchalant 'one', throwing a direct punch to his stomach!

"Akkk!"

The kid uncontrollably cried out, feeling like his guts had been torn apart. At this exact moment, a familiar voice resounded in his mind.

"You are only allowed the advantage of three attacks at the start so that the instructors can estimate the strength behind them, lowering their own force to match yours. In the case any of you fail to provide them with the opportunity to measure it…"

It was none other than 'Gentle Han' who had purposefully stayed silent to this moment, only explaining the core point after the arrow had parted with the bow.

"…then the instructors can only give their all to fight against an unknown opponent."

The child had realized that he was used as another example far too late. The world was spinning around him as he barely managed to stand up, but this was merely the beginning.

Ba! Ba! Ba!

The battle instructor struck out mercilessly, delivering one punch after the other. The kid couldn't even afford to scream as he tried his best to preserve his life.

"Haa… haaaa!"

Being thrown towards the edge of the stage, the battered child could no longer think about anything other than escaping. He tried to roll off the stone stage, but the instructor had already grabbed his leg… There was no escaping before the candle was reduced to nothing!

'What about now?'

Watching the pitiful child get one-sidedly beaten, Leo wondered if the view of the children had changed somehow. Yeon was also focused on the brutal battle, her expression turning a bit sour, but Leo wasn't sure what was going inside her little head.

Clap!

"Alright, now that you know what you have to do, you can now take proper turns."

Seeing the swollen child being unconsciously taken away, no one had the courage to go closer to the stages. However, knowing that his fate wouldn't be any different if he disobeyed, 'Two' appeared before the battle instructor's bloodied fists. Only then did the rest start climbing the other stages.

"Remember, this battle you are about to experience isn't just a form of training, it's also your goal. Only when you are able to beat your opponent fair and square, would you be able to successfully shed away the restriction of the first phase!"