Cosmic Ruler

Chapter 41 Territory Defense

"In this test, all of you have to form a team of 5, with one among you acting as a leader," Drake continued his explanation.

"The test's motive is to assess your leadership capabilities, and one more thing: you can only make someone a leader if their ranking is above yours," Drake added, emphasizing the importance of ranking.

As Drake spoke about ranking, the big screen lit up, displaying a list that showed the participants' rankings. Jake observed that he held the first rank, Jimmy was third, Emily was seventh, and Mark was twelfth. 'Hmm, there are some good candidates here,' Jake thought, realizing that the rankings indicated the presence of other talented individuals.

"Well, you ranked first. Can't say I'm surprised," Mark commented as he joined Jake, glancing at the screen.

"Who eliminated you?" Jake inquired.

"Hmm, it was that girl," Mark pointed at the girl, catching Jake's attention. When Jake saw her, he raised an eyebrow because the girl turned out to be Melina.

"You... didn't get distracted seeing those melons, did you?" Jake teased Mark.

"What do you take me for?" Mark snorted in response.

Jake shook his head, choosing not to dwell on the topic. Instead, he decided to use Akashic Eyes on Melina, keen on gaining insights into her abilities

[Name : Melina Dia

Race : Dragonoid

Core : Radiance (Pseudo white)

Corel Energy : Light Mana

Rank : D-

Description : A dragonoid from Light dragon clan, with their inherent special core Radiance, that can harness Mana of Light Essence.]

"Her speed is something else; it's like you when you use Light speed," Mark explained to Jake.

Jake nodded, acknowledging the observation about Melina's exceptional speed. As Emily and Jimmy joined the discussion, they realized they needed one more person to complete their team of five.

"How about that guy?" Jimmy suggested, pointing at the black-haired, green-eyed individual – Dio.

"Hmm, I think we can call him," Mark agreed, making his way towards Dio.

Curious about Dio's ranking, Jake glanced at the screen once more and saw Dio holding the 2nd position. 'That's pretty good,' Jake noted.

As Dio approached Jake, he recognized him. "You are the First rank, that means you are the one with the chained dagger!" Dio exclaimed.

"Ahh, yes, that was me," Jake confirmed.

"Hahhh, I thought I would get the First rank, but you beat me so easily," Dio sighed, expressing a touch of disappointment.

Jake chuckled, appreciating Dio's competitive spirit

[Name : Dio Granvis

Race : Human/Fey

Core : Umbra(Pseudo white)/ Emerald (Peak Violet)

Core Energy : Shadow Abyssal / Life or Emerald Mana

Rank : E+

Description : A half human and half Fey hybrid, with best of both world.]

[Who would have thought that you would find a Dual core like you so soon,] Nexus commented.

'Hmm, is he a protagonist?' Jake asked, considering Dio's characteristics – a Dual core user with a unique background.

[No, if a protagonist came near you, you would definitely get a mission. Since there is no mission, it means he is not,] Nexus clarified.

"Hmm, so will you join our team?" Jake asked Dio.

"Yes, I will. Your rank is higher than mine; it's no problem if you become the leader," Dio replied, expressing his willingness to join the team.

After ten minutes, Drake reappeared, capturing the attention of the assembled teams. "Now that teams have formed, look at the screen."

Everyone directed their gaze at the screen, where the teams and corresponding codes were displayed.

"You all see that code, right? Now, when you log in, just type that code, and your team will appear in a single castle," Drake explained. The participants nodded in understanding and prepared to log in.

When Jake logged in, he found himself inside a room alongside Dio and the others.

"Hmm, it looks like a command room," Dio observed, and the rest of the team nodded in agreement.

"Let's look outside first " Mark said

"Agreed," Jake said, leading the way as the team ventured outside the command room. The virtual castle's corridors and hallways stretched before them, adorned with intricate designs and magical symbols.

As they stepped out they saw a Town of 10 km with Castle as Center, " We have to defend it?" Dio exclaimed.

"This is definitely weird" Jake nodded and said.

"Maybe there will be some other settings" Emily remarked and group then started exploring.

As they toured the castle they found no one.

"There is not even a single being in castle except us" Mark said.

"Well, maybe we have to wait for announcement" Emily said.

"Let's tour the town too" Jake suggested and everyone came out of the castle but once again all they saw was abandoned town.

"Just what kind of test is this?" Jimmy said in frustration.

"Don't tell me there are only us!!" Dio exclaimed.

"I don't think so, its territory defense right?, So how can we defend this vast Territory with just four of us" Jake shook his head and said.

"Four, but aren't we Five?" Mark tilted his head and said.

"My role as Commander means, I can only came to battlefield when it s last moment of war, It's like a rule, here" Jake explained the information he got when he logged in.

"Well it makes sense," Mark nodded and said.

As they were talking Drake voice sounded

{Hello, I know you all must be confused, but worry not, your favorite examiner is here to explain everything }

"Does he not know?, we are confused because he didn't explained in the first place" Jimmy said.

{As you see, you all are in Abandoned Territories but with out inhabitants can it even be called a territory? So First phase of this Exam is gathering inhabitants, and the Time limit is one week}

{And don't worry, you all be logged out at same time for rest and Meal, So let the Hunt begin!!!} Drake announcement faded with Fireworks.

"Lets move out, I will move alone, Mark with Emily and Jimmy and Dio will move alone too" Jake said and dashed in North direction.

"I will take South" Dio said and went in opposite direction to Jake.

Emily, Mark and Jimmy nodded too and went in different direction.

[Do you want to use Map?] Nexus asked suddenly as Jake was moving.

'Hmm, I can use it? But No, let me enjoy it' Jake thought and then declined Nexus offer.

As Jake was moving he encountered a Forest and stopped "Hmm, we will be needing food too right?" He then dashed in the direction of Forest to hunt for some food.

Entering the Forest he jumped on the tallest tree and then scouted the Forest from above, "It's around 7 km,"

Then jumping from the tree, he started searching for prey.

And then he came across a stream and started walking by it, hoping to find any prey that may come to drink water.

And after some time of walking he came across a bear shaped animal.

"Inspect" Jake mumbled and then Bear looking animal info. appeared before him.

{Name : Dread Bear

Rank : D+

Core : Abyssal }

'So a Abyssal beast huh?' Jake mumbled and then brought out his Sword.

The Abyssal bear is now drinking water from stream, Jake jumped high in air and appeared above the bear and then coating his Sword in Sword Aura , he descended to Bear and then sliced bear neck in one sweep.

{Congratulations on obtaining :

1. Bear Fur(1)

2. Bear Claws (4)

3. Bear Meat (50 kg)

4. Dread Sword ( Rare) : Crafted from Dread Bear bones and core, comes with skill Fear. }

"This is good, I can farm food and equipment" Jake mumbled and then resumed his hunting.

//////////////////////

On Dio side

After running some km, Dio came across a village like settlement.

"So this is where we are supposed to recruit inhabitants" Dio mumbled and then went near the guards stationed outside the Village entrance.

"Hello" Dio nearing them waved his hand but the Guards pointed their spear at him.

"I come in peace" Dio raised is hands in surrender.

"Who are you?" One of the guards asked.

"My name is Dio, I came to help you all" Dio smiled and said.

"Help us? How?" The Guards looked at him suspiciously and asked.

"I came to invite you all to my territory, its surrounded by Stone walls and have many vacant houses too" Dio replied.

"You really come to invite us to your territory" Suddenly the guards demeanor changed and then they came to Dio and asked with sparkling eyes.

"Ah, yes' Dio nodded awkwardly, having two grown men looking at you with sparkling eyes is surely weird,

"hoooorayyyy" Both of them shouted attracting the other villagers.

"Come with us" They said and started dragging Dio inside even before he could answer.

'They are not going to eat me right?' Dio worriedly thought, thinking he is entering den of barbarians who eat humans.

But fortunately that didn't happen as they took him to their village chief.

" Hello esteemed one" The Village head which was middle aged , muscular man, bowed to Dio.

'Damm, he is A rank, just what kind of territory defense is this?' Dio gulped seeing his rank and thought.