Death... and me

Soon after, Vrie sighed. “Still, the Divine Energy requirement… we probably won’t be able to use it during the test.”

Roan narrowed his eyes in response. “Why?”

Sure enough, Roan didn’t know much about the test itself. It’s just that this time, no one doubted his proficiency, especially Lita, who explained the reason calmly. “The Deep Sea Monster Assault is basically as the name suggests. We will be sent into an environment filled with water where we will have to survive. That’s all. The problem is that we have to last an entire week. With my seven-member battle formation, I calculated that we would barely hold on for enough time. But with only four members and using twice the amount of energy…”

Roan understood. “So that’s the issue, huh? Very well, we will use my version, and I’ll provide you with Divine Stones to last until the end of the week.”

Krikei didn’t seem very convinced, though. “Roan, the assault of the monsters is relentless. Even though I’ll be the core of the battle formation, there’s a limit to how much Divine Energy I can help you all save. Divine Stones alone aren’t enough. We also have our own share of Rank One and Two Divine Stones, so you don’t need to give them to us. Pretty much everyone who comes to this place has the necessary resources. We were already considering using them with the seven-member formation to start with.”

Roan shook his head after that. “You won’t be the core. I will. I’m the one who created it, so I can definitely use it to the optimal level.”

Seeing the doubt in Krikei’s group faces, Roan added, “Just take your positions, then. As long as you follow the formation, you will see.”

Krikei and the others didn’t mind. They still had several days before the test anyway. Immediately, they took their positions and started to operate their Divine Energy accordingly to Roan’s new battle formation.

Roan, feeling the Divine Energy of his members, began to conduct the formation right there. “The thing about spending twice the Divine Energy is only when we’re fighting enemies. My version has another advantage. If we’re not fighting, the formation uses just a third of the energy of the original formation. If we use Divine Stones during downtime, we can definitely replenish ourselves.”

Krikei and the others were surprised to see how little the battle formation was making them use in idle mode. Then again, there was a problem. “What if we don’t get a chance to take a rest? Wouldn’t we run out of Divine Energy regardless? The assault of monsters can truly continue for days nonstop.”

Roan faintly smiled, saying, “If that happens, just leave it to me. I have my ways of finding us some free time.”

Krikei, as the leader of the group, pondered over their chances with both versions. “In the end, both Lita and Roan’s versions have their ups and downs. However, I would rather lose because we ran out of Divine Energy than because we weren’t strong enough to hold the assault. Lita’s version is definitely the weaker one in this regard, so I prefer Roan’s.”

Lita sighed but agreed with Krikei. “My version could indeed last seven days with the support of Divine Stones, but that’s considering we can resist the assault in the first place. I’ll use Roan’s version.” Lita then looked at Roan after that. “However, since this was my clan’s formation, I will definitely bring it back to them later.”

Roan nodded, telling her, “I had no intention of asking you to keep this version a secret. This battle formation is still yours, so you can do whatever you want.”

Vrie obviously had no issues with it. “Roan’s version it is then.”

After that, they dissolved the formation. Roan also took that chance to ask. “I’m the type who prefers smaller groups. However, I also recognize the strength in numbers. How come the groups around us don’t have more than ten members? Wouldn’t it be easier to pass the test if a huge group is formed?”

Krikei shook his head, explaining, “That would be akin to suicide. Ten is the absolute limit that anyone would enter the test. That’s because the monsters’ assault will always target the area with the highest number of prey first. In the end, more than ten members will only turn you into a huge target. If anything, you would simply help other groups by taking off the monsters’ attention from them and bringing them to your own.”

Roan wasn’t surprised to hear that. “I see…” Soon after, he began to circulate his Divine Energy accordingly to the battle formation. “In that case, let’s practice. I made this version to be as easy to remember as possible. However, nothing can beat experience. The better we get at it, the higher our chances.”

That was the sole point no one there complained about. “Let’s practice then.”

At the same time, Rean received a message from Roan through their Soul Connection. ‘Use this battle formation. It’s surprisingly useful.’ Roan then shared his memories of the formations’ procedures.

Rean took a look at it and had to admit it was quite good. ‘That’s impressive. Where did you find this thing?’

’Who cares? Just use it if you want to.’ That’s all Roan said in response.

That only made Rean sigh, though. ‘You know, you didn’t need to sell your body to get it. We could have worked things out.’

Suddenly, Roan almost lost control over the battle formation, much to Krikei and the other’s surprise. “Are you okay, Roan?”

Roan nodded with a dark expression. “I’m fine.” He didn’t even want to talk about it.

Rean brightly smiled and stopped bothering Roan. Instead, he looked at the couple in front of him. “So, how is it? Let’s join forces and conquer this test! Jhiod Sect awaits us!”

Of course, Min and Erla didn’t know what to say to Rean.