C28 – Screeching Hedgehog
Candidates trickled into the Iron Woods, their numbers a mere drop in the vast expanse. They soon vanished among the towering trees, dwarfed by the enormity of the forest.
Upon entering, Qin Hongyu was struck by a sense of insignificance. The trees around him bore no resemblance to any he had seen before, their size and height bordering on the surreal. It was clear that in the desolate era, evolution and atavism had left their mark not just on animals, but on plants as well—each colossal tree required the embrace of three people just to span its girth.
Despite their cautious steps, the trio couldn’t prevent the dry leaves underfoot from crackling as they made their way through the Iron Woods. They were met with harrowing sights along their path, including the decaying carcasses of Demon Beasts, their stench hanging heavy in the air.
More than once, they witnessed fellow examinees paralyzed with fear at the sight of such horrors, some even crying out for help in terror.
“We’ve barely passed the half-hour mark, and already a good number have been weeded out,” Qin Hongyu observed, his brow furrowed in thought.
Each candidate had been equipped with a signal flare before the exam, a lifeline to be used if they chose to forfeit. In just this short time, Qin Hongyu had seen a multitude of flares light up the sky, as if in celebration of the new year.
“The real intent of this exam is to sift out those unfit to be Battle Spirit Fighters. Talent is irrelevant if one is petrified by the sight of blood. The academy has no interest in nurturing cowards,” Fu Tian remarked gravely.
Bo Miaojiao chimed in with a chuckle, “Exactly. They’re scared stiff by mere low-level Demon Beasts. Imagine their panic at the sight of senior class or even Lord’s class Demon Beasts—they’d probably outrun their own battle spirits!”
“This exam may pose a challenge for others, but for us, it should be a breeze. After all, we’re backed by a battle spirit with the formidable strength of the Fire Spirit,” Fu Tian said, the picture of ease.
“Let’s track down a Demon Beast before anything else! We’ve been at this for nearly an hour, hearing nothing but their roars all around us. How come we haven’t spotted a single one?” Qin Hongyu lamented with a look of frustration.
“Holy smokes! What on earth is that?!”
Out of nowhere, Fu Tian let out a shrill scream, clutching his feet and hopping in place.
In front of him, what seemed like a small mound of earth began to shift, and a spiky hedgehog burrowed its way out. This was no ordinary hedgehog, though; it was a behemoth, easily five times the size of a regular one, its body bristling with razor-sharp spines that glinted with a metallic sheen, enough to make anyone’s skin crawl.
Qin Hongyu’s mind was instantly flooded with details about the creature before them:
[Demon Beast Name]: Screeching Hedgehog
[Demon Beast Skills]: Sharp Armor Defense, Spine Burst
[Demon Beast Special Characteristic]: When the Screeching Hedgehog sustains a mortal wound, it will eject all its spines. Seek cover immediately to avoid them!
“Watch out, everyone! We’re dealing with a low-level Screeching Hedgehog. Beware of its spikes—they can detonate!” Qin Hongyu urgently ushered the others to distance themselves from the metallic menace.
As they retreated, all three simultaneously called forth their battle spirits, which eyed the Screeching Hedgehog warily, ready for whatever might come next.