"All the best, Wyatt!" Mary shouted as I entered the exam venue, an illusion materialization formation array with a space expansion add-on, with the other examinees. Liam and Norlin entered the formation simultaneously with me. I knew what Liam was thinking following me. As for Norlin, I didn't think she would be the kind of person who would go out of her way to make other people's problems her problems. Don't get me wrong, she's a good person, the kind that minded their business.
Our examination venue, the illusion materialization formation array with a space expansion add-on, was exactly what its name suggested. It created a pocket space where illusions didn't just look real but could physically interact. It was built to house the examinees in a controlled environment, letting those illusionary constructs fight, block, and mislead like actual entities.
This was made possible by using energy to project illusions and anchor them into temporary matter. It then stretched the space inside the formation so everything could exist and function without collapsing into itself.
In short, if you die in the formation due to an accident or mishap, you actually die. However, the environment in the formation array was monitored by soldiers around the clock. This allowed them to eject an examinee when facing mortal danger.
Entering the array, I soon found myself in a dark rainforest. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I noticed that the trees were as tall and wide as twelve–fifteen-story buildings.
Their thick branches intertwined, forming a tight canopy that blocked the sky. It was hard to tell if it was day or night. The quietness made the beautiful scene before me eerie. At first, I thought it was because this was all a simulation, but then I shook my head, realizing the silence could also mean that there was a dangerous grimmon in the vicinity. It was the first thing one would learn in basic survival training.
I immediately used my gion ink to etch the true name sutra gion tattoo onto my body. Then I channeled true force to enhance my senses, scanning my surroundings without making any sudden movements. Almost instantly, I felt an immense sense of being watched.
Following my instincts, I looked up and saw a huge green snake lunging at me with its mouth wide open. I immediately mobilized my true force to block its jaws as it slammed into the ground with me between them as it tried to snap shut. My true force held the jaws apart, but I could still feel the sheer force behind its bite. The worst part was the brutal stench that hit my face as I held its jaws apart. For a materialized illusion, it was too real.
Caught in the jaws of the greater titanoboa, I used all my strength to keep them apart. It was a predator classified as an awakened grimmon but because of its massive size it was as strong as superior grimmon. To run into such a troublesome grimmon right at the start of the exam, I was really down on my luck. I say this because, even if I managed to kill it, I would still get only one point. It was like working twice as hard as others to earn the same as they did.
The greater titanoboa's body fell to the ground, using the support it lifted its head, swinging it around with me still stuck between its jaws. I felt dizzy but just then I also felt a suction force from within its mouth. If this continued, the soldiers would eject me from the exam. I had to act fast.
I quickly mirrored Aceso's breath grim cypher from fate index using fateless. It was a medical type grim cypher but it was right for the situation.
[ — Fate Index —
> Aceso's Breath: The Grimlock's breath carries gion and has the ability to enhance the health, stamina, and gion recovery of the target, be it plants, animals, or grimmon.
i) Aceso's Field: As far as the Grimlock's breath spreads, the Grimlock can create a field that enhances the recovery of targets within it, be they plants, animals, or grimmon.ii) Explosive Recovery: The Grimlock can forcefully enhance the recovery of a target. When used on healthy tissues, excessive Aceso's breath causes them to explode.
Note:
i) In this Aceso's Field, targets are safe from infections, poisons, toxins, etc.ii) Aceso's Breath and Explosive Recovery can be used through Aceso's Field.]
Mirroring Aceso's breath, I immediately used Aceso's field so that I could use explosive recovery on the mouth of the greater titanoboa, causing its mouth to explode—mostly the upper layers of its tissues. However, using that window, I pushed myself out of its mouth.
Landing on my back, I immediately ran for cover. I was able to react almost instantaneously despite the ordeal, thanks to my ultimate undying body. I wasn't injured or exhausted. Though a little shook, adrenaline took care of it.
The greater titanoboa was in great pain. After all, its mouth was one of its most sensitive parts. As a result, its massive body rolled around and slammed against the trees, wreaking havoc on the land.
From a distance, I continued to use explosive recovery on the greater titanoboa through Aceso's field, first on its eyes and then on its head. This time I used my true force to enhance the explosive recovery. By the time I was done with it, the greater titanoboa's head had been blown into thousands of pieces and its massive headless body lay peacefully on the land.
I looked at the titanoboa's headless body and couldn't bring myself to believe that I did that. Burning the image into my mind, I moved ahead toward the center, not daring to stick around. I was afraid all that commotion would have attracted nearby grimmon. I needed points, but I also didn't want to be outnumbered. As for grimlocks, I was sure they would have headed to the center too, ignoring the commotion.
I hadn't yet run a hundred yards when I ran into a familiar figure—a petite boy with aquamarine hair, Liam Laos. I had no idea how he found me.