Chapter 180

Familiar blood pool,

Familiar two-headed monster,

Familiar symphonic vocal background music,

And the unfamiliar thing is mostly just the field of view.

Omur's field of view is rather low, often even splashed with blood, but that's only natural.

After all, it's the viewpoint of a rat.

Well, a rat as big as a suitcase.

In this context, rather than calling it a tribute, it's more about understanding the world of unique fan works, where such a makeshift camera is not hard to find.

Zombie‑like dogs, vicious and brutal stray mongrels, abnormally sized rats, and other monstrous beasts are all common ecology in this world.

As for why a rat was chosen instead of a dog, it's simply because there are more rats than dogs around here.

One camera is enough; it's not like we're watching a Uma Musume race, adding more angles wouldn't yield anything new.

After all, he didn't intend to join the fight, let alone battle that silent trial‑taker.

That trial‑taker is indeed silent and reserved, and in that regard Omur rather appreciates him.

His movements in combat are also simple, fluid, and efficient, which is why Omur thinks the other is skilled at calculation.

If he weren't good at calculation, he wouldn't be able to handle that complex combination of armaments.

But is that set of equipment specially made?

In the eyes of the giant rat beside the blood pool, the youth and the monster's struggle is reflected; both sides show a hint of retro style, yet one wields a thermal weapons cache while the other can spew a giant laser beam from its mouth.

You two are truly like the dragon and phoenix among talents; the contrast in art style is itself a style.

Omur thought to himself, then redirected his attention to the follow‑up record report of Pengli Taviel before him.

Obviously, he again took advantage of others fighting the boss to circle around the rear building, while also verifying his hypotheses one by one.

First, the place he thought had an invisible wall was unsealed when the trial‑taker approached.

Moreover, this kind of explanatory and promotional material for the exhibits truly follows the trial‑taker's test levels, upgrading step by step.

At this moment, under the demon's twin black‑flame crescents, the monster sales list already shows two rows of giant beasts and one row of what look like precious native‑produced small creatures.

But this didn't pique Omur's interest, because in the names and pictures of those two rows of giant monsters, almost all are like the earlier imitation of the furious King Star of the fabricated Kusha, belonging to fan‑made imitation works.

Just as the experimental project headed by Dongzi Zhenren aims, the Yuger Company seems focused on creating its own monsters rather than collecting or capturing them.

But even creating them themselves isn't enough; they seem not to aim for originality, merely imitating directions where the reference prototype is clearly visible.

Omur has already seen monsters resembling Red King, Gomora, and the Twin Guardians, all of which have simply been given new names.

Their reference direction isn't limited to tokusatsu; the second list already contains monsters whose shapes closely resemble the Fire Dragon and Kirala Dentna.

Are we making subspecies here, or just second‑name monsters?

Are they really not planning any originality at all?

Fortunately we haven't seen any patched‑together features; otherwise Omur would have to judge this as some kind of Tyrannosaurus remodeler.

The type that points at a chimera beast and shouts 'original!'

Omur himself hadn't planned to buy any monsters; seeing there were no genuine items here only lessened his interest further, but setting aside the product list, the researcher's notes he happened to pull out actually give the actual time of a certain stage.

One stage's time is enough; combined with Dongzi Zhenren's notes we can piece together all the test records' timing, and… the monster exhibition actually takes place in early July.

That's not far off… I'll gather information tomorrow, Omur thought.

His interest in this is far greater than any monster trading or research; flipping through the follow‑up notes is all about timing calculations and exhibition info.

Too bad there's hardly any information……

He put the record back where it belonged, then turned his attention back to sharing the giant rat's vision, and Omur happened to witness Ludwig's final resistance.

Unlike when Omur, weaponless, would just swing a moonlight greatsword at the opponent, that silent trial‑taker—who hardly ever lets out a battle cry when exerting force—obviously relies only on his built‑in weapon.

The extended combination laser cannon struck Ludwig as he drew his rear‑mounted longsword in the second stage; the blade's light was shattered by the beam, leaving only a shockwave that made Omur's shared vision collapse suddenly!

Rat‑me, I'm really done for.

"If I'm done for, then I'm done for..."

He slapped his palm, the impact between the scales shaking off not just dust but sparks; Omur merely gave a symbolic pat, then gestured to the phantom to set off.

The trial‑taker's footsteps also became clear; this time he didn't drift away, after all it's a straight path that doesn't allow turning.

Even after defeating Ludwig, it's not over……

A shadow materialized from magic covered the silver‑black intertwined demon and phantom; as the trial‑taker rushed past the doorway his steps faltered slightly, because that feeling of being watched was now unprecedentedly close.

At the same time, the magic detector he carried kept vibrating nonstop.

They are here, just not far away.

「……」

His steps continued toward the next trial; thinking that the commander's request was urgent, he didn't want to invite complications.

And as his footsteps faded away, a hint of silver appeared in the shadow, like the hem of a coat.

He really is in a hurry… stepping out of the room, watching the direction the other ran, Omur thought to himself.

It's practically like he's trying to record a speedrun.

Standing under the pale moonlight, Omur watched the youth defeat the enemy once again, turning into a stream of light shooting straight up into the sky.

As always, the trial‑taker didn't bother scouting the surroundings, instead hurrying to respond to that light panel at an even higher point.

It's as if he's eager to meet the true host, or perhaps resisting free movement without the light panel's guidance.

It probably isn't the latter… Omur habitually sketches out the two 'most likely' scenarios, but also feels the latter isn't very realistic.

But truly, I never imagined this world would hastily open a battle point, nor that after the final fight there would still be an upper‑level reception area.

Omur left the shabby cottage with the phantom, he looked up at the moon that was just beginning to heal, holding three books in his hand, wondering whether to go back.

The first night's harvest already exceeded expectations. However, the trial ground's endpoint is not here but somewhere above the dream realm, which also exceeds expectations.

Under these circumstances, should we abandon covert action and crash their discussion… Aomo habitually didn't consider such radical moves, and before he could reach a conclusion, the phantom moved.

Only a strong stimulus in the surroundings could cause this AI‑like, self‑lacking entity to actively give feedback.

For example, a huge beast suddenly appears, and its footfall lands exactly on top of the two people.

Even three seconds later, the tester who ought to have been taken away was also 'sent' back——

——to greet the huge foot facing them together.

What is this for again?

Being pulled away by the Dazhenhan-affected phantom, Aomo didn't resist either, but this time he inevitably locked eyes with the tester.

He also casually flung out a mage's hand with slightly increased output.

Then a bright silver hand about a person tall swatted the startled tester away, and the huge footprint marked where he had originally stood.

"Can you get up?"

Seizing the initiative, he grabbed the phantom's arm, and with a single step he unfurled his wings and sprayed fire, Aomo almost arriving at the tester's side the next second.

At such a time one should reach out to show goodwill, but Aomo didn't think his appearance warranted casually reaching out.

It would probably be seen as the start of an attack, right? His appearance alone was threatening enough, like claws.

"Sure."

The tester appeared unharmed, quickly got up and put some distance between himself and him.

"But who are you?"

A demon‑like person with ghost‑fire in his eyes, at first sight it's indeed hard to stay calm.

"You can call me She."

"Li, you can call me Li."

"?" The demon‑like person scrutinized the white‑haired, blue‑clad guy, then glanced at the nearby negative energy monster, "Your way of coming up with that nickname is as perfunctory as mine."

"I've been using this code name." Without retorting the other's self‑exposing remark, Li also stared at that monster not far away, as if strolling, never lowering his gaze to look this way at the beast.

"What a coincidence, I've been using this name as well."

This frightening‑looking fellow's speech wasn't as grim and fierce as his appearance, but Li also originally felt that his gaze held no hostility nor threat; although he was quite bothered by the black horse girl beside him, he still got straight to the point:

"Are you an administrator?"

"Do you think I am? I also want to ask how you got thrown down here."

"You're not? Then what are you……"

"Roar!"

"!"

""

A sudden roar made the three turn their heads, looking at the similarly sudden huge beast, which was the "Gomora No. 2 Monster" that Aomo had previously complained about in his mind.

It seemed to be provoking the negative energy monster.

"Alright… I think I know why you were thrown down here."

Aomo turned his head to look at him.

"How about we first keep our distance and chat a bit?"