At last… it was O’Neil’s turn.

  “Next is O’Neil of the Ulric Uriel family! He will face a Second-Level Apprentice demonic beast!”

  With a loud “Boom,” the arena came alive once more.

  All the people of Barbaros were eager to see how the son of their strongest warrior—O’Neil, who appeared weak and “dreamy”—would defeat his opponent!

  “Heh… looks like I’m luckier than you, Astrith.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll win our bet!” O’Neil said with a smile, then slowly stepped forward, leaving Astrith standing there with her calm expression.

  “Because… I’ll take care of all the demonic beasts!”

  ……

  It was a rare and beautiful day—a mild summer day in the cold caverns of the underground world.

  The people of Barbaros, who lived along the northern borders of the Golden Empire’s cave territories, only enjoyed such pleasant weather at this time of year.

  Usually, the climate was either light frost, bitter cold, or raging snowstorms.

  The people of Barbaros endured tremendous hardship to survive in such an environment, but it also tempered their physical strength and mental resilience.

  Through constant struggles against the harsh climate, the northern tribes, and dangerous factions, the Barbaros Clan had developed its fighting spirit and its principle of revering the strong.

  Today marked the Barbaros Clan’s selection trial, held once every few years—a grand event where battles were fought in the central arena of the village.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  As the Clan Leader, Nick, made the announcement, O’Neil walked step by step toward the center of the arena, where two Barbaros warriors were restraining a fully grown demonic beast, waiting for him.

  This demonic beast was at the Second-Level Apprentice rank—O’Neil’s next opponent.

  O’Neil walked slowly, yet no one sensed any fear from him.

  For some reason, silence fell over the usually boisterous Barbaros crowd—who had been celebrating as if it were New Year—while O’Neil gradually approached the center of the arena.

  Everyone stared at him intently as he walked.

  His expression was relaxed and natural; although he wore a handsome smile, it carried no warmth—like the calm before winter descends.

  His hair was a deep ocean-blue, a rare shade even among the blue-haired Barbaros, and his eyes were blue with a golden pattern within them—also uncommon among his people.

  Most Barbaros had blue or white hair, and blue or golden eyes.

  One step. Two steps. Three steps.

  Though O’Neil was not walking quickly, for some reason he seemed to radiate an aura of dread.

  Each step he took felt as though it pressed upon the hearts of the crowd, making their pulses beat in rhythm with his movements.

  With a flawless smile, O’Neil walked toward the dangerous E-Rank creature captured by the Barbaros warriors.

  He stopped.

  It felt as though the hearts of everyone in the arena abruptly halted as he came to a standstill—before starting to beat once more.

  “Hoo…” One of the Barbaros warriors controlling the beast suddenly exhaled, thinking to himself: This child is truly strange.

  Why does the way he walks make me feel as if I’m seeing a Super-Grade demonic beast?

  But he’s only a nine-year-old child!

  The warrior beside him wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, thinking the same thing.

  Maintaining his smile, O’Neil asked softly, “May I begin… my battle?”

  The Barbaros warrior who had just wiped his sweat quickly glanced at the Clan Leader in the distance, for only the Clan Leader had the authority to officially declare the start of the battle.

  From the moment O’Neil had stepped into the arena, the Barbaros Clan Leader had been captivated by his presence.

  He felt the same pressure as the two warriors—though not as intensely as most others.

  Simply put, he sensed that this young member of the Ulric Uriel family possessed an overwhelming aura of power.

  “I think Rebus’s proposal is quite good…”

  Suddenly, he recalled Rebus’s suggestion that his son, Jobes, should marry Astrith. Of course, the Clan Leader had no intention of marrying Astrith off to Steve Rebus Job at present.

  He was thinking about Astrith and O’Neil.

  “If he can successfully complete the selection trial later, perhaps I can speak with Ulric about it.”

  That’s right! The selection trial must be completed perfectly! The demonic beast must be eliminated without the slightest doubt—without any injury! Only someone who achieves that deserves to remain by Astrith’s side!

  At that moment, the warrior restraining the demonic beast looked toward him, silently asking whether O’Neil’s selection trial should officially begin.

  The Patriarch of Barbaros stepped forward calmly, and his powerful voice echoed across the arena as he declared simply and directly:

  “O’Neil’s battle against the Second-Level Apprentice demonic beast officially begins!”

  Upon hearing the Clan Leader’s command, the two warriors immediately released their control of the demonic beast and quickly retreated into the crowd. Only O’Neil and the demonic beast remained in the center of the arena.

  The entire arena grew even quieter than before.

  The only sounds were the breathing of the crowd—and the roar of the Second-Level Apprentice demonic beast as it faced O’Neil.