[Current Status: About to Be Beaten Up]
Location: Guild Training Grounds, Silverbrook
System Assistance: STILL LOCKED (22 Hours Left)
Mood: Nervous, Hungry, and Resigned to Suffering
---
Yuuto stood in the middle of the Guild Training Grounds, staring at Era, who was cracking her knuckles with a very concerning smile on her face.
A small crowd of adventurers had gathered, clearly expecting entertainment.
"Damn, Era’s gonna destroy this guy."
"He looks weak as hell. How long do you think he’ll st?"
"Five seconds. Ten, if he runs."
Yuuto gulped.
Celia floated beside him, grinning ear to ear.
"Ohhh, this is gonna be great. I haven’t seen you get wrecked this bad since I dumped you in college."
Yuuto sighed. "Can you not?"
Celia tilted her head. "Nope! Watching you suffer is my new full-time job."
Era, holding a wooden training sword, pointed it at Yuuto.
“Alright, rookie. The rules are simple: survive for two minutes. You can run, dodge, or fight back. But if you cry, I’m telling the whole guild.”
Yuuto nodded slowly. "Sounds fair—"
"BEGIN!"
Before he could even blink, Era dashed forward.
FAST.
Yuuto barely raised his arms when—
CRACK!
A sharp pain exploded in his ribs as her wooden sword smmed into his side.
Yuuto staggered back, gasping.
“SON OF A—”
Era didn’t stop. She spun her sword and swept his legs.
Yuuto’s vision blurred as he colpsed onto his back.
The onlookers burst into ughter.
“HAHAHA! He’s already down?!”
“Pathetic! Even the goblins could beat him!”
Celia, ughing harder than anyone, hovered above Yuuto.
“OH MY GOD. YUUTO, ARE YOU EVEN TRYING?!”
Yuuto groaned, rolling onto his stomach. "F-Five seconds… that was five seconds…"
Celia wiped fake tears. “This is better than reality TV.”
Era sighed. “Get up. I won’t count that.”
Yuuto gritted his teeth. He pushed himself up, legs shaking.
Celia hovered beside him, smirking. "Want me to call an ambunce? Oh wait—NO HOSPITALS IN THIS WORLD!"
Yuuto ignored her, taking a stance.
Era smirked. "Better. Let’s go again."
---
[30 Seconds Later]
Yuuto was on the ground again.
Covered in bruises.
Breathing like he ran a marathon.
The crowd was roaring with ughter.
Celia? Still enjoying every second.
"This is the best thing I’ve seen all day."
Yuuto groaned. "H-How much time left?"
Era, arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. "You sted 47 seconds. Want to keep going?"
Yuuto, still lying on the ground, gave a thumbs-up. "…S-Sure… why not?"
Celia snorted. “Oh? No quitting? That’s new.”
Yuuto gritted his teeth. "I have to pass this. If I don’t, I won’t get any combat skills."
For a brief moment, Celia’s smug expression faltered.
Just for a second.
But then, she shrugged. “Alright, idiot. Get up and get beaten again.”
Yuuto forced himself to stand.
The crowd cheered.
“He’s got guts, at least.”
“Still gonna lose, though.”
Era smiled. "Good. You’re not completely spineless. Let’s finish this."
---
[The Final 30 Seconds]
Yuuto dodged.
Barely.
Era’s wooden sword whistled past his ear.
Yuuto rolled to the side, barely avoiding another brutal strike to the ribs.
Celia, watching intently, frowned.
“Wait. You’re actually… moving better?”
Yuuto panted. "Shut up and let me focus!"
Era’s attacks were still overwhelming, but Yuuto was starting to predict them.
He dodged a second strike.
Blocked the third.
Then—
DING!
---
[System Notice]
You have survived for 2 minutes.
Basic Combat Skill Unlocked!
---
Yuuto’s body felt lighter. His muscles, though sore, moved more naturally.
“I… did it?”
Era lowered her sword.
"Not bad. You’re still terrible, but at least you’re improving."
Celia crossed her arms, pouting.
"Damn. I was hoping you’d get knocked out."
Yuuto gred. "Wow. Such support."
She grinned. "I’m your ex. What did you expect?"
Era smirked. “Alright. You earned your reward.”
---
[Rewards Earned]
10 Exp
Basic Combat Skill (Lv.1)
Respect (Slight) from Guild Members
Celia’s Entertainment (100%)
---
The crowd cpped half-heartedly.
"Not bad, rookie."
"You still suck, though."
"Eh, he’s got potential."
Yuuto wiped sweat from his forehead, grinning.
Celia, floating beside him, stared at him quietly.
For a brief moment, her expression softened.
Like she was… impressed? Or maybe… concerned?
But then, she rolled her eyes.
"Well, congratutions, loser. You survived your first ass-whooping."
Yuuto smirked. "Jealous?"
Celia scoffed. "Please. I could still beat you with one hand tied behind my back."
Era smirked. "Well, let’s see how you do against real monsters next."
Yuuto’s grin vanished.
"…Wait. Monsters? Already?!"
Era cpped his shoulder. "Yep. Time to put that new combat skill to the test."
Celia grinned. "Ohhh, this is gonna be even better than today!"
Yuuto felt a chill run down his spine.
…He had a very bad feeling about Chapter 5.
---
[End of Chapter 4]
