Chaos Carrier With A Broken Talent-Chapter 41: Too Many Survived

At the Thunder of Four Howl, there were several rules, but they were quite flexible, allowing participants to come up with various measures to survive.

The grim shards were a clear example of this. They could only be obtained by killing guards, but that did not mean they could not be taken or shared with someone else.

Obviously, those who faced this choice mostly ended up in the bald man group. Everyone wanted to take the grim shards from others to avoid risking their lives in battle against monsters, but no one was willing to hand them over.

Well, almost no one.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The eight shards connected with white lines, creating a protective mesh barrier around the two figures.

Before the girl could realize what was happening, electric discharges struck her with their full force, but none of them managed to touch her.

"NO!!!"

"RRGGGHH!!!"

"THIS IS...!"

A series of final shouts erupted across the Desolate Meadow as several participants turned into handfuls of ash. Lightning bolts tore them apart, carrying neither cruelty nor malice, simply doing their job.

The girl should be in their place, but... she was saved, for now.

Tap.

The sharp tip of the dagger grazed her neck as Ethan grabbed her wrist with his other hand, immobilizing her.

"You, give me a reason not to kill you. Give me a reason to trust you."

Ethan’s eyes grew deeper.

"Why did you come here? What were you talking about at the end?"

Even though one move from Ethan could end her life, the girl was not nervous. On the contrary, she smiled weakly because Ethan simply wanted the truth.

She could give it to him.

"My father died here several years ago. I wasn’t a Carrier then, so as soon as I had the chance, I came here."

"Do you want to take revenge on the Lost Knight?"

In response, she shook her head.

"I don’t know who or what killed my father, but... I definitely want to defeat the Lost Knight because that was my father’s goal. Although he wasn’t from the Hail of Swords, his best friend was. He decided to do it, but in the end, he failed."

Ethan was about to say something, but she beat him to it.

"Also, I’d like to find the family pendant. If I ever get a chance to reach my father’s grave, it’s... It’s the last thing I have left from my family."

After a few seconds of tense silence, Ethan removed the dagger from her neck.

She sighed with relief as he pushed her on the shoulder.

"Agh?"

Caught off guard, she collapsed to the ground.

Then, she turned around with a frown.

"Hell! Why did you do that?!"

"HAHAHA!" Ethan laughed, finally putting the dagger back in his belt.

It was the final test.

’The old man was right, not all people in this world want to hurt you, there are simple, kind, and innocent souls, but... the old man also said that you must always remain alert.’

"Hey, what’s your name?"

The girl’s lips trembled as she took on a serious expression.

"Aime. My name is Aime La Doux!"

From the very beginning, Ethan was testing Aime. If she wanted to deceive them and take the shards, she would have attacked them in desperation after their refusal. It was unlikely that she had a story about her father to trick Ethan, and... in the end, he pushed her.

She didn’t try to attack, she just got angry, as anyone would in her place.

Why did Ethan do that?

Well, if he could save a life he thought was worth saving, he was willing to do it.

Moreover, the union with Menir earlier and with Klaus now was beneficial. Aime could prove to be a valuable ally as well.

He couldn’t help himself, but in situations like this, he always thought about the practical side of things. It was his nature to look for anything that could help him survive and improve his current situation.

"I see. I’m Ethan."

Instead of asking questions, Aime nodded as she lowered her gaze.

"Thank you. When I have the opportunity, I will repay you... You saved my life."

Ethan waved his hand.

"Nah, don’t thank me, thank my old man."

She gave him a questioning look.

"Hmm?"

"He taught me that there are good people in this world. Although it’s a little more complicated than that, I think you understand."

Aime took this as a compliment.

"I see. In that case, I would like to thank your grandfather."

"I’m afraid that won’t be possible."

"Agh? Why?"

Ethan’s gaze darkened for a moment.

"Because he’s dead."

’I think so,’ Ethan thought to himself.

Aime fell silent, not knowing what to say.

Then, a figure appeared from the tall grass. Aime tensed, but Ethan only glanced in that direction. He knew who it was.

Soon, Klaus came into view. He looked at Aime, then at Ethan.

"Oh, I didn’t think you’d decide to help her after everything you said, but looking at her now, I’m glad I don’t see a handful of ashes in her place."

Ethan waved his hand. "How did you find me?"

"Pffft!" Klaus snorted mockingly. "Do you think you could hide from me? You seriously overestimate your speed, buddy."

A minute had passed since the second thunder strike.

That meant the short break was over and the trial was ready to continue.

The gathering dark fog was a clear indication of that. At first, it was at the edges of the field, but now it was quickly moving straight toward the trio.

"Damn, we have to move!" Klaus exclaimed and rushed forward. "Follow me!"

Aime blinked as Ethan disappeared.

Realizing that he was not going to wait for her, she quickly got up, seeing their backs in front of her. She struggled to keep up with them.

The fog stopped moving only when Ethan, Aime, and Klaus entered the inner circle, where the grass was a little lower, reaching their waists.

The other participants were visible in the distance, as were the two activated pillars in the center.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The ground shook, but instead of more stone coffins, several white streams of energy appeared and gradually condensed into thin silhouettes.

Ethan glanced at Klaus.

"Is this how it’s supposed to be?"

Klaus clenched his teeth, a slight panic reflected in his eyes.

"No, shit... It’s the Twilight Reapers! If they’ve appeared, then too many survived!"

"This means...?"

Klaus nodded.

"Thunder of Four Howls will continue when the Twilight Reapers kill enough people, and unlike the Grim Knights, we don’t stand a chance against them!"