The Explorers of the Universe

Passing Stage One

The participants who chose the west and east gates had already entered the forest. The forest in the east is adjacent to 3 hills namely Nashi Hill, Andas Hill and Kal Hill. They suspect that wooden statues will be stored in the hills. While the western forest is a forest with two hills that have many river flows

Asteria was already walking near the river. The other participants who chose the west gate had already dispersed far away from earlier.

From a distance, Asteria saw a participant across the river just shooting a wooden statue. The teenager immediately returned to the field after picking up the cloth that was on the neck of the statue. The cloth will be used as evidence to the jurors that he has archery 1 statue.

Asteria continued on her journey. He infiltrated among the branches of shrubs and shrubs. Several other teenagers ran inside the forest, up the hill and followed the river. Asteria knew they had gone so far into the forest.

Asteria calmly watched the corners of the forest, the branches of trees, the crevices of rocks and dark shrubs. No one knew the royal soldiers hid the statues where. Asteria hope luck is on her side.

Eventually he found a statue in the distance.

Asteria chased after the statue. Upon arrival near the statue, like a flash of light, an arrow stuck right in the statue's chest. Asteria wastes tired breaths and irritations.

A teenager her age was standing on a large branch, grinning at Asteria. He was satisfied to have shot the statue first.

He jumped to the ground. Take that cloth. “You shouldn't have to run. Arrow only from where you stand if you are a true archer,” he said as he passed Asteria who was silent to maintain calm.

Asteria continued on her way. It had been 40 minutes since he passed through the gate. It was still as it was, walking while looking with precision.

Luck still seemed to want to give him a chance. When he accidentally turned his head up, a wooden statue hung with a rope on a tree trunk. Asteria smiled.

He stepped in to find a comfortable and appropriate position to perform archers. Asteria drew a powerful bow, her eyes sharpened.

Sretta! Arrows streaking.

Stuck right on the statue's chest.

Asteria climbed a tree to pick up the cloth on the neck of the statue. Asteria smiled with satisfaction.

Stage 1 is over.

*

All the participants gathered back on the field. They were already divided into two groups: the knockout group and the escaped group.

All the participants who chose the east gate not a single one got the statue and cloth. While the participants who chose the west gate almost all got the statue and escaped to the next stage. Only 9 west gate participants were killed. That was because they were running out of time, whereas the remaining statues were still enough for 23 participants.

Asteria has guessed there is ‘a hoax’. When the gate was first opened and all the participants had scattered to the east and west, Asteria still knew which gate to choose. Finally, he noticed the prince and some soldiers standing nearby.

Most of them looked west, only a few did not turn their heads because they noticed him still standing in the field. Asteria made their own analysis, if most of the soldiers looked west, they probably wanted to see how the participants got the statue and did not care about those who did not get the statue.

And it really happened, apparently the statue provided only spread in the forest to the west. In the east there is nothing at all. Today, there are still statues left in the west that have not been harvested.

Asteria is proud of the success of analyzing. Before long Private Eri came to the middle of the field. He is ready to pass the Level 2 rule.

“I congratulate you guys who entered Stage 2. And for those who failed in the previous stage, with respect are welcome to leave the field,” said Warrior Eri loudly.

Warrior Eri stared at the participants who had escaped to Stage 2.

“Alright, for the Second Stage this will be more challenging than the previous stage. For that, before I pass on the Phase Two rule, I ask that you take each of the 1 cloth that is in the black box.”

A yuga walks in front of the participants with a black box, inside which there is a cloth equal to the number of participants.

One by one the participants took the cloth in a black box after being invited by Soldier Eri.

“Please you stand in pairs according to the color of your fabric,” said Warrior Er later.

Asteria saw the cloth, yellow in color. All right, he'll find someone who has a cloth that's the same color as him.

Asteria looked around.

“You're looking for me?” someone stood behind Asteria.

Asteria. He smiled after seeing the person standing behind him clutching a yellow cloth.

“Hay, greetings. I'm Asteria.” Asteria extended her hand. “You can call me Aster or Asteria.”

“I'm Neil,” the man said without replying to Asteria's hand.

Asteria smiled. “Cool name!” He pulled his hand back. “Hopefully we can be a compact team.”

“Ya, hopefully,” he said.

Soldier Eri ordered the participants to march back with their respective partners. “If you have got each other's partner, Phase 2 rules I will convey.”

“First, you will get 1 wooden statue for 1 pair. Second, you must be together under any circumstances, but your duties are divided.1 person is in charge of guarding the statue in various ways, and 1 person is in charge of archery. To qualify for stage 3, teams must have 2 statues. That is, an archer must shoot a statue guarded by his opponent. That way the statue that was successfully harvested became his. The team whose statue is being harvested the other team must hand over the statue and is automatically considered to be dead. Understand?”

“Understanding!” answer all participants simultaneously.

“Good if you guys understand. The third rule, in this stage you are allowed to engage in physical resistance, but are not allowed to use any weapons. Arrow tools are only used to shoot statues, not to paralyze opponents. And the last rule, all New Ferrata States can be used as hiding places or fighting, but it is not allowed to create chaos in public places. Areas that are not allowed to be hiding and fighting areas are castles and royal castles. Anyone who violates it will be disqualified.” Private Eri closed the match rule sheet.

“Now you can rest. There will be no whistles or other signs to start the game. When the sun is in the middle of the sky, wherever you are, please compete. And the game's time ended when the sun was already sinking. If it is known that there are still people fighting over the statue when the sun has sunk, then we will consider it dead. The match result announcement is announced tomorrow. Sekain.” Soldier Eri returned to the palace.

Asteria clenched her hands. “I can definitely!” said. He looked at Neil.

Neil simply returned his gaze with a flat face.

[Next Part 6]