Nobilis of War

"What's so special about the Tussle Region? Why did no one sign up to go there?" When Darren heard the guard order Finley, Barnes and his other friends to choose the Tussle Region test, he felt something was wrong. And so, he turned and asked Lindsay about the Tussle Region.

"You don't know anything about the Tussle Region?" She glanced scornfully at Darren.

"Obviously! If I had heard about it, I wouldn't be asking you, would I?" From the information Darren had received, he only knew that it was called 'the Tussle Region'. There was no other introduction.

Lindsay glanced at Darren as she wondered, 'Is this the right attitude to have when asking a question?' Although irked, she quickly reminded herself that those people were Darren's friends. As it was natural for Darren to be a little anxious, she didn't blame him for his attitude.

"The Tussle Region is also known as a killing region," Lindsay began her explanation.

"What do you mean?"

"It is said that the law of the jungle is followed in the Tussle Region. Every living creature that enters the area must fight with other living creatures to survive. This cycle of killing must be followed throughout their lives. They won't be able to leave until they have reached a certain level."

"In that case, all the new entrants would be easy targets."

"Of course, not. There are other rules besides the law of the jungle. I have heard of some. If the people they meet are at the same level, they must fight to the death. But if they aren't at the same level, and the lower one happens to kill the person at a higher level in their battle, the lower one will get an extra reward. Anybody who is two levels higher than their match wouldn't be allowed to start the battle.

For example, if you were at the upper-level of the Domain God Realm, you would not be able to attack people at the low-level of the Domain God Realm. There are many rules. Only those who have entered the region would be familiar with all the rules in detail." She told Darren all that she knew.

"No wonder no one is willing to go there. After all, being in a killing spree for their whole life is a hard way to live. Not to mention that there are high chances of encountering someone stronger. The warriors who survive will be heavily dependent not only on their strength but also on their luck." Darren frowned as he remarked.

"What are you going to do?" Lindsay looked at Darren and continued, "Regardless of whether your friends will be chosen or not, it will be hard for them."

"I don't know their decision. But, I would prefer it if they pass the test. That is why I want to take part in it too," Darren stated resolutely.

"You are going to compete in the test? What are you planning?" Lindsay asked in shock. She had never heard of anyone volunteering to enlist for the test in the Tussle Region. Darren's idea seemed utterly absurd!

"If what you said is true, then I would be among the strongest people in the Tussle Region."

Darren's words enlightened Lindsay. He was now at the low-level of the Domain God Realm, but he was able to kill a warrior at the top-level of the Domain God Realm with his level-nine divine weapons. Considering Darren's strength and the rules in the Tussle Region, he would never be in a disadvantageous position.

"Yes, you're right. Your real strength should be enough to let you run wild in the Tussle Region. You will also be able to protect your friends. But there is one problem. All of your friends will have to pass the test for you to be able to watch over them in the Tussle Region. You can't help them if some of them fail, and they are separated. Even with your skills, it is impossible to be in two places at the same time."

"Yes, I have considered that. But first, I have to think of a way to sign up. We'll think about the rest after." Darren nodded.

"That's easy. Just knock someone out and impersonate him. No one will notice that," Lindsay immediately suggested.

"You are smart. Follow me to the back of the crowd. I'll knock one man unconscious, and you will immediately move him into your space. This process must be so quick that no one should notice it," Darren instructed.

"Don't worry. I can manage that," Lindsay replied.

Then Darren and Lindsay began to search for a target. A few moments later, Darren and Lindsay found someone. As expected, Darren turned into that man without anyone noticing.

Then, Darren walked up to the registration area for the test of the Tussle Region.

"Are you sure that you want to go to the Tussle Region?" The guard, who was in charge of the registrations, looked at Darren coldly.

"Sir, I have decided."

"Well, if you don't want to live, I won't stop you. Go ahead." The guard threw a plate at Darren.

"Thank you." Darren put away his plate and went straight to the battle ring for the Tussle Region.

When he arrived, he saw that only a handful of people stood around the battle ring for the Tussle Region. An inexplicable sense of sadness coursed through Darren when he spotted his friends. "Why do we have to follow your decision regarding which sect to join?" Disobedience glimmered in his eyes as Barnes asked the guard.

"Are you saying that you don't want to go? That's fine. I can put you in prison instead," the guard sneered.

"You?" Irritated, Barnes readied himself to hit the guard with his stick, but Finley stopped him.

"Barnes, don't be a nuisance. Last time we got Scott into trouble." Finley chided Barnes through his spiritual sense.

"Humph!" Barnes turned his head, snorted, and put down his stick.

"Hey, buddy. Don't worry. The Tussle Region is nothing special. Just go," Darren, who was standing beside, said. He was afraid that the monkey would infuriate the guard. After all, they were nobody in the Ancestral Land, and they weren't strong enough to fight back.

"Where did this idiot come from? Get lost!" Barnes was so angry that he gritted his teeth and cursed Darren.

Darren, with a helpless expression on his face, shut up.

"You guys, step forward," an emissary from the Tussle Region, who stood in the battle ring, instructed in a calm voice.

Everyone turned to face the battle ring in unison, only to see a man dressed in animal skins. He wore a pair of huge brassards on both arms, and his deep-set eyes were filled with intense killing intent. The man did not deliberately release this kind of aura, but rather it was naturally derived from being in the middle of a killing zone for an extended period. So, it was difficult for him to conceal it.

"This man's strength is probably comparable to the guard in the black robe." Darren estimated the man's strength silently.

As soon as the man finished speaking, Darren and the others were dragged forward by a powerful force.

"What a surprise! You're not bad," the man remarked. The man's gaze swept over Finley and the others as he assessed their abilities. It was almost as if he could see through them. However, he completely ignored Darren.

"You are about to enter the test. Remember that there is a high chance that you might die during the test. You have to go all out to survive," the emissary advised.

"Cut the crap and just tell me about the test." Barnes, who had become extremely irritated and impatient, roared.

The emissary from the Tussle Region glanced at Barnes indifferently, "If you were in the Tussle Region now, you would have died hundreds of times."

After saying that, the emissary waved and opened a spatial door on the battle ring.

"You can enter now. If you come out alive, you will have passed the test.

You'd better hurry up. If you exit in an hour, you will be rewarded when you enter the region with three days' protection. Work hard!" the emissary prompted them when he saw that the group didn't move forward.

"Let's go." They had no choice but to walk toward the spatial door.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Darren, Finley, Barnes, Aaron, and the mysterious, mad old man entered the gate.

The moment they disappeared, a young man in white materialized in the crowd. His sudden appearance caused a commotion in the square.

"What? You're..." Lindsay was startled when she saw the young man. 'Isn't that Darren?' Lindsay finished her sentence in her mind.

The young man in white looked exactly like Darren.

"It's him!"

"He is coming! He is coming!"

Many people in the square exclaimed softly.