Maybe some languages are less suited to this problem, but for C, it is definitely a beginner exercise.

Interesting kata, but I can't understand why it should fit into level 8 kyu.
It is certainly unnecessarily off-putting when beginners come across it. Possibly as a first kata, as has already happened according to the comments. And we're talking about commenters here who have stuck with it and not dropped out. :-(
Can the level be changed? The kata would be good there.

First thing first, don't change the function's name, the tests will look for count_by.

it's normal to do that, but when it was 'strict mode' it's forbidden.

sorry :)

you think so?

yuh.

real.

cool cool

ah yes