[Fallen Zone Exploration and Countermeasure Bureau, Explorer Qualification Assessment, Resting Hall]
When the Raccoon Admin issued the instruction for team grouping, everyone immediately took action.
In an instant, the whimsical maze, converted from the resting hall, was filled with rustling footsteps. Everyone understood this was the crucial stage that would determine whether they advanced to the final written exam, and no one wanted to drop the ball now.
Since it was about forming teams, naturally, the stronger the teammates, the better.
Therefore, Tendo, undeniably the strongest candidate, became the most ideal person for everyone around to team up with.
Not utilizing an available powerhouse would be no different from being an idiot.
However, before some people could voice their thoughts, the result for Tendo was already announced...
"Understood. Then you two will form the sole team of two."
The Raccoon Admin looked at Caroline in front of it and nodded, indicating its acknowledgment.
Hearing this, many of the people present showed expressions of regret.
Because no matter how one looked at it, Tendo and Caroline were the two strongest in this assessment.
If they could team up with them, passing would only be a matter of time.
'As expected, it's Tendo and Caroline teaming up! This combo has no rivals!'
'This combination is truly unrivaled and unbeatable.'
'To be honest, even if Tendo and Caroline didn't team up, the outcome of this assessment wouldn't be in doubt.'
'Compared to them, I'm more curious about the situation of the protagonist, Chen Kong.'
Just as the bullet screens scrolled to this point, the camera cut to Chen Kong and the others.
Unlike the ease of Tendo and Caroline, the atmosphere within the protagonist group was slightly heavy.
The assessment required teams of three, but there were currently four of them.
Therefore, one person inevitably had to go out alone and pair up with a stranger.
For the person who went out alone, this undoubtedly increased the difficulty of passing the assessment.
Thus, Chen Kong and the others had yet to make a decision on who this person would be.
"How about I go?"
Liu Ma looked at everyone and was the first to step forward, displaying the style of an old-era big brother from the Qianxia Group, voluntarily taking on this difficult task.
However, just as he finished speaking, Isabella shook her head and said, "You can't. If I'm not mistaken, this hide-and-seek game is definitely not as simple as the Admin says."
"Moreover, your Star Source attribute makes speed and stealth your obvious weaknesses. Teaming up alone is too dangerous."
"..."
Liu Ma opened his mouth but ultimately didn't refute her, as he also knew Isabella was right.
Among the four members of the protagonist group, Liu Ma was a standard 'Warrior.'
Isabella was a standard 'Mage.'
Vivian was a 'Half-Support.'
And Chen Kong had the potential of a 'Composite Ranger.'
In the rules of hide-and-seek, Chen Kong was undoubtedly the most suitable.
Therefore, not long after Isabella spoke, Chen Kong said, "I'll go."
Everyone looked at him, and Chen Kong directly explained the reason for doing so.
"After all, my Mark of Nullity and my Dream Weaver are more suited for this assessment, and even if I'm paired with strangers, I can still function perfectly well even if I act alone."
Facing this explanation, the others exchanged glances and all came to a conclusion.
Vivian nodded and said, "Indeed, judging solely by ability compatibility, you are definitely the most suitable candidate."
"But be careful, strange teammates might not necessarily cooperate with you."
With this decision made, Chen Kong immediately started scouting the crowd for his teammates.
There were a total of eleven people participating in this assessment.
Excluding the team of Tendo and Caroline, and the team of Vivian, Liu Ma, and Isabella.
He still had five people remaining from which to choose.
Just like they had their acquaintances before arriving, two of the remaining five people also knew each other.
Chen Kong initially planned to join these two people's team.
But these two, however, had their eyes on Mi Yao, who was playing games nearby.
They clearly remembered that Mi Yao was also one of the earliest people to pass the first stage.
Although the Rose Staircase in the first stage was special, passing early didn't necessarily equate to ability.
But besides passing early, Mi Yao's identity as a 'Heaven-tier' candidate also made the two feel he was the best choice.
Mi Yao, for his part, showed an indifferent attitude toward their invitation.
This left Chen Kong with no other choice.
Similarly, the remaining two people also shared this sentiment.
And so, the three strangers quickly gathered together.
Chen Kong wasn't awkward and turned to look at the remaining two people.
One, wearing a gray-blue hoodie, constantly kept her head down and twisted her garment's hem; this was An Qin, whom he had seen earlier in the resting hall.
The other was even more peculiar, wearing a camera mounted on his face that was bigger than a fist, its lens slowly rotating, like a walking 'Humanoid Camera.'
"Uh, perhaps we should first exchange information about each other's abilities?"
Regarding Chen Kong's suggestion, An Qin kept her head down and didn't speak, very much like a withdrawn, silent girl.
It was 'Camera Brother' who spoke first, his voice carrying a distinct mechanical quality.
"My Star Source is 'Professional Camera,' capable of perfectly recording everything I see."
Camera Brother's explanation was simple, but looking at the camera lens that took up most of his face, Chen Kong felt that his ability shouldn't be that straightforward.
After all, if it were merely 'recording,' this person shouldn't be able to become a candidate for the Starry Sky Ladder, yet he was a 'Earth-tier' candidate, second only to 'Heaven-tier.'
So... his observation ability must far exceed that of ordinary people, right?
With this thought, Chen Kong looked towards An Qin next to him.
At the same time, the anime's camera also gave An Qin a close-up shot.
As seasoned viewers of anime, the dimensional audience on Site 13 instantly understood.
'An unexplained close-up! This young lady is definitely not simple!'
'I thought she was just an extra before, but now it seems she's a hidden character!'
'Chen Kong's team is interesting! Silent Girl + Humanoid Camera + Invisible Ranger, a pretty unique configuration!'
Chen Kong wanted to ask An Qin about her ability again, but the Raccoon's bell suddenly rang.
"Team formation time is over! Assessment begins!"
The Raccoon Admin's words pulled everyone back to reality.
After glancing at the crowd, it finally selected the first team to participate in the challenge.
"You three will be first."
The team selected by the Raccoon Admin consisted of Mi Yao and two other generic candidates.
The two generic candidates seemed somewhat displeased about their group being the first to challenge.
Mi Yao, on the other hand, was completely unconcerned.
It was just a formality anyway; it didn't matter when they went.
As for his teammates...
Apologies, this assessment allowed for team formation, but one could also choose to act alone.
And Mi Yao had, from the very beginning, not considered these two strangers as teammates.
After all, 'Solo 1v3' was one of the most fundamental skills for a high-level player.