The day of the exam arrived. All students from the six classes gathered in front of the school's Education Director, Du Zeng — [Lvl. ??] | Health: 100% | Energy: 100% — behind whom stood a dungeon portal: the Devouring Forest, levels 3 to 11.
— Dear students! Welcome to this year's final exam! began Du Zeng, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. — I assume you have received guidance from your respective homeroom teachers. Let's get straight to the point. The exam, as always, will take place in the Devouring Forest dungeon, divided into three zones: the outer zone (Lvl. 3–5), the inner zone (Lvl. 5–8), and the heart of the dungeon (Lvl. 8–11). It will last a total of 12 hours. After 12 hours, you will be automatically ejected from the dungeon. Unlike class training where you were limited to the outer zone, today you can reach the heart. But be aware: the deeper you go, the higher the monster levels, and the dungeon's final boss is a level 11 elite monster.
Meanwhile, Xu Ran, in the crowd, was already excited about how many concept points he could gain in the dungeon.
— Now, it's time to announce some good news. This exam is also a competition. Depending on the number and level of monsters you defeat, you will earn points. And there will be rewards for those who stand out: 500,000 for first place, 300,000 for second, and 100,000 for third.
500,000? thought Xu Ran. That's a lot of money. I have to get it.
— Of course, there's a dual PVP (player vs. player) and PVE (player vs. monster) system. Therefore, this competition will allow teams of up to five people.
The students exchanged excited glances. — Teams?! So we can team up with the best? — If we can form a team, the dungeon will be easier.
But they immediately realized the complications that came with it. — But with PVP mode, we should watch out for surprise attacks from other teams! And how are points shared among teams?
— Haha! I'm sure many students are asking the same question! The competition is still based on individual points, and for teams, points are shared at the end according to each member's performance. Furthermore, to immerse you in a real battlefield atmosphere… in the PVP Zone, defeating another team allows you to take their points and add them to yours!!
— What?! That's too cruel!! — So it's encouraging us to fight each other?! panicked the students.
— Considering the situation on the Blue Star, this is just a tutorial to prepare you. The world is far crueler than you think, the director replied. Then he added:
— Now is when everything is decided. Your qualifications to join a guild or university and receive better resources will depend on the potential you show in today's exam. So give it your all. Now, I announce… the competition begins!
While other students were busy forming groups or going solo and entering the dungeon, Xu Ran contemplated his plans and how he could claim the 500,000 reward. He was interrupted by Zhao Qiang's group, led by Zhao Qiang himself with his two followers, Wang Peng and Liu Ming.
— Xu Ran! So you came. I thought you'd stay hidden at home, said Zhao Qiang.
— Zhao Qiang, you again! Aren't you tired of following me everywhere?! replied Xu Ran.
— A good-for-nothing without a profession like you, how dare you say big brother Zhao follows you everywhere? said Wang Peng.
— Oh? You remember that I have no profession, but you forgot that I can also hit my opponents so hard they pass out? replied Xu Ran, then he added, showing his fist again and raising his eyebrows — Or maybe I hit your head too hard that day, and when you woke up after passing out, you lost some memories, little Wang?
Wang Peng's nerves were pushed to the limit by Xu Ran's provocations.
— But this is no longer a ranking challenge, replied Zhao Qiang. — This is a PVP and PVE battle. How will you manage without a team? he said, stepping in front of Xu Ran and adding — If you kneel and bark twice like a dog, I'll at least take you to the inner zone. How about that?
While Zhao Qiang's accomplices laughed, Xu Ran calmly replied — Me?! In your team? You mean you're looking for your father to protect you in the dungeon? Sorry, I don't have a son like you.
Then he turned and left, adding — I don't need a team. I'll go solo.
— Haha, going solo? I see… you mean you'll stay in the outer zone. But pray you don't run into me. I'll be waiting for you in the dungeon, shouted Zhao Qiang.
Xu Ran walked away without responding. No time to waste, he thought. My goals converge: kill many monsters to level up, gain PC, and above all, get the first reward.
He entered the dungeon. Meanwhile, the director turned toward a room where the teachers and six homeroom principals were, a room displaying a live feed of what was happening inside the dungeon.
While observing the students, one drew their attention. It was Lin Xue from Class 6. On the projection, she could be seen calmly making her way through a pile of dismembered and frozen monsters lying on the ground. Beside her walked a ice clone of herself wielding an ice weapon, eliminating small level 3 monsters in the outer zone.
— Oh, isn't that Lin's daughter, Lin Xue? said Mr. Luo, principal of Class 2.
— She's already standing out. Looks like Mr. Yan produced a good student, said Mr. Jiang, principal of Class 3.
While Mr. Yan felt proud, Mrs. Leng, principal of Class 4 and rival of Mr. Yan, could not resist provoking him — Tss, Mr. Yan just got lucky to have a student with great potential in his class.
— Great potential must always be nurtured to bear fruit, replied Mr. Yan.
Those two! Here we go again, thought the relaxed duo, Mr. Luo and Mr. Jiang.
— Stop! This is not the time to fight. They are all our students, and we must support them, declared Mrs. Wen, the respected mediator of all, principal of Class 1.
— Yes! Spare us your debates today and stay focused, added Mr. Dong, adjusting his glasses, principal of Class 5.
Tss, seems like he's still stuck in his thoughts, calculating impossible probabilities, thought Mr. Luo and Mr. Jiang.
Meanwhile, Xu Ran landed in the dungeon at a solitary spot, since starting points in dungeons are always random to prevent teams from appearing at the same place and killing each other immediately.
This makes my solo movements easier, he thought as he ran deeper into the forest.
Suddenly, something tensed in a tree ahead. Xu Ran feinted to the side, trying to grab something before an arrow shot from the tree aimed at him. As he closed his hand, an arrow appeared in his palm, which he caught, then spun 360° and sent the arrow back into the tree. It pierced a goblin, which fell, its bow beside it.
Xu Ran — Talent: Preda-Sense
Alerts its bearer to imminent physical danger by providing a localized sensory warning moments before impact, allowing them to dodge or parry with superhuman efficiency.
While chasing the wounded goblin fleeing, three hidden accomplices jumped at him, knives coated with poison in hand. Xu Ran smirked, then activated his enchantment.
[Ding. Goblins Lvl. 3 X3 enchanted with "Featherweight".
Beneficiary: Gravity.]
Xu Ran — [Lvl. 5] | Health: 100% | Energy: 70%
Immediately, the three goblins floated, suspended in the air.
— Jumping in front of me was a mistake, you know?
Then, passing them, he retrieved a dagger from one goblin's hand and, with a circular and majestic motion Shink-schlik, he slit the throats of all three goblins.
Then he added — Devour. Instantly, the bodies of the three monsters disappeared.
[ Goblin Lvl. 3 eliminated X3, +900 EXP, +9000 PC ]
Xu Ran — [Lvl. 5, 38%] | PC: 9000
As he continued chasing the wounded goblin, Xu Ran stopped abruptly. The air had changed. Even still, even hidden in the shadows, they were there. He could feel them.
— Come out, he said calmly. No need to hide.
Silence answered him. Then something scraped the ground.
A heavy breath slipped between the trunks. Shapes slowly emerged from the darkness, encircling the clearing.
Pairs of pale eyes opened one by one.
Xu Ran smirked.
— It's been a while, my little friends.
End.