A giant holographic projection of the man stood before the students, ready to embark.
M. Stern, the High School's Education Director.
Behind him, swirling with dark energy, loomed the dungeon portal:
"THE DEVOURING FOREST"
(Level: 3–11)
"The exam will take place inside the Devouring Forest dungeon. The trial lasts twelve hours. Beyond that time limit, you will be automatically ejected."
"Unlike your in-class training, which was limited to the Outer Zone (levels 3–5), today you will have access to the Inner Zone (levels 5–8)—and even the Heart of the Dungeon (levels 8–11)."
"Be warned: the deeper you go, the higher the monster levels. And at the center of the Heart awaits the Boss—an elite monster of level 11."
My goal is to kill as many monsters as possible.
And devour them.
A smile crept across Remedy's lips.
I might even devour the Boss.
"Good. Now, for an announcement that should interest you."
"A competition will be held during this exam. You will earn points based on the number and level of monsters you eliminate. And for the top performers, there will be rewards: 500,000 credits for first place, 300,000 for second, and 100,000 for third."
M-money?!
500,000?!
Remedy's eyes lit up. His stomach growled, as if in echo. He instinctively wiped his lip.
Hoho… I like this.
"Of course, don't forget this dungeon's dual mechanics: PvE against monsters, but also PvP against other candidates."
"That's why the competition allows—and even encourages—team formation. You may form groups of up to five."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Some exchanged knowing glances; others withdrew, eyes wary. Make allies or stay solo? The calculations had already begun.
How to best use half a million?
"Ranking is individual, but you can pool points as a team. At the end, total loot is distributed among members in proportion to their contribution."
"And I won't hide this from you: defeating a rival team allows you to… claim all of their points. They will be added to your own."
Uneasy murmurs, then shouts of protest erupted from the crowd. They were being pushed to fight each other!
"Hoho! I understand your concerns. But this is merely a tutorial."
"The world of Players is far crueler than this."
"Now. This is where everything begins. Your performance today will determine the resources allocated to you in the future."
"So… give it your all."
"I now officially declare… the exam BEGINS! "
The moment the word echoed, the projection vanished.
The most impatient rushed into the portal.
Others were still forming teams.
Remedy didn't waste a second.
Better to go solo.
Then he stepped through the portal.
---
Number of participating students: 101
---
Meanwhile, in a room filled with professionals.
Before them, a multitude of screens displayed the dungeon's various zones and the students' movements in real time.
Facing these projections, seven judges took their seats.
At the center sat the Education Director, M. Stern.
To his left:
· Mme Bloom – Homeroom teacher, Class 1.
Profile: Gentle and encouraging, but uncompromising on personal growth.
· M. Sharp – Homeroom teacher, Class 2.
Profile: Young, intelligent, sharp-witted. Demands precision and ruthless logic.
· M. Stone – Homeroom teacher, Class 3.
Profile: Severity incarnate. Iron discipline.
To his right:
· Coach Steele – Homeroom teacher, Class 4.
Profile: Martial authority. Focused on discipline and physical effort.
· Dr. Glass – Homeroom teacher, Class 5.
Profile: Cold, precise, sarcastic. Her glacial glare silences any classroom.
· M. Weaver – Homeroom teacher, Class 6.
Profile: Methodical, calm. Perceives invisible connections between events and people.
"Oh?! Isn't that the second heiress of the Frost Clan? Neve?" M. Sharp pointed at a screen.
On the display, a girl with pure white hair advanced impassively through a frozen charnel ground. Before her, an ice clone in her image reaped monsters with a translucent blade.
Neve Frost (Level: 9)
"What performance. It seems M. Stone has shaped yet another exceptional student," Coach Steele remarked, his tone carrying martial admiration.
"Not so sure. She already possessed rare potential upon arrival," Dr. Glass corrected coldly.
"Potential, no matter how great, must be disciplined to bear fruit," M. Stone replied severely, without even turning his head.
"Now, now, everyone is doing fine work here," Mme Bloom interjected soothingly, attempting to defuse the tension.
"Madame Bloom is right. Our role is to encourage our students, not to dispute their merits," M. Sharp added with a diplomatic smile.
"Exactly. Spare us your parish-pump quarrels today," M. Weaver added, his gaze lost in the mosaic of screens. "A historic moment is unfolding before our eyes."
---
Meanwhile, Remedy materialized in the Outer Zone.
Dungeon entry points were randomized—to prevent teams from landing in the same spot and clashing within the first seconds.
He sensed no human presence around him. Only the unsettling rustle of the forest.
He ventured into the woods.
His abnormal senses had perceived the bowstring's tension before the arrow even cleaved the air.
His overdeveloped reflexes had already calculated the trajectory.
Then—a faint mechanical click. A rope stretched taut between two trees.
A sharp whistle: an arrow burst from the foliage, racing straight for his temple.
But Remedy was already moving.
His hand rose, tracing a perfect arc through the projectile's path. His fingers closed around the shaft mid-flight with a dry snap. Pivoting to absorb the momentum, he sent the arrow back toward its source with spring-loaded force.
A muffled cry. A goblin tumbled from an oak, the arrow buried in its chest. Its bow fell into the moss with a dull thud.
Immediately, three more goblins, lurking in the shadows, lunged at him. Their chipped daggers, coated in violet liquid, gleamed with virulent poison.
Remedy simply opened his hand.
A flash of pixelated effects—and the giant hammer materialized within it.
"Sorry, guys. But your hiding spots didn't escape my senses."
With a single circular sweep, cutting the air like a deathly fan, he shattered all three skulls in one motion.
The sound of crushed flesh and bone echoed, followed by sudden silence.
[DING! GOBLINS LV 3 x 4 ELIMINATED.]
[DO YOU WANT TO DEVOUR?]
Remedy's jaw parted.
"Haaa…"
A long breath. Warm. Deep.
Like an appetite he never knew he had.
---
Chapter 5 – End