The next day, a massive crowd of students gathered on the school's training grounds. Remedy was among them when a familiar voice called out to him.
"So, you actually showed up!"
He spun around. Jett and his two sidekicks were walking toward him. Remedy stood motionless, watching them approach. They halted right in front of him, Jett in the lead, the other two flanking him.
Jett's eyes locked onto him. "Looks like the world took pity on your pathetic efforts and finally granted you the System."
Leo crossed his arms. "No, I bet the world was just tired of him."
Marcus added, "Yeah, that must be it. You were a real try-hard, man."
Remedy stared at them without really seeing them, his hand instinctively sliding into his pocket. His eyes widened.
Right. I don't have it anymore.
"What? Are you finally starting to realize the stakes and freaking out?" Jett sneered.
"Even if you got the System and you're Level 10 now, the three of us are Level 15," Leo added.
"And don't think you've caught up to us, dude. If it wasn't for the exam restriction, our levels would be way higher," Marcus chimed in.
Then Jett stepped into his personal space. "But I'm warning you: you'd better drop out while you still have the chance. Because if our paths cross inside, I am going to destroy you."
He brushed past him. "Though I hope you have enough spine not to tuck your tail between your legs and run."
The other two also brushed past Remedy, shooting him one last dirty look before following Jett. Remedy watched them walk away, then let out a slow sigh.
[Why do you not respond to their provocations?]
It doesn't really get to me, you know? Besides, if I answer, they'll just keep talking. That risks becoming even more boring.
[I understand...]
A booming voice rang across the grounds, silencing the chatter.
Above the students, a giant holographic projection flickered to life. The screen displayed a panel of seven seated judges, and in the center stood an elderly man: Mr. Stern, the Academy's Director of Education.
Below the projection, a swirl of dark energy tore open: the dungeon portal.
DUNGEON: FOREST OF THE BLEEDING HEART
"Good morning, students. Today's exam will take place inside the dungeon before you: THE FOREST OF THE BLEEDING HEART," Mr. Stern announced.
He continued:
"This dungeon is divided into three zones: the Outer Zone, the Inner Zone, and the Center. Each zone has its own monsters, with levels ranging from 10 to 16. At the heart of the dungeon lies the Boss, a Level 17 monster."
"The exam will last twelve hours. If the Boss is not eliminated by that time limit, you will be automatically ejected."
Remedy scanned the crowd. No one was talking. Jaws were clenched tight.
Looks like the tension is rising.
Then his eyes returned to the portal.
My goal is to level up quickly... He cracked a small smile. And earn a lot of MP to kickstart my business. Plus, I need to perform well to join a top Guild.
He brought a hand to his chin. I might even go for the Boss!
"Now, let us move on to an announcement that should interest you and take the edge off your stress."
All attention snapped back to the hologram.
"A tournament 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."
An excited murmur rippled through the crowd. Eyes lit up. Sly smirks were shared.
Money?!
500,000?! That's about 5,000 gold coins!
Remedy's eyes gleamed like searchlights. His stomach let out a thunderous rumble. A thin trail of drool escaped the corner of his lips.
[Host???]
Ah, my bad. I got carried away. He mechanically wiped his lips. But I really like this tournament idea.
Then:
"Of course, there will be a dual mechanic in the dungeon: PvE against the monsters, but also PvP against other candidates."
"This is why the tournament permits, and even encourages, the formation of teams. You may group up with up to five people."
Whispers broke out. Some exchanged knowing glances; others clammed up, eyes scanning their peers suspiciously.
"The leaderboard remains individual, but you can pool points as a team. At the end, the total loot will be divided among members proportional to each person's contribution."
"And I will not hide this from you: defeating a rival team allows you to... claim the entirety of their points. They will be added to your own."
Anxious murmurs, then angry shouts erupted from the crowd.
"Silence! I understand your concerns perfectly. But look at this as a tutorial. For the world of Players you are about to enter is far crueler than this."
Silence reclaimed the grounds.
"Very well. This is where it all counts. Your performance today will determine the resources allocated to you in the future. Give it your absolute best."
"Now, I officially declare that... the exam BEGINS!"
The moment the word echoed, the projection vanished.
The most impatient students bolted into the portal. Others were still frantically forming teams. Remedy didn't even look around. He marched straight toward the portal, alone.
Then he stepped inside.
***
Meanwhile, inside a room packed with professionals.
Before them, a wall of monitors displayed real-time feeds of the various dungeon zones, showing the first students spawning inside. Facing these projections sat the seven judges.
In the center sat the Director of Education, Mr. Stern.
To his left:
* Mrs. Bloom – Class 1 Head Teacher
* Mr. Sharp – Class 2 Head Teacher
* Mr. Stone – Class 3 Head Teacher
To his right:
* Coach Steele – Class 4 Head Teacher
* Dr. Glass – Class 5 Head Teacher
* Mr. Weaver – Class 6 Head Teacher
"Oh?! Isn't that the second heiress of the Frost Clan? Neve Frost?" Mr. Sharp asked, his eyes glued to a screen.
On the screen, a girl with pure white hair was progressing calmly through a frozen slaughterhouse. Before her, an ice clone fashioned in her likeness was reaping wolf-like silhouette monsters with a translucent blade.
Neve Frost (Level: 15)
"What a performance. It seems Mr. Stone has produced a remarkable student," Coach Steele commented.
"Nonsense. She was already gifted with rare potential when she arrived," Dr. Glass corrected coldly.
"Potential, no matter how great, must be trained to bear fruit," Mr. Stone retorted, without even turning his head.
"Come now, everyone is doing great work here," Mrs. Bloom said in a soothing voice.
"Mrs. Bloom is right. Our role is to encourage our students, not bicker over who gets the credit," Mr. Sharp added.
"Exactly. Spare us your pointless quarrels today. A historic moment is unfolding right before our eyes," Mr. Weaver added.
***
Meanwhile, Remedy spawned alone in a cold, relatively open forest blanketed in snow.
A slow wind whistled between trees that were still living, but several showed signs of corruption: split bark, reddish sap, exposed bleeding roots.
He took a few steps and skidded to a sudden halt. A monster stood right in front of him.
A massive stag with dark fur. Its antlers were unnaturally long and twisted. It snapped its gaze toward Remedy, its eyes glowing a dim, ominous red. It exhaled, a faint reddish vapor huffing from its nostrils.
Corrupted Black Stag
Looks like it's already detected me.
Without warning, the stag charged him, antlers lowered.
Already?!
The sudden charge caught Remedy off guard. He immediately manifested his daggers.
End of chapter 12