Chapter 122: Practice Exam (2)
[Location: Island Of The East: Monster Infested - West Side]
The atmosphere buzzed as we walked.
Jan was fired up and excited for today's practical, Louise feigning nonchalance to impress Valencia, who was laughing with her usual group and me? I was honestly thinking about ditching this whole thing to prep for Paris.
Of course, I did acquire new abilities.
But I had to question whether this was enough to take on a semi-demon... hopefully, they count as a "monster" for the system.
- Um are we really doing this?
- is something wrong Alice?
- I just think it's rather useless to fight people if we don't get any points from them.
- Hmm that's true... Should we just fight monsters and avoid others?
- Yeah...
Ahead, Alice and Jae Yoona debated the pointlessness of fighting other students. Smart point. Secluded monster hunting was the way to go...
But how many would agree? 1-A should win easily.
Jan and Louise on the same team was a statement in itself
Add Valencia, Jae, Alice, Camila, plus Bazz, Miya, and Noah... overkill.
A whole "We're 1-A" power flex.
Then again... 1-B might surprise us, apart from Jan, Louise, and Valencia, that is.
That trio was untouchable for now.
The person I knew who had the potential to reach the most eliminations was Thiago Basten for 1-B.
Maybe Valeria Ayres in second, with Blanca Perez not far behind.
They were 1-B's top students for the entirety of the saga.
Too bad they're not major players in the novel – support characters, mostly.
Mr. Kolek cut me off with his usual spiel.
"Equipment, safety, yadda yadda – you get it." He paused, letting the grumbling settle. Then, in a lower tone,
"You can go in groups, solo, doesn't matter. But here's the fun part – no one's keeping track of those bragging rights today. Fight those monsters hard, see if anyone's paying attention..."With sighs of disappointment coming from the class, all he could do was smile mischievously thinking of all the lower-class monsters he could kill within his reach.
Jan tapped my shoulder. "You wanna team up with us, Rel?"
My brow furrowed, thinking that if I go with him it would always be a recipe for disaster...
"Nah, I'd be fine on my own. Thanks, though."
Concern flickered across his face. "What if 1-B gangs up on you?"
Almost… nice of him, for a guy who always wins.
"I wouldn't risk it if I wasn't sure. Thanks, Jan."
I waved and slipped into the forest.
For the rest of today, This island would be my training ground for these abilities.
***
[Location: Island Of The East: Monster Infested - West Side]
Valeria and Blanca waited for Maverick's go-ahead.
"Those top five must be something else," Valeria spoke, her voice extremely calm.
"Probably terrifying," Blanca offered. "I heard the rank one in our grade can clear low to mid-ranked dungeons solo."
"Absurd," Valeria scoffed. Sure, the gap between her and rank one was there, but not insurmountable.
"And that sword saint managed to beat him... But what truly irritated me was that lucky nobody, who ranked 994, sneaking his way to the semi-finals..."
"You mean that archer, Rel?" Thiago strolled over, a smirk twisting his lips.
"Yeah, why?" Valeria's glare was sharp.
"Got a little score to settle with him," Thiago said, glancing at Carlos and Sergio trailing behind him. "Remember what he did to them?"
"You going to beat up the poor guy?" Valeria arched an eyebrow.
"Poor? Generous," Thiago snorted.
"Fresh meat is more like it. Can't help but chuckle... boss mentioned something about confronting him, but figured I'd handle it."
Valeria and Blanca watched Thiago.
"Fine. Do what you want, but don't blame me if you get in trouble," Valeria warned.
Thiago leaned in close. "Lighten up, will ya? A bit of fun, nothing drastic..."
Valeria shoved him back. "Keep your distance, creep."
"Suit yourself," Thiago said with a shrug. "Then again, where's the fun in that?"
***
[Location: Island Of The East: Monster Infested - West Side - Outer section]
haaah...
I can't believe it.
One hour in... not a single monster.
It was like they were actively avoiding me. that or my scent was tainted with something that put them on edge.
Either way, this search was boring.
Maybe something was lurking deeper in the forest.
krkrkrkk...
Checking to see the sound, I moved through the underbrushes.
Slowly I tip-toed my way towards the noises and as I got closer I could smell the burning wood of a camp set nearby.
Finally... something I could try out this ability on.
FWANG!
[Monster detected!]
[Monster name: Moss Goblin, Rank Rating: C-]
Peaking over the bush I saw a pack of goblins, and as the window popped up they were all low-class goblins, also known as moss goblins.
Moss goblins are just normal goblins who can blend into their environment better than their variations.
Well with luck delivering them into my hands, there's no choice but for me to kill them.
Grabbing my crossbow in hand I was practically ready to fire shots towards these monsters... but suddenly I thought it was boring if I just killed them here.
So what if I just charged at them head first hehe...
?√∟#Ε?РΥ%?
krkrkrkrk!
They danced around their fire, oblivious.
I stepped out of the bush.
Not exactly subtle, but who cares?
krkrk?
As they noticed me, scrambling for their pathetic sticks and clubs, a grin spread across my face.
krkrk!!!
The pack of 12 rushed towards me all at once. I couldn't help but pity these hopeless creatures.
"All of you will die."
[Special Passive: Monster Hunter has been activated!]
[You will deal 150% extra damage to monsters from E Class - B+ Class]
Well, it wasn't like I needed it to be activated on command anyway.
As the pack was an inch close within my distance, I held out a stance holding my hand outstretched into a one-inch punch.
huuuuu...
breathing in carefully I watched as all this focused energy built up within me.
KRKRKRRK!!!!
SHAAAAAAAA!
My fist connected, and a shockwave rippled outwards.
The impact wasn't just brutal, it was explosive.
Moss goblins flew backwards, their bodies shattering on impact, less like flesh and more like rotten fruit.
"Wow... this ability truly is broken," I muttered in disbelief seeing the display of power I had shown just now.
stare...stare...stare...
"...!"
Huh?
Was someone just watching me now?
I could've sworn that students wouldn't even bother heading towards this area.
Forget it. Time to find more targets.
Hopefully no 1-B students... that would be a problem I didn't need today.
***
[Location: Island Of The East: Monster Infested - West Side - Outer section]
"why is it always me..."
Another fight broke out again between Jan and Louise, and of course, Lyra found herself separated from everyone.
Typical. She trudged deeper into the forest, hoping to reunite with the rest of the class.
Those over-the-top attacks were strong enough to send everyone scattering.
"Always the blondies who are crazy..." she muttered.
The forest floor crackled beneath her feet, each step fraught with cautious silence.
crack!
A sudden noise from deeper within the trees... Her heart pounded.
If it was 1-B, she might have to fight... but please, let it be something else.
She crept forward, a shadow among the trees.
Focusing mana into her eyes, she caught a flicker of movement, a familiar figure – but too distant to make out clearly.
Who would be out here alone?
With a burst of speed, she climbed a nearby tree.
More mana, sharpening her vision... and there, ahead of the person, waited a pack of goblins.
Worse, there were even thornback spiders, lurking in the shadows.
What was he planning?
____________
{Axel Saint Rel Laurence STATS:}
Age: 17
Talent: Marksman Of Weaponry [Grade 8][...]
Affinity: Flame, Water
>Health: 98
>Strength: 59
>Stamina: 64.5
>Speed: 73
Intelligence:? [Unlocks after theory exam]
Mana: B+ to recover all mana takes one full day.
[Special Stats:]
>Archer: 4/10
>Luck: 51.08%
>Precision Control: 1/10 Any object thrown or shot can be converted into a projectile. A higher value in this stat signifies an increased ability to manipulate objects more effectively at a quicker pace.
[NEW!][Special Passive Stats:] Sixth Sense [Grade 9], Monster Hunter [Grade 4],
[NEW!][Passive Stats:] Precision: 46%, Tenacity: 3.45%, Evasiveness: 3.25%, Mana Control [Grade 6]
[Special Abilities:] Deadeye Grade 9 - Can shoot from 5km radius, Aura Concealment Grade 8, Clockwork of Time Grade 3 slows down time for a few seconds, Mitigation's Phenomena [Grade 1]
Abilities: Piercing Shot [Grade 10], Vulnerability Reader [Grade 8] able to predict weak points within the opponent as time goes on, Quick Shot [Grade 9]faster shot, Projectile Disarm [Grade 4], Trickster at Arms [Grade 5]
Authors Exclusive Ability: Perceptive Mind [Grade 3]
**Items owned: **[Grade 2 [???] Cloak of Invisibility - Condition: Very Good - Enchantments: Evasive Charm: IV, Thornmail: III, Elemental Shielding: III]****
_________________
Authors Notes:
- Rel only mentioned that Thiago could rack up the most kills in 1-B not out of the classes between 1-A and 1-B