As Thursday approaches, I must prepare for the tiered assessment. Only a fleeting span of less than 48 hours remains for me to conquer this challenge. Failure to appear would mean forfeiting my chance at admission to the school.While this trial may be classified as a mere C-level challenge, considerably lower in rank compared to the A+ Hidden Temple I faced previously, it's crucial to note that it's not a test of intellect but rather a test of combat prowess."And that implies the final adversary will be at level C. Damn it... level C is perilous territory when an E+ Slime could inadvertently end me."However, in the recent prolonged skirmish, I unlocked several new skills. Despite noticing that my skin still showed signs of decay, I may have acquired yet another skill.Seating himself against the backdrop of the newly formed temple entrance, Ryoshu summoned the System."System, display my status board."Status Board-Name: Amemura Ryoshu-Race: Human-Tier: Unranked-Stats+Mana: 21

As the creature pivoted towards the source of the arrow, it charged straight at Ryoshu, prompting him to steady himself for another shot."Keep calm... I've got another chance," Ryoshu murmured, though his heart raced with the creature's approach.With each passing moment, the creature accelerated, intensifying the pressure on Ryoshu. Despite the mounting tension, he focused on regulating his breath and readied himself for another shot.With a swift motion, the arrow streaked through the air, finding its mark at the slime's core.In an instant, the slime burst into a watery puddle, a glimmering object tumbling out of its remnants, resembling a radiant stone.Ryoshu's hands glistened with sweat, not from fear but from the adrenaline rush. The stone held a significant amount of pure Mana, known as a Magic Crystal.Though highly sought after, Magic Crystals fetched a modest price at the F-tier level, selling for only 1 RC each."These are more common within the Temple than outside," Ryos

The potential consequences loomed large in Ryoshu's mind. "If I miss my shot," he mused, "that Thunder Slime boss will come after me relentlessly until I'm dead. And with the odds stacked against me like this, I might bite the dust before it even gets to me. And that's not even considering the other Slimes that would probably join the chase to aid their leader."His hand shook with apprehension, contrasting sharply with the oblivious bouncing of the other Slimes around him.The linear path ahead offered no hidden escapes, making survival seem like a distant dream if they decided to pursue him.From behind, Fumiya emerged, offering a comforting pat on Ryoshu's head. Only then did Ryoshu notice the beads of sweat on his forehead."Fumiya... seems to be more unique than I originally thought," he murmured, turning his gaze towards the hovering sandpile.As Ryoshu opened his arms wide, Fumiya eagerly leaped into his embrace."Its spirit still holds a childlike innocence," he observed. "Tha

Half a day had passed since Ryoshu had ventured into the cave's depths. His body now screamed for rest, utterly depleted of energy. A proper rest day seemed like a distant dream, out of reach for now.With a heavy sigh, Ryoshu pondered the tasks left undone. Pushing them aside, he reached into his ring and retrieved a plastic bottle, its contents relieving his parched throat."Ahh, nothing beats the real thing," he murmured, indulging in the refreshing liquid."Let's go find some food, Fumiya," Ryoshu declared, summoning the sand form of his beloved bow. Fumiya appeared, albeit looking weary from their recent endeavors.Observing his tired companion, Ryoshu couldn't help but smile in sympathy."Feeling hungry, Fumiya? Alright then, let's find some food first, and then you can rest," he suggested, leading Fumiya through the cave in search of sustenance. Fortunately, Ryoshu had acquired valuable knowledge about foraging for food in the previous version of the game."What in the world...

With precision akin to a master archer, the arrow sliced through the air, finding its mark with flawless accuracy. It cut through the gelatinous barrier of the Slime without a moment's hesitation, embedding itself directly into the core. A satisfying explosion followed, marking Ryoshu's victory with ease. As he surveyed the aftermath, a sense of accomplishment washed over him, impossible to ignore."Looking on the bright side, if I manage to escape from here, I'll emerge stronger than ever," Ryoshu mused aloud, his thoughts drifting toward the potential outcomes of his endeavors. Despite the unexpected turns of events, he couldn't deny the allure of the challenges that lay ahead.From the depths of the void, the cold, mechanical voice of the System reverberated, fulfilling Ryoshu's anticipation. The Archery potential had ascended to the coveted E-rank! Waves of power and knowledge surged through him, akin to a performance-enhancing drug, propelling him towards new heights of capabilit