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
"Is this just a random coincidence or something more... suspicious?" Ryoshu pondered, his eyes fixed on the ominous path ahead. The darkness emanating from the cave's depths felt like it was piercing his soul. An eerie sensation crept through the cavern, causing a chill to run down his spine."Now, it's all about survival," he muttered, his throat tense.Attempting to steady his nerves, Ryoshu reevaluated his strategy for navigating the Hidden Temple. He contemplated launching a long-range sneak attack to assess his proficiency with the bow. It was a skill that the Spiral Academy would undoubtedly scrutinize.He wanted to gauge the effectiveness of this stealthy approach. However, he knew it would require a significant investment of time, potentially diminishing his chances of uncovering additional rewards. Yet, speed and efficiency weren't the sole criteria for success in these trials.Each challenge within the Hidden Temple assessed the Awakened on diverse skills and attributes. Whi
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
"This potion couldn't be more fitting... Maybe it'll help me avoid some discrimination! Even if it feels like the potion is mocking me directly..." Ryoshu grumbled sourly as he pored over the potion's description.Despite the bitter undertone of his thoughts, he pushed them aside and hoisted the vial towards the heavens, as if presenting it to an unseen audience."I've always wanted to flaunt my newfound treasures like this... But it's a bit more awkward than I imagined..."Thankfully, there was only one observer in the vicinity: Fumiya, who had stealthily slipped out at some point."How did you manage to sneak out? I don't recall summoning you yet," Ryoshu queried, puzzled by Fumiya's sudden appearance.But Fumiya seemed oblivious to Ryoshu's inquiry, its gaze fixed solely on the vial in Ryoshu's grasp, brimming with anticipation."Perhaps it's pondering why I'm so thrilled about discovering this potion."This potion was a rarity, challenging to come by. In the market, its value coul
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
As Ryoshu triggered his skill, time seemed to stretch out, almost freezing in place. However, the effect wasn't as drastic as the instant-death skill, only slowing down time by about three times. "Maybe it's related to the Intuition stat, while the other skill pushes the brain to work three times faster... That's my theory," Ryoshu mused, his gaze still fixed on the Slime.The flames on the arrow continued to burn steadily, spreading rapidly. Ryoshu knew he had to act quickly, or the arrow would turn to ash before reaching the Slimes."I really hope I don't miss," Ryoshu whispered, his confidence shaky but his trust in Fumiya unwavering.The usual fear on Ryoshu's face vanished, replaced by absolute calmness. Before releasing the arrow, he waited until his mind was as tranquil as a still pond, disturbed only by a single drop.The arrow shot out, but due to the Time Bullet effect, it moved slowly, like a scene in slow motion."I've put everything into this... now it's time to see what
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...
Ryoshu's consciousness surged back into existence like a sudden spark in the darkness of his mind.Reality greeted him with an alarming suspension; he was neither floating nor anchored. The void around him lacked defining traits. It held no temperature, yet his skin prickled with an unsettling sensation.He felt himself not aimlessly descending into what resembled the unfathomable depths of a desolate, silent ocean floor.Time lost its grasp on Ryoshu. Was it moments, days, or years that had slipped by unnoticed?The concept of time seemed elusive, its flow uncertain. Yet, amidst this temporal ambiguity, Ryoshu's consciousness persisted, a faint beacon in the vast expanse.He attempted to exert control over his body, only to confront his complete helplessness. Not a limb, not a finger, nor even an eyelid obeyed his will. His physical form had been stripped away, leaving only fleeting thoughts and distant sensations behind.Then, from above, a brilliant light pierced the murky depths,
Charlotte's sigh was heavy with the weight of her disappointment. Her eyes locked onto the paper she held, searching for hidden meaning in the inked numbers. The quiet room seemed to echo with her despondence. Her brows knitted together, and her lips pursed in a faint frown. "I only got 200 points... so I'm ranked 13th," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, each word laced with a palpable sense of frustration and regret. "Katia got 235 points and is ranked 11th."Ever attentive to his friend's emotions, Haruki moved closer, his expression softening with empathy. His blue hair fell into his eyes as he leaned in, a small, comforting smile on his lips. "You both were so close, weren't you?" he said, his tone gentle and encouraging. "If it hadn't been for those demon worshippers at the end, our whole group would have made it into the top 10.Charlotte's gaze shifted from the paper to Haruki, her mind replaying the chaotic events of the competition's final moments. Her brow f
"What on earth is going on?" he muttered, utterly bewildered by the sight before him. The scene was so unexpected that it left him momentarily stunned. Although he lacked the courage to step inside, his curiosity got the better of him, and he cautiously peered in. Just at the entrance of the dormitory, Haruki and Charlotte were deeply engrossed in an unusually intimate conversation, their heads close together, sharing words he couldn't quite hear."They look so close... why does this scene seem so familiar?" he thought, a profound sense of déjà vu washing over him. The familiarity was unsettling. "This is the scene right after that cold, unfeeling guy Midnight—supposed to be a Star student—challenges the academy."Reflecting further, he realized, "Because I've temporarily taken his place, now everything is unfolding as it should... according to the script of the game Rainfall Disorder."As he stood there, lost in his thoughts and trying to piece everything together, a group of other
"See you later... but... next time, please don't pull on someone else's shirt like that..."At that precise moment, it seemed that the petite angelic girl had just realized she was clutching the hem of Ryoshu's shirt. Her eyes widened in sudden awareness, and she quickly let go as if the fabric had burned her fingers. What stood out most in this scene was the incredible proximity of their heads. Their faces were so close that even the slightest movement could have resulted in an undeniably awkward situation, almost as if the air between them had thickened with tension.Ryoshu's mind raced, struggling to process the sudden nearness. The image of a tomato was the only thing he could conjure to describe Luna's face, which had flushed a vibrant, almost luminous shade of red. Her cheeks seemed to glow with embarrassment, and he could practically feel the heat radiating from her skin.This moment was incredibly challenging for someone like Ryoshu, who was acutely sensitive and easily flust
"Instead of paying for tuition right away, I'll invest in the shares of potential guilds with promising futures," he mused aloud, his eyes shimmering with a glint of ambition. Securing financial growth through guild investments excited him; it seemed a wise move in a world where connections and wealth often determined one's success. "And if I gather enough goods, I might even consider starting a small business in the Trading Guild."The thought filled him with a sense of purpose and hope. He could already see the possibilities unfold before him—ventures that would bring wealth and establish his reputation in the bustling city. Money, he understood, was not merely a tool for survival but a powerful key to opening doors to numerous opportunities and connections.In the quieter corners of his mind, the stark reality of his ambitions loomed large. "In the future, the amount of money I'll need is no small sum," he murmured, his tone shifting to one of sober reflection. Supporting the ta
Upon hearing the alarming beep of the error sound, the saleswoman immediately hurried over. Her steps were quick and purposeful, a clear indication of her concern. As she approached, she leaned closer to the counter, her eyes searching for the source of the problem, and asked, "Are you out of money, dear?"The young man, visibly flustered, responded with a slight tremble, "No... please wait a moment. It seems there might be an error." His fingers moved swiftly over the device, trying to troubleshoot the issue with an almost palpable urgency. Sweat began to form on his brow as he frantically tried to resolve the situation.Standing right beside Ryoshu, the saleswoman scrutinized him with a look that betrayed her suspicion. Her eyebrows knitted together, and her lips pressed into a thin line as she tried to decipher what was going wrong. Her eyes darted between Ryoshu and the device, seeking any clue that might explain the unexpected error.Ryoshu felt the weight of her gaze bearing do
"Ryoshu... What are you looking at out there?" Charlotte called out to him, her voice tinged with concern after he had been silent for an unusually long time.Startled from his thoughts, Ryoshu turned towards them, his face pale and eyes wide as if he had just seen a ghost. The unsettling expression made both Charlotte and Haruki exchange worried glances.'Could it be... these two?' Ryoshu wondered internally, his mind racing. 'Is it because they know me or because they are actively engaging with me? If that's the case... I need to come up with a plan quickly. These scenes are making me sick!!!'Desperately trying to compose himself, Ryoshu quickly blurted out, "Oh, um... I saw a white cat passing by, but it's nothing special." He cringed inwardly, realizing it was one of the lamest excuses he had ever concocted.Charlotte raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued but not fully satisfied. "A white cat, you say?""Yeah," Ryoshu stammered, nodding a bit too vigorously. "It just caught my
"Wow, looking over this list again, it's clear just how impressive Amemura is. He scored an incredible 600 points, outpacing Midnight by a substantial margin of 100 points!"Ryoshu'sRyoshu's friend exclaimed, eyes wide with amazement as they reviewed the freshly printed results. The numbers were still crisp on the page, highlighting Amemura's name at the top with a bold score beside it. Ryoshu, however, seemed preoccupied as he fumbled with a newspaper he had just picked up."This... just came out... I didn't have a chance to hear the scores earlier, but... it doesn't," Ryoshu muttered, his voice trailing off as he opened the newspaper. He was soon engrossed, his eyes moving methodically across the columns of text. Despite his initial nonchalance, he found himself compelled to read each word meticulously. A sense of helplessness washed over him as he realized he had no choice but to absorb every detail. The weight of the information bore down on him, making him feel like he was being
"Well, I only got 200 points, so I'm ranked 13th. But Katia got 235 points and is ranked 11th," Charlotte sighed, her eyes scanning the paper in her hand with a mix of disappointment and resignation.Seeing the sadness on his friend's face, Haruki felt a pang of empathy and immediately sought to comfort her. His voice was gentle yet filled with a determination to lift her spirits."Both of you were so close, weren't you? If it hadn't been for those demon worshippers causing trouble at the end, our whole group might have made it into the top 10," he said, trying to inject positivity into the situation.Charlotte nodded slightly, appreciating his effort but still feeling the sting of their narrow miss. "I'm not so sure about that... but we should still celebrate the 2... no, now 3 of us who made it into the top 10! Maybe we could go out for dinner tonight... have a little party or something?"As she spoke, Charlotte absentmindedly twirled a lock of her shiny golden hair around her finge
They walked through it unharmed, and not only that, they managed to carry on a lively conversation, smiling as if they were taking a casual stroll. The air was filled with their laughter and light-hearted banter, starkly contrasting the tense situation at hand. "Do you think we'll be alright?" one of them asked, their voice tinged with curiosity and concern.Ryoshu's mind was racing. He vividly remembered the second scene, every detail etched into his memory, and knew he had to act swiftly. The weight of urgency pressed down on him, his thoughts a chaotic whirl as he considered the implications. "I hope the scene hasn't progressed too far… I need to hurry…" he muttered under his breath, feeling the pressure mount. Without wasting another moment, he took a deep breath and plunged into the invisible curtain that separated him from his goal.The instant he entered, an eerie sensation washed over him. Once responsive and under his control, his body began to betray him. It was as if an u