Ch.76. Entrance Examination (2)

# 6. Entrance Exam (2)

“How was it?”

“Do they usually give questions like that?”

“Like what?”

Most of the questions were ordinary, but there were a few unique ones.

For example:

“How would you assassinate the king of an enemy country in a heavily guarded palace? Or, if your wife and child were poisoned with a deadly toxin, which one would you save? Things like that.”

“But there weren’t that many of those questions, right?”

“That’s true.”

“So did you answer them well? Usually, those questions are what separate the top-ranked students.”

“I think I did okay.”

Since these questions don’t have clear correct answers, I can’t be certain I answered them perfectly, but I don’t think I did poorly.

“That’s good enough.”

The written test is important, but the practical test is equally important.

Since the written exam is already over, the wise decision is to put it behind me and focus on the next test.

Nothing is as foolish as dwelling on the past.

“The dungeon will probably be E to D-rank difficulty. It should be easy.”

I felt reassured since E to D-rank dungeons were the same difficulty as the ones I’d been clearing repeatedly.

“Is it usually that low?”

“They lower the difficulty because you have to clear it alone. Nobody does something as reckless as clearing dungeons solo except you.”

“…”

It’s certainly true that dungeons are best cleared with a party, but I had my reasons for tackling them alone.

“But you wouldn’t fit well in a party anyway. The pressure from that skill of yours would be too overwhelming.”

Her sharp analysis was correct.

My unique skill, Final Moment of the Mortal, emits an intimidating pressure that affects all living beings around me.

Because of this, I don’t work well with others unless they’re clerics who can withstand the pressure or snipers who can maintain distance.

It might be manageable now with my low rank, but as my rank increases, the pressure will become more powerful, making it even harder to form parties.

“How did you know?”

“Because you never form parties.”

The reason was simpler than I thought.

“Mental defense skills are definitely hard to come by. Many people don’t feel the need for them.”

She continued while looking at me.

“People only realize they need it after experiencing it firsthand.”

“I don’t have that skill either…”

“You don’t need it. You can just activate yours first.”

“What if the opponent has a defense skill?”

“Well… then you’re in trouble.”

To be honest, I really don’t need it.

My skill can penetrate all mental defense skills except one.

“Does it get stronger when you raise its rank?”

“Obviously.”

“Then wouldn’t it break through most defenses?”

“It breaks through everything except one, if they’re the same rank.”

“One? Divine Protection?”

The only skills that can block it are the ones Aelin just mentioned.

Divine Protection.

It’s a skill obtained when one’s faith in the gods reaches its peak.

Each god’s protection offers different abilities, but they all share one common effect: mental defense.

And not just any mental defense—the highest grade.

“That’s right, that one blocks it.”

“How do you know? Have you tried it?”

“It’s just a guess. How could anything penetrate that?”

“That’s true.”

In reality, the absolute protection of the gods completely blocks it.

Completely.

“When does it start?”

“About 20 minutes left.”

“I get the dungeon part, but what about the tournament? There are so many people.”

“They divide us into groups, and you only fight five times. If you make it to A-Class, there’s another tournament for rankings.”

“Ah, that’s too easy. So about 10 matches?”

“Don’t underestimate winning nine matches in a row.”

Though she said that, it would probably be difficult.

Unless I get extremely lucky with the matchups, I’ll inevitably face monsters like Chris or Briton.

‘Can I win?’

Chris mainly uses healing skills, so that might be manageable, but against Briton or Raycle, I’d probably be crushed.

‘If only my skill rank were higher…’

It had improved quite a bit recently, but it was still E-rank.

Theirs would be around D+.

Even in terms of level, I’m at a disadvantage by about 40 levels.

“Yeah, it’s going to be seriously difficult.”

“Don’t you know Senior Raycle? They’re quite famous. Senior Chris too.”

“That’s what I’m saying—they’re why it’ll be tough.”

“Just do your best.”

“Have you fought them?”

“No, but you’ll lose. With 100% certainty.”

Her words crushed what little confidence I had left.

“But they don’t know about your skill. Try to use that to your advantage. Your skill should at least help with the stat difference.”

“The problem is it only makes us even.”

My specialty is overwhelming opponents with raw power using my stats, but that seems impossible this time.

Plus, the demerit of my life force continuously draining means I need to end fights quickly.

“Still, I think I can manage.”

While the situation is definitely unfavorable for me, there’s still a small glimmer of hope.

As she said, they know nothing about my abilities.

If I can somehow use that to my advantage, I might have a slight chance of winning.

“When neither side knows the other, the one who doesn’t panic wins.”

“Let’s say that’s true.”

Her point was valid, but it didn’t quite apply to the current situation.

They might not know me, but I knew them.

In fact, I might know them better than they know themselves.

“Know yourself and know your enemy, and you’ll win every battle.”

This saying was more fitting for the situation.

Of course, even with perfect knowledge, victory isn’t guaranteed.

“Huh?”

She looked at me with a somewhat confused expression.

I grinned and said:

“This time it’s dungeon clearing, so just watch that carefully.”

***

I was waiting for the starting signal in front of the dungeon assigned to my number.

My number is 3452.

Looking around, I could see people entering their respective dungeons in order.

‘They must have worked hard to prepare all this.’

There were as many dungeons here as there were examinees.

Though they were low-ranked dungeons, the sheer number was not something to be dismissed.

How much magical power would be needed to prepare so many?

‘So that’s why they split the exam by dates.’

I began to understand why the entrance exam was divided over ten days.

Preparing dungeons for all students must be one of the many reasons.

Fortunately, those monsters don’t seem to be here today.

If I had encountered them before entering A-Class, it could have been quite dangerous.

“Student number 3452, please enter.”

When my number was called over the speaker, I immediately entered the dungeon.

The dungeon sensed my presence and illuminated its dark interior.

Numerous torches hanging on the dungeon walls welcomed me.

-Screech!-

Whether fortunate or unfortunate, the torches weren’t the only things welcoming me.

Hideously deformed creatures were preparing to punish me, the unwelcome intruder.

“Mutants…”

I drew the iron sword I had prepared to welcome them in return.

‘At least I can save my skills.’

Since videos of students clearing dungeons are uploaded to the academy’s official website, using skills recklessly here could cause problems later.

Fortunately, this wasn’t a difficult dungeon.

“Come at me.”

I boldly leaped into the horde of monsters.

At that moment, my heart began to race wildly.

This thrilling sensation always finds me in new and unique ways.

“Indeed, a hunter belongs in the dungeon.”

***

They were now watching his exam situation through a screen.

“Wow… he’s really doing it the brute force way.”

She was marveling at his straightforward approach.

“Aelin, is that how it’s normally done?…”

His mother was worried about him.

However, his sister Aelin wasn’t concerned.

“That seems to be his style. Don’t worry too much. He’s doing well.”

“Is he really?”

“Yes, he’s doing much better than I expected. As expected of my brother.”

She said that to reassure her mother, but her thoughts were different.

‘How is he so good? Can someone improve this much in just a month? Could I do that? Without using a single skill?’

He looked like a veteran who had explored hundreds of dungeons.

There was a huge disconnect between the person she knew and what she was seeing now.

‘What’s going on?’

He seemed like a different person, but when she was with him—

When she talked with him at length and exchanged conversations, she felt it.

He was definitely the person she knew.

His manner of speaking, habits, personality, and the way he treated her all confirmed he was who he claimed to be.

But the image of him on the screen now seemed so foreign.

“Aelin? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing. I just have something on my mind.”

However, this change in him wasn’t negative.

Considering how he used to be, it was a remarkable transformation.

He had quit the games he was always playing, started taking care of himself, and even had clear goals.

And the brother who had grown distant from his family had come close again.

All through his own strength and effort, without anyone’s help.

This change was certainly good for the entire family.

‘Well, whatever.’

Good is good.

Though the questions didn’t disappear just because things were good, she could set them aside for now.

Right now, adapting to his changed self was more important than questioning the change.