Chapter 43: Stealing Other Groups’ Opportunity (1)

"How are we supposed to do this, Boss? I’ve searched everywhere, but I can’t find any of the three. They’re really good at hiding," Kael complained.

The others nodded in agreement.

Victor remained silent for a moment. He narrowed his eyes before a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

"I have an idea..."

...

"Hah... Hah... Hah..."

Claire panted as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.

She looked around. Nothing could be seen as far as the eye could reach except for a vast expanse of grass.

"It’s been two days... Two whole days, and I still haven’t found a way out," Claire groaned, gritting her teeth in frustration.

Her supplies were running low. She only had enough to last a few more days.

There were no rivers or monsters anywhere. It was as if this place had been completely cut off from the outside world.

Pushing her frustration aside, she opened the leaderboard.

When she saw the Raven Group still in first place, her eyes widened in shock.

"24,000!? How is that even possible!?"

She had been too busy searching for a way out to check the leaderboard regularly.

Yet somehow, Raven’s group was still far ahead, with an incredibly high score compared to the second- and third-place teams.

Earlier, she had even planned to hunt as many monsters as possible once she got out. After all, she hadn’t contributed anything to the group so far.

"Ugh..."

Claire let out a long sigh and pressed a hand against her chest.

"Thank goodness Raven and Rose are doing well. I can breathe a little easier."

Still, she felt guilty about running around in circles without hunting a single monster.

"The way out... I have to find it!"

With that thought in mind, she regained her strength and kept moving forward.

...

"Damn it! Take them down! Don’t let them win!"

"They’re coming from the left! Watch out!"

"Argh! My arm! Healer, heal me!"

Shouts echoed throughout the vast hall, surrounded by huge pillars.

Twelve people were fighting against a horde of ape-like monsters.

In the distance, more precisely behind one of the pillars, Raven and Reina watched the battle between the humans and the monsters.

"They’re from different groups, but they actually teamed up. Aren’t they afraid one of the groups might betray the other?" Reina asked hesitantly.

In this test, there’s no such thing as true friendship—not even among members of the same group.

"That’s not unusual," Raven replied casually. "They’re weak and afraid of dying. What do you think is the safest way to survive this third mission?"

Reina pondered his words. A few seconds later, her eyes widened as realization dawned on her.

"Forming a larger group..."

"Correct." Raven nodded in satisfaction and gently patted her head.

Reina closed her eyes, savoring the gentle touch.

Raven shifted his gaze back toward the twelve people in the distance.

"To survive, they’re forced to work together. But as for trusting one another... pfft! That’s just nonsense. Malphas said we’re all evil people cast out by Earth. Evil people wouldn’t believe in something like friendship."

His words annoyed Reina a little. She trusted Raven completely, yet he went and said something like that, making her feel like a fool.

Raven didn’t notice what she was thinking and continued.

"We’ll attack this hall’s boss once they’ve run out of stamina. And you’ll be the one to finish it. I’ll hold them off for as long as I can. Got it?"

Reina nodded.

"I got it."

She drew her spear and took a fighting stance.

Meanwhile, the battle between the twelve players had finally reached its climax.

The monsters they were fighting were Level 10 baboons.

Once all fifty baboons were dead, a Level 15 boss would appear. Of course, defeating a Level 15 monster should have been impossible.

But the twelve of them believed they could do it.

Gryaahh!

A five-meter-tall baboon strode out from behind the giant door, stomping heavily on the floor.

The hall shook violently, as if it might collapse at any moment.

Everyone immediately went on high alert.

They raised their weapons and stared cautiously at the baboon.

The monster had huge, muscular arms, a terrifying face, and a row of sharp fangs that could easily tear its enemies apart.

Compared to the dozens of Level 10 Baboons they had defeated, the Baboon in front of them was far more terrifying.

"Everyone, get ready!"

The voice came from a handsome black-haired man. He was tall and wore armor made from wolf hide.

The weapon in his hand was a massive two-meter-long sword.

Raven looked at the man and opened his status panel.

[STATUS]

Name: Tristan Corlod

Age: 25

Level: 15

Talents: Strength (A), Endurance (S), Intelligence (C), Magic (D), Agility (C), Speed (B), Charisma (A), Vitality (S)

Class: Tank

First Awakening: None

Second Awakening: None

Third Awakening: None

Skills: An Invincible Body (A), Martial Arts (B), Swimming (D), ...

Description: Someone born to be a protector. Anyone who has him as a friend is lucky. However, he can be quite cunning, so be careful around him.

When he saw the man’s level, his eyebrows rose slightly.

"Level 15? That guy is really strong."

This was the first time Raven had seen someone at such a high level.

But what intrigued him the most was the class Tristan had awakened.

Raven tapped on the "Tank" class, and an information panel instantly appeared before him.

[Information]

Class Name: Tank

Description: The Tank is a special class that only a select few can have. Those who possess it have bodies as tough as steel, making them resistant to all kinds of attacks and incredibly hard to take down. However, their biggest weakness is their low attack power. The damage it deals is very low, so it must rely on other class holders who specialize in offense.

"A class that focuses on defense, huh?" Raven muttered with a small chuckle.

For some reason, the class reminded Raven of the Tank role in MMORPGs and MOBA games. It was somewhat similar, though not exactly the same.

Boom!

The sound of an explosion in the distance snapped Raven out of his thoughts.

The battle had begun.

Gryaah!

The five-meter-tall baboon went on a rampage, slamming its fist into the floor.

Then, with a slight bend of its knees, it leaped toward a young woman.

"Watch out, Tina!"

Tristan dashed toward her, swinging his sword.

Bang!

The clash between the baboon’s fist and Tristan’s sword echoed throughout the hall.

Raven and Reina quickly covered their ears.

"T-Thank you, Tristan!" Tina said, trembling.

"Quick, get back!"

Tina immediately ran away, while Tristan pushed against the baboon’s fist with all his strength.

The baboon lost its balance and stumbled back a few steps.

GRRR...

The baboon growled furiously, its red eyes filled with murderous intent.

Tristan wasn’t afraid. He thrust his sword forward and charged toward it.

"Die!"

As he swung his massive sword, the baboon raised its arm to block the attack.

But before it could react, two men leaped toward its left and right sides, raising their swords and spears.

"You let your guard down!"

Slash!

They slashed at both sides of its face, causing thick red blood to gush from the wounds.

Gryaah!

The baboon roared furiously. The shockwave sent Tristan flying several meters backward before he managed to regain his balance.

"Tch!" Tristan spat, grinning widely. "You’re actually weaker than I thought..."