Hello, are you the boss?

"Wow, I've just leveled up by a full 9 levels. I'm currently at level 12, which means I should have 18 stat points now. I'll hold onto these stat points for now. Also, it seems that when I reached level 10, I unlocked a class-related ability. Let's see what it is."

[Communication: You can speak and understand any language, regardless of its origin.]

"Awesome, I've gained another passive ability. Couldn't I have gotten an ability that involves an attack? Anyway, let's see how much time I have left."

[Remaining time: 9 hours 17 minutes.]

"The most logical thing to do during the remaining time would be to level up, but I don't think killing more goblins will be of any use. Initially, killing a single goblin was enough for me to level up, but now, even after killing dozens of goblins, I've only reached level 12, indicating that leveling up will get increasingly difficult. So, to become stronger, I must defeat more powerful monsters."

I decided to explore my surroundings, aiming to find creatures other than goblins that would give me more experience points. Using my mini-map ability, I continued to wander until I finally emerged from the forest into open plains. The area looked clean, with rocks and sparse trees being the only notable features until I spotted a glowing green crystal in the sky.

There were some hills between me and the crystal, and after walking a bit more, I noticed that the crystal was standing in a small town. The town was surrounded by something resembling a green aura. Although I couldn't fully understand what it was, I decided to approach and soon realized that it was a place inhabited by humans. Curiosity got the better of me, and I headed towards the entrance of the town. Two armored and hefty men guarded the entrance, looking so intimidating that their strength was evident. One of the guards started talking to me.

"Welcome to the safe zone, warrior."

"Safe zone?"

"Yes, anyone who completes the trial task can rest here. Also, if you haven't finished your task yet, you can meet our hunters a bit further ahead to make the final kills on monsters."

Making the final kills on monsters? What is the purpose of this trial? And why are these people helping us? Clearly, they are the natives of this place, or...

"Isn't it difficult for people to find this village? After all, the surroundings are quite dense with forests."

"Finding the village? Visitors who come here are transferred to nearby locations or in front of our village. Also, why would anyone go to the forest? You'd have to be crazy to go there, especially considering it's a dangerous place."

"Hahaha, yeah, it would really be insane..."

Something is definitely going on here; for now, it's better to enter the town.

After entering the town, I saw individuals who had been transferred from other places, quite distinguishable from the regular townsfolk. To verify the guards' statements, I talked to other people, and according to what they said, almost all of them passed the trial by making the final kills on monsters. I say almost all because some people found it illogical and decided to leave, forging their own paths. Also, I learned that there's a tavern here where I can eat and drink.

*Door creaking sound*

"Wow, this place is really bustling. I understand why people don't want to leave this safe zone; it must remind them of the normal world. But now, there's no such place. After eating something, it's better to leave."

Although one of the reasons I came to the tavern was to fill my stomach, the main reason was to gather information because in such places, there are always a few loose-lipped individuals. All the tables were occupied, so I sat at a table where a person was sitting alone and ordered some food. I guess in such a crowded place, this wouldn't be considered unusual. Also, we don't have to pay for meals, so I can eat as much as I want. While eating, I eavesdropped on people's conversations.

"Hey, have you seen those people from the red zone? Looks like they're going to try again."

"What? Again? Hasn't anyone who entered there ever come out? They're too greedy for a rumor."

A rumor? And what's the red zone?

"Seems like rumors catch your interest."

The mysterious man sitting across from me started talking.

"Yeah, do you have any information about this red zone and the rumor?"

"According to them, there's a boss in the red zone, and if you defeat it, you gain a reward and a lot of experience points."

"A boss? Like those extremely powerful monsters in games?"

"Yes."

"What about you? Don't you plan to fight that monster?"

"To enter there, you need at least three people; otherwise, there's some kind of invisible barrier around the area that stops you. Also, even if I could find enough people, that place is a death trap for a wizard who can only cast fire spells. The area is filled with tall straw that can easily catch fire."

"So, you're a wizard. Damn it, I wanted to be a wizard too."

"Hey, are you even listening to what I'm saying? Regardless, you should never go there; even if you're a wizard, it's too dangerous. The boss launches hidden attacks from within the straws, and seeing it is almost impossible."

Wait a minute, hidden attacks? Is that the only thing that makes the boss difficult to defeat?

"For example, what if you could know exactly where the boss is? Would using a fire spell still be a problem?"

"Well... I can't say there's no risk, but it could definitely give us a chance to attack him."

After hearing this, a plan instantly formed in my mind. By talking to the people in the town, gaining information about classes, abilities, and other things, and meeting this man, we might have a chance to defeat the boss.

"Alright! I think it's a good idea to exchange names because we'll be together for a while."

I told him about myself and my plan as much as necessary. For the final stage of our plan, we needed to find a third person, so we went to the red zone, talked to the people there, and recruited someone with suitable abilities. 

"Hey, are you really sure this plan will work?"

"Why are you asking? Do you have doubts?"

"Of course, damn it. You're just telling me to believe you blindly, saying everything will be fine. Do you think this is a sensible plan?"

"I'll be there with you, so if you die, I die too. You can be sure it'll be alright."

"Just curious, but you're not a member of some death-worshipping cult, are you?"

"I guess there's only one way to find out, my friend."

As we continued talking, we arrived at the entrance of the red zone. In our three-member team, we had a wizard, a berserker, and... well, me.

The girl with the difficult and strange name, who is a Berserker, is referred to as 'Orange' by me because her hair is orange. And, of course, we shouldn't forget our main hero, the wizard named Saku. Since Saku has a foreign name, I asked her how she learned our language, and according to what she told me, everyone here understands each other regardless of the language they speak, thanks to the system. So, what is the meaning of the communication skill I acquired? Anyway, now is not the time to think about that.

"Are you all ready? Saku? Orange?"

Both nodded in approval, and we took a big step into the red zone. Since nobody has survived from here before, we don't know what the boss looks like. If we assume it attacks by hiding, it must be agile and small, but this is just an assumption.

"How much more do we have to walk?"

We were in the middle of a large hayfield, and it was difficult to see each other.

"We'll walk until I tell you to stop."

"My feet are about to fall off. Let's take a break."

Right at that moment, I saw something approaching on my mini-map.

"Get ready, it's coming!"

"What's coming? Where?"

"Calm down, Orange! Use your ability!"

"I heard it coming! Over here! I'm going to attack it, support me!"

"No, Orange, don't act on your own! It's not there, it's tricking you!"

There was nothing on the mini-map in the direction Orange went; most likely, this boss was using abilities to deceive us and ambush.

"What do we do now?"

The first stage of the plan was to make the boss monster focus on Orange. Then, our wizard and I would attack together, continuously attacking the monster until it burned to death. But we couldn't do that now. So, there was only one solution left.

"Hey, when I tell you, use your fire magic directly towards me, okay? You'll only have one shot, so use all your power."

"Are you out of your mind? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"I promised you that I would get you out of here alive if you listened to me, so shut the fuck up and do what I say, or you'll die here too."

"Fine, you better keep your word, you crazy bastard."

Now, where are you, you damn monster? Do you think you can sneak up on me? Let's see.

Not long after, the monster started attacking again.

It's coming from my right, ignore the sounds from the left; they're just illusions. I can see you on my damn map, you cursed monster.

"NOW, SAKU!!"

"Alright, this is what you asked for, buddy. FIREBALLL!!"

As Saku cast her spell, I used the trap ability I set with a straw rope to jump towards the monster's feet and made it fall face down. The monster must have been focused on attacking my chest, just like it did to Orange, so it didn't notice me jumping onto its feet. After the monster fell, I stood up, and all that was left was to watch it burn.

"Damn, buddy, that was insane! How did you come up with that?"

"Either it was going to survive, or we were. I decided to take a gamble, and I won."

"A gamble? So, you weren't sure if your plan would work?"

"Well, it could have noticed me jumping on its feet and stabbed me in the chest with a stake or crushed me by stepping on my head, but none of that happened, right?"

"If I had a bit more mana left, I would burn you right now."

"Hahaha, I guess I'm pretty lucky today, huh?"

[Congratulations, you defeated the Scarecrow Boss. Rewards have been distributed; experience points will be divided among the team members.]

"I guess the rumors were true. Let's see these rewards."

[You leveled up]

[You leveled up]

[You leveled up]

[You leveled up]

[You leveled up]

[You earned 100 Gold]

[You obtained the Scarecrow's Straw Hat]

[You obtained the Scarecrow's Wooden Staff]

Experience points were automatically divided, and when it came to sharing the rewards, we split the money equally. I took the Scarecrow's Straw Hat since it had a +5 agility bonus, and we decided to give the Scarecrow's Wooden Staff to Saku because it had effects related to mana. We were both satisfied with our choices, so we didn't talk much about it and finished our business. We saw that the gold was automatically stored in the system, and we could call it whenever we wanted. There was no place to spend money around here, meaning that we would be able to spend these coins in the places we would go after the exam ended. It would be nice to have an inventory to store our items, but I guess it's not possible for now.

"Nice rewards, and we gained good experience points. I guess I was right to trust you."

"Oh, really? It sounded like you were accusing me of joining some cult."

"Hahaha, I'm still not sure if you're part of a cult, but if we keep winning rewards like this, I might join that cult with you, buddy."

Despite some losses and tense moments, we were at the beginning of a good friendship, and knowing that I wouldn't be alone made me happy.

[1 hour left until the end of the exam]

We spent the remaining hour chatting, getting to know each other, but I didn't mention my class and abilities. Although we became closer, it was too early for such things. But I told her about what happened to me in the forest, and she explained how she leveled up on her own in the forest, sensing that something was wrong with the city. After all these events, there were still things bothering me. After defeating the boss, the red zone disappeared, meaning that no one else had defeated the boss. So how did the rumor of getting rewards after defeating the boss spread? And why were the people in this city helping us complete our exam task? After a long chat, the notification sound interrupted my thoughts for now.

[Exam time is over; those who passed will be transferred to the city of Drynsoll in another universe to start their new lives in 10 seconds.]

10

9

8

Another countdown, and at the end of it, another dangerous adventure awaited me.

7

6

5

Saku and I were looking at the setting sun.

"We'll see each other on the other side, buddy," said Saku.

4

3

2

"We'll see each other on the other side," I said.

1

...