THE SYSTEM IS EVIL!

Man, can Mrs Kelly nag! She had us for about an hour of constant complaining and yelling at us!

To summarise, she was pissed off that we went off on our own in the dangerous planet, saying that it was a miracle no powerful beast caught us on our way.

"I can't believe this from you all, especially you, Max! You're the leader of this group, you should have had better judgement than this! What would you have done were we to loose half of the elite team before they got a chance in saving the world tree?!"

"B–but we didn't die. And we did gain a lot of skill and experience–"

"Inexcusable! I know why I gave you guys ten beasts to hunt down with your partners. But...what you say is true, you did achieve what you were supposed to and even more,"

"But anyways, you could have at least informed me! I'm sure I would have helped in rescuing the kids. What do you take me for, Max? I care about monsters too!"

In times like this, you just have to cleverly keep your mouth shut. No need to tell her that rescuing the kids wouldn't be enough for them, that's why I didn't inform her.

"Be prepared for a hellish training starting from tomorrow onwards. Still a few days before you meet up with the other group, best be ready by then," she finally finished, then turn her head to the forest.

"I know you kids are back there hiding since you finished washing a while back. Don't worry, nobody here is going to attack you or anything like that. But a little lesson on discipline ought teach you to never listen on others conversation," she called.

"Sorry," a chorus of voices said before the furrhas came out from their hiding place, the faces red with embarrassment for being easily discovered.

Pine was the one leading at the front, and I just wondered whether it would be OK for them if he was their leader. But he has proven himself somewhat, surviving all this time in the forest alone. I think I have a good idea of what Mrs Kelly is planning for the kids.

"Alright children, I want you to listen closely. For now, we can't take you out of this planet and to a safer place since there is another of our group that has a portable teleport gate. So you'll unfortunately have to stick with us until then,"

"We have no issues with that, right everyone?" Pine asked and everyone nodded their heads in agreement. "As long as we get out of this planet at some point, we are patient enough to wait,"

"That's good to hear. Now come closer so that I can explain to you what we plan to do with you once you are taken away from this place,"

Mrs Kelly started explaining that they would be under care from the monster castle, and after a trip to the healer's department, they will have to be enrolled in a camp those who are of age, but under special classes since they weren't taught a lot by their masters except how to speak.

Since there were about three who were below the age of eight, they had to wait for a while before the got into a camp, but that was no issue since they were allowed to stay in the castle.

The Furrha group seemed content with that, and I couldn't help feel a little jealous since I was never that lucky to be supported this much. Though, to be totally honest, Razor wasn't the safest of planet in the beastverse. I was just lucky to even have a roof on my head, even of it could have collapsed at any moment.

"Do we get to choose the camps we go to?" Pine asked for the entire group.

Mrs Kelly shook her head in answer, "I'm afraid that that's not up to you. But... did you have any suggestions on where to go?"

"Yes, actually. We three–" he pointed at Him, Dally, and a third girl, whose name was zeph, the one who was forced to wash the clothes, "–want to enroll in the camp Max is in,"

"Oh? What made you choose my camp, specifically?"

"Because he's there. And no offense to the rest, but we only trust him if we want someone to help us in our transition to that world,"

"I think I understand. I'll see what I can do. In the mean time, why don't you all rest up," Mrs Kelly said as she pulled around six camp tents for the kids. We were still very far from our previous camp site located in a safe zone, but thankfully, there were a few others near here where Mrs Kelly promised us no beasts will pass through.

It was getting late, around night time, so it was understandable that it was a good time to tell the kids to have their rest. They did have a long day after all. Though I wonder whether they will be able to sleep well, but then remembered maybe they've never slept well in the first place ever since they stepped into the elf's clutches.

Hmm... I understand that they have to sleep now. What I'm wondering is why Mrs Kelly still hasn't handed us our storage rings yet.

"Hey Max? Why don't you ask her for our storage rings," Queen whispered in my ear, Earl and Alvin joining her to my side as we watched her help the Furrhas settle in.

"Wait, why me?"

"You forget, you are our leader, and it is your responsibility!" Earl answered.

"But you are older than me! And besides, if she wanted us to have the rings, she would have done so when she took out those camp tents. Something tells me she has something in store for us,"

"That's exactly right, Max," Mrs Kelly said as she settled in the last girl.

"You could hear us?"

"Dragon ears. Anyways, since you all think that you are big enough to go off all on your own–"

"–We apologized profusely for that–"

"–I've got a task for you all. I believe you are strong enough to handle beasts around peak centurion, I want you to go get me a millennial monster. No food for you till you do so,"

We all had our mouths open in shock when she gave us the 'little exersize she had for us.

Earl was the one to speak up, "I think that's a little bit too much for us, no? We can handle our own against a centurion sure, but isn't fighting a millennial a bit...much,"

Mrs Kelly smiled before she said, "That's the exam for you all. You have about.. ah... Let's see.... when are you meeting with the general?"

"Nine days from now,"

"Yeah, that's your deadline. Try not to disappoint me,"

"B–but to defeat a monster like that, we have to have a buttload of experience in fighting beasts, Mrs Kelly! And even fighting that thing much less surviving it would need an incredible amount of strength," I said.

"I don't wanna hear anything excuses. Four against one and you are still complaining? And about getting strength, should you all be worried about getting your rings back now, or should you be training your butts off to get with the deadline?"

"But–"

"No buts. And give me your ring Max with that skill of its to return back to you off," she said as she stretched her hand out, waiting for me to give her my ring. I reluctantly handed it to her, and she immediately shooed us off to training.

Told you she was the devil reincarnate.

***

*Eve of exam day*

***

"Alright everyone. That's a wrap for today," I shouted over the battling in the forest, the final beast of the day collapsing on the ground, dead, courtesy of our combined efforts in defeating it.

It was around peak centurion, the third one for the day, and we felt pretty confident in ourselves, since all of us came out with minimal injuries. Tomorrow was the day that we would face our test, since on that same day was when we're to meet with the general.

It was a while before we took ourselves near to the agreed meeting point and made it our camp, and that's where we were heading right now. Mrs Kelly had been generous enough to hand us out tents since we really didn't have to sleep on the bark and all that, but the food we were to provide for ourselves.

Sometimes I had to held my self back when I saw what Mrs Kelly was feeding the furrhas who looked happy enough just to be there, while I struggled with hardened overcooked meat from the beasts. What I would give for a honey bun right about now!

We arrived back just near night time, with our meal of the day being carried by Alvin today as it was his shift. Was no suprise that menu for us today was rabbit meat, probably the only thing we could eat and not vomit out immediately.

Unfortunately for us( especially my stomach ) for the furrhas, it was some type of steak that Mrs Kelly had procured. It's almost like she knew before hand that we would have guests in our camp. Or, she brought the food for us, and that's what they've been eating.

Don't take me wrong, I'm thankful we saved them and all, but seriously, if that stake is supposed to be ours, I swear–

"Hey Max. Glad you could join us for this evening," Pine said when he saw us walk in.

He's been more talkative with everyone, but still less talkative with Alvin and Earl. They all have been, actually. Even the five year old, Davin. It's good to see that they've bounced back well after last week.

"You say that but yet you still greet us with a rib on your hand, knowing damn well we won't be eating the same thing," I answered while I walked to my tent, him joining me.

"You want one?"

"Of course I do. But I can't. AND YOU KNOW WHY I..... *sigh* I can't with you right now. I've got some business to deal with. Now scoot!"

"Ugh, fine. Still haven't told me all I need to know about my potential camp. Later?"

"Yeah, sure,"

It's been an obsession with him ever since it was mentioned by Mrs Kelly. He's come here everytime, wanting to know more about it, and he even at times asked Queen for more information. What I'm afraid of is for the kids who will be unfortunate enough to be in the same class as him. I can't imagine seeing a bully try and fight him.

But away from that, I had to visit the wolves today. Still have that reward from the system since they helped out in the rescue. Speaking of which...

***

[Yo, system. What do you mean that I get no reward since I did nothing?! I killed the elf!]

–––

<*System feels user contributed to near nothing in the task handed him. System advices be content with exp he gained from kill.*>

–––

[So like what? Is this going to be a new normal for you? First, you take away the skill of gaining half the points I get from the wolves. Now this?]

–––

<*The owner of system has seen that is an easy way gaining points. He advised you to look for your own System offline now. Call onto the when in proximity with wolves*>

–––

[Damn bucket of bolts!]

***

At least the ring I had returned to Mrs Kelly had an on and off switch in the system. So turning it on now wouldn't be a problem, if I turned it off it would just go back to where Mrs Kelly placed it.

Same transportation cycle, and I found all the wolves waiting for me at the front of the Dungeon.

"How long have you guys been waiting for?"I asked them once they were done receiving me.

"This is where we've been camping for some time. The owner of the dungeon thought that it would be a great idea too," Murasaki answered.

"I see. Then how about a reward from your leader over here. Red, you not coming?"

"Leader is just a title. I don't give a–wait did you just say reward?" he's eyes lit up and he finally approached me from where he was fake sleeping.

"Not like you specifically deserve it or anything, Red. But yes, I do have a reward. System?"

***

<*Rewarding process to the wolves will begin now*>