Chapter 30 - Day 2
The rankings had undergone significant changes, yet Arthur remained at the top, while Dwight rested against a tree, savoring the provisions stored within his spatial ring.
Boredom tugged at him, tempting him to retreat to his dorm, but the knowledge that their professor monitored them via the token kept him in check.
Although he possessed the ability to create clones, he deemed it a waste of time to unlock that power.
Glancing at the updated rankings, he noticed Cris and his gang ascending in the ranks.
==========
Top 1 - Arthur (1000)
Top 2 - Draymond (400)
Top 3 - Peter (387)
Top 4 - Cris (350)
Top 5 - Lilia (200)
Top 6 - Danica (200)
.....
.....
Aware of Cris and his team's strength, Dwight anticipated their continued pursuit of points.
However, he found it curious that Harley possessed the same score as him—both of them at zero points.
Speculating about Harley's motives, Dwight couldn't shake the feeling that he harbored ulterior motives.
From their initial encounter, Dwight sensed malevolence in Harley's gaze, especially when it fell upon Odette.
Nevertheless, Dwight remained unperturbed, knowing it would have no direct impact on him.
...............
Meanwhile, Professor Ellen diligently observed her students when she suddenly felt an attack from behind.
Reacting swiftly, she evaded the incoming dagger, narrowly avoiding a potentially fatal blow.
Swish!
The blade found its mark where Professor Ellen had previously stood, a close call that left her momentarily stunned.
Gathering her composure, she confronted the figure before her, a woman concealed by a black outfit and a hidden face.
"Who are you?"
Professor Ellen inquired, her instincts sensing the formidable power emanating from her opponent.
The woman smirked and revealed her identity.
"Hehe, my name is Black Cat, from the Assassin House."
Professor Ellen's astonishment was palpable.
She hadn't expected to become the target of the renowned 10th-ranked assassin from the Assassin House.
The reputation of Black Cat preceded her—a true 7-star powerhouse feared for her skillful assassinations.
"Why does the Assassin House seek to eliminate me?"
Professor Ellen asked, trying to stay calm despite the danger.
Black Cat laughed and said, "You? Hehe, you're not our main target. I'm just here to stop you from saving your students."
Professor Ellen suddenly understood their real plan.
She looked around and saw a huge barrier covering the whole forest, filled with assassins.
"Do you think your dean will let this happen?"
Professor Ellen asked, her face darkening with worry.
Black Cat just laughed and said, "Don't worry about your dean. He's busy with someone else."
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Professor Ellen saw how well-prepared they were.
She couldn't believe someone had the power to hold the dean, but she secretly sent out distress signals to her colleagues, hoping they would arrive in two hours.
She hoped her students would stay safe until then.
For now, she would fight Black Cat, trying to make a difference instead of just waiting.
'Why does misfortune always appear ever since the new students had entered the academy?'
Meanwhile, Dwight, who had been resting calmly, noticed a shift in the surroundings.
Darkness fell, and a huge barrier covered the forest.
"Trouble always seems to find me when I'm trying to relax,"
Dwight sighed; his calm demeanor unaffected by the events.
Elsewhere, a feeling of dread filled the air.
No one knew exactly what was happening, but a sense of unease lingered.
Peter, Draymond, and their team of five were on a wolf-hunting trip.
After killing many monsters, they came across a tough pack of wolves.
Even though it was dangerous, they were confident they could handle it.
Boom!
Peter's spear drove into the head of a huge, three-meter wolf, stopping its fierce howl as it fell dead.
Draymond and the others quickly dealt with their targets.
"Hahaha! Let's catch up to Arthur; the rewards are too tempting,"
Draymond said, laughing and determined. Confident in their skills, they took a moment to rest and check on each other.
Their clothes were soaked with sweat and dirt from the tough battle with the wolves.
Despite their exhaustion, they felt proud of their success.
"Today, we've collected thirty monster orbs," one of them said.
"Great! We can trade them for valuable resources," another added.
The group celebrated, enjoying the teamwork that had made their hunt successful.
As they got ready to head back to camp, the mood suddenly changed.
The forest fell silent as if holding its breath.
Figures in black robes emerged from the shadows, surrounding them.
The air was thick with tension, and Peter and his team felt a growing unease.
"Enemies!"
Peter shouted, and his team took defensive positions.
Twelve mysterious figures stood still, their faces hidden under dark hoods, exuding a dangerous aura.
Peter's first instinct was to fight to protect his team, but as they examined the figures, they realized that all twelve were at least 5-star level fighters.
'Oh no!'
Fear and despair gripped them as they faced these powerful opponents.
Though they had fought tough foes before, this time the odds seemed overwhelming.
The weight of their situation began to crush their hope.
"Who are you?"
Peter asked, trying to stay calm.
"Hehe, you don't need to know," the attackers said coldly before launching a swift assault.
"Since we can't escape, we'll fight!"
Draymond shouted, charging at the nearest attacker.
Peter was frustrated by Draymond's reckless move, but with no other option, they dropped their disguises, revealing their true strength, and joined the fight.
The students fought bravely with all their skills and experience, but it wasn't enough against their powerful foes.
The attackers' blows were relentless, and despite their desperate resistance, the students were overwhelmed.
"Hehe, you have a lot to learn," the attackers mocked.
"Haha! They think they're the heroes of their own story," one of them sneered.
Each attack sapped their hope, and eventually, the students lay beaten and broken on the forest floor
. Bruised and bloodied, they looked up at their captors, their spirits still unbroken even in defeat.
"Hehe, these students are tougher than we thought," one attacker said.
"Ha-ha! Still, they will make good sacrifices," another replied coldly.
Peter and his team lost consciousness, and the attackers seized their helpless bodies and disappeared.
...…..
At Harley's team's camp, deep in the wilderness, flickering campfires cast shadows on the faces of forty students.
Among them stood Harley, a determined young leader.
His family name had always been a source of pride.
"Hehe, after this trial, I bet many women will be interested in me, and maybe I can have some fun with Odette," he thought, his mind consumed by wild fantasies.
His obsession with Odette had reached a dangerous level.
Suddenly, the calm was shattered as twenty black-robed men appeared in the camp, their presence dark and threatening.
Panic spread as the students were quickly immobilized by the attackers' swift moves.
Fear filled their eyes, and their voices were silenced by the shock of the surprise attack.
"Ahh, enemies!" a student shouted, but the heavy presence of the attackers left everyone paralyzed.
Harley's heart raced as he watched the chaos unfold.
'They are strong. Oh no, I have to run!'
Overcome with fear, he fled to protect himself.
Many saw him run and felt betrayed, cursing him for abandoning them, even though he was the leader.
'Fuck, he is so selfish.'
"Dammit, Harley, we shouldn't trust him to lead us. He's the first to run in a crisis."
"Yeah, he's a coward," others said, their disappointment clear.
Harley heard their words but was too shaken by the attackers' strength to respond.
Before he could escape, a powerful blow knocked him to the ground, pain shooting through his body.
He cried out, but the attacker continued to kick him mercilessly.
"You thought you could escape?"
Dazed and desperate, Harley tried to regain some control.
"You don't know who you're dealing with," he gasped, trying to sound defiant despite his fear. "My family name will bring you ruin!"
The attackers turned to him, grinning mockingly.
Their laughter filled the air, ignoring his threats.
"Haha, we don't care who your family is," they taunted, indifferent to his warnings.
They struck him again, their blows landing with brutal force.
Harley felt overwhelmed by his helplessness.
In his agony, Harley begged for mercy. "Please... I'll help you. I'll find the others. Just... just let me go."
The attackers paused; their eyes fixed on Harley's pained face.
At that moment, there was a slight chance for an alliance.
The silence hinted at a possible deal. Harley clung to this fleeting hope amidst his suffering.
The leader of the black-robed men stepped forward, their voices cold and mocking. "Very well," they sneered. "Lead us to your companions, and we might spare you."
They thought that this little shit is tough, but he is cowardly.