Agitation

Thanks to his «Chain Casting» skill it was easier now to kill the Void Worms even those with high levels. Disrupting them first using his «Shield Conjurer» and then stabbed them by summoning blade spikes. This combo has been very effective so far.

Since the Void Worms was no longer a heavy threat, he could finally trod with a little ease.

"The most troubling matter is the ancient relic!" Klein grumbled.

"Does the princess want me to search the entire lair? She indeed had no idea how big this place was. Without a map or an expert scout, even an entire week would not suffice."

"On top of that, there's also that thing to worry about," Klein let out a sigh. He looked into the distance and thought, 'I must raise my level as much as I can before the most troublesome enemy appears right before me.'

At night, it was his pant's turn to sacrifice itself. He needed to create fire again and clothes happened to be a good material to ignite fire. Now he was left with underwear only. It was his last defense to safeguard his dignity. Thankfully, no other people were present around. They would certainly think he was a creep if they saw him in such condition.

Klein smiled wryly. No matter what, he wanted to survive this trial.

Checking his Status Screen, he saw his level was already 15. After grinding for an entire day nonstop, he leveled up a few times. He was astonished by the numbers in his stats. The quantities are already comparable to hunters with levels higher than 20? He could not believe it.

Sitting in a lotus position in front of the churning coal stones, where edible insects, mushrooms, and herbs were grilled, he rubbed his stomach while staring at the object in his hand.

This SOS button in his hand is nothing but a pain in the ass now. After losing his pants, he had no more pockets to keep it with him, and carrying it in hand was just a hurdle.

Without a second thought, he threw it away.

What was the purpose of carrying it when it was clear that he had no bright future once he decided to push it?

There was only one choice for him, to continue moving forward or die in this place.

Moreover, getting rid of it motivates him to move forward and releases him from considering giving up the trial.

The temperature had dropped every second. Coldness began to crawl his skin. As usual, Klein committed to exercising. It was his only choice to keep his body warm aside from the heat coming from the burning coal stones.

The next morning, Klein was dumbfounded by the unusual sight in front of him.

He encountered some Void Worms. However, there was something weird in them. They were lying on the ground, motionless, as if they were dead. But he didn't notice any wounds in them or any injury, and upon closer inspection, he discovered they were alive.

"What the hell, are they sleeping?" He questioned.

It was weird.

He looked around, but he didn't find any sign of heavy struggle or crude battle happening.

"Are they just tired?" He never thought that Void Worms also desired sleep.

By the fact that they are here in the open, it doesn't seem natural. It was reckless for them to just sleep everywhere. Any potential enemy could take advantage of this vulnerability state.

It was not his concern, though. That potential enemy happened to be him. He immediately used his «Mana Blade» to create blade spikes and finished them off. He wasn't the one to feel pity on his enemies. Inside this place, it's a dog-eat-dog law.

After ending their lives, Klein noticed that he didn't level up right away. It's not a shocking matter to him. As his level increases, his leveling speed also slows down. This is common knowledge among hunters. In his previous life, it took him five years before he reached level 70.

Suddenly, the ground shook which was followed by an eerie howl.

Owooooohhhh!

"Fuck! Don't tell me that it's already awakened?!" He exclaimed. Worry is visible in his eyes.

In his mind, Klein thought, 'Only that thing could send such terrifying pressure in all corners of this place.' 

"The lord of the lair."

—————————

Three days after Klein entered the Land of Trial, in the academy, Ray visited the Royal Chivalric Order Headquarters.

He wasn't the type to visit the headquarters every so often, but today was special. According to the manhua, this day was supposed to be his most awaited day to get the first legendary item, however, for whatever reason, he wasn't summoned yet.

In the morning of that day, the Order should have received a request from the headmaster's office, a rescue mission to retrieve that person, the ill-mannered duke's son Klein Dorolt, from the dungeon. But what happened? Dawn is coming and Ray still hasn't received a summon from the Order's headquarters.

Impossible that something had changed in the story. This had never happened before. He made sure everything was according to the story in the manhua.

So it's shocking that this happened! It was a clear deviation from the story.

When he entered the Royal Chivalric Order headquarters, he immediately spotted Princess Layla who also spotted him.

"Ray, it's unusual for you to visit here."

Princess Layla, who was sipping tea on the sofa, said to Ray upon seeing him. Despite being an official member of the Royal Chivalric Order, Ray seldom visits the headquarters.

"Princess Layla, good day. I just had free time so I decided to visit," Ray replied.

The princess smiled. "Oh, it happened to be my break time as well. Care to take a seat and have a tea time with me?" She urged him to join her in drinking tea.

But it seemed Ray didn't come there for that purpose.

"I'm grateful for the invitation, your highness, but I have to decline this time. I won't stay long. I just wanted to ask you about something."

"Oh, is that so? It's a pity I can't brag to you Connie's brewing skill," Princess Layla looked slightly regretful, but Ray seemed like he came here for an important reason, just by looking at his face. She looked at him and said, "Ask me anything you want. My response will depend on your question."

She was having a hard time reading him before. It's hard to guess what's on his mind. He is like a deep and dark well. It's hard to see what's underneath. This is also the reason why she took him under her wing. Any variable was better to be kept closer than pushing them away. It's easier to monitor them that way. Presently, in the academy, she suspected Ray is the biggest variable. Not only because of his commoner status but his mysterious background overall and also his strength.

Regardless, there was something different in him this time. His usual calm and taciturn demeanor couldn't be seen. It seems something was bothering him. He looked slightly agitated.

Even though he tried to hide it, Princess Layla could still tell. Her perception could not be belittled.