Chapter XV - Gray Rankup Test (part 1)

The morning is such a shit hole.

I woke up from my bed, reaching for my glasses that I didn't even have (reflex, because I used to wear glasses), and I knocked down a bunch of glass wares from the table. I went to the bathroom to wash up before I could clean up the mess, but I turned the temperature switch a little too far left and set the water to 'Really Hot'. 

I put my face straight under the shower, the super hot water poured down on my poor sleepy face.

After cooling my burned face with cold water, I tried reaching for the conditioner nearby, but it fell on the floor and spilled everywhere. I took a step and slipped because of it, and I landed the back of my head to the floor. 

Luckily, my head is hard as stone. But the floor isn't, and now there is a massive crack on the floor by the hole.

I really want to cry.

After cleaning up everything (I didn't do anything about the crack on the floor), I got changed and grabbed my space ring where all my stuff is at. After that, I departed from the inn.

"Good morning... Rize?"

Klane is there on the receptionist table, as well as Keila. The two can only see my beautiful face, showing the hideous expression I am wearing.

"Doesn't feel like a good morning to me."

My face still has the data of the burned red skin caused by the burning hot water. So whether I like it or not, I'm not wearing the best expression right now.

I looked around, and found that it is already quite crowded here. It's still only an hour after the first bell, but all the people who are here to take the Gray rank up test are already here. Jrake did say to everyone to gather here after the first bell. 

Yet, I don't see him anywhere.

"If you're looking for that guy, he is at the test location. He won't be here to escort you guys."

"Oh... I see."

Klane is writing stuff. Ever since her boss came, she has been very busy. I noticed that even yesterday when I visited in the morning, she was working on a document.

"I didn't see you all day, yesterday."

"Yeah... I had a lot of work. The guy you saw two days ago, he wanted everything. Reports... missions... I'm just glad he paid me quite well for this job."

"I see… haha."

Looking at her eyes, she seemed to be quite tired herself. There are slight shadows under her eyes, telling everyone that she really needed some sleep.

But since she rejected my help, there's nothing I can do.

"By the way, Klane. Can I do 'one' last check?"

"Sure, but 'last'? Checking doesn't really damage the tool, so you can ask any time."

"Not… like that. I don't want to know how strong I am all the time, I don't want to be greedy."

"Hmm... I don't see why you are doing that, but I understand. Then this time, I will also see the numbers!"

Hearing that, I panicked a little. But I guess since this is the last time I'm showing her, it should be fine.

Klane put the crystal for magic points measurements on the table in front of the window. I placed my hand on the crystal, and it glowed... very bright.

After five seconds, the blinding light disappeared, and the numbers came out.

I looked at it, shocked, and turned it around so that Klane could see.

"Wha-!!"

She was… extremely shocked. Of course she did, I grew that many magic points in just a few days. I also lied to her, saying that I have two hundred, when in reality, I had over three hundred.

But Klane seemed to be accepting it, and she grinned at me as she congratulated me.

"Congratulations! You have passed the 500 mark."

"Thank you."

That's a cool number, isn't it?

"By now, if you were to fight Jrake, you should be equal in terms of raw strength already… which is crazy to think about because his body is twice your size."

"Haha, is that so? Though, I did beat him already."

"W-What? I don't believe you."

"He was holding back, though."

"... And you weren't?"

"Never."

The two of us laughed a little, and we ended our talk there. I waved my hand before joining the group of adventurers that will be attending the test, and she waved her hand as well. 

I wonder if that stalker's brother is here. Well he probably is, but since I don't know his face, there's no point in looking for him like a stalker his brother is.

After five minutes, a man in full silver armor came into the room. Everyone immediately knew that he is a high ranking adventurer, but my gaze was kept on his face.

It was Jrake. I thought he would be at the test site, but here he is now. Also, I have never seen him in clothes, let alone an armor. That full silver armor set really suits him perfectly. Now he looks like an actual seasoned adventurer. If only he had his giant sword on his back, I can immediately say that he is like a bald paladin.

He stood in front of the front door and glared at the adventurers before finally speaking to them.

"For all the adventurers who are attending the Gray rank up test, please enter the carriages!"

There's carriages?

As everyone walked outside, I followed and took a glance outside. There are at least six carriages parked right outside of the Office, all the way to the left. It even parked in front of other buildings, which made me question if that was even allowed. 

How come I didn't notice the carriages when I came here? I was only in the Office for two minutes.

"So we are riding these?"

One of the adventurers asked Jrake.

"Yes. A carriage is for eight people. Go to the next one if they are already full."

Jrake announced, and we all began to board the carriages. The adventurers started to board the first carriage, and after eight people filled the first one, we moved on to the next. The same thing goes all the way until the fifth carriage where there's only 6 people. Six including me since I'm a pussy and don't like waiting in line, so I just stood at the end.

The sixth or last carriage is empty, so the testers went in that carriage, including Jrake. There are only three people in there, which must be convenient for them.

Seeing Jrake using full silver armor, I guess this test must be serious. But really, how dangerous is it for a Gray ranked dungeon?

Or was that armor simply for show…? I can't tell.

The trip to the dungeon is both curly and far. It took us a whole hour on the carriage, and I can't believe how far this is from the capital. But I saw it once on Jrake's map, that this place is already in the territory of another kingdom to the north west.

After arriving, all we can see are trees. There are mountains around, but it's only one long wall of mountains. Aside from that, it's just a sea of trees.

The carriages stopped at a rather open area that is in front of the dungeon location. Once the carriages stopped, everyone jumped off from the carriage and grouped around the area with their own friends. Meanwhile, I just stood near a tree, under the shadow like some misfit.

"Everyone, please group up in front of me!"

The one talking is a guy with long blonde hair. His body is full of silver armor, like what Jrake is wearing. His sword is sheathed on the side with its golden scabbard.

After he shouted, everyone started to move towards him and grouped up, while I slowly stood at the back of the group. The speaker climbed up to the top of the carriage behind him so everyone could see.

"Before we start the test..."

He spoke with a calm voice this time. Luckily there's no wind or other sounds so his voice was heard clearly. Everyone below him listens in silence.

"... I just want to let everyone know that in this test, anyone can die! We don't have the ability to foresee what will happen nor who will get hurt. But, we have done our best to make sure there are no issues on this test. Which is why, I want you all to do your best. Survive! And pass the test."

He actually starts with a shitty motivation. But that's the best thing these guys are going to hear, so it doesn't matter.

"Behind me, is the test area, the dungeon's entrance. Just know that we can't always save you while you are in there, but there are safe zones placed inside. Inside the safe zone, monsters can't enter. But if you stay in the safe zones for too long, you won't be able to win. So use your head and strategize, what is the best way for you to achieve the goal."

He pointed behind him, but we can't really see because of the long wall of carriages. Maybe after his speech we get to see. 

Not that I'm looking forward to it, but I rather just finish this quickly.

My best strategy? I don't know. Maybe keep on fighting until I run out of energy. Maybe I can stick to the safe zones along the way if I do get tired.

After all, there is no chance in hell the monsters are stronger than me. Unless there's some weird dungeon boss event happening, I think I can handle tens of those Gray ranked monsters easily.

"By the way, you are allowed to team up with others. Instead, it is advised, so get teaming. And you cannot, ever, attack another test taker. Anyone who will do so will get disqualified. Is that all clear?"

"""Yes!"""

Everyone suddenly turns to chatters as the yellow haired guy drops from the carriage. They all quickly turned to their teams and quickly formed up.

So we can make teams, but who will--

"Hey, you are Rize, right?"

Just when I thought nobody was going to team with me, a person approached me from the right. It was the same guy who chatted with me and Jrake at the back arena.

I don't recall his name though…

"Oh, you."

"They say we are allowed to team up. And Jrake said you are quite strong, so... want to team up?"

Honestly, I don't see the point in teaming up. But I do realize there will be certain circumstances where I will get attacked suddenly, or maybe when I'm badly wounded. Maybe teaming up wasn't a bad idea.

"Sure. I'll join you. Who else?"

"There's currently three of us. Plus you, it's four. That should be good enough."

Behind him, two more guys stepped forward. One had a huge battleaxe behind him, another had a spear. That spear might be useful for a longer range. Meanwhile, the guy I'm talking with uses a big blade.

"Names?"

"Oh! Right, I'm Joyle, the guy with the axe is Heckle, and that's Brown. Heckle is the tanker and Brown is the spear bearer. I myself is a swordsman."

He lifted his blade after introducing his friends, and I nodded at him.

"Rize. Swordswoman."

"We heard from Jrake. Have you actually beat him in a spar before?"

"... He was holding back."

I lifted my shoulder as I said, but the look on his face seemed to be very surprised by that information.

"Jrake was known to be the unbeatable Green ranked adventurer. He was widely known among the adventurers, and very popular for his strength as well. Once the test to take on the Blue rank comes, he will certainly rank up."

"Oh, good for him."

Unbeatable Green... Bahahah.

We kept on talking until five minutes later, when Jrake and the other yellow haired guy went back up on the carriage.

"We will now start the exam!"