Chapter 172
Chapter 172
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: The True Value of the Midterm Evaluation
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After defeating Mary, atop the scorched wasteland.
Krash staggered into the forest and leaned against a tree.
His mind was a haze.
Pain throbbed from all over his body.
It was the price of pushing himself beyond limits to move within Mary's Ultralight Realm.
"...That monster."
Even after clawing his way here through desperate effort, the margin had been razor-thin.
He felt anew just how formidable the Divine Spear had been.
And he recalled the days when even that Mary hadn't been fit to kiss her toes—the Divine Spear at her peak.
The catastrophe even she couldn't stop.
Now, he had broken her spear. It fell to him to stop it.
[You think you can take the exam in that state?]
As Crimson Garden asked, Krash broke out in cold sweat and barely exhaled.
"I'll be fine after a short rest."
[Yeah, right.]
"Squeak squeak."
The corpse rat poking its head from his pocket chimed in with a worried squeak.
"My uniform's undamaged, so it should be okay."
Perhaps because he'd poured every ounce of focus into blocking Mary's attacks.
His uniform was fine, but his mind screamed with fatigue.
'Damn, my eyes keep drooping.'
Krash shook his head to clear the fog.
'Points are the issue. What now.'
Krash had taken down his share of Erosion Beasts on the way here.
And since Mary had slain plenty getting this far, her points had transferred to him too.
Thanks to that, the leaderboard in the sky showed Krash in first with 1,632 points.
But the second-years weren't slacking off.
Red Line might be impossible, but some were surely challenging Orange Line.
'The elites definitely are.'
Which meant his lead could vanish in an instant.
'At least bag a few more on Orange Line.'
He'd move as soon as he recovered.
That was when Krash made up his mind.
Twitch—
Krash's shoulder jerked reflexively.
His Sixth Sense had picked up an approaching presence.
This was bad.
Nine times out of ten, they'd attack on sight.
No second chance to hunt the weary leader.
'Talk about rotten luck.'
Krash gripped Thunderclap again.
But Annihilation Erosion barely worked.
It could barely form a blade.
'Anyone reaching here now...'
They had to be among the second-years' best.
As Krash scanned the forest with tense eyes—
Snap—
The sound of footsteps on grass. Just as Krash crouched for a ambush—
Thwack!
A figure burst through the bushes.
The instant Krash lunged, he caught black-and-purple hair and hairpins.
Her face lit up with a smile.
"Krash!"
Recognizing the joyful voice, Krash lowered Thunderclap.
"Haring."
Who would've thought she'd made it this far.
Even with his all-out battle against Mary, he'd sprinted full-tilt before that.
For her to keep pace meant her growth was explosive.
'Everyone's getting stronger, not just me.'
Krash felt a surge of emotion.
He knew his influence played a part in her recent training.
At his call, Haring rushed toward him but noticed his state.
"You fought someone?"
To her question, Krash lightly lifted his clothes.
"As you see."
"Not an Erosion Beast."
Sharp as ever.
Krash nodded flatly, and Haring approached.
She opened her poison pouch and pulled out various items.
"These boost vitality recovery. Eat them; you'll feel better."
Krash blinked, taking the elixir from her unexpectedly.
Undeterred, Haring stared expectantly.
"...Haring, aren't you forgetting something?"
"What?"
She tilted her head innocently, and for a moment, Krash nearly forgot this was an exam.
"We're in the middle of the midterm. We're rivals."
Haring's eyes widened in realization.
"I didn't poison them."
She thrust out her chest proudly, insisting they were safe.
From the Lagren family, no less.
But Haring clearly wasn't sweating the exam.
"And there's no rule against helping someone."
True enough.
No ban on cooperation, per her words.
Then it hit Krash—a blind spot.
'...How are points handled for joint Erosion Beast kills?'
He hadn't pondered it amid the Mary chaos.
Even 6-star Orange Line beasts were beyond most second-years.
7-star Red Line? Untouchable.
Only Krash could solo them.
But Professor Ganon had pitted them against each other without forbidding teamwork.
'No wonder the point gaps are huge.'
That led to a conclusion.
'Points might be evenly split.'
Even split, the value of teaming up on high-point beasts was clear.
Ganon's intent likely lurked here subtly.
He'd want them forming bonds over slaughtering each other.
Krash popped Haring's elixir into his mouth.
Chewing and swallowing, he clapped her shoulder.
"Haring, you're right."
"Huh?"
She flinched at the hand, and Krash's eyes sparkled.
"Teamwork—that's what the professor intended."
Lucky his second encounter was Haring.
Anyone else, and he'd miss the exam's loophole.
"You and me, Red Line."
Haring blinked at his words.
Then she clenched her fists with resolve.
"Got it. I'll give it everything."
She beamed at his trust.
Just then, multiple presences converged.
The top ranks were crossing over.
Krash stood, feeling somewhat restored by the elixir.
"Whoa, people? Wait, Krash!"
"Krash?"
"Lord Krash!"
Three figures popped out at once.
Ballak Hogma
Glen Diana
Karandis Poseidon
As expected, the three elites from different directions.
They eyed each other warily.
Awkward—they knew they were rivals.
"Perfect timing, all three of you."
The exact ones he needed.
Krash's knowing smile drew puzzled looks.
Then Glen scanned the surroundings.
He'd sensed not just Krash en route—a fierce presence too.
Mary's, unmistakably.
Their eyes met.
Krash nodded; Glen gripped his spear, understanding.
"...I see."
Mary had lost to Krash.
Deep down, the man who'd once idolized her lifted his chin.
"Krash, you're plotting something big again."
Always up to no good—in the best way.
This time too.
"Yeah. Let's stir things up."
He'd planned solo, but this fit Ganon's vision nicely.
"Hunt some 7-star Erosion Beasts with me."
Time to forge a makeshift Generation of the Sky.
Beyond the barely restored screens in the control room.
Ganon watched the students banding together, lost in thought.
'Teaming up at this stage already.'
Since Haring joined Krash, the kids were clustering fast.
They'd spotted the exam's loophole, no doubt.
'Quick to read the room. And beyond skill, he knows how to rally people.'
The test aimed to identify top talent, but also to gauge leadership.
In World Erosion, more strength was always better.
But strength didn't guarantee followers.
Charisma drew people in.
Those with it naturally became centers.
Yet charisma could poison too.
Like a captain sinking his ship.
If the leader veered wrong, all followed to doom.
Guiding as well as attracting was key.
And Krash knew the path clearly.
Prodigies often fumbled leading others.
Never lacking talent, how to handle the lesser?
But Krash stood apart.
Innate insight, or honed somehow.
He deployed people masterfully, maximizing strengths.
Even now, hunting 6-stars on screen showed it starkly.
'He mentioned a half-baked past.'
Ganon recalled Krash's history.
Too strong now for that origin.
But those days might've forged him.
'The strongest also leads best.'
Ganon began grasping Dean Durandal's interest.
He was the star to lead countless others.
'This generation's packed with standouts.'
No wonder they called it the Generation of the Sky.
'Generation of the Sky.'
Who'd lead their skyward flight? Unknown.
Too many brilliants.
Even Krash might hit his limit, chasing another.
But if he led at the fore...
The true strongest generation might emerge.
One to reshape the world.
'Never thought teaching Raheln brats would mean witnessing a world-changer.'
Now he saw why Durandal eyed him.
"Professor, Krash and the elites have entered Red Line."
Sure enough, five pierced Orange and breached Red.