Seagull Flock by the River
Isabel[Rank 5 / 162]
Lake[Rank 31 / 162]
Rita[Rank 22 / 162]
Who would dare predict victory for the Hungry Crow Flock? Even after scouting, the opposing team's magic tools were all combat types, perfectly suited for monster hunting.
"It's too early to give up."
Zien's calm words cut through the tension. Aria reacted sharply.
"What?"
"Monster hunting depends on the monsters you encounter—their ranks, weapon matchups, strategy. Luck plays a big role. It's better than a straight team battle gate."
As Zien explained patiently, Aria sneered.
She was already in a foul mood over the matchup and couldn't take his words lightly.
"Weapon matchups? That's only when skills are even. You guys combined are like rank 300, you know? Plus, monster hunting is relative scoring."
Aria snapped back, and Chris scratched his ear.
"Ah~ Seriously, can't stand it. No strategy and you're whining? If you hate it so much, forfeit. We'll do it without you."
"Hey... you little brat."
Aria ground her teeth.
Zien stepped in to mediate.
"Calm down. Both of you, jot down your magic tool details here?"
Zien pulled out a prepared A4 sheet. Aria took it reluctantly.
"I hate playing leader for the bottom-ranker, but..."
Still, sharing info was beneficial. Grumbling, she wrote it down meticulously.
"Sigh... At least this way we might scrape a few more points."
Zien glanced at Chris, who was sitting idly.
"You?"
"I'll just tell you. Mine's eyes. Stigma name's I. Magic tool is Thousand-Mile Eye. Sees through walls, spots distant stuff fine."
"Didn't need the name."
Chris chuckled at Zien's dry joke.
"Done."
Aria handed over the densely filled sheet to Zien. Her complaints seemed fueled by competitive fire.
Zien read it carefully.
'Hmm, Chris for scouting, Aria for...'
To Zien, Aria was a true wild card. Summarizing the sheet:
Pen
Mana-limited manifestation of drawn objects. More mana invested, greater effect.
'If we plan right, a seriously useful tool.'
Zien was confident. No one in the academy could match his tactical prowess.
"I'll keep the plan simple..."
As Zien began explaining, even grumbling Aria and seemingly indifferent Chris leaned in.
'Students after all?'
Aria perked her ears with a 'Hmph,' while Chris looked away but listened closely.
'Cute no matter what.'
The virtual gate exam's so-called 'Portal Room' was a 400-pyeong auditorium.
Ten 3-meter portals.
162 first-year participants.
About 300 second- and third-years cheering.
Add broadcasters, guild admins, corporate headhunters, and the vast space felt cramped.
The mic-wielder was Selphis, decked out in his white suit. Who'd guess this was an exam hall?
Nearly a thousand fell silent. The hall was shrouded in hush.
Indeed, humanity's artificial virtual gates were tightly controlled spaces. Unlike real gates, they had safety systems.
No student ever got hurt in virtuals. Real danger started with second-years' actual gates.
Seriousness filled Selphis's eyes—like his prime as a 6th-rank Saber.
Polite applause followed as Selphis set down the mic. Zien's face was bittersweet among them.
'He's right. No middle in gates. Fail and pay penalties; succeed and become heroes.'
A cheerful woman's voice echoed from the speakers.
The ten gates' exams broadcast on ten screens.
Cameras random, but hundreds monitored the students.
As instructed, Zien checked the screen. A ding, and text appeared on Screen 1.
⚔ Event: Monster Hunting
🏆 Victory: Higher score from monster kills.
Rules:
1. Magic tools and arts allowed.
2. Student attacks permitted.
3. Eliminated (dead) students ejected.
Schools announced in advance, so participants knew. This was for the audience.
Crack, crunch.
Lake cracked his knuckles menacingly.
"Two pushovers? This is slaughter."
"What? We lost sleep agonizing over robbing your points."
Chris, two heads shorter, shot back.
"Stick to that. Heard the rules? Better run. If we meet, I'll knock you out myself."
Portal Room corner.
Romina eyed the gate.
"Karsen. Gate 1 the student you mentioned?"
"Yeah."
"Team draw's insane..."
Romina tsked. Karsen agreed. Pairing top and bottom was random malice. But.
'Sorry Zien, but good for him. Against Isabel...'
He'd force out full power. Since the Daven incident, Karsen wondered.
'That kid's true strength...'
Whirr.
Portals activated, blue membranes rippling like breathing mana.
Students passed through one by one.
My Previous Life was the Strongest Sword God
Passing through, surroundings shifted instantly. Always magical. Zien calmly surveyed.
'Ahead...'
A vast lake shrouded in mist, back a creepy forest too dense for light.
Rooooar—!
Plus, from the shore—a whale-like eerie cry of 'something.'
Zone 1 Gate: Everline Lake Park
Famous tourist spot, closed after gate manifestation spawned beasts.
The voice guiding Zien now was Black Fragrance.
Stigmata doubled as guides in gates.
Your role: Hunter
Hired to exterminate beasts for high pay and promotion.
'Hunter, huh.'
Zien ignored minor lore. That mattered in higher gates.
'No enemy team. Whole area including forest depths is the exam zone.'
"Uwaa, intense. Lake outta nowhere."
Aria gawked.
Normal reaction. Seasoned Zien stayed cool, but first gate for Aria and Chris. Shocking.
"Hey, that plan for real?"
Chris asked worriedly.
"Best play with our tools."
"Hate bottom-leader, but whatever..."
Aria pulled her pen, signaling acceptance of Zien's strategy.
The winged pen slashed air, drawing three birds.
"Huh? Birds suddenly?"
"Mana-powered birds. They'll circle overhead if they spot enemies," Aria boasted.
As Zien instructed. Not just birds—relative scoring meant assuming foes.
Zien planned for enemies; Aria agreed.
"While Aria works, follow me, Chris."
Chris followed wordlessly—not trust, just apathy. They strolled lake edge leisurely.
"No running?"
Chris yawned.
"Hunting score doesn't matter here. Our points come from baiting enemies. Minimal's fine."
Chris went quiet long, then muttered lowly.
"Aria likes your plan. I don't. I'll ditch if needed."
Expected.
Zien at best decent swordplay—rumors only, unseen. Knock out whole enemy team? Chris stared ahead slowly.
"Think we can win? They got top ranker."
"With Aria, win rate over 60%."
"Tch, drop it... Huh! Lake! Crazy, Rank 3?!"
Chris, using Thousand-Mile Eye, yelled urgently.
'There.'
Lake surface—murky water hid outline. Zien donned artifact glasses, infused mana.
Danger: Rank 3
Type: Beast
Form: Giant serpent covered in chain-like hard scales.
Info: Scales light despite look; float on water for free swimming.
Tactic: Neck scales weaker—only weak point.
Tactic 2: No poison; crushes prey. Dangerous up close.
Dense font-8 hologram. Zien assumed stance.
'Rank 3—decent first foe.'
Mosaic particles gathered on Zien's hand into jet-black sword, Black Fragrance.
"Run first! That's Rank 3. Better slow Rank 2s..."
Chris knew Rank 3 terror. Even top students struggled 1v1 without combat tools.
But to Zien, image room Gold Spirit or this serpent were same.
Snap!
Zien lunged low, closed gap, hooked Black Fragrance in serpent's maw, bisected it.
Splaaash.
Foul screech echoed over lake.
"Kii..."
Cleaved serpent wailed, collapsed. To Chris, one fluid motion.
"Impossible..."
Slumped Chris crawled near, trembling.
Roll roll roll.
Purple orb marked "5 points" rolls out.
Score:5 (Rank 3 Beast)
"Rank 3... How..."
Chris's voice shook like his hands.