Predator (4)
The vehicle had been moving for some time when the majestic landscape the professor had described finally came into view. Since the basin itself had formed in a lowland area, we could see a fairly wide expanse of the terrain with our own eyes, even if not the entire thing. Thick forests covered most of it, but the scattered plains and river systems were also clearly visible. At its center lay a lake formed during the impact, and sheer, towering cliffs rose in every direction, blocking the movement of clouds and fog.
The vehicles carrying the students came to a stop on a vast meadow at the entrance to the basin. Several temporary facilities had already been set up there—field hospitals, simple lodgings, and the like. Piles of supplies and various relief goods were also visible. However, most of them seemed intended not for the exam participants, but for those who dropped out midway, along with the professors and upperclassmen who would be monitoring the freshmen from nearby.
“Attention, everyone!”
Professor Shin Jae-yu gathered the students who had disembarked from the vehicles. Her voice, amplified by a speaker, rang out loudly across the area.
The northern sector was home only to Rank 3 or lower monsters that could not manipulate particles. For that reason, the students were wearing protective suits made of materials that excelled in physical defense rather than particle-blocking performance. Students majoring in emission-type magic each wore only a particle array device on their wrists. Those of us majoring in cycle magic, like myself, were additionally equipped with standard cartridge-exchange blades.
“You may begin whenever you like, but keep in mind that you must enter the basin no later than midnight tonight. Any group or individual who has not entered by then will be immediately disqualified.”
The female professor gave the students her final warnings.
“That said, I do not recommend rushing in too hastily. If you do, you might carve out a path only for someone else to snatch all the credit. Assess your own and your teammates’ abilities objectively, then carefully consider the optimal route that suits you.”
“As I explained last time, powerful monsters that would be difficult for you to handle inhabit the southern sector of the basin. High-risk grade monsters are extremely sensitive to the noise generated by field interference, but regardless of their original species, they have ultimately converged and evolved into territorial beasts. Therefore, do not cross beyond the fence under any circumstances. Remember that as long as you follow the rules, nothing will go wrong.”
“Even if you sustain injuries during the exam, there is no need to worry. Upperclassmen and faculty are always standing by here in case of emergencies. If you truly want to give up, fire a red flare spell. A rescue team will depart immediately. However, keep in mind that doing so will result in receiving the absolute lowest score.”
Professor Shin clapped her hands, concluding her lengthy explanation. The students scattered in every direction to make their final preparations. Some spread out maps and discussed their plans in detail, pointing at routes with their fingers. Others, with confident glints in their eyes, strode without hesitation toward the cliffs at the basin’s entrance.
“…Hmm.”
I too unfolded the supplied map and fell into thought. Since I was confirmed to be going alone, I would have to give up on the cooperation bonus. I had exchanged light greetings with Yeseo earlier, but she was nowhere to be seen now. Had she already left? Considering what I knew of Jin Yeseo’s personality, that felt quite unexpected.
The other person was Ryu Seungheon. He would probably travel with his fiancée. I had no desire to insert myself between them. Even I had that much sense.
In that case, the best option available to me right now was to take the shortest route, secure the highest possible number by stamping the identification marker first, and earn additional points by subduing monsters along the way.
The map showed numerous paths leading toward the center of the northern sector, spreading out like a spiderweb. Broadly speaking, they could be divided into three main branches: west, center, and east. Among them, the western routes would save the most time.
It was said that shorter routes were densely populated with stronger monsters, but even so, they were only Rank 3 monsters in an undeveloped field. With a bit of physical reinforcement, I should be able to handle them without much trouble. If it got difficult, I could use Predictive Eye then. There would be no need to manifest my Authority. At my level, it didn’t seem like there would be any major problems.
Having reached a conclusion, I opened my supply backpack and performed one final check of my items. I was about to quickly enter the interior of the basin when a voice calling from behind suddenly stopped me in my tracks.
“Hey, you there!”
“…?”
I turned around. Approaching me was a male student with a strict expression, wearing glasses, and carrying a somewhat irritable air. For some reason, he looked familiar. After searching my memory, I recalled that he was one of the top-performing students who had attended the social gathering the day after the entrance ceremony. I didn’t remember his name, but he had been just as quiet as I was and hadn’t participated very actively in the conversations.
“Did you call me?”
“Yes. I was looking for you.”
The male student nodded.
“Yoo Jin-hyun, right? You were at the social gathering that day. Well, even if you tried to deny it, that mask of yours would make it pointless…”
“I am Yoo Jin-hyun… but why are you calling me?”
“It’s nothing special. Do you have a group you’re traveling with?”
“…? No, I’m alone…”
The male student quickly got to the point of why he had called me.
“That’s what I thought. Well, that works out nicely. Yoo Jin-hyun. If you don’t have anyone to team up with, how about forming a party with me?”
“What…?”
“I’m a spirit mage. My skills aren’t particularly outstanding, but spirit mages can use their spirits for sentry duty, reconnaissance, and so on, which gives them considerable utility in the field. If you travel with me, I guarantee you’ll gain a significant advantage in those areas. I think it’s a pretty good offer for you too, don’t you?”
It was certainly a favorable proposal for me as well. But I wondered what his reason was for making such an offer specifically to me. The actions I had taken at the social gathering had naturally spread as rumors, and I had long since been marked unfavorably by those who followed Yeon. For an ordinary student without any faction or background, there wouldn’t be much benefit in being seen getting close to someone like me.
“Well, I’m not particularly interested in politics or socializing.”
As if he had read my doubts, the male student gave a small snort and continued.
“My only wish is to graduate from the Cradle as quickly as possible and return to my hometown. I have zero desire to get involved in the headache-inducing affairs of the capital. Senior Baek Seoyeon didn’t seem like a bad person, but I don’t want to wag my tail and follow her around like the others. And besides, my spirits’ reactions were extremely interesting.”
“Interesting? You mean about me?”
“Yes. They’re both very afraid of you and, at the same time, feel pity for you. It’s the first time I’ve seen such contradictory emotions, so even I had a hard time interpreting it.”
The male student’s voice was filled with scholarly passion.
“And from what I can see, you seem to be rather selective about people. Am I right?”
“…”
“I’m quite similar to you. My temperament is rather sensitive as well. Yet for some reason, you feel acceptable to me. Those are the reasons I made the proposal.”
There was nothing illogical in what he said. Certainly, traveling with someone would allow us to divide the work, and I could also gain the cooperation bonus I had nearly given up on.
“…I was planning to take the shortest route. It might be a bit dangerous. Is that still okay with you?”
“I don’t mind at all. In fact, I’d welcome it. You specialize in cycle magic, correct? If we work together, I can confidently guarantee there will be considerable synergy.”
In that case, there was no reason to refuse.
“Alright. I’ll be counting on you. I’m Yoo Jin-hyun.”
“I know. I’m Shin Muyeong.”
I extended my hand, and the male student shook it.
“Woojin. I thought you’d already gone in?”
“I was just about to enter. What about you guys?”
Choi Woojin, who had spotted Ryu Seungheon from afar, waved and walked over. Seungheon was in the middle of organizing his backpack together with Mun Yeoul.
“We were just about to set off too. It’s not that we’re necessarily aiming for a high score, but falling too far behind would be a bit… haha…”
“Tsk tsk. That indecisive attitude of yours is always the problem. If a man is going to aim for something—”
“Hey. Don’t cross the line. Who do you think you are, saying that to our Seungheon?”
Yeoul jumped in, snapping at Woojin.
“You really take care of your husband, don’t you? A match made in heaven.”
“You—!”
“Ugh, that’s enough, both of you. It’s not like Woojin has only been like this for a day or two…”
Just as an argument was about to break out between the two, Seungheon stepped in. Although he usually stood out less because of his frequent bickering with Jin Yeseo, Yeoul also disliked Woojin, who never missed a chance to run his mouth.
“By the way, where’s Yeseo?”
“Who knows? I don’t see her, so she must have entered first. Surprisingly, Jaeryong also went in early with the vanguard. It was pretty funny seeing him drag nine of his lackeys along…”
Woojin let out a light laugh.
“Ah, whatever. Do your best. Then I should get going too… huh?”
As Woojin turned, he spotted something and his eyes widened. His gaze had landed on the masked male student, Yoo Jin-hyun. He was disappearing down the entry path between the basin’s cliffs together with another companion. The direction he was heading was the western route—the one with the highest difficulty.