After the announcement, the instructors stood at the entrance, randomly calling students forward. Each student was thoroughly searched for any hidden supplies or accessories before being allowed to enter the forest.

Everyone knew that being among the first to enter wasn't much of an advantage. Fighting at the start would only lead to unnecessary injuries, making survival even harder.

When Ryan's turn came, the instructors double-checked him, given his criminal record. They issued a strict warning, making it clear that they wouldn't tolerate any reckless behavior. Without responding, Ryan stepped into the dense forest, blending into the shadows as more students followed behind him.

Ryan carefully planned his approach. His goal was simple—retrieve a badge from the center, avoid unnecessary confrontations, and make it back to the camp entrance undetected. He knew the real challenge wouldn't be reaching the center but escaping with the badge.

A single fight could mean injuries, losing the badge, or, in the worst case, death. He hoped to complete the exam without encountering anyone. He assumed most other students had a similar mindset, except for a select few who were confident in their ability to overpower others.

The journey through the forest was grueling. Thick foliage, swarming insects, hidden snakes, and lurking wild animals made each step challenging. Meanwhile, deep within the forest, a group of three weaker students had devised a different strategy.

Instead of heading to the center, they planned to hunt down weaker students. They knew exactly who the easiest targets were. Making use of their surroundings, they crafted primitive weapons—long, sharpened sticks—and climbed trees to observe their classmates. Their plan was simple: ambush those who passed below.

A separate group of girls who are weakest in the class had a similar plan but with a different approach. They intended to retrieve their badges first. Then, on their way back, one of them would fake an injury, luring students into a trap before ambushing them.

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No one wanted to engage in a fight unless they were sure their opponent had a badge.

An hour passed, and students gradually reached the center, where instructors distributed the badges. Ryan, however, took a brief break before arriving. He knew he needed his full energy for the escape.

When he finally reached the tent, he retrieved his badge—a solid metal token about the size of a fist. It was difficult to conceal under clothing.

Meanwhile, the weaker trio found their first victim. A lone student cautiously navigated the forest, glancing around for threats. However, he made a fatal mistake—he didn't look up. He never expected someone would be hiding above the trees instead of moving towards the centre or the camp.

Cam, the thinnest of the three, signaled his allies. The overweight boy jumped from a tree, landing with a loud thud. Startled, the student turned to face him, assuming he was trying to steal his badge.

But he never saw the second attack coming.

Cam leaped from above, a sharpened stick in his hands. With a swift thrust, the weapon pierced through the student's back. As he staggered, realizing there were multiple attackers, he tried to flee, but the trio had already surrounded him.

Stones rained down on him, bruising and disorienting him. Within moments, they finished the job, driving a stick through his head.

Their first kill.

Without hesitation, they worked to hide the body and erase the traces of blood. Since their ambush site was along the main route back to the camp, they couldn't move the body far, so they simply covered it with foliage and covered the blood on the ground with dirt and soil.

At the same time, the girls executed their own plan. One of them feigned an injury, tricking an unsuspecting student into approaching for their badge. The moment he got close, they attacked, swiftly eliminating him before rushing toward the camp.

While the girls retreated, the boys wanted at least two more kills.

Unaware of the trio's presence, Ryan soon approached their hunting ground. However, something felt off.

His instincts screamed that something was wrong. He scanned his surroundings carefully and noticed subtle details—a slightly disturbed rope hanging from a tree, drag marks in the dirt.

Then it clicked.

Someone was hiding above.

Instead of continuing forward, he casually altered his path, acting as though he had chosen a different route on a whim.

The trio initially thought he was just another unsuspecting prey. But before they could act, they noticed something unsettling—Ryan had stopped.

He was analyzing the area.

Then, without hesitation, he turned and took a different route, deliberately avoiding their trap.

One of the trio tensed. "He knows."

Cam frowned. "If he figured it out, others might too. We should stop hunting after hunting another student."

Realizing their ambush had been compromised, they plan to abandon their hunt after killing another student as time passes by for the end of the exam.

The survival exam

was far from over, and the real battle was only just Beginning.