Humanity had no other alternative but to stand up to the arrival of shatters in the air, also known as dungeons—and the monsters that accompanied their existence. Approximately half of the world's population perished as a result. Those who could stand up to such monsters eventually appeared, calling themselves hunters in honor of those who passed. Since then, those with the ability to wield mana and cast magic have been referred to as such. They also possessed stronger immune systems, so even a monster's pathogens, which scientists believe to be the cause behind the population's rapid descent in numbers, couldn't affect them. They were simply different.

Things that could be life-threatening to an ordinary citizen are nothing more than a fantasy to them.

And the reason why I'm even thinking about stuff like that is Harold, who plunged the tip of his spear through the abdomen of another monster charging towards him. He didn't seem concerned no matter how many creatures approached him. That kind of confidence wasn't something that could be achieved without significant effort.

Veins appeared down his arm as he turned around, slicing another creature. It was a spider, the size of a dog. Too many crimson eyes to count. A hideous creature in my humble opinion and one of the most dangerous the exam could offer. It could climb onto walls and ambush you without making a sound (we should be thankful it couldn't spit out webs, just like it does in reality).

As its body dispersed, Harold's face only twisted into one filled with disgust. Apparently, not even he can confront a monster like that with a smile.

"He's good," Connor had to admit after seeing the battle downstairs.

"I would've been concerned if you denied it," Reyna mumbled as she saw the numbers on the screen steadily increasing.

Connor scowled, "I hate to admit it, though..."

"Face it," I told him with a sly grin. "He's coming after your crown."

"I dare him to," he replied dead serious. "I'll wait for that son of a—"

But, just as Connor was about to curse, I heard the familiar ring that signaled the end of Harold's test. The number displayed on the monitor was—

"It's 15..." Reyna declared through her clenched teeth, glaring at the screen.

Harold managed to match Reyna's score despite not having an affinity. Not only that, but he outperformed Connor by a large margin.

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"What do you think?" Harold asked, leaning both of his hands on the spear as he pressed its end against the floor. "Was I impressive, hmm? Tell me, Reyna."

"Not really," she answered calmly, refusing to express any emotion towards him. Both, me and Connor knew what she felt deep down inside, though. "Even a monkey could put on a better show than you."

"So what?" said the monkey, placing the weapon on the table. He didn't seem bothered by Reyna's reaction. "I was just bragging and I still got a score comparable to yours. No, if I had used any mana as you did during the exam, I would have done even better. It's obvious you're just jealous."

"It just shows how much of a selfish prick you are," responded Connor, clearly irritated by his nonchalant attitude. "You came here to do what? Prove you're better than us? Good job, you are better. Now get lost."

"As long as I can see that pissed look on your face..." Harold sat on the bench, making himself comfortable. "I believe it was worthwhile."

"You meant pointless."

"Maybe." He shrugged, then finally looked at me. "What do you think?"

"Leave Gray out of this," intervened Reyna.

"So that's how it is..." Harold flicked his fingers as if he already found an answer. "Then tell me why is he here, within this laboratory that even I don't have access to. Perhaps you used him as an experiment... Or maybe you brought Gray here to compete with him. Am I wrong, Connor?"

While Harold was delivering his speech, I picked up and examined a dagger. I put my finger on its blunt edge. It was purposely built for this kind of test. Even if you were to trip and fall, it wouldn't cause any harm to you. At first glance, I liked it. More so than the previous ones.

"As Reyna said," growled Connor in a deep tone. It reminded me of Reyna whenever she was pissed. "Gray has nothing to do with—"

"Can I borrow this?" I cut him off, still fiddling with the dagger. "It's my turn now, isn't it?"

"Gray..." Reyna murmured under her breath, trying to keep me out of their private matters.

I ignored her words and grabbed a sheath for the dagger, wrapping it tightly around my hip to prevent it from falling as I ran.

"They're right," replied Harold, gawking at me for the first time since his arrival, as if I were some sort of impediment. "Don't get entangled in our problems."

I returned his glare with one of my own. "You were the one that barged in here, not me."

"There isn't even a shroud of mana within your body."

That was already obvious to me. Because of that simple fact, I may not be able to join Artemis together with Reyna and Connor. But it's not like I am going to allow something like that to bother me. If things didn't go as I wanted, then I had to adjust my approach.

"That's why I'm thankful this is a competition in which the usage of mana isn't allowed."

"Go ahead, then," Harold motioned toward the door.

"I don't need you to show me the way."

There was no way I'd give that narcissist the pleasure of seeing me back away.

I descended the stairs straight into a world that seemed to be on the verge of ruin. I wasn't too worried, though, since the place I visited before wasn't an emulation, but the real thing. A place where danger lurked around every corner.

In comparison with that, this much was nothing.