[Remaining time: 1:31:22]

The number of Razor Bees patrolling had significantly decreased. It seemed they deemed further losses too dangerous.

'What a pity...'

I finished chewing and swallowing the remaining compressed rations for calorie replenishment. That was the end of tasteless meals. Having replenished my nutrition, I climbed the wall of a nearby building to reach the rooftop.

'They're swarming in.'

I could see cadets approaching from a close distance. It seemed all the cadets in this sector had converged here. At this point, there were two choices: sit back and watch or advance into the research lab before things get more crowded.

'Damn it...'

This wouldn't have been a dilemma earlier. Isn't my motto 'Avoid unnecessary risks'? But after fighting for so long, it seems I've grown bolder, hesitating less.

'It's not like I can aim for first place anyway.'

The top spot in this test is virtually predetermined. It's either Sahil or Barton. Rose lacks the tactical acumen to efficiently score points, and Merdiana will act on whims, making her unlikely to succeed. In contrast, Sahil and Barton are both exceptionally capable.

'But if I had to choose between the two...'

Barton Stingray. He can make the cold decisions Sahil can't. He's more daring, although Sahil might be more stable. Barton is likely to achieve a higher score in this aggressive test format.

"Let's just go."

I set aside my doubts. Thinking about those four made me realize how much I still lacked. Honestly, where else would I find an environment in which I could safely take risks like this? Now was the time to move forward. I had to do my best. As I steeled myself and started to move, a voice stopped me.

"Hello?"

Gah! The familiar voice made my body involuntarily jerk. I turned my head to confirm the face. It was as I expected.

"Hello? Aren't you going to respond?"

"Oh, hello."

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It was Merdi. The woman I had been desperately avoiding. The living embodiment of a ticking time bomb! A bomb at a nuclear level at that! Merdi, dressed as flamboyantly as ever, was standing behind me. When did she even get here?

"What were you doing? Planning to go in there?"

"Yes… well, yes. That was the plan."

"Really? Hmmm... Rose's tras-disciple has grown up a lot."

She almost called me trash! I heard it clearly with my own ears. Or maybe not. Considering she changed her words midway, it might mean her perception of me has improved slightly within her mind. Even though I'd still die if she exploded, so it was better for me to stay miles away from her.

"Even so, if you, Lemon, get seriously hurt or die, our Rose would be sad..."

Merdi pouted her lips, looking like she was deep in thought. Her expressions were as distinct and varied as ever. If it were someone who isn't familiar with Merdi's character, it might have genuinely seemed like she was worried. But knowing it was just a playful act did not reassure me at all.

"Fine. I'll protect you."

"Pardon?"

"I'll protect you. If it looks like you're going to get hurt, I'll help you, so don't worry and go in."

"There's no need to..."

I couldn't finish my sentence before I closed my mouth. The killing intent that brushed past me was unmistakable.

"Haha. That's very reassuring. I'll be counting on you."

My body faithfully adhered to my first and foremost principle: survival. Survive first and foremost. If I could somehow satisfy her, I might be able to shake off this thrill-seeker. In the end, I entered the research facility with Merdi in tow.

'Should I go deeper?'

Thanks to Merdi, my senses were on high alert, and I could clearly sense the movements of the Razor Bees inside the research lab. If I proceeded carefully, I could reach the core where the aliens were concentrated without much trouble. Merdi, surprisingly, was following me quietly, unlike her usual self.

I quickly subdued a nearby Razor Bee and crushed its head. Having encountered these creatures so many times and adding the information I gained from analysis, I had mastered dealing with them perfectly.

Exaggerating a bit, I felt like I could sense even the movement of their tiny hairs. I was practically a Razor Bee specialist.

"Not bad for you, huh?"

She seemed genuinely surprised. I deliberately ignored her and continued advancing. After about 50 minutes of careful infiltration, we reached our target point.

'There are so many.'

The sight made my face tense with nerves. There were at least hundreds of Razor Bees gathered. They revolved around a pulsating, awful bio-structure in the center, and atop the structure was an alien significantly larger than the regular ones.

'...That's it.'

That structure was the 'Hatchery.' It was almost completed. Once it became operational, it would spawn a far greater number of aliens than now. A horde of Razor Bees in a sense. I decided to retreat at this point.

No matter how many points were at stake, diving in and trying to destroy it at my current level is nothing but sheer nonsense. I don't have the capability to take on hundreds of Razor Bees simultaneously.

"Merdi, I think we should... hide!"

But perhaps because she had been quiet for the past 50 minutes, I had underestimated her.

"Huh? Why~?"

"If we get spotted here, those things will... ah, too late."

Merdi was standing boldly out in the open as if she had never heard the word "stealth." Inevitably, one of the Razor Bees spotted her.

She did it on purpose. Absolutely on purpose.

Merdi's delighted expression confirmed that fact. This bitch- sigh...