A large circular portal, twice the height of a human, stood before the students. It was made of swirling light blue essence, emanating furious winds of energy into the outside world.

Professor Arya and the officer stood in front of the portal, giving instructions to the gathered students.

Rook, his face set with determination and fierce resolve, listened intently to the professor and officer.

A few adults stood behind the students, their postures rigid and unmoving, ready to ensure everyone's safety.

In the midst of the tension, Ayush sidled up to Rook, munching on chips noisily. Despite his irritation, Rook didn't scold him; it wasn't the time for that.

"Students, you should follow three rules in this F-rank portal," the officer's voice was strict. "One, do not scatter after entering.

Two, do not harm your classmates. And finally, immediately exit the portal after the battle, as the excavation team will enter."

Some students still looked fearful, while others tried to summon courage. With a nod from the officer, all the students began entering the portal, Rook dragging the chip-eating Ayush behind him.

Professor Arya watched them with a mix of interest and detachment, having seen many batches like this before.

As Rook stepped through the portal, he found himself in a miniature world. It spanned approximately ten square kilometers, a landscape both familiar and alien.

The students gazed around in awe, taking in the sights and sounds of this new environment.

"Did you enter a portal before?" Rook asked Ayush, who was still munching on his chips.

"Yes, I've been to an A-rank portal before," Ayush replied, sounding utterly disinterested in the current low-level portal.

Rook felt a pang of realization. Ayush must come from a F*cking wealthy family. The thought brought a mix of envy and frustration. He's a sugar spoon baby, Rook thought, tears of frustration welling up in his eyes.

The portal world was vibrant yet intimidating. Trees with glowing leaves, strange flora, and the distant sounds of unknown creatures filled the air and mainly the land in the world is shining with blue crystals.

Rook tightened his grip on the Essence Buster, feeling its weight and power. He had to stay focused and follow the rules.

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"Stick close," Rook instructed Ayush, though he doubted his words registered through the crunch of chips.

Professor Arya's voice echoed through the portal. "Stay alert and remember your training. This world is both a challenge and an opportunity."

The students spread out, but stayed in groups as instructed, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.

The essence in the air crackled with potential, and Rook could feel his adrenaline pumping.

They ventured deeper into the portal world, the initial wonder giving way to a tense readiness. Every rustle in the bushes, every distant cry, set them on edge.

Rook knew this was just the beginning. The real test was yet to come, and he was determined to face it head-on.

Suddenly, the students heard the sound of footsteps from all directions. The tension in the air grew thick, but Rook and Ayush remained silent, their eyes scanning the surroundings.

Rook felt a calm resolve. His experiences in the special dream world, where he once faced death, had toughened him. Now, he could stand in a battlefield without fear or distraction.

He clutched the Essence Buster, remembering Ayush's advice: the gun's power depended on the amount of essence input.

"Rook, this is the time to excel your skills," Ayush reminded him, casually munching on his chips, seemingly unfazed by the impending danger. "Remember, the more essence you put into that gun, the more power it outputs."

As the footsteps grew louder, the students readied their weapons. Even those who had been trembling with fear now gripped their weapons with newfound courage. The anticipation was palpable.

The sounds of footsteps grew louder, creating a tense atmosphere among the students. From the shadows, figures began to emerge.

Their small, hunched forms were barely the size of an average human's leg. Sharp ears protruded from their heads, twitching at every sound.

Their teeth, jagged and yellow, glinted menacingly in the faint light. As they stepped further into view, their green skin became visible, covered in warts and scars.

Each creature clutched a bone club, and their beady eyes gleamed with malicious intent. They licked their lips while eyeing the girls in the group, exuding a sense of danger and depravity.

The students' faces paled as the realization struck them. These were goblins."Goblins! Those are goblins!" a girl screamed, her voice trembling. Goblins were notorious for their brutality, especially towards women, and their appearance caused widespread panic.

"Don't worry, girls! I will protect you!" a show-off student declared, stepping forward bravely. But fate was not on his side.

A goblin hurled its club, striking him squarely on the head. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious, without a sound.

" Ahhhh " The girls screamed in unison, fear gripping them as they watched the student fall.

Rook and Ayush, however, remained composed. Rook had already faced beasts far more formidable in the dream world, and Ayush continued eating his chips nonchalantly, as if they were mere spectators of a casual show.

"This is nothing compared to what I've seen," Rook thought, his grip tightening on the Essence Buster. He glanced at Ayush, who simply nodded, his eyes urging Rook to take action.

The goblins closed in, their numbers seeming to multiply as they moved in a small horde. Rook felt the essence coursing through his veins, fueling his determination. He aimed the gun, focusing on the nearest goblin.

"Remember, essence in, power out," he reminded himself. The gun hummed in response, glowing with a fierce blue light as it absorbed the surrounding essence.