The Author's POV

Although this was all simulated through a computer, I couldn't help but be mesmerized by the scene before me.

Crystalline clear water that neatly reflected the incoming rays of light coming from the sun, and vibrant green vegetation, surrounded the calm lake. Animals could be seen peacefully sharing their surroundings with the other animals as they each slowly drank the crystal clear water from the lake.

"Oh! you're here Patrick!"

Snapping me out of my revere was a high pitch male voice coming from the right.

"Oh Lucas, you're here. I got the perfect man for the job"

Waving towards the direction from where the voice was coming from, a boy that looked to be about 14 years of age showed up. His curly hair was a mixture of brown and blonde color and accompanied by his green emerald-like eyes, made him resemble an elf.

He looked rather lively and seemed to get along with Patrick quite well.

"Oh! is that him?"

Noticing my presence, the young boy scanned my body up and down and cheerfully smiled.

Extending his hand, he smiled.

"Rank 429, Lucas Thyme"

Soon a screen appeared before me.

Extending my hand to shake his hand, I smiled and presented myself.

"Pleasure to meet you, rank 1750, Ren Dover"

-Clap! -Clap! -Clap!

"Ohhh, I have never seen someone as lowly ranked as you!"

After shaking my hand, Lucas excitedly clapped his hands and looked at Patrick.

"Patrick you're absolutely right! He is indeed the perfect man for the job!"

"Hahaha, I was quite fortunate"

Tilting my head, I looked at Lucas and Patrick who were both happily conversing with one another.

"Excuse me? But you guys keep saying that I'm the perfect man for the job...but what exactly am I supposed to do?"

"Oh? Patrick didn't tell you?"

Tilting his head, Lucas alternatively looked at me and Patrick for a couple of seconds, before seemingly having realized something. Soon a wide smile appeared on his face.

"Oh, I see, okay then I will explain it to you"

Pointing towards the center of the lake, Lucas looked at me.

"You see over there?"

Looking in the direction where he pointed, I squinted my eyes so that I could get a clear look at what he was pointing at.

After a couple of seconds, I could make out what seemed to be a small lilypad with a red flower neatly nested on top of it.

Because it was so small, if it weren't for the fact that Lucas pointed it out for me, I probably would've never been able to notice it.

"Yes I see it"

"Okay, so in short we need the flower on top of that lilypad in order to get the extra points"

I already kind of get the gist of the situation.

If this was how I suspected things were, at the center of the lake there was a large monster guarding the flower. Because Patrick and Lucas's strength was not too different, they decided to get someone who was weaker than them and force them to become bait, while reaping the rewards for themselves.

On the off-chance that I survived the ordeal, they'd later kill me to keep the reward for themselves.

"You see there's a large monster inside of the lake, and so we needed someone who could help us be bait so that we can freely get the flower."

So predictable.

So very predictable. Was this why third-rate villains always died first?

Smiling Lucas looked up towards my face, while Patrick went behind me. Noticing the situation, I lightly sighed and said.

"...Can I say no?"

"Why would you say no?"

Tilting his head in confusion, Lucas looked at me once again.

"Shouldn't dogs eat whatever their owners are feeding them?"

There it is!

personality finally showed

was some random brat that acted like

was definitely a two-faced scheming bastard that would resort to any trick to get

fairly certain Patrick was being fooled by him as

get 1 point from completing a

you share

mastermind behind this whole thing was fairly obvious. If I'm not wrong, once Lucas gets rid of me,

he could earn the extra point without needing to lift a finger throughout

Truly a scheming bastard.

know who to

I can fight you guys

"Hmph, good choice"

-Clap! -Clap! -Clap!

Now we can

I nodded my head, to which Patrick

"Okay let's go!"

towards the lake, Lucas prepared to directly jump

start I need a few things, even though I am bait, I want to increase the chance of me surviving even

jumping in the lake after hearing my shout, Lucas contemplated for

their pet for their

"Ah nothing much.."

-Clack!

"huh?"

-Clink!

Thud!

Thud!

"GAaaaaaaaahhhH!"

"guuuuuuUUUU!!"

dreadful screams resounded across the

"3 seconds huh"

at the katana in my hand which was dripping with blood, I shook my head in

towards reaching the minor realm of mastery, in the week I stayed in the academy I diligently trained my sword for 4-5

from the scabbard, but, It seems like I was still very far from

me, the bodies of Lucas and Patrick who were both still alive squirmed

50%, the pain of losing both limbs was still something that no one would find

why they were like this was simple,

stronger than both of them, that was only on an individual level. If I was to face them both at the same time, the chances

when they turned their backs on me and felt like they had me

their legs

that was simple

was in need of some

advantage of me, I'll make sure you

Like I said before.

take my grudges

to

whose faces were grimacing in

"Kuhk..I'll kill you!"

this

guys were stupid enough to actually leave your back exposed to me. This happens every time, whenever someone hears my rank they automatically

through measuring potential, stats,

who enrolled in the academy, although they had

at least for anything above 300. For ranks between one and

the year had passed that ranks become a more accurate estimation of

because of my rank, and thus were both easily

"Cow..kh..ard"

did you say

ear next to Lucas's mouth, I imitated

"Bastard!!!!!"

tried to bite my ear, but I swiftly leaned my body back and avoided

looked at them, I stared at the

moment I saw Patrick

"Khuuuuak!!...I'll fucking kill you"

you seriously think

"!"

face, I raised my

the reward? Tsk, tsk,

are you..cough!..talking about? Lucas sai..d

I

"Is that so?"

listen to him Patrick! He's merel..kuk!..

get to his mind when he's already disabled? Moreover,

gone pale, Patrick clenched his teeth and stared at

what he said

"N-nnno"

LIE TO ME!!??? ANSWER

previous cheerful demeanor vanished completely, as he stared at Patrick like he