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

way Lucas was some random brat that acted like

that would resort to any trick to get what he

certain Patrick was being

only get 1 point from completing a

could you

whole thing was fairly obvious. If I'm not

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

Truly a scheming bastard.

least I know who to

can fight you guys

"Hmph, good choice"

-Clap! -Clap! -Clap!

Now we can get the extra

nodded my head, to which Patrick sneered

"Okay let's go!"

lake, Lucas prepared

I want to increase the

in the lake after hearing my shout,

pet for their obedience,

"Ah nothing much.."

-Clack!

"huh?"

-Clink!

Thud!

Thud!

"GAaaaaaaaahhhH!"

"guuuuuuUUUU!!"

screams resounded across the forest, scaring

"3 seconds huh"

in my hand which was dripping with blood, I

week I stayed in the academy I diligently trained my sword for 4-5 hours

sheath and unsheath the sword from the scabbard, but, It seems like I was still very far from reaching the point where the sword

both still alive squirmed on the floor. Both their legs had gone

the pain of losing

reason why they were like this

stronger than both of them, that was only on an individual level. If I was to face them both

of their arrogance and chose the most appropriate moment to strike, which happened to be when they turned their backs on me and felt like they had me in the palm of

off their legs and not

that was

need of some

you want to take advantage of me, I'll make sure you pay

Like I said before.

my grudges

decided to

grimacing in pain due to the

"Kuhk..I'll kill you!"

dare...kuha..dog...do this to

leave your back exposed to

students was determined through measuring potential, stats, and academic achievement, in this

the academy, although they had different ranks, the gap in strength between the bottom-ranked students and the middle-ranked

one and three hundred, the strength

year had passed that ranks become

and Patrick misjudged my strength because of my

"Cow..kh..ard"

did you

Lucas's mouth, I imitated Lucas's childish

"Bastard!!!!!"

bite my ear, but I

head as I looked at them,

the moment I saw

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

you seriously think

"!"

Patrick's surprised face, I

didn't know you couldn't share the reward? Tsk, tsk,

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

I

"Is that so?"

merel..kuk!.. trying to get to

would I need to get to his mind when he's

had gone pale, Patrick clenched

what he said

"N-nnno"

LIE TO

completely, as he