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!

true personality

Lucas was some random brat that acted like a

a two-faced scheming bastard that would resort

Patrick was being fooled

get 1 point from completing a hidden

you share

mastermind behind this whole thing was fairly obvious. If I'm not wrong, once

he least expects it, he could earn the

Truly a scheming bastard.

know

can fight

"Hmph, good choice"

-Clap! -Clap! -Clap!

Now we can get the extra

my head, to which Patrick sneered and Lucas smiled

"Okay let's go!"

rushing forward towards the lake, Lucas prepared

am bait, I want to increase the chance of me surviving even if it's

shout, Lucas contemplated for

owner needs to reward their pet for their obedience, okay

"Ah nothing much.."

-Clack!

"huh?"

-Clink!

Thud!

Thud!

"GAaaaaaaaahhhH!"

"guuuuuuUUUU!!"

screams resounded across the forest, scaring the nearby

"3 seconds huh"

my hand which was dripping with blood, I shook my

only about halfway towards reaching the minor realm of mastery, in the week I stayed in the academy I diligently

the time taken for me to sheath and unsheath the sword from the scabbard, but,

Patrick who were both still alive squirmed on the floor. Both their legs had

VR world was reduced to 50%, the pain of losing both limbs was still something that no one would

why they were like this was simple,

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

advantage 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

cut off their legs

was simple

was in need

to take advantage of me, I'll

Like I said before.

my

decided to do me a

and Lucas whose faces were grimacing in pain due to the loss of

"Kuhk..I'll kill you!"

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

actually leave your back exposed to me. This happens every time,

to students was determined through measuring potential, stats,

enrolled in the academy, although they had different ranks, the

For ranks between one and three hundred, the strength gap between each rank was

of the year had passed that

this case, Lucas and Patrick misjudged my strength because of my rank, and

"Cow..kh..ard"

Sorry did you say

Lucas's mouth, I imitated Lucas's childish

"Bastard!!!!!"

to bite my ear, but I swiftly leaned

I looked at them, I stared at

moment I saw Patrick I knew he

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

you seriously think you could share the hidden

"!"

surprised face,

couldn't share the reward? Tsk,

Lucas

I looked at

"Is that so?"

He's merel..kuk!.. trying to get

yourself? Why would I need to get to his mind when he's already disabled? Moreover, why would you even

gone pale, Patrick clenched his teeth and stared

he said

"N-nnno"

TO ME!!??? ANSWER

as he