Rise of the Eromancer

Chapter 76 A Needle In a Haystack

"What's going on…? Why is it taking so long?"

Of course. While Kenneth and the other judges were talking to each other, the examinees who were already in the testing hall could not help but wonder what was going on. Although, they actually already have an inkling of what it is…

…The Lowborn.

Nos. 121 to 125 have actually had a long conversation about what happened back in the previous test. And no matter how hard they thought about it, there really was only one conclusion they reached — that they had no idea what was happening.

"..." And while all of this was going on, Rhys was looking around; feigning indifference as he tried to gauge the people's reaction. The tests may not be public, but rumors can't be stopped; somewhere, somehow, a crack will open up and the news of a Lowborn having extraordinary strength will very slowly seep out.

He just had to do well, but not too well that it would be unbelievable and scare other people. Level 2, his aim was to at least instantly skip Level 1, and that would be enough to break the minds of the masses and put attention to him.

The Explorer test has been incredibly simple so far and the process fast; perhaps no doubt due to the number of aspiring Explorers applying each day. They could not put a more complex test unless they wanted the tests to last for a month.

He had already made sure to be as early as possible, and even then, he was number 120.

[120, you may proceed.]

And as his number was called, Rhys let out a small breath and started examining the Ability Test hall. Much like the previous hall, the entire area seemed to be plated with a sort of condensed metal that absorbed most impact — that was the only reason why Rhys did not destroy the entire floor when his foot slammed on it in the Strength test.

The ability test hall had a much wider area. And unlike the previous hall, there was no combat mannequin to be seen. Instead, it was filled with all sorts of blocks, pillars, and random objects of different colors and sizes scattered everywhere. There were even some that were hanging from the ceiling.

It very much reminded Rhys of one of those indoor playgrounds and obstacle courses, except on a much larger scale and more boring.

"..." Rhys then waited for the judges to tell them the instructions, but even after a few seconds of just standing in the middle of this obstacle course, it did not come. And so, Rhys just turned to look up at the view deck, only to see that it was now completely blacked out.

[Ah right, sorry… I forgot to explain the objective. Just do whatever you want and try to impress us with your abilities, 120. It says here you are capable of producing threads like a spider?]

"Yes," Rhys nodded at the view deck even though he couldn't see the judges… who for some reason, have become very active and talkative.

[Okay, go. Hang from the ceiling, tie up one of the things, or even use the threads to pull one of the blocks. Everything is up to you. The goal of this test is not only to see how strong your abilities are, but also how creative you are in using your abilities. I remember when I was in your—I suppose I am rambling. Go, 120.]

Do… whatever he wanted? Rhys could only once again scan the hall as he thought of what to do. When he awakened, Katarina was the one to register him, and the only thing she listed was his ability to produce spider threads.

But that is all he really needed.

Rhys first shot out his white sticky threads onto the high ceiling of the testing hall, showing how far it could actually reach, and then hung onto it with one hand, because he really only has one hand. He then used his thread to quickly and expertly tie up a few of the blocks and pull them toward him — he did everything the judge casually told him to do.

"Pft… that's it?" The examinees started letting out breaths of relief as they saw Rhys just doing mundane things they all could do if they had a rope.

"I guess the last test really was just a fluke."

"Of course, of course. How can a Lowborn actually do something like that?"

The examinees were whispering to themselves as they seemed to try to cling to the last common sense they had. But soon, their whispers once again abruptly stopped as they heard a certain low-pitched whistle screech through the air.

They wondered what it was at first, but soon, they saw the blocks which Rhys tied up earlier starting to tremble on their own. They then turned to look at Rhys, who was very slowly closing his hand into a fist; the screeching in the air, slowly getting louder and louder.

And as Rhys fully closed his hand, a high-pitched whistle exploded in the air; causing all of them to cover their ears as they watched in horror as all the blocks… were all minced into pieces, offering little resistance to their brutal fate.

As for Rhys, he once again judged the expressions of the other examinees to see what they were thinking. And as soon as he saw them with blank expressions on their faces, he could really only let out a sigh.

These other examinees were Rhys's weapon — they were going to be the cracks that would very slowly let the rumors of him slip out into the world.

Unfortunately for Rhys, he wasn't actually a good of a reader of emotions as he thought if the emotion did not involve disdain toward him… and Rhys thought they were unimpressed by what he had shown them, completely oblivious of the fact that the blocks were actually made from the same material as the floor they were stepping on.

And so, Rhys's eyes turned toward one of the larger blocks in the hall. Before he could do anything to it, however, a loud rumble scattered in the speakers.

[120, that is enough. You may leave.]

"But—"

[You will already pass with that. You may leave.]

Fortunately for Rhys, the guild master of the Laughing Guild stopped him from doing something he would regret…

…unfortunately for Rhys, Kenneth was also trying to make sure he doesn't stand out as much as possible, even asking the other judges to leave so it would only be him who will actually evaluate him.

And suffice it to say, Kenneth was already trembling in excitement. No matter how much it cost, he needed to get Rhys.

***

[All those who passed the Strength and Ability test, please proceed back to the Surface to take the Knowledge test.]

Although there is supposed to be a process of elimination during the test, Rhys noticed that they have not actually failed anyone yet. Rhys was always the first to take the test in his batch, so he couldn't really see how well the others were doing — but there should at least be someone failing.

But as Rhys and the other examinees walked back to the ground floor of the Explorer Association building, he noticed that their numbers had not dwindled at all. And now that they were gathered in the lobby, he had finally realized just how many were truly taking the exam.

There were probably a thousand of them there, and by all means, it would be hard to notice even someone as tall as Rhys in that crowd. And yet…

"...Rhys?"

Emilia found him in the crowd.