Chapter 28
“I see… so it is your disciple who will be taking the exam.”
“Yes. My proud disciple, whom I have imparted all of my skills. Therefore, today, I have no intention of discussing anything else.”
“E-excuse me. Then, please don’t forget the matter regarding the final briefing.”
“Understood. Very well.”
I had planned to approach at the moment my sister finished speaking with the government officials, but this time, the group surrounding her—likely other explorers—rushed forward.
…What is this feeling? Seeing my sister being the center of attention stirs something indescribable.
Ah, it’s not jealousy. It’s more like a mix of “She’s putting on such a perfect act, yet I feel a bit sorry for her” and a childish “My sister is amazing!” sentiment.
“H-hey, aren’t you the maid who supposedly always turns back halfway through dungeons!? Would you join our party? We’re not as skilled as you yet, but we’ll fully support you and never get in your way! With us, you could definitely clear the tenth floor!”
“I refuse. I can clear the tenth floor anytime. I turn back only to advance with my disciple. I am merely waiting.”
“Th-then bring that disciple too! If it’s about training newcomers, a party—”
“Silence. Do you think my disciple needs help from a second-rate party like you? Sit back and watch the exam broadcast. Witness true talent, and understand the difference in rank.”
…Right in front of me, I witnessed a party attempting to recruit my sister being brutally shut down.
It was merciless, harsh, yet devoid of emotional inflection—simply cold and direct, conveying exactly what she thought with zero hesitation.
“Ugh…”
“Leave. I have matters to discuss with my disciple.”
With that, my sister noticed me and ignored the other explorers, approaching me instead.
The contrast between this persona and her usual self is both fascinating and intimidating. She really looks like a truly ruthless master, and I feel tense.
But—
“Akira, do your best. I’m watching you carefully.”
“Ah… y-yes!”
Suddenly, in that same masterly body, she strokes my head with a gentle smile.
The gap… it frustrates me, but for this one moment, my heart can’t help but race.
Damn it! Normally, she’d say, “Do your best! If I’m not satisfied, I’ll make you buy an entire box of energy drinks on the way home!”
Voices from the surrounding crowd whisper complaints like, “Is that really her disciple?” or “How could our party be inferior to someone like that?”
But reading between my sister’s lines…
“I won’t forgive you unless you achieve overwhelming results, so you better not slack off!”
That’s what she’s indirectly telling me. Damn it! I’ll give it my all, for real this time!
Five minutes before the exam begins, examinees move toward their respective gates.
Only twenty examinees enter the forest at a time, from two gates, every ten minutes.
The exam starts ten minutes after all examinees have entered.
Those who enter first can hide deeper in the forest.
Those who enter last can preserve stamina for the exam.
Of course, any combat before the official start results in immediate disqualification.
When the exam begins, a three-hour time limit starts, and actions are scored based on points.
A common misconception: “If all armor breaks and you drop out, are you disqualified?”
No. The key is your actions during the exam. Dropping out does not automatically mean failure.
Scoring considers not just combat with other examinees, but targets destroyed in the forest, how far one reached safely, ambush tactics, strategies for survival—all of it counts.
“Last thirteen examinees, please move to the gates.”
I am the last to enter the forest.
There are 173 examinees total—my group is just a remainder.
Split into groups of six and seven, each entering through separate gates into the forest.
This is my third attempt. In my previous life, I failed once, then passed on a second try.
I already have a rough memory of the forest layout, though this info is somewhat available online, so it’s not a huge advantage.
Target placements change with each exam, and they move automatically, so prior knowledge doesn’t confer much advantage.
…For this exam, in fact, “prior knowledge, rules, or scoring methods” don’t matter anyway.
“Please enter.”
After the last examinee enters, there’s a ten-minute prep period.
Watching the examinees disappear into the forest, I grip my rented large dagger in front of the gate.
“I will take down the 172 examinees who entered before me… a three-hour limit to defeat them all.”
One final rule: if only one examinee remains within the time limit, the exam ends.
I intend to make that happen. Until the signal, I won’t move.
When the start signal sounds… I will become the “reaper,” eliminating every human scattered throughout this forest.
“Excuse me, may I sit next to you?”
“…I didn’t expect you to come to the exam venue. It’s been a while, Suzakuyama-san.”
Meanwhile, in the spectator stands, people watching on huge monitors cheer whenever their examinee appears, eagerly awaiting the start.
In one corner, Arnie sits alone, keeping others away, when Suzakuyama, head of the government agency handling dungeons, approaches.
“I was told you would not discuss anything unrelated to the exam with me today.”
Arnie glares sharply for a moment, and Suzakuyama flinches slightly.
“Of course. I heard your disciple was taking the exam, and I thought I’d observe directly at the venue.”
“I see. Were you staying at a nearby hotel?”
“…The last one who entered, him?”
“Don’t be so naive. You’ve already investigated Akira, haven’t you?”
Suzakuyama nods apologetically. Arnie’s residence is known. Even without stalking, a beautiful woman in a maid outfit is easy to identify.
From there, finding out who lives with her is simple.
“Please forgive us. We will not intrude into your private life.”
“Of course.”
“…I was surprised to learn that Dr. Higashiyama’s son is your disciple.”
“…Once my residence was found, it was only a matter of time before my parents were discovered as well.”
“And that he is a student at Meio Affiliated. A disciple worth teaching, I presume.”
Here, for the first time, Arnie attempts to unsettle Suzakuyama, signaling that she has some insight into them.
But—
“After watching the exam to the end, you’ll realize how foolish your thinking was.”
“What do you mean by that…”
“My disciple cannot become a weakness. He is not bargaining material.”
With a confident smile, Arnei returns her gaze to the huge monitor.
And thus… the spectacle of the exam begins, a true display of domination.