Moonlight fell like frost upon the earth.
The scent of blood in the air grew even thicker.
Within mere minutes of God Byron finishing his speech, all the examinees had prepared for battle.
There were no support classes here, only main combat classes.
The examinees arranged themselves into a battle formation.
Knights stood at the very front, followed by Mages and Archers.
The Knights adhered to their creed:
To reach my allies, you must first tread over my corpse.
"Tsk tsk tsk, not bad at all."
"Pity you're all going to die."
"One hour is more than enough to kill you all."
"Such a shame we can't take your corpses back.
The flesh and blood of young humans is the most delicious."
"HA HA HA HA!"
The cold voice, accompanied by the bloody moonlight, sent chills down their spines.
A flicker of disgust passed through Morintis's expression.
He held the utmost contempt for these sneaky, underhanded creatures.
Sophia was so frightened her face turned pale, and she moved a bit closer to Morintis.
It seemed Morintis could offer her some sense of security.
It wasn't just Sophia; many were terrified, their faces grim.
"They're coming!"
someone roared.
A massive figure appeared under the moonlight.
Detection Skills flew towards it immediately, stirring gentle breezes.
[Felinid Warrior (Abyssal Corrupted)]
[Level: 19]
Someone suddenly cried out, "I remember now!
The Campaign Realm has a level cap.
The highest is level 19!"
His shout reminded others as well.
"Right!
How could I forget?
The Campaign Realm max level is 19.
It can't go higher."
"I was scared stiff for a moment, but it's really only level 19."
"Then what is there to fear?
There are so many of us..."
His words cut off abruptly before he could finish.
Behind that gigantic figure, more and more figures appeared, seemingly endless, at least a hundred of them.
All level 19 monsters, all corrupted by the Abyss.
Each monster stood three meters tall, radiating a terrifying aura.
They advanced collectively towards the examinees, their steps shaking the very earth.
Under the moonlight, the monsters looked utterly monstrous.
Their tails were covered in dense, sharp barbs.
Corrupted by Abyssal power, the Felinid Warriors' appearances had drastically changed.
They had become even more horrifying.
An overwhelming pressure crashed down upon them.
After all, the examinees were only eighteen and had never experienced a real battlefield.
When had they ever seen so many terrifying monsters?
One by one, their legs turned to jelly with fear.
Most of the courage they had mustered earlier vanished.
Sophia's face was also deathly pale.
Unconsciously, she grabbed hold of Morintis's sleeve.
"What do we do?"
Morintis's gaze was solemn.
"Judging by their size, they aren't ordinary monsters."
"At least Enhanced Elite types."
"Troublesome, but manageable."
He rarely spoke so much, seemingly wanting to reassure Sophia.
But his words did little to calm her; instead, she grew more frightened.
"They're all Enhanced Elites?
Isn't that the same as the monsters in Nightmare-difficulty dungeons?"
Suddenly, a faint, almost imperceptible curve lifted the corner of Morintis's lips.
"Corrupted by Abyssal power, mutated...I wonder if they give experience..."
A possibility occurred to Morintis.
If his guess was correct, could these monsters allow him to level up?
The massive monsters were closing in, not charging, but advancing step by step.
It was as if they were toying with the crowd, in no hurry to slaughter them all.
The cold voice of the Abyssal demon sounded again.
"Are you scared now?"
"Feeling the fear?"
"These monsters have been enhanced by my power.
Each one is equivalent to an Enhanced Elite."
"The numbers aren't high, just 100."
"God Byron said you could win if you united."
"Now let's see, can you really?"
"Oh, you have over 100 people too.Almost one each."
"Shall we have duels?Or a melee?"
"Maybe have a tournament like you do for competitions?"
"How about a hundred matches?
Winner lives, loser dies."
"HA HA HA HA!"
The demonic voice further crushed the group's morale.
The monsters advanced, but the examinees retreated.
The formation instantly split into two distinct groups.
Julian's face was ashen, his legs trembling as he retreated with the others.
The Holy Swordsman Felix gripped his sword.
Though his expression was grim, he didn't retreat a single step.
Zoe was the same, holding her dagger, ready to fight to the death.
Several other examinees, like Felix and Zoe, held their ground, adopting combat stances.
Morintis glanced at them.
Then, he moved.
Click-clack!
Thump-thump!
Skeleton Warriors charged at the forefront, with Morintis following close behind.
Sophia looked frantic.
"What are you doing?
Come back!"
"What are you trying to do!"
"You're always like this, never explaining anything!"
Stamping her foot in frustration, Sophia followed him.
Morintis suddenly spoke in a low voice, "Go back."
Sophia paused.
"I won't."
"Suit yourself."
Morintis said no more.
If she wanted to follow, so be it.
It wouldn't affect anything.
Morintis's sudden movement attracted everyone's attention.
"What is that guy doing?"
"He's charging forward!"
"So many skeletons...are those his summons?"
"Is he a Summoner?"
"Does anyone know him?"
Detection Skills landed on Morintis one after another.
[Morintis, Level 16, Necromancer]
"Necromancer?
What class is that?
Never heard of it."
"Don't know either.
Never heard of this class."
"Could it be a new class?"
"What should we do?
Should we charge with him?"
...
Only about a dozen or so people followed Morintis and charged forward.
Felix and Zoe were among them.
They were prepared to die.
Even if they fell in battle, they would die like warriors.
We, people of the Divine Dragon Empire, fear no battle and dread no death!
The Abyssal demon sneered coldly, "Oh?
Finally, someone comes to die!"
"Quite the nerve you have!
Worthy of praise!"
"Admirable courage.
I'm almost reluctant to kill you.
How about coming to the Abyss to serve this Demon King as a slave?"