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[Time remaining until the 2nd tutorial is finalized: 00:30:11.]
With the last thirty minutes remaining, everyone inside the safe zone was tense. They didn't know how many more would be kicked out. Was sending 300 people out the right number, or would more be selected?
During this time inside the safe zone, many small groups had already formed. The biggest was the gang, which acted like a boss with its 50 members.
When they first sent people out, they noticed that the girthworms didn't act the same way they did when the safe zone shrank. They were more aggressive when the shrinking started, which was also why many people survived after leaving.
So, during these times, many supply squads formed over the three hours, going to nearby stores to bring back food, water, and other supplies.
"Only thirty minutes left. We can go after the trial is complete. Please let us stay," the leader of the supply squad pleaded with the gang boss.
"Ah, you're being a real pain!! What if the safe zone disappears after the trial? What will we do in the 3rd or 4th tutorial?? That aside, I told you to form the next resupply squad and get out there, didn't I?"
The gang boss grabbed the collar of the supply squad member who was asked to wait.
"If you can't go out yourself, should I send you out personally?"
As the boss was about to throw the guy out of the safe zone, he noticed something.
"Huh..? Wait, isn't that... a person?" Someone pointed towards a guy walking towards the safe zone, catching everyone's attention, including the boss's.
"Is he someone who was kicked out of the safe zone or someone else entirely?"
"He must be crazy, wandering outside the safe zone."
"Is he brave or just out of his mind?"
"W-wait, below you...!!"
Everyone watched the individual walking towards them. Suddenly, someone shouted at him, but before he could finish his sentence, something happened.
A girth worm, hiding underground, attacked the person walking towards the safe zone. Everyone thought he would die, but something unbelievable happened. The person jumped into the air, brought out his sword, and swung it.
*Slice*
The girth worm, which took combined might to kill after a long fight, died from a single nonchalant swing.
"...watch out." The person warning the swordsman finished his sentence, but the worm was already dead.
Everyone was shocked beyond measure, their jaws dropped at the scene. They couldn't believe what they had just seen. There was a single thought going through all their minds.
'Is this even possible? This person joined the trial at the same time as us.'
After killing the worm, the person reached the safe zone, ignoring everyone.
"Hi...!!" The boss tried to talk to him, but he was cut off.
"Just ignore me and continue your little discussion," he said to no one in particular, then continued walking and stopped in the middle of the zone to rest.
....
When Arya killed the boss monster, around eight hours had already passed since the 2nd tutorial trial started. He decided to rest until the next trial began, not wanting to be irritated by the continuous attacks of the remaining girth worms.
He decided to go to the safe zone to rest. It took him around 30 minutes to finally reach the safe zone. As he moved, he saw the argument between two people, overheard the murmurs about the team and supplies, and even when someone tried to warn him about the girth worm.
He heard everything due to his high perception stat. He found it quite interesting as for someone to notice the worm from that distance required a perception stat of at least 15-20. This meant two things: either that person had high perception stats from the beginning, or they used all their leveling-up stats on perception.
Though surprised, Arya wasn't shocked. After dealing with the girth worm, he reached the safe zone, which had space for more than 300 people, including those chosen to be kicked out and those who died getting supplies.
*****
'This bastard...! He ignored me?!'
The boss was angry at Arya but knew he couldn't do anything about it. He had just seen how easily Arya killed the girth worm, which he couldn't even scratch alone. He had to think and act calmly. He could take his revenge on Arya later.
The boss focused back on the supply squad and ordered them to leave and bring the supplies. Then he went to where Arya was.
"Hi, are you here to rest? Oh, where are my manners, I should introduce myself first.
I'm Max, the acting leader in the safe zone."
Arya, who was sitting and thinking about his future plans, was disturbed by Max. He looked towards the source of the noise and noticed Max, a tall guy with, an ugly face, and dirty blonde hair.
'Ahh..! I wanted to rest, but now who is this bastard...!! Oh, wait, I recall now. That pig-like face. Yeah, he was the guy bullying everyone in the safe zone in my past life.'
As Arya recalled past events, he didn't reply to Max, causing an awkward situation. Watching everyone looking at them, Max spoke again.
"Hello....?!"
"Those people.... You force them to get supplies." Arya pointed at the supply squad walking towards the exit of the safe zone.
"They could die out there," Arya continued.
"But... it's beneficial to all of us!" Max replied.
"So you made them risk their lives to get food. Why don't you go out yourself?! That doesn't add up, now does it?"
"Listen carefully... If you want to survive, you have to be cowardly. If you want to survive in this messed up place, you have to be savage, selfish, and cruel. It's only natural. You know that too, don't you?" Max confronted Arya.
".....Me?" Arya smiled and started walking again. "If that's how you want to survive, so be it. I don't intend on butting in or telling you what to do. But... don't cross the line. No matter what!!"
After saying that, Arya started walking back towards the subway.
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