It had been a while since he got his hands in some EXP, thankfully things worked out better than he thought. He could kill monsters to his heart's content which passing time.

But it felt good.

It had been a while since he got his hands in some EXP, thankfully things worked out better than he thought. He could kill monsters to his heart's content which passing time.

This place was going to be great. He could feel it.historical

Meanwhile, while Esdras was strolling calmly, the other apprentices were facing a life and death crisis.

Through out the day he understood just how ridiculous this test was for normal apprentices. The monsters in here were simply too powerful for apprentices.

On the first day alone, he faced against giant spiders that build their nests in holes throughout the place. Next to you for it against denticle the monsters that had sharp razor like teeth at the end of their tentacles, they were called land krakens.

And they were too cunning and equal parts ferocious, gathering in packs and using ambushes to gain the upper hand. Esdras had no idea it was to this degree.

And if that wasn't enough, they still had to think about food and water, they had to watch their backs for other apprentices. It was a true test that only those powerful and lucky enough would pass.

[+ 420 EXP]

He made an awesome harvest by nightfall but he was too excited and he didn't settle down for the day or set up any camp. However, he was not that concerned, and he was happy to make some EXP after such a long time.

If he was in a dungeon then he could have made much more, that knowledge dampened his joy. Comparison was really the worst.

So he decided for one more hunt because he hugged a suspicious noise, and suspected that it was a monster nearby. He decided to act upon the suspicion before settling down for the night.

Following the noise, he accidentally stumbled upon a campfire set up by four apprentices, they were huddled around the fire and looking exhausted. There were some blood stains on their robes, and they had weapons with them.

They only had sleeping bags lined around the fire without making any tents. Probably they did not want to do that because it will make them open for attacks by monsters.

Esdras did not want any trouble, he did not know them, so he did not have to make any trouble for them either so he decided to leave and go elsewhere.

"Who are you?" one of them asks, eyeing him suspiciously.

Esdras stops in his tracks as he hears the voice calling out to him. He turns around to see Aaron, the leader of the group, gesturing for him to come back to the campfire.

For a moment, Esdras hesitates. He knows that he cannot fully trust anyone in this test of life and death, and the fact that the four apprentices were armed and on guard made him even more wary.

Esdras decides to approach the campfire cautiously. The four apprentices watch him carefully, their hands on their weapons.

"I'm Esdras," he responds, his voice calm and steady. "I'm an apprentice like you." Well, that wasn't exactly true but it wasn't necessarily wrong either.

The others look at each other, seemingly unsure of whether to trust him. Esdras can sense their fear and suspicion, and he knows that he needs to be careful.

"Are you alone?" another one asks.

"For now," Esdras said honestly, "I was hunting in the swamp and stumbled upon your camp."

"Do you want to join us for the night? There's fire, not much else but that to be honest."

"Thanks for the offer," Esdras says, "but I think I'll be okay on my own. I don't want to intrude. As you know this is the Rite and I don't want create unnecessary tension, it's better for us to part ways. Good luck."

Aaron smiles warmly, but Esdras can see a glint of something sinister in his eyes. "Are you sure?" he asks. "We could use an extra hand. And it's safer to stick together, don't you think?"

Esdras hesitates for a moment.

"This Rite is not a death match between us, fellow apprentices. Some people just assume that we have to kill each other for no reason, we must unite and fight together. Is it any harm for us to combine our strengths and pass?"

Another one of the apprentices chimed up as well, "even if we don't agree on many things, it shouldn't stop us from working towards a common goal. Survival."

"All right," Esdras nodded finally, "I'll stay for a little while."

The others seem to relax a bit at this, and one of them gestures for him to sit down by the fire. Esdras cautiously took a seat, looking relieved and still a bit on guard to the others.

As they sit around the fire, the other apprentices introduce themselves. There's Aaron, a quiet and reserved apprentice who seems to be the leader of the group; Lily, a fierce and determined young woman with a sharp tongue; Marcus, a burly and muscular apprentice who looks like he could take on any monster with ease; and finally, Ethan, a wiry and agile apprentice with a mischievous glint in his eye.

As they talk, Esdras begins to realize that these apprentices are not like the others he has encountered. They are not out for blood or trying to kill each other; instead, they have formed an alliance, pooling their skills and resources to increase their chances of survival.

They share their rations with each other and work together to set up traps and keep watch for monsters.

Esdras was impressed by their resourcefulness and resilience. He realizes that, in a situation like this, having allies is crucial for normal apprentices. He just hopped they wouldn't try anything stupid.

As Esdras settled in by the fire, he began to relax. The other apprentices seem friendly and welcoming, and they share their rations with him.

However, as the night wears on, he begins to feel uneasy. He notices that the other apprentices are watching him closely, their eyes never leaving him. He can sensed that something is off, but he cannot quite put his finger on it.

As the night wears on, the apprentices take turns keeping watch while the others rest. Esdras volunteers to take the first watch, wanting to prove his worth to the group.

As he sits by the fire, scanning the surrounding area for any signs of danger, he might lend these guys a hand tomorrow as thanks for taking him in. Although he didn't need the help it wasn't bad to accept it.

However, while he was pretending to sleep he heard a troubling noise as he was yanked out of his sleeping bad and tied with a rope. He still didn't open his eyes and his breathing was uniform.

"Foolish bastard, this one is." Aaron said, his tone was not gloating, just lamenting. "He should have gone away, good guys don't end up well in this world."

"Hehe if he wasn't so foolish we wouldn't have gotten our hands on his food and water." Lily laughed with evil intent.

"What to do with him?" Marcus, the one who tied him with the rope asked innocently, he was still the closest to Esdras and kept himself that way. Probably to make sure Esdras didn't make any sudden moves.

".. just throw him out," Aaron said with a frown, "we have what we want, let him fend for himself."

"No way, we should get rid of him. Now." Ethan refuted. Esdras could tell he was the furthest from him, probably rummaging through his stuff.

"We don't need to kill him! He's no threat to us." Aaron snapped.

"Now, he isn't but what if he teams up with a couple of his friends and comes after us later? We can't take that chance."

"You're the leader, Aaron give the call." Marcus said with confidence as if he wasn't going to bother himself with thinking about it an instead leave it to someone else. Obviously he wasn't good with decisions and he knew it.

Aaron was still hesitating.

"what do you reckon will happen to him when we throw him out without his food and water he will just die out there more painfully. If we kill him now, we will spare him think about it. We're actually doing him a favor." Lily added.

"A dumb guy like him would get killed later on anyway." Ethan nodded.

Now everyone remain silent, waiting for Aaron's decision. Esdras waited together with them as well. He was curious what decision Aaron will make after all.

".. we let him go. Who knows he might find some shelter or food later on. And if he comes after us will just get rid of him then." Aaron said at last with conviction and confidence.

"Sigh. You're still a hopeless, fool." Ethan shook his head but didn't object.

The other two also had amused expressions as if they also predicted that Aaron will make this decision. They seem to be used to each other.

"Guys, no matter what we can't become like the rest of them. We do what we must, but not any more than that. I'm sure together we can do it."

Aaron started giving a speech that seem to inspire the rest of them. However, they were suddenly interrupted.

"Hey, I don't mean to interrupt or anything. I mean clearly you guys have other things going on with you."

Esdras had an awkward expression and scratched his head with his free hand casually.