Almost a week later -

" Ugh.. damned bastard.."

Inside an unknown Dungeon in the Royal Capital, Aurum who was alone, was struggling his best to stay alive.

It has been a week since the mid-term exam and also a few days since the result was announced.

' Still.. remembering the result.. what a humiliation.'

Aurum could still vividly remember that day, the day when the result was announced.

To think that after a few days of not sleeping trying to get the best result, he was still easily being outdone by Cade, it was a lie if Aurum didn't feel hurt at all, but that was not all.

Ranking result.

Cade North 1800/800

Luna Forewater 1780/1800

Elicia Holzberg 1775/1800

Eva 1770/1800

Aurum Griffyndor 1765/1765

It was such a humiliation that he, not only he was outperformed by Cade, but also a few people that bought Cade notes.

Every time he remembered this, he couldn't help but feel depressed.

Was this the gap between them?

Not only did his friend prefer Cade way more than him, but now the theoretical test that he always felt proud of was also beaten by Cade?

Just where the heck did this guy come from?

Still.. now was not the right time for that.

As soon as he looked around him, Aurum felt a blast of hot air engulf his body.

The dry environment instantly caused his lips to tighten up, The ground beneath him was full of cracks, and signs of skirmishes could be seen everywhere in the surroundings. Evidently, showing that battles had occurred in this place.

< The trial ground of the brave.>

It was the name of the Dungeon that Aurum was currently inside.

A few days ago, when he returned home, he accidentally found a book about this Dungeon and noticed that this Dungeon might help him to get stronger than Cade. Aurum no longer thinks twice and immediately go for the Dungeon.

"Just like its description, there really is no source of water nor food here."

It was a completely desolate place.

The surrounding vegetation was all withered, and there were no signs of animal or living creatures in sight.

But what took Aurum's attention was the big Colosseum that was placed in the middle.

From the books, Aurum knew that this Colosseum was no ordinary Coliseum.

It would be the place for the Final Boss of the Dungeon, and to fully clear this Dungeon, he needs to go to the Colosseum.

"Let's see... food ration and everything.. they should last me for about a week."

"There also shouldn't be any problems regarding sleep and injuries as I had brought some first aid kids and a special tent with a protection barrier."

"What else....hmm, I think that's it.."

-Keuka!

" Who!!!"

All of a sudden, Aurum noticed there was a movement from the surrounding area.

Stopping in front of a dead tree, he paused and stared at the barren land in front of him.

A hermit crab-like monster with red carapaces and a thick white shell appeared from the cracking ground.

In a place like this, these kinds of monsters were expected, and Aurum didn't panic.

His glare collided mid-air with the Hermit Crabs.

Roar!

The Hermit Crab swung its giant pincer towards Aurum like a streak of lightning.

Swish-!!

However, the attack only swiped at the empty air.

'Fast.. luckily, I was prepared?'

Here, Aurum was already above the Hermit Crab's head. It was here that he kind of understood the reason for this monster's infamy.

In the desert, the hermit crab was also known as the grim reaper of the desert, with a strong pincer that could easily kill a man in a surprise attack.

With a glow on his right hand, he summoned his Arcane Card, the Giant Tusked Boar.

"Even so... I think it still hasn't reached Rank (III) yet.'

Before the Hermit Crab could lift its head up, The Tusked Boar rushed directly at collided with it head-on.

The two Creatures clashed, and no one could gain the upper hand. But the Hermit Crab misunderstands something here.historical

From the beginning, it was never a one-on-one battle with the Tusked Boar.

Aurum, who was still hanging with his life on the top of the Hermit Crab's head, took the small sword from his pocket before he propelled himself into the air and used the momentum to swing it with all his might right in the middle of the monster's forehead.

Kaboom!!

The explosive force from the sword cracked the head of the Hermit Crab, and right when the hermit crab let its guard down, the Tusked Boar used this chance to ramp at it once more.

Its skull was completely obliterated; with a bubble coming out of its mouth, the Hermit Crab stopped moving completely.

Tapping on the dead body of the Hermit Crab, a white streak appeared before Aurum.

It gathered around Aurum for a while before it eventually took the shape of an Arcane Card and went into Aurum's body.

'So there is also this..!'

For a while, Aurum had felt there was something strange with his Arcane Card. He felt like there was an empty space on his Arcane card, but he had never known what it was. It was only now that he realized he was able to hold more than one Arcane Card at a time.

The feeling of happiness and gladness that he came to this Dungeon filled Aurum, but then something happened.

"You.. you, just what are you??"

Aurum heard that trembling voice and looked behind him, only to spot an unidentified speechless face staring back at him.

From the voice alone, Aurum could somehow conclude that it was a female. But she was wearing a hood that covered her face and body, and it was hard to see her full figure.

But what was strange was that Aurum had not discovered her existence until now. It was like she was a ghost that appeared out of nowhere.

Left with little choice, Aurum raised his sword at the newly appeared woman.

" Stop there, or else don't blame me for making a move!!!"