The aroma of smoked meat drifted in the air. The food in front was enough for us for a week.

But all three of us were eating with unwilling expressions. Without any flavoring, it tasted bland.

Eating a little bit wasn't a problem. But stuffing ourselves with tasteless food didn't feel good.

I chewed on the meat and waited for Lark to speak.

Since we had to hunt regularly we had to eat enough to make sure we were energized.

After waiting for a dozen minutes Lark finally opened his mouth.

"So, how did you get those injuries? And how did you reach here."

Putting the unfinished piece back Lark questioned me.

I also put down my food and recounted my first day.

Though I didn't tell them that the beast I met was a shadow fox.

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It would only cause unnecessary problems. Besides, after being in the river for almost half a day the smell of blood was already washed away.

"You are lucky that you landed on a guardian cliff. Otherwise, you might have been eliminated on the first day."

"You know where we are?"

From the way, Lark spoke it was clear that he knew about the place.

Hearing my question Lark began telling me about the location.

"Yes. This island is called Byzander Island, one of the very few ruins that appeared during the First Great Disaster. Anybody interested in geology and history would know about this place. But this place is even more special as there are no entry restrictions and…."

Lark's words trailed off at the end and he looked toward me.

Did he want me to complete his sentence, even though it was clear that I knew nothing?

I answered while withholding my sigh.

"The exp received is quite high."

This fact was as obvious as day to anyone after they kill a single beast.

"Yes, but the increased exp gain is only for Meta-rank. I think this is what the voice meant that every crisis is an opportunity at the beginning of the exam."

Then Lark proceeded to tell me more about the island's history and facts.

After listening to him for half an hour I didn't want to hear anymore but looking at his eager face, that looked happy while talking I couldn't bring myself to tell him to stop.

But he did tell me a few important things. Like the cliff, I was on, or the guardian cliff would periodically float and sink into the ground halfway. And when it sinks the lake disappears.

According to Lark, it still wasn't known how or why it happened. But he said that people on top of the cliff won't realize this action.

I quietly listened to him while nodding. On the other side, Ryan was still eating. He didn't look a bit interested in joining our conversation.

Was he as unfriendly as he looked? Help me a bit, will you!

But Ryan obviously couldn't listen to my internal rambling and kept to himself.

Finally, after talking for almost an hour Lark spoke about what I had been waiting for.

"I see. So, how about we hunt together?"

I did know that he was going to ask that but the shift was still too sudden.

I nodded my head to show that I was interested and wanted to hear more.

"You will have trouble hunting alone due to your injuries. With us, you should also be able to level up quickly and gather points. While for us it will increase our hunting speed. This will be favorable to both of us."

Lark's argument was correct. I had still not recovered completely, but even in my perfect state, it would be hard for me to hunt alone.

But I still stayed silent to make it look like I still wasn't convinced. I was waiting for Lark to question why I wasn't answering.

"Also you can see it is better to work in groups."

Suddenly saying so Lark tapped his bracelet and a hologram materialized in the air.

=======

Name: Lark Smiles

ID: 210115562

Points: 40

Time Remaining: 83:14:43

=======

,m My eyes opened wide as I looked at his points. The gap between us was too big.

I had 24 points but more than half of them were obtained when I killed hollow gutweeds.

"I think the test is designed to work in pairs. Otherwise throwing beginners on an island infested with beasts would be illogical. Especially when each awakener is precious. So how about we work together?"

Indeed if Ryan and Lark work together they could get these results. Still, the number of points was quite large if they were hunting beasts of levels similar to their own.

I wanted to accept their proposal but I still kept quiet.

Lark frowned as he looked at me. Suddenly his brows jumped as if understood why I was still quiet.

'Yes, now ask me what's wrong.'

Then with a wry smile Lark spoke.

"Are you worried that the offer is too good? We can hunt boars with just two of us. But because we are inside their territory, we have to finish the fights quickly. And since I also keep a lookout in case another group is coming I can't fight at my full power. This is why it would be better for us also if we get more teammates."

I see so that was their reasoning to get me fully convinced to join.

'But this isn't what I wanted you to say!'

"Oh, are you still bothered due to Ryan? Don't worry he is just a little shy. He doesn't mean any harm."

Why is he saying everything other than what I want him to?

After that Lark kept up coming with more questions and answered them himself. He was looking like a suspicious salesman who appears at your door and won't leave until you buy their product.

He kept blabbering nonstop. At this point, I had no choice but to speak myself.

"I want to join but…"

"But? Is there something wrong?"

.... Why the hell did I wait for this guy to ask himself? I should just have spoken first.

"I have to go somewhere."

After that, I told him that I had to meet someone at the nearest guardian rock. I wanted to see how Lark would react

Lark started contemplating something and finally spoke after a minute.

"I see. So you are with someone. It's fine then! We would also leave with you then. We were already planning to hunt some weak beasts when the exam would enter its final stage."

Lark told me about their future plans.

A smile dawned on my face as our plans matched.

"We are teammates now. I look forward to our cooperation."

Both of us laughed and shook our hands. Then we continued chatting for more time before going to sleep.

We decided to keep watch in order: Ryan, Lark, and me.

Finally, we slept after putting everything back in our dimensional rings. We only left our weapons, the campfire, and some necessities like water canteen out.

***

"You slept like a log you know that?"

Ryan grunted at Lark.

"I was just too tired."

Both of them were currently hiding behind bushes and looking toward me.

I was standing on a wide path while a group of boars was running straight towards me from the front.

I was the one who had asked for this. But looking at three hulking figures running straight towards me, I was trying to trace back my thinking process.

Was my head not working properly?

The pressure from standing on the path of boars was no joke.

Still, I stood straight and hurled my spear at the head of the boar at the forefront.

I missed.

But I quickly bought my second spear out.

The boars kept running towards me but this time I didn't throw the spear and aimed it carefully.

'Let it be a hit.'

Just as my aim aligned I threw my spear.

It quickly traveled the distance and hit the boar.

I could hear Lark gasp and a smile leaked on my face.

The spear hit the boar's eye killing it in one shot!

Although this was a lucky shot I was sure I would've still hit its head.

I have been practicing throwing spear since last night and throughout the morning.

I was now capable of hitting the boars 5 out of 10 times if they weren't running fast and….

'Why am I getting proud with such a poor accuracy?'

My accuracy wasn't anything praisable by any means but this was something I had achieved on my own.

Maybe this was the reason.

Wasn't it weird that in tough times even small things will make you happy?

The remaining two boars were now only 60 feet away from me.

But suddenly they tumbled.

I quickly ran towards them and slashed at their neck using the greatsword before they could stand back.

I had borrowed it from Ryan just for this time.

I had asked Ryan to borrow his weapon without expecting much. But surprisingly he didn't refuse me but gave me his greatsword. He even told me to be careful if I was going to use its skill.

Now he actually looked like a good guy ...who was unlucky enough to be born with an unsalvageable mouth.

[Congratulations, you have killed a Lvl.6 Blood Boar. You have gained 130 exp.]

[Congratulations, you have killed a Lvl.6 Blood Boar. You have gained 130 exp.]

[Congratulations, you have killed a Lvl.6 Blood Boar. You have gained 130 exp.]

[You have leveled up]

[You have gained 2 stat points]

I finally leveled up again!

This was our third group for today. Since we had hunted the first two groups relatively cautiously I had already reached the maximum exp for Lvl. 4.

I had asked them to let me hunt this group alone as I wanted to see if I could do it.

I looked towards the thing that tripped the boar, a rope that was tied between the tees.

Although I had used Ryan's weapon and Lark's rope I was still satisfied with this result.

This wasn't anything impressive to them but it was worth much more to me.

I remembered when I had asked Lark why was he carrying a rope. He had simply laughed off the question.

Maybe he had some kind of skill related to it? After all his stigma ability shouldn't have anything to do with rope.

"This much should be enough. Let's start."

I commented as he stored the last boar.

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