Since using spells wasn't an option Kerren didn't even know what monsters were in the dungeon.
Logically speaking, since this is a forest, there must be some monsters that live in those.
Also, this must be a low-leveled dungeon, as many studens here aren't even awakened.
Of course, there is a number of people who are awakened, but those were few.
Moreover, this whole dungeon was supposed to be a test or something like that, at least.
As such, Kerren was certain that either goblins or wolves will be around here.
There were some other low-leveled monsters like kobolds, various types of slimes were also weak monsters...
All in all there were lots, but most common ones were goblins and wolves, since most of low-leveled dungeons were filled with them, for some reason.
Maybe it was a personal choice from whoever created them, but it was rare to see anything but a goblin tribe somewhere in a "D" rank dungeon.
As for this one? Well, it was different, many people already noticed that.
- Why is there such a... feeling?
- Yeah, i feel strange too!
- It must be fear, morons.
Some students talked near Kerren as he tried to understand what to do.
If it was a real dungeon he would've started scouting it, but since all of it was just an "illusion" there's no way he will find anything of use.
They wont go as far as to purposely leave some clues that could allow one to understand which type of the enemy they could face.
Some time later "leaders" started showing up in the group of students.
There were several of them, all of them were awakened with the exception of one, who was a tall and handsome guy, not muscular but surely had some strength.
He argued with awakened students about something, as Kerren overheard it they wanted to split and scout the area, which was opposed by the non-awakened "leader".
Of course, he was right. Splitting up in such a situation was basically a harder and longer way to commit su*cid*.
It wasn't their lack of experience that played a role here... that too, but it was mostly just arrogance.
"It's just a dungeon prepared for us, what is there to be afraid of? It must be easy as hell" some of the students had such a thought, most of them sided with those who wanted to split up.
Smarter ones and those who had at least some brain decided to side with the non-awakened guy. In the end, they still split up.
As for Kerren? He didn't bother with them. Of course, he could easily pose as a leader, but since "his" personality was timid and shy... why would such a guy try to become a leader?..
Time went by, the group continued to argue before finally splitting up in two. It wasn't a 50/50 split as most people decided to follow the awakened guy.
It looked more like 70/30 with 30 being people who followed the non-awakened guy, Kerren was one of them.
He knew that it was a generally bad decision, but he's going to fight either way, it's better to fight without a mo*on who's screaming right in your ear to do something st*pid.
As such, Kerren departed with his new team. He didn't know nor cared about where this guy led him, his only corcern was the abscence of anything that resembled life.
Of course, there were trees and all that, but... They weren't alive, this whole place just reeked of being fake. He could feel how awful and wrong mana around him was and it brought him great discomfort.
However, whatever it was - he can't do anything about it. Using spells was out of the question, he will be detected immediately if he used any of them, as for mana inside of his body?
He didn't know if they already spotted it. He, of course, used some methods to conceal it, those were just arts that allowed one to do so, not a spell so he was fine.
...
15 minutes or so they arrived to a mountain of some sorts. It was unknown to Kerren if the guy led them there on purpose or it was all an accident.
Whatever it was - it was good for him. He could climb up and try to see anything strange here. If creators of this dungeon weren't complete and utter mo*ons they would've added some camps where monsters would reside.
He didn't know if that was the case, because considering the... skill of those who made this place they could've just put monsters in random places and be done with it.
Some time later the "leader" sent the smallest guy out of the group to climb the mountain.
When he got back he reported that there's nothing around them but forest and mountain, no smoke, no plains...
It was what Kerren was afraid of the most... Whover built this dungeon is a f*kking mo*on!
Well, it just meant that they have to complete the mission and... Wait... what is the mission again?..
He... forgot? Or they didn't even tell them? He wasn't sure so he decided to approach the "leader" with a question...
- Uh, Hello! I'm Gorven, sorry for interrupting your thought process but... what is our mission here? Is it to hunt a boss or?..
As usual he kept his "timid and shy" personality. He was used to it...
- Sup Gorven, yes, the principal told us that we must find and kill the boss, did you not listen?
The guy was acting serious, as if he was the real leader, Kerren didn't like people like that, but he knew them well...
- N-no, i did! -- he waved his hands near his face, as if trying to clear air before him -- It's just that... we haven't met any monsters yet and we've walked for a lot, so i find it strange... If our enemies were goblins, wolfes or kobolds we would've met them already, but... We didn't... That means that either they're hidden somewhere, or... there's few of them...
As Kerren was saying his last phrase his face went somewhat gloomy, indicating to others that it's not really a good thing...
- Is it not good that there are few of them?
Another students answered istead of the "leader"
- Well, usually, if there are fewer enemies in the dungeon it means that they are stronger... so... i can assume that our enemies aren't goblins or kobolds...
As Kerren tried to continue talking, the "leader" interrupted him.
- I was wondering when you would notice. Good job, Gorven! Our enemies aren't goblins or kobolds, it was obvious from the start!
He proudly "praised" Kerren for finding out the truth! Kerren, however, wasn't happy with that... Of course, his personality was timid and all that... but there's a line one must never cross... Dont every try to steal Kerren's achievement!