**[You are an idiot...]**
"Why?" I asked, feigning innocence.
**[Why?! WHY?! You're *actually* asking me that?]** the system raged, its tone dripping with exasperation.
"...Uh, yes?" I replied nonchalantly. It was the fourth day of the exam, and here I was, in a completely dilapidated five-bedroom apartment... cooking.
Yes. I was cooking.
**[Others are out there grinding to level up, but *you*—you're COOKING!]**
This had been going on for the past three days. The system's incessant nagging made me wish it had a mute function. And honestly, I had the suspicion that it was mad purely because I wasn't suffering.
"Shut up and keep watch. I don't want to die while I'm eating," I said, scooping a plateful of the questionable concoction I had whipped up. It was a mixture of leftover noodles, some weird onion-like thing that I hoped wasn't poisonous, and random green leaves that looked like they might kill me.
"Ugh... this is disgusting!" I gagged after tasting it.
Haah. Looks like I'm officially out of food.
**[Tsk... If only you added those mushrooms.]**
"And what would've happened then?"
**[You'd die.]** The system stated this matter-of-factly.
"...And then?" I pressed.
**[You'd respawn... without any points.]**
"And how exactly does that benefit *you*?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
**[...]**
"...Is that why you sound disappointed?" I frowned.
**[...]**
Yep. Why am I even surprised anymore?
Suddenly—*BAM!*
"WHAT WAS THAT?" I asked, jumping at the loud thumping sound coming from the roof.
**[It seems your teammates have decided to pay you a visit,]** the system said, almost gleeful.
"You're kidding... right?" I laughed nervously, hoping it was a joke.
But there was no response.
"CRAP! How the hell did they find me?!" I shouted, standing up in a panic. My mind raced through multiple scenarios, trying to figure out how to get out of this mess.
**[You keep forgetting... you're their teammate.]**
"But that—"
**[In a party.]**
I froze. The realization hit me like a truck.
This was the first message the graphto-watch had displayed when the party was created:
**[A Party Has Been Formed.]**
**[Party Members: Loren Mortez, Maria Kasmia.]**
**[You can check your party members' location and status during battle.]**
Damn... how could I forget that? But wait—if they could track my location, I could do the same to them!
Quickly, I tapped the now-dormant watch, and its neon glow returned as it powered on. Several options appeared on the home screen. I could only access limited functions while still in the exam, but I knew what I needed.
**[User's Available Points]**
**[Guide/Manual]**
**[Weapon/Tool Selection]**
**[Map]**
**[Team Members' Status]**
I hesitated for a moment, tempted to check the map first, but instead, I tapped **[Team Members' Status]** to see how far they had progressed.
**[Party Members:
Loren Mortez: 2400 points
Maria Kasmia: 84,000 points.]**
"Wait... is that a mistake, or...?" I muttered, feeling the blood drain from my face.
**[It's exactly what it looks like. And yes, you are screwed...]**
WAIT!
I screamed internally, knowing the bastard system would likely go radio silent for the rest of the exam.
*BAM!*
This time, the sound came from the floor above me.
"Leo~ Where are you?" a voice called out.
I'm screwed.
I'm *so* screwed!
Without thinking, I bolted forward, charging straight toward the broken window I had covered with some torn rags. I didn't stop—I leaped through it.
*Thud!*
I hit the ground hard, collapsing in pain. Luckily, it was only the first floor, so the fall didn't cripple me. Ignoring the searing pain in my shoulder, I scrambled to my feet and sprinted down the alley, heading for the open road.
It was a risky move, but at this point, I wasn't thinking. I just had this overwhelming feeling that I needed to avoid Maria—no matter the cost.
"Ha... hah... haa!" I panted, leaning against a wall, trying to catch my breath. My fingers moved to tap the map option on my graphto-watch, and the screen lit up, showing a detailed map of the immediate area.
But instead of a complete map of the city or even the surrounding forest, it was just my location and... two colored dots.
Red. Blue.
The problem? They were *right in front of me.*
"Boom!"
I heard the sound, and my heart nearly stopped.
I looked up, and my blood ran cold.
"What do you want from me, Maria?" I asked, trying to stay calm. Loren stood behind her, looking like a beaten dog—pale and trembling. He looked... broken.
"You know, at first I wanted to torture you for going against my orders," Maria said, smiling. It was the first time I had ever seen her smile, and it was unnerving. "But then I realized you didn't completely disobey me. You've earned enough points for all of us to pass."
If I wasn't so terrified, I might've appreciated her beauty. But right now, all I could think about was staying alive.
"So, what do you want?" I asked, forcing myself to keep my composure, locking eyes with her.
She smiled again and reached out to touch my cheek, but I slapped her hand away.
"Where were you always this handsome?" she asked, a blush creeping onto her face.
Heck. I regretted my life choices instantly. Being too handsome really *is* a curse.
"Come with us," she said, regaining her composure.
"...No," I replied flatly. It was the only answer I could give.
At that, her smile faltered, and Loren took a cautious step back.
What did she do to traumatize him like that?
"I act alone. I don't like being told what to do," I added, trying to keep my voice steady.
But Maria smiled once more—this time, her smile was utterly terrifying.
"Oh, but you don't have a choice. When I say you do something... you *do* it."