The 17 teams arrived at a compound filled with tents overlooking the portal. This was the first time most students had ever seen a portal before; it was a massive, circular portal with a blue hue.
The portal loomed as tall as a two-story house, its surface shimmering with a light that rippled like water.
Intricate runes and symbols, inscribed in an unknown language, circled its outer edge, glowing faintly with mysterious energy. The air around the portal was stifling, creating a palpable sense of discomfort among the students.
"What a huge portal."
"So, these are the Level One portals."
"I can't believe those hideous creatures come out of such a beautiful portal."
Many students were captivated by the portal's beauty, despite the fact that it was a Chaos Portal.
Jin, who was staring at the portal with trembling hands, kept smiling. "So this is where those vile creatures come from."
Jin's smile looked truly sinister and malevolent. From a distance, Alucard noticed him while talking to his classmates who had gathered around him after disembarking from the carriage.
"Clap clap clap," Teacher Xiao clapped to get the students' attention.
"Alright, students, as you can see before you, these are what are called Chaos Portals through which chaos creatures enter our world."
"But as you learned in Teacher Itchiki's history lessons, we know that these portals are not just a bridge to our world but also a bridge connected to the Chaos World, about which we humans still know nothing."
"The blue portals signify the presence of first-level creatures inside them, but caution must also be exercised, as there are, as you know, some unusual events that can escalate the level if another entity from the Chaos World invades."
"Therefore, it is strictly forbidden for you to stray from your teams or wander out of the teachers' range, as death can occur easily within those portals."
One student asked, "Are you saying higher-level chaos creatures can enter Level One portals?"
Teacher Xiao replied, "Higher-level creatures cannot exit Level One portals into our world, but inside the portal, any entity from the Chaos World can enter. So yes, the portals are dangerous."
"But as long as we stay within the range of this blue portal, there will be no danger of those terrifying entities approaching us."
Another student asked, "How will we collect points and kill creatures if we all stay in the same area?"
The teacher smiled. "Great question. When we enter the portal, you will understand how vast the spaces are inside, so don't worry about collecting your points in there."
"Now, prepare yourselves because we will enter in fifteen minutes."
With seventeen teams and five teachers, it was impossible for all to enter the portal simultaneously. The teams were divided to enter sequentially at four different times. The first wave consisted of five teams, each accompanied by one of the teachers.
After approximately an hour, they first wave emerged, their faces a blend of exhilaration and trepidation. Some bore the marks of their trials—scratches and bruises.
Their conversation was a lively mix of triumph and concern:
"Those rats were truly horrifying. I've never seen such enormous ones before."
"We managed to take down three goblins—pretty impressive, right?"
"Three goblins? Hahaha, we fought and defeated a giant spider!"
"Damn that lizard; it ambushed me and left a nasty wound."
"I'm convinced we racked up a lot of points from that gate, hehehe."
As the stories flowed, the excitement was palpable. One by one, the remaining teams cycled through, their enthusiasm unwavering.
Then, five more teams entered, and so the students kept entering and exiting with the same excitement.
Jin's team was the last to go, as only the last two teams out of the seventeen were left, and night had already fallen.
Teacher Xiao clapped. "Alright, let's get the last teams in so we can finish this and head back."
Everyone was excited and eager. Alucard carried a massive shield, indicating a likely defensive role, while Yumi wielded a magnificent sword and wore silver armor, clearly suited for combat.
As for Jin... he stood apart with his simplicity. He wore a plain, dark shirt and trousers, both unadorned and practical. His only accessory was a basic leather belt with a small pouch attached. His shoes were simple, worn-in boots. Unlike the other students, he carried no weapon.
It was peculiar; he didn't seem like a mage either, as magic users typically carried a staff to enhance their offensive capabilities.
The other students whispered among themselves, "Look, do you see that boy over there?"
"He seems to be relying on Yumi and Alucard. What a cowardly boy."
"Look at this arrogant man. I remember him; he was the one who looked at the saints with arrogance."
Jin ignored their talk and kept looking at the portal, smiling...
Alucard approached Jin and bowed his head to whisper, "Ah, sorry if what I'm about to say is disrespectful, but excuse me, are you going in to commit suicide?"
Jin glanced at him with a puzzled expression. "Huh, suicide? Why would I want to die?"
Alucard rubbed his head. "Hmm, because you're not carrying any specific weapon, shield, or staff. You seem like you're just going in to be devoured by the creatures."
Yumi also looked at Jin with curiosity from afar but didn't give it much thought, as it wasn't important to her.
Jin smiled. "Ah, don't worry about that."
Alucard sighed. "Alright, good luck to you. Don't die."
"Oh, don't worry about it," Jin smiled.
He then left Jin and stood at the front with the instructors, everyone ready to enter.
Jin and two teachers, along with the rest of the students, entered through the gate. The first sensation the students experienced upon entry was severe suffocation; their bodies were almost being crushed as they passed through.
"Ouch, my head, it's hurting," one student groaned.
"Ouch, my neck, why is it hurting?" another complained.
"Look, look ahead!" someone shouted.
The vast space before them was a barren wasteland. The atmosphere had a brownish hue, and they could see numerous goblins and lizards wandering aimlessly, as if searching for something indeterminate in this desolate spot. Some moved with unnatural jerks, while others shuffled slowly, seemingly in a state of torpor.
The land was dotted with numerous hills and mountains, and the air was extremely foul. Scattered corpses of creatures, slain by previous teams, were also visible. The ground was dry and slightly hot, with many black, thorny trees bearing no signs of life.
"This place is truly vile," sighed Alucard, standing beside one of the instructors, Teacher Sarah.
"Ah, it's a cursed place," she responded.
"Alright, we will now split up. Kill as many as you can within the hour," Instructor Kentri ordered, and the teams separated into two groups.
Jin's team, led by Teacher Sarah, moved east, while the other team, led by Teacher Kentri, headed west...