The exam was simple.
Using a platform that simulates a town landscape, students had to deal with a monster invasion.
This invasion wasn't just any ordinary one, the town is filled with active residents. The students' task was to save as many people as possible while also fighting off the monsters.
Based on their performance, teachers will assess them and determine their placements in the appropriate classes.
For the special admission students, the exam was similar.
They would also find themselves in a town, but their objective was different. There was only one building taken over by a group of monsters.
Their task was to rescue the hostages inside that building.
"Basically, that's our mission."
"Sounds easy enough."
"Of course, it is easy! We are special and this shouldn't be a problem for us."
"Helloooo~ Do you all forget that we can't use our gifts?"
The four of them were in the simulation, taking cover behind a truck as they looked at the large construction building.
While they were discussing their strategy, Ren brought up an important point.
Before entering the simulation, Karoline had warned them that they wouldn't be able to use their abilities, as they would be blocked here.
As soon as they arrived, Hestia and Angela had quickly verified this.
"Did you get admitted because of your Gift?"
"How would I know? But I will admit that my ability is part of my strength."
"Then you should show that you can do this without relying on it."
"Okay, but… where did you get a weapon?"
Ren hadn't noticed it before, but now that Hestia had turned to him, he saw a katana attached to her hip. Angela also had dual pistols.
"I brought it with me."
"Huh? But you didn't come in with it, did you?"
"You had to register your weapon before the new year started. Didn't you do that?"
"Huh!? Seriously!?"
"Haha… Don't worry, Ren. Things like that can happen."
"And I'm supposed to be equal to him? That hurts me."
Now that Hestia mentioned it, Ren remembered that Karoline had told him about the weapon registration the very same day he saved her number.
While Hestia looked at him with a forced smile, Dennis laughed awkwardly, and Angela clicked her tongue in annoyance. Ren didn't realize that Karoline's cold smile was affecting those around her, all he felt was a chill run down his spine.
"Dennis, did you forget to register your weapon, too?"
Unlike the way Angela had spoken to Ren, Angela's tone was softer this time, almost affectionate.
"No, I don't use any weapons. I use scrolls."
"Are you a mage?"
Hestia joined the conversation, which made Angela click her tongue again in irritation.
"No, not really. It's just that I don't have any skill in handling weapons."
"Is that so?"
But Dennis's words felt like a light in the darkness for Ren. If Dennis had to use any weapon, it would be a complete disaster.
Even though he was considered the main character, the only way Ren could fight effectively was by using scrolls that created effects similar to magic. If he tried to use any other weapon, he would take more damage than he dealt. He had very little skill with weapons.
Ren had gone through hell to learn this. No matter how much he upgraded his weapon or character, the outcome remained the same.
"Ren!? Why are you crying?!"
"What is wrong with him?"
"He's weird…"
"N-No, nothing. I just feel like God has finally taken my side."
It was hard for him to hold back his emotions. He wouldn't have to convince the main character to use scrolls because Dennis was smart enough to make that decision on his own.
Just knowing this made Ren very happy.
"Let's ignore that idiot. What is the plan?"
"I think we should find another entrance."
The main entrance of the building was guarded by a large group of humanoid monsters. They were known to be weak but fast.
Taking them down as a group wouldn't be difficult, but Dennis was worried that doing so might alert others inside. They had no idea what kinds of monsters were hiding in the building.
He believed it was better to stay unnoticed for as long as possible.
"First, we need to find the entrance. Follow me."
"Wait."
Before Angela could move, Ren called out to her.
"I'll distract them to make it easier for you to find the way in."
"Huh? How do you plan to do that?"
"By fighting. What else?"
There were a lot of monsters, but Ren wasn't scared. The ones guarding the entrance were the weakest in the game, just NPC mobs to fill the numbers.
Even an ordinary person could take them down, and Ren had experience from street fights, which was why he suggested this plan.
"You didn't even bring your weapon. Do you really think you can handle this?"
"Of course! Swords aren't my only fighting style, they're just one of my options."
"...Alright?"
"If he's that confident, just let him be. Our main task is to rescue the hostages, and how we do that wasn't specified. We didn't have to form a team in the first place."
"Okay, let's move."
"Good luck."
The three of them hurried away, leaving Ren alone. He calmly counted the number of monsters in front of him before removing his blazer and stepping into their line of sight.
Instantly, every monster turned to face him, but the ones closest moved first.
Their main weapons were long nails, or rather claws. While they weren't sharp enough to cut through metal or other hard materials, they could still inflict serious damage.
When the first humanoid swung a fist at his face, Ren easily dodged it, took a step forward, and grabbed its body, throwing it towards the other running monsters.
Using the distraction, he charged at the next one in line. The techniques he had learned from taekwondo, karate, and kung fu proved useful.
Since he hadn't fully mastered any of them, he blended all the styles to form a unique approach based on everything he had learned throughout his life.
Each humanoid that approached him was either knocked down or sent flying. For those that hit the ground, he stomped on their heads, causing them to explode into dust.
"Come on! I know you can do better!"
Thanks to his superior strength and agility, even thirty humanoids were no match for Ren. He understood that fighting multiple opponents had one key advantage - they couldn't all attack at once.
One mistake could hurt an ally, and if their attacks weren't coordinated, he could easily take advantage of that.
"Oh! You almost got me! But…"
An attack came from behind, barely registering in Ren's awareness. However, he quickly reacted by grabbing the creature's hand and tossing it over himself into another humanoid.
"Killing two birds with one stone."
The number of monsters had decreased significantly. Where there once were many in front of the building, now there were only a handful left.
"Phew… So, just two of you are left."
However, the fight had taken its toll on him. He hadn't emerged unscathed, there were several cuts and bruises, but none were serious.
For some reason, the two remaining humanoids didn't attack him, instead, they tried to flee. Ren wasn't about to let that happen.
When he got between them, he slammed their heads together, causing them to explode into dust.
"That was quite a fight, I must say."
He felt tired, but after a few deep breaths, he was back to normal. Just as he was about to enter the building, he paused.
"Seriously?"
Another humanoid figure emerged from the building, but this one was unlike any he had fought before.
It had a bare upper body and feet, with its entire body being purple and muscular.
"Now, I am no longer confident in my victory."
It was a monster he recognized from the game, a mini-boss that wasn't easy to take down in close combat.
"A demonic monk. Who would have thought I'd run into this fucker here."
This creature was one of the fastest and most agile monsters, able to dodge nearly every direct attack. The only way Ren had ever defeated it in the game was by using ranged characters.
It was too much of a hassle to do it in close combat.
"Sorry guys, but I don't think I'll be able to join you any time soon."
Ren quickly got into a defensive stance as the monk walked toward him, each step echoing through the area, it felt to him like a cinematic boss entrance.
"If you're going to take your time, then I'll—"
-PUFF
Suddenly, before he could finish his sentence, the demonic monk leaped forward, closing the distance in an instant. With its leg still raised, it landed a powerful kick to Ren's stomach, sending him flying.
"Ugh! Cough Cough What the heck!? Where did that strength come from?"
But the monk didn't stop there. It jumped again, aiming right for where Ren was landing. He managed to brace himself for the first kick, but he didn't expect the monk to shift its balance and land a second kick with a backspin.
- PUFF
"...Fuck…"
As yet another fierce blow hit him in the head, Ren finally realized something important.
For the first time in life, Ren felt that today he might die.