I crouched in the shadows, admiring the four badges in my hands like they were the most valuable treasures in the world. Because, well, in this hellish survival test, they were.
Four whole badges. Just from one batch of sleeping poison and a bunch of overly confident magic students with zero survival instincts.
This was too easy.
I mean, sure, the first night had been rough—falling into a hole, running from a demon bear, getting zero proper rest—but now? Now I was thriving.
I turned the badges over in my hands, grinning. I could feel my inner evil mastermind emerging, and honestly? I liked it. This wasn't just survival anymore.
This was hunting.
The rules were simple:
Lose your badge? You're out. Give up? You're out. Make the mistake of eating food that a certain demon princess might have tampered with? You're out.
I was practically built for this.
I had barely even tried yet, and I was already four steps ahead of everyone.
