As I moved forward, my eyes scanned the chaos unfolding in front of me. The some applicants were stuck in hesitation, each one waiting for someone else to make the first move. It was exactly as I expected. The moment the buzzer went off, panic spread like wildfire, and most of them just froze. That was the key difference between them and me. The confusion was palpable—they didn't know what to do. WHILE I WAS ONE STEP AHED
I wasn't waiting for the dust to settle. I created my own path. I could feel the pulse of the arena, the subtle shifts in the air as I timed my steps precisely, like a calculated maneuver on a battlefield.
Sigh~
I couldn't help but smile. 'I just hate the people who can't act without someone needing to guide them.'
I wasn't waiting for the dust to settle. I created my own path. I could feel the pulse of the arena, the subtle shifts in the air as I timed my steps precisely, like a chess player waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"In panic, people freeze. But it's those who move that survive." - Renji
Two seconds passed. The first few started running, but it wasn't enough. Half of them were still unsure, still waiting for someone to guide them.
That's when I made my move.
I wasn't a leader—leaders bark commands. I didn't need to command anyone. I just needed to show them it was possible. Without a word, I sprinted forward, leaping over a few who were still caught in the confusion.
'I was also like them, but since then, I have grown and adapted to my circumstances.'
It was like a ripple effect. One person saw me move, and then another, and soon enough, they were all following.
It was like a ripple effect. One person saw me move, and then another, and soon enough, they were all following.
They didn't know it yet, but I was already setting the pace.The standards.
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Time passed, and the chaos of the first few moments began to subside. I took a breath, letting the adrenaline settle.
'Alright, time to make my move and claim the award for best actor in this show. Let my inner shadow step into the spotlight.'
A stifle of laughter could be heard.
'Ooh my little inner kid' (ahmm anyway)
I spent the starting few minutes mapping out the arena in my mind—analyzing the positions of both the students and the robots. I watched the movements of the applicants, seeing who was quick on their feet, who was stumbling, and who was too hesitant. With the data I gathered, I divided the area into zones, mentally marking where the most robots were located and where I could find the least resistance.
'No need to waste energy or time. I'd just utilize my dramatic acting to make the most of this.'
I also categorized the students—some were already moving well, clearly skilled or experienced in martial arts. Others were struggling, barely keeping up with the pace. There were some in-between, people who had potential but didn't yet know how to use it. And then there were those with weak personalities, who hesitated at every step and seemed unsure of themselves.
I kept an eye on each one, noting who could handle themselves and who might need a hand. There was no room for error. This wasn't just a test of strength– atleast for me.
The game wasn't about fighting the robots; it was about outsmarting everyone else.( I feel so cringe)
As I observed, my mind ran through the possibilities. Who would be the best to help? The ones who were struggling seemed like the obvious choice, but I couldn't afford to waste time on anyone who couldn't keep up. There were a few who were managing well, but I noticed them overextending themselves—too eager to prove something. They might burn out quickly. Then there were the ones with real potential, those who weren't struggling but also weren't showing off. They'd be the ones I'd target—those who could be guided without feeling humiliated, and those who could make the best use of any help I offered. They weren't the loudest, but they'd remember. Better to be the one who guides than the one who stands out. I should also help those who were struggling, though—just to make sure it didn't look like I knew the hidden intent of the exam. It was all about keeping my moves subtle, not giving away too much.
'But man, this exam is crazy. Did Nezu already figure me out? Because it looks like the robots are intentionally coming my way.' i thought
Instead of engaging with the robots myself, I decided to make them work for me—well, through others. I noticed a few students near me who were struggling, barely managing to keep up with the chaos. So, I adjusted my position, subtly drawing the attention of the robots towards me. As soon as they locked onto me, I took a quick step aside, causing the robots to lose their target on me and redirect their focus. In that split second, the robots zeroed in on the nearby students, who were now the new targets. The robots, hungry for a target, immediately began attacking them, their focus shifting away from me as I used the chaos to my advantage.
As I watched the chaos unfold, I noticed something strange. Any robot that laid eyes on me immediately switched to a higher level of aggression, almost as if they were being controlled by some sort of advanced AI. But the moment they lost sight of me, that aggression disappeared, and they reverted to their basic programming, attacking the closest student instead. It was like they were under the influence of something more sophisticated, but only when they had a direct line of sight to me. The second they were distracted by other students or something else, that AI-driven focus on me disappeared. It felt almost... intentional.
Sigh~
''Nothing ever goes as planned in this cursed world.''
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Next chapter in few hours because this is too small 🙃🙃🙃