9 Chapter 9- New Tests Part 2

"Group up with your own teammates! Just like the previous ones, I am well-known for giving very simple tests that even brainless idiots could follow so I will only say it once or are there brainless idiots among you?" Novec said with a chilling voice.

Hearing him, the regulars shuddered. They had now understood what kind of person was the administrator. He was a ruthless guy who didn't give a f*ck at all at about the regulars' voice, however, they couldn't do anything about him.

Because they knew it as well that it was all came from the difference between their identities and status. How could regulars like them be comparable to him, a tower Ranker?!

"The test is called "Following Closely". Just like its name implied, what you have to do is simply keep following me while I am running. However, you all need to maintain a distance of less than one hundred meters between us. If any of you go beyond that, they will be disqualified on the spot with their teammates." Novec casually explained the rules.

"Wait, that's too much! What if one of our teammates is not physically strong and dragged us down?" One the regular protested.

"That's your problem! Didn't you choose your own teammates and determine the numbers?" Novec callously said.

"It's your failure if you can't get worthy teammates and pick up trash teammates, so blame yourself for being incapable of evaluating people you picked as your teammates!" He rebutted.

"Now, let's move!"

Novec started the run followed by the hundred regulars. In the beginning, he didn't run fast so most of the regulars could keep up with him even the weak ones, like the girls.

They went around the field for about ten minutes before Novec picked up the pace as the weak ones started to labor themselves just to maintain the distance.

The pace lasted for a while before he picked it up once again. This time it felt overwhelming for the weak ones as they started to lag behind and panic rose up for their teammates.

Huff! Huff! "H-hey wait up for me!"

"Shit! Why did I take you in my team? Now you are going to doom us all!"

"You lied to me, you said you were amazing!"

Shouts and cries were thrown out one after another as desperation set in for those who fell behind and their respective teammates.

"I'm sorry Roy, I can't keep going anymore… sorry to make you fail the test."

"No Lily, we are going to pass this together!"

A tall man stopped to help a little girl as he carried her in a piggyback and continued to run. Seeing that the administrator made no response to that, many people started to realize it.

They began to carry their failing teammates on their back to save themselves!

Unfortunately, not long after that, Novec increased his speed once again, making those who helped their teammates and carried them on their back feel like hell as their legs were aching and wobbling.

Indeed, no matter what, a garbage teammate was still more disastrous than a dangerous enemy!

"Hey, switch up! I can't keep going while carrying you!"

"What, it was so short! I am still tired, I feel like haven't rested at all"

"No way man, at least come down first. I really can't go like this anymore!"

The tides had turned as those who helped became those who needed help instead. After a few minutes, many of those regulars surpassed the one hundred meters distance mark and were instantly teleported away on the spot.

Watching this, those who still running became more determined but hoped that Novec would not increase the pace anymore. Unfortunately knowing Novec's attitude, it was just a false hope as he increased the pace not by a little or decent amount, but by twice!

The regulars got caught off guard as they furiously ran with their best to not be left behind!

Meanwhile, Liu Guanyi and Xin were still steadily running only a few meters behind the administrator as they were talking casually not bothered by the pace at all.

"You're alright Xin?"

"Yea, if it's only this much I can still run for a long time." The yellow-haired boy said.

"Good, as expected you are not a trash like how your family regards you."

"T-thanks!"

"Don't worry, I believe you. I know you have great potential." Liu Guanyi encouraged him warmly.

After a few minutes passed only a dozen regulars were still following. Seeing the test had reached to this point even if Novec wanted to decrease them again, he couldn't do that. Since he was responsible for the test, he wouldn't do it because it would only lower his evaluation and in turn, his wages as a test administrator.

His job was only to make sure that the chosen regulars were worthy. As for the meaning of being worthy itself? It depended on who examined it, but for him, it was… preparedness.

For the chosen regulars to be able to climb the tower to the top and become a Ranker, it was paramount for them to have the ability and skill to be able to cope and adapt with the ever-changing and dangerous situation that happened in the tower.

If they couldn't and were not prepared just for a ruthless test administrator and some running? They were worthless either way and merely deluded themselves for thinking they could achieve greatness with their meager capability.

How hard it was to become a Ranker?

Novec himself as a "normal person" experienced it firsthand and knew it very well. Saving them for their their certain death, they should have thanked him for his benevolence. However, these naïve regulars didn't know that, not that he really cared.

"Regulars, congratulation for passing the "Following Closely" test, you have earned yourself a resting place. Tomorrow you will have the last test… the position test. So I hope you will use the time well. Just follow this path and you will arrive there without a problem." Novec congratulated the successful regulars and pointed to a big and beautifully paved road and went his own way.

The regulars cheered and rejoiced with their friends as they had succeeded in passing the tests of the devil in the red suit.

"Xin, let's go we should use this time to rest and eat well! The test tomorrow will be much harder most likely." Liu Guanyi quickly advised not wanting to waste more time here since he was pretty spent from the fight with the giant to eel to the various tests that he had to take today.

"Ah, Ok!" Xin agreed as he followed him walking on the road Novec previously pointed.