Chapter 51: End of the Entrance exam (3)
Eastwood Waterfalls
Nestled in the heart of the forest like a secret kept from the deserted isle, the waterfall shimmered in the mid-afternoon light, veils of mist cascading down mossy cliffs. The soft thundering of water drowned out all other sounds, but amidst the beauty, there was also a feeling of danger emanating from it.
Alex crouched on the rocky ridge overlooking Eastwood Waterfalls, the misty cascade thundering below. From his vantage point, he scanned the dense flora—towering moss-covered trees, vines thick enough to strangle a wyvern, and flowers that glowed faintly in the moonlight. The air buzzed with an odd stillness, an eerie sort of peace.
He wasn’t here for sightseeing, though. He peered over a thick branch to get a better look. The vegetation around the waterfall was lush, bordering on overgrown. Towering ferns mixed with bizarre plants—some bioluminescent, others shifting slightly, even in the absence of wind. Magic thrived here.
"Looks like the monster’s sleeping peacefully," Alex muttered, exhaling as he brushed his silver bangs back. "Would be a shame to wake him up... unless you had a good reason."
He cracked his neck, muscles taut with anticipation.
"And I do have a reason. After all, I’m the only idiot who knows where the strongest monster of this exam is," he said, almost smugly. "An Advanced Peak-rank beast—a nightmare for anyone, even someone at the same level."
His grin widened. His plan was devious in its simplicity.
Step one: Hide. Step two: Let the incoming mobs chasing him stumble in, start fighting, and inevitably stir the sleeping beast. Step three: Watch the chaos unfold.
He reached into his storage ring and pulled out three palm-sized black orbs, etched with glowing silver runes. The moment he held them, they pulsed faintly.
Rune-Bound Detonators—a gift from Jack, his new business partner and the emotionally unstable genius blacksmith.