[REMAINING TIME: 49 HOURS 20 MINUTES]
"Weird… almost a whole day, and still nothing?"
Chen Guang muttered to himself as he got dressed.
The room was cramped, but at least it was clean—the bed neatly made, nothing out of place.
He tapped the [MISSION] tab.
[WARNING: FAILURE OF THE MISSION MEANS DEATH]
"Death, huh… but nothing's happening."
His eyes fixed on the last word.
Or is the system just watching me from somewhere…
His train of thought was cut short.
"What the hell does it want from me?"
A pale blue screen flickered faintly.
It hovered there as if it couldn't care less.
Shaking his head, he reached out and dismissed the interface.
"If only the mission were simpler…"
He exhaled, slapped his cheeks lightly, then bent down to make the bed.
"Really need more money for a bigger place, or else..."
He straightened up and gave the room one more look.
Then his hand moved to the bracelet on his left wrist.
"…Ling wouldn't like it either."
He lowered his head, pressing his forehead against the bracelet.
"I won't die."
His fingers tightened slowly, knuckles paling.
Slipping on his backpack, he headed for the door.
His steps slowed as he turned back for one last look at the room.
"...Let's go."
He murmured softly.
The door closed behind him.
His footsteps echoed through the hallway.
A faint shhk sound rang out, so soft that Chen Guang didn't notice it at all.
From somewhere unseen, black ants began to slip into the hallway, one after another, quietly trailing behind him.
*****
"Alright, everyone, settle down. Today we'll speed through the theory—"
Liu Zhang stood at the podium, pausing briefly as his gaze swept across the room.
"—and then move on to practical training."
The room instantly buzzed with excitement.
Some couldn't hold it in and started cheering.
"Finally, practice! I've been waiting for this!"
"Exactly, Vanguard is all about fighting. That dry theory stuff is unbearable."
"Haha, get ready to kneel before me, all of you!"
The room went wild.
"And Miss Sun Feng here will be your instructor."
"That's why I'm here. It's a pleasure to work with all of you."
Sun Feng stepped forward, picking up where Liu Zhang left off.
She gave a slight bow, graceful and fluid, her movements like flowing silk.
Her eyes briefly swept over Chen Guang, who was still fumbling around trying to find a seat.
"I'm telling you, this is my seat and Mimi's. If you know what's good for you, get lost."
Mei Mei didn't even look at Chen Guang when she said it.
"Mei Mei, why are you saying that? This was his seat to begin with."
"Ah, never mind. I'll sit over there instead. You two can stay."
Chen Guang quickly moved to the next desk.
"What are you doing?"
Mei Mei grabbed Mimi's arm as she tried to move over.
"What's it to you? I'll sit wherever I want!!"
Mimi snapped back, loud enough for Mei Mei to hear but not enough to disrupt the already noisy classroom.
"I'll tell Uncle Wang you've been hanging around shady people."
Mei Mei's voice was full of threat.
Mimi froze for a moment, then whipped her head around.
Her eyes glistened with tears.
"Who do you think my dad's going to believe? Me, his daughter, or an outsider like you?"
She shrugged Mei Mei's hand off and quickly moved to Chen Guang's desk.
"What are you doing? Why not sit over there with Mei Mei?"
"I don't want to. She threatened me. She said she'd tell my dad I've been hanging around with you."
Chen Guang glanced sideways at Mei Mei.
Her face was twisted with anger, staring at him like she wanted to skin him alive.
He swallowed hard.
"Looks like I've made quite an impression."
"I don't get why she looks down on lower-ranked Vanguards so much when she's only Rank D herself."
Mimi puffed her cheeks, clearly annoyed—like a sulking puppy.
"Alright, quiet down. Let's move on with today's lesson."
Liu Zhang's voice rang out, followed by a clap that echoed through the room.
The noise died instantly.
All eyes turned toward the podium.
"Today we'll be learning about Vanguard classification. Does anyone know how many categories there are?"
Liu Zhang scanned the room again.
"Sir, there's strength-type!"
One hand shot up.
"There are people who can boost their speed too!"
Another followed.
"I've seen a Vanguard breathe fire before. It was awesome."
"That's nothing—I've seen one control monsters to kill other monsters!"
The voices overlapped into a mess.
"Alright, you're all correct, but that's not the classification I'm referring to."
Liu Zhang said, briefly glancing at Chen Guang before looking forward again.
"How about you? Do you know anything about it?"
Sun Feng's voice suddenly cut in, making Chen Guang jolt.
Sweat formed on his forehead as he looked up.
She's targeting me.
Their eyes met for a split second before Chen Guang instinctively looked away.
"Uh… from what I know, there's enhancement-type, supernatural-type, and… um…"
He frowned, trying to piece together scattered memories.
"And mind-type. Thank you."
Sun Feng smiled faintly, clearly satisfied.
"That's right. These are the three main classifications defined by the National Ability Management Bureau."
Liu Zhang pulled out a pen, and images began appearing in sequence.
"Enhancement-type refers to strengthening the physical body to a certain extent."
An image of a man smashing through a wall appeared, followed by a girl outrunning a herd of horses.
"Increased strength, speed, durability—all fall under enhancement-type."
So I'm probably enhancement-type.
Chen Guang thought, eyes still fixed on the front.
The images shifted to a man surrounded by sharp ice, then another enveloped in blazing flames.
"Supernatural-type, as the name suggests, includes abilities like controlling elements, moving objects, and similar powers."
As the lecture continued, Chen Guang suddenly felt something.
A strange itch, tingling, crawled up from his feet.
He looked down.
A line of black ants was crawling up his leg in perfect formation.
"Your Majesty!"
"What are you doing here?"
Chen Guang glanced up.
Liu Zhang was still lecturing, while Sun Feng stood beside him, her gaze directed somewhere toward the back of the room.
"Your Majesty, there is danger."
"Danger? What do you mean?"
"That woman… she's not… normal…"
Sun Feng's eyes suddenly swept across him.
The voices in his head cracked into static.
Then—
A faint burnt smell.
One ant flipped over, its body curling and blackening.
What the hell just happened?
His whole body trembled.
A sharp pain stabbed into his forehead—like something had been ripped out.
"Your Majesty… this place… it's not safe…"
Another ant flipped over, just like the first.
The pain struck his head again.
"Don't come any closer. All of you—run."
He clutched his head, lowering it.
His breathing turned uneven.
The remaining ants scattered in every direction.
The stream of voices in his head was cut off—like something had completely severed the connection.
Footsteps stopped in front of him.
"Feeling unwell?"
A voice spoke.
Chen Guang forced himself to look up—Sun Feng stood before him, smiling.
His legs trembled uncontrollably.
"That damn bug…"
"Why is the goddess even talking to him? It's disgusting."
Whispers spread as all eyes turned toward him.
Easy for you to say.
He swallowed hard, his throat dry.
"N-no… it's nothing. I just didn't eat this morning. Bit of a headache."
He scratched his head and gave a foolish smile.
"You didn't eat, and now your legs are shaking like that? You really are weak."
Sun Feng's eyes flicked toward the floor—for just half a second.
"Ahaha… I've always had… a weaker constitution…"
"If you're unwell, you should go to the hospital immediately."
She straightened up and turned back toward the podium.
"Oh, and…"
She suddenly paused.
"If you eat something, don't do it in class. It's a hassle to clean, and it might attract..."
"...ants."
She looked at Chen Guang for another half-second before walking away.
His ears rang and his senses dulled.
"Chen Guang…"
Mimi tugged at his sleeve.
"Hm?"
Her voice pulled him back.
"She's really beautiful, huh? You looked completely mesmerized—ow!"
He flicked her forehead.
"What nonsense are you saying? I really do have a headache. I didn't eat this morning."
His stomach growled loudly, as if confirming it.
"Skipping breakfast isn't good."
Mimi rubbed her forehead.
"Alright, that's the end of today's lesson."
Liu Zhang's voice rang out.
"Huh? It's over already? Did I miss something?"
Chen Guang turned to Mimi.
"Mimi, did you hear the part about mind-type classification?"
"I heard it, but I didn't really understand any of it."
"Oh come on! This course costs two million, and I missed a whole chunk…"
He grabbed his head dramatically.
"Alright, everyone, move. We're heading to the training hall."
Sun Feng clapped her hands.
"Let's go, Chen Guang!"
Mimi said cheerfully, patting his shoulder while he still hadn't recovered.
*****
"Whoa!! So this is the training hall? It looks like a stadium."
Mimi's excited voice rang out.
The entire field was covered by a transparent dome.
The sunlight blazed outside, but none of it got through.
"You really like pink, huh?"
Chen Guang, now dressed in a worn-out training outfit, walked over.
"It's cute! I like rabbits too. Actually, I just like small animals. They're ridiculously adorable."
"Yeah, I know."
His eyes drifted over Mimi.
Her soft pink sportswear was clearly expensive, paired with a hoodie that had rabbit ears on the back.
"Alright, today we'll be testing your physical fitness. Simple enough."
Sun Feng stepped forward, dressed in a tight burgundy outfit of unmistakably premium quality.
"Oh my god, Goddess Feng Feng!!"
"Seeing a star like her in workout clothes? My life is complete."
"You guys are overdoing it… but yeah, she really is beautiful."
Excited chatter filled the air as Sun Feng stood before more than fifty students.
"Alright, every Vanguard, regardless of their classification, needs physical strength."
A small whistle hung from her neck.
"Strength to fight, strength to move, strength to save your teammates, and..."
"...to run away."
Chen Guang's hands clenched as he finished her sentence.
Unpleasant memories surfaced.
He shook his head slightly and let out a long breath.
Eyes immediately turned toward him, like vultures circling a corpse.
Every kind of look—mockery, disdain, contempt—was thrown his way.
"That's right. And that's the most important one."
Sun Feng crossed her arms, her expression turning serious.
The murmurs died instantly.
"Who here has entered a Portal before?"
Only a few hands went up, including Chen Guang and Mimi.
"So only three of you."
She nodded slightly.
"Inside a Portal, danger comes without warning. So the most important thing—"
"—is survival."
Silence fell over the entire space.
Some swallowed nervously, sweat trickling down their foreheads.
"Never underestimate anyone or anything. Remember this! Arrogance is the fastest path to death inside a Portal."
Sun Feng paused briefly, scanning the crowd once more.
"This course only lasts a week. Today is already the third day. I'll briefly go over today's training. The rest depends on your own effort."
She handed a small stopwatch to Mimi.
"I'll demonstrate a 100-meter sprint. Please time me."
The moment she finished speaking, she lowered herself into a starting position.
"3… 2… 1… Go!"
The instant Mimi gave the signal, Sun Feng shot forward like a bullet, leaving a trail of afterimages in her wake.
"What's the time?!"
"That was way too fast! I couldn't even see it!"
The crowd erupted, everyone craning their necks to see Mimi's stopwatch.
"8.49 seconds?"
Chen Guang's eyes widened, his jaw dropping in disbelief.
"The world record is 10.49. That's almost two whole seconds faster!"
He snapped his head toward Sun Feng.
A monster. She's a monster.
He forced a bitter smile.
Sweat soaked through his back as his fists clenched.
[MANDATORY QUEST: SURVIVE THE TRAINING SESSION WITHIN THE TIME LIMIT]
[REMAINING TIME: 42 HOURS 15 MINUTES]
The system screen appeared.
I have to endure 42 more hours with that monster?
He shook his head violently.
[WARNING: FAILURE MEANS DEATH]
His eyes locked onto the final line.
"It won't come to that… right? Nothing unusual has happened so far."
He forced a smile, but the sweat kept pouring.
"As long as I make it through these 42 hours, I'll clear it. Just hold on."
"Everyone will run 100 meters for the physical assessment."
Sun Feng's voice suddenly sounded right beside him.
She… when did she get back?
A chill ran down his spine despite the blazing sun.
Goosebumps spread across his arms.
"Prepare yourselves. This will be a hellish training course."
The corner of her lips curled upward.
She's definitely got it out for me.
His legs went weak, as if something was right behind him.
Sunlight flooded the field, yet his body felt ice-cold.
An ant wandered across his arm.
Suddenly, it flipped over, its body charred black.
The burnt smell hit his nose instantly.
His entire body tensed.
Again.