Awakened Talent: 10,000 Exp Converter!

After defeating the group of Yeenlings, Vincent's group finally reached the desert biome part of the battlefield.

In the distance, several connected buildings formed a triangular shape. In the middle of these buildings stood a towering structure resembling a wizard's tower.

Hiding behind a huge rock, Nira faced Nor and S'an, who had just returned from scouting the nearest building.

"How was it?" she questioned.

Nor took the initiative to respond. "There were at least three groups within the perimeter of the 'Abandoned Tower.' That's just the perimeter—we haven't been able to completely scout the tower itself."

Nira frowned.

"How about their situation and equipment?" she asked further.

"Regarding their equipment, two groups were all wearing Tier 1 shields, while the other group was equipped with transparent green armor. Most likely, Tier 2 shields."

Nor paused before continuing.

"And about their situation—this is just my assumption—but based on their locations and reactions, they seem aware of the presence of the other groups as well."

Nira continued to ask, "And their level?"

Nor responded promptly as he took a glance at Vincent. "All Peak Tier 2."

Nira seemed preoccupied, failing to notice Nor's gaze. However, Vincent and Ruoruo definitely caught it, sensing that Nor was trying to say something.

Ruoruo stepped in front of Vincent and stared directly into Nor's eyes.

"You don't have to worry; he won't be a deadweight. I'll be supporting him."

Vincent was faintly surprised. He didn't know why she was protecting him, especially since this was their first meeting.

He grew more curious about the real reason behind her actions.

At the same time, Nira sensed something amiss. When she heard Ruoruo's words, she raised her head, looking at them in confusion before immediately realizing what was happening.

Without a word, she approached Nor and pulled him by his ears.

"When are you going to stop acting like a jackass?"

"I'm not a jackass! L-Let go of my ears!"

Nira then turned to Ruoruo and, with an awkward smile, said, "Don't mind this guy. He would never dare to do anything as long as I'm here, so you both can relax."

Ruoruo nodded, though her expression remained serious. She then turned around to face Vincent.

She flashed him a warm smile and said, "You have nothing to worry about. I'll protect you… even if you're a pervert…"

Her last sentence was weak, almost a whisper, but still audible to Vincent's sharp hearing.

Vincent couldn't help but ask in wonder, "Why? Why are you helping me?"

Ruoruo's perfectly arched eyebrows rose as her eyes widened slightly.

"What do you mean, why? Isn't that normal? We're both from the same race—we ought to protect each other from the oppression of other races."

Though still in doubt, Vincent didn't say anything and simply nodded in response.

Her answer sounded reasonable, yet he knew there was more to it. But he refrained from pressing further as they moved inside a two-story house.

"Everyone," Nira started, drawing their attention.

"Now, let's discuss what we're going to do…"

As Vincent's group discussed their plan, the other groups, unaware of their presence, remained focused on each other.

After some time, Vincent's group finalized their plan.

However, Ruoruo still wore a worried expression.

"Do we really have to do this? Can't we just wait for them to fight each other and then take them out in one fell swoop?" she asked. She wasn't worried about herself—her concern was for the task given to Vincent.

Nira smiled at her wryly.

"I'm not trying to be rude, but as you can see, if we really wait for them to kill each other and a group survives to claim all the loot, do you think we'll have any advantage against them?"

Though she didn't directly say it, she was clearly implying that having a Peak Tier 1 in their team put them at a distinct disadvantage against groups of Peak Tier 2 Origin Warriors.

Noticing that Ruoruo was still unconvinced, Nira added, "Well, if you're that worried, why don't you do it on your own?"

At this moment, Vincent could no longer remain a silent listener. He interjected, "I appreciate your concern, Miss Ruoruo, but you don't have to worry about me. I can protect myself."

"But—"

Before she could protest further, an emergency alarm echoed across the entire battlefield, signaling the shrinking of the safe zone circle.

"It's time!" said Nira.

As soon as she spoke, a loud explosion echoed in the distance.

The other groups had already begun fighting.

The curses and clashing sounds from the distant groups filled the air, followed by another resounding explosion.

"Fuck you! Die, assholes!"

"Haha! I thought you were going to hide forever like a fucking rat! Go kill them!"

Nira looked at Nor and S'an, nodding to them before turning to Ruoruo. "There's no time to argue now. We have to follow the plan."

Ruoruo's gaze hardened before she turned to Vincent and handed him a wooden token with a strange aura.

"Here, you can have this," she said, placing it in Vincent's hand.

With a glance, Vincent instantly recognized it. He had some of them as well: a Tower's Escape token.

Ruoruo didn't wait for Vincent's response before vanishing in a flash toward a specific direction.

Nira, Nor, and S'an also left shortly after, with Nira saying, "Stick to the plan."

Vincent grew tired of their shenanigans. He wasn't the type to hide his strength, and if it weren't so time- and energy-consuming to eliminate all the other groups on his own, he would have done it already.

But now, looking at the situation, he felt his original plan to take it easy was turning out to be boring.

"Haaa, fuck the plan. I'll do it my own way."

With that, Vincent's figure suddenly blurred before completely vanishing.

He had activated his epic-grade skill: Phantom Veil.

Vincent had never attempted to use his movement skills during trials, finding no need to do so. But this time was different. Determined to act, he used the sub-skill of Phantom Veil, Shadow Blink, teleporting straight to one of the buildings where three groups were engaged in fierce combat.

Unnoticed, he appeared amidst the chaos, halting everyone in their tracks.

"What's a fucking Peak Tier 1 doing here?! And it's a human no less!"

"Yo, brat! Are you already tired of living?"

Members of the groups mocked him with laughter.

"Haha, are you guys missing a team member? Which group does this human belong to?" another joked, laughing.

Just as he finished speaking, Vincent's figure reappeared beside him.

The man was from the Mantice race, known for their agility. Standing nearly seven feet tall with a thin, mantis-like frame, his beady eyes bulged in shock as Vincent slowly withdrew his arm from the man's stomach, causing green blood to spill onto the floor.

"Since I'm not your enemy, I'll give you a second to use your Tower's Escape," Vincent whispered to the Mantice, who collapsed to his knees, overwhelmed by the human's speed and strength.

Moments ago, he had been mocking Vincent; now, he was bleeding and trembling.

"Matty!" the Mantice's teammates shouted, breaking out of their stupor.

"Bastard, let him go!"

As they moved to assist their fallen comrade, Vincent's figure blurred once more. Reappearing just a foot away from them, he hurled a powerful punch.

Bam!

A thunderous sound echoed as his fist generated a shockwave, blasting Matty's group into the building's wall.

"Argh!"

"Uwargh!"

As the groans of pain filled the air, Vincent scanned the remaining two groups.

"I'll give you all one chance: use your Tower's Escape tokens and abandon this trial, or else…"

He didn't bother to finish the threat—his intent was clear.

The two groups gritted their teeth, their expressions filled with fury.

"Who the hell do you think you are?! You're just a mere human!" shouted someone with a boar-like appearance.

Vincent smirked. Thankfully, none of these three groups were human, giving him peace of mind to unleash his full strength.

In response, he used Shadow Blink to appear beside the boar-man who had spoken.

"Look out!" one of them shouted in alarm.

Before the boar-man could react, Vincent grabbed him by the neck and slammed him to the ground.

Bam!

The floor trembled from the impact.

Even though the boar-man wore a Tier 1 shield, it offered no protection. Vincent had directly targeted his face, leaving a deep fracture in the floor.

Instantly, the boar-man lost consciousness, his condition unknown.

"B'aro!" his teammates cried out.

But B'aro didn't respond.

Vincent glared at the remaining group members.

"Choose. Leave, or end up like him."

Though they seethed with anger, they hesitated, realizing the human's overwhelming strength.

Before the boar-man's group could decide, Matty's group no longer hesitated and silently activated their Tower's Escape tokens.

As they vanished, the equipment they looted remained behind.

Glancing at each other, B'aro's group also reluctantly decided to leave.

The trial had barely started, and they had already been defeated.

Though they had begun building trust as a team, it wasn't strong enough to risk their lives against this "demon in human disguise."

They doubted Vincent was truly human—or only Peak Tier 1.

After the two groups fled, one group remained, dressed in Tier 2 shields.

This group, all members of the Caniscelerus race, stood silently, watching Vincent.

Their race, known for their swiftness and cunning, resembled coyotes with sandy fur, sharp eyes, and lean, sinewy bodies.

Vincent addressed them.

"I don't have much patience. Are you leaving, or do I have to make you leave?"

The leader, Cannis, stepped forward. "How about this? If you block my attack, we'll leave immediately."

His teammates reacted with surprise.

"What are you saying, Cannis?! Are you afraid of this brat?"

Without looking at the speaker, Cannis replied, "If you think you can defeat him, why don't you try?"

The rebuke silenced his teammate, who knew he stood no chance alone.

Vincent smirked, unimpressed.

"Make it quick," he said.

Moments later, a deafening noise echoed, and the surroundings trembled.

Silence followed, broken only by Vincent standing amidst the loot.

"My plan is better. There's no better plan than beating them with overwhelming power."

He chuckled at the thought before hearing a familiar voice behind him.

"What's happening here? Where are the other groups? And what are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to sneak and steal the loot?"

Turning, Vincent saw Nor standing there with a confused expression.