Villain With The Strongest System

"Firstly, you will need to make your way to the next promotion test site which will be a challenging task riddled with dangers

And then you will need to attempt the promotion test itself, which can also end your life" Epita said, as Rocky felt his left eye flutter when he heard these words.

The Origin Realm was already a nightmarish landscape with a ridiculously strong mana concentration and equally challenging tier promotion tests, however, as if that were not enough, one now also needed to make their way to the promotion test sites and could potentially be killed on their way there.

"So for me to attempt the second tier promotion test, I first need to make my way to the test site?" Rocky asked, trying to confirm what he was supposed to do as Epita nodded her head.

She was not obligated to explain all this to Rocky, however, since Rocky indulged her with an interesting conversation today and did not behave like a dick, she felt generous and decided to genuinely help him just this one time.

"There will be three possible trails for you to choose between, with all three trails having different levels of difficulty, leading to different promotion test zones.

If you choose the weakest trail, it will lead you to a promotion test zone where the best possible evaluation you can gain will be a C grade

If you choose the moderately difficult trail, it will lead you to the promotion test zone where the best possible evaluation you can gain is an A grade.

Finally, if you choose the trail with the highest difficulty level, it will lead you to the promotion test zone where the best possible evaluation you can gain is the SSS grade" Epita explained, as she smiled sadistically while giving Rocky the options.

"The weakest trail is the shortest, only being about a mile and a half long, with the beasts that you might encounter along the way being only tier 2 in strength.

The moderately difficult trail is longer, about three miles long and has sentient tier three beasts guarding it.

Finally the highest difficulty trail is the longest, being a five mile hike…. And it's guarded by sentient tier4 beasts that can easily rip the weak you to shreds" Epita said, as she presented Rocky with all the different trail options and the pitfalls of choosing them.

"Sentient Beasts?" Rocky asked, sounding confused by the term usage, as he urged Epita to elaborate further on what it meant.

Epita nodded, understanding his curiosity as she said "Sentient beasts are a unique category of creatures. Unlike regular beasts that operate purely on instinct, sentient beasts possess the potential to develop intelligence comparable to humans. They might learn to speak human languages, communicate complex ideas, and even master advanced battle techniques".

"Take the nine-tailed fox, for example," she continued. "A nine-tailed fox might gain sentience, learning to communicate, read texts, and perform advanced maneuvers.

However, it might also spend its entire life driven by basic instincts, never achieving higher intelligence. These beasts aren't born sentient like humans or dragons but have the potential to develop such capabilities as they mature."

Rocky listened intently, processing the information. The concept of facing creatures with such unpredictable levels of intelligence added a new layer of complexity to his journey to the actual tier two promotion site.

The trails now seemed even more daunting, knowing that he could encounter beasts capable of performing human-like cunning and strategies.

"So, choosing the trail with sentient beasts means I could face creatures that are not only physically powerful but also capable of strategic thinking?" Rocky asked, trying to gauge the full extent of the challenge ahead.

"Exactly," Epita confirmed with a grim smile. "Just like how I've received a quest to be a guide in the origin realm for 6666 years.

Sentient beasts from all across the tower get dragged into the origin realm too and are given similar quests.

The ones that you might face should you choose the harder trails have been given the quest to prevent anyone from passing through.

If they fail this quest, they die, which is why these beasts will stop at nothing to prevent you from passing through" She elaborated, as her words forced Rocky to suck in a deep breath.

Each path held its own risks and rewards, and he knew that his choice would not only determine his immediate survival but also his future potential in the Origin Realm, so chickening out and choosing the weakest and safest trail wasn't an option either.

"Thank you for the explanation, Epita. I'll need some time to think this over," Rocky eventually said, as he realized that he couldn't be hasty with this choice.

"Take your time, Champion Of Gemini, but remember, in the Origin Realm, hesitation can be just as deadly as recklessness," Epita joked, her tone playful as she teased Rocky to not think this through and follow his instincts.

With that, she left Rocky to ponder his next move, with the trails ahead looming large on his mind.

**********

( Meanwhile Erin and Buhara )

Unlike Rocky who was forced to choose between dangerous life and death scenarios within the Origin Realm, The promotion tests of Erin and Buhara looked considerably different.

Given a solo quest that tested their creativity and intelligence, Erin and Buhara felt that the floor20 promotion test was not much different to any normal floor raid at all, as they both passed their respective tests with ease.

Erin achieved an S grade evaluation on his test, earning a significant strength boost and a selection of skills to enhance his abilities as a Support Mage.

Meanwhile, Buhara received an A+ grade evaluation on his promotion test and was rewarded with two random skill scrolls beneficial for a Battle Mage, along with a substantial strength boost.

Unlike Erin he did not receive a choice in what skill he wanted to pick, however, he still received two very rare and powerful AOE spells nonetheless.

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/// A/N - Priv release chapter 2 of 5. Hope you enjoyed it ///