Fantasy Realm [One Piece] [Harry Potter] [Naruto] - [Progression] [LitRPG]

Chapter 110: Collect x Hunt - The Final Phase of the Third Exam Begins!

Alex, still uneasy about their strategy, exits the secure fenced-in area alongside Linus. Eirini and Patricia... you better make it back, not just for your sake but for ours too, he thinks, glancing toward the direction the two women had gone.

Around them, other examinees are leaving as well, moving quickly but avoiding eye contact. The atmosphere is tense, with no one willing to draw attention to themselves. They soon split up, deciding to go in different directions.

Alex takes a moment to look back at the fenced-in area, scanning for any signs of pursuit. Looks like no one's coming after us. Good. I guess we should hurry.

Instead of walking, Alex and Linus pick up their pace, jogging toward the first location marked on their devices. The landscape around them is desolate—burnt grass, sparse trees, and no signs of life. No animals, no structures, nothing but the vast, dry savannah.

When they finally reach the first marked point on the western side of the examination area, Alex notices nothing immediately visible. He zooms in on his device until it won't zoom further, following the directions precisely. As he steps forward, his foot hits something solid, hidden in the tall grass.

Kneeling down, Alex uncovers a small metal chest. He opens it to find an assortment of unfamiliar sauces inside. The labels and brands are foreign to him, but he recognizes some of the contents—ketchup, a brown pepper sauce, soy sauce, and others he can't identify by sight alone. "Not bad! Linus, I found our bounty—just a bunch of sauces, but it's something. Let's move on."

Linus nods in approval as Alex packs the sauces into his backpack. The two quickly resume their journey to the next marked location.

Linus glances at his device and remarks, "Looks like our two girlies made it to their first point too. It was closer than ours, sure, but they're already heading to their second spot. If they keep this pace, we'll meet them at the last point in the northwest."

Alex feels a wave of relief. Not bad! The real challenge starts once you stop moving in a straight line. That's when others might catch up and ambush you. I didn't even consider the hidden way to win this exam that Shal mentioned earlier... I hope it doesn't come to that.

Linus suddenly breaks the tension with an unexpected comment. "That taller woman—what's her name again? She's exactly my type. If I pass, I might ask her out."

Alex blinks in surprise. "Patricia? I guess she could be your type, if you're into women with a rougher edge."

Linus shrugs with a small grin, unbothered by Alex's remark.

As they approach their second point, Linus suddenly raises his hand, signaling Alex to stop and stay silent. Alex halts immediately, scanning the surroundings but unsure of what Linus has noticed.

Without explanation, Linus pulls out his pistols and fires several shots into the brush ahead.

A flurry of birds erupts from the bushes, scattering into the sky. Alex watches, stunned. I didn't even see them—were they hiding in the brush? Nice spotting, Linus. Seems like I made a good call bringing this guy along.