NOVEL WEB Chapter 24: Expedition: Hunt or Be Hunted (1)
_8:00 AM, MONDAY, 17TH OF MARCH, 3225. _
In an unknown place:
A concealed shadow appeared; a figure sat on a throne, features unknown.
"Master, the students are leaving today?" the concealed shadow said.
"I heard the target can't be used because he has an enmity against us," the figure said, their voice sounding neither male nor female.
"Yes, Master."
"Tell Romans to eliminate him. What we can't use must be destroyed."
The figure gave the command, and the shadow disappeared.
"Draco Xandros, you truly picked the path of downfall."
\\\
_Luminari Academy_
"Are you all ready?"
Outside the school gate, students were entering a bus, as if going on a field trip, but this was an expedition to hunt Volkoids.
[The expedition was supposed to take place last week but was postponed to today, meaning it's been a month since their second special lecture. After Draco lost consciousness, he woke 15 hours later, meeting Rose, who was sleeping with her head on the hospital bed. Sometimes Draco thinks maybe he has some fate with hospitals. Soothing Rose, who was angry, he went back to his dorm. Another great thing that happened was that the whole Academy got wind of their relationship. Draco's small action of pecking Rose on the cheek during the special lecture made the whole class erupt into utter chaos. They all turned to Rose, beginning to ask her questions about what happened between her and Draco. With pressure from everyone, she had to spill the beans. The news circulated throughout the whole Academy.
This didn't bother Rose because it helped her protect Draco from ladies chasing after him. Another episode passed, and they started training with weapons, preparing for the expedition: swords, guns, and armored suits. Everybody knew how to use these weapons but hadn't experimented with them. There were also training rooms like the gravitational room, which they used three times for free; anything after that required points. The current students were far stronger than they were during the simulation.]
"This expedition will show the results of your training," Alya's voice sounded. "I hope you have all packed the necessities you need."
The students nodded.
[During these special lessons, they learned the system had its storage space where they could store things. However, it was said that if one died, the system would be destroyed along with the person's death, and materials stored in the system space would also be destroyed.]
Confirming this, Alya allowed the students to enter their bus. With Class A having 55 students, the bus could contain everyone. The students entered the Academy bus, beginning their expedition journey.
"Draco, how do you feel?" Rose, sitting beside Draco, asked.
"A bit excited," Draco said in a soft voice, holding Rose's hand. "And you?"
"Same here. Also, if I'm scared, you're there to protect me."
They both smiled as Draco moved to peck Rose.
"If you dare!" Blum's shrill voice sounded.
"Don't pity us singles. Since you guys started dating, you've been flirting everywhere."
The single boys in the bus supported Blum, overwhelmed by Rose and Draco's flirting.
"Then get a girlfriend," Draco rolled his eyes, unbothered by Blum's teasing, giving Rose a peck.
"Teacher Alya, we have something to report. Someone has violated the rules," the singles said with a righteous aura, Blum leading them.
"How did they violate the rules?" Alya, at the front of the vehicle, asked, hearing the students' bickering.
"Draco broke the rule. He's oppressing us singles."
Alya chuckled, amused by the class's antics.
"Oh, then get your girlfriend so you won't be oppressed."
Her reply made the single guys' faces turn pale.
"Oh no, Draco has subdued Teacher Alya too."
They cried, looking at Draco with resentment. Poor Draco, sitting beside Rose, had become the enemy of the whole boys.
As for why this was speculated, Teacher Alya had always been calling Draco into a secret room. When they asked Draco, he said it was training. But who would believe that - a guy and a lady in an enclosed place? What do you expect next?
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Host: Draco Xandros
Race: Human
Level: (6)
EXP: 7/200
Class: Nil
Talent: Copy Ability
Copied Skill: Thunder and Lightning, Telekinesis, Five-Tailed Fox Power, P!ant Control, Wolf Power
HP: 72/72
MP: 200/ 200
STR: 27
AGI: 27
INT: 28
DEX: 27
STA: 27
DEF: 27
Skill: Scan, Copy
Inventory: Clothes Assecories
Stat Points: 0
Daily Quest: Do 20 Push-ups (0/20), 15 Planks (0/15)and 10 Squats (0/10)
Status: Accomplished
Reward: 5 EXP and 2 Stat points
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Over the past four weeks, Draco's strength has increased significantly. Now at level 6, he can confidently say he can fight a level 8 Bronze Volkoid.
Volkoids are categorized into eight ranks: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Earth, Heaven, and God. Volkoid beasts are graded according to their bloodline.
The strength of a Silver level 5 Volkoid surpasses that of a Bronze level 5 Volkoid. Their strength is based on their bloodline hierarchy.
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[Skills]
Scan: Gives Host detailed information about his surroundings, object and living beings. Limited by Host strength
[Active Skills]
CopyCat (LV 1): Able to replicate abilities lower than your rank for a limited time. Combo with the skill "Scan" can be used to enhance the ability replication accuracy (5/6). 1MP per 2 seconds
Passive Skills: None
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Draco didn't know why he felt his system, even stronger than others, looked a bit defective. Last time he checked his skills, there were no Passive Skills, or Active Skills. Also, if he hadn't tried to copy another skill, he wouldn't have known he can't copy limitless; he only had six chances to copy. So, the last chance for copying skills had to be used wisely. Thankfully, Rose's and others' skills weren't weak.
Spending more than an hour on this journey, they arrived at Drymin Forest. The forest was like a breeding place for Volkoids in Calonia. Even though Volkoids were enemies of humans, some still kept them as pets or raised them.
Everyone had gotten out of their bus, with all classes mixed together.
"My name is Darvis. I'm one of the instructors on this expedition," Darvis said, standing out from the 15 instructors and addressing the students. "I know you all have an idea of what this expedition entails - hunting Volkoids. Let me tell you what this expedition involves."
"There are Volkoids ranging from Level 2 to Level 15, the highest. Their ranks include Bronze, Silver, and Gold. From your class, you should know that only Volkoids from Level 10 can have Volkoid Cores and have Silver Rank upward."
"You will form five-man groups as you hunt the Volkoid Beasts. A Level 2 Bronze Volkoid gives one point, but a Level 2 Silver Volkoid gives two points, and a Gold Volkoid gives three points. A Level 3 Bronze Volkoid gives three points, Silver; four points, Gold; five points... till Level 15 Bronze Volkoid, which gives fifteen points, Silver; sixteen points, Gold; seventeen points."
"The group with the highest points will receive a reward."
Ding!
[Mission]
Become the first group to have the highest points.
Rewards: Unknown.
Everyone received this mission from the system; their excitement peaked.
"As for point recording, leave it to your system. Now form your groups," he shouted.
As usual, Rose, Draco, Blum, Ming, and Sharon formed a group of five. They were familiar with each other, and there was a certain level of trust between them. This caused some noise in the crowd of students.
After a few minutes, everyone was arranged in groups, and it was rare to see a Class C student forming a group with Class A; every group was formed with their respective classes.
With everyone taking their equipment for battle - sword or gun, and if possible, both -
"If any of you are in danger and want to give up, there's a small red button on your right hand; press it," Darvis explained. Everyone was excited.
If it were before, the class wouldn't have wanted to do such an expedition. But now, after a lot of training, they had a bit of confidence to tackle this expedition.
Everyone disappeared into the forest as the hunt began.
"I wonder how many will survive," Williams chuckled.
Darvis sighed, "It's Survival of The Fittest; you either hunt or be hunted.