Chapter 301: Secret Training Place No. 5

"Hey! In this event, students from various classes will compete to collect as many plants as possible! Herbal plants, poisonous plants, rare plants—everything is worth points! Each plant has a different value depending on its type, quality, rarity, and various other factors!"

Pricilla glanced to the side, then with an enthusiastic smile, she introduced her co-host.

"Today, I, Pricilia Elica, will accompany all of you as the host! And with me is..."

The woman next to Pricilla, who had been staring at the screen with a blank expression, finally turned her head. With a calm yet sharp voice, she introduced herself.

"Luna Moon."

No additional embellishments. No dramatic gestures like Pricilia. However, even though Luna's response was brief, her voice still carried an aura of authority.

Pricilia blinked a few times before returning to her bright smile.

"Yes! I and Teacher Luna will be the commentators for the first event of this Sports Festival!"

Pricilia tapped the holographic screen in front of her, bringing up a three-dimensional map of the competition location.

"The participants will be sent to—Secret Training Place No. 5!"

Instantly, the holographic map zoomed in on a specific area, displaying a vast expanse of dense forest covering dozens of square kilometers.

"This place has been specially modified for this event! The participants will not only collect plants, but they will also have to survive various threats within it!"

The screen changed, showing images of ferocious creatures.

"They will face various Horrors—from Horrors in the form of wild rabbits, wolves, to aggressive monkeys! Even large monsters like elephants and gorillas roam within the area!"

A short video played, showing a giant black-furred gorilla with glowing red eyes, roaring loudly enough to shake the ground and surrounding trees.

Some spectators swallowed hard.

"The students must survive while collecting as many points as possible within three hours!"

Cheers echoed throughout the stadium once again.

"So, what are we waiting for? Let's watch this match!"

...

...

...

In the waiting room, in a brightly lit space with transparent crystal walls, dozens of students gathered in silence. Some of them appeared tense, while others showed confident expressions.

Among them, a young man with messy white hair stared at his fading hands. A faint blue light enveloped his body before he slowly vanished from his spot.

In an instant, all the participants disappeared from the waiting room.

...

...

...

In Secret Training Place No. 5.

When Haruto opened his eyes, the first thing he felt was the humid air filling his lungs.

Haruto stood in the middle of a dense forest, with towering trees blocking most of the sunlight. The aroma of wet earth, moss, and decaying leaves wafted through the air.

In the distance, the buzzing of insects could be heard, interspersed with the chirping of small animals and the faint growls of creatures hiding among the bushes.

Haruto squinted, observing his surroundings.

"Haah... This is going to be troublesome." Haruto sighed, then took slow steps into the forest filled with unseen dangers.

...

...

...

"Yes! The students have begun exploring the area to search for herbal and poisonous plants scattered throughout Secret Training Place No. 5!" Pricilia exclaimed enthusiastically, her voice echoing in the giant stadium.

Pricilla then turned to her partner. "Teacher Luna, who do you think will take first place in this event?"

Luna, who had been silent until now, finally spoke in a nonchalant tone. "If that kid doesn't show his true abilities, then it's likely that Kim Jisoo or Asuka Endo will take first place. But if that kid decides not to hold back, then there will be no hope for Kim Jisoo or Asuka Endo to win."