The only way to win was to wait.

  One had to wait for the exact micro-second the Assassin struck to counter-attack, catching the flaw in their movement to deliver a killing blow. If you missed that split-second window, you were forced back into a desperate defense, waiting for the next strike.

  However, every time the Assassin missed, their next attempt became more violent, more terrifying, and even more unpredictable.

  It was only natural that Jing Qingyun’s mental state shattered into a million pieces.

  He wasn't the only one. In fact, no one was faring much better.

  Shuangshuang and Wuji had both chosen the Grand Mage as their opponent. They were subsequently bombarded off the stage time and time again by a relentless stream of low-level spells, executed with such perfect synergy and zero openings that they could only accept defeat through tear-filled eyes.

  "What terrifying combat technique... his understanding of magic has reached a level of absolute transcendence," Wuji muttered. With every loss, she felt the yawning chasm between herself and that plain-looking AI in the linen robe.

  The transition between every spell was flawless. Every incantation was released at the most opportune moment—whether it was a trap spell, a minor hex to interrupt her casting, a defensive shield, or an offensive blast.

  Not a single drop of Mana was wasted. He was a Grand Mage in the truest sense of the word.

  "How can this be? Why is he so strong...?" Shuangshuang puffed out her cheeks, her teeth biting her lower lip as her eyes welled up with tears.

  After losing twenty matches in a row, the red-eyed Shuangshuang finally let out a loud "Waaaaah!" and burst into full-blown sobbing.

  "What’s going on?" Sitting in a booth near the door, Kael looked up with a mix of confusion and curiosity.

  To be honest, in the Combat Strength Enhancement area, he had seen people curse in rage, freeze in shock, and even suffer mental breakdowns. But someone howling at the top of their lungs? That was a first.

  I guess it counts as an emotional collapse, he thought.

  After confirming that no one was actually dying, Kael lowered his head back to his crystal ball to continue his own challenge. If he had to manage every customer who cried, he’d be busy until the end of time.

  The others felt much the same as Shuangshuang, but they were too conscious of their dignity to let the tears fall. Especially those who had demanded the mission be changed from "surviving" to "defeating" the AI. They didn't just want to cry; they wanted to travel back in time and slap their past selves.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  It turned out that Brilliant Academy would never actually "insult" its students—they had set the survival goal because they knew the alternative was a massacre.

  Meanwhile, Nage and Nagu pushed their carriage to its limits. After racing from Cloud Mist City back to the Orc Tribe, the guards immediately signaled their arrival. Nage hurried through a private corridor to the Intelligence Group's briefing hall.

  "Nage, what did you find on this mission?" The group leader was a lean, wiry Orc who remained hidden in the shadows of the hall, even with the lights on. This was the way of the scouts.

  "Leader, the shop’s details have been verified, and we’ve collected all the equipment." Nage bowed his head as he reported. "The gear has been handed over to the blacksmiths, but there is a piece of very troubling news."

  "Speak," the leader said, his tone flat.

  "I encountered the Dharma God in that shop," Nage said.

  "Gu Pingchuan?" The leader’s brow twitched—a rare sign of surprise. There was only one Dharma God in the empire.

  "Yes. Furthermore, the Shop Owner was chatting and laughing with him as equals. I suspect that the Manager is actually the Huangyuan Empire’s third Hero Rank powerhouse," Nage said gravely.

  "Continue."

  "In front of the shop, there were two sculptures frozen in an instant. I believe this Hero Rank expert specializes in Ice Magic," Nage analyzed.

  "Heh... first a Fire Emperor, and now an Ice Emperor?" The leader muttered to himself.

  Regardless of their class, a Hero Rank powerhouse was not to be trifled with. A powerful Mage could wipe out a city-state with a single Forbidden Spell; a powerful Warrior could split mountains.

  "This information is to be classified as Top Secret. It must be reported to the Beast Emperor immediately. You did well." After a pause, the leader added, "It seems our attitude toward the Huangyuan Empire needs to change."

  An empire with three Hero Rank powerhouses was no longer a target that ordinary forces could provoke.

  After seeing off the Lanye Squad, Kael finally closed the shop doors. The snack sales had been unexpectedly high. Even members of the Blood Wolf Squad who weren't scheduled for training had come specifically to stock up. Whether for the taste or the refining effects, the snacks were worth every crystal.

  [System: Congratulations, Host. You have completed the Hidden Mission one day ahead of schedule.]

  Sitting on his bed, Kael’s eyes lit up. "Since I finished early, do I get an extra bonus?"

  [System: Apologies, Host. Even if you completed it the millisecond it was issued, there are no extra rewards.]

  "Tch, stingy system," Kael grumbled.

  [System: Host, I believe I heard an unfavorable adjective. Do you still want your rewards?]

  "I said the System is fair, rigorous, and principled! Truly a breath of fresh air compared to those 'trashy' AIs out there." Kael immediately folded for the sake of the prizes.

  [System: I’m glad you understand. The combined rewards for both missions—thirty new training seats—are now being distributed.]

  [System: The Combat Strength Enhancement training area has met the prerequisite for an upgrade (50 total seats).]

  [System: Issuing the Upgrade Mission. Do you accept?]

  The three consecutive notifications caught Kael off guard. "Wait, the training room has upgrade prerequisites?"

  [System: Does the Host truly believe that with only twenty seats, an upgrade would even be meaningful?]

  The System’s tone sounded oddly... ethereal. Kael had to admit it made sense. No matter how much he customized the room, twenty seats weren't enough to build the "gaming paradise" he envisioned.

  "Fine. I accept. Let’s see what this upgrade mission is all about."