The third test was different from the rest.


    If the first and second tested a person''s dexterity and agility, the third test tested a reaction speed. Unlike the other tests, this one had a designated time of 1 minute.


    Not only that, the test taker was unable to move beyond a meter from the center. They were trapped inside a ss wall.


    What they needed to do was simple. It was to avoid an iingser.


    "Will he be able to do it without dying in this test?" Mr. Taka asked himself as he watched the screen.


    Max stood in the center of a white room from before. However, unlike the first room he entered before the first test, there were many devices alongside the wall. Just as he looked around, the 1-minute countdown in the air also started to decrease slowly.


    Following that, aser appeared.


    Fwoosh!


    It was a verticalser that moved from one side to another. The speed was also moderate, not too fast, and not too slow. It was like a person''s running speed.


    Dodging it was easy for Max. He just needed to duck. As much as possible, he didn''t want to jump as that would make him unable to move for a second.


    Zoop! Swoosh!


    This time, twosers crossing against each other appeared. Not only did they move toward Max, but they also moved up and down. Their movement was static and easy to guess.


    Once again, Max dodged it easily.


    ''Nowes the hard part.''


    The first two were just like a tutorial. Now that the yer was used to theser''s movement, the real test started.


    Fivesers appeared at once, moving around the wall as they moved toward the other side. Their speed was faster than the first twosers. Dodging them would be rather tricky as he needed to find the gap created at the perfect time.


    In short, he needed to either predict where the gap would be or just react to it when it got close.


    Max chose thetter. Thinking in this kind of situation would only make his body stiff. Three were on the right side, and two were on the ceiling.


    When thesers got closer, the gap could be seen at the corner of the closed space.


    ''There it is!''


    With an amazing reflex, Max immediately threw his body between the gap and passed by theser unharmed.


    30 seconds had passed.


    And the test continued. Sevensers, with speed faster than before. There were still 2 more Max needed to clear.


    Just like earlier, he managed to squeeze through the gap unharmed by front flipping. The audience in the waiting room cheered at his show, but then they became tense as the next batch ofsers appeared.


    This time, twice as manysers appeared. Four on both sides and six on the ceiling. They also moved around wildly; their trajectory couldn''t be guessed.


    "Hey! Howe people are able to get past this?!" Maxined loudly as he saw thesersing at him twice as fast as the first one.


    Indeed, it was strange.


    Those who had tried this test before also couldn''t use their knowledge to find the gap because thesers'' paths would always be different.


    But then, everyone could get past this level because there was a trick. People just needed to lie down on the floor for thest twosers, and they would be safe.


    Whoever did that would never gain a satisfactory SR that professional gamers had. Those who were truly good at VR wouldn''t try or use that trick.


    ''Left.''


    Using his amazing kic ability, Max could see the trajectory of thesers and jumped to anticipate it beforehand. He was not lucky. It was his experience of finding a path that helped him in this situation.


    ''Heh, this is easy.''


    Maxnded on his feet after he passed the small gap. His hand was scratched by theser earlier, but that wasn''t a problem. He could still move.


    ''Now this is a gamble.''


    Thestser. People would definitely move to the next test, no matter the result of this one. However, those who died would get a minute penalty. For someone who wanted to set a record, surviving thestser was a must.


    ''But it''s so difficult. Even I died in this testst time.''


    Not only him, but the current record holder, Puppeteer, also didn''t survive thestser and took the penalty.


    Swoosh! Zoop!


    Wrrrr!!


    Thirtysers appeared from four sides of the walls and ground. Their rotation was faster than before, and it went toward Max at full speed like a truck.


    He needed to think fast. His eyes observed thesers to find a small gap that would allow him to survive. Getting injured was fine. He just needed at least 70% of his body to stay intact.


    And he found it.


    ''Over there!''


    His feet moved as soon as he found the gap. He leaped toward the ss barrier that kept him inside and used it to jump again. He did it so many times that he moved up until he hit the ceiling.


    At the same time, thesers reached him. His heart was beating faster than usual, but his eyes looked calm.


    Pzzt!


    When theser touched his hair, he immediately curled into a ball and kicked forward. The rotatingsers seemed to be ready to cut him into pieces. However…


    Swoosh!


    By a miracle, Max was able to go away with only his legs cut. His upper body was still intact, and he used his hands to slow down his fall.


    The countdown in the air slowly approached 0. And when it disappeared, the scenery changed. Max''s legs regenerated after it was covered in blue glow, the cheers erupted in the waiting room.


    "Woooooo!!! He survived! He freaking survived thestser!!!"


    "No way!"


    "Crazy… This is crazy! Motherfucker!!"


    "Impressive."


    "…"


    Mr. Taka''s smile widened from ear to ear. His fist was clenched hard as the sound of money rang in his ears.


    ''Ah, we seeded. We make history… Our program will seed, and my promotion will be guaranteed. Breeze! Truly a golden goose! I am d I found him.''


    Controlling his heart which was beating fast out of excitement and the danger he barely survived earlier, Max picked himself up and was ready for the fourth test.


    It was a ming ground, and he needed to cross through it to finish the test. Now, it was time to show off his bnce.


    "It''s so hot. I will finish it in 20 seconds." He wiped a fake sweat from his forehead and began to run.