—


    The monsters from within the forest’s shade were beast-type monsters that usually resided inside forest settings.


    「Lv.34 Ravenous Boar (Elite)


    Beast Type


    Health: 215,000/215,000 (100%)」


    Several such boars remained at a distance, glowering eyes locked on Kieran and the rest.


    However, Kieran felt no threat from these monsters. He had already reached a level where he could easily solo such an opponent, especially one at the same level as him.


    “Everyone with a physical role in the party will battle one of these monsters alone. I need to gauge how you fare against opponents of this caliber,” Kieran said.


    For this assessment, Cam and Sera adopted passive roles. After all, a Healer’s value was determined by how high their Healing Factor was and the vastitude of the healing arsenal.


    Kieran rested against the side of the caravan while the others awaited their turn.


    The first to go was Nemean, drawing his dual shields. He pounced toward the closest Ravenous Boar with a Shield Bash, followed by a series of quick strikes. He recalled his earlier spars against Bastion and the advice received from Kieran.


    The Ravenous Boar was a quick opponent, using many frenzied rushes to target Nemean, but Nemean disyed the reasons Kieran felt he was skilled enough to join his party.


    Bang!


    Nemean redirected the Ravenous Boar’s momentum, tossing it over seconds before activating his skill, Chain Link: Shield Rush. The fluid disy of skill quickly amassedbo damage as Nemean’s damage grew higher with each attack._.


    Pride surfaced in Nemean’s gaze as he grinned. ‘I did it! I aplished what we trained for! Now, I need to continue grasping that feeling.’


    All the gazes currently aimed at Nemean drove him to execute his skills at a level he hadn’t been able to achieve prior. The stimulus of making a good impression before skilled people extracted bits of Nemean’s dormant potential.


    Soon enough, Kieran had seen enough and ended the entire battle by unleashing a Blood Wave.


    “Next,” Kieran called out.


    Rather than one of his own, Lux followed after Nemean while giving him a nod. “That was some excellent skill and timing you showcased there. I understand why Aatrox chose you.”


    Praise from an expert ted Nemean, but he didn’t let it go to his head. He understood there was still a tremendous amount of room for growth. There were ws in his execution and required too much focus to aplish.


    Nevertheless, he was confident.


    “You did well. Better than you’ve ever done. It seems that you’re the type to shine under the pressure of strangers,” Kieran said.


    “Possibly,” Nemean answered with a wry chuckle. The only thing on his matter at that time was execution.


    Secondster, Lux stopped approximately 10 meters away from a nearby Ravenous Boar. He removed the longbow strapped to his back and held it in his right hand before aiming above his head.


    Lux closed his eyes and exhaled before mming them open. In one rapid, fluid motion, Lux grabbed and nocked three arrows in almost instant session.


    Whoosh!


    The arrows whizzed through the air, two simultaneously piercing the Ravenous Boar’s eyes while thest pierced through its mouth once it opened its mouth to emit pained squeals.


    The Ravenous Boar fell over as three significant Critical Hits appeared over the boars.


    ‘As expected of the Azure Marksman. A Triple Shot with a perfect Critical Hit rate and even a Vital Critical,’ Kieran inwardly noted.


    The Archer ss was simr to Assassin as they relied upon Critical Hits to inflict damage. However, because their firing speed was admittedly lower than other sses, they were given a higher base Critical Modifier. Instead of 150%, it was 200%.


    However, another reason this Ravenous Boar died so quickly rted to another aspect of Stage One Combat Realism—Modified Critical Hits.


    Aside from the standard Critical Hits that dealt increased damage based on the user’s Critical Damage Modifier, two more Critical Hit variants appeared. One was known as Vital Hit, which dealt double the user’s Critical Damage modifier.


    The second was known as a Vital Critical, which was a Vital Hit and Critical Hit superimposed. Vital Criticals were known to deal three times the damage of regr critical attacks bybining the two principles.


    Lux had only recently stumbled across this information after battling against a monster with fleshly vulnerabilities.


    After Lux’s shocking disy, Altair’spetitiveness was triggered. He smirked while absorbing the principle behind Lux’s actions. ‘So that’s what the modifications to the Critical System meant.’


    Altair spun the daggers around his fingers before eximing, “Ready!”


    “Begin!”


    Whoosh!


    Altair simultaneously activated Conceal and Swift Step and sped toward the Ravenous Boar. Just before arriving, however, Altair performed a false step and changed directions.


    ck wisps shed past in everyone’s view as Altair revolved around the Ravenous Boar. Numerouscerations appeared on the beast’s hide, but its eyes were sliced apart with a spray of blood.


    Vital Hit!


    Vital Hit!


    Although the beast’s Health depleted like water drained from an unclogged sink, Altair’s actions rapidly hastened. By the time the Ravenous Boar fell, Altair had returned to one ce with a light tap of his foot.


    “Phew… that felt good,” Altair exhaled.


    Following Altair, Luna was the next to go.


    However, she paused not too far away from the beast. Everyone that partook in the assessment thus far disyed incredible skill. Luna began to question whether she was capable of doing the same.


    Kieran noticed this hesitation and expressed his opinion. “Let your natural talent flourish. Don’t let your thoughts hinder you, or it’ll be a perpetual obstacle.”


    Luna released a deep exhale while thinking about Kieran’sment. ‘Don’t let my thoughts hinder me… That’s right. I’m just as good at the rest.’


    Luna raised her twin des and waited for Kieran’s signal. After receiving it, she presented the advantage of a Tempest Rogue—her unmatched Agility that surpassed even Altair.


    While her attacks weren’t as precise due to a disparity in her Control and Agility, Luna’s constant movement made it impossible for the Ravenous Boar to retaliate.


    The initial Health decline was slow, but it picked up as Luna gained more confidence in her actions.


    Kieran smiled faintly as he praised Luna’s willingness to adapt and learn. ‘That’s