Hacking the Game Didn’t Go as Intended

The color drained from people’s faces as they began skimming through the test paper. Audible sighs of frustration, disapproving clicks of tongues, and vacant stares revealed that many were ill-prepared for this challenge.

Daisuke was calm, and it wasn’t because of his Composure Stat. Much like in medieval times, the general public’s level of education was relatively low.

Similarly, the majority of common folk in Sehreneti Online lacked the ability to read or write. Their proficiency lay more in handling coin than words, given that their livelihoods were intricately tied to financial matters.

To Daisuke, the questions on the paper seemed reminiscent of elementary school-level problems, prerequisites for what he had previously studied in high school.

Language was a breeze, while deduction, analytical thinking, and some segments of the arithmetic section were imbued with elements directly relevant to adventurers. As an avid gamer and a resident of the in-game world for many years, the exam posed no significant hurdle for him.

However, the duration did.

Five hours later, Daisuke and Zephyr’s soul was just about ready to depart through their mouths. It was absurd that the examination dragged on for so long, and even more frustrating that he wasn’t permitted to leave until the very end, despite having completed his answers.

“Times up,” Professor Bayley finally declared, slipping his pocket watch back into his clothes.

With a flick of his wand, everyone’s test papers were enveloped in a blue light and gracefully levitated into the air. They swirled above the classroom, arranging themselves into an intricate spiral before neatly stacking upon the lectern.

“Whoaa~”

“Dammit!”

The students’ reactions were quite polarized. Those who had managed to complete their papers were struck with awe at the display of magical prowess. Conversely, those who hadn’t finished were understandably frustrated.

“You will receive your test results by tomorrow,” informed Mr. Bayley. “Until then, you are all dismissed. The door at the back of the classroom will lead you to the cafeteria where a meal will be provided for you.

You have just one hour for your break. Afterward, return to the classroom for the practical segment of your examination. Your performance in both the theoretical and practical tests will determine your overall grade.”

***

 

“Auuggh…”

A long groan escaped the lips of a female mage.

After the grueling exam, the adventurers found themselves trudging wearily through a seemingly endless corridor like a horde of mindless zombies. Their fatigued bodies and minds left them little energy to appreciate the intricate murals adorning the walls.

Soon the tantalizing aroma of food hung in the air like a siren’s call. The closer they got to the cafeteria, the more vibrant their faces became, exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the promise of a hearty meal.

Finally, the corridor opened up into a vast hall, filled with rows of benches and tables. In one corner, a display case showcased a delectable array of dishes. And eager staff members stood at the ready, poised to serve the ravenous adventurers.

With newfound vigor, the students raced ahead, forming a chaotic line that stretched almost to the entrance. Their excited chatter filled the hall as they eagerly discussed which dishes they would try, the brutality of the exam, and the potential hardships the practical would entail.

After getting enough food for Zephyr and himself, Daisuke sought out a quiet, secluded table where he could enjoy his meal in peace. Osten kept a watchful eye on him from a distance, his features hardening with a growing determination to exact revenge.

But Daisuke was too much of a wildcard; he needed to observe him a bit more before making his move. In the meantime, he diverted his vicious gaze toward a nearby individual—one that lay well within his reach for the torment he desperately yearned to unleash.

***

 

Elena glanced around sheepishly, resembling a lost puppy caught in a sudden downpour. Her ears sagged as she scanned the vast room for her companions who had been separated during the chaotic rush to form a line at the corner.

Desperation welled within her as she searched each Beastkin group frantically, hoping to reunite with them before—

“Oop,” she let out a small yelp upon bumping into someone.

The next moment, her tray was swatted from her hand with a force akin to a bear swatting an insect. It clattered loudly as it hit the ground, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

Elena’s face paled, her heart ceasing in her chest. “I-I’m sorry,” she stammered nervously. As a feeling of suffocation crept over her, she dropped to her knees, scrambling to clean up the mess she had caused, her sole thought being to escape from this situation with haste.

“Is that all you’ve got to say?” Osten scoffed, his fiery gaze bearing down on her with the weight of a thousand suns. “You got food all over my expensive sabatons.”

Elena ignored him, not out of spite, but out of sheer fright. All that mattered was cleaning up after herself and disappearing from sight before she became more of a nuisance.

But from Osten’s point of view, she was already that and more. He raised his foot to crush her head beneath his armored boot when he was interrupted by a familiar creature.

“Grrr.”

Zephyr poised itself in front of the girl and growled like an animal protecting its young.

In response, Osten’s face twisted into a grotesque mask. As anger and outrage churned through his body, he cast caution to the wind and summoned his sword in hand.

As embarrassing flashbacks flooded his mind, fueling his desire for vengeance, all he cared about was crushing the infuriating pair that stood before him. And his lackeys stood by his side, watching in amusement as his sword was hoisted overhead like a coiling cobra, poised to strike.

The moment he tightened his grip, his muscles bulging, Daisuke appeared behind him, back-to-back, in a burst of explosive speed. He looked over his shoulder in a sidelong glance, the Bonepick lingering at Osten’s neck.

“…Get lost,” Daisuke commanded coolly, his free hand casually tucked into his pocket. “Unless you want an extra hole below the one you already have.”

A tense silence followed.

Osten, his forehead slick with sweat, weighed his options before clicking his tongue and unequipping his sword. “This isn’t over,” he vowed before taking leave.

“Oh, I’m sure,” Daisuke murmured back in response.

“Kyaaa~ so cool!” one girl cheered, and then the entire cafeteria followed suit.

Daisuke looked at Zephyr accusingly, but the pup simply batted his eyelashes and gave an innocent—

“Arf.”

The adorable sound tugged at the heartstrings of the female population, reeling them in like fish on a line. Elena was the first to gather him up in her arms.

“Thanks for saving me again,” she chimed, her cheeks flushed with gratitude.

She held Zephyr for but a moment before he was snatched up by another girl who snuggled him with affection. Soon the pup was being passed among the girls like a cherished stuffed animal, each taking their turn to hug him.

Daisuke found himself in an unexpected situation. His once quiet and secluded table was now crowded with Beastfolk. Elena and her friends beamed at him with appreciation, but he chose to ignore them.

***

 

Under the silvery light of the full moon, two worlds existed in parallel. In a vast estate nestled amidst tall trees and manicured lawns, a mother sat on the edge of her daughter’s bed, the soft glow of a Mana Crystal lamp casting gentle light on their faces.

The mother’s voice was soothing as she spun a bedtime tale of magical creatures and heroic adventures. The young girl’s eyes sparkled with wonder as her imagination took flight. The story came to an end, and with a loving kiss on her daughter’s forehead, the mother switched off the crystal light and left the room, leaving only the pale moonlight to watch over her.

In a remote village, far from the estate, a Florian mother sat on a simple wooden stool beside her daughter’s bed. They shared a similar moment, but here the mother’s story was an age-old folklore, rich with the wisdom of their people.

The daughter listened intently, absorbing the lessons hidden within the tale. As the story concluded, the mother kissed her child’s forehead and left the room, leaving a small, flickering candle to keep the darkness at bay.

As both toddlers drifted into slumber, the threads of misfortune began weaving their own narrative. However, unlike a bedtime story, this tale unfolded on the tangible pages of the real world.

At the estate, Reeza moved silently through the mansion’s opulent halls, her keen eyes scanning for valuables. She couldn’t resist the temptation of a cabinet filled with expensive crockery. Gently, she placed the delicate pieces into her backpack, her actions concealed by the darkness of the room.

In the remote village, a group of calloused-looking men on horseback descended upon the peaceful settlement. They blocked off each exit, like specters in the moonlight. Wagons, ominous in their purpose, held cold metal cages. And beasts, akin to hounds, guarded them.

Reeza spotted the glowing Mana Crystals that acted as light fixtures on the mansion’s walls, and she swiftly removed them as well. Her practiced hands then moved on to the decorative armor and equipment, which she knew could fetch a hefty price.

As the night wore on, the men in the village, driven by a frenzied madness, invaded homes with savage laughter. Flames illuminated the nearby forest as houses burned, and horrified screams pierced the night.

Reeza continued her silent expedition through the manor, her watchful eyes scouring for valuables as her nimble fingers looted.

In the village, a mother was forcefully dragged from her home by her hair. Her daughter, leaving behind her cherished doll made of straw, wailed as she trailed behind. The father desperately gave chase, only to be attacked and mauled by the hounds.

Reeza left the mansion that was now a mere shadow of its former glory, its treasures concealed in her backpack. At the same time, the village’s women and children were cornered by the hounds and apprehended by the invaders.

As the prison cells gradually filled with their terrified screams, fathers and sons met their end at the hands of both ravenous beasts and cold blades.

In an echo to Reeza making her escape from the estate, the slavers departed from the village, their plundered bounty secured while the village was consumed by flames.

In one of the cells, a toddler, peering through thick metal bars, turned to ask: “Mommy, will daddy meet us at our new home?”

The mother held her daughter close, her body trembling from silent sobs. With a wanly smile and words of hope that served as a fragile shield against despair, she whispered, “Everything will be alright; mommy will protect you.”