Book 2: Chapter 211: Emotional Guide Gentian |
In the final stage of the assessment, everyone held their breath and focused on earning the last reward points. Even though the vast majority didn’t know where the final node was or what the current progress of the strategy was, it did not stop them from preparing for the imminent end.
Veronica also did not know the location of the last node.
Indeed, if she really used her Flower rank perception and magical power, she could probably uncover all the secrets of this maze in an instant, but she could never bring herself to do so. So at this moment, even she had no idea when exactly this assessment would end.
Team 277 already had plenty of reward points. After leaving the third node, they even solved another puzzle on the way, so their current points were already at a level where no more effort was necessary. It was like a top student who finished the test long ago and even had time to check the paper and refine their answers. They were probably one of the most relaxed teams in the entire maze.
However, Veronica also knew that many candidates were still tense.
After all, right now, several teams were lingering just behind them. Although they maintained a subtle distance, it was still quite obvious.
“Have we been targeted?” Dogtail Grass asked, puzzled. “Why? Is it because our team’s points are leading... or is there another reason?”
“Probably because they think we might know the exit,” Veronica guessed casually. “After all, we were more efficient at finding puzzles and nodes earlier, so they might think it’s better to follow us to possibly improve their rank when leaving the exit... Although I don’t know how they found out our team’s identity and position, this possibility is quite likely.”
“I think so too,” Wang Dinggui agreed. “At this stage, there probably aren’t any teams just looking to fight others. Since they’re following us, most likely they want to benefit somehow.”
“Because they believe we do know, so they’re acting on that belief, regardless of the truth.”
Veronica shook her head. “Or maybe they are scouts sent by those ‘big teams.’ After all, besides them, I can’t think of any candidates who could lock our position and identity during the exam.”
There was no doubt that the vast majority of candidates in this assessment were already doing well if they could avoid getting lost and solve some puzzles along the way. Wanting to simultaneously take the exam and track other candidates’ progress and movements in this maze with only three people in a team was almost a fantasy.
These candidates following Team 277 must know their progress, identity, and position to keep up. This level of intelligence gathering was definitely beyond ordinary candidates.
Although the head examiner occasionally announced achievements by some leading teams, member information was never revealed, so no candidate could get other teams’ details from those sparse announcements. Those who could do this either had professional capabilities within their team or were part of those temporary “heavenly teams” that, relying on their numbers and internal communication methods, could acquire more information.
But right now, the origins of these “tail followers” didn’t really matter to Team 277. Since the others showed no obvious hostility, it was fine to let them follow behind.
“But if we don’t find the exit quickly, won’t they just be wasting their time following us?” Dogtail Grass looked anxious. “If they end up taking a longer route because of us, might they badmouth our team after leaving, saying things like ‘not impressive’ or something?”
“Small chance of that,” Veronica answered straightforwardly.
“Hmm... I guess that’s unlikely,” Valerian nodded.
Obviously, though both of you think Dogtail Grass’s worries are pessimistic, her concerns are not without reason.
“W-what should we do then?”
Dogtail Grass became even more flustered. “If I went to talk to them and honestly told them we actually found the way?”
“. Do you think they’d believe you?”
Dinggui pulled the corner of her eye and looked at her. “Anything we say to them is useful. Denying ‘found the exit’ is basically confessing; denying means there’s no silver here. You’re all ahead of them; how could they doubt your words?”
Dogtail Grass thought for a moment, realizing that what Zhu Feng said made sense, then panicked again. “So what now?”
“Just let them follow. We haven’t done anything against the rules anyway.”
Veronica nodded and continued forward. “Being noticed by others naturally makes you want to do better. This kind of feeling is normal. Just do your best. You can turn pressure into motivation, but don’t let motivation become pressure.”
“Ha...” Dogtail Grass looked a bit stunned, trailing behind Veronica, and stammered, “Gentian senior, sometimes you really say things that sound like a grown-up.”
“Just think of it as a personality that likes to overthink and talk about big principles.”
Veronica dismissed it casually, not intending to explain further. After all, the three of them had been together for nearly a day, and this wasn’t the first time she’d said things “not like a child.” Trying to hide it would seem unnatural.
This conversation should have been just a brief interlude. Veronica wasn’t concerned about those teams trailing behind. But as she took a few steps forward, she noticed Valerian’s pace suddenly slowed, although she had been walking steadily until now.
“What’s wrong?”
Noticing the thoughtful expression on her companion’s face, Veronica asked instinctively.
She was already getting used to her role as the emotional guide in the team. Since there wasn’t much else to do, helping these two teammates adjust their mindset and not affect their performance was at least some help.
“...Nothing, just thinking about something.”
Valerian shook her head, hesitating. “By the way, I think what you said just now made a lot of sense.”
“Which part?”
“Motivation and pressure.”
Wang Dinggui resumed her calm demeanor: since other teams believed we could find the exit, maybe it’s not bad to try a bit harder.
She pressed her palm against the wall again and closed her eyes. This time, it wasn’t as casual as before; she was clearly using more strength to sense the surrounding paths.
[Notification, notification.]
However, a sudden announcement interrupted Wang Dinggui’s action.
[Due to an unexpected situation causing changes in the assessment process, although some maze nodes have yet to be conquered at this stage, the maze exit will open in 60 seconds. All candidates, please take note.]
[Repeating: Due to an unexpected situation...]
It wasn’t only Wang Dinggui. At this moment, everyone in the maze diverted some attention and took the announcement seriously.
[By the way, although sudden, the first team to leave the maze in this assessment has already been born. Let us congratulate Team 582 for taking first place, and...]
The voice in the announcement suddenly took on a somewhat significant tone.
[...Within the team, Miss Little Jin made an outstanding contribution that astonished everyone.]