A Walking Calamity

"Are you afraid of loneliness?"

The Raccoon Administrator's voice lowered, its round little paws unconsciously rubbing the golden bell on its chest.

It tilted its head as it studied Tiandao, complicated emotions churning in its amber eyes.

That answer shattered its fixed perception of "the strong," yet it was so reasonable that it could not refute it.

After a full five seconds of silence, the Raccoon Administrator finally spoke again. Its originally childish voice now carried a touch more solemnity.

"Tiandao Siming, according to the normal assessment procedure, Caroline and you have already passed."

"Because this assessment was never meant to test survival skills. It tests whether you can remain calm in the face of danger and search for that one sliver of life."

"Of course, all of that is built on the premise that you already possess the basic abilities needed to become an Explorer."

"And you and Caroline undoubtedly meet all those conditions perfectly, but..."

Halfway through its words, every emotion slowly vanished from the Raccoon Administrator's round face, and its amber eyes sharpened.

Then, the Black Mist around it suddenly stirred. Like awakened tides, it continuously gathered and circled around its body.

"...Before you took the assessment, someone specifically came to me and asked me to test your limits."

Before Tiandao could speak, Caroline's face turned cold. "Who?"

She stepped half a pace forward, positioning herself slightly in front of Tiandao. A pale green defensive light screen sprang from her wrist terminal, and her emerald eyes were full of vigilance.

Seeing Caroline's obvious change in attitude, the Raccoon Administrator shook its head and gave no direct answer.

"Sorry, I can't say. It wouldn't follow the 'rules.'"

"But you don't need to take this test too seriously. Regardless of the result, it won't affect your assessment."

As it