The students' expressions turned solemn.
The teacher continued, "The wristbands you're wearing can directly send a location signal to the military, but if you use a wristband to call for help, your score will be cut in half."
"Also, if anyone really uses their wristband to call for help, remember this: military rescue takes time."
"So if you truly can't hold out, then even if rescue arrives, they'll only be there to collect your bodies."
The air fell silent at once.
Only then did some of the students, who had still been somewhat excited moments ago, realize just how close death was to them.
The teacher swept his gaze across their faces.
"Lastly, although teams are allowed, scores will be reduced based on the number of people in the team. The larger the team, the lower each individual's score. So—" His gaze settled on the crowd. "Know your limits."
Once he finished speaking, the teacher began directing the students off the vehicle.
Jack and Xi Ya quickly found two other classmates they knew well. After a brief discussion, the four of them formed a temporary team.
The moment the team entered the forest, they saw that Level 5 Apprentice.
The other student had not formed a team with anyone at all. Carrying a simple tactical pack, he headed off alone in another direction, his figure quickly vanishing amid the dense shadows of the trees.
"That's amazing..." someone in the team murmured.
Another person curled his lip. "What's there to envy? He only got that rank by trading on his family background!"
No one responded, because they all knew it was true.
But that still could not conceal the fact that he had already reached the final level of the apprentice ranks. One more step forward, and he could become a