Inside the examiner's wooden cabin, Qin Ran saw Black Hound, who had arrived before him.
Among the other trial participants earlier, Black Hound had not seemed particularly conspicuous, with people like Ogden and Fitz, who appeared to be on his level, providing cover.
But after everyone else failed, Black Hound stood out by successfully obtaining a scroll.
Naturally, he drew Qin Ran's attention.
Under that scrutiny, Qin Ran noticed something unusual.
Black Hound's concealment technique was peculiar. It did not weaken as the number of people around him decreased.
In fact, it seemed that the fewer people there were, the better he concealed himself.
If Qin Ran had not heard his faint breathing, he probably would have struggled to pinpoint his location immediately.
Yet it was precisely that breathing that made Qin Ran frown.
The sound of Black Hound's breathing was far too deliberate.
He had made his breathing louder!
There was no doubt about that.
But why had he done it?
To make me lower my guard?
Qin Ran did not know how Black Hound had obtained the scroll, but securing it among a group of trial participants affected by the Island of the End was clearly no easy task.
Moreover, Black Hound had not been affected by the Island of the End.
That was particularly important.
Qin Ran had resisted the Island of the End's influence because of his powerful mental attribute.
Shiqi had resisted it because of his firm will.
Whichever of those Black Hound possessed, he was an opponent Qin Ran needed to take seriously in the coming trials.
And now there was his deliberate behavior to consider.
That raised Qin Ran's assessment of his danger another notch.
A beast baring its fangs and claws was frightening.
A venomous snake concealed in the bushes was even