The third test was different from the rest.
If the first and second tested a person's dexterity and agility, the third test tested a reaction speed. Unlike the other tests, this one had a designated ti of 1 minute.
Not only that, the test taker was unable to move beyond a ter from the center. They were trapped inside a glass wall.
What they needed to do was simple. It was to avoid an incoming laser.
"Will he be able to do it without dying in this test?" Mr. Taka asked himself as he watched the screen.
Max stood in the center of a white room from before. However, unlike the first room he entered before the first test, there were many devices alongside the wall. Just as he looked around, the 1-minute countdown in the air also started to decrease slowly.
Following that, a laser appeared.
Fwoosh!
It was a vertical laser that moved from one side to another. The speed was also moderate, not too fast, and not too slow. It was like a person's running speed.
Dodging it was easy for Max. He just needed to duck. As much as possible, he didn't want to jump as that would make him unable to move for a second.
Zoop! Swoosh!
This ti, two lasers crossing against each other appeared. Not only did they move toward Max, but they also moved up and down. Their movent was static and easy to guess.
Once again, Max dodged it easily.
'Now cos the hard part.'
The first two were just like a tutorial. Now that the player was used to the laser's movent, the real test started.
Five lasers appeared at once, moving around the wall as they moved toward the other side. Their speed was faster than the first two lasers. Dodging them would be rather tricky as he needed to find the gap created at the perfect ti.
In short, he needed to either predict where the gap would be or just react to it when it got close.
Max chose the latter. Thinking in this kind of situation would only make his body stiff. Three were on the right side, and two were on the ceiling.
When the lasers got closer, the gap could be seen at the corner of the closed space.
'There it is!'
With an amazing reflex, Max imdiately threw his body between the gap and passed by the laser unhard.
30 seconds had passed.
And the test continued. Seven lasers, with speed faster than before. There were still 2 more Max needed to clear.
Just like earlier, he managed to squeeze through the gap unhard by front flipping. The audience in the waiting room cheered at his show, but then they beca tense as the next batch of lasers appeared.
This ti, twice as many lasers appeared. Four on both sides and six on the ceiling. They also moved around wildly; their trajectory couldn't be guessed.
"Hey! How co people are able to get past this?!" Max complained loudly as he saw the lasers coming at him twice as fast as the first one.
Indeed, it was strange.
Those who had tried this test before also couldn't use their knowledge to find the gap because the lasers' paths would always be different.
But then, everyone could get past this level because there was a trick. People just needed to lie down on the floor for the last two lasers, and they would be safe.
Whoever did that would never gain a satisfactory SR that professional gars had. Those who were truly good at VR wouldn't try or use that trick.
'Left.'
Using his amazing kinetic ability, Max could see the trajectory of the lasers and jumped to anticipate it beforehand. He was not lucky. It was his experience of finding a path that helped him in this situation.
'Heh, this is easy.'
Max landed on his feet after he passed the small gap. His hand was scratched by the laser earlier, but that wasn't a problem. He could still move.
'Now this is a gamble.'
The last laser. People would definitely move to the next test, no matter the result of this one. However, those who died would get a minute penalty. For soone who wanted to set a record, surviving the last laser was a must.
'But it's so difficult. Even I died in this test last ti.'
Not only him, but the current record holder, Puppeteer, also didn't survive the last laser and took the penalty.
Swoosh! Zoop!
Wrrrr!!
Thirty lasers appeared from four sides of the walls and ground. Their rotation was faster than before, and it went toward Max at full speed like a truck.
He needed to think fast. His eyes observed the lasers to find a small gap that would allow him to survive. Getting injured was fine. He just needed at least 70% of his body to stay intact.
And he found it.
'Over there!'
His feet moved as soon as he found the gap. He leaped toward the glass barrier that kept him inside and used it to jump again. He did it so many tis that he moved up until he hit the ceiling.
At the sa ti, the lasers reached him. His heart was beating faster than usual, but his eyes looked calm.
Pzzt!
When the laser touched his hair, he imdiately curled into a ball and kicked forward. The rotating lasers seed to be ready to cut him into pieces. However…
Swoosh!
By a miracle, Max was able to go away with only his legs cut. His upper body was still intact, and he used his hands to slow down his fall.
The countdown in the air slowly approached 0. And when it disappeared, the scenery changed. Max's legs regenerated after it was covered in blue glow, the cheers erupted in the waiting room.
"Woooooo!!! He survived! He freaking survived the last laser!!!"
"No way!"
"Crazy… This is crazy! Motherfucker!!"
"Impressive."
"…"
Mr. Taka's smile widened from ear to ear. His fist was clenched hard as the sound of money rang in his ears.
'Ah, we succeeded. We make history… Our program will succeed, and my promotion will be guaranteed. Breeze! Truly a golden goose! I am glad I found him.'
Controlling his heart which was beating fast out of excitent and the danger he barely survived earlier, Max picked himself up and was ready for the fourth test.
It was a flaming ground, and he needed to cross through it to finish the test. Now, it was ti to show off his balance.
"It's so hot. I will finish it in 20 seconds." He wiped a fake sweat from his forehead and began to run.
Reviews
All reviews (0)