The rules behind the [Drifter] exam are deceptively simple. According to Antoine, I've only got to go from entrance to exit to finish the test. There's no minimum amount of monsters I need to kill. There's no particular path I have to travel. Even dying mid-exam won't disqualify me--so long as the hour-long timer's running, I'll respawn at the dungeon start.

Sounds forgiving, right?

It is--but only in theory.

I can attempt a pacifist run, but I definitely won't succeed. The 1st Class Trial dungeon's crawling with traps and mobs. Now that I've looked around, I realize why the staff shoved so many waivers at me. There won't be any quick, kind deaths here.

"Well, good luck!"

Antoine gives my shoulder a cheerful pat and nudges me to the end of the winding hall, beyond which innumerable small creatures scuttle around.

"Don't race the clock. I'm grading you based on skill and technique, alright? Take your time and make informed decisions."

"Right." As if I'd run in there guns a-blazing! Have some faith, will you?

I pop my head just 'round the corner and review my surroundings in greater detail. The hallway opens into a six-sided room populated by fat 「Jellies」 and 「Caterpines」, whose shuffling raises goosebumps across every inch of my body. Imagine being jumped by all of them at once... oh, man. I'd die within seconds.

【Observation I】

I concentrate on the nearest foe; a sluggish 「Caterpine」with large, ringed eyes.

「SMALL LESSER CATERPINE」Lv. 1 HP: 6 | MP: 0 | SP: 0

This caterpillar-like monster is popular in Generika's southern continents, where they're bred as battle companions for Heroes who prefer cute pets. Gentle friends and surprisingly vicious foes,「Caterpines」can learn a variety of [Skills] through careful training.

Vicious, huh? I hope that's just flavor text. Its low HP would be relieving if my attacks did more than 1~2 damage apiece.

As the 「Caterpine」 crawls away, oblivious to its audience, I target a yellow 「Jelly」hopping in place by the leftmost wall.

【Observation I】

「SMALL SOUR JELLY」Lv. 1 HP: 3 | MP: 0 | SP:0

A 'little sister' species to Generika's more independent「Slimes」, 「Jellies」find strength in numbers. The 「Small Sour Jelly」is a popular target for unarmed [Drifters] with a violent streak.

A weak laugh forces its way out of me at the description. Right, right. New players love wailing on weaklings for easy EXP. Confident that I can handle these mindless blobs, I draw my pistol and assemble a game plan.

Pick off the 「Caterpines」one by one. Stay far away if you can. Race for the next room. Save time by avoiding as many 「Jellies」 as possible, and shoot only in self-defense.

That's logical, no?

I emerge from the hall and align my pistol with the unsuspecting 「Caterpine」I [Observed] earlier. I overheard somewhere that「Caterpines」don't aggro unless you hurt them. If I shoot one, its wandering kin won't hold that against me...

Crack!

Before indecision can sabotage my strategy, I shoot its spiny tail. The 「Caterpine」 squeals in surprise.

「Caterpine」's HP -1!

I chuckle at the high-pitched noise, though my merriment fades when the monster spins towards me on legs far too nimble for their stumpy shape.

"Kui!?"

Uh oh.

"Kuiiii!"

The「Caterpine」bolts in my direction. How's it moving so fast!? I pull the trigger over and over, unloading into the creature's rapidly advancing face.

「Caterpine」's HP -1!

「Caterpine」's HP -1!

「Caterpine」's HP -1!

I retreat backwards into the hall.

【Concentrated Strike】

"Kui--"

My [Skill] bores straight through its plump body, 「Caterpine」shreds flying from the impact. I brace myself for a stampede of its angry siblings. However, the remaining 「Caterpines」 ignore the carnage.

「Caterpine」's HP -2!

「Caterpine」was defeated!

Hey, not bad. I grin to myself and ignore the fresh sweat prickling my scalp. My first real kill wasn't half so dramatic as my tutorial performance, but a milestone's a milestone.

Onward!