Chapter 55: Chapter 55 – Beating the Record [1]

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 time of 1 minute.

Not only that, the test taker was unable to move beyond a meter 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 time, two lasers crossing against each other appeared. Not only did they move toward Max, but they also moved up and down. Their movement was static and easy to guess.

Once again, Max dodged it easily.

'Now comes the hard part.'

The first two were just like a tutorial. Now that the player was used to the laser's movement, 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 time.

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!'

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 times that he moved up until he hit the ceiling.

At the same time, the lasers reached him. His heart was beating faster than usual, but his eyes looked calm.

Pzzt!

When the laser touched his hair, he immediately curled into a ball and kicked forward. The rotating lasers seemed 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 excitement 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 time 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.