IDLE Database

"What the--?!"

Much to Carlos' surprise, instead of being deflected, the bullet exploded on impact.

Aldrin drew a wide grin upon seeing that confident mug of Carlos shattering in an instant. The middle-aged man's Minor Aura Veil was effectively ripped away as he was the one that got deflected instead. Not only that, his arm bent at an irregular angle resulting in his face twisting in unimaginable pain.

Carlos quickly stabilized himself, the ground where he landed crushed by the storm-like refined energy he's exuding. Following that, the hazy projection of his Radiant Tower appeared again and the second-floor burst open, wrapping him in a thicker emerald-green brilliance.

A moment later, his bent arm returned to normal, his expression filled with murderous glint.

Aldrin fired another bullet from Obsidian Blaster but having learned his lesson, Carlos simply dodged from it along with fully unleashing a barrage of attacks towards Aldrin.

Sharp blades of wind, explosive spheres of compressed air and rampaging cyclones all homed in towards Aldrin.

"You're an idiot, Aldrin! If you found out about my identity, you should've quietly reported it and let those stronger than you deal with me. What are you? Have you grown arrogant because of being called the most promising trainee? Don't make me laugh! You're still a hatchling who hasn't broken your shell yet!"

At this point, Aldrin was finally subjected to the full extent of Carlos' strength. Apart from firing the Obsidian Blaster that required a higher than normal refined energy for its bullet, it became impossible for him to close the distance.

If not blown away by the strength of each wind blade and the blast of wind, his Shadow Clones were being ripped apart forcefully before they could even launch their attacks at him. Using Shadow Steps also became useless as Carlos could easily sense where he would reappear.

In less than a minute, wounds began appearing on his body and the thick clothes covering him from the chilling wind of the night gradually became tattered.

He's hoping to end his challenge by injuring Carlos fair and square but without anything special in his pocket, it's impossible.

Essence Grenade could offset Carlos' offensive but he knew that it wouldn't be enough to turn the tables around.

His arsenal of skills was truly lacking in a battle against a stronger Energy Refiner.

He had the Dimensional Clones on standby but if he used that then that's just the same as relying on the IDLE Database.

This challenge was his way to gauge his current strength without the help of that mysterious program. Evidently, he would never be able to bridge that gap, no matter what kind of tricks he pulled out of his sleeves.

"You're right, instructor. I'm an idiot and perhaps arrogant as well. But thank you for this chance… I got a good grasp of how lacking and narrow-minded I am. That's why…"

Accepting that he wouldn't be able to do anything anymore, he fired the Obsidian Blaster upwards. Once it reached a certain height, it exploded in a flash of dazzling brilliance.

A signal flare for Janet and the other Instructors.

Upon seeing that and understanding what it meant, Carlos' expression fell. He threw a murderous glare at Aldrin.

A moment later, at the same time as the obvious sounds of approaching Metadomes, he disappeared from his position.

"Do you think you're going to survive tonight?"

Hearing the source of the voice coming from behind him along with the greater sense of danger, Aldrin quickly pooled his remaining refined energy to erect a barrier. It's not born from a Concept but it took on a darkish hue, similar to the color his refined energy was taking on whenever he's activating his Concepts. He also raised his arm holding the Winterthorn and aimed his gun towards it.

However, against someone overwhelmingly stronger than him, that was simply not enough.

The barrier broke, his sword was deflected and the Obsidian Blaster was kicked out of his hand before he could pull the trigger.

Before he could even register Carlos' grinning visage in his mind, Aldrin's vision wavered into unconsciousness. On his chest, he felt a chilling breeze before a sharp and thin object sunk in the thick of his clothes before effortlessly stabbing into his body.

"Aldrin!"

Janet's voice rang in his ears but he had no strength to respond to it.

He then felt a foot kicking his chest sending him away with his blood spraying from where he was stabbed.

When his body landed on the ground, Aldrin weakly looked down at his chest. "I am really an idiot." He muttered before coughing out another mouthful of blood.

If there's someone to blame for the fate he suffered, there's none other than himself.

What challenging himself? Without the IDLE Database, he's just an upstart Energy Refiner. Janet continuously warned him but he pushed through with his plan. If that's not suicidal then what is?

Nonetheless, he had no plans to die early. Even if it's difficult and his consciousness was already hazy from the loss of blood, he reached into his pocket and pulled out what he prepared for this scenario.

The Allcure Elixir.

Even though he could now only faintly hear the sounds of battle that ensued from Janet and the other Instructors' arrival, he pushed himself to pop the elixir in his mouth.

He had tried its effect in the Lower Dimension, however, he had no idea that it would be a fatal wound. He could only pray for it to work or he's really going to die.

As the warm sensation of the elixir spread in his body, Aldrin's eyes shut closed and he fainted on the spot.

If he had held onto his consciousness a bit longer, he'd probably see someone running towards him and hear the question she uttered, "Is it worth risking your life over a simple challenge?"

No matter how one looks at it. Aldrin's attempt is extremely foolish and there's clearly no point in doing that unless one wanted a hell of pain accompanying it.

But amidst the foolishness, Janet somehow admired that bravery and determination.. If she was put in the same shoes, she would never risk it.