Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

As Zachary looked straight at him, Barnes suddenly stood up. Everyone in the crowd turned to watch. Barnes announced, "The test is over. There will be no need to carry out the final part."

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd burst into an uproar. No one could imagine why Barnes had suddenly stopped Zachary's test. He was known for his prickly personality, and since Zachary had offended him, they had never expected him to let Zachary go so easily. Everyone speculated as to why he had changed his mind. Could it be that Barnes believed the last part of the test would not pose any difficulty for Zachary?

Jay, Tracy and the others stared at Barnes, wondering what was wrong with him. What was the problem? Why did he end the test so soon?

"Barnes, I don't understand what you mean," Zachary said. "If the test is over, does it mean I've passed?" He also felt somewhat strange about Barnes' decision. Like everyone else, he did not see a reason for Barnes to end the test prematurely. Although Zachary had already passed two rounds, there was still a final treasure beast that must be even stronger than the Demonic Phantom Butterfly. He wondered if Barnes was just bluffing. Maybe only two rounds had been arranged, because Barnes incorrectly assumed that Zachary would lose early. Maybe there was no third round, and Barnes had only pretended there was so that Zachary would be embarrassed if he never even reached that stage. In any case, Zachary was under no illusion that Barnes had ended the test out of kindness. It must be that Barnes was doing this to avoid being humiliated.

Barnes gave Zachary a contemptuous look. "Of course you didn't pass. I've decided to end the test based on your performance in the first two rounds. Clearly, you have no chance of succeeding in the final round." The crowd began to mutter to each other, and Zachary's eyes narrowed. Barnes continued, "Although you have managed to pass so far, I can see from the level of strength you displayed in subduing the Demonic Phantom Butterfly that you are not strong enough. There is no chance you will pass the third round." Zachary said nothing, but the way he looked at Barnes made it clear he was waiting for further explanation. Barnes smiled coldly and added, "Even among the strongest warriors at Crane College—those who are at the premium stage of Imperial Level—there are very few who can subdue the treasure beast waiting for you in the final round. It is a violent, ruthless beast that will not hesitate to injure or eve

ong minutes, nothing emerged.

"Alisa, do you have any idea what treasure beast that is? What could Barnes have planned for the final round?" Linda asked.

"There are many treasure beasts in our Crane College that are more difficult to subdue than the Demonic Phantom Butterfly, so it's hard to guess. But if Barnes is determined to ensure that Harley fails, he will naturally choose the strongest one. If it's not the one I'm worried about, Harley has a chance. But if it's that one, then he's doomed, because the gap in strength is too great to overcome," Alisa replied, closely watching Zachary. It should have been none of her concern, because whether he passed the beast tamer test or not, it had no impact on her. Still, for some reason, she found herself intently following his every move.

"I think so too," Tina agreed. "I'm afraid that Barnes won't even give him a chance." She gazed down at the training ground with an expression of deep worry.

Finally, there was movement behind the raised fence. Without warning, a large brown beast suddenly rushed out. It had a human-like form, and moved very quickly, reaching Zachary in the blink of an eye. While everyone stared open-mouthed, the beast launched an immediate attack, releasing a burst of strong elemental force aimed at Zachary. At the same time, an enormous arm-shaped shadow appeared on the ground. Instinctively, Zachary dodged sideways, and the arm shadow hit the spot where he had been standing. A huge hole appeared on the ground, and cracks appeared around it from the force of the blow. It was a display of strength at least as powerful as that of a warrior at the premium stage of Imperial Level.