Chapter 39: Are Human Tactics Really This Abstract?

The first floor of the Trial Tower, the internal space where Lin Mo stood.

This was an extremely spacious enclosed hall, covering an area of a thousand square meters.

The surrounding walls were cast from an unknown black metal, radiating a chilling aura.

"Candidates, please pay attention!"

A broadcast voice echoed:

"The first-floor monsters will arrive on the battlefield via the teleportation array in 60 seconds!"

Prepare your combat stance! A basic supply box on the right side of the hall contains Basic Mana Potions and Health Potions—take as needed!

"Countdown begins: 59, 58…"

Lin Mo glanced at the teleportation array in the distance.

It seemed like a simple test of output class capabilities—monsters would teleport in through the array on each floor.

【『Fireball Spell』excitedly bounced up and down: Hurry up, hurry up! Where are the monsters? I shall wash this place in blood! I’ll turn it into a Lotus Hell! Hehehe! Let those ants scream in the flames!】

Lin Mo couldn’t help but mutter.

"Hey, Little Fire, can we not act like some villainous final boss, okay?"

【『Fireball Spell』snorted dismissively: Pfft, boring humans. In this world, violence is truth, destruction is eternity. What do you know?】

Lin Mo sighed. "Fine, fine, but can we please stop laughing 'hehehe' all the time?"

【『Earth Shield Spell』weakly chimed in: Yeah, yeah! Big bro, you’re too violent—can’t you be more steady like me?】

【『Fireball Spell』snickered: Learn from you? Take us to the sky?】

【『Earth Shield Spell』lifted his head defiantly: That was an accident, okay?】

"Enough. The exam has begun."

Lin Mo cut off the skills’ bickering.

At the same moment, the one-minute countdown reached zero.

Hum—!

The teleportation array at the far end of the hall erupted in blinding light.

Space twisted as several short, grotesque figures slowly materialized.

Five creatures with rusted iron clubs and ink-green skin burst forth from the array.

【Goblin Warrior, Lv.5】

Lin Mo raised an eyebrow.

Only level 5?

And these are beginner monsters—goblins?

But then again, it made sense—this was only the first floor.

"Alright, Little Fire, send them on their way."

【『Fireball Spell』flames surged instantly, emitting a chilling laugh: Hehehe… At last! Now, burn to ashes in despair!】

A fireball instantly coalesced before Lin Mo.

"Go."

Lin Mo chewed snacks, mumbling the word indistinctly.

The fireball streaked through the air, trailing a long tail of flame, hurtling toward the goblins just now steadying their footing!

At that moment—

Boom—!!!

The ground before Lin Mo trembled violently.

A massive earthen wall rose two meters in front of him, shielding him behind it.

But it also blocked the fireball, which was about to unleash carnage.

Bang—!!

Sparks flew, dust billowed.

As for the five goblins, now poised to charge, their faces showed a flicker of confusion.

What is this human doing?

Human tactics… are they really this abstract now?

Behind the earthen wall:

Lin Mo’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.

【『Fireball Spell』stunned: ???】

【『Fireball Spell』furious: Are you insane? Are you seriously insane? Why did you block me?!】

【『Fireball Spell』spouted continuously: I just yelled ‘burn to ashes’—and you do this?! Don’t I have any dignity?!】

Facing his big brother’s rage, 『Earth Shield Spell』muttered weakly.

【『Earth Shield Spell』shrinking into a ball: I… I just didn’t want those monsters to hurt Master…】

【『Fireball Spell』roared: Hurt Master? From those trash? Are you doubting my power?!】

【『Earth Shield Spell』mumbled: Safety first… as long as Master is fine… Besides, look—my wall even withstood your explosion. That proves I’m strong!】

【『Fireball Spell』: I’ll kill you!】

"Enough!"

Lin Mo slapped his own forehead, feeling his blood pressure spike.

"Can you two just calm down? This is an exam—being broadcast live across the city! Can you at least give me some dignity?"

Lin Mo took a deep breath and said calmly:

"Little Earth, your intentions are good, but you need to read the situation."

"Those five level-5 monsters? No need for Earth Flow Wall at all. And even if you insist on using it, wait until your big brother launches first—coordinate, understand?"

Scolded by his master, 『Earth Shield Spell』deflated completely.

【『Earth Shield Spell』bowing in shame: Sorry, Master… I was just too nervous… I was wrong.】

Seeing Lin Mo sided with him, 『Fireball Spell』beamed smugly.

【『Fireball Spell』hands on hips, laughing: Hear that, coward?! Clear the path now! Don’t block my output!】

【『Earth Shield Spell』drawing circles sadly: Okay…】

Lin Mo turned to soothe his furious big brother:

"Alright, Little Fire, don’t gloat—send those goblins on their way."

At this moment,

The goblins outside had finally reacted.

They weren’t smart enough to understand what the human was doing—only that they must kill all humans.

"Gaaah!"

The goblins swung their iron clubs, howling as they charged forward.

Lin Mo’s eyes turned cold; he shifted his intent.

The thick earthen wall before him instantly dissolved into flowing sand, sinking back into the ground.

His view cleared.

The lead goblin raised his club, a cruel grin spreading across his face.

【『Fireball Spell』smirked: Laugh? Just wait till you’re crying! Die, fools!】

A blazing fireball formed instantly.

As it launched, it shuddered violently.

"Multiple Exploding Fireballs!"

The single fireball split instantly into fifteen explosive projectiles, precisely locking onto the five pitiful goblins.

Under the dual crushing weight of class and skill level, the goblins had no chance to resist.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Flames erupted skyward, heat waves rolling.

The narrow fan-shaped area became an inferno in an instant.

The five goblins were vaporized.

…

The Professional Examination Monitoring Command Center, VIP Room.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Zhao Lei suddenly slammed his thigh.

He pointed at one of the screens, face glowing with pride:

"Xu Lao! See? My little Yu didn’t just master 【Multiple Exploding Fireballs】—he split it into five fireballs, each perfectly hitting!"

"Such micro-control, such talent—Xu Lao, this is definitely the ceiling of this year’s Jianghai City candidates!"

But the expected praise from Xu Lao did not come.

"Xu Lao?"

Zhao Lei frowned, turning to look at Xu Wenchang.

"Shut up."

Xu Wenchang suddenly spoke, then ordered the technicians sternly:

“Rewind the candidate Lin Mo’s footage by ten seconds! Slow it down tenfold!”

“Yes!”

The technician immediately complied.

The large screen instantly switched, and time began to reverse.

Zhao Lei had just focused all his attention on his son Zhao Yu and hadn’t noticed what was happening with Lin Mo.

At this moment, seeing Xu Lao’s expression, he sensed something was amiss.

Could Lin Mo have been caught cheating?

That would be perfect.

On the screen, the footage began playing in slow motion.

Under the tenfold slow-motion lens, everyone clearly saw the fireball violently tremble in midair, then begin to split…

One… two… five… ten…

Fifteen!

“This…”

Zhao Lei shot up from the sofa.

“Ten… fifteen?!”

“How the hell is that possible?!”