All of a sudden, the ground began to shake. It started as a faint tremor, barely noticeable, but within seconds, it grew into a violent quake that rattled the entire mock city. I stumbled slightly, my instincts kicking in as I steadied myself. Then, I saw it.
A massive robot, taller than any building in the city, emerged from the ground. Its sheer size was overwhelming, its metallic frame casting a shadow over the battlefield. This was the zero-pointer—a monstrous machine designed to instill fear and chaos, not to be defeated. I knew I stood no chance against it, and I also knew it was pointless to try. But this chaos also presented an opportunity.
The zero-pointer's arrival sent shockwaves through the area. Buildings crumbled like paper, debris raining down as the robot advanced. Students screamed and scattered, their earlier confidence replaced by panic. The air was thick with dust and the sound of collapsing structures, creating a scene of utter chaos.
At the same time, Present Mic's voice boomed over the speakers, his tone as energetic as ever, though it only added to the pandemonium. "LAST TWO MINUTES, LISTENERS! MAKE IT COUNT!"
"For a split second, I hesitated. The sheer scale of the zero-pointer was unlike anything I had faced before, and a quiet voice in the back of my mind whispered: You can't win this. But I shoved the doubt aside. This wasn't about winning. This was about saving lives. I immediately shouted at the top of my lungs, my voice cutting through the noise. "GET BACK! EVERYONE, RETREAT AND CLEAR THE AREA!"
I scanned the surroundings, my Perception working overtime to identify anyone in need of help. My eyes landed on a student who had tripped and fallen while trying to escape. They were struggling to get up, their movements frantic and uncoordinated. Without a second thought, I sprinted toward them.
"Hold on!" I called out as I reached them. I grabbed their arm and pulled them to their feet, my grip firm but reassuring. "Can you run?"
They nodded, their face pale but determined. "Y-yeah, I think so."
"Good. Go! I'll cover you!" I said, giving them a gentle push in the direction of safety. As they ran, I turned my attention to the falling debris. Chunks of concrete and metal were raining down, threatening to block the path or injure the fleeing students. I activated Iron Body Technique, reinforcing my limbs as I kicked and punched the debris out of the way with Mountain shattering fist, clearing a path for everyone.
"Keep moving! Don't stop!" I shouted, my voice carrying over the chaos. I stayed behind, making sure no one was left in the immediate danger zone. My eyes darted around, searching for anyone who might need help. The zero-pointer was getting closer, its massive limbs crushing everything in its path, but I couldn't afford to panic. I had to stay focused.
Once I was sure the area was clear, I began to retreat as well. The zero-pointer was now dangerously close, its shadow looming over me. I kept shouting, "EVERYONE, FOCUS ON RETREATING! STAY CALM!"
Present Mic's voice echoed again, this time with a sense of finality. "LAST ONE MINUTE, FOLKS! MAKE IT MEMORABLE!"
I didn't stop. Even as I ran, I kept an eye out for anyone who might be struggling. I spotted a student limping, their leg injured from the debris. I lunged toward them, but just as I reached out, a tremor sent me stumbling. I barely caught myself in time, my fingers brushing against the student's sleeve as another chunk of debris crashed down nearby. Gritting my teeth, I forced my aching legs to push forward, finally hooking my arm under theirs and pulling them up. "Lean on me. We'll get out of this together."
They nodded, their face twisted in pain but grateful for the help. Together, we moved as quickly as we could, the ground shaking beneath us with every step the zero-pointer took. The air was thick with dust, burning my throat with every breath. The ground trembled violently beneath us, each step a battle against the shifting rubble. The zero-pointer's joints groaned like tortured metal, its massive frame radiating waves of heat from the friction of its colossal movements. I forced myself to ignore the overwhelming sensory overload, focusing on the injured student beside me
As we reached the edge of the danger zone, I helped the injured student sit down and called for medical assistance. The zero-pointer was still advancing, but the immediate threat had passed. I took a moment to catch my breath, my body aching from the exertion but my mind clear.
This was what it meant to be a hero—not just fighting villains or scoring points, but protecting others, even in the face of overwhelming danger. I didn't know how many rescue points I'd earned, but that wasn't what mattered. What mattered was that I'd done everything I could to help those around me.
As the final seconds of the exam ticked away, I felt my legs tremble—not from fear, but from sheer exhaustion. My breaths came ragged, my muscles ached, and sweat stung my eyes. But I refused to fall. I had done everything I could, given everything I had. Whether it was enough or not... I would soon find out. But for now, I stood tall, my resolve unshaken.