AFK System: Level Up By Doing Nothing!

Chapter 3: The Compulsory Trial

The sunlight pierced through the gaps in the foliage at the academy gardens, warming Austin’s body as he slowly began to stir from his nap. He stretched his muscles, which now felt far more elastic and vigorous, a remarkable anomaly for a body that had previously felt as though it might fall apart at any moment.

Kring! Kring!

A magical announcement echoed throughout the entire academy area. The voice was deafening and authoritative, shattering the tranquility Austin had only just begun to enjoy.

"Attention to all new students of this year's batch. Relaxation time has ended. Assemble immediately at the Main Gate of The World Tree Tower. The Floor 1 Elimination Trial will begin in exactly 30 minutes. Failure to attend will result in permanent expulsion."

Austin groaned softly, staring up at the sky with an annoyed expression. "I was just starting to get a good sleep, and they're already calling again."

Though he was lethargic beyond words, Austin knew he couldn't ignore this order. His status as a member of the support faction meant he had no right to defy the academy's mandates. Reluctantly, he picked up his broom, brushed the lingering grass off his uniform, and began to shuffle toward the Main Gate.

Upon arrival, the scene in front of the Main Gate was already chaotic. Thousands of new students had divided themselves into small groups. They looked serious, checking their weapons, consuming stamina potions, and debating attack formations to conquer the Mist Forest, Floor 1 of the Tower.

Austin spotted Leo standing near the gate, looking anxious. Leo had already joined a four-member team. However, as Austin attempted to approach, one of Leo’s teammates, an arrogant-looking youth with brown hair, stepped forward to block his path.

"Hey, trash! Don't come any closer," the youth barked. "Our team is already full. And we don't need a burden who couldn't even stand up straight during the selection stage."

Leo looked caught in the middle. "But he's my friend, Ben! He could help..."

"Help? He doesn't even have mana! If he tags along, he'll just be monster bait. Do you want us all to die just for the sake of one sickly person?" Ben stared at Austin with pure contempt. "Find another team, or you're better off just quitting now."

Austin merely shrugged. He didn't mind at all. In fact, he felt that being in a team that was too ambitious would only be a nuisance, as they would inevitably force him to keep moving and fighting.

Austin turned around, walking away. He searched to see if any other team would accept him. However, the results were nil. Every time he approached, people would look at him with expressions of disgust or pity, then order him to leave.

"No one wants to take you?" A feminine voice sounded from behind him.

Austin turned. A girl with short hair, thin-rimmed glasses, and two short swords at her waist stood there. Her name was Sarah, a quiet girl known for being one of the less prominent students in class. Beside her stood a chubby boy who was shivering, named Budi.

"Neither of us has a team," Sarah stated flatly. "The others rejected us because we’re considered a 'leftover team.' Do you want to join? At least we can enter as a three-person squad."

Austin observed them for a moment. Sarah looked calm, and Budi... well, Budi looked like the type who would faint at the sight of a rat. Austin sighed, feeling that this was the perfect "leftover team." No one would expect much from them, which meant no one would force him to take action.

"Sure," Austin replied briefly. "I'm Austin. I look forward to working with you."

"Good. Line up over there," Sarah pointed.

Thirty minutes later, the massive gates of The World Tree swung open, exhaling a dense, frigid aura of energy. The trial instructions were given clearly: Enter Floor 1, the Mist Forest, collect at least ten low-tier Monster Cores, and return to the gate before sunset.

The moment they stepped inside, the world before them changed entirely. The Mist Forest was no ordinary woodland. A thick, grey fog obscured their vision, limiting visibility to no more than five meters. Strange sounds, the creaking of tree branches, heavy footsteps, and distant howls, echoed from every direction.

"Stay close!" Sarah whispered, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword tightly. "Budi, hold the center position. Austin, you... well, try to stay behind us."

Budi nodded in terror, while Austin walked with lazy steps at the very back, his hand clutching the broom he had somehow brought into the tower.

Nearly an hour into their trek, tension began to mount. They had encountered a few small Goblins, which Sarah fortunately handled with ease. However, as they reached a clearing overgrown with massive trees, the fog suddenly became incredibly dense.

"Wait," Sarah stopped, raising her hand. "Something's not right. The smell here... it's bloody."

Suddenly, from within the fog, pairs of glowing bright blue eyes appeared, followed by dozens more. Low, chest-rattling growls sounded from every corner.

"Mist Wolves," Sarah hissed, her face turning pale. "There are... too many of them!"

There were at least twenty Mist Wolves, dangerous, agile monsters that hunted in packs. They emerged from the fog like shadows, surrounding the leftover team. Budi screamed in terror and collapsed to the ground, while Sarah tried to catch her breath, frantically searching for an opening to attack.

"Budi! Get up! We have to form a circle!" Sarah exclaimed in a panic.

But Budi couldn't move. He stared at the wolves that were now closing in, their sharp teeth dripping with venomous saliva.

Austin, who had been observing the situation with a flat expression, looked around. He spotted a large tree with low-hanging branches that looked soft enough. Without caring for Sarah's shouting or the growls of the monsters drawing ever closer, Austin walked toward the tree.

Sarah’s eyes widened in disbelief at Austin's actions. "Austin! What are you doing?! Come back here!"

Austin didn't answer. He reached the tree, cleared away some dry leaves with his broom, and casually leaned his back against the thick trunk.

Sarah stared at him in utter disbelief. At a time when their lives were hanging by a thread, when they were surrounded by a pack of ferocious predators, this guy actually wanted to sleep?

"He’s lost his mind," Budi whispered in despair.

Austin didn't care. His eyes, which felt heavy after a full day of registration procedures and walking inside the tower, finally reached their limit. He closed them slowly, ignoring the shrill howl of the alpha wolf as it prepared to pounce toward their team.

Deep within his mind, a system notification flickered lightly, as if welcoming its master who was about to enter the realm of dreams.

[Ding! 'Sleep Mode' detected. Activating Mirror Dimension... Preparing for automatic hunt...]

In the real world, Austin fell into a deep sleep, his breathing steady, as if he were in his own bedroom and not in the heart of the Mist Forest filled with bloodthirsty predators.

The pack of wolves, feeling insulted by Austin's attitude, shifted their focus from Sarah and Budi toward Austin, who was fast asleep. The alpha wolf let out a long howl, giving the command to attack the "trash" human who was the most sluggish of them all.

In an instant, four wolves lunged forward simultaneously, their mouths gaping wide, ready to tear apart the neck and body of the defenseless Austin.

Sarah closed her eyes, unable to bear watching Austin being torn to shreds by the pack of monsters. However, silence blanketed the area, leaving only the soft sound of Austin's snoring, completely undisturbed.