A massive black metal plate descended from above.
All the survivors participating in the test held their breath, eyes glued to the plate.
They saw on the metal plate, those blue...
They couldn't quite describe the kind of pattern it was, as if countless lines intertwined together, yet it seemed like merely simple strokes.
Indescribable, ineffable.
As the patterns emerged, it felt as though the temperature dropped several degrees in an instant. Some couldn't help but shiver, only to find, to their amazement, that the temperature returned to normal as soon as they looked away. But as their gaze returned to those cryptic patterns, the faint chill surrounding them was immediately felt.
This was just too... incredible!
No wonder it's the Sanctuary.
Even the test is so high-end!
Some people marveled.
While others didn't hesitate and began to briskly draw on paper.
Yang Wei, at the first glimpse of the blue runes, felt as though he was in a world of ice and snow.
A vast expanse of whiteness.
Snowflakes fluttering down, ice crystals forming inch by inch, becoming a solid set of armor.
Without thinking, his pencil-holding hand began to move as if driven by an impulse to recreate that set of armor exactly as it was.
His drawing skill was quite ordinary, and at most, people could make out what he tried to depict.
But this time, without any hesitation during the process, in less than ten minutes, a majestic suit of armor took shape on the paper.
It wasn't until he stopped drawing that Yang Wei froze, then realized...
He found it hard to believe but then suddenly understood why Housekeeper Chen had said, when you see the test question, you'll know what you need to draw.
'I saw the Ice Crystal Armor, but what about the others?'
He didn't know that this rune was the Ice Crystal Armor rune, simply that the rune had been specially processed. Although they could feel the essence of the rune, they couldn't intuitively understand its significance.
Some were presented with a vision of wintry lands, others saw the snowflakes falling, and yet others saw the ice crystals forming...
But very few could actually see the image of the armor, and many, not feeling it vividly enough, even thought they were having a hallucination.
Some drew snowflakes on the paper, some drew icebergs, but others, staring straight at the cryptic pattern, were momentarily confused.
Aside from feeling a bit cold, they felt nothing else.
What on earth should they draw?
Someone pondered, confident in their drawing capability, wanting to copy the 'test question' down, but quickly realized that no matter how they tried, their drawings were far from the cryptic pattern on the plate.
This was quite distressing, especially listening to others drawing with rustling noises and not daring to look around – their mental state was on the verge of collapse.
What the hell is this test even testing!
Tang Yu and Kevin, through surveillance, watched those who were taking the test.
Though they couldn't see what these people were drawing, it was clear from the timing of the strokes and the fluency of their drawing which individuals had a strong perception ability for runes, and which had weaker ones.
...perhaps except for some who felt nothing at all but scribbled away relentlessly.
Soon, the test papers of these testers were collected and brought before Tang Yu and Kevin.
As the only two Rune Masters in the territory, naturally, only the two of them could do the grading.
To be precise, it was Kevin who did the grading while Tang Yu stood by idly watching.
Kevin read through the papers very quickly, determining who passed and who didn't in a single glance.
Anyone who could draw something even slightly related to runes passed; most were figures like snowflakes and ice crystals, but Tang Yu also noticed two or three drawings that were exceptionally lifelike.
Perhaps that was roughly what it would look like when runes are inscribed on armor and their effects were activated?
Tang Yu muttered to himself.
He had taken similar tests before, yet it seemed that his drawings had never been so vivid...
It must be an illusion, definitely an illusion!
After all, he was the man who had invested all his talent points in runes; how could he be outdone by a few survivors taking the test?
Moreover, Rune Perception was merely a small part of rune talent, it didn't mean much.
After the grading was done, the results were a bit surprising to both Tang Yu and Kevin.
There were only thirty-four who passed.
Kevin was also somewhat perplexed, "I've already set the bar very low, yet why have so few people passed? Aside from those two or three, the others' Perception ability for runes is just too poor!"
When the number of people didn't meet the standard, there was no alternative; Tang Yu could only reluctantly accept the fact.
He had some speculations as well.
Kevin initially said that the territory could filter out fifty people, perhaps that was based on his own conception, that is the rough probability from the world he came from.
But humans on Earth were ultimately different from those in their world.
It wasn't a difference in physical structure, although he hadn't studied that...
In Kevin's world, Source Power had always existed, even ordinary people who couldn't Awaken were constantly nourished by Source Power, whereas on Earth, Tang Yu didn't dare to assert that Source Power had always been present, but even if it was, the concentration would surely have been very low.
With a higher concentration, some with good aptitude would naturally Awaken, and the pre-apocalypse world wouldn't have been so peaceful then.
Those who didn't pass the assessment left with disappointment written all over their faces. Fortunately, the municipal department informed them that the factory would soon recruit a batch of ordinary workers, and as candidates who passed the first two stages, they would be given priority if they wished to apply.
Meanwhile, the thirty-something who had passed the test and successfully applied for the position of Rune Debuggers were over the moon.
Tang Yu descended the stairs to approach these people, smiling, "First of all, congratulations to all of you for passing the test. I believe some of you may have guessed that your work, yes, is related to runes, and the daily wage is half a Source Crystal, but that's just the beginning. As long as you work hard, a daily wage of several dozen Source Crystals is also within the realm of possibility."
"Now, do you have any questions?"
After some hesitation, someone finally voiced their concern, "Please, Director Tang, what exactly is our job? Are we supposed to draw runes? We tried earlier, but no matter what, the drawings we produced were far from what was displayed on those examples."
The question was on everyone's mind as they eagerly awaited Director Tang's response.
Tang Yu let out a light chuckle, "Drawing runes is not so straightforward. To succeed at it, you would at least need to be an Awakener and also possess deep expertise in runes..."
"But you needn't be disheartened, compared to others you are already very fortunate to have the opportunity to access the knowledge of Rune Studies. If you have good talent and put in the effort, the Sanctuary's resources will also be appropriately allocated in your favor."
Tang Yu spoke as he picked up a rune pen and began to trace swiftly on a piece of hideskin.
In just a moment, a basic Sharp Rune was formed.
"For example, you can set a small goal for yourselves, to craft a basic rune. Once you can do that, a daily wage of several dozen Source Crystals will no longer be a dream."
The words reached the ears of the thirty-four survivors.
They gazed in awe at the Sharp Rune, feeling a flame ignite within their hearts.