For the next two days, Jasper and Nidhogg became a pair of dreaded phantoms in the "Land of Jackals."
After advancing to Sequence 8 'Contractor', Jasper's total spiritual energy and his precision in controlling it had taken a qualitative leap. The mental link between him and Nidhogg became incredibly clear, and their coordination grew more and more seamless.
Nidhogg was responsible for scouting and initial harassment, while Jasper, using his 'Damage Transfer' ability, hunted down any beast that dared to stand in their way with an almost insane, life-for-a-wound efficiency.
Gradually, the other candidates began to consciously avoid the lone boy who radiated an aura that warned everyone to stay away. No one knew what had happened to him, only that any team that had tried to rob him was never seen again.
On the evening of the third day, as the setting sun painted the sky a bloody red, Jasper finally dragged his exhausted body out of the western exit of the "Land of Jackals."
He was the fifth candidate to reach the finish line.
At the exit, the teacher, Sarah, was recording scores with several other examiners. When she saw Jasper, she couldn't help but be stunned.
The young man before her was a completely different person from the quiet, even somewhat timid, student of three days ago.
His school uniform was in tatters, caked with dried blood and dirt. His cheeks were gaunt, but his eyes were as sharp and cold as a hawk's. The oppressive aura that naturally emanated from a Sequence 8 Extraordinary One made several of the Sequence 9 students around him subconsciously take half a step back.
Most striking of all was the pitch-black lizard resting quietly on his shoulder. Its dark-gold vertical pupils were impassively scanning everyone present, as if sizing up a group of prey that could be torn apart at any moment.
"Jasper..." Sarah's lips moved, but for a moment, she didn't know what to say.
Jasper ignored the surrounding gazes. He walked straight to the registration desk and placed his student ID on it.
"Jasper, passed," the examiner checked the information and quickly stamped the seal of approval.
Jasper picked up his ID and turned to leave.
"Stop," Sarah called out to him, her expression incredibly serious. "Jasper, I don't know what you went through in there. But I must remind you, on the Extraordinary path, the shortcuts are often the ones that lead to the abyss. Every leap in power comes with an equivalent risk. I hope you... will look after yourself."
Jasper's steps paused for a moment. He didn't turn back, only saying faintly, "Thank you, teacher."
With that, he walked into the twilight without a backward glance.
Sarah watched his lonely and resolute back, a complex emotion welling up in her heart. She knew that from this day on, this boy, once considered a loser by everyone, would walk a path different from all others, a path destined to be fraught with hardship.
Under the setting sun, Jasper's shadow was stretched long.
He had passed the exam, but this was just the beginning.
The ten-thousand-yuan debt still weighed on his mind, his mother and sister were waiting for him at home, and the path to higher Sequences was filled with unknown dangers and madness.
He glanced at Nidhogg on his shoulder. The little creature, heir to a mythological name, seemed to sense its master's mood and gently nuzzled his neck with its head.
In that instant, Jasper's gaze seemed to soften.
He was no longer alone.
This Shepherd's path, named for ashes, was one he would walk to the very end.