The Most Challenging Assessment

Jason’s threatening roar was completely ignored by Joss, who, after once again confirming the numbers on his system panel, turned to carefully observe the entire examination hall.

The hall was divided into several sections, each corresponding to a different test item. However, these tests weren’t conducted simultaneously; instead, they proceeded sequentially from left to right.

“If you fail any one of these tests, you don’t continue… Is that what it means?” Joss mused. It seemed like an inefficient approach, but he could vaguely sense the deeper reasoning behind it.

“Interesting. So the exam has already begun, which means even stamina management must be taken into account.”

He pondered, fingers pinching his chin, and soon understood.

“At ten o’clock, anyone not present is automatically disqualified. I want to see them gone by tonight.” The cold voice rang out precisely at ten (“Actually, it’s three seconds past,” Joss noted), instantly plunging the hall into silence.

Joss turned to see a bald, one-eyed African-American man standing at the examiner’s podium—none other than Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.!

Although fundamentally a good man, Fury’s ruthless and uncompromising nature lent him a chilling air, intimidating everyone so much that even their breathing was subdued.

Surveying the room, Fury nodded in satisfaction. After all, he was facing a group of S.H.I.E.L.D. recruits, not seasoned superheroes, so there was no need for pleasantries. He cleared his throat and began to announce the day’s exam.

“Today’s exam consists of three stages: Agent Capability Assessment, Combat Capability Assessment, and Special Ability Assessment.”

As Fury explained, Joss and the others gained a general understanding of the test items. As S.H.I.E.L.D.’s reserve agents, their agent capabilities were paramount, so this was the first and most eliminative round.

But contrary to Joss’s expectations, these tests weren’t fixed; they would be decided by random draw.

According to Fury, agents never know what situations they’ll face on missions, so luck and adaptability are as important as skill.

“…That’s the agent capability test. The other two exams will be discussed once you pass this one. I don’t like wasting words on useless people.”

After Fury finished speaking, Joss nodded thoughtfully to himself.

“Interesting. The random draw is meant to simulate the unpredictability of real missions as much as possible. But doesn’t this introduce an element of arbitrariness?”

Before he finished, Fury’s solitary eye was already fixed on him, its piercing gaze making Joss tense up.

“No way—can he hear even my quiet muttering?”

A moment later, Fury’s impatient glare was unmistakable as he barked, “Why do you keep shaking your head?”

“Reporting, sir, your speech is so much like a rap that I can’t help but move to the rhythm,” Joss replied honestly.

He couldn’t help it; it was an innate response!

After a few seconds of silence, Fury clapped his hands and laughed, “So that’s why… hahahaha…”

Suddenly, Fury turned to the examiner in charge of drawing test items and pointed at Joss: “Give him the most difficult test.”

[Host’s self-sabotage score increased by 4 points, now at 6.]

Staring dumbfounded at the system panel, Joss felt utterly wronged—he had just spoken the truth!

“Wait, wait, is this personal revenge?” Joss protested loudly.

Fury merely shrugged. “Not at all. I’m giving you the highest level test because I see potential in you. All candidates we consider promising are selected with maximum difficulty.”

His explanation was flawless, almost convincing Joss—if not for Fury’s icy expression.

“Damn, damn… I only wanted to casually sabotage myself for a few extra points, but now the difficulty is suddenly at hell level?!”

He had just been happy about his self-sabotage score jumping by four, but now his face fell.

He wasn’t even sure he could pass the ordinary exam, and now with the difficulty maxed out, failure was almost inevitable.

“Ha! Did you hear that? Joss, that loser, is about to take the hardest test with us!”

Jason, previously frustrated and looking for an outlet, now laughed without restraint.

The toughest test wasn’t included in the ordinary students’ question pool, but was reserved for the top ten candidates of each class.

“Hah, this test isn’t for regular candidates. Even for us, if we’re not careful, we could be eliminated,” scoffed a man close to Jason.

Others said nothing, but their gazes toward Joss were tinged with pity.

No one believed Joss could pass. Even the ordinary test was daunting enough for most, and the elite-level test brought his chances down to near zero.

To be assigned the hardest test and fail because he offended the S.H.I.E.L.D. Director—such a story would be unprecedented in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s history.

Even Fury paid little attention, evidently using Joss as a cautionary example. He turned away and found a seat to rest.

Soon, an instructor led a group of eleven, Joss included, to a side area. After casting a sidelong glance at Joss, the instructor began to announce the test.

“This time, your test is quite special. In some ways, it’s not even as hard as a basic Morse code decoding question.”

The instructor’s words surprised everyone.

“But from another perspective, this task is extremely difficult, because all your learned knowledge and abilities will be rendered useless.”

Now, the top recruits’ expressions morphed from surprise to panic, growing increasingly anxious about the unknown test ahead.

“Your test theme is: time.”

The instructor ignored everyone’s reactions, kept a stern face, and raised an electronic clock: “From the start to the end of the test, you must keep precise time without any instrumental assistance.”

Joss: “Hmm? (Alerted)”