The cost of the opportunity to acquire a windfall of points from a single kill is that the examinees can't leave the test whenever they want. So if they earn a lot of points, they have to survive with those points for 7 days.
During that time, they will have a cluster of light on their heads, telling everyone that sees them how many points they are worth if killed.
"As if surviving in a forest is not bad enough, but we will have to carry a sign that makes it difficult to hide and tells everyone to kill us."
He shook his head and said, "It is unfortunate, but it seems that I won't be a part of this."
He decided not to participate in the test after thinking about it. He has many reasons for this decision.
The most important reason is that he doesn't need to participate in the test. With the points that he earned in the previous tests, it might be hubris to say that his position as first is certain, but he can say confidently that his admission into a good sect is certain.
The second most important reason is that this test is too dangerous even for him. He is strong, but he doesn't have unlimited stamina and unlimited arrows.
Unlike the third test, where he was able to give many reasons why the other examinees on his island shouldn't attack him, he won't be able to come up with one valid reason why anyone shouldn't attack.
In the third test, he could escape, and so could the other examinees. So it was uncertain that they would be able to earn 30% of his points before he left the island.
But in this test, there will be a 100% certainty of earning 100% of his points. Even if he intimidates the other examinees, there are still the many beasts who won't listen to reason.
The beasts will prioritize him because of the large amount of points in his possession. They will surround him and try to kill him. He will either have to kill them, escape, or die.
If he kills them, he will earn more points, which will make him more alluring to both the beasts and the other examinees. So fighting won't solve his problem.
He can't escape either. It is just too difficult to keep running for 7 days straight. He will tire and be defeated easily.
He can already picture his fate. He will be surrounded by beasts and tens of thousands of examinees. It is only a matter of time before he is put down.
Even if he survives the whole thing, it won't change much apart from keeping him secure at the first position. He doesn't think it is worth it to risk his life for that.
To top it off, he doesn't want to survive in a forest for seven days without food and water. Not only will there be a lack of food and water, but he will also have people and beasts constantly chasing him. So he won't be able to sleep.
He can do it, but it will be too stressful. The gains aren't worth the risks he has to undertake. He would rather stay on the ship and relax.
After making up his mind, he told Lady Vena about it. She nodded and said, "I think that is a prudent decision. This kind of test is common to every round of the sect examination. Every five years, there will be an opportunity like this that will give people hope."
"Ultimately, the test is meant for those who performed badly in the previous tests. It is more of a gamble than a real test of strength. The only way to secure your life within the test is to work together with others."
"You will need company to keep you safe so that you can rest and sleep. You will need to hunt for food and secure water sources. These are just the needs for survival, but no one can do it alone."
"If you don't work together with others, it won't stop others from working together and ganging up on you. The largest and the most powerful groups are the ones who will come out on top."
He nodded in understanding and said, "It is no wonder why Augustus nearly died in this kind of test. He needed help to survive."
She nodded too. "Indeed. The test is too difficult. The goal is to survive and also earn points. But the more points you earn, the more difficult it will be to survive."
"This is why I won't advise you to participate in the test. With your score of 24,155, you will have a large crown of light on your head as soon as you start the test. The danger you will face right from the start will be immense."
He sighed and said, "There's just too much to lose and very little to gain. Even if I form a group, it will only alleviate the danger a little. The group will still be besieged by beasts day and night. They will be whittled down eventually."
Lady Vena chuckled and said, "Can you even form a group? Only fools will form a group with you because you're beast bait. If I encounter someone like you in the test, I will either try to kill you or avoid you."
He shrugged and said, "I guess everyone will be happy to know that I won't be participating in this test."
He was wrong about that. No one would be happy to hear that Arthur Red Mane wouldn't be participating in the test because they were all looking forward to killing him or watching a beast kill him.
Their reaction would be understandable. After all, they are his enemies. It is normal that they want him to fall.
But even his allies were not happy to hear that. Augustus wasn't happy because he was hoping that the test would be an opportunity for the children of the family to work together and for Arthur to learn the value of family.