《The Worldbreaker: Rise of the Corruption》


 Chapter 1

    The low murmur of conversation filled the cozy cafe, the clinking of coffee cups and the hiss of the espresso machine blending into the ambient noise. The air was thick with the smell of roasted beans and warm pastries, offering a rare comfort in a world forever changed.


    Near the counter, a small television mounted on the wall flickered to life. The screen buzzed with static for a moment before the image cleared. The news anchor appeared, her face illuminated by the soft glow of the screen, her voice rising above the chatter in the room.


    ¡°Decades Ago, a colossal meteor, later called ''The Worldbreaker,'' struck the planet with enough force to alter its geography, sending shockwaves that devastated entire continents. Now, we''re celebrating the 10th year of our survival.¡±


    A few patrons glanced up at the screen as the woman spoke, some pausing mid-sip to listen. A man at the counter scoffed and muttered something under his breath, but most ignored the broadcast, lost in their own worlds.


    The anchor¡¯s face became more solemn as she continued, the background footage switching between shots of reconstruction efforts, memorials, and the bustling streets of the new world.


    ¡°For some, it¡¯s a time of remembrance¡ªa moment to honor those we lost. For others, it¡¯s a reminder of how far we¡¯ve come since that day, and how much farther we still need to go. The world may be different now, but the fight for our future continues.¡±


    One of the regulars, an older woman sitting in the corner, shook her head slowly, her hand gripping the edge of her coffee mug as she stared at the screen.


    ¡°And yet, amid the celebrations, there are whispers. Whispers of monsters lurking in the wild zones, strange occurrences tied to the meteor¡¯s impact, and the Kajaks¡ªthose who orchestrated the destruction of our world¡ªstill watching from the shadows.¡±


    The words hung in the air for a moment before the screen cut to more images¡ªsoldiers training, families rebuilding, and the harsh realities of the new world. The broadcast faded into background noise as the barista slid a cup of coffee in front of the main character, who barely glanced up, already lost in their own thoughts.


    I catch myself absently tapping my fingers on the worn-out wood of the counter, staring at the screen as the message about the Worldbreaker¡¯s aftermath flickers on. Ten years...


    I hear a teenagers voice from the counter. "Hey, Mat, we''d like to order"


    I glance up, giving them a quick nod. "Sure thing, just give me a sec," I mutter as I reach for the rag beside me to wipe down the counter.


    "So, what do you guys want?" I glance between the two of them, leaning slightly on the counter as I wait for their answer. The usual awkward silence fills the air, but it''s nothing new.


    "Hey, man, you don''t need to act all formal around us! Come on, we''re your friends!"


    "Ha, sorry, Jin, Kyu... Anyways, what do you guys want?"


    "I¡¯ll have an espresso!" The slim, tall guy raises his hand.


    "Come on, Kyu, you don¡¯t have to shout every time. And for me Just black coffee is fine"


    "A black coffee and an espresso. I''ll bring your drinks in a bit should take around 5 minutes. Anyways, I''ll be back." I hurry around the caf¨¦, taking orders left and right, moving swiftly between tables.


    And finally, after a few hours, my shift is over.


    ***


    The clock on the wall ticks steadily as I walk through the door to my apartment, kicking off my shoes and letting out a long sigh. A wave of exhaustion hits me all at once, but I shake it off.


    Finally, I''m home


    I look around the house, checking if anyone is home. The place is eerily quiet, just like usual. I glance at the clock on the wall¡ªit''s already getting late. Evan''s probably off somewhere, training or doing god-knows-what with his latest mission.


    The house feels too big for just me, even though it¡¯s been this way for years. I drag my feet across the hardwood floor, heading to the kitchen, and open the fridge, hoping for something to snack on.


    Nothing...


    "I guess I should just go to sleep. I still have school tomorrow." I mutter to myself, closing the fridge and heading toward my bedroom.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    I pull the covers up, settling in, and sleep.


    BUZZ BUZZ BUZZZ


    My phone starts to ring, waking me up. Groaning, I glance at the screen. The name "Jin" flashes across it.


    I swipe to answer, pressing the phone to my ear. "Hey, man where are you? Class is about to start"


    I glance at the time on my phone and my stomach drops. "Oh shit... I''ll be there in 10." I quickly end the call and scramble out of bed, throwing on my uniform.


    As I pull on my shoes, my mind races with the thought of being late. It¡¯s not like me to cut it this close, but somehow, I¡¯ve lost track of time. Hopefully, I can make it before class starts.


    "IM HERE!!" I swing open the classroom door, the sound of my voice echoing off the walls. My eyes immediately land on the professor, who stands at the front of the room, frozen for a split second, then glancing at me with an eyebrow raised.


    The room goes quiet for a beat. All eyes turn in my direction. I can feel my face heat up as I stand there, breathless, holding the door open like some kind of delinquent.


    "You''re late, Mat," the professor says, his tone flat. "For your punishment, explain the three categories of power."


    The class falls into a heavy silence, and I can feel every set of eyes on me as I stand at the front, trying to shake off the lingering awkwardness of my entrance. My heart races, but I force myself to stay calm.


    "Right... the three categories of power," I mutter, thinking through the words. "Uh, first, we have the Etherborn. They''re the strongest¡ªlike, top-tier warriors with natural talent and the ability to excel in offense, defense, and strategy. They''re the ones who lead battles and usually have high mana."


    I glance around, making sure I''m getting it right.


    "Next, there''s the Balladorn. These guys are more... tactical. They''re rangers and gunslingers, able to fight at long range or up close. They''re great at analyzing weaknesses and working in teams. They¡¯re not as physically strong as Etherborn, but they¡¯re quick and versatile."


    "And then, we have the Vertius. The weakest group. They don''t have mana, so they rely purely on determination. These guys are often the first ones in battle, but they''re at a disadvantage compared to the other two."


    I take a breath, trying to remember any additional details.


    "That¡¯s it, I think. Etherborn, Balladorn, Vertius... pretty straightforward," I finish, giving a half-nervous smile.


    The professor nods, though his gaze is still stern. "Good, but remember, clarity is important. Now, take your seat and pay attention. We¡¯ll be discussing this further."


    I slide into my seat, relieved to have avoided making a bigger fool of myself.


    "As I have announced last week," the professor continues, his voice steady, "today will be the evaluation to see which category you belong to."


    The room buzzes with murmurs and whispers. I feel a knot tighten in my stomach, the weight of the announcement settling over me like a heavy cloak. Evaluations. I had been dreading this day for weeks. The thought of being ranked, categorized... judged.


    "Everyone, line up and follow me" the professor orders


    "Now that we''re in the training grounds, I want everyone to please listen," the professor¡¯s voice rings out, commanding attention. His tone is sharper here, a clear signal that the real tests are about to begin.


    I glance around, the atmosphere heavier than before. The ground beneath my boots feels firmer, the smell of sweat and iron in the air. The sound of weapons clashing and students sparring fills the space, setting my nerves on edge. This place has always felt like a battleground to me¡ªsomewhere where only the strongest rise, where your worth is measured in more than just numbers.


    "Whatever category you may fall in will decide your future," the professor continues, his eyes sweeping over us. "Now, Once your name has been called please step in the circle"


    I feel the weight of his words, a pit forming in my stomach. This isn''t just some evaluation. This is the moment that could change everything. My hands tighten into fists as I wait for my name to be called, the buzzing anxiety in my chest not quite making room for anything else.


    The professor''s words hang in the air for a moment, followed by a wave of applause. Jin¡¯s face lights up as he steps forward, the whispers and excited chatter of the other students filling the space. Etherborn. The highest category. It¡¯s not a surprise, really. Jin¡¯s always been the natural talent, the one who breezes through everything without breaking a sweat.


    I watch him, trying to push down the feeling of envy gnawing at me. He deserves it, no doubt. But it¡¯s hard not to wonder if I¡¯ll ever get to stand in his place, bathed in that kind of recognition.


    The professor¡¯s gaze shifts back to the group, his voice cutting through the excitement. ¡°Next, Mat.¡±


    My name. It echoes louder than it should in my head, and I feel the eyes of every student on me as I step forward. My palms are suddenly sweaty, and my heart races in my chest. I keep my chin up, though, trying to mask the nerves. No one can know how badly I¡¯m hoping for something, anything to keep me from falling into the lower ranks.


    The word hits me like a punch to the gut. Vertius.


    The silence that follows is deafening, thick and suffocating. My pulse quickens, and for a brief second, it feels like the world has paused, just for me. I look around at the others, their faces a mixture of confusion, shock, and... pity. I can almost hear the unspoken words in the air. Vertius, the lowest category. The ones without mana, the ones who have to rely on sheer willpower to survive in a world where everything else is so much stronger.


    ¡°Sorry, I must have heard that wrong¡­¡± The professor¡¯s voice breaks through the haze of my thoughts, but I know better. I heard him loud and clear.


    His face remains as stone-cold as ever, showing no sign of sympathy, just a professionalism that feels like a slap. ¡°You heard right.¡±


    I want to say something, to defend myself, to make it clear that I can rise above it, but the words stick in my throat. I don¡¯t belong here. Not in this category. I¡¯ve trained hard, pushed myself beyond my limits, and now this? It¡¯s like all of it was for nothing.


    Kyu speaks up, breaking the silence. "Hey, Mat, we''re the same!"


    I look at him, offering a half-hearted smile. "Cool."


    The room erupts with whispers.


    "Isn''t his brother an Etherborn?"


    "Maybe he''s adopted, hahahah."


    "QUIET!" The professor shouts, his voice sharp. "I will not tolerate any discrimination in my class. If you wish to say something, raise your hand."


    For the rest of the evaluation, I stood still, my mind racing. I couldn¡¯t believe that I was a Vertius.

 Chapter 2

    The rest of the evaluation passed in a blur. I barely heard the other names being called, my thoughts still stuck on that single word¡ªVertius.


    Before I knew it, the day was over. I dragged myself back home, my steps feeling heavier than usual.


    "I''m home," I mumble as I step inside, closing the door behind me.


    As I step inside, shutting the door behind me, a large figure blocks my path. Broad shoulders, a towering frame, and scars tracing across his arms¡ªmy father.


    "Why so sad?" His deep voice rumbles, arms crossed as he studies me.


    Our eyes meet, and I quickly look away, my grip tightening on my bag.


    "I... got evaluated today," I mumble. "I''m... a Vertius."


    I expected anger. Disappointment. Maybe even silence.


    Instead, I¡¯m sitting outside, eating with my father and mother as if nothing had happened.


    "A¡ªare you guys not mad?" I finally ask, my voice shaky.


    My father pauses mid-bite, raising a brow. My mother simply smiles, sipping her tea.


    "Why would we be?" she asks gently.


    "Well, both of you guys are Etherborn.. And I''m a Vertius...." I responded keeping my head low.


    My father sets his chopsticks down with a sigh. "So what?"


    I glance up, surprised. He leans back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You think strength is the only thing that matters?"


    My mother nods, her expression calm. "Being Etherborn doesn¡¯t define us. And being Vertius doesn¡¯t define you."


    My father stands up. "Just because your a Vertius doesnt mean you cant be a Vanguardis like me! HAHAHAHA" He laughed continued with a slap on the table.


    My mother sighs, shaking her head. "Dear, you''re going to break the table again."


    I blink, still processing his words. "Wait... You''re serious?"


    My father grins, standing tall. "Of course! Vanguardis isn''t just about talent¡ªit''s about effort, discipline, and pushing past limits! You think I''d let my own son give up over some evaluation?"


    His confidence is almost contagious, but doubt still lingers in my chest. "But no Vertius has ever¡ª"


    "Then be the first!" He points at me, eyes blazing with determination. "If you want it, fight for it."


    "But.. Cael is only 1 year older than me.. And he''s already in Class 4."


    My father leans forward, his expression firm. "So? If you keep comparing yourself to him, he¡¯ll always be ahead. If you want to change that, then stop looking at his shadow and prove to everyone that a Vertius can become a Vanguardis!"


    "Father... I promise, I¡¯ll be better than Cael. I swear it."


    "That''s what I want to hear, bahahahaha! HHA¡ªFUCK, I almost choked!"


    What my father said stuck with me. If I kept looking at my past, how could I face my future? How would I change if I kept repeating the same mistakes? If there''s a sun, then there''s a moon. If there''s Cael, then there''s me.. Right?


    The day went on, and for the first time in a while, we shared a peaceful evening. We laughed over dinner, traded stories, and even joked about the old days. It felt¡­ normal. Afterward, my parents gathered their things and quickly left, promising to check in later. The house fell silent, the only sound being the soft hum of the refrigerator. I sat there for a while, letting their words sink in, feeling the weight of my father¡¯s encouragement. I had my doubts, but for once, I wondered if maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªI could prove him right.


    ***


    BZZT BZZT


    I groggily reach out, my hand slapping blindly at the alarm clock. It¡¯s too early, and the sound feels like it¡¯s drilling into my skull.


    "Ugh..." I mutter, my fist slamming into the clock with a little more force than necessary. It finally shuts up with a quick click, but the damage is already done.


    I quickly take a shower, eat, and get ready for school. The usual routine¡ªno time to dwell on things. I grab my bag, glance at the clock, and head out the door, locking it behind me. Another day ahead.


    As I turn around. I almost kissed Jin.


    "Dude, What the hell why are you so close to my face"


    Jin jumps back, laughing. "Sorry, man! You were zoning out, and I didn¡¯t want to be late."


    I shake my head, rubbing my forehead. "You scared the hell out of me, dude."


    He smirks. "Wouldn''t be the first time."


    I sigh, still recovering from the shock. "Let''s just get to class."


    I push open the front door of the caf¨¦, the brisk morning air hitting my face as I step outside. The streets are already crowded with students, some chatting and others rushing to get to campus on time.


    I walk alongside Jin, who¡¯s still babbling about some random thing, not seeming to care about the time.


    The campus looms in the distance, its tall buildings just coming into view as we make our way through the main street. I can see other students filtering into the gates, some familiar faces, some new. A normal day, or at least it should be.


    As always, I¡¯m astonished by how our school looks¡ªan odd fusion of medieval architecture blended seamlessly with modern design. Stone gargoyles sit perched above sleek glass windows, while towering spires are juxtaposed against the smooth, steel surfaces of new buildings. The giant clocktower in the center of campus ticks away, surrounded by trees and fountains that add a touch of serenity to the otherwise bustling environment.


    I¡¯ve walked this path a thousand times, yet every time I step through the gates, I can¡¯t help but be in awe of it all.


    Jin nudges me with an exaggerated grin. "You always look like you¡¯re seeing the campus for the first time. You sure you¡¯ve been here long enough?"


    I chuckle, brushing him off as we enter the main courtyard, the hustle and bustle of students buzzing around us.


    "Hey, there''s the board," Jin points towards three large boards affixed to the side of the tower, each one covered in names and class designations.


    "Let''s check which class we got transferred to."


    "Yeah, transferred. Did you not listen yesterday?" Jin chuckles, nudging me. "After getting evaluated, you''ll get assigned to a class that¡¯s more suited to your category."Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    I look up and down the first board.


    Class 1.. Nope.. Class 4.. no Class 5 no..


    "Hey, man! You''re in Class 6, and I¡¯m in Class 4!"


    I glance at Jin, confused by the tone of his voice. "Why''d you say ''Class 6'' like that?" I raise an eyebrow, waiting for him to explain.


    "Well... uh, just listen to your professor later. He''ll explain everything." Jin says quickly, clearly trying to avoid more questions. "Anyway, I gotta go!"


    With that, he rushes off toward his own classroom, leaving me standing there, a little more confused than before.


    "Class 6..." I murmur. where is that..


    After walking for what felt like ages, I finally find Class 6. The building is massive, towering over me, and I can already feel the weight of over 300 people inside, their presence pressing against the walls. My stomach twists in a mix of excitement and nerves.


    I grab the door handle, feeling its cold surface beneath my fingers. Taking a deep breath, I push it open, stepping into a space that immediately swallows me whole.


    Ah.. This is so embarrassing so many people looking at me... quickly go to a desk!


    "Settle down¡­ Settle down," the professor¡¯s voice booms, carrying an authoritative tone that instantly silences the room. His sharp gaze scans the crowd, and I feel the weight of his intimidating aura as he stands at the front. His long, dark hair cascades almost to his knees, giving him an almost mythical presence, like someone who¡¯s seen it all and demands respect.


    The room falls eerily quiet, and I can''t help but feel a sense of dread creeping up my spine.


    "As some of you may not know me, let me properly introduce myself. My name is Raynor Wrenholt. You will address me as Professor Raynor."


    His deep, commanding voice reverberates through the room, and I can feel his piercing gaze sweep over us, as if he¡¯s already sizing us up. His long, silver hair flows behind him, almost reaching his knees, and his black cloak rustles as he moves. There''s an air of authority about him¡ªhe doesn''t need to raise his voice to command respect.


    "Welcome, to Close Combat 101, or what I''d like to call it¡ªHELL," Professor Raynor says with a slight grin, but there''s no humor in his eyes.


    "Some of you might think you''re here for an easy time," he continues, pacing slowly across the front of the room, "but think again. This class will break you, push you beyond your limits. You either survive it¡­ or drop out."


    "Now, before anything I would like to explain the class system"


    "Class 1 is mostly filled with geniuses," Professor Raynor continues, his eyes sweeping over the class. "They''re the best of the best, the ones who get everything right before you even know what the question is."


    He pauses, letting the weight of his words sink in before moving on.


    "Class 2 to 3? That''s the graduating class. If you meet anyone in those groups, you better respect them¡ªthey¡¯re seniors for a reason."


    I can feel the tension in the room rise a little, but Raynor''s next words hit like a thunderclap.


    "Classes 4 to 5? Well, they''re the ''stepped-up'' classes¡ªbasically, they''re for those who can handle a little more pressure. And then there¡¯s Class 6 and 7, where you all are right now.


    "Now that''s out of the way, let''s get started," Professor Raynor announces, his voice cutting through the classroom like a knife.


    He strides to the front of the room, his presence demanding attention. The class falls into a tense silence, all eyes fixed on him.


    "Today, you¡¯re going to start by learning the basics of hand-to-hand combat," he continues, his eyes scanning the room. "Most of you will struggle, and some of you will falter, but I don''t care. What matters is whether you stand up and keep fighting."


    He motions toward the mats in the center of the room. "Pair up, and no one gets a free pass. I want to see how you react under pressure. Don¡¯t hold back."


    The room buzzes with nervous energy, students whispering and shifting, some clearly intimidated by the professor¡¯s no-nonsense approach.


    I glance around, trying to find a partner. Jin isn¡¯t here, and I don¡¯t see any familiar faces from my old class. I take a deep breath and step forward, heading toward an empty space on the mat.


    "Let¡¯s get moving!" Raynor commands, snapping me back to reality.


    I turn to face the voice, and my eyes land on a tall, slim guy with a mischievous grin. His hair is messy, and his posture exudes that casual confidence that makes him seem like he''s done this a hundred times.


    "Hey, kid, wanna be partners?" he asks, his tongue hanging out as if he''s been waiting for me to reply.


    I narrow my eyes, assessing him quickly. He doesn¡¯t look like much, but something about him tells me not to underestimate him.


    I nod, shrugging. "Sure, why not?"


    He chuckles, giving me a playful shove. "Name¡¯s Rook, by the way. Let¡¯s make this quick. I don¡¯t like dragging things out." His grin widens as he steps onto the mat, getting into position.


    "Hope you''re ready," he says, almost as a warning, but I can tell he''s excited for the challenge.


    I step onto the mat, rolling my shoulders. "Let¡¯s see what you got, Rook."


    The professor''s voice rings out, cutting through the chatter. "Start when you''re ready!"


    As I step on the matt, rook immediately rushes towards me, swinging a big right hook. I can see it.. it''s slow.. but.. I''m slower


    I brace myself, seeing the punch coming toward me, but my body feels heavy, like it¡¯s stuck in slow motion. My mind screams for me to move, but my legs won¡¯t cooperate fast enough. The right hook barrels toward me, and despite my best efforts, I can¡¯t avoid it in time.


    It lands. Hard. My head snaps to the side, the force of the blow throwing me off balance. My vision wavers for a moment, and I feel a dull pain pulse through my cheek.


    "Come on, kid!" Rook taunts, grinning like he just won the match. "You gotta do better than that!"


    I stagger back, trying to shake off the daze. The sting in my cheek is nothing compared to the sinking feeling in my chest. I don¡¯t even have the speed to dodge. I have to think of something¡ªanything¡ªbefore he lands another one.


    I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. No more hesitation. I can''t afford to stand there, waiting to get hit.


    I charge forward, closing the distance between us. This time, I won''t just react. I need to anticipate. The fear of being too slow looms, but I push it aside. I have to move. I have to fight back.


    A right hook again? No.. Its a feint he''ll kick.. I need to time it..


    "huh" Rook side steps and quickly grabs me


    A tackle?


    I can feel his grip closing in around me as he sidesteps, and before I can react, Rook shifts his weight. A tackle. He''s going for a takedown.


    My heart races as I try to move, but his hands lock around my waist, pulling me off balance. I¡¯m not ready for this. His strength overwhelms me as he drives his shoulder into my midsection, sending me stumbling backward.


    I instinctively try to catch myself, but I¡¯m not fast enough. My back hits the mat with a heavy thud, the air knocked out of my lungs. I gasp for breath, the wind stolen from me.


    Rook hovers above me, grinning like he¡¯s already won. "Too slow, kid," he says, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction.


    But something inside me snaps. This isn¡¯t how it ends. I refuse to be just another punching bag.


    I grit my teeth, my hands pushing against the mat, struggling to shift my weight. My body aches, but I can¡¯t let him get the better of me. If I don¡¯t fight back now, this will only get worse.


    I find my footing, using all the strength I can muster to twist my body and buck my hips. It¡¯s not much, but it¡¯s enough to break his hold, if only for a second. I need to use this moment¡ªbefore he has the chance to lock me down again.


    I see it..


    I quickly lift my hips upward and arch my back to displace his weight. There''s the leverage now..  I quickly shift my body to the side and use my legs to hook to his legs executing a roll


    As I execute the roll, I feel Rook''s grip loosen, his body thrown off balance by the momentum. For a split second, it feels like the world slows down, and I seize the opportunity. I roll hard, using the shift in weight to bring myself on top, pinning Rook beneath me.


    I have him now, but his quick recovery means I have to secure the position. I lock my legs around his midsection, keeping him from squirming free, while maintaining enough pressure to assert control. My breath is heavy, but my focus is clear.


    "Got you," I mutter under my breath, realizing that I¡¯ve just won this round.


    "Stop. The both of you. God" The professor speaks up his face filled with disgust


    The professor¡¯s words hit harder than I expected, but I try not to show it. I stay down on the mat, breathing heavily. The others start to disperse, but I feel his gaze on me.


    ¡°You think a monster would let you grapple them?¡± Professor Raynor¡¯s voice cuts through the air, his tone sharp. ¡°God, you¡¯re going to get yourself killed. That¡¯s enough for today.¡±


    I scramble to my feet, my muscles still aching from the failed move. The last thing I want is to show weakness in front of the class, but it¡¯s hard not to feel like I¡¯ve just embarrassed myself in front of everyone.


    ¡°And Mr. Mat,¡± the professor continues, his gaze locked on me. ¡°Condition that slim body of yours. Get some strength behind that frame if you expect to last more than five seconds in a real fight.¡±


    The class laughs lightly, and I feel a heat rise in my face, but I don¡¯t respond. I just nod, doing my best to push the disappointment away.


    ¡°Class dismissed!¡± Professor Raynor calls, and I quickly gather my things, wanting to get out of there before anyone else can say anything.


    As I head for the door, I hear footsteps behind me, and when I glance over my shoulder, I see Kyu walking toward me.


    "Hey, man, you okay?" Kyu asks, his voice more concerned than usual.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine,¡± I mutter, forcing a smile. ¡°Just... need to work harder, I guess.¡±


    Kyu raises an eyebrow but doesn¡¯t press me further. ¡°Well, don¡¯t let that guy get to you. He¡¯s just a jerk who expects perfection from everyone. You¡¯re doing fine.¡±


    I shrug, not entirely convinced. "I don¡¯t know about that."


    ¡°Well, I do. Anyway, want to grab a bite? Let¡¯s go grab some food before we hit the gym. You need to work on that body of yours, right?¡±


    I chuckle at his teasing, but it¡¯s a bit of relief. ¡°Yeah, sure. I could use a break.¡±


    We walk together toward the exit, and for the first time today, I let myself relax a little. I still have a long way to go, but I¡¯m not going to let one failure define me.


    There''s more to me than this.

 Chapter 3

    "Hey, Mat! Hey, wake up!"


    I jolt slightly as Kyu nudges my side, whispering harshly. My head feels heavy, and my eyes struggle to adjust to the dim lighting of the classroom. The weight of exhaustion settles in¡ªmaybe yesterday''s training took more out of me than I thought.


    "If you keep sleeping, Professor Raynor¡¯s gonna throw something at you," Kyu mutters, barely holding back a chuckle.


    I blink rapidly, sitting up straighter just as Professor Raynor continues his lecture, his deep, commanding voice filling the room.


    "Each species of monster follows a different level of intelligence and instinct," he says, pacing in front of the class. His long hair sways slightly with each step. "Lurkers operate purely on base hunger. They¡¯re scavengers, weak alone but dangerous in swarms."


    He taps a button on his desk, and a holographic display flickers to life, showing the hunched, insect-like forms of the creatures. Their glowing eyes and needle-like teeth send a chill up my spine.


    "Then, there are Marauders¡ªsmarter, pack hunters. They won¡¯t just rush in blindly; they coordinate, surround, and pick you apart one by one." The image changes, displaying larger, more muscular creatures with hardened claws and sharper, more humanoid features.


    I rub my temple, forcing myself to focus. This isn''t just some random lecture¡ªthis is survival. As a Vertius, I already have an uphill battle, and if I don¡¯t start paying attention, I might not make it past my first real encounter.


    Kyu leans in, whispering, "Dude, if you fall asleep again, I¡¯m not waking you up next time. You¡¯ll have to dodge a flying textbook."


    I sigh. Yeah, staying awake seems like a good idea.


    "Now class can I ask someone to explain each variant of monster? Yes, you." Professor Raynor points at the person in front of me, tall, muscular, blonde-haired¡ªalmost like he''s a noble.


    The student in front of me stands up, his posture straight and confident. He looks like someone straight out of an old war painting¡ªtall, broad-shouldered, with golden hair that seems to glow under the classroom lights. His uniform is pristine, not a single wrinkle, and the way he carries himself practically screams nobility.


    "Yes, Professor," he responds, his voice smooth and composed. He clears his throat before speaking.


    "The first variant is the Lurker¡ªthe lowest tier of monsters. They are weak individually but dangerous in numbers, often relying on ambush tactics in dark or enclosed spaces. They lack intelligence and act purely on instinct."


    "The next are the Marauders¡ªstronger and more coordinated. Unlike Lurkers, they move in packs and have been observed using rudimentary tactics to overwhelm prey. They possess sharper claws and reinforced bone structures, making them difficult to kill without proper training."


    He pauses, glancing at Professor Raynor for approval before continuing.


    "After that, we have the Stalkers¡ªfar more intelligent than the previous two. These creatures are known for their patience, often tailing their targets for hours before striking. Some have even been reported mimicking human behavior, making them especially dangerous in urban areas."


    His tone remains steady as he moves down the list.


    "Then come the Ravagers. These are war machines¡ªpure destruction given form. They don''t just kill; they devastate everything in their path. Entire squads have been wiped out by a single Ravager. Their strength is unparalleled in their tier, and engaging them without proper strategy is suicide."


    He takes a deep breath before reaching the final two.


    "The Behemoths are walking disasters. Towering creatures with near-indestructible hides. They are rare but catastrophic when they appear. It often takes an entire battalion to take one down. Cities have been lost due to a single Behemoth running rampant."


    The room is silent now. Everyone is listening intently, waiting for him to finish.


    "And lastly... the Full Monsters. These creatures are beyond classification. They no longer follow any natural instinct or pattern. They exist purely for chaos and destruction, their forms twisted beyond recognition. There is no reasoning with them, no predicting them. If you ever face one alone... consider yourself already dead."


    He finally sits down, his explanation flawless. Even Professor Raynor seems satisfied.


    "Good answer," the professor nods. "Now, who can tell me how to differentiate them, apart from looking at what they look like?"


    The room stays silent for a moment. I glance at Kyu, who gives me a look that says, Don¡¯t even think about it.


    A chair scrapes against the floor as the noble-looking guy in front of me straightens up. His voice is clear and confident. "Their aura."


    Raynor''s lips curl slightly¡ªmaybe the closest thing to approval we¡¯ll ever see from him. "Correct. Every monster emits a distinct presence¡ªan aura that varies in intensity depending on its rank." He turns to the blackboard and starts writing as he speaks.


    "Lurkers give off almost no aura at all, which is why they¡¯re so effective at ambushing. Their presence is weak, making them nearly indistinguishable from the environment unless you¡¯re trained to sense them."


    "Marauders have a slightly stronger presence. Their aura is erratic, reflecting their aggressive and unpredictable nature. If you ever feel like you¡¯re being watched but can''t pinpoint the source, you¡¯re likely being hunted by Marauders."


    "Stalkers, as their name suggests, have an aura that is faint yet unsettling. Unlike the chaotic aura of Marauders, a Stalker¡¯s presence is controlled¡ªsuppressed when they don¡¯t want to be noticed, but suffocating when they choose to reveal themselves. If the air around you suddenly feels heavy, run. By the time you sense them, they¡¯ve already decided to strike."


    "Ravagers, on the other hand, are impossible to ignore. Their aura is oppressive, like standing in the presence of an executioner. The moment they lock onto you, you¡¯ll feel it¡ªa crushing pressure that forces weaker fighters to their knees. If you¡¯re not strong enough, you won¡¯t even get the chance to fight back."


    "Behemoths," he says, underlining the name with a sharp stroke. "Their aura is beyond comprehension. You don¡¯t just feel it¡ªyou see it. The very air around them distorts. The ground trembles. If a Behemoth is in your vicinity, you¡¯ll know. The question is whether you¡¯ll live long enough to do anything about it."


    The class remains eerily silent. I swallow, feeling my throat go dry.


    "And finally," Raynor says, his tone dropping lower, "Kajaks."


    He pauses, letting the name linger in the air.


    "They are the exception. Their aura? Controlled. Refined. They walk among us, undetected, because they choose to. But the moment they reveal themselves¡ª" He presses a piece of chalk against the board so hard it snaps.


    "¡ªit''s already too late."


    RINGGGG RINGGGG


    "It seems like it''s already time," Professor Raynor says, brushing the chalk dust off his hands. "Don¡¯t forget about the upcoming practical exam. Make sure to train hard and do your best. Dismissed."


    Chairs scrape against the floor as students start packing up. Kyu nudges me with his elbow. "Man, you really dozed off back there."


    I rub my eyes, still groggy. "Yeah, because someone kept shaking me awake."


    Kyu grins. "Well, you¡¯re welcome. If I didn''t wake you, Raynor would¡¯ve had your head."


    I sigh, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "Practical exam, huh? What do you think it''s gonna be?"


    Kyu shrugs. "No idea. But knowing this school, it¡¯s not gonna be easy."


    As we step into the hallway, the air is buzzing with nervous whispers. Some students look excited, others pale with worry. I tighten my grip on my bag.


    Whatever the exam is, I have to be ready.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Kyu speaks up, "Hey man, remember what day it is today?"


    I look at him, slightly tilting my head. "No?"


    He looks at me with a stern expression. "Dude, look at the date on your phone."


    I lift my phone, pressing on the screen and checking the date. April 4, 2031.


    Then suddenly, I remember. It''s Jin''s birthday!


    "Ah, crap!" I mutter, mentally kicking myself. How did I forget this?


    "What do you wanna do?" Kyu asks, clearly expecting an answer.


    "I was thinking of surprising him. How about we ask his girlfriend?" he suggests, looking a little excited.


    "Huh?" I blink, confused. "You want to ask her for help?"


    Kyu nods, a grin forming. "Yeah, she knows him best. We can get a solid idea of what he¡¯d want without totally messing it up."


    I think it over. It makes sense, but I still feel a little unsure. "I guess you''re right. But I really don''t want to screw this up, you know?"


    Kyu chuckles. "Don¡¯t worry, we got this. Let''s just hope she¡¯s on board."


    "You better be right..." I mumble


    ***


    "Hey, man, I know we wanted to ask her, but why are we in front of her house?" I ask, my confusion growing as I glance around. The nerves are starting to hit me, and suddenly this feels way more complicated than I thought.


    Kyu smirks and shrugs nonchalantly. "Well, if we want to surprise Jin, we might as well start by talking to her in person, right?" He glances at the front door. "Besides, it¡¯s not like we can call her and expect her to just spill everything. We need to be tactical about this."


    I stare at the house, feeling the weight of the situation. "Yeah, but, uh, I didn¡¯t think we¡¯d be showing up on her doorstep like this."


    Kyu laughs. "Well, you said you wanted to surprise Jin. This is step one."


    "Well? are you gonna knock?" I look at him intensely.


    "Why me?" He replies


    "What do you mean ''why me''? You''re the one that made me come all the way here!" I shoot back, feeling a little defensive as Kyu looks at me with that smug expression.


    Kyu raises his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I didn¡¯t make you come. You could''ve backed out anytime. But you wanted this, remember?"


    I sigh, glancing at the house again. "Yeah, but I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d drag me to her front door. I¡¯m not exactly great at... talking to her."


    Kyu grins wider. "Well, you¡¯re here now, so no backing out. Besides, if you mess it up, I¡¯m not the one who¡¯ll have to deal with it."


    "Wow... Fine." I raise my hand, feeling a knot in my stomach, and nervously knock on the door.


    The sound of the knock echoes louder than I expect. A few moments pass, but it feels like an eternity. My heart races as I glance over at Kyu, who¡¯s trying to hide his grin but isn¡¯t doing a very good job.


    The door creaks open, revealing Mei. She has long, straight black hair that falls just below her shoulders, and her soft brown eyes meet mine with a mixture of curiosity and mild surprise. Her casual outfit is put together effortlessly, giving her a confident, yet approachable vibe.


    "Uh, hey," I say, trying to sound casual despite the nervousness flooding me. "We... need your help with something."


    She closes the door behind her, stepping out onto the porch, her expression calm but with a hint of intrigue.


    "Yeah, sure, what do you need help with?" Mei asks, her voice steady as she folds her arms casually, waiting for an explanation.


    I glance at Kyu for a moment, then take a deep breath. "It''s, uh, Jin''s birthday today," I start, trying to find the right words. "We wanted to surprise him, but honestly, we''re kind of clueless about what to get him. You''re the one who knows him best... so, any ideas?"


    She scratches her head, seeming like she''s really digging into her brain, trying to think of an answer. "Ah! There''s a cake shop near District 1 that he loves... I''m pretty sure it''s called the Sweet Whisk Bakery." She looks at me with a hint of relief, as if she finally remembered.


    "Yeah, they make the best cakes. I bet he''d love it if you brought him something from there."


    Kyu finally speaks up, his voice cutting through the brief silence. "Would it be fine for you to take us there? We don¡¯t know where to go."


    Mei raises an eyebrow but doesn''t hesitate. "Sure," she says, glancing at us with a small smile. "I¡¯ll show you where it is. It¡¯s not too far."


    I glance at Kyu, who looks a bit relieved. "Great," I mutter, trying to mask my nervousness. "Thanks, Mei."


    "Oh, wait, don''t we need balloons? I''ll go get some," Kyu says, his voice trailing off as he slowly steps back, clearly trying to make an escape.


    I look at him with the What the hell do you think you''re doing? face, arms crossed. "Seriously?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "You''re not leaving now. We¡¯re in this together. You don¡¯t get to bail at the last minute."


    Kyu stops in his tracks, giving me a sheepish grin. "I was just trying to help, you know. I thought the balloons might add a nice touch."


    I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. "Fine, but you better not take forever. We¡¯re on a schedule here."


    ***


    Now inside Mei¡¯s car, the silence feels way heavier than it should. The engine hums quietly, and I can¡¯t help but keep glancing at the rearview mirror, half-expecting Jin to pop back in at any second.


    Why the hell did I let him leave? This is so awkward. If anyone sees us, they might think I¡¯m her Third party! FUCK!


    I shift uncomfortably in my seat, feeling every second stretch out longer than it should. Mei doesn¡¯t seem to notice, or maybe she¡¯s just used to moments like this. She focuses on driving, calm as ever, her posture relaxed.


    I glance over at her again, my mind racing. "So¡­ uh, how¡¯ve things been with you and Jin lately?" I ask, hoping the question will help break the ice, even if it¡¯s the most basic thing I could think of.


    Mei looks at me for a brief moment before answering, her voice soft but steady. "Things are good. We''ve been keeping busy. You know how it is," she says with a small smile, her focus still on the road.


    I look at the side, trying to avoid eye contact, but that was a big mistake. As soon as I turn my head to the side, I immediately see Jin, standing outside a coffee shop with a few of his classmates. He¡¯s holding a bunch of balloons¡ªthe balloons we were supposed to surprise him with. He catches my eye, and I can feel my face go red.


    I quickly look away, hoping he didn¡¯t notice me staring, but it¡¯s too late. This is so awkward. Does he know? Why the hell is he holding those balloons?


    Mei doesn¡¯t seem to notice, but I¡¯m dying inside, trying to keep it together. I clear my throat and shift uncomfortably in my seat, wishing I could just disappear. Jin¡¯s probably thinking I¡¯m some third wheel now.


    Before I can process it further, Mei pulls into the parking lot of the cake shop. I let out a quiet sigh of relief. Finally, an escape from the awkwardness.


    "Here we are," Mei says, smiling as she turns off the engine. "Let¡¯s grab the cake."


    I glance at the cake in front of me, my stomach growling at the sight of it. "This cake looks delicious, and it¡¯s pretty cheap," I say, trying to focus on anything other than the awkwardness of the situation. "We should hurry up before he comes back."


    Mei nods, a slight smile tugging at her lips as she looks at the cake. "Yeah, let''s grab it quick." She glances out the window, as if expecting Jin to walk back in any second.


    I try to shake off the tension, but the thought of Jin showing up any minute with those balloons still lingers in the back of my mind. The sooner we get this done, the better. "Let¡¯s do this," I say, already stepping toward the counter, eager to get it over with.


    I walk up to the counter, trying to shake off the awkward energy still hanging in the air. Mei follows behind, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to my inner tension. The clerk behind the counter smiles at us as we approach, but I can¡¯t shake the feeling that any moment, Jin could stroll back in with those damn balloons.


    "Hi there, what can I get for you today?" the clerk asks cheerfully.


    I glance back at Mei, trying to seem casual. "We¡¯ll take the cake," I say, pointing to the one we¡¯ve been eyeing. "It¡¯s for a surprise. A... a birthday surprise."


    Mei steps forward, offering a friendly smile to the clerk. "Yeah, just the cake, please. It¡¯s for a friend of ours, and we¡¯re kind of on a time crunch."


    The clerk nods, quickly getting the cake ready and ringing us up. As the transaction happens, I glance at the door nervously. Where is Jin?


    Finally, the clerk hands us the cake, wrapped up and ready to go. I take it with relief, like it¡¯s some sort of lifeline, and follow Mei out of the shop. "Alright, let¡¯s go before this gets any weirder," I mutter under my breath.


    We step outside, the fresh air hitting me like a wave of relief. I glance over my shoulder, half-expecting to see Jin walking in with those balloons, but thankfully, he¡¯s nowhere in sight. Mei walks ahead, her calm demeanor never faltering, while I follow closely, trying to shake off the tension.


    I look down at the cake in my hands, trying to focus on something¡ªanything other than the awkward mess that¡¯s been unfolding. "Alright, we got the cake," I mutter. "Now we just need to make sure everything goes according to plan."


    Mei glances back at me with a small smile. "It¡¯ll be fine. Jin will love it. Trust me."


    I nod, though I¡¯m not entirely convinced. We better hope so.


    We reach the car, and I slip into the passenger seat, still feeling a bit uneasy. Mei gets in, starting the engine as I adjust the cake carefully on my lap. The drive back feels like it takes forever, the silence between us heavy. I can¡¯t help but glance at the rearview mirror every now and then, still expecting Jin to pop up out of nowhere.


    Finally, Mei parks the car, and we sit in the quiet for a moment. "We¡¯re almost there," she says softly, looking at the cake again. "Let¡¯s make this a good surprise."


    "Yeah," I reply, taking a deep breath. "Let¡¯s do this."


    "Okay, everything is set up," Kyu says, standing by the door with a proud grin on his face. "I''ll text him to come here now."


    I glance around the room, taking in the decorations Kyu managed to throw together. Balloons, streamers, and the cake sitting perfectly in the center of the table. It''s the perfect setup, despite all the chaos leading up to it. I can almost hear the sound of Jin¡¯s footsteps approaching in my head, and suddenly, the tension ramps up again.


    "Alright," I say, trying to sound casual, but the nerves are creeping back in. "Let¡¯s hope he doesn¡¯t suspect anything."


    Kyu pulls out his phone and types out a quick message. A few seconds later, his phone buzzes with a reply. He looks at it and gives a small nod. "He¡¯s on his way."


    I shift uneasily, checking my phone too even though there¡¯s no reason to. This is it.


    As I crouch down trying to hide I feel someone tap my back... Its Jin.


    "Hey guys why are you guys hiding?"


    I panic for a second, trying to cover up the awkward silence, but in my rush to get it together, I accidentally pull the wrong lever on the confetti cannon. BAM! The colorful streamers and paper explode out, and the next thing I know, I hear a yelp from Jin.


    I look up just in time to see the confetti rain down... right into his face and then¡ªstraight into his balls.


    "Happy... Birthday..." I mutter weakly, my face turning beet red as I watch him double over in surprise.


    Jin groans, wincing as he clutches his stomach, trying to shake the confetti off. "Dude... What the hell?" He sounds both amused and a little pained, but mostly in disbelief.


    I stand there frozen, mortified. This is not how I planned this surprise to go.


    For the rest of the day, we enjoy ourselves. Jin laughs it off after the whole confetti disaster, and somehow the awkwardness melts away as we dive into the fun of celebrating his birthday. We eat cake, joke around, and even Kyu manages to avoid any more slip-ups.


    The room fills with laughter, the kind of sound that makes you forget about everything else. The stress of planning, the worry of messing up, it all fades away as we just enjoy the moment. This is nice, I think, leaning back and letting the moment sink in.


    Maybe I¡¯m worrying about being a Vertius too much. Maybe it doesn¡¯t matter as much as I think it does. I know I¡¯m not like the others, and I know I¡¯m still figuring things out, but in that moment, surrounded by friends, it feels like maybe I¡¯m not as far from them as I thought.

 Chapter 4

    Bzzt bzzt


    I force myself up and turn off my alarm. My body feels heavy, like I barely slept, but there¡¯s no time to dwell on it. The dim glow of early morning seeps through the blinds, casting long shadows across my room.


    I sit on the edge of my bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. My muscles ache¡ªa reminder of yesterday¡¯s training. I exhale, rolling my shoulders before standing up. Today¡¯s another step forward. Another chance to grow stronger.


    The floor is cold beneath my feet as I make my way to the bathroom. The reflection staring back at me in the mirror looks tired but determined. I splash cold water on my face, letting the shock wake me up fully.


    I dress up and get ready for school. The routine is almost automatic at this point¡ªshirt, tie, pants, shoes. Everything is neat, everything in place, though the tightness in my chest doesn''t ease. The world feels different lately.


    I grab my bag, checking to make sure everything''s in it¡ªbooks, pens, my phone¡ªand sling it over my shoulder. I glance at the clock on the wall. I¡¯m running a little behind, but it¡¯s nothing new.


    The hallway is quiet. My brother¡¯s room is empty, his door left ajar as usual. He must¡¯ve already gone.


    With a deep breath, I head toward the door, pulling on my jacket before stepping outside. The cool air bites at my skin, but I don¡¯t mind. It helps clear my thoughts.


    Like always, I walk to school with Jin. He¡¯s already waiting for me by the gate, his hands in his pockets and his eyes on the horizon.


    ¡°Did you actually wake up on time today?¡± he asks, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.


    I grunt in response, not in the mood to banter. The lack of sleep still weighs on me, but I push it aside.


    We fall into step beside each other, the usual silence between us comfortable. The streets are quiet, the sounds of the city still distant, and we make our way through the early morning fog.


    The scene of the campus still fills me with awe every time I see it. The sprawling green lawns, the towering buildings that seem to touch the sky, and the hustle and bustle of students going about their day ¨C it all comes together in such a way that I can¡¯t help but feel a sense of wonder each time I step onto this campus.


    Is Kyu not here? I think to myself as I scan around the classroom, my eyes searching for his familiar face among the students. The room feels a little emptier without him, and I can¡¯t help but wonder where he might be today.


    Professor Raynor enters the classroom, his sharp gaze scanning the room as he steps inside. "Settle down," he commands, his voice firm but calm. The chatter dies instantly as everyone takes their seats, the usual tension filling the air whenever he¡¯s around.


    He clears his throat, a subtle gesture that instantly grabs everyone¡¯s attention. "As I¡¯ve said before, the upcoming practical exam is just around the corner. To be exact, it¡¯s one month from now," he continues, his tone steady and serious. "This will be our last class for a long time, so I hope that when you return, you¡¯ll be different¡ªstronger, more prepared. You¡¯ll need every bit of that for what¡¯s ahead."


    "Now, I will teach you a fundamental skill that every Vertius knows: Foresight. So, what exactly is Foresight?"


    "Foresight, as you may have guessed, isn''t some magical power or mystical ability," Professor Raynor begins, his voice steady and authoritative. "It''s a sharpened instinct, honed through sheer will and determination. It¡¯s the ability to sense even the slightest movements, to detect changes in your environment that others would miss. While others rely on mana or spells, you, as a Vertius, must rely on your focus, your training, and your determination to perceive what¡¯s hidden in plain sight."


    He pauses, looking around the room to make sure everyone is paying attention. "It¡¯s not just about seeing things. It¡¯s about feeling them, anticipating them before they even happen. When you¡¯ve mastered Foresight, you¡¯ll be able to track your enemies, detect danger, and react before anyone else can. Since everything in this world has an aura¡ªeven the environment, even if it¡¯s faint¡ªyou¡¯ll be able to sense it."


    "Now, everyone, close your eyes," Professor Raynor commands, his tone unwavering. "Tell me, what do you see?"


    The room falls silent as each student obediently shuts their eyes. I can hear the soft rustle of clothes, the shallow breathing of my classmates, and the occasional shuffle of feet. A few moments pass before Professor Raynor speaks again.


    "Is it just darkness?" he asks. "Or do you feel the presence of the space around you? Can you hear the quiet hum of the air, the subtle shift of the floor beneath you? This is the beginning of Foresight¡ªrecognizing the world not just with your eyes, but with every other sense you have."


    "Now, focus not only on my voice but everything else around you," Professor Raynor instructs, his voice calm but firm. "Clear your mind of distractions and let your senses take over. Once you master Foresight, you¡¯ll be able to sense anything, even the faintest drip of water, the flutter of a leaf, or the movement of a shadow in the distance. It¡¯s not about seeing what¡¯s in front of you¡ªit¡¯s about perceiving everything, even the things you can¡¯t see."


    The stillness in the room grows deeper as we all concentrate, trying to stretch our senses beyond the confines of our sight. I can almost feel the weight of the moment, knowing that this skill, though subtle, could one day make the difference between life and death.


    "Cancel every noise and focus on just one," Professor Raynor''s voice cuts through the silence. "Find that one sound."


    I follow his instructions, pushing aside the subtle rustle of clothes, the shuffle of feet, the soft hum of the room. The tapping of a pen echoes faintly in the background, but I ignore it. My focus sharpens. Then, I hear it¡ªa faint rustling sound, distant but clear.


    A bird on the roof? No¡­ Something¡¯s off. I can hear it clearly, but I can''t quite pinpoint where it''s coming from. It''s not just the roof, the sound seems to shift, moving around in the space above me, teasing me just out of reach. My concentration deepens, but the more I try to locate it, the more elusive it becomes.


    "Where is it?" I whisper to myself, frustrated, but determined to get it right.


    ¡°It¡¯s right there!¡± I think to myself, my heart racing as the sound clicks into place. Without a second thought, I open my eyes, my gaze darting to the top left window just in time to see a bird fly past. Its wings beat softly against the air, barely audible, but the rustle of its movement had been crystal clear in my mind just moments before.


    I let out a breath I didn¡¯t realize I¡¯d been holding, a mix of exhilaration and awe flooding through me. That was Foresight¡ªthe ability to sense even the smallest presence before it becomes visible.


    Professor Raynor¡¯s voice breaks through my thoughts. ¡°Now, imagine that skill applied in battle. You¡¯ll be able to track your enemies, anticipate their moves, and react before they even know what hit them.¡±


    A student raises their hand, a look of curiosity on their face. "Is that the reason Li Wei is able to fight against monsters so well, even though he''s blind?"


    Professor Raynor gives a small nod, his gaze steady. "Exactly. Li Wei has honed his Foresight to an incredible degree. His blindness doesn¡¯t hinder him; it sharpens his other senses, making his perception of his surroundings almost unparalleled. With his heightened instincts, he can sense the movement of monsters long before they come into range."


    The room grows quiet as the students take in this information. I can¡¯t help but feel a sense of admiration for someone who can overcome such a significant handicap through sheer determination and focus.


    Bzzt bzzt


    "It seems it¡¯s already time," Professor Raynor says, glancing at the clock on the wall. "I hope that you can all enhance your Foresight further in the coming weeks, but keep in mind¡ªdon¡¯t overdo it. Pushing yourself too hard can lead to burnout, and that¡¯s something none of you want. Remember, balance is key."


    He gives a nod, signaling the end of the lesson. "Class dismissed."


    The room stirs as students start gathering their things, the weight of the lesson lingering in the air. As I stand up and head toward the door, I can¡¯t help but think about what Professor Raynor said. Maybe, just maybe, if I keep pushing, I could master Foresight the way Li Wei has.


    I sit down on a bench in the middle of the campus, closing my eyes to focus. The noise of the world around me fades away as I cancel everything else and focus on just one.


    The footsteps of students, their laughter, the calls of distant birds... and then something different. A slight shift in the air, a faint sound of breath behind me. Jin!


    I quickly open my eyes and turn just in time to see him standing there, a mischievous grin on his face. "Gotcha," he says, clearly proud of himself.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    I shake my head, rolling my eyes. "You really thought you could scare me?" I mutter, but there''s a small chuckle in my voice.


    "Well, you were too focused," he shrugs, not realizing how close he came to actually being detected. "Guess I¡¯ll have to try harder next time."


    I close my eyes again, trying to regain my focus, blocking out Jin¡¯s presence and the noise around me. My breath slows as I attempt to return to the stillness I had before.


    "Hey, what are you even practicing?" Jin¡¯s voice interrupts, louder this time, clearly amused.


    I sigh, feeling the tension of trying to concentrate with him so close. "It¡¯s called Foresight," I explain, keeping my eyes shut. "It¡¯s a skill that helps sharpen your senses¡ªbeing able to detect things without needing to see them."


    There''s a pause before Jin lets out a snort. "That sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. Are you sure you¡¯re not just trying to zone out?"


    I can hear him shifting behind me, clearly not taking it seriously, but I push forward, determined to ignore him. ¡°It¡¯s real,¡± I mutter, "and you¡¯ll understand once you try it."


    "Try it? Sure, how do I do it?" Jin asks, his voice dripping with sarcasm but tinged with genuine curiosity.


    I open one eye, glancing at him. "You can start by quieting your mind. Focus on the sounds around you, like I was doing just now. Cancel out everything else and tune in to just one thing."


    Jin looks skeptical, crossing his arms. "And that¡¯s supposed to do what? Help me hear invisible stuff?"


    I close my eyes again, trying to ignore his teasing. "It¡¯s not about hearing invisible stuff. It¡¯s about sharpening your senses. When you get it right, you¡¯ll be able to detect things you wouldn¡¯t normally notice."


    Jin snickers. "Sounds easy enough. I¡¯ll be the judge of that."


    I can feel his amused gaze, but I resist the urge to open my eyes and snap at him. It¡¯s not like he¡¯s taking this seriously, but maybe, just maybe, if he gave it a try, he¡¯d understand.


    Jin scrunches his face, clearly trying to focus, his brow furrowed in concentration.


    "312... students coming from the east," he mutters, his voice steady but unsure. "Six birds, one of them injured, coming from the east... and Kyu... crying?"


    His eyes widen as the words leave his mouth, a mix of surprise and disbelief on his face. "What the¡ªdid I actually sense that?"


    I look at him, equally stunned. "How... How did you do that? I couldn¡¯t even follow you."


    Jin shrugs, looking a little embarrassed now. "I don¡¯t know. It was like... something clicked when I tried it. All the noise around us just faded, and then I could focus. I didn¡¯t even think it was possible."


    I can¡¯t help but feel a mix of awe and frustration. He barely even knows what he¡¯s doing, yet he pulled it off. "You weren¡¯t even taking it seriously," I say, my voice a little incredulous. "And you still nailed it."


    Jin flashes me a grin, a little sheepish now. "Guess I¡¯ve got some natural talent for it. Maybe I should start practicing more."


    I shake my head, amazed at how easily he picked it up. "Don¡¯t get too cocky. Let¡¯s go check on Kyu first."


    "Stop!" Jin says suddenly, his hand outstretched to halt me.


    I turn to him, a little confused. "What now?"


    He smirks, clearly getting an idea. "How about we figure it out using Foresight? Heh."


    I raise an eyebrow, not sure where he¡¯s going with this. "You mean you want to keep playing around with it?"


    Jin nods, his grin widening. "Why not? If I can sense everything else, why not try and sense what¡¯s making Kyu cry? Maybe I¡¯ll get it right again."


    There¡¯s something about his confidence that makes me hesitate, but at the same time, I can¡¯t deny that the challenge sounds interesting. "Alright, fine," I say, rolling my eyes. "Let¡¯s see what you can really do."


    We both settle into focus, trying to quiet our minds once again.


    Just as I open my mouth to speak, Jin cuts me off. "Kyu got rejected."


    My thoughts freeze for a moment, the words hanging in the air like a heavy weight. I blink, trying to process what he just said. "What? How do you¡ª"


    Jin shrugs, his tone casual but his eyes serious. "Foresight. I felt the pain in his aura. It¡¯s not hard to piece together."


    I feel a pang of sympathy for Kyu, but there''s also a strange admiration for Jin¡¯s newfound ability. I had no idea he could pick up on things like that.


    "That¡¯s... really specific," I say, feeling a bit in awe. "You just... sensed all of that?"


    Jin gives me a small, half-smile. "Seems like it. You want to go talk to him, or do you want me to do it?"


    I hesitate. "I think we both should. He¡¯ll probably need us."


    "No... We don¡¯t need to go to him," I say, shaking my head. "He¡¯ll figure it out on his own. He hates when people see him crying."


    Jin looks at me for a moment, his expression softening as he understands. "Yeah, I get that. Kyu¡¯s always been the type to deal with things by himself."


    I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the situation. Kyu¡¯s pride runs deep, and I know he won¡¯t want anyone to see him vulnerable, even if it hurts.


    "We¡¯ll just give him some space," I add quietly, turning away. "But we¡¯ll be here if he needs us."


    Jin nods, his grin gone, replaced by a more serious look. "Alright. We¡¯ll leave him be for now."


    We sit there in silence, the weight of Kyu¡¯s situation still hanging in the air. Jin, looking slightly smug, breaks the quiet first.


    "Alright, let¡¯s see how you¡¯re doing now," Jin says, clearly enjoying the challenge. His voice is light, but there¡¯s a glint of mischief in his eyes.


    I glance at him. "What is it now?"


    Jin squints, focusing hard. "Hmm... A leaf falling on the east side. It¡¯s barely making any noise, but I can feel the air shift. Pretty subtle, huh?"


    I close my eyes, trying to focus, but I hear nothing. Just the usual buzz of campus life. "I don¡¯t hear anything. Maybe the wind?"


    Jin smirks, clearly enjoying my struggle. "Not bad. You¡¯ll get it eventually. I mean, it took me like... five minutes to figure this out. Pretty fast, right?" He raises an eyebrow, leaning in as if he''s genuinely impressed, but there''s a playful edge to his tone.


    I scowl, frustrated. "Five minutes? You¡¯re kidding me, right?"


    Jin chuckles, clearly teasing. "Oh, come on. You really didn¡¯t expect to get it right away, did you? It¡¯s not like I¡¯ve been practicing this since I was a kid or anything." He shrugs, feigning innocence. "But hey, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll catch up eventually."


    I groan, slumping a little. "This is harder than it looks."


    Jin grins, clearly taking pleasure in my frustration. "Yeah, well, you know, some of us pick up things faster than others. Like¡­ I can hear Professor Raynor yelling at someone on the far left. Sounds like he¡¯s scolding them for being late to class. You should probably work on that listening thing though."


    I close my eyes again, trying to focus, but all I hear is a jumble of noise. "I hear voices, but I can¡¯t make out what they¡¯re saying."


    Jin leans back, crossing his arms, clearly amused. "Man, I¡¯m seriously surprised you¡¯re having this much trouble. It¡¯s like hearing an echo when you¡¯re that far off. But don¡¯t worry, just keep practicing." He pauses, watching me. "So, how about those footsteps from the south? Light and quick, like someone¡¯s trying to sneak up on us?"


    I focus, trying to tune into the sound, but what I hear are just heavy, clumsy footsteps. "I hear someone, but it sounds like they''re stomping around, not sneaking."


    Jin chuckles, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Ah, well, you know¡­ some people just don¡¯t have the grace for it. It takes years of practice, not that you¡¯d know about that."


    I narrow my eyes at him. "You¡¯re not exactly humble about this, are you?"


    Jin just shrugs, still grinning. "What can I say? Some of us are just naturals. I¡¯ve been doing this since I was little, you know. You¡¯ll catch up, though. Keep at it."


    I sigh, feeling the pressure building. "Yeah, sure. No pressure, right?"


    Jin doesn¡¯t let up. "Exactly. No pressure at all. I can even hear a couple of students arguing about their homework. One of them is getting really worked up about it. Can you hear it, or are you still struggling to even pick up my footsteps?"


    I focus, but all I hear is random chatter, none of it standing out. "I don¡¯t hear anything like that. Just the usual campus noise."


    Jin laughs, clearly amused by how much easier this is for him. "Told you. But don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll get it eventually. Maybe in another few years, huh?"


    I rub my temples in frustration. "Yeah, yeah. I get it. You¡¯re a genius at this."


    Jin pats me on the back, still grinning. "Nah, I¡¯m just a little faster. But keep practicing, and you¡¯ll get there. I can even hear a bird flying west, fast like it''s scared of something."


    I close my eyes again, focusing, but all I get is the usual ambient noise. "I don¡¯t hear anything... maybe it¡¯s just my brain not working right."


    Jin chuckles. "Yeah, well, no rush. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll catch up to my level eventually. It¡¯s just, you know¡­ years of practice."


    "This is tiring," I say, wiping the sweat from my forehead.


    Jin looks over at me with a smirk, clearly enjoying my exhaustion. "Yeah, I can tell. You look like you¡¯ve been running a marathon." He pauses, glancing around the campus before focusing back on me. "But hey, you¡¯ll get there. Just need to push through, you know?"


    I slump further into the bench, letting out a long sigh. "I don¡¯t know, Jin. This is a lot harder than I thought. Foresight is nothing like anything I¡¯ve ever tried."


    Jin chuckles lightly, leaning back with his arms crossed. "You¡¯re not the only one who struggled at first. But hey, at least you didn¡¯t try to sense the whole campus like I did. That was a disaster."


    I raise an eyebrow, skeptical. "You? Mess something up?"


    Jin grins, looking a little sheepish now. "Okay, so maybe I didn¡¯t totally nail it. But it¡¯s not like I was born with this ability. It just took years of practice."


    I throw him a tired glance. "Right, years of practice, and here I am still trying to pick up the basics."


    Jin nudges my shoulder playfully. "You¡¯ll get it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but eventually, you¡¯ll get it. Just gotta keep working at it." He gives me a knowing look. "Besides, no one¡¯s expecting you to be a genius overnight. Except maybe you."


    I groan in response. "Great, now I have expectations on top of everything else."


    Jin laughs, a little more genuinely now. "Don¡¯t worry about it. Just pace yourself. But hey, you might want to practice a bit more before the exam. You don¡¯t want to be outdone by me, right?"


    I shoot him a tired glare. "At this rate, I¡¯ll be outdone by everyone."


    Jin laughs again, but it¡¯s not taunting this time. "Nah, you¡¯ve got this. You just need to stop doubting yourself so much."


    I let out a long breath, looking back at the campus. "I¡¯ll try. But right now, I just need a nap."


    Jin chuckles, looking at me with a mischievous glint. "A nap, huh? You know you¡¯re not allowed to slack off. You¡¯ve got a Vanguardis to become, after all."


    I groan, sinking deeper into the bench. "I can¡¯t even get Foresight right, and you want me to become a Vanguardis?"


    The next thing I know, I¡¯m sitting on the edge of my bed at home, the cool air from the open window brushing my face. My body aches from hours of practice, but I barely noticed how late it had gotten. The stillness of the room is a stark contrast to the chaotic campus outside, but I¡¯ve long since become used to the silence. The clock on the wall tells me it¡¯s well past midnight.


    I run my hand through my hair, still feeling the residue of the day¡¯s exhaustion. It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve felt this drained. Maybe I overdid it with the practice. But I couldn¡¯t stop. I had to get better, had to push through this, even if it felt like I was moving at a snail''s pace.


    I close my eyes again, the faint remnants of Foresight still buzzing in my mind. I try to block out the lingering thoughts and focus. The room feels still, but there¡¯s a hum to it, a subtle undercurrent. I concentrate on it, narrowing my attention.


    The tick of the clock. The rustle of my blanket against my leg. The slight creak of the house settling in the cool night air.


    I let out a slow breath, still not fully satisfied. Not good enough. Not yet.


    My mind drifts back to Jin¡¯s teasing, his smugness. He was right, after all¡ªhe was good at this. Too good. But that only made me more determined. If he could do it, so could I. Maybe not right now, maybe not tonight, but eventually. I¡¯d catch up.


    I stretch out on the bed, the exhaustion finally catching up with me, and before I can stop myself, my body gives way to the deep, much-needed rest.


    And just before I drift to sleep, a final thought lingers in my mind: Tomorrow, I¡¯ll be better.


    Then, everything fades into darkness.

 Chapter 5: Practical exam 1

    A month has passed since I first learned about Foresight, and, well, I¡¯ve been training it every day¡ªalong with my physical and mental training.


    It¡¯s been a tough routine, but I know it¡¯s necessary for my growth. Every passing day, I push myself to the limit, doing everything I can to avoid slacking off. It¡¯s not easy, but I¡¯m determined.


    I glance at the scale, then step onto it, feeling the familiar cold surface beneath my feet. The numbers flicker for a moment before settling. "138 lbs," I mutter, the weight reading clicking in my mind¡ª62 kilograms. Still below average. The thought nags at me, but I push it aside.


    It¡¯s when I straighten up that I notice something else. I¡¯ve grown. My eyes flick to the height chart on the wall, confirming it¡ª5''8" to 6 feet. It¡¯s not a massive change, but it¡¯s something. A sign that the training is having an effect, even if it¡¯s only in small increments. I nod to myself, accepting it as progress. Every little bit counts.


    I gaze at my reflection in the mirror, taking in the familiar sight. My black hair falls just above my shoulders, and my brown eyes stare back at me. It¡¯s a sharp contrast to my mother¡¯s features¡ªblonde hair, black eyes¡ªyet we share the same stubbornness. I sigh, pushing the thought aside as I step into the shower. The warm water rushes over me, washing away the remnants of sleep and preparing me for the day ahead. School awaits, and I have no time to linger on the differences that set me apart.


    I pull on my usual uniform, the fabric snug against my skin as I move through the routine. Once I¡¯m dressed, I head to the dining table. The smell of breakfast lingers in the air, but it¡¯s my father¡¯s presence that catches my attention. He sits at the table, his expression unreadable, as always. It¡¯s quiet between us¡ªno words yet, just the familiarity of a morning that feels like all the others.


    ¡°Why are you still here? Don¡¯t you have work?¡± I ask, my voice barely rising above the hum of the morning.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want me here?¡± my father responds, his voice a bit sharper than usual. He sets down his coffee mug and looks me in the eye, his brow furrowing slightly. ¡°You should be at the blacksmith¡¯s place by now. You know Keldar¡¯s waiting for you, right?¡±


    I blink, momentarily caught off guard. I¡¯d forgotten about the meeting. Keldar is the local blacksmith and a friend of my fathers¡ªa massive, burly man with calloused hands and a stern face, though I¡¯ve always found him to be strangely kind beneath his gruff exterior. His forge, a sprawling workshop at the edge of town, always smells of hot metal and coal smoke. It¡¯s a place that¡¯s both intimidating and oddly comforting, where the rhythm of hammering steel never stops.


    ¡°He¡¯s been expecting you for days now,¡± my father adds, his tone softening just slightly. ¡°You can¡¯t keep putting it off. Your training isn¡¯t going to progress if you don¡¯t get those gauntlets fixed.¡±


    ¡°I guess I could go now,¡± I reply, the words escaping before I can fully process them. ¡°My practical exam starts at 2 pm anyway.¡± The reminder makes my stomach tighten a little. I¡¯ve been putting it off, but the clock is ticking. Keldar¡¯s work might be exactly what I need to make sure I¡¯m prepared.


    My father stands up from his chair, his movements slow but deliberate. Before I can react, he leans down and places a quick kiss on my forehead. The warmth of it catches me off guard, and I blink, feeling a flush creep up my neck.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± I mutter, swatting at the air as if to dismiss the moment. ¡°I¡¯m not a kid anymore.¡±


    I can feel his smile, even without looking up at him. He doesn¡¯t say anything, but his silent gesture is enough¡ªhe¡¯s proud, I can tell. Still, it doesn¡¯t stop me from feeling a little embarrassed. I¡¯ve never been one for displays of affection, especially not like this.


    I quickly step out the door, the cool air hitting my face as I make my way down the familiar path toward Keldar¡¯s shop. The sound of my footsteps echoes in the quiet morning, and for a moment, I allow myself to lose myself in the rhythm of it. The sooner I get there, the sooner I can get this over with.


    As I approach Keldar''s shop, the sight of it immediately pulls me in. The forge is alive with the hiss and crackle of metal being shaped, and the rhythmic clang of hammer against anvil fills the air. It¡¯s noisy, but there¡¯s something oddly calming about it¡ªthe steady pulse of the place, the way the fire dances in the open forge, and the smell of burning wood and hot iron. It feels like the world slows down here, even if only for a moment.


    I push open the heavy wooden door and step inside, the warmth from the forge immediately wrapping around me. The sound of hammering metal is deafening, but it¡¯s a familiar noise that fills the air with purpose. My eyes settle on Keldar, hunched over his anvil, his broad shoulders glistening with sweat as he works. The faint glow of the forge illuminates his weathered face, hardened by years of labor, yet his expression softens when he notices me.


    ¡°Ah, Mr. Vaylen,¡± Keldar says, his deep voice carrying a soft tone as he pauses his work and looks up at me.


    I shake my head, a slight frown pulling at my face. ¡°Please... don¡¯t call me by my last name. Just call me Mat,¡± I reply, trying to shake off the formality. It¡¯s always felt strange, hearing my last name come from his lips. After all, we¡¯ve known each other for years, and it feels odd that he still insists on calling me by something so distant.


    ¡°Haha, if you say so,¡± Keldar chuckles, returning to his work without missing a beat. The rhythmic clang of his hammer rings out again as he strikes the metal with practiced precision. ¡°I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re here for your gauntlets?¡±


    I take a step closer, my voice a little more serious now. ¡°Yes... Are they done?¡± I ask, eyeing the pile of metal pieces scattered across the workbench, wondering if my gauntlets are among them.


    "Yes," Keldar replies, his voice low as he stops what he''s doing. He sets his hammer down and wipes his brow with the back of his hand before standing up. Without another word, he moves toward a door at the far side of the shop¡ªone that leads to what I assume is the storage room. The door creaks slightly as he pulls it open, disappearing behind it for a moment. When he returns, he¡¯s holding my gauntlets, their surface gleaming under the warm light of the forge.


    "Here it is," Keldar says, tossing the gauntlets toward me with a nonchalant flick of his wrist. I fumble, barely managing to catch them, and I almost drop them in the process. The weight feels different, more substantial than I remember.


    He watches me with a knowing look before adding, ¡°I¡¯ve made a few adjustments with mana runes.¡± His voice is steady, but I can see the satisfaction in his eyes as he observes my reaction. The gauntlets shimmer slightly in the light, their surface etched with intricate markings¡ªrunic symbols I don¡¯t fully understand, but I can feel the faint hum of mana coursing through them.


    ¡°Mana runes? What¡¯s that?¡± I ask, curiosity edging my voice as I inspect the markings more closely. The symbols seem almost alive, pulsing faintly with an energy I can¡¯t quite grasp. I¡¯ve heard the term before, but the idea of runes etched into my gauntlets to enhance mana use is a whole new concept.


    Keldar nods slowly, his expression shifting to something more serious. ¡°Mana runes are basically Mana ores, just infused with mana. It makes it easier for me to craft enchantments from them.¡± He mutters under his breath, clearly a little frustrated. ¡°Well, if Etherborns didn¡¯t restrict it so much, I could have done a better job."


    He shakes his head, though his hands still hover over the gauntlets, clearly proud of the work he¡¯s done despite the limitations. The mention of the Etherborns catches my attention. Their restrictions on mana use have always been a touchy subject, but I can understand Keldar¡¯s frustration. Magic always seems to come with rules that tie our hands, especially for someone like him.


    ¡°Anyway, the adjustments I¡¯ve made are that it automatically fits your hands when you use them,¡± Keldar says, gesturing for me to try them on.


    I slip the gauntlets onto my hands, and just as he said, they mold perfectly to my grip, as if they were designed specifically for me. The fit is seamless, snug but comfortable, as though they were always meant to be there.


    Keldar watches closely, a small grin playing at the corners of his mouth. ¡°And if you focus, you¡¯ll notice... it feels like there are chains in your hands now, right?¡± he asks, his voice a little softer, as if he¡¯s sharing a secret.


    I flex my fingers, feeling the subtle weight shift within the gauntlets. It¡¯s not uncomfortable, but there''s an undeniable sensation¡ªlike invisible chains binding my hands to something greater, something more powerful. I nod slowly. "Yeah... It¡¯s strange, but it feels... controlled."


    ¡°Those chains you¡¯re feeling make those gauntlets useful for long-range attacks,¡± Keldar explains, his voice steady but with a hint of excitement. ¡°To make it easier to understand, you can swing them. Just feel it.¡±


    I nod, still processing his words. ¡°Feel it?¡± I repeat, a bit unsure, but I try to focus on the sensation again.


    As I concentrate, something strange happens. The gauntlets, as if reacting to my thoughts, suddenly slip off my hands. My fingers freeze in mid-air, and to my surprise, brass knuckles form in their place. The gauntlets clatter to the ground, but the two pieces remain connected by the same faint, glowing chains of mana, like a tether between them.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    I flex my fingers, now wrapped in the knuckles, trying to comprehend what I just experienced. It''s as if the gauntlets didn¡¯t just transform, but adapted to the situation, shifting seamlessly into something new.


    ¡°Mana? How am I using mana?¡± I ask, still trying to wrap my mind around everything that¡¯s happening.


    Keldar bursts into laughter, a hearty, almost manic sound that echoes around the shop. ¡°Hahaha, don¡¯t be silly!¡± he says between chuckles, slapping me on the back with enough force to nearly knock me off balance. ¡°That mana isn¡¯t yours, it¡¯s from the weapons themselves. The weapons I made pull mana from the air¡ªthat¡¯s how they function! And the mana runes I put into them help with that process, making it all run smoothly!¡±


    He laughs again, his joy infectious even as it carries a hint of madness. I¡¯m left standing there, blinking, trying to process what he just said. It feels like the gauntlets have a life of their own, drawing energy from the environment itself. The thought is both exhilarating and confusing.


    Keldar¡¯s laughter slowly fades, and his expression shifts in an instant. His eyes narrow, scanning me with a sharpness that catches me off guard.


    ¡°You¡¯ve grown quite a lot,¡± he says, his voice suddenly serious, the playful tone gone. ¡°I can see it... inside of you.¡±


    I feel a strange chill run down my spine at his words. It¡¯s as if he¡¯s seeing something in me that I can¡¯t quite grasp, something deeper than just the gauntlets or my physical growth. I shift uncomfortably under his gaze, not sure how to respond.


    Keldar mutters under his breath, almost as if talking to himself. ¡°You¡¯re almost at the first stage.¡±


    ¡°Sorry?¡± I ask, my confusion evident. I lean forward, trying to catch his gaze, but he doesn¡¯t seem to notice. His words hang in the air, heavier than the hammer he uses on the anvil.


    He pauses, as though realizing he¡¯s said something he hadn¡¯t meant to. Slowly, his eyes flicker up to mine, and he clears his throat. ¡°Nothing. Just... keep at it. You¡¯re making good progress.¡± He smiles, though it doesn¡¯t quite reach his eyes, and I can¡¯t shake the feeling that he¡¯s hiding something.


    Keldar chuckles once more, the sound now lighter, as though he¡¯s brushing off the moment. ¡°Hah, now get out of my shop. I still have work to do,¡± he says, waving me off with one hand.


    His tone is casual, but I can tell he¡¯s already turning his attention back to his forge, the hammer in his hand ready for the next strike. I hesitate for a moment, still unsure about what he said earlier, but I nod and turn toward the door. Whatever he meant by the ¡°first stage,¡± it¡¯s clear he¡¯s not going to explain it right now.


    As I walk toward the academy, I focus on the gauntlets, trying to feel the strange sensation Keldar mentioned earlier. But as I flex my fingers, it just feels like... well, normal gloves. The subtle hum of mana isn¡¯t there. The chains he spoke of seem to have vanished, leaving me with the impression that it¡¯s just another pair of protective gear.


    I frown slightly, trying to concentrate harder, but no matter how much I focus, the sensation doesn''t return. Maybe I was just imagining it in the heat of the moment.


    BZZZZT BZZZT


    A sudden ring, pulling me from my thoughts. I quickly pull my phone out of my pocket, seeing Kyu¡¯s name across the screen. I swipe to answer, holding the phone up to my ear.


    ¡°Hey, man! The practical exam¡¯s about to start. Where are you?¡± Kyu¡¯s voice comes through, sounding a little rushed.


    I glance at the time on my phone, blinking in confusion. ¡°What do you mean? It¡¯s only 11:30¡­¡± I respond, a frown tugging at my lips. The exam doesn¡¯t start until 2 p.m. What¡¯s he on about?


    ¡°Well, it seems like Professor Raynor has different plans. Hurry up,¡± Kyu says, his tone urgent. Before I can respond, he hangs up, leaving me standing there, staring at the now-blank screen of my phone.


    I blink, trying to process what just happened. Professor Raynor? Why would he change the schedule? Without wasting another second, I slip the phone back into my pocket and break into a quick jog toward the academy. It looks like I¡¯ll need to hurry if I want to make it in time.


    I make my way to our classroom, only to find it empty. My heart skips a beat, and I check the time again¡ªstill only 11:40. Confused, I quickly turn on my heel and rush toward the training grounds.


    As I approach the area, the distant sounds of shuffling feet and murmurs reach my ears, and I know I''m getting closer. The training grounds are always bustling with activity, but this time, something feels off. I quicken my pace, my nerves picking up speed along with my footsteps. If Kyu''s right, I don''t want to miss whatever¡¯s happening today.


    I finally catch sight of everyone gathered, all lined up in a neat row. Kyu stands at the front, his eyes scanning the others, looking every bit as prepared as I should be. The air is thick with anticipation, and I feel a knot form in my stomach as the reality of the exam hits me.


    Suddenly, Professor Raynor¡¯s voice rings out across the training grounds, his tone sharp and commanding. ¡°Today, our practical exam will consist of physical assessment duels, and I will be checking on how far you¡¯ve trained your foresight. Now, everyone pick a partner¡ªkeep in mind, you¡¯ll be dueling them.¡±


    His words send a ripple through the group, and I can feel the tension rise in the air. Everyone begins to move, looking around to find their partner for the duel. I glance at Kyu, but he¡¯s already looking over at a guy from the other side of the field. Looks like he¡¯s got a partner. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves.


    ¡°Hey, kid,¡± a deep voice sneers at me, snapping my attention to a tall, muscular figure looming over me. His broad shoulders and intimidating stance make him impossible to ignore.


    ¡°Looks like we can be sparring partners again.¡±


    I blink, confused. I take a step back, scanning his face, trying to place him. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    His expression falters for a split second before he grins, crossing his arms over his chest. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t you remember me? We sparred last time and got yelled at by Raynor. It¡¯s me, Rook.¡±


    The name clicks in my mind, and I instantly recall the last time we were paired up for a duel.


    Professor Raynor¡¯s voice cuts through the murmurs of the crowd, his commanding tone silencing everyone in an instant. ¡°Now settle down,¡± he announces, his eyes scanning the students. ¡°Today, we will be doing our practical exam with Class 4¡ªEtherborn''s.¡±


    A wave of confusion ripples through the students, followed by several incredulous mutters.


    ¡°Etherborns? How are we gonna duel them?¡± one of the students calls out, disbelief clear in their voice.


    ¡°That¡¯s not fair!¡± another adds, his tone laced with frustration.


    Professor Raynor doesn¡¯t flinch, his gaze hardening as he waits for the murmurs to die down. The tension hangs thick in the air, and for a moment, it feels like the entire class is holding its breath.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± he continues, his voice steady but firm. ¡°You won¡¯t be dueling them. They will just join our physical assessment today.¡±


    The murmurs subside almost immediately, but the confusion still lingers. We¡¯re not sparring with the Etherborn''s? I glance over at Rook, who seems just as perplexed as I am. It¡¯s hard to wrap my head around¡ªClass 4 Etherborn''s are some of the most skilled, capable individuals, and the thought of having them join our physical assessment feels a little daunting, to say the least.


    Professor Raynor¡¯s voice rings out, clear and precise. ¡°Now, when your name is called, please fall in line on the track.¡±


    He begins reading off the names, each one drawing attention as the students respond by stepping forward.


    ¡°Kyu.¡±


    Kyu steps up, his posture relaxed but determined. He shoots me a quick glance as he takes his place.


    ¡°Rook.¡±


    Rook sneers confidently, clearly expecting to show off his strength. He steps forward with a proud stride, his muscles flexing with each movement.


    ¡°Jin.¡±


    Jin gives a small wave as he steps into the lineup, his usual laid-back demeanor present as always.


    ¡°Gilbert.¡±


    Gilbert adjusts his glasses, giving a short nod before joining the others, his movements precise and calculated.


    ¡°Zerion.¡±


    Zerion¡¯s presence commands attention, his sharp eyes scanning the others as he steps forward with an almost regal air about him.


    ¡°Mat.¡±


    I hear my name called, and my heart skips a beat. I step forward, trying to keep my nerves in check as I make my way to the track. The others are already getting into position, and I fall in line with them, feeling the weight of the moment settle on my shoulders.


    Professor Raynor¡¯s voice cuts through the air once more, sharp and commanding. ¡°Get ready. Remember, this is an exam. 100-meter dash. Average time¡ª8 seconds.¡±


    The words hang in the air for a moment, the pressure building. My stomach tightens as I glance at the track ahead. Eight seconds. It¡¯s a benchmark that many in this class have already proven they can hit with ease.


    I try to steady my breath, pushing aside the nerves that are creeping up my spine. This is just a physical test, right? No need to overthink it.


    ¡°Take your marks!¡± Professor Raynor calls out, his voice sharp as he watches each of us carefully.


    I crouch down into position, my feet digging into the track as I prepare myself. The pressure of the moment builds with every second.


    ¡°Set!¡± The command is clear and immediate, and I hold my breath, waiting for the signal.


    ¡°GO!¡±


    The starting pistol fires, and the world blurs into motion. The crowd erupts into cheers, but everything seems to move too fast for me. My legs push off the ground, and I can feel the power surge through them¡ªbut not as quickly as I¡¯d hoped. The others are already ahead, their bodies moving with ease. I struggle to catch up, the weight of my gauntlets still unfamiliar and awkward.


    I push harder, trying to make up for lost time, but the gap between me and the others only widens. My breaths come faster, but it¡¯s not enough. The finish line approaches, and I can already feel the burn in my legs.


    Everything else fades, the cheers, the sound of my heartbeat¡ªuntil I cross the line, gasping for air.


    The times are called out one by one, each student¡¯s performance being measured as they catch their breath.


    ¡°Kyu, 8.58,¡± Professor Raynor announces, his tone neutral.


    ¡°Jin, 6.52,¡± he calls next, Jin grinning as he walks back, clearly pleased with his time.


    ¡°Rook, 7.89,¡± the professor continues, Rook cracking his knuckles, seemingly satisfied with his result.


    ¡°Gilbert, 7.12,¡± comes the next call, and Gilbert adjusts his glasses, clearly content with his performance.


    ¡°Zerion, 6,¡± Professor Raynor says, his voice carrying the usual weight of praise. Zerion simply nods, his focus already shifting to the next challenge.


    Then, my name is called.


    ¡°And, Mat¡­ 10.12 seconds¡­¡±


    The words feel like a weight on my chest, heavier than I expected. I don¡¯t need to see the looks of disappointment from the others; I can feel them. My time is the slowest by far.


    A few heads turn in my direction, but I just stand there, forcing myself not to let it show. This isn¡¯t the end. It¡¯s just the beginning.


    One by one, the others run their 100 meters, and as expected, each one scores either an 8 seconds or below. Kyu, Jin, Rook, Gilbert, and Zerion¡ªall of them push past the line with impressive times. It stings a little more each time a new result is called out, each one reminding me how far behind I am.


    It¡¯s clear now¡ªI need to train harder. I¡¯m not going to let this be my limit.


    As the last of the students finish their run, Professor Raynor steps forward, his expression unreadable but stern.


    ¡°Good job, everyone,¡± he says, his voice cutting through the tension. ¡°We will continue the test tomorrow, as we have passed the allotted time. Make sure to come back tomorrow and don¡¯t be late!¡±


    His words ring in my ears as the students start to gather their things, chattering amongst themselves. They all seem unfazed, maybe even excited about tomorrow¡¯s challenge. Me? I can¡¯t help but feel the weight of my failure, knowing that tomorrow, I¡¯ll have to push myself even harder if I want to catch up.

 Chapter 6: Practical Exam 2

    The noise of students chatting and laughing grows louder, filling the air with an electric buzz of anticipation. The once-empty training grounds have transformed overnight, now resembling a full-fledged arena. Massive stone walls enclose the field, tall enough to block the view beyond. Rows of seats have been set up along the perimeter, with students and instructors gathering to watch.


    The atmosphere is alive with excitement. Even those who had been anxious yesterday seem invigorated by the grand setting.


    Suddenly, a powerful voice booms across the arena, cutting through the noise.


    ¡°GOOOOD MORNING, EVERYONE!!¡±


    Professor Raynor¡¯s voice carries effortlessly, brimming with energy.


    The crowd erupts, cheers flying left and right as students raise their hands and shout in excitement. The air is filled with a mix of anticipation and competitive spirit. Whatever today¡¯s test will be, one thing is clear¡ªthis isn¡¯t just any ordinary assessment.


    This is something bigger.


    ¡°WELCOME TO DAY TWO OF OUR PRACTICAL EXAM!¡±


    Professor Raynor¡¯s voice booms across the arena. He coughs into his fist before continuing.


    ¡°Now, I¡¯m sure some of you are wondering about the change of scenery.¡± He waves a hand around. ¡°Well, it¡¯s pretty simple¡ªtoday is the test of Foresight and¡­¡± He pauses, then smirks. ¡°DUELS!¡±


    The arena erupts. Excited murmurs, sharp intakes of breath. Some students clench their fists, while others glance around nervously.


    My heartbeat picks up.


    Professor Raynor''s voice booms again.


    "Now, please step forward! Zar, Kyu, Rook, and Mat!"


    The crowd stirs as the four of us make our way to the stage. My pulse quickens. This is it. The real test begins now.


    Professor Raynor claps his hands together, his voice sharp and commanding.


    ¡°The first test! We¡¯re going to assess your Foresight.¡± Professor Raynor¡¯s voice rings out clearly, drawing the attention of everyone in the arena. He gestures to the surroundings. ¡°Four different dummies have been placed in separate locations. Your task? Pinpoint the exact position of your assigned dummy using only your Foresight. Each of you has a different placement, so don¡¯t expect to copy anyone else.¡±


    A wave of anticipation ripples through the crowd. My hands instinctively clench into fists. This is it. The moment to prove everything I¡¯ve worked for.


    Professor Raynor looks over the group, his gaze sweeping over each of us before locking onto me.


    ¡°Mat, step up. You¡¯re up first.¡±


    My heart skips a beat. The pressure intensifies as all eyes fall on me. I force my legs to move, stepping forward into the center of the arena. The murmurs fade, the silence swallowing everything around me.


    I stand there for a moment, trying to steady my breathing, to calm my racing thoughts. The crowd feels distant now.


    Alright, focus.


    I close my eyes briefly, centering myself. The Foresight I¡¯ve been practicing, pushing my limits with¡ªthis is the real test. I need to find that dummy, pinpoint its exact location, and trust in everything I¡¯ve learned. Fast or not, I can¡¯t rush this.


    Professor Raynor''s voice cuts through the silence.


    "Start whenever you''re ready."


    I take another deep breath, my focus narrowing. The world around me fades as I activate my Foresight, searching for any trace of the dummy''s presence.


    I scan the arena, the mix of auras swirling around me¡ªsome weak, others strong. It¡¯s disorienting. I need to shut that out and focus. I push aside the human auras, letting them fade into the background, and concentrate on the task at hand.


    The dummy¡¯s aura should be weak. It¡¯s just a material, after all. I zero in, tuning out everything else, searching for the faint pulse of energy that could only belong to the dummy. It¡¯s there¡ªsubtle, but distinct.


    I trace its presence, feeling my focus sharpen. I can almost visualize where it is now.


    I concentrate harder, following the weak aura trail. "One... behind Professor Raynor," I mutter under my breath, my finger pointing toward the area. "One next to a student eating ice cream." The last one... I pause, turning around, narrowing my gaze. "And the last one... here." My finger extends, pointing to thin air where the last dummy is positioned.


    The crowd remains silent, waiting for Professor Raynor''s response.


    Professor Raynor claps, and the crowd erupts in applause. ¡°Well done, Mat!¡± His voice rings out, clear and proud.


    I feel a surge of pride, but I don¡¯t let it distract me. There¡¯s still more to prove, but for now, I let the cheers wash over me. It¡¯s a small victory, but it¡¯s a step forward.


    The rest of the test for Foresight didn¡¯t go as smoothly as I hoped. Most of the students struggled, fumbling with their concentration as they tried to pinpoint the locations of their dummies. Some couldn¡¯t even find a single one, their faces contorted in frustration as they called out wrong guesses.


    Kyu was one of the few who made it look easy, his sharp focus and quick responses drawing a few impressed murmurs from the crowd. But the others? They struggled, just like I did.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    It made me realize that maybe this skill wasn¡¯t as simple as it seemed. Even with the improvement I felt, it wasn¡¯t going to be enough to just get by.


    "The Foresight test is now over," Professor Raynor announces, his voice steady. "Now, what everyone has been waiting for... the duels!"


    The tension in the air shifts as excitement spreads through the crowd. This wasn¡¯t just another test; this was the real deal. 1v1 duels in the arena¡ªwhere we would truly get to show our skills, both physical and mental.


    "Step forward and prepare yourselves. Each of you will face off one-on-one. These duels are not just about strength but strategy and quick thinking. Foresight will be your edge, but it won''t win the match alone," Professor Raynor continues, his eyes scanning the group.


    I take a deep breath and glance around. The arena is now more than just an open field. It¡¯s a battleground. The crowd goes quiet, and I can feel the weight of the moment on my shoulders. It¡¯s my turn to prove what I¡¯m capable of.


    "Kyu and Zar, please step on the stage," Professor Raynor calls, his voice commanding yet calm.


    The crowd murmurs in anticipation as Kyu steps forward, his expression focused. Zar follows, his stance confident, already cracking his knuckles as he prepares for the match. The two of them take their positions in the center of the arena, each waiting for the signal.


    The air is thick with tension as the crowd falls silent, eyes trained on the combatants. I watch closely, curious to see how the fight will unfold, especially between two of the stronger students.


    "Now, before we begin, take a wooden sword," Professor Raynor says, his tone firm. "As I don¡¯t want to fill out any extra paperwork if someone gets hurt, that¡¯s the only weapon I¡¯ll allow."


    The students exchange glances, some nodding in agreement as they take the wooden swords that are handed to them. The dull thud of the wood against the ground echoes slightly as the weapons are hefted, each of us now holding the same simple, non-lethal tool.


    Kyu steps forward, grabbing the wooden sword and testing its weight. Zar does the same, twirling his weapon expertly before getting into his fighting stance.


    "Are you both ready?" Professor Raynor asks, his eyes scanning them both. They nod in confirmation.


    "Begin!"


    The moment Professor Raynor gives the signal, the crowd falls silent, anticipation hanging in the air.


    Kyu and Zar face off, each holding their wooden sword, eyes locked.


    Without a word, Zar charges first, swinging his sword in a wide arc aimed at Kyu¡¯s midsection. Kyu steps back, narrowly dodging the strike, his body fluid and agile. He doesn¡¯t waste any time¡ªhe counters with a quick thrust aimed at Zar¡¯s chest. Zar blocks it with a grunt, but the impact sends a shock through his arms.


    Zar pivots, bringing his sword down with a heavy overhead strike. Kyu ducks low, dodging the blow by inches, and in one smooth motion, slashes at Zar¡¯s side. The edge of Kyu¡¯s sword makes contact with Zar¡¯s ribs, but he¡¯s quick to recover, spinning around to face Kyu.


    The crowd watches closely as Kyu moves with practiced precision, his movements deliberate, always staying just out of Zar¡¯s reach. Zar, on the other hand, grows more aggressive with every swing, his attacks heavy but predictable.


    Kyu takes advantage of Zar¡¯s overcommitment. When Zar swings wide, Kyu sidesteps and counters with a quick strike to Zar¡¯s exposed arm. Zar flinches but doesn¡¯t back down. He charges again, this time using his momentum to swing his sword in a continuous, relentless series of strikes.


    Kyu remains calm, his eyes scanning Zar¡¯s movements. As Zar swings, Kyu waits for the right moment. When Zar swings from the left, Kyu steps to the right, slamming his sword into Zar¡¯s exposed side, knocking the wind out of him.


    Zar stumbles, and in that instant, Kyu steps forward, disarming him with a swift flick of his wrist. Zar¡¯s wooden sword flies from his hand, landing several feet away. Kyu holds his sword at the ready, his stance firm.


    Professor Raynor claps his hands. ¡°And that¡¯s the match. Kyu wins!¡±


    The crowd erupts in applause as Zar, slightly winded but respectful, nods in acknowledgment. Kyu simply gives a small nod, staying focused.


    ¡°Good job,¡± Raynor says, stepping forward to address the group. ¡°Now, Mat and Rook, It''s your turn.¡±


    The crowd falls silent as I step into the arena, my heart pounding in my chest. Rook stands across from me, his grip on the wooden sword firm, eyes narrowed in focus.


    ¡°Ready?¡± Professor Raynor asks.


    I nod, swallowing the nerves in my throat. This isn¡¯t just about strength. I need strategy.


    ¡°Begin!¡±


    Rook charges immediately, swinging his sword down with power. I sidestep, just barely avoiding the strike, and take the chance to jab at his side. He blocks it quickly, but I notice his balance is off. His feet are too close together.


    I feign a quick strike to his ribs, but when he shifts to block, I change direction and strike at his unguarded side. The blow lands, but he recovers fast.


    ¡°Not bad,¡± he growls, shifting his stance.


    He swings again, faster this time, a series of rapid strikes. I watch his movements carefully, reading his rhythm. He telegraphs every blow, just a slight shift of his shoulder or feet before he strikes.


    I wait for the right moment. When his sword comes down in a wide arc, I duck under it and step to his side, landing a quick blow to his exposed flank. It¡¯s a sharp strike, not powerful but enough to push him back.


    Rook is frustrated now, charging again with a flurry of overhead slashes. I take a step back, letting him come to me. As his sword swings down again, I sidestep, close the gap, and strike at his wrist, knocking his sword away.


    He stumbles, trying to recover, but I¡¯m already there. I knock him to the ground and point my sword at his throat.


    ¡°Yield,¡± I say, my voice steady.


    Rook nods, his pride hurt but respect in his eyes. ¡°I yield.¡±


    The crowd cheers, and I lower my sword, breathing heavily. My arms ache, but I know it wasn¡¯t just strength that won this fight¡ªit was the strategy. I read his moves, used his power against him.


    Professor Raynor steps forward. ¡°Mat wins. Well done, both of you.¡±


    Rook stands up, offering a hand to help me. ¡°You¡¯re fast,¡± he says with a smirk.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I reply, a grin forming. My hands are shaking, but I feel a rush of pride. This was a victory.


    As I make my way back to my seat, I glance down at my hands. The calluses are more pronounced now, a testament to the countless hours of practice, the constant training. They weren¡¯t smooth anymore¡ªthey were rough, hardened by the repeated grip of weapons, by the strain of each swing, each block.


    I flex my fingers, feeling the burn in my muscles, but there''s a sense of satisfaction that comes with it. My training was finally paying off.


    I can¡¯t help but smile a little.


    The second day of the exam flew by in a blur. I kept replaying my fight with Rook in my head, unable to shake the satisfaction of winning. The rest of the matches faded into the background as I soaked in the feeling of accomplishment.


    By the time the exam ended, the sun was dipping below the horizon. I grabbed my things and headed out, Kyu walking beside me. The evening air was cool against my skin, and I could tell Kyu was in a good mood too, his usual playful grin never quite leaving his face.


    ¡°You did pretty well today,¡± Kyu said, nudging me with his elbow. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to hold your ground like that with Rook. You¡¯ve definitely come a long way.¡±


    I smiled back, feeling the rush of pride once again. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m not where I want to be yet, but it¡¯s progress.¡±


    We walked in comfortable silence for a bit, the sounds of the city settling down around us. The light breeze tousled Kyu¡¯s hair as he let out a deep breath.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been training harder than usual lately. Getting ready for something?¡± he asked, his tone playful but curious.


    I shrugged, glancing over at him. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ I just want to be stronger. I can¡¯t stop now, especially after today. It feels like I¡¯m just getting started.¡±


    Kyu grinned, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re definitely not the same guy who was all over the place before. It¡¯s good to see you getting serious, though. You¡¯re gonna make it far.¡±


    We kept walking, the familiar path home giving me time to reflect on everything that had happened. The weight of the day¡¯s successes settled on me, but I knew this was just the beginning. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and I had to be ready for whatever came next.

 Chapter 7: Into the Heart of Gwangju

    Bzzt. Bzzt.


    I open my eyes. The exam is over.


    I shut off my alarm and sit up, rolling my shoulders to shake off the stiffness. My muscles ache¡ªa reminder of today¡¯s test¡ªbut there¡¯s no time to dwell on it. I swing my legs over the bed, push myself up, and head downstairs.


    As soon as I step into the living room, my dad rushes toward me and pulls me into a tight hug. His grip is firm, almost crushing, but familiar.


    "Good morning, son," he says, his voice warm and full of energy. There''s a slight shake in his breath, like he''s been waiting for me to wake up.


    I pat his back, feeling the tension in his muscles before he finally loosens his hold. "Morning, Dad," I reply, still shaking off the last traces of sleep.


    As my dad moves to sit down, I glance around and realize everyone is here¡ªincluding my brother.


    He looks just like Mom¡ªsame sharp features, same blonde hair. The longer I look, the brighter it seems, almost blinding.


    "Why are you staring at me? Miss me that much?" he teases, smirking.


    I blink and shake my head, snapping out of it. "Haha, sorry." I let out a small chuckle, scratching the back of my head.


    "Sit down, son, and eat!" my dad says, his words muffled as he chews his food.


    "Dear, don''t talk with your mouth full," my mom scolds, shaking her head.


    I grab the stool next to my brother and sit down, the wood creaking beneath me.


    My eyes wander over the food in front of me¡ªsteaming bowls of rice, vegetables, and a few pieces of fish. It''s a simple breakfast, but it smells good.


    I pick up my chopsticks and dig in, the warmth of the food comforting as I chew.


    "So, Cael, how¡¯s school and training going?" My dad asks, glancing at my brother between bites. "You haven''t really been visiting us lately."


    "School¡¯s boring as always," Cael says with a shrug, his tone casual. "And training''s quite easy. My kill count has already doubled since last time."


    He doesn¡¯t seem fazed, almost as if it''s just another day.


    I speak up, unable to hide my surprise. "Kill count?"


    Cael looks at me, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yeah, you know¡ªhow many monsters I¡¯ve taken down. It''s part of the training."


    He kills monsters as part of his training? I haven''t even seen one.


    I can¡¯t help but feel a twinge of envy, but I push it down.


    "If you''re interested, my current kill count is 51 Lurkers, 10 Marauders, 3 Stalkers, and 5 Ravagers. In total, 69 monster kills," Cael says, a smug grin spreading across his face, clearly fishing for praise.


    "HAHAHAHA!" My dad bursts into laughter, slamming his palm on the table with so much force that it rattles the plates. "How awesome, son! Keep it up."


    His voice is full of pride, and for a moment, the whole room feels warmer, brighter. Cael leans back in his chair, a satisfied smirk spreading across his face as if he¡¯s already expecting the praise.


    I watch them, feeling a strange mix of admiration and frustration. My dad¡¯s proud of him, and I can see why. But hearing it again makes something twist in my chest


    My brother suddenly grabs my shoulder, his grip firm. "Don''t worry, you''ll be able to see a monster when The Urban Survival Trial starts!"


    He slaps my back, the smack so hard it almost sends me stumbling. I can hear the teasing in his voice, and I don¡¯t miss the smirk on his face.


    "That''s enough, Cael." My dad¡¯s face is as stone-cold as ever, his voice firm. "I won¡¯t tolerate that kind of behavior towards your brother."


    Cael¡¯s smirk falters for a moment, but he quickly recovers. "Hmph, fine. I¡¯m done anyways." He stands up, tossing his chair back with a slight thud before walking off.


    "Don''t think about it too much, Mat," my mother says, her voice as calm as ever, like she¡¯s always known how to make things feel right. "You both are different people. So don''t let that be a burden for you on your path to becoming a Vanguardis."


    Her words settle over me like a soft blanket, the weight lifting off my chest just a little.


    "Thanks, Mom. Dad. I''ll train as hard as I can." I finish my food quickly, pushing the bowl aside before standing up abruptly. Without waiting for a response, I grab my gear and head for the door, my mind already focused on the grind ahead.


    ***


    After the practical exam, we were given a two-month break¡ªno classes, no missions, just time to hone our skills. It was a relief for everyone else, but for me, it was a chance to push myself to the limit. I couldn¡¯t afford to waste a single moment. The Urban Survival Trial was coming up, and I needed to be ready. More than that, I needed to prove something. I wasn¡¯t going to stay in Cael¡¯s shadow anymore.


    The first part of my training was physical. Every morning, I ran with heavy stones strapped to my back, pushing my legs to the brink as I ran a brutal 50 kilometers. I could feel the weight pulling me down, every step a battle against my own exhaustion, but I didn¡¯t stop. Not once. I kept moving, knowing that the pain was just another obstacle I had to overcome.


    After that, I climbed the mountain near the edge of the city. No ropes. No safety gear. Just raw strength and willpower. The mountain was steep, its jagged edges threatening to tear at my skin, but I kept going, hand over hand, foot after foot. The air grew thinner, my body screamed for rest, but I didn¡¯t listen. Every time I felt like I couldn¡¯t go on, I reminded myself of the goal. I had to be stronger, faster, better.


    Next came sprints. 100 times, I raced up and down the field, my legs burning with each step, the weight of the stones dragging at me with every movement. My heart hammered in my chest, and my breath came in ragged gasps, but I pushed through it. I would fall, only to get up again. The cycle never ended, and neither did my resolve.


    But the hardest part of my training wasn¡¯t physical¡ªit was mental. Foresight. I had no monsters to fight, no real enemies to face. But I knew that if I was going to be ready, I needed to sharpen my mind, my ability to anticipate danger. So, every night, I would sit in the quiet of the field, closing my eyes and focusing, imagining the monsters I hadn¡¯t yet seen. I¡¯d picture them in my mind¡ªLurkers creeping in the shadows, Marauders lunging forward, Stalkers moving with silent precision.


    I didn¡¯t know what they looked like, not really. But I could feel them in my mind. I practiced anticipating their movements, reacting before they even made a move. It wasn¡¯t much at first¡ªjust a fleeting sense of something out of place. The way the air might shift, the ground beneath me might tremble, or the wind might change direction. But over time, I began to trust it.


    I had trained in secret when I was younger, feeling the sting of being overshadowed by Cael. I remember sneaking out to train when I was a child, pushing my limits when no one was watching. I trained with the little equipment I could find¡ªpunching trees, lifting rocks. It wasn¡¯t glamorous, and it didn¡¯t come easy. But every drop of sweat, every cut and bruise, was one step closer to proving I wasn¡¯t weak.


    Back then, I was always just a step behind Cael. I watched him excel, saw how the world seemed to bend around him, and I wondered why I couldn¡¯t be like him. But I wasn¡¯t him. I never would be. And that was something I had to accept.


    But that acceptance didn¡¯t mean I had to stop striving.


    One night, as I trained alone in the dark, I realized something¡ªsomething I had never allowed myself to acknowledge before. I wasn¡¯t doing this to compete with Cael. I wasn¡¯t doing this because I was trying to escape the shadow of my brother. I was doing this because I wanted to be stronger. Because I was tired of feeling weak. Tired of feeling like I wasn¡¯t enough.


    I was training to be the best version of myself, not to match anyone else.


    And as the days turned into weeks, I pushed myself harder. The physical pain became second nature, but the mental exhaustion from my foresight training was the true test. I spent hours each day, not just training my body, but imagining combat scenarios, honing my ability to react instinctively to threats I couldn¡¯t see.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    In my mind, I would picture the monsters. I would visualize every strike they might make, every movement they might take. I focused on predicting their actions, on staying one step ahead. I didn¡¯t know if it would work in the real world, but I couldn¡¯t afford to wait until I saw a monster in front of me to find out.


    There were moments¡ªmoments when my body begged for rest, moments when my mind began to unravel from the constant strain. But each time, I reminded myself of what I was fighting for. I couldn¡¯t give up. Not when the trial was getting closer. Not when I was so close to becoming something more.


    The training wasn¡¯t just about strength. It was about learning to trust myself, to trust my instincts. And, slowly, I began to feel a change. It wasn¡¯t visible at first. But one day, while training in the fields, I stopped in the middle of a sprint and looked around. It was as if I could sense something. The wind shifted, and I immediately crouched down, prepared to react. My heart raced, adrenaline pumping through my veins, even though nothing had happened.


    I hadn¡¯t seen a monster. But for the first time, I felt like I could face one. And that was the beginning of the change I had been waiting for.


    The sun barely rose when I got to the field. My body felt like it had been through hell, but there was no slowing down. Tomorrow was the Urban Survival Trial. My first real test. I had trained for this. Every grueling step, every sleepless night¡ªit was all for this moment.


    I didn¡¯t waste time. No hesitation. I closed my eyes for a second, took a deep breath, and focused. The wind, the air, the ground beneath me¡ªI had to be ready for anything. Tomorrow, monsters would be real. But I wasn¡¯t scared. I was prepared.


    The training I¡¯d done over the last two months wasn¡¯t just physical. It was mental. I¡¯d imagined every scenario. I had pushed myself past limits. And now, it was time to show what I was capable of. Not for anyone else¡ªbut for me.


    I didn¡¯t linger. I turned and made my way back home. The trial would be here before I knew it, and I would be ready to face whatever came next.


    Tomorrow¡­ I reminded myself. I¡¯ll make sure to do my best.


    BZZT BZZT


    I bolt upright, heart pounding. "Today is the day I''ll see a monster."


    The words echoed in my head as I scrambled out of bed, adrenaline already surging. The trial had finally arrived. The Urban Survival Trial. Monsters. Real monsters. I was about to face them.


    I didn¡¯t waste a second. Grabbing my gear, I was already out the door before the thought of hesitation even crossed my mind. The air felt different today¡ªcharged, almost like the world knew something big was about to happen. It was the calm before the storm.


    I raced through the streets, barely noticing the faces of people passing by. Everything was a blur. My mind was already on the trial, on the monsters waiting for me. No more training. No more pretending. This was real.


    Today... I thought again, my pulse quickening. Today, I''ll prove I¡¯m ready.


    I head outside after finishing my meal, the cold morning air biting at my skin. The nerves hit me all at once. Today was the day everything would change.


    I meet up with Kyu and Jin near the gate. Kyu''s already got his gear strapped on, his expression unreadable, while Jin¡¯s bouncing around like always, cracking jokes to hide his nerves.


    ¡°You ready for this, Mat?¡± Kyu asks, eyes sharp, as always.


    I give a quick nod. ¡°I¡¯ve been ready.¡±


    Jin grins. ¡°Well, don¡¯t forget to have fun. We might not get another chance like this!¡±


    We all start walking toward the academy, the building looming ahead. Every step feels heavier, but there''s no turning back now. The trial. Monsters. It was all about to become real.


    The city streets are quieter than usual. Everyone¡¯s feeling it. The anticipation in the air is thick, and you can practically taste it. We don¡¯t talk much on the way to the academy. It¡¯s not about words anymore. It¡¯s about what happens when we get there.


    And that¡¯s when it hits me. Today isn¡¯t about what I¡¯ve done up until now. It¡¯s about what I¡¯m about to do.


    "God... It''s too early," Professor Raynor mutters, scratching his head as we approach the academy gates. His disheveled appearance and tired eyes are enough to tell me he hasn¡¯t slept much, probably from organizing everything for the trial. Despite his usual gruff attitude, he¡¯s one of the few professors who actually takes the time to guide us.


    "Alright, everyone, please line up!" Professor Raynor commands, his voice cutting through the tension. "Before we head out, you''ll each be given a collar that tracks your location and monitors your health. If you get lost or run into trouble, just press the button on the back, and you''ll be teleported back to safety."


    He pauses, eyes narrowing as he looks over all of us. "And please, give it your all. If you die out there, it¡¯ll be on me. But don¡¯t worry too much. We¡¯ve got the D.K.F on standby."


    Just as he finishes speaking, a set of helicopters whirrs overhead, the blades slicing through the air. The sound is deafening, and all of us look up instinctively. One of the helicopters tilts, and without warning, a figure leaps from it, plunging down toward the ground below.


    The crowd of students erupts in a chorus of shocked shouts and gasps. ¡°What the hell?!¡±


    The figure pulls a parachute just in time, landing smoothly in front of us with a roll. They rise to their feet effortlessly, and in the chaos, I spot the D.K.F insignia on their suit. The elite group that handles high-risk situations.


    Professor Raynor cracks a grin, as if he¡¯s used to this. "This is just the beginning, kids. That¡¯s the kind of backup we have. But don''t expect them to bail you out every time."


    The excitement and fear in the air is palpable, and I can feel my heartbeat quicken. This was real now. There was no turning back.


    The figure steps forward, his uniform immaculate despite the drop from the helicopter. His face is concealed by a mask, leaving only his cold, piercing eyes visible. A sleek gun is strapped to his chest, an unspoken reminder of his lethal readiness.


    He stands tall, unwavering, as the students watch in awe.


    "I¡¯m Captain Varek," the figure finally speaks, his voice calm yet commanding. "And I¡¯m here to give you a brief overview of the D.K.F, the Dokkaebi Force. We are the best of the best. Our numbers aren''t public because we don¡¯t need to flaunt them. When you see us, it means you''re both lucky and unlucky. Lucky because we¡¯re here to provide backup. Unlucky because our presence means a monster is near, and you¡¯ll be facing something deadly."


    He pauses, letting his words settle. The students remain silent, their attention fixed on him.


    "We only reveal ourselves when it¡¯s absolutely necessary. But when we do, you can be sure things are about to get serious. We are the last line of defense, and we¡¯ll be watching over you. However, don¡¯t get too comfortable. If you run into a monster, there¡¯s no guarantee we¡¯ll be able to reach you in time."


    The air feels heavier now, the reality of what they¡¯re about to face sinking in. Captain Varek¡¯s gaze sweeps over the group, making each student feel the weight of his unspoken expectations.


    "You¡¯ll be tested today," he finishes, his voice low, almost solemn. "But if you survive, you¡¯ll have the right to say you faced the monsters¡ªand lived to tell the tale."


    "Thank you, Captain Varek," Professor Raynor says, his voice cutting through the stillness. "Now, everyone get inside the bus and prepare yourselves. The trial starts soon."


    The students shuffle toward the buses, some with excited anticipation, others with palpable nerves. I can feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me, but I don¡¯t let it show. This is it. No more pretending, no more holding back.


    The door of the bus slides open with a hiss, and we all file inside. The interior is quiet, the tension thick, as we find our seats. The hum of the engine starts, and the bus lurches forward, taking us toward our destination.


    I stare out the window, trying to steady my breath. The academy fades behind us, the familiar streets giving way to an expanse of wilderness. Soon, we¡¯ll be deep in monster territory.


    Kyu leans over, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°You ready for this?¡±


    I turn to him, my gaze steady. ¡°I have to be.¡±


    The bus rumbles on, and I focus on the road ahead, knowing that once we arrive, everything will change.


    "We are near our destination," Professor Raynor announces, his voice steady but laced with an edge of warning. "For those of you with mana, please be prepared."


    Before anyone can react, a scream rips through the air. "AUGHHH!" A student clutches their chest, their face twisted in agony.


    The entire bus goes silent, everyone turning to watch as the student gasps for breath. The pain is raw, visible in every muscle that trembles in their body.


    Professor Raynor doesn¡¯t flinch, his gaze unwavering. "When we leave the city¡¯s barrier, your mana will become unstable. It¡¯ll make you weaker for a time. But don¡¯t worry, it won¡¯t affect you too much in the long run. The first time is the worst, but the longer you stay in monster territory, the more that pain will subside."


    The student¡¯s scream dies down, though they still clutch their side, breathing heavily.


    I glance at Kyu, who looks just as unsettled as I feel. ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡± Kyu mutters under his breath.


    I shake my head. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but it¡¯s about to get real.¡±


    The tension in the bus is suffocating. Everyone¡¯s on edge, their eyes darting around, wondering who will be next. It¡¯s clear now¡ªthis place will test us, and not just with monsters.


    The bus lurches forward again, the feeling of impending danger growing with every passing moment. We¡¯re getting closer. I can feel it.


    "Welcome to Gwangju," Professor Raynor announces as the buses come to a sudden halt, the tires screeching against the asphalt. The city, once bustling with life, now stands silent and eerie. Gwangju was abandoned long ago after the Worldbreaker impact, the once-thriving metropolis now a hollow shell of its former self. The Corruption twisted the land, leaving it scarred and uninhabitable, its streets haunted by monsters and remnants of the past.


    The air outside feels different¡ªthick, charged with an ominous energy. Even from inside the bus, you can feel the weight of the city''s forsaken history pressing down on you. This place isn''t just deserted; it¡¯s cursed.


    Professor Raynor rises from his seat. "Remember, stay close and keep your wits about you. The trial begins now."


    The doors of the bus open with a heavy thud, and the group disembarks, stepping onto the cracked, overgrown pavement of the abandoned city. The ruins loom around us, their hollow structures like silent sentinels, watching our every move. The trial has begun.


    Me and Kyu quickly make our way to the bus where Jin had already gone inside. Everyone else has already started heading into the city, their figures slowly disappearing into the wreckage of the abandoned Gwangju.


    We¡¯re going to be here for three days. Three days in a place where danger lurks in every shadow, where every corner hides the unknown. The weight of it settles on my shoulders, but I refuse to show any sign of fear. This is what we¡¯ve been trained for. What I¡¯ve been training for.


    ¡°Let¡¯s stick together,¡± Kyu says, his voice low, eyes scanning the city. ¡°Don¡¯t get separated.¡±


    I nod, my heartbeat steady, but I can feel the adrenaline beginning to surge. We step off the bus, and the noise of the world fades, replaced by the eerie silence of a city lost to time and destruction. The buildings around us are in ruins, their once-grand facades crumbling away, overtaken by nature and the destructive force of the Corruption.


    The air feels heavier out here. A warning. We¡¯re not in the safety of the academy anymore. Out here, it¡¯s real. It¡¯s deadly.


    ¡°This is it,¡± I mutter to Kyu, my voice barely above a whisper.


    He gives me a small grin. ¡°We¡¯ll make it. Let¡¯s find Jin before we¡¯re all scattered.¡±


    We begin walking deeper into the city, the cracked pavement beneath our feet crunching with every step. The sounds of the others ahead of us are faint, their voices swallowed by the massive, hollow buildings around us.


    Three days. Three days to prove ourselves.

 Chapter 8: Urban Survival Trial Day One

    "Hey, man, what¡¯s our objective here again?" Kyu spoke up, casually picking his nose as his eyes wandered around the surroundings.


    Jin let out an exasperated sigh. "Did you not listen to anything Professor Raynor said?" he asked, shooting Kyu an unimpressed look.


    Jin crossed his arms, his tone firm as he explained. "First, we''re here to gain real battle experience¡ªactual combat, not just the simulations or sparring matches we¡¯ve had in training. Second, this is an official academy exam¡ªour final exam, to be exact. This will determine whether we¡¯re truly ready to graduate. And lastly, our main objective is to clear this area of any monsters. If we fail, we don''t just risk our grades¡ªwe risk our lives."


    He shot Kyu a pointed look. "So maybe try paying attention for once?"


    "I see¡­ but how do we get graded? How do they even track what monsters we kill?" Kyu asked, a smirk tugging at his lips, clearly trying to get under Jin¡¯s skin.


    Jin narrowed his eyes, already irritated. "You really don¡¯t listen, do you?" He sighed before answering. "Each of us has a tracking device linked to the academy¡¯s system. It records our movements, combat performance, and the number of monsters we take down. It even analyzes how efficiently we fight."


    He tilted his head, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Not that it matters for you¡ªyou¡¯ll probably just hide behind Mat the whole time."


    "Hey, guys, that¡¯s enough," I speak up, cutting off their bickering before it escalates. "We should focus on finding a place in this abandoned city to set up camp. We¡¯ll be here for three days, so we need somewhere defensible."


    I glance around at the crumbling buildings, their windows shattered and walls covered in vines. The eerie silence of the city makes my skin crawl¡ªno distant sounds of wildlife, no rustling wind, just an oppressive stillness. Wherever we choose, it needs to keep us safe from whatever lurks in the shadows.


    Jin nods, his expression turning thoughtful. "So, we need a place that¡¯s somewhat protected but also has an easy exit in case things go south?" He scans the abandoned city, eyes narrowing as he considers our options. "What about a construction site? There should be one around here."


    He gestures toward the distance, where the skeletal remains of an unfinished building rise above the rest of the ruined structures. "It should have plenty of cover, open sightlines, and multiple escape routes. Plus, there''s a good chance we¡¯ll find supplies there¡ªmetal rods, wooden planks, maybe even some old tarps we can use for shelter."


    I exchange a glance with Kyu. It¡¯s not a bad idea, but something about this city makes me uneasy.


    "This should be a good spot," Jin says, stepping forward and surveying the construction site. The skeletal remains of the unfinished building provide plenty of cover, with scattered materials we can use to fortify our camp.


    "Shouldn¡¯t we be hunting already? We¡¯re falling behind in points!" Kyu bickers, crossing his arms. His impatience is obvious, but I can¡¯t blame him. The faster we start, the better our chances of ranking high.


    "No point in hunting if we don¡¯t have a place to rest at!" I counter, shooting him a look. "We¡¯re going to be here for three days. If we don¡¯t secure a base first, we¡¯ll just be running around exhausted, and that¡¯s a sure way to get killed."


    Kyu clicks his tongue but doesn¡¯t argue further. He knows I¡¯m right.


    Without a word, Kyu moves with surprising efficiency, grabbing nearby materials and setting up a makeshift tent big enough for the three of us. He secures it with whatever he can find¡ªmetal rods, wooden planks, and even a few old tarps left behind. Despite his usual laziness, he works fast, clearly eager to move on.


    He steps back, dusting off his hands before turning to us with an impatient glare. "There! Now can we go hunting?"


    "Impressive," Jin smirks, crossing his arms as he inspects the tent. "Didn¡¯t think you had it in you."


    Kyu scoffs. "Yeah, yeah, I¡¯m full of surprises. Now let¡¯s go already!"


    Jin shakes his head. "Not so fast. Before we start hunting, we need to double-check our equipment. The last thing we need is a weapon malfunction in the middle of a fight."


    I nod in agreement, already going through my gear. It¡¯s a simple rule¡ªalways be prepared.


    Kyu checks his equipment first, pulling out his longsword and swinging it around with a grin. "Yep, all ready!" He twirls the blade with a flourish, clearly confident in his readiness, though I can¡¯t help but wonder if he¡¯s really paying attention to the balance and sharpness.


    Jin takes a more meticulous approach, pulling out his compound bow and inspecting it carefully. He checks the string, tests the tension, and makes sure the arrows are properly secured. Then, with a nod of satisfaction, he pulls out a dagger from his belt, giving it a quick glance. "All ready," he says, his tone calm and focused.


    Finally, I turn to my own gear, lifting my gauntlets. The weight is barely there¡ªthanks to the mana gem, they feel as light as a feather, allowing me to move quickly and strike with precision. I tighten the straps around my wrists, feeling the familiar hum of power as I test the fit. "All set," I say, looking up at them. "Let¡¯s get moving."


    Jin raises a hand, gesturing for us to halt just as we were about to move. "We should follow a 2-1 formation," he says, his voice steady and commanding. "Two Vertius in front and one Etherborn at the rear."


    Kyu raises an eyebrow, his smirk evident. "Are you just trying to use us as bait?" he snaps, his usual sarcasm bubbling to the surface.


    Jin doesn¡¯t flinch, his eyes narrowing slightly as he meets Kyu¡¯s challenge. "No," he answers calmly, "It¡¯s a real battle formation that was taught to us Etherborn. Since most Etherborns rely on mana-based moves, we usually stay at the back to conserve energy and provide support. But I¡¯m used to both close-range and long-range combat, so it¡¯s better to use a 2-1 formation where the Vertius lead the charge while I cover them."


    He looks at both of us, waiting for a response. "Trust me, it¡¯ll work."


    "We should listen to him," I say, giving Kyu a pointed look. "Jin knows what he¡¯s talking about. Now, let¡¯s go."


    I motion toward the city¡¯s edge, where the shadows of the abandoned buildings stretch long in the fading light. Kyu grumbles but doesn¡¯t argue, and with that, we fall into our formation, moving as one toward the unknown dangers lurking ahead.


    "Jin, sense anything with Foresight?" I ask, my voice low as I scan the surroundings.


    He shakes his head, his expression unwavering. "No."


    The silence lingers, the only sounds being our footsteps and the distant creaks of the city¡¯s decaying structures. We continue moving, but I can¡¯t shake the feeling that we¡¯re being watched.


    As we move deeper into the city, a sudden, faint scraping sound cuts through the silence¡ªlike claws dragging across stone. It''s barely audible, but it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I freeze, eyes darting around, trying to locate the source.


    Then, I hear it¡ªa soft, breathy hiss, almost like a whisper, but it doesn¡¯t feel like it¡¯s meant for anyone to hear. The sound lingers, unsettling and unnatural, sending a chill through the air.


    I swallow, my grip tightening around my gauntlets, aware that something¡ªor someone¡ªis watching us.


    I hiss under my breath, eyes snapping to the right. "Jin! Kyu! Lurkers on the right, near the alleyway¡ªthree of them!"


    My heart races, the sudden threat snapping me into focus. I take a cautious step back, keeping my eyes locked on the shadows, watching for any movement. The sound of skittering claws gets louder, and I can feel the tension thickening in the air. We¡¯re about to be surrounded.


    With barely any time to react, a sudden storm of spikes erupts from the alleyway, flying toward us with deadly precision. The sharp sound of them slicing through the air fills the silence, and before I can think, I grab Kyu by the arm and shove him behind a nearby car, the impact of the spikes thudding against the metal as they ricochet off.


    "Jin! Take cover!" I shout, my voice urgent, as I pull Kyu closer to the car, pressing against the cold, rusted surface for protection.


    I scan the alleyway, every instinct telling me to stay low and stay alert. The lurkers are fast, but we can¡¯t afford to be caught off guard.


    "I''m alright!" Jin calls out, his voice sharp and focused. "Two of them closing in, five meters! Get ready for engagement!"


    I tighten my grip on my gauntlets, readying myself. The lurkers are fast, but we¡¯ve been trained for this. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, adrenaline coursing through me.


    "Stay low and don¡¯t let them get too close!" I warn Kyu, eyes locked on the approaching shadows. The lurkers are swift, but I¡¯m not about to let them get the jump on us.


    A loud thud echoes above us, causing Kyu and me to look up instinctively. There, perched on top of the car, is a lurker¡ªits eyes glowing a faint yellow in the dim light, reflecting a predatory hunger. Its body is hunched and covered in mottled scales that shift in the shadows, blending with the darkness. The creature¡¯s limbs are spindly and elongated, ending in sharp, clawed fingers that scrape against the car''s roof as it crouches. Its tail, thick and powerful, coils like a serpent, twitching with anticipation, ready to unleash another barrage of spikes.


    The lurker¡¯s face is almost too twisted to call human¡ªits features grotesque and contorted, with a gaping mouth full of jagged teeth that glisten in the light, a breathy, wet hiss escaping from its throat. It moves with unnerving fluidity, poised to strike.


    Without time to react, the lurker¡¯s body is suddenly pierced by Jin¡¯s arrow, the projectile slicing through the air with deadly precision. The lurker lets out a horrified screech as the arrow drives deep into its chest, sending it tumbling backward. It crashes into several nearby cars, the sound of metal bending and glass shattering echoing through the streets.


    The impact triggers a car alarm, the high-pitched wail cutting through the tension of the moment.


    I grit my teeth, not wasting a second. "Get ready, more are coming!" I shout, eyes scanning the shadows, waiting for the next wave.


    "We need to get to Jin now!" I shout to Kyu, urgency in my voice.


    I raise my hand, counting silently to three, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Every second counts. Without hesitation, we break from cover and sprint towards Jin, the sound of our feet pounding against the cracked asphalt.


    The air around us is thick with tension, and I know that any misstep, any failure, could lead to our deaths. The lurkers are fast, relentless, and we can¡¯t afford to be caught out in the open. But Jin¡¯s our best shot at survival, and we need to reach him before the monsters close in.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "Keep moving!" I shout to Kyu, pushing myself harder, fear fueling my every stride.


    Just as we¡¯re about to reach Jin, two lurkers suddenly drop from the sky, their bodies slamming into the ground with bone-rattling thuds. The impact is so forceful that it sends Kyu and me stumbling backward, dropping to our asses with a harsh scrape against the pavement.


    The lurkers rise, their twisted bodies shaking off the fall with unsettling ease, their eyes fixed on us like hungry predators. The sound of their claws scraping the ground fills the air, making my heart race. We¡¯re trapped between Jin and the new threat. There¡¯s no time to hesitate.


    I scramble to my feet, heart pounding. "Jin! Now!" I shout, signaling for him to act. We¡¯re surrounded, and there¡¯s no way out unless we fight.


    "I can''t!" Jin shouts, his voice strained with urgency. "I''m kinda busy right now¡ªthere¡¯s three of them on me!"


    I feel my chest tighten at his words. The pressure is mounting, and the situation is growing more desperate by the second. Kyu and I are pinned down, while Jin¡¯s dealing with his own fight. We can¡¯t let these lurkers get any closer.


    Why am I hesitating? My thoughts spiral as I stand frozen for a heartbeat too long. I¡¯ve trained for this. I¡¯ve imagined fighting a lurker more times than I can count. So why am I hesitating right now?


    Is it because this is the real thing? The weight of it all¡ªthe adrenaline, the stakes¡ªfinally hitting me? Or maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯m scared to die. The fear of the unknown, the fear that maybe this time, it¡¯ll be me on the receiving end of a claw or a spike.


    Or is it because any slip-up could kill us? The pressure of knowing that one wrong move can end it all for me, for Kyu, for Jin... The thought nearly paralyzes me.


    But I can¡¯t afford to think about it now. I¡¯ve trained for this. I¡¯ve fought in simulations, imagined the worst scenarios in my mind. This is no different. I have to push past the fear. I have to move. I can¡¯t let hesitation be my end.


    I take a deep breath, forcing my body into motion. "Focus!" I remind myself. There¡¯s no room for doubt here. Only action.


    "Kyu, let¡¯s kill these bastards!" I shout, pointing at the lurker in front of me. "Don¡¯t forget, behind their legs is their weak spot. They might be the size of an SUV, but they¡¯re weak as hell!"


    The words are like a snap, breaking the hesitation that had held me back. I see Kyu¡¯s grin widen at the challenge, and I can tell he¡¯s ready for this. We¡¯ve trained for moments like these.


    The lurker growls, its eyes narrowing as it hisses, but I¡¯m already moving, closing the distance. I know the weak spot behind its legs, and I¡¯m not about to waste the opportunity. With a swift, practiced motion, I charge in, ready to strike.


    The lurker reacts instantly to my charge, almost like it¡¯s reading my movements. With a sudden shift, it drops onto all fours, its tail snapping around with a force that makes the air hum.


    I try to react, moving forward just enough to lessen the impact, but the tail¡¯s whip is too fast, too strong. The blow strikes me with bone-shattering force, sending me flying backward through the air.


    I crash into a row of cars, the impact making them screech and bend under my weight. Metal crumples, glass shatters, and for a moment, everything goes blurry. The pain in my body is sharp, but I can barely register it as my mind races, trying to focus through the haze.


    I struggle to push myself up, my vision spinning. The lurker¡¯s already moving in again. This is nothing compared to my training.


    I quickly scramble to my feet, my legs shaking from the impact, but there¡¯s no time to hesitate. I force my body upright, locking my focus onto the creature before me.


    The lurker charges toward me with the same exact motion I¡¯ve practiced in my mind a thousand times. Its claws extend, ready to strike, and I can see the arc coming¡ªhuge and wide, using its front left foot to swipe. But it¡¯s too slow. I¡¯ve seen this before.


    I narrowly dodge, my body reacting instinctively. My heart races, but I¡¯m focused. "Shit, it¡¯s faster than I expected," I curse under my breath. The lurker¡¯s size and strength are one thing, but its speed¡ªfaster than I¡¯ve ever encountered in training¡ªthrows me off balance for a split second.


    I don¡¯t have time to think. I rush forward, stepping under its chest, and punch with all the force I can muster. My gauntlets strike the bottom of its weak spot, right under its ribs. The impact is like hitting a pressure point, and I feel the bone-crushing force vibrate through my hand.


    The lurker lets out a guttural scream, but before it can react, its body convulses. Then, with a sickening explosion, half of its body bursts apart, sending blood and gore splattering in every direction. I stand there, panting, my vision swimming from the impact as I realize I¡¯m covered in lurker blood.


    The sickly, viscous liquid drips off me as I stagger back, breathing heavily. The fight isn¡¯t over, but for now, I¡¯ve won.


    I quickly snap my neck towards Kyu and Jin.


    Kyu, his face smeared with blood and sweat, stands over the fallen body of the lurker he just killed, panting heavily. But there¡¯s no time to savor the victory. Jin is still surrounded by three lurkers, each one closing in, their claws ready to strike.


    "Come on, Kyu!" I shout, my voice urgent. "We need to help Jin, now!"


    Kyu nods without hesitation, his eyes already scanning the scene. He rushes forward with his longsword raised, the blade gleaming in the low light. I follow right behind him, my muscles burning but pushing through.


    Jin¡¯s not out of danger yet, and every second counts. We¡¯re not leaving him behind.


    "Are you guys finally looking... It¡¯s my time, hehe," Jin mumbles under his breath, but Kyu and I don¡¯t hear him, our minds still spinning from the chaos of the battle. We¡¯re both still catching our breath, adrenaline pumping through us, but the immediate danger has passed. For a brief moment, there¡¯s nothing but the pounding of our hearts and the distant ringing in our ears.


    Then, out of nowhere, a burst of light explodes from where Jin stands. The intensity is so blinding that I¡¯m forced to shield my eyes, feeling the heat of the flames even through my closed eyelids.


    When I open my eyes again, I see something unbelievable: three spears of fire, each one crackling with raw power, hovering around Jin like extensions of his will. The heat radiates off them in waves, distorting the air. It''s clear that this isn''t just a simple attack¡ªit''s a statement, a spectacle. Jin¡¯s posture, his confidence, it¡¯s as if he¡¯s savoring the moment, drawing in the energy from the destruction around him.


    Kyu and I stand frozen for a moment, our mouths agape, too stunned to react. Jin doesn¡¯t wait for permission, though. He points at one of the lurkers, his fingers trembling slightly with the anticipation of what¡¯s to come. The spear shoots forward with a speed so quick it seems to tear the air itself, slamming into the lurker with enough force to send it flying backward in a burst of fire. The explosion is deafening, the lurker¡¯s body vaporizing before our eyes.


    I can feel the heat on my skin, a reminder of just how powerful Jin¡¯s abilities are. But there¡¯s something in the way he stands, the way he moves¡ªhe¡¯s not just fighting, he¡¯s drawing in the energy of the fight, letting it flow through him.


    Before I can fully process what just happened, the remaining two spears shoot toward the last two lurkers, slicing through them with such efficiency and speed that it feels almost effortless. Each one is destroyed in an instant, their bodies reduced to smoldering husks, and Jin watches the carnage with a slight, almost satisfied smile on his face.


    The battlefield falls quiet again, the air heavy with the aftershocks of his power. Kyu and I are left staring at the wreckage, still trying to absorb what just happened.


    For a moment, I can¡¯t think of anything to say. I feel like I¡¯m seeing Jin in a new light¡ªhe¡¯s not just powerful, he¡¯s in control, drawing from the chaos around him like a conductor commanding an orchestra. There¡¯s a quiet hunger in his eyes, as if this battle wasn¡¯t just about survival, but about growth, about feeding off the battle itself.


    "Well... that was..." Kyu starts, his voice still shaking in awe. "I mean, damn, Jin. That was insane."


    I can barely respond. My thoughts are still scattered, but one thing is clear¡ªJin had been waiting for this moment. The way he unleashed his power so smoothly, without hesitation... It was like he¡¯d been priming himself for the right moment, building up the energy for just this.


    I glance over at Kyu, both of us still in shock. "Yeah¡­ I didn¡¯t expect him to do all that," I say, my voice low. "Guess we should¡¯ve been paying more attention."


    Kyu laughs, still wide-eyed. "Definitely not the time to be slacking off. Jin just... took control of everything."


    I nod slowly, my eyes still fixed on Jin as he stands among the wreckage of the lurkers. He lowers his arms, the fiery spears dissipating into the air. There¡¯s no exhaustion, no sign of strain¡ªonly a quiet satisfaction, as if he¡¯s absorbed more than just the energy from the fight. As if this entire encounter had been a way to fill some deep reservoir within him, a way to grow stronger from every moment of conflict.


    "Hey, Jin," I call out, my voice steady despite the turbulence in my chest. "Nice work. You didn¡¯t leave any for us."


    Jin glances over at us, his lips curling into a smirk. "What can I say? You two had things under control. Just wanted to make sure it ended quickly... and that I got something out of it."


    Kyu snorts, clearly still impressed. "Something out of it? Jin, you took down the whole group in one go!"


    Jin shrugs nonchalantly, wiping his brow with a grin. "Every fight is an opportunity, Kyu. You never know what you can learn when you¡¯re in the middle of it."


    As we stand there, the tension from the fight fades into a quiet understanding. Jin isn¡¯t just a fighter¡ªhe¡¯s someone who thrives in battle, who draws power from it like it¡¯s his fuel. And in that moment, I realize just how much further we have to go.


    Jin¡¯s nose suddenly starts bleeding, and he grins, wiping it off with the back of his hand. "Heh, I guess I overdid it." His voice is light, but there¡¯s a slight exhaustion in his eyes, as if the fight had taken more out of him than he¡¯s willing to admit.


    "Let¡¯s head back to camp before more show up," he continues, glancing at the wreckage around us. "That damn car alarm is driving me crazy."


    Kyu and I exchange a look, relieved to be out of the immediate danger but still a bit shaken. Jin, on the other hand, acts like nothing¡¯s changed. He¡¯s already turning to head back, his steps confident despite the blood dripping from his nose. I can¡¯t help but wonder if that¡¯s the least of his concerns right now.


    ¡°Well, what a day! We almost died!¡± Kyu laughs, the sound bouncing off the empty streets as he slaps his knees. "That was fun, though! I bet I could take down two of those things by myself!" His words are filled with confidence, a sharp contrast to the near-death experience we just had.


    Kyu¡¯s grin is wide, his energy never quite matching the seriousness of the situation. It¡¯s almost like he¡¯s trying to shake off the tension, to remind himself that we made it through, that we¡¯re still standing. But I can see the glint in his eyes¡ªthe thrill of the fight still has him buzzing.


    I glance at Jin, who''s walking ahead, wiping his nose again. He doesn''t react to Kyu''s boast, but I know he''s listening.


    "You¡¯re welcome to try, Kyu," I respond, trying to keep the mood light, but there''s an edge in my voice, one I can''t quite hide. "Maybe you¡¯ll get your chance sooner than you think."


    Kyu shoots me a quick look, as if considering whether I¡¯m joking or not. But then he just laughs again, his usual carefree self.


    ¡°Maybe I will,¡± he says, tapping his sword against his leg with a rhythm. ¡°Maybe next time, I¡¯ll make it three.¡±


    Finally back at camp, the exhaustion starts to hit me all at once. I slump down on the ground, running a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the tension of the fight.


    Kyu, however, doesn¡¯t seem phased in the slightest. He¡¯s already digging through my bag, pulling out items like he''s rummaging through a treasure chest. His face lights up when he finds something.


    "FOOD!" Kyu exclaims, holding up a can of beans like it¡¯s the holy grail. "We¡¯re saved!"


    ¡°HEY! That¡¯s mine!¡± I snap, sitting up quickly, my frustration rising. I¡¯ve been hoarding those cans, and now he¡¯s treating them like they¡¯re his personal stash.


    Kyu shrugs, unbothered, and pops the top of the can with a quick flick of his thumb. "You snooze, you lose, my friend."


    He digs in with no shame, letting out an exaggerated sigh of satisfaction. "Mmm, nothing beats a good can of beans after a near-death experience."


    I just stare at him, momentarily speechless. It¡¯s like nothing ever fazes him.


    "Hey, so how many did we kill today?" Kyu asks between mouthfuls, his voice muffled as he chews on the beans. He¡¯s already halfway through the can, clearly more focused on eating than anything else.


    I think for a second, counting it out in my head. "Well, we both killed one," I say, pointing to Kyu and myself. "And Jin killed four, so that¡¯s six in total."


    Kyu swallows his food and looks over at Jin, who¡¯s sitting a little farther away, still wiping blood from his nose. "Damn, Jin¡¯s on fire today," Kyu comments, sounding impressed despite the casual tone.


    "Yeah," I agree, my voice a little distant. "He¡¯s been putting in the work."


    Kyu grins and leans back, hands behind his head. "Guess we¡¯ve got some catching up to do, huh?"


    Jin lets out a frustrated sigh and leans back, rubbing his forehead. "Ahh, I can''t keep this up. That was a one-time wonder. I won''t be able to do something like that again¡ªwell, not until my mana stabilizes outside the zone."


    He stands up with a groan, clearly feeling the weight of his earlier actions. After a moment of rummaging through his bag, he pulls out a loaf of bread. Breaking it in half, he hands one piece to me without a second thought.


    "Honestly, that was dumb of me," Jin continues, his voice quieter now, more reflective. "If I failed or casted even a second later, we all could¡¯ve died."


    I glance at him, sensing the weight of his self-criticism. He¡¯s usually so confident, almost invincible in his own mind, but right now, he¡¯s struggling with the idea of pushing his limits too far.


    "We made it through, Jin," I say, trying to reassure him, even though a part of me knows how close we came to losing everything. "But you¡¯re right. We need to be careful with our strength."


    Kyu, who¡¯d been silently listening in, shrugs, unfazed by the intensity of the conversation. "You did great, Jin. Don¡¯t go beating yourself up."


    I look down at the bread Jin gave me, the warm, simple offering feeling more meaningful than it should. In this moment, Jin and Kyu are the stars of this world¡ªso effortlessly skilled and capable, while I¡¯m just trying to keep up. This isn¡¯t the life I envisioned for myself, but despite everything, I¡¯m thankful for what I have. I glance up at them, caught in another one of their playful arguments, the noise rising between them as usual.


    I don¡¯t know what drives me to speak up, but I do. My voice is firm, steady, even if my heart races with the weight of the words. ¡°I promise I¡¯ll be a Vanguardis and destroy every monster.¡±


    For a moment, there¡¯s silence. Both Jin and Kyu stop mid-argument, turning to look at me. They exchange a glance, and then, without missing a beat, they burst into laughter.


    "BAHAHAHAHAHAH!" they both roar in unison, their laughter echoing through the camp.


    After a beat, they both stop, turning to me with matching grins. In perfect unison, they say, ¡°We¡¯ll be waiting!¡±


    The words hit me like a challenge, and I feel my resolve harden. Even if they¡¯re laughing now, I know they¡¯re not mocking me. They¡¯re acknowledging it. They see something in me, even if they don¡¯t say it outright.


    I nod, a small smile tugging at my lips. "I¡¯ll get there. You¡¯ll see."

 Chapter 8: Urban Survival Trial Day Two

    I feel someone tugging at me, their grip firm and insistent. My body protests, heavy with exhaustion.


    "One more minute¡­" I mumble, barely clinging to wakefulness.


    "Wake up, Mat¡­ We''re surrounded!" Kyu shouts, his voice laced with urgency.


    My eyes snap open, and a chill runs down my spine. The distant sound of low, guttural growls creeps into my ears. Shadows shift in the darkness, surrounding our camp like predators closing in on wounded prey.


    I push myself up, my heart pounding. There¡¯s no time to rest¡ªwe¡¯re already in danger.


    "Fuck, what the fuck¡ªthere are so many of them," I mutter, my pulse hammering in my ears.


    Jin doesn''t hesitate. He tosses me my gauntlets, his expression sharp and focused. "Wear them."


    I barely catch them, my hands still sluggish from sleep. My fingers tremble as I slide them on, the familiar weight snapping me back to reality.


    Kyu grips his longsword tighter. "This isn''t like earlier... There''s way more of them."


    The growls grow louder. Dozens of glowing eyes pierce through the darkness, watching, waiting.


    I tighten my gauntlets, my heart pounding. "So, Jin? Any plans? What do we do?"


    Jin¡¯s eyes scan the shifting shadows, calculating. The Lurkers aren¡¯t rushing in yet¡ªthey¡¯re waiting for something. That¡¯s never a good sign.


    "We can¡¯t outrun them. Fighting¡¯s our only option." He draws his bow, nocking an arrow. "Kyu, you take the left flank. Mat, you stay with me and hold the center. We need to keep moving¡ªdon¡¯t let them surround us."


    Kyu exhales sharply. "Easy for you to say. There''s a damn army out there."


    A low snarl echoes through the ruins. The Lurkers are done waiting.


    Jin pulls back his bowstring, his voice steady. "Get ready."


    Jin¡¯s arrows cut through the air, each shot precise and lethal. The first Stalker collapses mid-leap, its body twisting as it crashes onto the pavement. The second barely has time to react before an arrow pierces its skull, sending it spiraling down. The third lets out a guttural hiss before Jin''s final arrow silences it for good.


    "Watch out! The corpse is falling right on us!" I yell, shoving Kyu aside as one of the bodies crashes into the ground, kicking up dust and debris.


    Kyu scrambles back to his feet, coughing. "Damn, Jin! At least give us a warning before you drop monsters on us!"


    Jin lowers his bow slightly, smirking. "I did. You just weren¡¯t fast enough."


    Before I can respond, another growl rumbles in the distance. More of them.


    "No time to argue. Keep moving!"


    I skid to a stop, my heart hammering in my chest. Kyu stands at the edge of a crumbling overpass, staring down into the darkness below.


    "Shit! Mat, it''s a drop. All the other exits are blocked!" he shouts, panic creeping into his voice.


    I spin around. Lurkers and Stalkers prowl forward, their glowing eyes cutting through the night. The way we came is swarmed. The only path left is down.


    Jin curses under his breath, knocking another arrow. "We either fight or jump. Pick fast."


    Kyu grits his teeth. "Are you insane?! We don¡¯t even know what¡¯s down there!"


    I clench my fists, my gauntlets humming softly in my grip. "Then we find out."


    The monsters screech, closing in. No time to hesitate.


    "Jump!"


    All three of us jump from the third floor, Kyu and I close together, Jin just ahead.


    Just as we¡¯re about to reach the ground, a Lurker leaps from below, swinging its tail and whipping Jin across the street. Spikes fire in our direction.


    Kyu grabs me mid-air, twisting his body to shield me as the spikes tear into his back.


    We crash onto the pavement, rolling from the impact. Kyu groans, his body tense from taking the brunt of the spikes. I push myself up, heart pounding.


    "What the hell are you doing?!" I snap, grabbing his shoulder.


    He coughs, wincing. "Saving your ass, obviously."


    I glance at the spikes lodged in his side, crimson already staining his uniform. "Dumbass! You¡ª"


    A deafening screech cuts me off. I whip my head up.


    The Lurker that blindsided Jin is already repositioning, its tail curling like a whip, ready to strike again.


    Jin groans from the other side of the street, struggling to get up. His bow lies just out of reach.


    The Lurker shifts its attention toward him, muscles tensing. It''s going to lunge.


    "Kyu, can you still move?" I ask, my voice sharp.


    He grits his teeth, forcing himself up. "Yeah. Don''t worry about me."


    No time to argue.


    I sprint forward, my gloves tightening around my fists. I have to get there before the Lurker strikes.


    "SHIT!"


    The Lurker suddenly lunges forward, its massive frame hurtling straight toward me. Before I can react, its weight slams into my chest, sending me flying backward.


    The air rushes out of my lungs as I crash through a crumbling wall, debris raining around me. My back slams into solid concrete, pain flaring through my body.


    Dust fills my vision. My ears ring.


    I groan, forcing myself up. No time to stay down.


    I look at the sight in front of me. It¡¯s like a nest¡ªLurkers crawling over broken concrete, their jagged limbs skittering in the darkness. But mixed among them, I spot Stalkers¡ªtheir glowing eyes locked onto me, their movements eerily calculated.


    "What the fuck."


    I take a deep breath, pushing down the instinct to freeze. No time for hesitation. I jump down, landing with a heavy thud, my knees bending to absorb the impact.


    My chest tightens. Something¡¯s wrong.


    I scan the area, heart pounding.


    "Where are they?" My voice is barely above a whisper. "Jin? Kyu?"


    I reach out, searching¡ªbut I can¡¯t feel them.


    A chill creeps up my spine.


    Why can¡¯t I sense their presence?


    ***


    Inside a dimly lit monitoring station, multiple screens flicker, casting an eerie glow over the tense faces of operators. The rhythmic hum of machinery is suddenly drowned out by a blaring alarm.


    DING! DING! DING!


    Red warning symbols flash across the monitors. Professor Raynor¡¯s fingers tighten around the edge of his desk as his gaze locks onto the largest screen. His breath catches in his throat.


    "No¡­ that¡¯s impossible."


    The screen displays a swarming mass of movement¡ªdozens of Lurkers, at least five Stalkers, and one massive red marker pulsing ominously in the center.


    A Full Monster.


    Professor Raynor¡¯s hands tremble as he snatches his radio. "All units, emergency deployment!" His usually calm voice is now laced with urgency. "This is Professor Raynor! We have a Full Monster at coordinates -30 1255 -111! Repeat, a Full Monster! Get every D.K.F. operative on standby¡ªNOW!"


    The room explodes into motion. Operators scramble to relay orders, their fingers flying across keyboards. A nearby soldier¡ªa blonde-haired D.K.F. officer gripping a longsword at his side¡ªgrits his teeth, his knuckles turning white.


    "A Full Monster? In the middle of the trial?" He turns to his squad. "Move out! We¡¯re clearing a path¡ªif those kids are still breathing, we¡¯re bringing them back!"


    Outside, the heavy doors of the D.K.F. headquarters slam open, and within moments, black-armored figures are sprinting toward waiting transport vehicles. The roar of engines fills the air.


    Time is against them.


    And the battlefield is already drowning in monsters.


    ***


    "Where are they?" My voice is barely above a whisper.


    I can¡¯t stay out in the open for too long¡ªthere are too many of them.


    I hunch behind a rusted car, my breathing shallow, ears straining for any sign of movement. The distant snarls of Lurkers echo through the streets, their shadows flickering against the buildings under the dim, fractured light.


    Something tugs at my left side.


    I glance down.


    "Shit."


    Blood. A slow, steady trickle soaking into my clothes. How long have I been bleeding?


    "Found you¡­ hehe."


    I snap my head up. A figure looms over me¡ªno, not a person. But it looks like one.


    I don¡¯t have time to think. Instinct kicks in. I throw a right hook with everything I have. My fist connects, sending the figure hurtling back down the street, crashing through debris.


    Silence. Then¡ª


    "That isn¡¯t nice."


    The voice comes from behind me.


    A chill runs down my spine. Slowly, I turn.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    He¡¯s smiling.


    At first glance, he looks human¡ªhis posture, his face, even the way he grins. But the longer I stare, the more the details unravel. His skin is too pale, stretched too tightly over his sharp features. His fingers are long and twisted, claws scraping against the pavement. His body is a grotesque fusion of flesh, scale, and exposed bone, his ribs pressing against his thin frame like something barely held together. Spines jut out along his back, shifting with every movement.


    Despite his skeletal build, he moves with an unsettling grace¡ªcontrolled, deliberate. He wasn¡¯t caught off guard.


    He was playing with me.


    He raises his hand with a fluid motion, so fast and effortless that I barely register it. Before I can even react¡ª


    BOOM!


    A single swing of his arm sends me hurtling through the air like a ragdoll. My body crashes through two buildings, shattering glass and concrete before slamming into a third with bone-rattling force. Pain explodes through my back as I crumble to the ground, gasping for breath.


    I grit my teeth and try to push myself up, but a sharp, burning sensation shoots through my side. I glance down¡ªblood. Deep claw marks carve through my torso, fresh and searing.


    I open my eyes¡­


    "I can¡¯t see¡­ I CAN¡¯T SE¡ª"


    COUGH


    A sharp, wet pain tears through my chest. Something warm dribbles from my lips. Blood.


    Fuck.


    I can¡¯t see. I can¡¯t move. My body feels like it''s sinking into the ground, the weight of my own limbs unbearable. Every breath is a struggle, every heartbeat a dull thud in my ears.


    Is this it?


    "Hahaha, giving up already~?"


    His voice is sickly sweet, almost playful. Footsteps echo through the ruined street, slow and deliberate.


    I try to move¡ªanything¡ªbut my body won¡¯t respond. My vision is still gone, darkness swallowing everything.


    "It was fun while it lasted," he continues, his tone laced with amusement, "but now... I have to take you."


    A clawed hand grips my arm. Cold. Unnatural.


    I gasp, my chest tightening as a sudden wave of heat surges through me. My skin feels like it''s boiling, my insides churning like molten metal.


    "HooooooooTTTT!" The scream rips from my throat.


    I can¡¯t see. I can¡¯t move. But I can feel everything¡ªtoo much. My breath is ragged, each inhale scorching my lungs.


    The monster steps back, its previous amusement fading.


    "Hm." It exhales, studying me like a curious predator. "Interesting..."


    I feel hot... I feel stronger¡­ Is this a gift?


    I won¡¯t let it go to waste.


    Gritting my teeth, I push myself up. My muscles scream in protest, but the heat surging through me drowns out the pain. My vision is still hazy, but I don¡¯t need my eyes to know where he is¡ªI can feel him.


    I activate Foresight.


    In an instant, the full monster¡¯s movements become clear in my mind, like a puzzle falling into place. Every twitch of its elongated fingers, every shift of its hunched form¡ªI see it all before it happens.


    I tighten my fists.


    This time, I won¡¯t be the one getting thrown.


    I lunge forward, the heat inside me roaring like an unchained wildfire. My body moves before I can even think, instincts sharper than ever. The Full Monster barely has time to react before my fists collide with its grotesque form.


    A sickening crack echoes through the street as my first punch lands, sending a ripple through its disfigured body. It stumbles, but I don¡¯t stop. I won¡¯t stop. I slam my other fist into its ribcage, feeling something snap beneath my knuckles.


    The creature screeches¡ªa guttural, distorted sound that makes my skin crawl¡ªbut I press forward, my fists blurring as I unleash everything I have. Blow after blow, each strike stronger than the last, fueled by this newfound energy coursing through my veins.


    It swings its elongated claws at me in a desperate attempt to retaliate, but I weave past it effortlessly, my body lighter, faster. Without thinking, I drive my knee into its stomach, forcing it backward. The ground cracks beneath us as I launch a brutal uppercut, sending its hunched body skidding across the pavement.


    I stand there, chest rising and falling, fists clenched so tight my nails dig into my skin. For the first time, I¡¯m not the one getting tossed around.


    For the first time, I¡¯m the one doing the damage.


    Fuck... I''m losing consciousness.


    My vision flickers, darkness creeping in at the edges. My body feels like it¡¯s burning from the inside out, but I grit my teeth. I can¡¯t stop now. If I do, I¡¯m dead.


    I force my legs to move, pushing past the pain. The ground cracks beneath my feet as I launch myself forward, faster than before. The Full Monster is already recovering, its twisted form hunched over, those clawed fingers twitching.


    No. I won¡¯t give it the chance.


    I twist my body mid-air, driving my fist straight into its jaw. The impact is deafening. The monster¡¯s head snaps back, a spray of black ichor bursting from its mouth. But I don¡¯t stop. I can¡¯t stop.


    I spin, delivering a crushing kick to its ribs, sending it hurtling into a nearby building. The walls shatter on impact, debris raining down around us. I land, barely keeping my balance, my breaths ragged. My vision blurs again, but I push forward, stumbling toward the wreckage.


    I need to finish this.


    The pavement cracks beneath my feet as I push forward. Every muscle in my body screams, but the fire inside me roars louder. My vision blurs at the edges, but my focus remains locked on the creature in front of me.


    It stands there, watching, as if daring me to come closer.


    Then it moves.


    The Full Monster surges forward, its elongated arms snapping toward me like whips. I duck beneath the first swipe, feeling the air shatter above me from the force. My instincts scream¡ªleft!¡ªI twist just in time to dodge another claw aiming for my throat.


    Now!


    I throw a punch straight into its ribs, putting everything I have into it. The impact sends a shockwave through my arm, but the monster barely flinches.


    Shit.


    Its arm whips around¡ªtoo fast!¡ªI barely bring my gauntlet up before the claws rake across my chest. Sparks fly as metal screeches against bone. The force sends me skidding backward, boots dragging against the concrete.


    I plant my feet and lunge again, twisting mid-stride. Foresight. I see the next attack before it happens¡ªa clawed hand reaching for my leg.


    I leap, vaulting over the monster, twisting in the air to bring my fist crashing down onto its head.


    BOOM!


    The creature''s skull slams into the pavement, cracks forming beneath it. But before I can follow up, its tail whips around¡ª


    Too late.


    The spikes hit. Burning pain erupts in my side as I¡¯m flung backward, tumbling across the street. My breath leaves me in a choked gasp as I roll to a stop, the world spinning.


    Move!


    I force myself up, blinking away the haze. The monster is already standing again, hunched, those human-like eyes gleaming with something I can¡¯t place.


    Amusement?


    Mockery?


    It licks the blood off its claws. My blood.


    "You¡¯re still standing?" it rasps, tilting its head. "That¡¯s new."


    I wipe my mouth, tasting copper. My arms shake. My body feels like it¡¯s being held together by sheer will. But that fire inside me¡ªit won¡¯t go out. If anything, it''s getting stronger.


    I crack my neck, spitting blood onto the pavement.


    "Yeah," I growl, rolling my shoulders. "And you¡¯re still ugly."


    The monster''s grin widens, and then we both move at the same time¡ª


    One last round.


    My body trembles, muscles screaming, lungs burning. I can barely hold myself up. Every breath feels like shards of glass scraping against my throat.


    FUCK! One more¡­ please¡­


    I grit my teeth, but my body refuses to move. My arms feel like lead, my legs shaking under their own weight. The fire that once kept me going¡ªit''s gone.


    The heat fades.


    Now, it''s just cold.


    A deep, bone-chilling cold that seeps into every fiber of my being.


    Is this it? Is this how I go?


    Is this thing going to kill me?


    I stare at the Full Monster as it lumbers toward me, its grotesque body still knitting itself back together. Flesh twists, bones realign, and the wounds I fought so hard to inflict vanish like they were never there.


    "You did well¡ª"


    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


    A deafening roar of gunfire drowns out the silence. The monster flinches, its regenerating flesh blasted apart by the relentless barrage.


    I blink.


    Huh? Guns?


    I exhale, a shaky laugh escaping my lips.


    "I''m saved¡­ hah¡­ D.K.F, is it?"


    Relief washes over me, but my body refuses to hold on any longer. The weight of exhaustion crashes down like a collapsing building. My vision blurs, the world spinning as the last remnants of adrenaline fade.


    Everything fades into darkness.


    No pain. No sound. Just an empty void, pulling me deeper.


    Then¡ªsomething. A distant, rhythmic beeping. Soft at first, like an echo in a dream. Then louder. Steady. Persistent. My fingers twitch, but my body feels heavy, like I¡¯m sinking into the bed. My limbs are sluggish, weighed down by exhaustion.


    A sharp, sterile scent fills my nose. Antiseptic. Disinfectant. Hospitals.


    I¡¯m¡­ alive?


    The realization seeps in slowly, like water filling a cracked vessel. My mind is sluggish, but memories flicker¡ªflashes of battle, the Full Monster regenerating, the gunfire. D.K.F.


    What happened?


    My eyelids feel like they¡¯re made of stone, but I force them open. White ceiling. Fluorescent lights hum overhead, casting a dull glow. The faint whir of machines fills the silence.


    I shift slightly, and a sharp sting spreads through my body. Every muscle protests, aching in ways I didn¡¯t even know were possible. My throat is dry, sandpaper scraping against raw flesh.


    I try to speak, but only a hoarse croak escapes.


    Where am I?


    The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor keeps me grounded. I turn my head slowly, my vision still adjusting. An IV line is taped to my arm, clear liquid dripping steadily into my veins. Bandages wrap around my chest, my arms¡ªprobably my legs too.


    D.K.F. saved me. They must have brought me here.


    But then a chilling thought creeps into my mind.


    What happened to the Full Monster?


    I hear the door creak open and instinctively turn my head. Standing in the doorway is Professor Raynor.


    "I''m not gonna drag this any longer. Good news¡ªyou¡¯re alive, and we managed to kill another Full Monster. Bad news¡ªJin and Kyu are missing."


    Professor Raynor¡¯s voice was steady, but the weight behind his words hit like a sledgehammer. My body ached, the lingering pain from battle making every breath feel like a chore, but that didn¡¯t matter. The second I registered what he said, my mind snapped into focus.


    I pushed myself up, my muscles protesting every movement. "What do you mean missing?" My voice came out rough, my throat dry, but I didn''t care.


    Raynor sighed, crossing his arms. "I mean exactly that. No one has seen them since the attack. We searched the entire area, but there was no sign of them. No bodies, no trails¡ªnothing."


    Nothing.


    The word sent a chill down my spine. My last memory before blacking out was the chaos of battle¡ªthe roar of the Full Monster, the ground shaking beneath me, the desperate struggle just to stay alive. Jin and Kyu had been there, fighting alongside us. I remembered Jin shouting something, Kyu darting past me, and then¡ªblackness.


    I clenched my fists, my heartbeat hammering against my ribs. "How long have I been out?"


    "Almost a full day," Raynor said. "We¡¯ve been searching since the fight ended, but it¡¯s like they vanished."


    A day. A whole day where Jin and Kyu could¡¯ve been injured, trapped, or worse¡ªdragged off by something lurking in the ruins.


    I swung my legs off the cot, wincing as pain shot through me. "Then we need to keep looking."


    Raynor¡¯s expression darkened. "We¡¯ve already sent out scouting teams. Right now, you need to rest."


    "Rest?" I shot him a glare. "Jin and Kyu could be¡ª"


    "I know," Raynor interrupted, his voice firm. "But running off without a plan won¡¯t help anyone. We don''t even know if they were taken, if they ran, or if something else happened." He exhaled, rubbing his temples. "I understand how you feel, Mat. But if we go in blind, we¡¯ll just be adding more bodies to the list."


    I gritted my teeth, frustration boiling in my chest. Sitting around waiting wasn¡¯t an option. Not when my friends were missing.


    Raynor studied me for a moment before sighing. "We move at dawn. Until then, get your strength back."


    Dawn. It wasn¡¯t soon enough, but it was better than nothing.


    Still, as I lay back, my mind refused to settle.


    Jin and Kyu were out there, somewhere.


    And I was going to find them.


    Wait¡­ how can I see?


    The thought lingered, creeping in like a shadow at the edge of my mind. I remembered the fight¡ªhow the Full Monster¡¯s attack had landed, the burning pain that followed, and then... darkness. The last thing I saw was the distorted blur of movement before everything went black. I was sure I had lost my sight.


    But now, I could see clearly.


    I blinked, my breath hitching as I raised a trembling hand in front of my face. My vision wasn¡¯t just back¡ªit was sharp, clearer than before. Every detail stood out, from the fine cracks in the ceiling to the faint scars on Raynor¡¯s knuckles.


    I swallowed hard.


    "I¡­ I was blind," I muttered, more to myself than to Raynor


    "You said something?"


    Raynor''s voice pulled me back.


    "No¡­ hahaha." I forced out a laugh, shaking my head. "Just talking to myself."


    He gave me a look, the kind that told me he wasn¡¯t buying it but wasn¡¯t going to push. Fine by me¡ªI needed time to process this.


    Healing magic could mend wounds, stop bleeding, even restore broken bones. But sight? I had never heard of anyone regaining their vision after losing it.


    And yet, here I was.


    I flexed my fingers, staring at them like they held the answer. This wasn¡¯t normal. Something had changed. Something was different.


    But right now, Jin and Kyu were still missing. That had to come first.


    I pushed the thought to the back of my mind and looked up at Raynor. "So, what¡¯s the plan?"


    "What plan?"


    "To save Jin and Kyu?"


    "Ah that.. Sorry mat but we cant do anything about that only the D.K.F can"


    "Call my dad."


    Raynor''s expression didn''t change, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes¡ªunderstanding, maybe. He gave a small nod.


    "That, I can do," he said simply.


    I exhaled, barely realizing I''d been holding my breath. My father wasn''t just some random soldier¡ªhe had connections, influence. If the D.K.F were the only ones allowed to act, then I needed someone who could make them move.


    As Raynor stepped away, I clenched my fists, my mind racing. I wasn¡¯t going to just sit here and wait.


    Jin and Kyu were out there.


    And I was going to bring them back.


    "Son."


    Before I could react, my father pulled me into a crushing hug.


    "Agh¡ªIt hurts! It hurts! Let go!" I wheezed, feeling like my ribs were about to crack all over again.


    He immediately loosened his grip but kept his hands firmly on my shoulders, scanning me with sharp eyes. "You look like hell," he muttered.


    "Thanks, Dad. Really needed to hear that," I groaned, rubbing my sore arms.


    His expression softened, but only slightly. "Raynor filled me in. Jin and Kyu are missing?"


    I nodded, my jaw tightening. "And no one¡¯s doing anything about it. They¡¯re just waiting for the D.K.F to decide if it¡¯s ¡®worth it.¡¯"


    His face darkened, and I knew that was all he needed to hear.


    "Then we¡¯re not waiting," he said. "I¡¯ll handle this."


    "Really? Thank you, Dad¡­" My voice came out quieter than I expected, the weight of everything catching up to me.


    "You''re welcome," he said, his grip on my shoulders firm. But then his expression hardened. "But I can''t make promises that they''ll be back alive."


    His words hit like a cold knife to the gut. I knew he was just being honest, but hearing it out loud made it feel more real.


    "I know," I muttered, clenching my fists. "But if there''s even a chance, we have to try."


    He nodded. "We will."


    For the first time since waking up, I felt a flicker of hope.


    I watched him leave the room, his footsteps fading down the hall.


    Then¡ªsilence.


    The kind that weighed heavy, pressing down on my chest. The kind that made my thoughts louder.


    "What can I even do?" I sighed, leaning back against the cot. "I''m injured¡­ I can only hope that my dad finds them."


    The words tasted bitter. I hated feeling powerless. Sitting here, waiting¡ªit wasn¡¯t me. But no matter how much I wanted to move, to act, my body reminded me of my limits. Every ache, every dull throb was a painful reminder that I wasn¡¯t in any condition to fight.


    Frustration boiled in my chest, but I forced myself to take a slow breath. Right now, all I could do was wait.


    And I hated it.

 Chapter 9: Body Tempering Technique

    Two weeks have passed since I was hospitalized. My muscles are still sore, a dull ache settling deep into my bones, but the cuts and wounds that once covered my body have healed, leaving behind only faint scars as proof that it happened at all.


    Time in the hospital feels like an endless blur. The days blend together, marked only by the mechanical beeping of monitors, the muffled footsteps of nurses, and the sterile scent of disinfectant. I lost track of how many times I woke up in the middle of the night, expecting to hear the sounds of battle, only to be greeted by silence.


    At some point during my stay, graduation happened. I missed it.


    I should care more. I should be upset that I never got to stand on that stage, to hear my name called, to walk forward like the others and accept my place in the world. But none of that matters now.


    Because I wasn¡¯t the only one who missed it.


    Jin¡­ Kyu¡­


    Their names weigh heavy on my mind, like an open wound that refuses to heal. I don¡¯t know where they are, what happened to them after everything fell apart. But I will find them.


    I swear it.


    I clench my fists, feeling the stiffness in my fingers. My body is weak¡ªtoo weak. If I had been stronger, maybe things would have been different. Maybe I wouldn¡¯t have been the one lying in this bed while they were out there, lost or worse.


    The thought gnaws at me, fuels the fire in my chest. I swing my legs over the side of the bed, testing my strength. My body protests, muscles tensing from disuse, but I push through it. Pain is nothing compared to what I¡¯ve lost.


    I won¡¯t sit here wasting time.


    If I want to keep my promise, I have to be stronger.


    <h4>I Have to Start Training.</h4>


    There¡¯s no time to hesitate. No time to second-guess myself.


    I throw the sack over my shoulders, the weight slamming down like a hammer on my spine. Rocks¡ªdozens of them¡ªeach one heavy, each one a reminder of my failure.


    And I run.


    The first few steps are easy. The morning air is crisp, cool against my skin. The dirt road stretches ahead, bathed in the dim glow of sunrise. But the weight behind me drags at my muscles, pressing down on my shoulders, pulling me backward with every step.


    Within minutes, my lungs burn. My legs feel heavier, like they¡¯re wrapped in chains. The rope bites into my skin, the rough fibers rubbing against my collarbone. Sweat drips down my forehead, stinging my eyes.


    But I can¡¯t stop.


    Jin and Kyu wouldn¡¯t stop.


    I dig my heels into the ground and push forward, ignoring the sharp pain stabbing through my sides. My breath comes in ragged gasps, my body screaming for relief, but I refuse to listen.


    Weakness is the enemy.


    Weakness is why I ended up in that hospital bed.


    Weakness is why I lost them.


    And weakness is something I will never allow again.


    I push harder. My vision blurs. Every step feels like I¡¯m carrying a mountain, but I grit my teeth and keep moving.


    Because stopping means accepting that I¡¯m not strong enough.


    And I refuse to accept that.


    By the time I reach the base of the mountain, my body is a shaking mess. My knees threaten to buckle, my hands tremble, my breath barely fills my lungs. The sack of stones hits the ground with a dull thud, but I barely feel the relief.


    Because this is only the beginning.


    I place my hands against the jagged rock, my fingers searching for a hold. The stone is rough, uneven, cold beneath my fingertips.


    I tighten my grip¡ª


    And start climbing.


    The first pull is excruciating. My arms, already weak from running, struggle to lift my weight. My fingers scrape against the sharp surface, skin breaking, but I don¡¯t stop. I can¡¯t stop.


    Higher.


    I grit my teeth, hauling myself up inch by inch. My muscles scream. My arms shake. Every movement is a battle against exhaustion.


    Higher.


    The wind howls around me, sharp and biting. My grip slips¡ªjust for a second¡ªbut I catch myself before I can fall. My chest is tight, my head spinning, but I force myself to keep going.


    Higher.


    The sun creeps higher in the sky, burning against my skin. Sweat soaks my clothes. My breath is shallow, my vision narrowing to nothing but the rock ahead.


    I climb until my arms feel like they¡¯ll rip from their sockets.


    I climb until I can barely breathe.


    And when I finally reach the peak, I collapse.


    My body hits the ground, and for a moment, all I hear is the rush of blood in my ears, the pounding of my heartbeat against my skull. The world spins around me. I try to move, but nothing responds.


    I¡¯m drained.


    But it¡¯s not enough.


    I still feel weak.


    I close my eyes. Focus. My body may be at its limit, but my mind can¡¯t be.


    I slow my breathing. Inhale. Exhale.


    And I start listening.


    The rustling of leaves. The distant chirp of a bird. The soft whisper of wind against stone.


    I push deeper.


    I need to be faster.


    I need to sense what¡¯s coming before it happens.


    There¡ªa flicker of movement before it begins.


    A shift in the air, a second before the wind picks up.


    The branch bending before the force touches it.


    I almost have it. I almost¡ª


    Gone.


    The sensation vanishes like smoke, slipping through my fingers. My eyes snap open, frustration boiling in my chest.


    I clench my fists, nails digging into my palms.


    Not enough.


    Never enough.


    I force myself to my feet, legs shaking beneath me. My breath is shallow, my body screaming for rest, but I don¡¯t care.


    If my body won¡¯t keep up, I¡¯ll make it.


    I tighten my gauntlets.


    And I start throwing punches.


    One after another.


    Faster.


    Harder.


    Every impact echoes through the mountain air, the force of each strike rattling up my arms. My knuckles bruise. The pain shoots up to my shoulders. My body wants to collapse.


    I don¡¯t care.


    Faster.


    Stronger.


    Again. Again. Again.


    I keep going, ignoring the pain, ignoring the fatigue¡ªignoring the part of me that wants to give up.


    I can¡¯t give up.


    I won¡¯t.


    And then¡ª


    CRACK.


    Everything stops.


    I freeze, chest heaving, breath sharp and uneven.


    I look down at my hands.


    My gauntlets.


    The metal has fractured, jagged lines splitting across the surface, pieces crumbling away. The weapon I relied on¡ªbroken.


    Just like me.


    I stare at them, my mind blank, my breath catching in my throat. I should be angry. I should feel something.


    But all I feel is¡ª


    Empty.


    The last bit of strength drains from my legs, and I sink to my knees. My hands tremble as I reach out, fingers grazing over the ruined metal.


    Everything I¡¯ve done¡ªeverything I¡¯ve trained for¡ª


    And I still feel weak.


    My vision blurs. My shoulders tremble. My chest tightens, and before I can stop myself, the first tear falls.


    Then another.


    And another.


    A choked sob rips from my throat, raw and broken. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to hold it in, trying to stay strong¡ª


    But the dam has already burst.


    The weight of it all crashes down at once. The exhaustion, the frustration, the helplessness, the fear.


    What if I¡¯ll never be strong enough?


    What if I¡¯ll never find them?


    What if I¡¯m just fooling myself?


    I clench my fists, nails digging into my skin, but the shaking won¡¯t stop.


    I am weak.


    I am still weak.


    And I hate it.


    I let out a broken, shuddering breath, staring at the shattered remains of my gauntlets.


    Then, I wipe my eyes, drag in a shaky inhale¡ª


    And stand up.


    Because I have to keep going.


    Even if it breaks me a thousand times over¡ª


    I will not stop.


    Not until I find them.


    I trained until my body couldn¡¯t move.


    The world around me blurred, edges fading like ink dissolving in water. My breaths came ragged, shallow, each inhale scraping against my lungs. My limbs burned, my muscles locking up, but I refused to stop.


    I forced my legs to move, even as they trembled beneath me. I clenched my fists, even as the pain in my knuckles turned sharp, raw. My vision swam, black spots creeping in at the edges.


    Just a little more.


    One more punch.


    One more second.


    I stumbled. My foot barely caught the ground, knees buckling under my own weight. The air around me felt heavy, pressing down like an invisible force. My arms dangled uselessly at my sides, every muscle screaming for relief.


    But I still refused to give in.


    I tried to raise my fists¡ªone more strike.


    My body didn¡¯t listen.


    My legs crumpled beneath me, the world tilting sideways. I hit the ground, the impact barely registering through the fog in my mind. My heart pounded in my chest, erratic and uneven, my pulse roaring in my ears.


    Stay awake.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    I forced my eyes open, but the darkness swallowed my vision. My fingers twitched, barely responding. My thoughts blurred, slipping away like sand through my fingers.


    I have to keep going.


    I have to¡ª


    Everything faded.


    And then, nothing.


    "Mat... Mat... Wake up..."


    A voice drifts through the haze of my unconsciousness, distant at first, then clearer, more insistent. A hand rests on my shoulder, shaking me gently.


    Huh? Who¡¯s waking me up?


    I force my heavy eyelids open, my vision blurring before settling on a familiar face. My father stands over me, his sharp eyes watching with that unreadable expression he always wears. The dim light in the room makes his features look even sterner than usual.


    "It seems like you overdid yourself, huh?"


    His voice is calm, but there¡¯s a slight edge to it¡ªsomething between disappointment and concern.


    I blink a few times, my mind sluggish, trying to process what¡¯s happening. My body feels like it''s been put through a grinder. Every muscle aches, my limbs weighted down as if I¡¯m still half-asleep. A dull throbbing sits at the back of my head, making it harder to think.


    "Huh? I''m at home?"


    I glance around, my eyes adjusting to the dimness of my room. The same walls, the same furniture. My old wooden desk sits untouched in the corner, a pile of books stacked neatly on one side. My training gear is scattered near the door¡ªgauntlets, weights, a pair of running shoes that have seen better days. The smell of faintly lingering sweat and dried blood sticks to my clothes.


    I exhale slowly. This is definitely my room. But¡­ how?


    "You don¡¯t even remember coming back?" my father asks, crossing his arms. His voice is measured, but I can hear the hint of irritation behind it.


    I try to dig through my memories, but everything after training is a blur. What was I even doing?


    Flashes come back in pieces. My fists aching. Sweat dripping down my back. My breath coming in ragged gasps as I pushed myself harder. My entire body screaming in protest, but my mind refusing to listen.


    Then¡ªnothing. Just blackness.


    I rub my temples, trying to shake off the fog in my brain. "I... I guess not."


    My father sighs. "You collapsed."


    I tense.


    "You were out cold in the training yard. Your brother had to carry you back."


    Tch. Of course, he did.


    I clench my jaw, already picturing the smug look my brother probably had while hauling me back here. That¡¯s just perfect. Another reason for him to look down on me, to remind me how weak I still am.


    "How long was I out?" I ask, voice hoarse.


    "A few hours," my father answers. "Long enough for me to wonder if you''d wake up on your own."


    I inhale sharply through my nose. Damn it.


    The soreness in my body is proof enough that I pushed too hard. But I can¡¯t stop. Not now. Not when I still have so far to go. If I let my body decide when to stop, I¡¯ll never catch up to the people ahead of me.


    I grit my teeth and push myself upright. Pain flares through my muscles like fire, my vision going white for a second. My arms tremble, and I have to steady myself with a deep breath. But I refuse to collapse again.


    "I know you''re doing this for Kyu and Jin," my father says, his tone softer now, almost weary. "But rest is also important. Don¡¯t forget that."


    I lower my head, clenching my fists. Rest? How can I rest when I wasn¡¯t strong enough? When I had to watch them suffer, powerless to stop it? The memories flash through my mind¡ªthe fight, the monster, the pain.


    "I know that, Dad¡­ It''s just¡­ if I was stronger¡­" My voice trails off, frustration tightening in my chest.


    "Stronger? What are you talking about?" My father steps closer, his gaze firm. "You managed to damage a full monster enough for the D.K.F to kill it instantly. I¡¯d say you''re pretty strong."


    I shake my head, my nails digging into my palms. "That wasn''t even my power¡­ All I remember was my body heating up. And if I was really strong, why couldn''t I get back up and save them?"


    The words hang in the air, heavier than I expected. My father stays quiet for a moment, watching me. I can¡¯t bring myself to look at him.


    Because deep down, I know the truth.


    I wasn¡¯t strong enough.


    And that thought alone makes my stomach twist.


    "Not your power? Your body heating up?" My father suddenly lets out a short, rough laugh. "Pahahaha! Don¡¯t make me laugh. Of course that¡¯s your power!"


    I look up at him, confused. He shakes his head, crossing his arms as if I just said the dumbest thing he¡¯s ever heard.


    "That¡¯s the Body Tempering Technique," he says, smirking. "Your body isn¡¯t just heating up for no reason. It¡¯s responding to the way you''ve trained it. That feeling you had¡ªit¡¯s the first sign that you''re starting to unlock it."


    Body Tempering¡­? My head is still foggy, and my thoughts are slow to catch up, but I can tell from the way he¡¯s looking at me that he¡¯s completely serious.


    Before I can process it, his expression softens just slightly. "And listen, it wasn¡¯t your fault that we lost them. It was ours."


    I feel my chest tighten at his words.


    "If you really know your friends," he continues, "you¡¯d know that they can handle themselves. So stop acting like it¡¯s all on you, and cheer up, kid."


    I understood what my father was saying. The logic made sense. Kyu and Jin weren¡¯t weak, and it wasn¡¯t like I had just stood there and done nothing. But still¡­


    I grit my teeth, staring down at my hands.


    I still wasn¡¯t strong enough.


    No matter what he says, that fact won''t change.


    But there¡¯s something else that won¡¯t leave my mind.


    "What¡¯s Body Tempering Technique?" I finally ask, looking up at him.


    My father raises an eyebrow before letting out a small sigh. "Guess I shouldn¡¯t be surprised you don¡¯t know. That school of yours probably doesn''t teach much."


    He pulls up a chair and sits down, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "Alright, listen up. I¡¯ll explain."


    "Long ago, there was a man named Rheon¡ªa martial artist, or what we now call a Vertius. Back then, martial artists were seen as the weakest warriors, dismissed as useless compared to those who could wield mana. But Rheon refused to accept that. He wanted to prove that martial artists could stand on equal ground with the strongest fighters.


    "So, he dedicated his life to finding a way to strengthen the body beyond its natural limits. He sought out every possible method, pushing himself further than anyone before him. That¡¯s when he made a discovery¡ªunder extreme strain, the body begins to heat up.


    "He realized something important: when metal is heated, it becomes easier to shape, but if you just keep hammering it without care, it will eventually break. The body works the same way. But unlike iron, when the body ¡®breaks¡¯ under pressure, it rebuilds itself even stronger.


    "This became the foundation of the Body Tempering Technique. By training under extreme strain¡ªpushing the body to its absolute limits¡ªone could force it to break and then rebuild, becoming stronger with each cycle.


    "Rheon mastered this process, enduring it over and over again until he reached the ninth stage, a level no one else has ever attained. Even now, the highest-ranked Vertius using the Body Tempering Technique has only reached the sixth stage. And that¡¯s the absolute limit of our current era."


    "How did he know what stage he was at?"


    "He felt it," my father said simply. "Each time he broke past his limits, it was like shedding an old skin and stepping into something new. He described it as a fresh layer forming over him¡ªstronger, tougher, more refined. It wasn¡¯t just physical, either. His movements became sharper, his senses more refined. It was as if his entire body was evolving with each stage."


    I let his words sink in. A new layer... something tangible yet unseen. If that was true, then¡ª


    "Does that mean I¡¯ve reached the first stage?" I ask hesitantly.


    My father studies me for a moment, then smirks. "You tell me. Have you felt it?"


    I hesitate, thinking back to the battle, the burning sensation, the moment my body moved on its own. Was that the start of something?


    I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to focus inward. If what my father said was true, then there should be something¡ªsome kind of sign.


    I search for it, reaching past the exhaustion weighing down my body, past the lingering soreness in my muscles. I focus on the warmth I had felt back then, the burning sensation that had spread through me in the heat of battle.


    At first, there¡¯s nothing. Just silence and the steady rhythm of my breathing. But then¡ª


    There it is. A faint heat, like embers buried beneath the surface. It¡¯s not the same blazing fire I had felt before, but it¡¯s there, resting within me. And something else, too¡ªa strange sensation, almost like an invisible layer wrapped around my body. It¡¯s subtle, barely noticeable, but the longer I concentrate, the more I can feel it.


    I slowly open my eyes. "I think¡­ I feel something," I say hesitantly. "It¡¯s like a thin layer over me. Like a second skin."


    My father grins. "Then congratulations, kid." He leans back, arms crossed. "Welcome to the first stage of Body Tempering."


    "Thanks¡­ What stage are you even on?"


    My father chuckles, but there''s something almost mischievous in his expression. "It''s best to not know," he says, laughing.


    Before I can question him further, he suddenly slaps me hard on the back, nearly knocking the breath out of me.


    "Now then," he says, his tone shifting, "that gauntlet of yours doesn¡¯t seem to be working anymore, eh?"


    We both look down at my hands. My gauntlets, once sturdy and reliable, are now riddled with holes, the metal bent and cracked from the strain of my last fight. The mana gem embedded in them flickers weakly, as if barely holding on.


    "Y-yeah¡­" I mutter, flexing my fingers. Even with the damage, they still feel like an extension of me¡ªbut I know they won¡¯t last much longer.


    My father clicks his tongue. "Tch. Looks like it''s time for an upgrade."


    He pulls out his phone and dials a number. The moment the call connects, he speaks casually, as if this isn¡¯t the first time he¡¯s made this kind of request.


    "Hey, Keldar. Need a quick favor." He glances at my gauntlets again, shaking his head. "My son''s gauntlets are already busted. Make him a new pair. I¡¯ll pay for it."


    There¡¯s a brief pause as he listens to the response on the other end.


    "Yeah¡­ Yeah¡­" He nods a few times before smirking. "Make ¡®em durable. Kid¡¯s got potential, but he breaks things too damn fast."


    I roll my eyes, but I can¡¯t argue. I did push my gauntlets beyond their limits.


    My father continues, "Two days? Fine. Just make sure they¡¯re ready before he gets himself into another mess."


    He ends the call and pockets his phone before looking at me. "Well, that¡¯s settled. You¡¯ll have a new pair soon."


    I exhale, relieved. My gauntlets have been with me for a while now, but if I¡¯m going to get stronger, I¡¯ll need something that can keep up.


    "Ah! Crap, looks like I have to go," my father suddenly says, glancing at the time.


    "Wait, Dad, can I go with you?" I ask quickly. "I wanna see where you work."


    He stops mid-step, turning to look at me with a raised eyebrow. For a second, I think he''s going to say no, but then he smirks.


    "You sure? It¡¯s not exactly the safest place for a kid like you."


    I frown. "I literally fought a full monster."


    He lets out a chuckle. "Fair point. But don¡¯t complain if things get rough."


    He grabs his jacket and heads for the door. I quickly follow, not wanting to miss this chance. I''ve always wondered where my father worked¡ªwhat kind of place needed someone like him.


    And now, I was finally about to find out.


    "Get in the car."


    We both slip inside, and the engine rumbles to life as my father pulls out onto the road. I watch the familiar streets fade behind us, but soon, I notice something strange¡ªwe¡¯re not taking the usual route into the city. Instead, we¡¯re heading toward the outskirts, where the buildings thin out and open fields stretch for miles.


    "Where are we going? Most people don¡¯t come through here," I ask, glancing at him.


    "That¡¯s the point," he replies without looking away from the road. "The D.K.F office needs open space¡ªand, well, not a lot of people."


    I nod, though my curiosity only grows. I always knew he worked for the D.K.F, but he never talked about what he did there. I had assumed he was just another high ranking soldier, another warrior fighting to keep things in order. But if their headquarters was somewhere this isolated, away from the public eye¡­ then maybe his role was more important than I thought.


    I glance at him again. "What exactly do you do there, Dad?"


    For a moment, he doesn¡¯t answer. Then, with a small smirk, he says, "You¡¯ll see soon enough."


    We slow down as we approach a heavily guarded gate. A group of armed officers stands at attention, their uniforms pitch black, with the D.K.F insignia emblazoned on their chests. One of them steps forward, saluting sharply.


    "Sir! Good morning, sir!"


    I blink. Sir?


    My father nods in acknowledgment, not even rolling down the window. The gate slides open without hesitation, and we drive through.


    Beyond the gate, a massive building looms over us¡ªtall, sleek, and completely black, like a fortress carved out of shadow. Its sheer size is overwhelming, and something about it feels¡­ heavy, as if the very air around it is thicker, charged with something I can¡¯t quite describe.


    I swallow, suddenly aware of just how serious this place is.


    "So," I mutter, staring up at the towering structure. "This is the D.K.F headquarters¡­"


    My father smirks. "Welcome to where the real work happens."


    As we pass through the gate, the D.K.F headquarters looms before us¡ªa monolithic structure of black stone, standing like an immovable fortress. Its jagged architecture feels less like a building and more like a stronghold, carved from the very foundation of the earth itself. The walls shimmer faintly, not from artificial lights but from mana-infused runes, pulsing in rhythmic intervals as if alive.


    The air around the building is heavy, charged with an unseen force. Barrier formations hum softly, their presence invisible to the untrained eye but unmistakable to those who can sense mana. Towering pillars inscribed with ancient sigils stand like sentinels around the perimeter, forming an intricate web of magical defense that repels unwanted intruders.


    At each entrance, D.K.F warriors stand vigilant, clad in black, mana-woven armor that shifts with their movements. Some hold weapons forged from refined etherite, crackling softly with power, while others simply rest their hands on the hilts of swords that hum with latent energy. High above, faint blue orbs float silently along the walls¡ªmana-sensing sentries, detecting even the slightest trace of an unfamiliar presence.


    As we pull into a private lot, my father steps out first, and I quickly follow. The moment we leave the vehicle, I feel a subtle pressure against my skin¡ªa protective enchantment woven into the very air around us. I can barely see it, but the faint shimmer in the atmosphere tells me it¡¯s some kind of screening spell, filtering out harmful entities or potential threats.


    "Dad," I murmur, still absorbing the sheer presence of this place, "this is¡­ intense."


    He smirks, adjusting his coat. "The D.K.F isn¡¯t just some organization, Mat. It¡¯s a stronghold. A warfront. You don¡¯t want to be inside unless you belong here."


    A set of reinforced double doors, each carved with intricate rune patterns, slides open as we approach. Two guards stationed outside nod respectfully, their gazes sharp but controlled. The instant my father steps past the threshold, the runes on the doors flare briefly, reacting to his presence before dimming again.


    Inside, the D.K.F headquarters is just as imposing as the outside¡ªstone corridors lined with torches infused with perpetual mana flames, their eerie glow casting flickering shadows on the dark walls. The floors are polished obsidian, reflecting the faint blue energy that runs along the veins of the structure. Unlike the outside world, where technology and machinery are common, everything here feels ancient yet powerful, as if the very foundation was built from generations of accumulated mana.


    People move with purpose¡ªwarriors, tacticians, and scholars, each wearing insignias that denote their rank and role. Some carry spell-bound scrolls, their surfaces glowing with enchanted text, while others whisper incantations as they work, manipulating mana to adjust defensive wards or strengthen existing enchantments.


    Despite the sheer scale of the place, there is an unshakable silence¡ªnot from a lack of activity, but from discipline. Everyone here is focused. Everyone here belongs.


    I swallow hard.


    I knew the D.K.F was powerful, but seeing it with my own eyes makes me realize¡ªthis isn¡¯t just a military base.


    This is the front line of survival.


    "Come on," my father says, not waiting for me to gather my thoughts. "You wanted to see where I work? Let¡¯s go."


    I take a deep breath and follow him deeper into the stronghold.


    We both turn right into a dimly lit corridor, the stone walls lined with mana-infused torches casting an eerie blue glow. The deeper we go, the heavier the air feels, as if the very walls themselves are alive with power. At the end of the hallway stands a reinforced door, its surface carved with intricate runes, pulsating faintly as we approach. My father places his hand on it, and with a soft hum, the magic recedes, allowing us entry.


    We step inside.


    The moment we do, a wave of pressure crashes over me. The room''s aura is suffocating, thick with the presence of warriors who have long surpassed the limits of ordinary men.


    Inside, a massive war table takes center stage, covered in detailed maps, documents, and glowing holographic-like projections of mana formations. The walls are lined with weapons¡ªsome traditional, others crackling with pure etherite energy. The ceiling bears an intricate sigil, swirling faintly with protective enchantments, as if ensuring no secrets spoken here ever leave these walls.


    Three men stand around the table, each radiating a distinct presence.


    The first man I notice is Captain Varek, a towering figure clad in black, mana-woven combat gear, the number 07 imprinted above the D.K.F badge on his chest. His short, grizzled hair and sharp eyes make him look like someone who''s seen one too many battles and survived them all. A long-barreled rifle rests against the war table beside him, its black metal infused with glowing silver etherite engravings running along its length. The barrel hums faintly with stored energy, ready to fire at a moment¡¯s notice.


    Varek doesn¡¯t speak at first. He merely glances at me, his gaze sharp like a blade, before turning back to the discussion.


    To Varek¡¯s right stands a blonde-haired man, his sharp features and confident smirk making him look more like a noble than a warrior. His D.K.F badge bears the number 04, a ranking that instantly makes my stomach drop¡ªhe¡¯s leagues above most soldiers. Draped over his back is a long sword, its silver blade etched with golden mana veins that pulse faintly with power. The hilt is wrapped in black leather, and a faint, constant vibration runs through it, as if the sword itself is alive.


    He leans slightly against the war table, his piercing blue eyes locking onto me for a moment before shifting toward my father.


    "Didn¡¯t expect you to bring your kid here," he muses, his voice smooth but carrying a dangerous edge.


    The third man stands slightly apart, his posture rigid, calculating. His D.K.F badge reads 12, lower than the others, but his presence is no less suffocating. He¡¯s dressed in a high-collared, reinforced coat, his gauntlets glowing faintly with imbued mana sigils. Twin short blades rest at his waist, their edges coated with a sheen that suggests a deadly enchantment.


    Unlike the other two, he doesn¡¯t immediately acknowledge us. Instead, he remains silent, his gaze flickering toward the table, analyzing the information displayed before him.


    My father speaks up, his voice steady and commanding.


    "Where are the others?"


    Captain Varek exhales through his nose, shifting slightly as he leans against the war table. "En route," he mutters, crossing his arms. "You know how it is. Not everyone moves as fast as you."


    The blonde-haired swordsman chuckles, his smirk never fading. "Or maybe they just don¡¯t see the urgency in every little thing like you do," he adds, tilting his head toward my father.


    The unknown figure¡ªthe man with the number 12¡ªremains silent, but his eyes flick toward my father, watching, calculating.


    I shift awkwardly under the weight of their gazes. The room is thick with tension, and for the first time, I wonder if I should have stayed home.


    My father sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "We don¡¯t have time to wait around. If they¡¯re late, they¡¯ll just have to catch up."


    Varek nods. "Fine by me." He reaches down and lifts his rifle, checking its ammunition before slinging it over his back. "What¡¯s the job?"


    I blink. Job?


    The blonde-haired swordsman¡¯s smirk grows. "Oh? So you didn¡¯t tell the kid why you brought him here?" He turns to me, eyes sharp with amusement. "You might want to brace yourself, newbie. You just walked into something much bigger than a simple tour."


    I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest.


    What exactly did I just get myself into?

 Chapter 10: Evolution

    The door creaks open, and five more figures step inside, each one adding to the suffocating atmosphere of the room.


    First is a tall, broad-shouldered man with a heavy axe strapped to his back. His dark brown hair is cropped short, and his face is rough with a jagged scar running down his cheek. His D.K.F badge reads 07. He grunts as he takes a seat, leaning back like he owns the place. "Hope this is worth my time," he mutters.


    Beside him, a woman with long, tied-back red hair walks in, her piercing green eyes scanning the room like a hawk. She carries a pair of short swords strapped to her thighs, and her uniform is neatly kept, showing a level of discipline. Her badge reads 15. Unlike the others, she says nothing, simply nodding at Varek before taking her seat.


    Then comes a thin, wiry man with a crossbow slung over his shoulder. His badge reads 22, and he wears a half-smirk, looking around the room as if he¡¯s always in on some inside joke. His short black hair is messy, and his fingers drum lazily against the table as he sits. "Alright, let¡¯s hear it. Who we killing today?" he asks, clearly expecting something serious.


    But before anyone can answer, the next person steps in¡ªand I have to do a double take.


    A kid.


    A twelve-year-old boy, barely five-foot-five, carrying a massive greatsword on his back. His badge reads 11, and his short blonde hair makes him look even younger. But his eyes are cold¡ªway too cold for a kid his age. He walks in like he belongs, takes a seat without a word, and rests his arms on the table.


    "You all are too slow," he finally says, voice completely emotionless.


    The last one to enter is an older man, maybe in his fifties, with streaks of gray in his otherwise jet-black hair. His badge reads 04, and he carries a long spear, the weapon resting easily against his shoulder as he moves. His posture is straight, almost military-like, and he¡¯s the only one besides my father who seems completely unbothered by the room¡¯s tension. He sits with a sigh, adjusting his gloves. "Well, let¡¯s get on with it."


    With everyone seated, my father finally steps forward, arms crossed as he surveys the room.


    "Alright, listen up. I know I called you all here on short notice, but this mission is¡ª" he pauses for effect, then smirks, "¡ªto help my son train."


    Silence.


    Varek¡¯s jaw clenches. The red-haired woman raises an eyebrow. The wiry man with the crossbow snorts. The kid¡ªwho was already dead inside¡ªjust blinks.


    "You what?" Varek finally says, his tone flat.


    My father shrugs. "You heard me. Mat here needs proper training, and I figured there''s no better way than having you lot beat it into him."


    The room erupts.


    "You called us here just for that?"


    "I thought this was urgent!"


    "You dragged me out of bed for this?"


    The twelve-year-old just sighs. "This is a waste of time."


    I sink lower into my seat. I don¡¯t know if I should feel honored or terrified.


    The older man gets up, rolling his shoulders as he lets out a sigh. His deep voice cuts through the noise in the room.


    "Listen, Dain, if you want someone to train him, just give Kai along and send them outside the barrier. Let him get some real experience."


    The room falls silent for a moment.


    Kai¡ªthe twelve-year-old¡ªtilts his head slightly, finally showing a hint of interest. "Hmph. At least that wouldn''t be a complete waste of my time." His voice is flat, but there''s a glint in his eyes, like he almost wants it to happen.


    Captain Varek frowns, adjusting his rifle. "You sure about that? The outside ain''t exactly a playground."


    My father¡ªDain¡ªcrosses his arms, considering the suggestion. "I was thinking controlled training, not throwing him into the wild."


    The older man shrugs. "Nothing better than learning on the battlefield."


    Kai smirks, resting his greatsword against his shoulder. "Heh. Try not to slow me down, newbie."


    The others in the room exchange glances, some amused, others skeptical. Captain Varek leans back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the table. "Well, if the kid dies, that¡¯s on you, Dain."


    My father chuckles, unfazed. "He won¡¯t. And if he does, then he was never meant to be here in the first place."


    A heavy silence follows. I feel their gazes on me, judging, measuring. I want to say something¡ªanything¡ªbut the weight of the room keeps my mouth shut.


    My father claps his hands together. "Alright then, get ready. You leave at dawn."


    The tension from the room still lingers as I follow Kai and the others down the hall. My footsteps feel heavier with every step, my mind racing with thoughts of what¡¯s about to happen.


    We stop in front of a metal door, its surface etched with faint mana lines pulsing softly. Kai presses his palm against a scanner, and with a soft click, the door unlocks, sliding open.


    The locker room is dimly lit, lined with rows of black metal lockers. A faint hum of mana circulates through the walls, keeping the room cool. The scent of steel, sweat, and something faintly burnt fills the air.


    Kai walks ahead without hesitation, stopping by one of the lockers. He unlocks it, revealing a neatly stored set of armor pieces and sharpening tools for his greatsword. He doesn¡¯t even glance at me as he starts prepping his gear.


    I stand there for a second, unsure of what to do, until Captain Varek gestures toward an open locker. "Suit up, kid. If you''re heading outside, you''re gonna need more than just guts."


    I clench my fists, my hesitation lingering as I stare at the battlesuit. The black plating is reinforced with mana circuits, designed for the elite¡ªthe kind of people who have already proven themselves. I haven¡¯t.


    Am I even worthy of wearing this?


    Kai scoffs, strapping on his own armor with ease. "Why are you hesitating? If you do something like that in the field, I won¡¯t think twice about leaving you behind."


    His words sting, but he¡¯s not wrong. Out there, there won¡¯t be time for second thoughts. I exhale, pushing my doubts aside, and reach for the suit. The material is heavier than I expected, but as soon as I activate the mana lining, it adjusts to my body, fitting snugly.


    Captain Varek watches from the side, arms crossed. "Good. At least you can follow orders."


    I finish securing the last of the armor and flex my fingers, testing the fit. It feels¡­ powerful. Like I belong here.


    Kai grabs his greatsword, resting it against his shoulder. "Hope you¡¯re ready. Once we¡¯re outside the barrier, there¡¯s no turning back."


    Captain Varek signals us to follow him. "We''ll use the helicopter to get there. I''ll drop you guys off, and after that, you''re on your own."


    I swallow hard but nod, following behind Kai as we make our way through the dimly lit halls of the D.K.F headquarters. The closer we get to the exit, the more the air changes¡ªless controlled, less suffocating. Outside the protection of these walls, it¡¯ll be different.


    We step out onto the landing pad, where a sleek black helicopter sits, its rotor blades still. The mana-infused engine hums softly, waiting. The sky is a deep blue, the sun barely beginning to rise, casting long shadows over the massive facility.


    Varek climbs into the cockpit, flipping a few switches before turning back to us. "Strap in. You¡¯ve got a long ride ahead of you."


    Kai doesn''t hesitate, throwing himself into a seat and leaning back like this is just another routine mission. I take a deep breath before following suit, buckling in as the helicopter roars to life.


    As we lift off, the D.K.F headquarters shrinks below us, and ahead¡ªbeyond the barrier¡ªI see it. The wastelands.


    A dead zone where monsters roam freely.


    As I look around, it finally hits me¡ªI don¡¯t have a weapon.


    My old gauntlets were ruined, torn apart in my last fight. I glance at my hands, feeling an unease settle in my chest. What the hell am I supposed to fight with? My bare fists?


    Kai notices my silence and smirks. "Don¡¯t tell me you forgot your weapon."


    I don¡¯t respond. I don¡¯t need to. My silence is enough of an answer.


    Captain Varek, still focused on flying, speaks up. "Check under your seat."


    I blink and reach down, feeling a heavy metal case secured beneath me. Pulling it up onto my lap, I unlock the latches. Inside, resting snugly in a molded frame, is a massive war hammer.


    The head of the hammer is forged from a dark, mana-infused metal, faintly glowing along the engravings that snake around its surface. The handle is wrapped tightly in reinforced leather, long enough to allow both single and two-handed grips. It¡¯s heavier than my gauntlets, but somehow, the moment I grasp it, the weight feels... right.


    "Keldar finished that this morning," Varek adds. "Think of it as a favor. Try not to break it too fast."


    I run my fingers over the smooth, cold metal, feeling the faint hum of mana coursing through it. It¡¯s not just a weapon¡ªit¡¯s a tool of destruction. A reminder of how much I still have to grow.


    Kai scoffs. "Great. Now you have no excuse if you slow me down."


    I tighten my grip around the handle, feeling its weight settle in my hands.


    "I wasn¡¯t planning to."


    Captain Varek raises a hand, signaling us to listen. His voice is firm, carrying a weight of authority that demands attention.


    "Alright, listen up. We''re currently in a dead zone¡ªrelatively safe, but don¡¯t get careless. Fifty clicks to the north is a corrupted zone. Whatever you do, don¡¯t go near it. And I¡¯m especially talking to you, Kai!"


    Kai scoffs, resting his greatsword against his shoulder with an easy smirk. "Yeah, yeah, I hear you. I¡¯m not an idiot."


    Varek narrows his eyes. "You say that, but I know your type. Always looking for trouble. Out here, one wrong step and you won¡¯t even have time to regret it."


    The sound of the helicopter¡¯s humming blades fills the air, kicking up loose dirt and debris. The landscape around us is barren¡ªcracked roads stretch endlessly, leading to the ruins of buildings that barely stand, their skeletal remains a reminder of what was once here. Rusted-out vehicles sit abandoned, some half-swallowed by nature¡¯s slow reclamation. The air is thick, heavy with a scent of decay and something else¡ªsomething unnatural.


    I shift my grip on my hammer, its weight grounding me in the reality of the situation. "So, what¡¯s the plan?"


    Varek folds his arms, his gaze scanning the horizon. "It¡¯s simple. You two train, fight whatever lurks around here, and survive. I¡¯ll be back at this exact spot in twenty-four hours. If you¡¯re not here when I return¡­" He pauses, letting the words hang in the air like a warning. "Well, let¡¯s just say you¡¯d better start walking back to base."


    Kai chuckles, rolling his shoulders. "Sounds easy enough."


    I exhale sharply. "Right¡­ easy."


    Varek steps back onto the helicopter, giving us one last look before the doors slide shut. The engines roar, the wind from the rotors forcing us to shield our eyes as dust whips around us. Then, in an instant, the aircraft lifts off, its shadow shrinking as it disappears into the distance.


    For a long moment, silence stretches between us, broken only by the faint howling of the wind through the ruins.


    Kai sighs, adjusting his stance. "Well, guess it¡¯s just you and me now." He smirks, tapping his greatsword against the ground. "Hope you can keep up, hammer boy."


    I tighten my grip on my weapon and take a deep breath. "We¡¯ll see."


    With that, we take our first steps into the wasteland, the unknown stretching before us.


    "So, what are we going to train?" I ask, trying to break the thick tension hanging between us.


    Kai lets out a snicker, resting his greatsword on his shoulder. "Train? Aren''t you even a little curious how a twelve-year-old is already in the D.K.F.?"


    I shrug, keeping my focus. "Well¡­ that''s not really important right now. Right now, I need to get stronger¡ªstrong enough to save my friends."


    Kai scoffs, shaking his head. "Save your friends? Hah! You¡¯re still holding onto that?" He chuckles, but there¡¯s something off about it, something almost bitter. "They¡¯re probably long dead by now... or maybe they¡ª" He stops abruptly, looking away.


    I step closer, narrowing my eyes. "They what?"


    He doesn¡¯t answer right away. His smirk wavers, and for the first time since we landed, he looks unsure.


    "They what, Kai?" My voice is firmer now.


    He clicks his tongue and looks at the ground before meeting my gaze again. "Look, forget it. It¡¯s not something you wanna hear."


    "Say it." My grip tightens on my hammer.


    Kai lets out a deep sigh, his fingers tapping against the hilt of his sword. "Fine. You ever wonder what happens to people who don''t die right away in a corrupted zone?"


    I feel a chill crawl up my spine. "What are you trying to say?"


    He shrugs. "The Corruption doesn¡¯t always kill instantly. Sometimes, it changes people. Breaks them down. If they¡¯re exposed for too long, they don¡¯t just die¡ªthey become something else. Something... unrecognizable."


    My heart pounds against my chest. "No. That won¡¯t happen to them."


    Kai tilts his head, his expression unreadable. "I hope you''re right."


    Silence lingers between us, thick and suffocating.


    Then, just as quickly as the moment came, Kai grins again, stepping back and rolling his shoulders. "Alright, enough of that. You wanna get stronger? First, let¡¯s see how weak you are."


    I lift my hammer, planting my feet. "Fine. How do we do this?"


    His grin widens as he raises his greatsword and points it at me. "Simple. Try not to die."


    Before I can react, he moves.


    Kai lunges forward with terrifying speed, his greatsword cutting through the air like a blur. I barely have time to raise my hammer before the impact slams into me, forcing me to stagger back. My arms shake from the sheer force behind his strike.


    "Tch, slow," Kai mutters, already closing the distance again.


    I grit my teeth and adjust my stance, tightening my grip on the hammer. My body still feels heavy, sluggish¡ªeven after everything that¡¯s happened. But I can¡¯t afford to hesitate. Not now.


    Kai swings again, this time from above. I twist my body, barely dodging the full brunt of the attack, but the sheer force sends a gust of wind whipping past me.


    "You''re just reacting," Kai says, stepping forward with another strike. "You¡¯re not fighting back."


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "I¡¯m trying¡ª" I begin, but he interrupts me with a sharp laugh.


    "Trying isn¡¯t enough."


    He kicks forward, his foot slamming into my stomach. I gasp as I''m launched backward, rolling across the dirt before I manage to stop myself. My vision blurs, but I push myself up, forcing air back into my lungs.


    Kai sighs, shaking his head. "If this is all you''ve got, then there''s no point wasting my time."


    I glare at him, anger flaring in my chest. My grip tightens on my hammer. I can¡¯t let it end like this¡ªI refuse to.


    I take a deep breath and try to focus. My body aches, but deep down, I can feel it¡ªthat strange heat from before. The same feeling I had when I fought Jin.


    My father¡¯s words echo in my mind.


    "That¡¯s the Body Tempering Technique."


    If that¡¯s my power¡­ then I have to use it.


    I exhale sharply and grip my hammer with both hands, planting my feet into the ground. This time, I don¡¯t just brace for Kai¡¯s attack¡ªI prepare to meet it head-on.


    His smirk returns. "Oh? Finally getting serious?"


    I don''t answer. I just watch him, waiting.


    He dashes forward again, sword raised. This time, as his blade comes down, I move¡ªnot to dodge, but to strike back.


    I swing my hammer upward, meeting his greatsword in a direct clash.


    The impact shakes the ground beneath us.


    The collision of our weapons sends a shockwave rippling through the air. The force of it kicks up dust and loose debris, making the ground tremble beneath our feet. My arms shake, my grip tightening as my hammer struggles against Kai¡¯s greatsword. Sparks fly as steel grinds against steel.


    Kai¡¯s smirk widens. "Not bad." He presses down harder, and I feel my knees start to buckle. "But not good enough."


    I grit my teeth, every muscle in my body straining against his strength. The weight of his attack is immense¡ªfar greater than I expected from someone his size. But I refuse to lose. I dig my heels into the dirt, planting myself firm.


    Then, for the first time since the fight started, I push back.


    A strange heat erupts in my chest, pulsing through my veins. My muscles, once aching and sluggish, suddenly feel lighter, stronger. It¡¯s faint, but it¡¯s there¡ªthat sensation from before. My body isn¡¯t just resisting the pressure. It¡¯s adapting to it.


    Kai notices the shift instantly. His eyes narrow. "Huh?"


    With a deep breath, I channel everything into my next move. I twist my body and shove his blade aside with my hammer, using the momentum to swing upward in a brutal counterattack.


    Kai barely dodges. He jumps back, landing effortlessly a few feet away, but his expression has changed. He looks¡­ surprised.


    "That was better," he admits, rolling his shoulder. "Still sloppy, but at least you¡¯re not just getting tossed around anymore."


    I exhale, feeling the heat fade slightly, but my body still hums with energy. "What¡­ was that?"


    Kai tilts his head. "What was what?"


    "That feeling just now. It¡¯s like my body suddenly felt¡­ stronger."


    He studies me for a second before letting out a small chuckle. "Yeah. That¡¯s how it starts."


    "Starts?"


    "Your body¡¯s waking up. You¡¯re finally getting a taste of what it means to be a Martial Artist." He plants his sword into the ground, leaning on it casually. "Body Tempering is different for everyone. Some people feel like they¡¯re burning up, others feel like their skin is turning to steel. Some don¡¯t feel anything at all. But for you? Looks like you''re just now noticing it."


    I glance down at my hands, flexing my fingers. They¡¯re still shaking slightly from the force of the clash, but underneath that, I feel something else. A kind of¡­ lightness. As if my body has become just a little more efficient.


    "So this is¡­ the first stage?" I ask.


    Kai laughs. "Hell no."


    I blink. "Then what is it?"


    He grins, shouldering his sword. "The beginning."


    Before I can even respond, he lunges again. His sword whistles through the air, and I barely have time to raise my hammer.


    The fight isn¡¯t over.


    It¡¯s only just begun.


    Kai¡¯s blade crashes against my hammer again, the impact sending another shockwave through my arms. My feet slide back across the dirt, but this time, I don¡¯t let the force overwhelm me. I shift my stance, bracing against the weight, my muscles burning with effort.


    "You''re holding up better than I thought," Kai says, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "But let¡¯s see how long that lasts."


    He pushes off the ground with an explosive burst of speed, twisting his body mid-air. His sword arcs downward, aiming for my shoulder.


    I barely dodge. The blade cuts through the air just inches away, the pressure alone sending a sharp sting across my skin. But I don¡¯t waste time. I use the opening to drive my hammer forward, aiming straight for his exposed torso.


    Kai moves like a blur, twisting his body unnaturally to avoid the strike. His agility is insane. He lands smoothly a few feet away, rolling his shoulders like this is nothing more than a warm-up.


    "Your movements are getting sharper," he admits, tilting his head. "Still slow, but at least you¡¯re not swinging blindly anymore."


    I exhale, my chest rising and falling rapidly. Every inch of my body aches, but that strange sensation¡ªthe heat, the energy¡ªit¡¯s still there. My body is adapting. I can feel it.


    I plant my hammer into the ground, using it to steady myself. "You¡¯re way too fast for a kid, you know that?"


    Kai snickers. "And you¡¯re way too slow for someone who wants to be a Vanguardis."


    I pause, narrowing my eyes. "Wait, how do you know that?"


    Kai lets out a short laugh, resting his greatsword on his shoulder. "Well, your dad boasts about you a lot when he¡¯s drunk."


    I blink. "He what?"


    "Yeah, always going on about how you''re gonna be the first Vanguardis in decades. Talks about how determined you are, how you never give up, how you¡¯ve got the same fire he used to have." Kai smirks. "It¡¯s kind of annoying, honestly."


    I look away, my grip tightening on my hammer. My dad never really said those things to my face. To hear he spoke about me like that, even if it was just drunk talk, made my chest feel a little lighter.


    Kai notices my expression and groans. "Oh, don¡¯t get all sentimental on me now. If you¡¯re serious about being a Vanguardis, you better be ready to prove it."


    I exhale, rolling my shoulders. "Fine. Let¡¯s go again."


    Kai grins. "That¡¯s more like it." He shifts into a stance, but before we can move¡ª


    A deep, guttural growl echoes through the dead zone.


    Both of us freeze.


    A second later, Captain Varek¡¯s voice crackles through our earpieces.


    "Kai, Mat¡ªfall back. Now."


    My stomach twists.


    That wasn¡¯t just a monster. That was something worse.


    Kai¡¯s grin fades instantly. He turns toward the source of the noise, eyes sharp. "Tch. I told you this place was too quiet."


    Another growl¡ªcloser this time. The ground trembles beneath us.


    I tighten my grip on my hammer. "What the hell is that?"


    Kai doesn¡¯t answer right away. He takes a slow step forward, his posture shifting from casual to deadly serious. Then, finally, he mutters:


    "Something that shouldn¡¯t be here."


    The air grows thick, charged with an unseen pressure that prickles against my skin. The ground rumbles again, dust shaking loose from the dried earth beneath our feet.


    Kai slowly raises his greatsword, his usual cocky smirk completely gone. His body tenses like a coiled spring, waiting. "Stay sharp. If we run, it¡¯ll chase us. If we fight, we better make it count."


    Captain Varek¡¯s voice cuts in again, sharper this time. "I said fall back! That wasn¡¯t a request."


    A shadow moves in the distance. A hunched figure, its silhouette jagged and unnatural.


    Then, the worst part.


    The glow.


    A sickly, pulsing red emanates from the cracks along its skin, veins of Corruption twisting through its body. Its head tilts unnaturally, empty black eyes staring straight at us.


    Kai curses under his breath. "Shit. A Stalker."


    I grip my hammer tighter. "A what?"


    "Smart bastard. Unlike the usual freaks, it thinks before it kills." His jaw tightens. "And it loves to play with its food."


    The Stalker lets out a low, clicking sound. It vanishes.


    I barely have time to react before a force slams into my side, sending me crashing into the dirt.


    Fast. Too fast.


    Kai moves instantly, swinging his greatsword in a wide arc. Sparks fly as metal scrapes against claw. The Stalker snarls and retreats just as quickly as it struck, melting back into the shadows.


    It¡¯s testing us.


    Kai helps me up, eyes scanning the area. "Mat, listen to me. This thing won¡¯t fight us head-on. It¡¯s going to wait until we make a mistake. We need to trap it¡ª"


    Another rush of movement. The Stalker lunges again, claws slicing through the air.


    This time, I¡¯m ready.


    I twist my body, bringing my hammer up just in time to meet its strike. The impact sends a shock through my arms, but I grit my teeth and push forward.


    Kai seizes the opening, his greatsword cleaving down. The Stalker screeches, twisting its body unnaturally to dodge at the last second. It lands a few feet away, watching us with eerie stillness.


    Then it does something that makes my blood run cold.


    It grins.


    Its mouth stretches too wide, too unnatural. Rows of jagged, needle-like teeth glint under the pale light.


    Kai exhales slowly. "¡­Yeah. We¡¯re in trouble."


    "What do you mean? Haven''t you fought hundreds of them before?"


    Kai doesn¡¯t respond immediately. His grip on his greatsword tightens, his jaw clenched. The Stalker remains perfectly still, its twisted grin never fading.


    "Yeah," Kai finally mutters. "But this one¡¯s different."


    I swallow hard. "Different how?"


    He lets out a slow breath, eyes locked on the creature. "It¡¯s not just testing us. It¡¯s enjoying this."


    The words send a chill through me.


    The Stalker takes a slow, deliberate step forward. Its movements are eerily fluid, almost¡­ human. But everything about it is wrong¡ªthe way its limbs bend slightly too much, the unnatural way its head tilts as it watches us.


    Captain Varek¡¯s voice crackles through the comms. "Status report. What¡¯s happening?"


    Kai doesn¡¯t even glance at his earpiece. "We¡¯ve got a problem. This thing isn¡¯t just a Stalker¡ªit¡¯s an evolved one."


    The line goes silent for a second.


    Then, Varek curses. "You need to get out of there. Now."


    Kai snorts. "Yeah? Kinda hard when it¡¯s standing between us and the exit."


    The Stalker¡¯s grin widens. Its body shifts¡ªits back arching as its muscles tense, preparing to lunge.


    I tighten my grip on my hammer. My heartbeat pounds in my ears.


    This thing is stronger. Smarter. More dangerous.


    And we have to kill it.


    "I see it." I speak up immediately, my voice firm but tense. "I can see it with my Foresight. For some reason, the Stalker''s aura isn¡¯t completely hidden."


    Kai¡¯s head snaps toward me, eyes narrowing with interest. "You can use Foresight? Sweet, this will be easier."


    His tone is casual, but I can tell he¡¯s reassessing me. Foresight isn¡¯t something just anyone can use, and the fact that I can see through the Stalker¡¯s stealth changes everything.


    I keep my focus locked on the creature. Its aura flickers like a dying ember, shifting in and out of view. Most Stalkers can hide their presence completely, blending seamlessly into the darkness, but this one¡ªit¡¯s slipping.


    Why?


    The monster moves, its body twitching unnaturally, muscles tensing as if preparing to strike. The moment its weight shifts, I see it¡ªthe path it¡¯s going to take, the angle of its attack.


    Left. It¡¯s going to lunge left.


    "Kai, get ready!" I warn, my heart pounding. "It¡¯s about to move!"


    Before I even finish speaking, the Stalker lunges.


    The Stalker lunges, its elongated claws slicing through the air, aiming straight for Kai¡¯s neck.


    But he¡¯s already moving.


    Kai ducks, pivoting on his heel with inhuman speed. His greatsword whistles as he swings upward, aiming to cleave the monster in two. The Stalker twists mid-air, narrowly avoiding the strike, its body contorting unnaturally as it lands on all fours a few feet away.


    "Fast bastard," Kai mutters, straightening up, his grip tightening around his weapon.


    I don¡¯t waste time. The moment the Stalker lands, I charge forward, hammer gripped tightly in both hands. If it dodged Kai¡¯s swing, then it won¡¯t be expecting me to follow up immediately.


    The Stalker turns, its glowing red eyes locking onto me, but it¡¯s too late.


    I swing my hammer down with everything I have.


    CRACK.


    The impact slams into the creature¡¯s shoulder, the force sending it skidding back, its claws digging into the dirt to stop itself. A sickening crunch follows¡ªa clear sign that I broke something. But the Stalker doesn¡¯t wail in pain. Instead, it just tilts its head, those eerie eyes analyzing me.


    Then it moves again.


    "Mat! MOVE!"


    Kai¡¯s voice barely registers before the Stalker flicks its tail.


    SHNK.


    A sharp, black spike shoots toward me at blinding speed. My body reacts before my mind does¡ªI twist my torso, barely avoiding a direct hit, but a sharp sting blossoms on my side. I grunt, feeling warm blood trickle down my ribs.


    Damn. That was close.


    Kai doesn¡¯t let the Stalker capitalize on the moment. He dashes forward, his greatsword swinging in a deadly arc. This time, he doesn¡¯t aim for a clean strike. Instead, he uses his strength to keep the creature occupied, forcing it into a defensive stance.


    I exhale sharply, ignoring the pain in my side. This is my chance.


    I grip my hammer tightly, eyes locked on the monster.


    Time to finish this.


    I push forward, gripping my hammer with both hands, my breath steady despite the sting in my side. Kai keeps the Stalker occupied, his greatsword forcing it back with each powerful swing.


    The monster is fast¡ªalmost too fast¡ªbut Kai¡¯s relentless assault keeps it from going on the offensive. It tries to counter, its claws flashing toward him, but he twists his body at the last second, narrowly avoiding the attack.


    I need to strike now.


    I tighten my grip, shifting my stance, readying my body for one decisive blow.


    "Kai! Pin it down!"


    He doesn¡¯t hesitate.


    With a sudden burst of strength, Kai swings his greatsword low, not aiming to kill but to knock the Stalker off balance. The blade slams into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. The Stalker leaps back, avoiding a direct hit¡ªbut that¡¯s exactly what we wanted.


    I lunge forward.


    I channel everything I have into my swing, lifting my hammer high before bringing it down with all my strength.


    BOOM!


    The earth trembles as the head of my hammer crashes into the Stalker¡¯s chest. A sickening crunch echoes through the clearing as the force sends it flying backward, slamming it against a nearby tree.


    The Stalker wheezes, its body twitching as it struggles to move. Blood drips from its mouth, its glowing red eyes flickering.


    Kai exhales, rolling his shoulders. "Damn, that was satisfying."


    I don¡¯t relax. Not yet.


    I step closer, watching the Stalker carefully. It¡¯s still breathing¡ªbarely. The fight should be over, but something about it feels¡­off.


    "Mat, finish it."


    I raise my hammer, ready to end this.


    Then¡ª


    A low, guttural growl rumbles from the Stalker¡¯s throat.


    Its body spasms violently, its aura flaring to life. The once flickering glow in its eyes burns brighter, its wounds sealing at an unnatural speed.


    My stomach drops.


    The Stalker convulses violently, its limbs twisting at unnatural angles as its body undergoes rapid transformation. Its once-lean frame bulks up, muscles expanding beneath its darkened hide. The eerie glow of its eyes shifts from crimson to an intense, pulsating violet. Its claws elongate, tapering into wickedly sharp talons that gleam under the dim light.


    I step back instinctively, gripping my hammer tighter. My heart pounds in my chest.


    Kai readjusts his stance, his usual cocky smirk nowhere to be found. "Shit. This isn¡¯t normal!"


    The Stalker¡¯s ragged breathing steadies, and it slowly rises to its feet¡ªtaller, more menacing. Its aura is different now, denser, heavier. I can feel it pressing down on me like a weight, suffocating and overwhelming.


    This isn¡¯t the same monster we were fighting moments ago.


    Kai swears under his breath. "I thought only Full Monsters could evolve like this!"


    "Apparently not," I grit out, forcing myself to stay calm. "We need to end it now before it fully adjusts."


    The Stalker¡¯s mouth stretches into something resembling a grin, revealing serrated teeth. It takes a slow step forward, testing its newfound power.


    Then it vanishes.


    My eyes widen. "Where did¡ª"


    A blur of movement. A rush of air.


    Kai barely reacts in time, raising his greatsword to block as the Stalker reappears behind him, its claws clashing against steel with a deafening screech. The impact sends Kai skidding back, his boots dragging deep trenches into the dirt.


    "Fast!" he grits out, pushing back against the Stalker¡¯s overwhelming strength.


    I don¡¯t waste a second.


    I rush forward, swinging my hammer at its exposed side.


    But before my strike can connect, the Stalker twists unnaturally, its body bending in ways it shouldn¡¯t be able to.


    It moves before I can react¡ª


    And then it¡¯s in front of me.


    I barely bring my hammer up in time.


    The impact rattles my bones. The force of its strike sends me flying, crashing into the dirt several feet away. My lungs burn as I gasp for air, my vision spinning.


    Kai shouts something, but my ears are ringing too much to hear.


    I struggle to get back on my feet. My arms shake, my grip on my hammer unsteady.


    The Stalker stalks toward me, taking its time, reveling in its newfound dominance.


    We¡¯re in trouble.


    Kai¡¯s voice cuts through the ringing in my ears.


    "We need to get out of here! I can''t fight this thing while worrying about you!"


    His frustration is clear, but I can¡¯t afford to back down. Not now. Not when I finally have a chance to prove myself.


    I force myself to stand, my body protesting with every movement. My hammer feels heavier than before, my muscles sluggish from the impact. But I grip the handle tighter, planting my feet firmly on the ground.


    "We''re not running," I say through gritted teeth. "If we leave now, it¡¯ll just hunt us down. We have to kill it here."


    The Stalker tilts its head at my words, as if amused. It takes another slow step forward, its claws twitching in anticipation.


    Kai curses under his breath. "Damn it, Mat! This isn¡¯t some training exercise¡ªthis thing evolved! It¡¯s not the same monster anymore!"


    "I know," I say, my heart pounding. "But if I run now, what was the point of coming here?"


    Kai clicks his tongue in irritation but doesn¡¯t argue. His grip on his greatsword tightens. "Then you better not slow me down."


    The Stalker moves.


    Faster than before, faster than either of us can react.


    In the blink of an eye, it¡¯s between us.


    I barely get my hammer up in time, bracing myself for the impact. Claws collide with steel, sending a jarring shock through my arms. I slide back from the force, struggling to keep my balance.


    Kai moves, aiming for its exposed side¡ªbut the Stalker is already gone, vanishing into the shadows.


    I whirl around, scanning the darkness. "Kai¡ª"


    A blur. A rush of movement.


    Kai barely dodges as the Stalker reappears behind him, its claws swiping inches from his back. He retaliates with a wide slash, forcing it to leap away.


    "This thing is playing with us," Kai growls. "We need a plan, now!"


    I grit my teeth. He¡¯s right. We can¡¯t just keep swinging blindly¡ªwe need to force it into a corner, cut off its escape routes.


    Think, Mat. Use your head.


    Then it hits me.


    I grip my hammer tighter, forcing myself to stay calm. "Kai. Follow my lead."


    He glances at me, eyes narrowing. "You better not screw this up."


    I exhale, steadying myself. "Just trust me."


    The Stalker watches us, its glowing eyes filled with cruel amusement. It doesn¡¯t see what¡¯s coming.


    This ends now.


    The Stalker moves first.


    It lunges, its claws glinting under the dim light. This time, I don¡¯t react with panic. I tighten my grip on my hammer and step forward instead of back.


    Kai lets out a sharp breath behind me. "Mat¡ª!"


    But I already committed.


    The moment the Stalker enters my range, I swing.


    The hammer whistles through the air. The Stalker, caught off guard by my sudden aggression, twists its body to avoid a direct hit¡ªbut I wasn¡¯t aiming for a clean strike.


    My hammer slams into the ground.


    A shockwave erupts from the impact, cracking the earth beneath us. Dust and debris shoot up, creating a sudden blind spot.


    That¡¯s all Kai needs.


    "NOW!" I roar.


    Kai bursts through the dust, his greatsword gleaming as he brings it down in a devastating arc. The Stalker hisses, unable to fully dodge in time. The blade tears across its shoulder, splitting through its dark hide. Black ichor sprays across the ground.


    The Stalker stumbles, its breathing ragged, but it doesn¡¯t flee. It laughs.


    A dry, guttural sound that sends chills down my spine.


    "Not good," Kai mutters. "It¡¯s enjoying this."


    The Stalker shifts.


    Its body ripples, bones cracking as its form distorts. The gash we just inflicted closes instantly.


    I go still. "No way¡­"


    Kai tenses. "It''s regenerating too fast."


    The Stalker straightens, rolling its shoulders. Its claws extend, growing sharper. The glow in its eyes intensifies.


    It wasn¡¯t fighting seriously before.


    Kai curses. "Mat, this thing is going to kill us if we don''t end it now."


    I know. I feel it too.


    A single mistake, and we¡¯re dead.


    But I refuse to let that happen.


    I inhale sharply, my mind racing. Foresight. I have to push it further, to see the right path¡ªthe opening we need.


    I focus, forcing the world to slow.


    Come on¡­ show me the way.


    The moment stretches.


    I push deeper into Foresight, ignoring the sharp pain stabbing through my skull. The world around me dulls, fading into a mix of flickering images and ghostly echoes of possibilities.


    The Stalker moves¡ªno, it¡¯s about to move.


    I see it before it happens. The slight flex of its muscles, the way its stance shifts¡ªit''s going to feint left, then spin into a counterattack aimed at Kai¡¯s ribs. If Kai swings too early, he¡¯ll expose his side.


    That¡¯s what the Stalker wants.


    Not this time.


    ¡°KAI! FAKE A SWING¡ªTHEN AIM LOW!¡± I roar.


    Kai doesn¡¯t hesitate.


    He moves just as the Stalker lunges, feigning a high slash. The monster falls for it. It sidesteps, twisting to counter¡ªbut instead of completing his swing, Kai reverses his grip and plunges his sword low.


    His blade sinks deep into the Stalker¡¯s thigh.


    The creature screeches.


    It staggers, ichor pouring from the wound, its movements faltering for the first time. It didn¡¯t expect that.


    I see my chance.


    I rush forward, hammer raised high.


    The Stalker tries to retreat, but Kai twists the blade, keeping it locked in place for a crucial second. That¡¯s all I need.


    I bring my hammer down with everything I have.


    CRACK!


    The impact shakes the ground. The Stalker¡¯s kneecap shatters.


    The creature collapses, its entire leg crumpling beneath it. For the first time, I see something new in its glowing eyes.


    Panic.


    Kai rips his sword free, ichor spraying across his armor. ¡°It¡¯s weak! Keep pushing!¡±


    But then¡ª


    The Stalker lets out a piercing screech.


    The sound is wrong. Twisted. It resonates through the air, making my skin crawl. The ground trembles beneath us.


    I suddenly feel it¡ªmovement.


    Kai stiffens. ¡°Oh, shit.¡±


    I don¡¯t even need Foresight to know.


    We¡¯re not alone anymore.


    The Stalker just called for backup.