“Don’t hesitate to take any lives. Let’s show them our worth!”

  Valentine looked toward Deniz’s direction and gave a slight chuckle as they walked toward the building. The rest of the Seven Sinners also showed their expressions with a glance at Deniz. At the moment, there was no leader of the group, but Deniz took the initiative: he had everyone introduce themselves, and now he was initiating the group to start the mission. Among everyone, he was the only one that people looked toward. It felt natural to them.

  “Keep your eyes peeled. It’s likely they have scouts outside the building who attack anyone who gets near,” said Assassin. Truthfully, he was right—any competent group would have scouts to uphold the safety of their base and location.

  In the trees of the forest, two people were listening to their conversation. These two were the scouts for the base.

  “Master, there are seven synergy users in our vicinity. They look like young kids, but they seem to be heading toward the base. What do you want me to do?” said one of the scouts, informing someone inside via telepathy.

  “Kill them.”

  “Roger that!”

  He informed the other scout of the master’s orders. One of them opened his palms and created two fireballs, aiming them at the group and firing.

  The group kept walking when Assassin noticed a disturbance.

  “Above us, to the left!”

  Everyone looked toward the top of the trees on their left. Two fireballs were coming toward them. They were about to dodge when suddenly, one fireball slammed into the ground as if crushed by a force—gravity.

  In an instant, the entire tree the scouts were standing on came crashing down. The scouts fell with it.

  “It’s imperfect…” said Lou. This force of gravity was his ability.

  The scouts were steadily being pushed toward the ground as they faced upward, while the group walked toward them.

  “They don’t seem very strong. I see why they’re just rogue soldiers,” laughed Valentine.

  Both scouts were pinned down as Deniz walked toward them and struck them in the windpipe, cutting off their oxygen.

  “Let’s get going.”

  Everyone looked on as he coldly took their lives without hesitation. They remembered his words: “Don’t hesitate to take any lives.” He really meant it. That simple action solidified many things within the group unknowingly.

  They soon reached the wooden door of the gigantic building—the hideout of the rogue soldiers known as the Shadow Warriors. Nobody knew how strong these soldiers were, but they had been told all were in the First Awakening. This was the group’s very first mission, and they were excited. They would finally be able to show off their power—not just to each other, but also to the members of the Seven Suns.

  The door was 18 meters tall and 5 meters wide, and the entire building towered even higher. The Seven Sinners looked tiny in comparison.

  “Are you all ready?” asked Deniz.

  “Yes.”

  “Of course.”

  “We’re right behind you.”

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  “We’re ready.”

  “Ready whenever you are.”

  Everyone gave a verbal confirmation while Lou simply nodded. Deniz raised his arm, coated it in synergy, and struck the door. It blasted open completely—no piece remained connected to the frame.

  “Remember—don’t hesitate to take any lives,” Deniz said coldly as smoke dispersed, revealing many people inside the building. They stood ready, as if expecting the attack. The master, warned by the scouts, must have ordered them to defend the place. Over thirty people waited inside.

  “Defend this place at all costs! Don’t let them get to the master!”

  Electricity circled Valentine as boots of lightning covered her feet, and she took off, leaving a trail behind her.

  At once, the others—except Deniz—rushed in and began fighting individually. Deniz simply stood back, observing both his comrades and their opponents.

  As he watched, something felt off.

  “Everyone is too weak… They said not to let us get to the master, so the master must not be here. Nonetheless, these people are too weak to be considered a real threat. Given what Lou’s master said about not dying, there’s clearly more to this group than just these people,” Deniz thought.

  He continued observing and gathering intel—for the sake of the unknown.

  Valentine could boost her speed using lightning. Assassin had good sensory perception and could teleport. Lou controlled gravity. Vii was skilled with her weapons, though she hadn’t revealed her powers. Aoto hadn’t shown his abilities either, choosing brute force instead. But Deniz knew they weren’t showing their full power.

  He noticed one person missing from the fight. Someone else was doing exactly what he was doing.

  Standing next to him was Zazi, the blindfolded boy in white armor.

  “Gathering intel on everyone’s abilities, right? Seems I’m not the only one who thought to do that.”

  “You have good intelligence, Deniz. I know what you’re doing—establishing dominance to become the leader. From introducing yourself first, making everyone else follow, you set the tone. Then you said, ‘Don’t hesitate to take any lives’—thst was a declaration. But those were just words. What sealed it was when you actually killed those scouts. That action proved your seriousness. It told everyone that if they crossed you, they’d suffer the same fate without hesitation. Am I right?”

  Zazi spoke calmly. Maybe not everyone deduced it the same way he did, but to him it was obvious—and it marked a good start for Deniz’s ambition to lead the Seven Sinners.

  Deniz grinned. “You’re right, 100%.”

  “I didn’t think anyone would catch on that fast. You’ve got a good brain and sharp eyes. All of this is for my personal goal.”

  “And what’s your personal goal, Deniz?”

  “To have everyone follow me and obey me. To dominate this world and never be controlled by anyone. Whether through power or otherwise, I will reach this goal.”

  Zazi glanced at Deniz’s sharp eyes as he watched the battle.

  “That’s a good goal. I guess we all have our reasons. I’ll follow you, Deniz. Not because of who you are, but because I want to help you reach your goal—and because I know there’s a strong reason behind it. Besides, your goal helps me reach mine.”

  Deniz kept that last sentence in mind, though he didn’t dwell on it—it wasn’t his business.

  The battle slowly ended as Aoto grabbed a man’s head and smashed it into the wall, splattering blood.

  The group reassembled with Deniz and Zazi, who had remained calmly observing.

  “That seemed to be the last guy. What was that red-haired man worried about? These guys were weak. We even killed their master,” said Aoto arrogantly.

  “None of them were the master.”

  Everyone turned to Deniz, surprised.

  “None of them were the master. Which means there’s more to this mission—more dangerous enemies who actually threaten our lives. Lou’s master’s warning confirms it.”

  “So what now? What are we looking for?” Valentine asked.

  Deniz looked around and came to one conclusion.

  “Search the building. Look for hidden entrances.”

  They searched everything—bodies, objects, even walls for hollow sounds.

  Valentine was scaling a wall when she leaned against a portion with a picture—and passed through it. It was as if the wall didn’t exist. She poked her head through and shouted, “I found a hidden tunnel!”

  Everyone looked and laughed. From their angle, it looked like her head was a wall trophy. They rushed over and found the hidden entrance.

  “It must be an illusion to make the wall look normal. The picture probably marked the passage,” Zazi deduced.

  “Let’s go—but stay together and be cautious. They might be expecting us,” Deniz warned. Though everyone already shared that thought, Deniz voiced it to reinforce caution.

  They entered the dark tunnel, the only light coming from the glowing blue lightning on Valentine’s feet—so she led the group.

  After minutes of silent walking, they reached a fork in the tunnel—four different entrances.

  “Four paths and seven of us. One of us will have to go alone. Who should it be?” Deniz asked.

  “I think Lou should go alone. I have nothing against you, but I feel like you’re the most capable on your own,” Zazi said. He suspected Lou was more powerful than he let on.

  Based on Zazi’s assessment: he and Deniz were intelligent and likely strong. Valentine and Aoto had strength, but needed direction. Vii and Assassin could hold their own.

  “Okay, here’s the plan,” Zazi continued. “First entrance: Aoto and me. Second: Deniz and Valentine. Third: Vii and Assassin. Fourth: Lou, alone. Based on what I know, these are the best groupings.”

  Zazi and Deniz both radiated leadership. If Deniz hadn’t taken charge first, Zazi might have filled that role.

  “Remember Deniz’s words: don’t hesitate to take lives—and more importantly, don’t die. I believe in all of you. Especially you, Lou.”

  Everyone stood before their assigned doors—and pushed through.

  What lies beyond the four entrances? And where do they lead!?