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—a reminder of today’s test—but 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—including my brother.

  He looks just like Mom—same 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—steaming 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—how 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—no 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—it 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—Lurkers 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—just 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—punching 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—something 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.

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

  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—moments 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—it 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—I 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—but 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—charged, 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—and 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—this 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—thick, 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.