"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—actual combat, not just the simulations or sparring matches we’ve had in training. Second, this is an official academy exam—our 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—we 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—you’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—no 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—metal 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—metal 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—always 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—thanks 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—like 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—a 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—or someone—is watching us.

  I hiss under my breath, eyes snapping to the right. "Jin! Kyu! Lurkers on the right, near the alleyway—three 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—its 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—its 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.

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  "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—there’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—the adrenaline, the stakes—finally 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—huge 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—faster than I’ve ever encountered in training—throws 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—it'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—he’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—he’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—Jin 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—only 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—he’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—the 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—well, 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—so 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."