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—and 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—way 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—" he pauses for effect, then smirks, "—to 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—who was already dead inside—just 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—the twelve-year-old—tilts 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—Dain—crosses 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—anything—but 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—the 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—less 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—beyond the barrier—I see it. The wastelands.

  A dead zone where monsters roam freely.

  As I look around, it finally hits me—I 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—it’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—relatively 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—cracked 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—something 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—strong 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—" 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—they 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—even 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."

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  "I’m trying—" 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—I refuse to.

  I take a deep breath and try to focus. My body aches, but deep down, I can feel it—that 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—I 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—not 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—far 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—that 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—the heat, the energy—it’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 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—fall 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—closer 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—"

  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—the 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—it’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—its 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—it’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—the 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—a 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—I 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—almost too fast—but 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—but 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—barely. The fight should be over, but something about it feels…off.

  "Mat, finish it."

  I raise my hammer, ready to end this.

  Then—

  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—taller, 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 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—

  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—this 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—but the Stalker is already gone, vanishing into the shadows.

  I whirl around, scanning the darkness. "Kai—"

  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—we 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—!"

  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—but 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—the 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—no, it’s about to move.

  I see it before it happens. The slight flex of its muscles, the way its stance shifts—it'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—THEN 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—but 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—

  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—movement.

  Kai stiffens. “Oh, shit.”

  I don’t even need Foresight to know.

  We’re not alone anymore.

  The Stalker just called for backup.