Binturu leaped down from the branch without hesitation, his figure blurring with practiced speed. His fist crashed into the side of the other thug's head with a sickening thwack, knocking him out cold instantly. The man crumpled like a ragdoll, collapsing into a heap on the forest floor.
"Takar!" Basthee shouted, his voice sharp with panic. His eyes widened as Binturu didn't pause — he merely let go of Takar's collar, letting him slump to the ground, and in the blink of an eye, reappeared in front of Basthee.
Basthee reacted swiftly, leaping backwards to create distance. His hands ignited with searing orange flames that flickered hungrily in the dim light of the forest canopy. He thrust both hands forward and a jet of fire burst towards Binturu. The flames engulfed Binturu's arms as he crossed them to block, sliding backwards a few steps.
Basthee wasted no time. He lunged forward with both fists ablaze, bringing them crashing downwards toward Binturu's head. Binturu sidestepped with a sharp pivot, his left leg twisting behind him. He countered fluidly, launching a whip-like roundhouse kick aimed straight at Basthee's face.
Basthee barely reacted in time, bringing both arms up to shield himself. The force of Binturu's leg hammered into Basthee's guard, sending him staggering backwards. His boots skidded against the dirt, but he didn't lose balance.
"Recendo!" Basthee growled. His palms flared and instantly, Binturu's leg was set ablaze. Bright red flames crawled rapidly up his trousers, scorching the fabric and licking dangerously at his skin.
Binturu grunted, but rather than retreat, a grin spread across his face. His muscles tensed and steam hissed from his pores.
"Indomitable Body!" Binturu roared. His entire frame shimmered with faint golden energy as he surged forward, ignoring the burning flames eating at his leg. Basthee's eyes widened in disbelief as Binturu closed the distance, his body seemingly unaffected by pain.
Before Basthee could react, Binturu twisted on his good foot and spun—a devastating roundhouse slammed into the back of Basthee's head. His body dropped heavily to the ground.
Slam!
Basthee tried weakly to push himself up, but Binturu didn't give him the chance. He straddled Basthee's chest and unleashed a barrage of fists, hammering down onto Basthee's face mercilessly. The man's arms flailed in a weak attempt to defend himself, but Binturu's fists broke through his guard over and over until his body went limp.
Ding!
A glowing projection shimmered above Binturu's palm.
> Binturu: 3 points.
Breathing heavily, Binturu rose to his feet, brushing sweat from his brow as the flames around his leg extinguished themselves in wisps of smoke. His expression hardened as he surveyed the area, his body still tense for another attack.
---
Leah crouched beside the boar carcass, her knife slicing effortlessly through sinew and flesh. Her gloved hands moved deftly as she harvested the beast's organs, but her focus broke at the sudden ding that resonated in the air. A shimmering projection appeared over her hand.
> Leah: 7 points.
She turned her head slightly, glancing at the six other boar corpses laid neatly in a circle behind her. Satisfied with her haul, she wiped her blade on her trousers and stretched her arms upward.
Before she could resume her hunt, a gentle rustling behind her snapped her attention around. Her sharp eyes landed on a peculiar pair stepping into the clearing. One was a slender man with neatly combed black hair, thin glasses perched on his nose, and an elegant black suit that looked wildly out of place in the wilderness. He held a file under one arm and had an easy smile on his lips.
Beside him was a tall woman with dark brown hair tied in a tight braid and sharp, hawk-like eyes. She wore light leather armor and carried a thin spear strapped across her back.
"My, what a sight," the man greeted pleasantly, approaching her without hesitation. "Hello, my name is Ajin Croft, and this is Leopathra. We're hoping to form an alliance."
Leopathra gave a nod. "Hi."
Leah rose slowly to her feet, her knife still loosely gripped in one hand. "Can you fight? Both monsters and humans?"
Ajin's smile widened. "We can hold our own. I assure you, we won't be dead weight."
He extended his hand politely. Leah's gaze flicked between the two of them, measuring their posture and intent. After a long pause, she sheathed her knife and shook Ajin's hand firmly.
"Leah," she introduced herself curtly.
---
Itekan dashed through the dense undergrowth, frustration bubbling inside him. His chest rose and fell quickly, beads of sweat dripping from his chin. Despite his efforts, his palm remained empty — no glowing projection appeared. He hadn't earned even a single point.
His eyes flicked upward. The timer floated ominously above the forest canopy: 15 minutes left.
He gritted his teeth and forced his legs to move faster. Suddenly, a rustle behind him made him whip around. Nothing. His breath quickened. Then above him — another whisper of movement. His gaze snapped upward. Gone again.
"I'm being watched…" Itekan muttered under his breath, tension curling in his gut. Whoever — or whatever — it was, its speed dwarfed his.
Without warning, something slammed into his back with crushing force, sending him flying forward. His body crashed into the dirt, and a sharp, burning pain lanced through him. He gritted his teeth, reaching behind to touch his back — his fingers came away slick with warm blood.
Damn… One hit and I'm already like this? Worse, I still don't even know what hit me…
Another rustle. This time, to his side. Itekan gambled — mid-turn, he spun sharply in the opposite direction, his hand already cocked back.
A grotesque creature lunged at him from the shadows. It had a long serpentine body, but its head was massive and wide, covered in rows of jagged teeth that jutted out from every angle. Without hesitation, Itekan slammed his fist into its face, spiritual energy flaring around his knuckles.
"Chajama!" he roared. Fiery sigils burst behind him, summoning a barrage of fireballs. They rained down mercilessly onto the creature, engulfing it in explosive flames. The monster screeched before collapsing in a smoldering heap.
Itekan dropped to his knees, gasping. His body throbbed with pain, but his lips twitched into a smile. He sat cross-legged and closed his eyes, channeling spiritual energy through his battered frame.
Within moments, a warm sensation spread through his limbs. His torn flesh stitched itself together rapidly. His eyes shot open in shock. He leapt to his feet, patting his back.
I really healed… completely?
Excitement surged through him. Without wasting another second, he shot forward, scanning for more targets.
After a short sprint, he stumbled into a clearing that felt… wrong. The air was thicker, heavier. Before he could fully process it, an ear-splitting screech echoed ahead.
SCREEECH!!
In front of Itekan, three massive trees twisted grotesquely, their roots tearing from the soil. Their bark cracked and split, revealing hollow faces within the trunks.
Itekan's eyes widened as he prepared his hand signs for Chajama.
But then—
"Put that away, boy… before I make you regret it." One of the trees growled in a gravelly voice.
---
Elsewhere, Kutote's breath came sharp and ragged. He'd anticipated this. The mercenaries were here — the same ones who'd hunted him for months. If he passed this exam, he'd be under the school's protection. That's why they'd made their move now.
Around him, dark figures slowly emerged from the shadows, surrounding him on all sides.
Kutote raised his hands casually in mock surrender. "Well? You came all this way for my head… What's the hesitation?"
No one answered. Their weapons glinted ominously.
Without another word, they lunged. Kutote surged forward, ducking under the closest blade and slipping behind his attacker. His dagger flashed twice—quick stabs into the man's gut—before he shoved the body into the next mercenary.
"Stay in formation!" their leader barked.
They quickly regrouped and closed in tighter, blades slashing from all directions. Kutote gritted his teeth, deflecting blows but unable to counter. His arms ached, his body burned from countless shallow cuts.
Just as his strength faltered, a flash of silver carved through the mercenaries' ranks. A newcomer charged in, blade whirling and strikes clean, driving the attackers back.
"No! Don't let them lock you inside their formation!" Kutote coughed, glancing weakly at his savior.
"I can still stand," Kutote affirmed.
"Good," Itoyea said, his voice cold, a hungry gleam in his eyes. The shy boy from before was gone — in his place stood a swordsman itching for battle.
"Then let's storm through them!"