The scream cut through the night like a blade.
"Junyeok!"
He moved instantly.
His body reacted before thought could form, boots striking the ground as he sprinted toward the sound. Branches whipped past him, shadows shifting in the pale moonlight. His heartbeat sharpened, steady but alert—not fear, but instinct.
When he reached the clearing, Yun was on the ground.
She was breathing, shaken but unharmed, her shawl half-torn and her hair slightly disheveled. Relief passed through him in a brief, silent wave.
Nyxara hovered nearby, eyes narrowed as she scanned the trees.
"It looks like someone tried to ambush her," she said, voice cold. "But failed."
The bushes rustled.
Three figures stepped out.
They wore academy uniforms—dark navy blazers with gold trim and the academy crest on the chest, white shirts beneath, dark ties, and straight dark pants. Their Silver Lion badges—second-years.
Three ecoes floated nearby, each roughly Nyxara's size.
The first boy was very fat, holding a dagger. Beside him hovered a bizarre ecoe—a monk-like creature with a huge belly, pale body, pig-like face, and tiny hands constantly shoving food into its mouth as if endlessly hungry.
The second boy was extremely thin, sharp-faced. His ecoe floated beside him—a slim, humanoid figure wearing small glasses and a turban-like headpiece, white and yellow in color, its long arms swaying unnaturally.
The third was muscular and broad-shouldered. His ecoe resembled a white humanoid fighter, covered in exaggerated muscles, wearing boxing gloves and flexing in silence.
The fat one spoke first.
"If you want to be safe," he said, smirking, "just forfeit, newcomers."
The thin one chuckled.
"You don't stand a chance against us. Just run away—hahaha."
The muscular one spoke calmly, almost politely.
"We don't intend unnecessary harm. Please forfeit."
Junyeok stared at them for a moment, confused.
Then he scratched his head slightly.
"…What is this about?" he said flatly. "For a second I thought you were seniors assigned to test us… but you guys just look like jokers."
Nyxara crossed her tiny arms.
"What a group of weirdos."
Junyeok ignored them and walked past, kneeling beside Yun. He gently helped her sit up.
"Are you okay?"
Yun nodded, brushing dust from her sleeve. Her face was calm, but her eyes still carried the shock of being ambushed.
"I'm fine… they just caught me by surprise."
"Don't you dare ignore us!" the thin boy snapped angrily. "Do you know who you're standing in front of?!"
The three suddenly stepped together… and struck a dramatic pose.
"We are the FPS Trio!"
Junyeok blinked.
"…What?"
Then his expression brightened in sudden realization.
"Ohhh," he said, nodding. "You mean First Person Shooter games? I like those games too."
The fat boy's face turned red.
"No, idiot! We are the Fat–Perfect–Slim Trio!"
Nyxara and Yun both muttered at the same time,
"…What a weird name."
Junyeok nodded seriously.
"I couldn't agree more."
The thin boy's face twisted with rage.
The thin boy snapped.
"You'll pay for mocking us!"
"Activate skill—Stretch!"
His arm suddenly elongated like rubber, shooting forward in a straight punch.
Junyeok shifted only slightly.
A minimal movement—barely a step.
The fist missed by centimeters.
Junyeok grabbed the extended arm with a crushing grip.
The boy screamed.
"Let go! My arm—!"
Junyeok smiled politely.
"Did I grab too hard? My bad."
Nyxara smirked.
"You really held back, didn't you?"
"Of course," Junyeok said lightly. "I don't intend to kill my seniors before even becoming a student."
"Behind you!" Yun shouted.
Junyeok moved instantly.
The fat boy leapt from behind.
"Activate skill—Leg Boost!"
He launched into the air, dagger aimed downward, aiming to slam into Junyeok's back.
Junyeok's eyes narrowed.
"…Not going to work."
With a grim smile, he kicked upward.
The impact struck the fat boy midair, sending him flying upward before gravity dragged him down hard onto the ground.
Junyeok exhaled slowly.
Still not enough strength… I need better skills soon.
"That skill of yours," Junyeok said calmly, "is useful for quick leaps… but you need far more agility and power to take me down."
He glanced upward.
"Your turn, Nyxara."
"Okie dokie!"
Nyxara shot upward, then dove like a meteor, striking the slim boy with her claws and slamming him unconscious into the ground.
Junyeok chuckled softly and patted her head.
"You've really grown stronger."
Yun watched in amazement.
I didn't know ecoes could fight like that on their own… I thought most only supported until higher levels…
The muscular third boy stepped forward, trembling with anger.
"How dare you do this to my friends… I will avenge them!"
Junyeok tilted his head.
"…Avenge? I didn't kill anyone. What a strange group."
"Activate skill—Concentrate!"
The boy's muscles tightened violently, veins bulging, his entire body compressing with power. Then he dashed forward like a cannonball.
He dashed forward.
The ground cracked under his step.
Junyeok barely dodged, the punch tearing bark off a tree behind him.
"…Not bad," Junyeok admitted.
But as he stepped back, his shoulder touched a tree trunk.
The muscular boy smiled coldly.
"You're finished."
Junyeok's lips curved into a small, tense smile.
Looks like I can't dodge this one…
A flash of light streaked past.
A shining arrow struck the boy's back.
He barely flinched.
"That won't—"
"Close your eyes!" Yun shouted.
Junyeok obeyed instantly.
The arrow burst into blinding light.
The boy staggered, clutching his eyes.
The boy roared in pain, blinded.
Junyeok opened his eyes.
"…Now."
"Activate skill—Dragon Body Embodiment."
Dark scales formed over his arm, draconic armor wrapping his muscles as power surged through him.
He stepped forward—
And punched.
The impact echoed like thunder.
The muscular boy flew backward, crashing into the ground unconscious.
Silence fell.
Junyeok exhaled slowly.
"…That was close."
Inside, his thoughts were sharper.
Junyeok exhaled deeply.
"…Phew. That was close."
He looked at his arm, then at the unconscious opponent.
Concentrate… one of the best skills for contractors who use martial artists… but he used it recklessly across his whole body. Still… if Yun hadn't helped….
Yun hurried to him, worry in her eyes.
"Are you okay?"
Junyeok smiled reassuringly.
"See? Completely fine. By the way… what was that skill you used?"
"Oh… Arrow Burst," Yun said softly. "It allows my arrows to release stored energy."
Junyeok's eyes flickered with interest.
I've never heard of that in my past life… a unique skill?
Nyxara floated beside him.
"That really was close."
"Yes," Junyeok admitted quietly. "Without that support… it might've been trouble."
He stretched and yawned.
"Let's head back."
"What about them?" Yun asked. "What if they attack again?"
"They're out of the exam now," Junyeok said calmly. "The instructors are watching everything."
---
Back at the tent, exhaustion settled over them.
Junyeok lay down, but his thoughts kept turning.
I know the reason why Dragon Devouring Eyes didn't activate against the White Boar… it only activates when I use Dragon Body Embodiment…
But why didn't Superiority activate?
He opened his status screen.
Everything looked normal.
Then—
The screen flickered.
Lines of static rippled across it.
Junyeok's chest tightened.
"…What's happening?"
Letters appeared, distorted and broken.
Lord ████ t█e
cr█m███n ██y█s
Don't n██d li██ tricks to
Fi██ weak██
I wish h███ it f██
Y██
F█nd m█ i ██
Wa████ f██
Y██
Junyeok's breathing slowed, unease creeping into his spine.
"…What is this…?"
The screen flickered again.
Then stabilized.
His passive skill Superiority was now wrapped in chains.
Skill Locked — Curse of Blood ████
Junyeok stared at the words, a cold weight settling in his chest.
"…What is all this…?"
He closed his eyes slowly.
I'll think about it later… I need rest.
And at last, he lay back and fell asleep, though the unease lingered like a shadow at the edge of his dreams.