The boy took one step forward—
Then stopped.
Not because he wanted to.
Because this time… running straight wouldn't work.
Three of them.
One in front.
One behind.
One to the side.
All calm.
All ready.
"…Annoying," he said under his breath.
The heavy man laughed.
"That's a new reaction. Most people panic."
"I did," the boy replied.
"Now I'm thinking."
The girl tilted her head slightly.
"That's better."
The spear man didn't move.
He just watched.
Like nothing here could surprise him.
The boy looked at each of them again.
Fast.
Careful.
The girl — fast, smart.
The spear man — quiet, dangerous.
The big one — slow… but not stupid.
"…Fine," the boy said.
He moved.
Not forward.
Sideways.
The girl reacted instantly.
But this time—
The boy didn't keep going.
He stopped suddenly.
Turned.
Ran the other way.
The heavy man stepped in—
Too late.
The boy passed him like wind.
"Hey!" the big man shouted, turning around.
The boy didn't look back.
He changed direction again.
Sharp.
Unnatural.
Not a straight path.
The girl frowned.
"…He's not running normally."
"He's learning," the spear man said.
The boy jumped over a rock—
Slid under a branch—
Turned again—
No pattern.
No rhythm.
Just movement.
Fast.
Messy.
Unpredictable.
For the first time—
They slowed.
"…That's new," the heavy man said.
The boy felt it.
The distance growing.
His lips moved slightly.
"…Good."
He pushed harder.
Trees blurred.
Ground flew past.
Air cut against his face.
But he didn't relax.
Not yet.
He remembered the girl.
She didn't chase speed.
She chased paths.
So he broke his own path.
He ran uphill.
Then down.
Then straight through thick trees instead of around them.
Branches hit his arms.
Leaves scratched his face.
He didn't care.
Behind him—
No footsteps.
He slowed.
Just a little.
Looked back.
Nothing.
Silence.
"…Did I win?" he said quietly.
He stood there.
Listening.
Waiting.
Then—
A small clap.
Slow.
Calm.
From his left.
The spear man stepped out.
"…Better," he said.
The boy's eyes widened.
"How—"
"You think too simply," the man interrupted.
Behind him—
The girl appeared again.
And the heavy man from the other side.
Still smiling.
"You ran differently," the girl said.
"But not enough."
The boy didn't move.
This time—
He understood.
Running alone…
Was not enough anymore.
The heavy man cracked his knuckles.
"Now what?" he asked.
The boy looked at them.
Then at the ground.
Then at the trees.
Thinking.
Fast.
Then—
He smiled.
"…I try again."
And moved—
But this time—
Not away.
Straight toward them.
End of Chapter 15