The boy stepped forward.
Slow.
Careful.
The space felt smaller now.
Like the walls were watching.
Like even the air was waiting.
"…You said this is a test," he said, eyes locked on the thin man.
"…Then explain it properly."
The man smiled slightly.
"…If I explain everything, it won't be a test."
"…That's a bad explanation."
"…It's enough."
The boy clicked his tongue.
"…I liked it better when people just chased me."
"They still are," the man replied calmly.
That made him pause.
"…What do you mean?"
The man didn't answer.
He just stepped back.
Into the darkness.
And disappeared.
"…I don't like that," the boy said immediately.
"…Stay focused," the girl replied.
"…On what?"
"…On not dying."
"…That's my usual plan."
She stepped forward slightly, scanning the area.
The ground was different here.
Smooth.
Too smooth.
"…Something's wrong," she said.
"…Everything is wrong," he replied.
"…No. This is different."
The moment she finished—
The ground shifted.
Not breaking.
Not cracking.
Moving.
The boy's eyes widened.
"…Now it moves too?"
"…Careful!"
The floor beneath them tilted suddenly.
Both of them slid.
The boy reacted fast, pushing off the ground and jumping sideways.
The girl grabbed onto the wall, stopping herself just in time.
"…Okay," he said, catching his balance.
"…I really hate this place."
"…Same."
The floor snapped back to normal.
Silence again.
Too quiet.
"…So what's the test?" the boy asked.
No answer.
Instead—
A sound.
A click.
Then—
The wall behind them opened.
And something stepped out.
Not human.
Not fully.
The boy stared.
"…That's new."
It stood tall, body covered in rough stone-like skin, eyes glowing faintly in the dark.
"…We fight?" he asked.
"…Looks like it."
"…I don't fight."
"…Then learn fast."
The creature moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
The boy barely dodged, its attack smashing into the ground where he stood a second ago.
"…Okay!" he shouted.
"…That's faster than me!"
"Move!" she said.
He moved.
Not in a straight line.
Short bursts.
Side steps.
Sharp turns.
But the space was small.
Too small.
He almost hit the wall twice.
"…This is cheating!" he yelled.
"No space!" she replied.
"…I need space!"
"Then make it!"
"…HOW?!"
The creature attacked again.
He jumped back—
Slipped—
Almost fell—
She grabbed his arm.
Pulled him up.
"…Focus!" she snapped.
"…I am focusing!"
"…On what?!"
"…On not dying!"
"…That's not enough!"
The creature charged again.
This time—
The boy didn't run.
He waited.
"…What are you doing?" she shouted.
"…Trying something stupid!"
"…That's your normal!"
"…Exactly!"
At the last second—
He moved.
Not away.
Forward.
Past it.
Too close.
The creature missed.
Its attack hit the wall.
Crack.
The wall broke slightly.
The boy turned instantly.
Eyes sharp.
"…Again," he said.
He moved around it.
Fast.
Leading it.
Guiding it.
The girl understood immediately.
She moved too.
Together—
They controlled its movement.
One distracts.
One leads.
Back and forth.
Until—
Another hit.
The wall cracked more.
Light came through.
"…There!" she said.
"…I see it!"
One more.
The creature attacked again—
The boy dodged—
It hit the same spot—
The wall broke open.
A path.
Without thinking—
They ran.
Out.
Back into open space.
Air.
Light.
Freedom.
They didn't stop immediately.
Only after putting distance between them and that place—
They slowed.
Breathing hard.
"…That was bad," the boy said.
"…You did well," she replied.
He blinked.
"…You said something nice."
"…Don't get used to it."
"…I'm writing this down."
She almost laughed again.
Then—
Her expression changed.
"…Something's wrong."
The boy looked around.
The air felt… off.
Quiet again.
Too quiet.
"…Not again," he said.
Behind them—
The path they came from—
Closed.
Sealed.
Like it was never there.
The boy slowly turned forward.
"…Tell me this is over."
She didn't answer.
Because ahead—
Figures stood.
Not chasing.
Not rushing.
Waiting.
And this time—
They looked ready.
End of Chapter 24