Sitting upright, eyes fixed on the interactive board's display, Seran listened with sharp focus to Ludwig's reports.
"This is the area we will sweep tomorrow—a forest zone beyond the walls of Patrol Block Theta. Environmental analysis will be crucial here. Low-rank Evox are unable to conceal their traces, especially Tier 0s," Lud explained, using a laser pointer to guide the lecture.
"We will venture two kilometers into this area, which is occupied almost exclusively by Tier 0 Evox. Once the first target is identified, it will be your task to neutralize it to the best of your abilities."
Seran nodded and raised his hand.
"What kind of Evox should we expect tomorrow?"
"Mostly canids—beasts descended from common domestic dogs. Aggressive behavior, predictable actions. They move alone due to their territorial nature. Enhanced olfactory capabilities. Lack of strategic thinking," Lud replied.
Seran nodded again.
As fatigue set in and 19:00 arrived, the session ended. Ludwig advised Seran to rest and analyze everything he had learned that day.
"Departure at 07:00. Reach the armory by 06:00 and show this to the keeper—it's the ticket that will allow you to collect the equipment we discussed earlier."
Back in his cabin, Seran collapsed onto the bed, skipping dinner due to exhaustion—and because the lunch rations had been more than enough.
"DRIN!!! DRINNN!!!"
The alarm rang at 05:00.
Washing his face, the mirror reflected a young man—focused and determined.
With unusual punctuality, after a light breakfast, he arrived at the depot. Behind the counter, an attendant was distributing equipment to other candidates. After waiting his turn, Seran presented his identification ticket.
"Deloran Seran, load X2345. One moment please, I'll be right with you."
About thirty seconds later, the man returned with a package containing his gear.
Satisfied, Seran collected it and returned to his cabin.
Inside the package were: a tactical suit reinforced with synthetic fibers on the forearms, chest, and legs; an electromagnetic compass for orientation; a multifunction knife; an earpiece for communication with Lud; and a basic survival kit.
After organizing everything and activating the earpiece, Lud's voice immediately appeared in his ear:
"Fifteen minutes until scheduled time."
A pre-set message synchronized with Lud's watch—to ensure Seran would not be late.
Chuckling slightly, Seran headed toward the meeting point.
"Candidate Deloran. On time " the man remarked.
With a nod, Seran checked his watch.
07:00.
After passing through the gates leading into the Evox zone, the two began their march.
With steady pace, they silently covered the two kilometers, entering the designated region from the day before.
Nature echoed around them—birds flitting between dense forest vegetation, leaves falling quietly from branches as they advanced with cautious steps.
Ludwig then lowered his voice:
"As per protocol, I will maintain a distance of fifty meters from your position, ready to intervene if necessary. This warning should already give you an advantage."
Seran stiffened for a moment. His focus sharpened instantly.
Lud's words meant only one thing—an Evox was nearby, within a hundred-meter radius given his guide's tracking ability.
Taking a deep breath, pushing aside fear and anxiety, Seran scanned for signs: broken branches, droppings, footprints—anything that could reveal the beast's presence.
After advancing fifteen meters, he found them.
Footprints—twice the size of his own foot, with three toes per paw and sharp claws. Scratch marks scarred the surrounding trees.
Proceeding with extreme caution, following the trail, Seran saw it.
A creature resembling a dog—1.7 meters tall, 2.5 meters long. Defined muscle bands shaped its body. It lay sleeping beneath the shade of the trees.
Just as Seran began formulating a plan—
The Evox suddenly woke.
Sniffing the air, it detected something unusual and turned its black eyes toward him. Its enhanced sense of smell had completely erased any chance of stealth.
Rising onto all fours, it locked its gaze onto the boy.
For a moment, Seran froze.
Their eyes met.
Five seconds of silence.
Then Seran recovered.
With precision, he drew his long sword from its sheath. In his right ear, Lud's voice echoed:
"Stay calm. Prepare for its charge. Use its momentum against it and deliver the first strike."
Seran tightened his grip on the blade.
Short breath. Controlled.
The Evox did not wait.
With a low guttural growl, it lunged forward. Its claws tore through the ground, closing distance instantly. Its mass transformed into pure inertia.
Seran remained still.
At the last moment, he stepped sideways, twisting his torso.
The creature's charge passed just beside him—close enough to feel its heat and raw, wild stench.
Following the motion, Seran let the blade flow.
A horizontal slash—fast.
It struck.
The blade cut into the beast's flesh, opening a deep gash along its flank. Dark blood splattered across the ground.
A successful hit.
But not decisive.
The angle was imperfect.
Too shallow.
The Evox did not fall.
Instead, it landed on its front legs, skidding across the ground before violently twisting its body.
Its growl turned into an enraged roar.
Its black eyes burned with ferocity.
Now it was faster.
More aggressive.
Seran stepped back half a pace, his heart pounding harder.
He had landed a hit.
But he had also made the fight more dangerous.
The canid charged again.
This time, driven by frenzy, it struck him—
But between its jaws, Seran placed the cold steel of his sword.
The impact sent him flying backward into a tree.
Dazed for a moment, snapped back by pain, he re-stabilized his guard.
He waited again.
The creature lunged once more, claws extended to tear into him.
But Seran waited until the last instant.
A lateral leap.
The Evox's attack struck only the tree behind him, its skull crashing violently into the same trunk Seran had been thrown against.
Dropping his long sword, Seran drew the short blade in a single motion.
He leapt onto the creature's back, locking his legs around it.
He raised the weapon—
And drove it into its neck.
Blood erupted.
The beast thrashed in agony.
Seran understood the fight was not over.
He struck again.
And again.
Until exhaustion.
Until silence.
He collapsed beside the now-lifeless body.
Breathing heavily, he lay on his back, eyes fixed on the sky.
Clouds drifted freely above him, untouched by anything below.
"I did it… this is just the beginning. Regis, wait a little longer. Our promise is still alive."