As the students gathered outside, they were met with a massive wooden stage constructed at the center of the training grounds. A group of Heroes stood on the platform, radiating presence — but two figures stood out the most.
One was the SS-ranked hero, Mighty Knight, his gleaming armor reflecting the morning sun. The other was... something completely different.
A man dressed in vibrant streetwear, baggy pants, a flashy jacket, and a headphone hanging around his neck, stood confidently at the center. His entire body was covered in thick fur, especially around his face, which resembled that of a monkey. Clutched in his hand was a staff topped with a microphone, its metallic sheen contrasting with his wild appearance.
It was Monkey Mic, the legendary S-ranked hero from China.
"It's the S-ranked hero, Monkey Mic!" Zion's eyes widened in excitement, his mind practically screaming.
Monkey Mic grinned wide, revealing sharp teeth, and tapped his staff's mic, causing a loud echo to ripple across the field.
"Yo yo! Looks like everyone's here! You're probably wondering — what's the first challenge? Well, lemme break it down for ya!" His energetic voice carried effortlessly.
"It's simple — your goal is to find a flag matching your team's color!"
He raised a purple flag high above his head, waving it for all to see. "Flags are scattered all across this island — in forests, caves, cliffs, and maybe even in places you really don't wanna go!"
"The timer starts... NOW!" Monkey Mic shouted, raising both arms dramatically.
He paused, grinning, and muttered quietly to himself, "Not that there's an actual timer. Either they give up, or they keep searching — simple as that."
"Any questions?" Monkey Mic asked, spinning his staff casually.
A few hands shot up.
One of the students, Callix, raised his hand confidently.
"What happens if a team fails to find their flag? Is there a penalty?"
Monkey Mic clapped his hands once, loud enough to grab everyone's attention.
"Excellent question! There's no official time limit — but if your team gives up, or if you fail to find your flag within the next TWO YEARS, your team's overall performance points will be evaluated."
The students murmured, some in shock. Two years?!
"And if your points fall below standard — you fail to earn your Hero's Certificate. No exceptions!" Monkey Mic's smile turned mischievous.
"So yeah — don't slack off."
A half-dwarf student raised his hand next.
"What exactly is the point standard?"
Monkey Mic's grin grew wider.
"That's a secret." He winked.
The students groaned, but before anyone could press further, a large, green-skinned muscular student raised his hand next.
It was Victor, towering over the crowd.
Victor raised his hand, his voice booming with confidence.
"Are there any dangers we should know about? Not that I'm scared or anything — a real warrior is always prepared!"
His teammates immediately chimed in, showering him with praise.
"That's our leader! Of course, a true warrior thinks ahead!"
"We gotta follow the way of the warrior too!"
"This man's dropping wisdom bombs!"
Monkey Mic grinned wide, but this time, there was a chilling undertone to his voice.
"Good question. Since you're all so curious — I'll be honest."
He spun his staff lazily before pointing it at the crowd.
"Each flag… is wired with explosives."
The students froze.
"And every flag has a different timer. Some might go off in hours, some in days — maybe even minutes. Oh, and just so you know…"
Monkey Mic's smile widened, but his tone turned cold, almost cruel.
"There are civilians living on this island too. The Korean government? Yeah, they don't really care if they survive or not. So… good luck saving them while you search for your flag."
A ripple of fear spread through the students.
"What the fuck…"
"Did he really just say that?!"
"Isn't this completely illegal?!"
Victor crossed his arms, unfazed by the chaos.
"I see. It doesn't matter — I'll still bring honor to my race!" His smirk stretched wide as a heavy, almost suffocating aura of Aetheris burst from his body. The ground seemed to hum beneath his feet, and his teammates could feel the raw power radiating from him.
Before the tension could build further, Mighty Knight quickly stepped forward, his voice cracking slightly.
"A-Alright, enough talk! Let the challenge begin!"
He turned to Monkey Mic, whispering harshly.
"What the hell's wrong with you?! Why would you tell them all that?!"
Monkey Mic just shrugged, nonchalant.
"What? Gotta scare 'em a little — get the adrenaline flowing. Besides, look at that orc guy — his whole team's fired up now. You're telling me that's not hype?"
He casually tapped Mighty Knight's shoulder.
"Just watch — this is gonna be fun."
As the starting signal echoed across the island, all the teams split off, heading in different directions, each group choosing their own path to search for their flag.
Zion jogged up next to Karina.
"Leader, what's the plan?"
"We're heading into the forest." Karina answered without hesitation, her focus sharp.
As they walked, Zion's thoughts wandered.
"A forest, huh? Makes sense. In challenges like this, treasure — or flags — are almost always hidden in forests."
Yin caught up, scratching his head.
"Why'd you pick the forest, though? There's gotta be a reason, right?"
"Just follow me already! You've been asking non-stop!" Karina snapped, her sharp glare cutting through the air.
Yin flinched, raising his hands in surrender.
"O-okay…" he muttered, confused.
"But… that was literally the first time I asked her anything today." Yin thought, feeling a little wronged.
Sera, as usual, stayed silent, her gaze locked ahead as they continued deeper into the forest.
After a few minutes of walking, a thin trail of smoke curled up into the sky from somewhere up ahead.
"Smoke…?" Zion's brow furrowed, his instincts kicking in.
"Let's head there. It could be a sign — maybe even a clue to the flag's location." Karina's voice carried authority, leaving no room for argument.
"A… sign?" Zion muttered under his breath, still unsure how smoke would lead to a flag.
They pressed forward, the forest's atmosphere growing heavier with each step. The usual forest sounds — rustling leaves, chirping insects — seemed to fade into silence.
When they finally reached the source of the smoke, the oppressive atmosphere thickened, wrapping around them like an invisible hand squeezing their lungs.
There, sitting beside a crackling fire, was a man unlike any they had seen before.
His helmet was the severed head of a lion, its jaws locked permanently in a silent roar. His clothes were a patchwork of pelts, fur, and scales from countless beasts, each trophy telling a story of a hunt long past. Veins bulged across his massive arms, which were littered with old battle scars. His blade easily sliced through the body of a giant snake, roasting chunks of flesh over the fire.
Despite his calm posture, there was a primal weight to his presence, as though the forest itself bowed to him.
The trio froze, recognition hitting them all at once.
"The Primal Monarch…" Zion's mind raced, his heartbeat quickening.
"The King of the Wilderness…" Karina's hand instinctively hovered near her weapon.
Yin's eyes widened, excitement flashing across his face.
"The Monarch of Creatures!" His voice was a barely-contained whisper, as if speaking too loudly would provoke the beast himself.
The air between them and the seated man felt alive — a thin barrier separating predator and prey.