Chapter 20 –
The dense canopy of Cyclone Forest whispered with the rustling of leaves as a gentle breeze passed through. At the center of a thick cluster of trees, a girl with striking pink hair lounged lazily on a thick tree branch. Her legs dangled over the edge, swinging slightly as she studied the gleaming red crystal in her hand.
Beside her, two young men stood in silence, their expressions blank, their hands occupied with large palm-leaf fans as they waved cool air toward the girl. Their movements were mechanical, their gazes devoid of emotion—almost as if they were puppets on strings.
The pink-haired girl sighed, twirling the crystal between her fingers as though it were nothing more than a bauble.
"Still red," she murmured, her voice carrying a melodious lilt. "How boring."
She rolled onto her side, propping her chin on one hand.
A rustling sound in the underbrush made her pause. Her black eyes flickered with interest as three figures stepped into view. Two boys and a girl, their expressions tight with determination, their bodies coiled with tension.
The girl on the opposing team stepped forward, lightning crackling around her hands. "We've been watching you. You haven't fought anyone yet, just been lazing around while your 'servants' do all the work. That changes now!"
The third member of their group, a lanky boy with an air of confidence, sneered. "Hand over your crystal and surrender, and we won't rough you up too badly."
Camilla tilted her head. "Oh~?"
She let her crystal slip from her fingers, letting it fall toward the ground—only for one of her attendants to catch it flawlessly without even looking up.
"Interesting," she murmured, eyes gleaming with amusement. "You all seem very sure of yourselves."
The leader scoffed, essence surging around his fists. "Three against three. The odds aren't in your favor."
Camilla smirked. "Is that so?"
She snapped her fingers.
The moment the sound echoed through the air, her two attendants moved like shadows.
The first, a broad-shouldered youth with a cold, impassive gaze, flickered forward with blinding speed. The lightning-wielding girl barely had time to react before his fingers gripped her wrist like a vice, twisting sharply. The crackle of her lightning fizzled out, and she let out a sharp cry as she was flung backward.
The lanky boy leaped forward, aiming to intercept—but the second attendant, a lean, sharp-eyed fighter, materialized in front of him. His foot lashed out in a blur, striking the lanky boy's chest and sending him hurtling into a nearby tree.
The leader's eyes widened. "What—?!"
Camilla sighed dramatically. "You should've done your research, dear. It's not that I don't fight..."
She vanished.
No—she moved so fast that to the leader's eyes, she simply ceased to exist for a moment.
A shiver ran down his spine.
Behind you.
Instinct screamed at him, but by the time he turned—
A delicate hand rested on his shoulder.
Camilla was behind him, her face inches from his ear, her breath warm against his skin.
"...It's that I don't need to."
A pulse of energy exploded from her fingertips.
The leader's vision blurred as an overwhelming force slammed into his back, sending him skidding across the dirt. He barely managed to roll onto his feet before he saw her still standing where she was, giggling.
"Oops," she said playfully. "Too much force."
The leader gritted his teeth. "Tch—!"
He lunged, essence surging through his legs to boost his speed.
Camilla simply smiled.
And stepped forward.
Her movements were light, graceful—like a dancer gliding across the battlefield.
Then—
She vanished again.
The leader's instincts screamed. Where—?!
A sharp impact to his side sent him spiraling mid-air. Before he could even react, another blow struck his chest, launching him backward. His body crashed into the undergrowth, knocking the air from his lungs.
He gasped, struggling to rise, but a foot pressed lightly against his throat.
Camilla gazed down at him with a sweet, innocent smile—one completely at odds with the sheer dominance she had just displayed.
"I could end this now," she mused, her voice laced with amusement. "But where's the fun in that?"
She looked over her shoulder at her attendants, who stood over the other two fallen opponents.
"Break their crystal," she ordered lazily.
One of the attendants nodded, raising the opposing team's red crystal in his palm. A soft, eerie glow surrounded his fingers before a sharp crack echoed through the air. The crystal split into fragments, its glow fading instantly.
The leader's breath came in ragged gasps as he looked at Camilla, his pride shattered along with the crystal.
Camilla winked. "Better luck next time."
She removed her foot and twirled away, walking back toward her perch in the tree.
Her attendants followed without a word.
As she settled back into her previous position, she pulled out her own crystal and inspected it with satisfaction.
Yellow.
Camilla pouted. "Ahh, I still need two more."
She glanced down at the defeated team, her lips curving into a sly smile.
"Maybe I'll go hunting after all."
Miles away from Camilla's domain, a different scene unfolded.
The forest clearing was littered with fallen warriors—groaning, unconscious, or barely conscious. Their bodies bore signs of intense battle, their clothes tattered, bruises forming where devastating blows had landed. Among them, several red-colored crystals lay scattered on the earth.
Standing amidst the wreckage of battle, a black short-haired girl surveyed the fallen with cold detachment. Her deep, unreadable gaze lingered on a blonde-haired boy standing nearby. His hands rested casually on two sword hilts—though curiously, no blades extended from them.
The girl's voice was devoid of emotion as she spoke.
"You know, you should just destroy a crystal and end this."
The boy grinned, rolling his shoulders as if stretching after a good fight. "Where's the fun in that?" His sharp blue eyes gleamed mischievously. "I only wanted to see the Zero—but these guys keep getting in my way." His gaze drifted toward the black-haired girl's green-colored crystal. "And besides…" His fingers lightly tapped one of his sword hilts. "There's still time before the trial ends."
The girl said nothing, merely observing him in silence. The boy sighed, rubbing the back of his head.
"Guess I'll play a little longer."
---
Meanwhile, Nephis and Lucas were moving swiftly through the forest.
Lucas clenched his fists as he studied his own crystal, irritation flashing in his eyes. "The color changed again."
Nephis chuckled. "So, we're dealing with someone who knows what they're doing." Her expression darkened slightly as she glanced around the vast forest.
She had a feeling about who it might be.
She had been watching the progression of the trial carefully. Multiple teams had already lost their crystals, and all signs pointed to one single factor—a mysterious, black-cloaked figure capable of eliminating entire groups in a frighteningly short amount of time.
Two teams taken down in ten minutes.
A shiver ran down her spine.
They only needed to destroy one more crystal to pass the trial. But now, Nephis wasn't sure if they were the hunters… or the hunted.
---
Blaze and his group moved cautiously through the dense forest.
The eerie silence was broken by a sudden, desperate cry.
"Somebody—please help me!"
The voice was weak, trembling—full of fear and desperation.
Without hesitation, Blaze's group rushed toward the source, their feet pounding against the forest floor. They emerged into a small clearing, where a frail-looking girl lay surrounded by a group of shadowy figures.
The moment those figures saw Blaze's group, they bolted, vanishing into the underbrush as if they had been caught red-handed.
Kaito clicked his tongue, watching them go. "Cowards."
Their attention shifted to the girl on the ground. She was covered in bruises and cuts, her delicate frame shaking. Her clothes were torn in places, and her long silver hair was matted with dirt and blood.
Kaito stepped forward, reaching down to pick her up.
His hands—the same ones that always failed to lift objects—succeeded this time. He scooped her up effortlessly, cradling her like a princess.
Despite his sharp tongue, Kaito had a knack for flirting with women. And right now, he was treating this girl like a damsel in distress.
"Looks like you had it rough, huh?" He smirked down at her. "Don't worry, I'm great at patching up pretty girls."
The girl blinked up at him, her pale lips parting slightly.
But something… felt off.
Akira narrowed her eyes. A strange unease crept up her spine.
Something about this situation was wrong.
The feeling intensified when the girl suddenly moved—
Right into Blaze's arms.
Blaze, caught off guard, instinctively tried to push her away—
But a sharp pain stabbed into his back.
A chilling sensation spread through his body.
Something had been injected into him.
His breath hitched.
Then the system's cold, mechanical voice rang out.
> "An unknown substance has been injected. The host's efficiency has reduced by 60%."
"Your health has decreased."
"Your strength has decreased."
"Your stamina has decreased."
"Your defense has decreased."
"Your dexterity has decreased."
"Your senses have decreased."
Blaze staggered.
His entire body felt sluggish, as if lead had filled his veins. His muscles weakened, his breath came ragged.
His vision blurred, and he barely managed to keep his balance.
Akira's eyes widened in realization.
"We've been ambushed."
At that moment, the underbrush rustled. Five figures emerged, each one radiating dangerous intent.
The frail-looking girl—the one who had pretended to be helpless—stepped back toward them, a syringe still in her hand, its needle coated with a faint green liquid.
She smiled sweetly.
Blaze barely managed to keep his footing, his muscles trembling, his breath shallow. He glared at the girl, but she only tilted her head, amused.
Kaito's jaw tightened.
"I think it's more than just an ambush," he muttered. His gaze locked onto Blaze, noticing something alarming.
Blaze's muscles had visibly shrunk.
His usually sharp, imposing frame had diminished, like his very essence was being drained.
Blaze gritted his teeth. His entire body screamed in protest—his limbs felt heavier than steel.
The five figures surrounding them radiated dangerous killing intent.
Some of them were in the 6th stage of the Foundation Phase—stronger than anyone they had fought before in this trial.
Kaito gulped.
" We are clearly in trouble."
---
To Be Continued…