Reminder = In the previous chapter, we saw Manu trapped inside his dream. After escaping from it, he cleared the Glass Walking Trial and finally reached the altar. There, a pair of yellow-golden eyes stared directly at him.
Now Next...
Nyra (thought) = Should I come out?
NARRATOR VOICE = The moment Nyra spoke, something changed in Manu's senses.
A faint fragrance of lavender flowers drifted through the air.
Yet, despite the tense atmosphere, Manu had a completely different problem.
A sudden pressure built up in his stomach.
The yellow eyes filled him with fear, and he instinctively placed a hand over his belly.
Manu (relief) = Ah... I've been holding that in for a long time. Life-and-death battles can wait, but nature can't.
NARRATOR VOICE = A horrible smell immediately spread across the area.
Manu had left his mark on the battlefield.
The smell was powerful enough to make everyone regret being born.
Every person nearby quickly covered their noses.
Orion = Little Turtle... are you seriously not afraid of whatever is in front of us?
NARRATOR VOICE = Before Manu could answer, the iron bars of the prison began to crack.
Cracks spread across the metal like spiderwebs.
Then—
A monstrous howl echoed through the ruins.
BOOM!
The iron bars exploded apart.
Fragments scattered across the ground.
The howl itself was terrifying.
Everyone within thirty meters felt their breathing become difficult.
Their legs suddenly felt heavier.
Their heartbeats accelerated.
Cold sweat dripped down their faces.
Eira = Be careful! That's Death Aura!
Don't lose focus!
Stay alert!
Orion (disbelief) = You're joking, right?
Tell me this is a joke.
It can't be...
It can't be that thing...
Manu = Relax.
We'll figure something out.
Orion = Little Turtle, you've never fought it before.
The moment you see it... you'll understand.
NARRATOR VOICE = Orion's body trembled as old memories resurfaced.
His hands shook uncontrollably.
Sweat rolled down Eira's face and fell onto the ground.
For a brief moment, each droplet looked like a flower blooming in slow motion.
Then—
A massive shadow emerged from the darkness.
Three heads.
Six glowing eyes.
The yellow lights grew brighter.
Eira = It's Cerberus.
NARRATOR VOICE = The monster finally stepped forward.
Its appearance immediately made Manu uncomfortable.
Its entire body was covered in thick black fur, resembling a monstrous bear mixed with a giant hound.
Beneath the fur, burning cracks spread across its body.
Molten red and orange light leaked from beneath its skin.
Glowing crimson veins pulsed like rivers of lava.
Around its neck were the remains of ancient chains.
The chains were rusted with age.
Yet somehow they still looked unbreakable.
Each head possessed a different eye color.
Left Head — Red.
Middle Head — Gold.
Right Head — Green.
The left head immediately looked the most aggressive.
Cerberus (Left Head) = You insects are pathetic.
I'll use your bones as toothpicks.
Cerberus (Middle Head) = Don't underestimate insects.
Even insects can be poisonous.
Cerberus (Right Head) = I see your depth.
NARRATOR VOICE = A chill ran down Manu's spine.
For some reason, the words of the right head made him uncomfortable.
Manu (thought) = Did it figure it out?
Does it know about the System?
Does it know I'm from another world?
Manu = Mr. Right Head, you seem like the intelligent one.
Wouldn't you like to introduce yourself properly, just like the others?
Cerberus (Right Head) = Ha... ha... ha...
My introduction?
Very well.
You see what the world chooses to show you.
But I see the things you hide...
Even from yourself.
Cerberus (Left Head) = Enough talking.
Let's begin the hunt.NARRATOR VOICE = With those words, the battle began.
The Right Head made its move.
The moment Eira and Orion saw the attack, their faces turned pale.
It was as if someone had escaped a prison, only to be captured again by the same guards.
Old nightmares instantly resurfaced.
Eira, Orion = No...
Don't tell me...
Eira, Orion = Soul Howl.
NARRATOR VOICE = The Right Head slowly opened its mouth.
No sound came out.
Yet a thick fog appeared around everyone.
The fog spread rapidly and swallowed the battlefield.
Leo seemed to recognize the attack.
Or perhaps he had predicted it beforehand.
He immediately wore a black mask marked with a single red star.
Then he pulled a silver ring from his pocket and wore it.
A moment later—
Leo vanished.
It was as if a magician had made him disappear before everyone's eyes.
The fog continued spreading.
Only a few heads remained uncovered.
But even those would soon disappear inside the mist.
Eira = Survive the illusion!
It's only an illusion!
Break it and come back!
NARRATOR VOICE = Then everyone was pulled into their own illusion.
Their regrets.
Their trauma.
Their worst memories.
The attack wasn't aimed at the body.
It attacked the mind.
---
Scene Shift — Orion's Illusion
NARRATOR VOICE = Orion suddenly found himself standing in his childhood.
Three familiar figures stood before him.
An energetic boy.
A middle-aged woman.
And a middle-aged man.
Orion (crying) = Father...
Mother...
Brother...
I miss you.
Orion's Mother = My son, why are you crying?
Today is your birthday.
Come here.
NARRATOR VOICE = Orion's mother wiped away his tears and pulled him into a tight hug.
A very tight hug.
So tight that Orion could barely breathe.
His face was completely buried against her chest.
Orion's Father = Alright, that's enough.
NARRATOR VOICE = Orion finally escaped the hug and took a deep breath.
Orion = Mom, your chest got even bigger.
If you had hugged me any longer, I would've died there.
Orion's Mother = Oh?
You've become very naughty lately.
You're the one who asks for hugs.
Then after enjoying them, you complain about them.
Orion's Father = Orion's mother, you're far too innocent.
NARRATOR VOICE = The birthday celebration continued.
As a gift, Orion received a hammer from his parents.
His older brother gifted him a bandana.
Orion = Big Brother, I want to go to the mines with you too!
NARRATOR VOICE = Later, Orion and his family traveled to the mines.
At the entrance stood an unfamiliar man.
He paced back and forth impatiently.
It looked like he was waiting for someone.
Everyone around him called him "Boss."
Orion's family approached him.
Boss (angry) = Do you people even want to work?
You're one hour late.
Fine.
I'll overlook it this time.
Orion's Family = Thank you, Boss.
NARRATOR VOICE = Orion's mother looked uncomfortable.
Boss = Orion's mother.
Come with me.
NARRATOR VOICE = The Boss led her toward a cabin on the opposite side of the mine.
The cabin was simple.
A wooden chair.
A table.
Nothing else.
Orion's Mother = Yes, Boss?
What do you need from me?
Boss = You know exactly why you're here.
Orion's Mother = What do you mean?
Boss = This is the price for being late.
Let's have some fun.
You shouldn't be shy.
We did this yesterday too, didn't we?
Orion's Mother = Yes...
But yesterday was because you promised a salary increase.
You said that after that, I would be free.
Boss = I did say that.
But circumstances change.
Now you're late.
If you refuse, quit your job.
And I'll make sure no one hires you again.
NARRATOR VOICE = Little Orion overheard everything.
Voices leaked through the cabin walls.
At first he didn't fully understand.
But he knew one thing.
His mother sounded scared.
And that made him angry.
He ran to find his father.
Together they rushed toward the cabin.
The entire family tried to get inside.
But security guards blocked the entrance.
From inside came frightened screams.
By the time they finally forced their way in—
It was already too late.
The damage had already been done.
NARRATOR VOICE = The memory froze.
The illusion refused to move forward.
As if Orion's own mind couldn't bear to relive the rest.
The fog around him grew darker.
And the pain in his chest became heavier.
The nightmare he had spent years trying to bury had returned once again.
AUTHOR VOICE = If you don't understand what this situation means, then don't worry about it. You're still young. Just know that something very wrong happened.
Also, sorry in advance if the upcoming scene feels disturbing. Don't take it too seriously. Try to view it as part of the story, character psychology, and human behavior. I'm using simple words because it's difficult to explain everything properly.
Okay, back to the story.
---
NARRATOR VOICE = Orion's father was trembling with rage.
He stormed toward the Boss and grabbed him by the collar.
Meanwhile, Orion's mother pulled Orion into her arms, covering his eyes and ears.
Orion's Mom = Orion, calm down. Everything is okay. We're just joking around. It's okay...
Orion's Dad (Rage) = You filthy monster! What did you do to my innocent wife?!
I won't give you an easy death!
Boss (Smiling) = Hahaha...
Your wife is beautiful.
Maybe that's why she caught my attention.
And honestly...
You're too useless to deserve someone like her.
Now then...
Let's continue.
Girls, hold him down.
NARRATOR VOICE = Several women immediately restrained Orion's father.
Boss = Let's begin again.
Orion's Mom = No!
I won't do anything anymore!
Please... just let my family go.
Boss = Fine.
NARRATOR VOICE = Suddenly, the Boss swung his sword.
Orion's older brother was struck and thrown into the depths of the mine.
The fall was fatal.
Boss = Do as you're told.
Otherwise, your husband is next.
Orion's Dad = Don't listen to him!
This dog can't do anything to me!
Boss = Girls.
NARRATOR VOICE = The Boss clapped once.
Instantly, several ice spikes formed around Orion's father.
One more command...
And they would pierce him from every direction.
Orion's mother froze in fear.
Orion's Mom = I...
I'm ready.
Please don't hurt them.
I'm sorry, honey...
I love you very much.
Boss = Good.
Now let's go.
And perhaps...
We should make Orion watch as well.
NARRATOR VOICE = Orion covered his ears.
His entire body trembled.
The rage inside him reached its limit.
His eyes turned bloodshot.
He bit into his own hand so hard that flesh tore open.
Blood dripped from the wound onto the ground.
His breathing became heavier and heavier.
Then Orion looked at the wound on his hand.
The pain helped him think.
Helped him remember.
Helped him realize something.
Orion (Rage) = You dare...
You dare use my family to trap me?!
This is fake!
This is Cerberus's illusion!
I'LL KILL YOU, CERBERUS!
NARRATOR VOICE = Orion raised his hammer.
Without hesitation...
He smashed the illusion in front of him.
One after another, the false figures disappeared.
The entire illusion world began cracking apart.
Orion's hands were still shaking.
Not because of fear.
But because of anger.
Orion (Thought) = There was only one truth inside this illusion...
My brother really did die in a mine.
And I still blame myself for it.
Cerberus...
I will kill you.
NARRATOR VOICE = The scene shifted.
This time...
We entered Manu's illusion.
A world built from his childhood memories.
And inside that memory...
Manu was crying.
While punishment rained down upon him.
Manu (Crying) = What did I do wrong...?
Why am I being punished?
Aunt Lovely...
Lovely = Stop crying. Your voice is hurting my ears.
Your father and mother left you with me and disappeared.
All you ever do is act.
Manu (Crying) = Aunt Lovely...
My legs hurt so much.
I feel dizzy.
Lovely = Hah.
Looks like even a six-year-old child has already reached old age.
NARRATOR VOICE = Manu wiped his tears with his clothes.
He had cried so much that mucus was running from his nose.
He silently cleaned it with his sleeve.
Manu (Thought) = Is crying really a bad thing?
Is talking about my pain also wrong?
NARRATOR VOICE = But Manu couldn't stop crying.
His aunt grabbed a thick stick and continued beating him until his cries finally disappeared.
Even today, during winter, pain still returns to his legs.
That day taught Manu something.
He learned how to cry without making a sound.
The tears never disappeared.
They simply became invisible.
Many nights, people thought Manu was peacefully sleeping.
But beneath his blanket...
He was quietly crying alone.
Manu (Thought) = That dog can't trap me inside memories.
I barely have enough memories to count on my fingers.
He'll have to try harder.
This used to be a trauma...
But not anymore.
NARRATOR VOICE = Manu shattered the illusion with surprising ease.
The scene shifted once again.
This time...
Into Nyra's memories.
---
NARRATOR VOICE = Nyra was hanging from a rope.
Her body was covered with wounds.
Nyra = When will my assassin training finally end, Miss May?
May = Three more months.
Control your emotions.
Now come with me.
Nyra = Where?
May = The Dark Room.
You'll have to find a hidden scroll.
And survive there for three months.
NARRATOR VOICE = Countless red scars covered Nyra's body.
Blood slowly dripped from several wounds.
Her training was brutal.
In fact...
It had started the moment she was born.
Nyra = Easy.
Breaking an illusion like this is easy.
NARRATOR VOICE = Nyra pulled out a dagger from her pocket.
Without hesitation...
She stabbed herself.
The sharp pain instantly shattered the illusion.
---
NARRATOR VOICE = The scene returned to reality.
Nyra escaped the illusion and found Orion and Manu already waiting outside.
Manu = So you escaped too?
You're late.
Orion = My illusion was difficult.
Honestly, I expected Eira to get out before both of us.
NARRATOR VOICE = The scene shifted once again.
This time...
Into Eira's illusion.
---
NARRATOR VOICE = Eira was seven years old.
She wore a beautiful white dress.
Her room looked like something from a fairy tale.
A large bed.
A white wardrobe.
A small table.
Elegant chairs.
Everything was spotless.
She happily prepared herself for another day.
Standing near the door was a teenage boy dressed in a white tailored suit.
Eira = Big Brother!
Did you come to see me?
Eira's Brother = It's time for school.
Eira = Okay.
But carry me on your back first.
NARRATOR VOICE = Her brother smiled.
He gently flicked her forehead.
Then he carried her on his back and walked her to school.
The day passed peacefully.
But Eira stayed later than usual.
Eira (Thought) = It's getting late.
I need to hurry home.
My stomach is completely empty.
It's practically screaming.
NARRATOR VOICE = By the time Eira returned home...
Night had already fallen.
The moonlight painted everything in pale yellow and white.
The world looked blurry.
Like someone with weak eyesight trying to see something far away.
Eira pushed open the front gate.
And froze.
Blood.
Everywhere.
Blood splattered across the floor.
Across the walls.
Across the windows.
Several servants lay dead on the ground.
Some were missing arms.
Some were missing legs.
Some had lost their heads entirely.
The white floor had become completely red.
So red that it was impossible to believe it had ever been white.
Eira's breathing became uneven.
Her hands trembled.
Sweat covered her palms.
Tears blurred her vision.
Yet she continued walking.
One step at a time.
Toward the staircase.
Toward whatever awaited her upstairs.
Eira = He did this...
Wait...
Where are Mom and Dad?
They must be safe in their room.
NARRATOR VOICE = Eira desperately tried to convince herself.
She slowly walked toward her parents' room.
The door was slightly open.
Blood stained the wooden surface.
Through the small opening, she tried to look inside.
Accidentally...
She pushed the door completely open.
And her world shattered.
Her mother and father lay dead on the floor.
Blood covered their bodies.
Blood covered the walls.
Blood covered the furniture.
There wasn't a single place in the room untouched by red.
Moonlight illuminated a lone figure standing in the center.
His clothes were stained with blood.
A dagger rested in his hand.
Fresh blood dripped from its blade.
He had been staring at the corpses.
But the moment the door opened...
He slowly turned toward Eira.
The little courage she had left instantly disappeared.
Tears streamed down her face as she asked only one question.
Eira (Fear) = Brother...
What have you done?
You're a criminal.
I'll kill you!
NARRATOR VOICE = Eira charged toward him.
A tiny knife gripped in her hand.
Her brother calmly grabbed her by the neck and lifted her into the air.
She couldn't breathe.
The veins beneath her skin became visible.
Blue.
Green.
The blood flow in her face slowed.
She struggled desperately.
But she couldn't escape.
Eira's Brother = You're foolish.
Use your brain.
They were holding me back.
What are you going to do now?
Take revenge?
Forget it.
You have neither the power nor the intelligence.
Grow stronger first.
Then maybe killing me will actually be interesting.
Eira = That's enough.
The first time, I was trapped inside this illusion for two months.
But not anymore, Cerberus.
Watch this.
NARRATOR VOICE = The illusion shattered.
Everyone returned to reality.
Their eyes immediately locked onto Cerberus.
The right head had exploded.
Black smoke poured from the wound.
It looked as if a soul itself was leaking into the air.
Cerberus screamed in agony.
The ground trembled.
The ruins cracked.
Even nearby trees bent toward the monster as if pulled by an invisible force.
Cerberus (Right Head) = RAAAAGHHHH!!
Cerberus (Right Head) = You took my brother away from me...
I will never forgive you!
NARRATOR VOICE = Suddenly, Cerberus vanished.
Eira = Orion! Look above!
NARRATOR VOICE = Orion immediately looked up.
Cerberus was already descending from the sky.
He raised his shield just in time.
The beast attacked in pure rage.
Its claws burned with Hellfire.
Glowing crimson.
A combination of Death Claw and Hellfire.
The instant those claws touched Orion's shield—
CRACK!
The shield shattered into countless fragments.
Orion = What the hell?!
Manu = He's even faster than before.
If we somehow tame him as a pet, we'll never have to worry about being late again.
Yoohoo...
Eira = His power has increased too.
He destroyed a high-grade weapon as easily as spreading butter on bread.
If this fight continues like this...
We'll be joining the dead very soon.
NARRATOR VOICE = Cerberus didn't stop.
Attack after attack rained down.
Orion barely managed to survive.
Eira continuously created walls of ice.
Each one shattered instantly.
Eira = This power is insane!
Manu = Something is wrong.
Orion = What?!
Manu = The middle head hasn't attacked even once.
NARRATOR VOICE = The middle head slowly opened its golden eyes.
It looked at Orion.
Orion suddenly saw a vision of everyone's death.
Then it looked at Eira.
She saw herself failing.
Losing everything.
Then it looked at Manu.
Manu saw himself trapped between Cerberus's giant teeth.
At that exact moment...
A green light emerged from behind Cerberus.
The light came from the ancient bracelet.
Bracelet = This is Predator Gaze.
Do not look into its eyes.
And unless you destroy its heart...
It will continue growing stronger.
NARRATOR VOICE = The bracelet's green light spread across the battlefield.
The visions instantly disappeared.
Manu = I understand.
Orion.
Eira.
Can you hold him for one minute?
Eira = Even with the bracelet's buff...
Thirty seconds is our limit.
NARRATOR VOICE = Manu sprinted toward Cerberus.
Orion and Eira desperately held the monster back.
Suddenly...
Manu stopped.
Orion = Little Turtle!
We can't hold him much longer!
Why did you stop?!
Manu = Because I don't have a weapon.
Orion = Then take this.
And finish the monster.
NARRATOR VOICE = Orion threw his spear toward Manu.
Manu caught it in mid-air.
Without hesitation, he charged forward and drove the spear into Cerberus's most vulnerable spot.
For a second...
Everything became silent.
Then—
CERBERUS = RAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHH!!!
NARRATOR VOICE = Cerberus released a terrifying scream.
The entire ruin shook violently.
Massive cracks spread across the ground.
The floor beneath Cerberus collapsed.
Its gigantic body lost balance and fell into the darkness below.
Deep inside the cracks...
Lava was flowing.
Cerberus disappeared into the burning abyss.
Only ashes remained.
---
Orion (relief) = We actually did it...
We defeated that monster.
---
Eira (confused) = Manu.
Tell me one thing.
How did you figure out that its heart wasn't in its chest?
---
Manu = Simple.
During the entire fight, it protected only one place.
It didn't care about its head.
It didn't care about its chest.
It didn't care about its legs.
It didn't care about its back.
But that one spot...
It protected every single time.
So I took a guess.
---
NARRATOR VOICE = Eira stared at Manu in silence.
She wasn't sure whether he was a genius...
Or completely insane.
---
The Bracelet
Eira = Look at the bracelet!
Stop him!
---
NARRATOR VOICE = Leo had already taken the ancient bracelet.
Eira immediately launched an ice spell toward him.
But before it could reach him...
The test timer reached zero.
A bright light engulfed everyone.
The ruin disappeared.
---
Outside the Ruin
NARRATOR VOICE = As soon as they returned outside, loud applause echoed through the arena.
Thousands of people were cheering.
Then—
A shadow stepped out from behind Manu.
---
Manu (shocked) = Wait...
How did you come out of my shadow?!
And why didn't you help during the fight?!
---
Nyra = I did help.
I boosted your stats.
Without that support, you wouldn't have defeated Cerberus so easily.
---
NARRATOR VOICE = Manu froze.
Then a huge smile appeared on his face.
---
Reunion
NARRATOR VOICE = Manu walked back toward his team.
Darius looked completely stunned.
His confidence had finally cracked.
Elira and Aira looked guilty.
Lyra looked happier than ever.
---
Manu = Here.
I borrowed this for a while.
Now it's time to return it.
---
NARRATOR VOICE = Manu handed Orion's spear back to him.
---
Orion = Keep it.
Consider it a gift.
You saved my life.
Just don't let that rat touch it.
---
NARRATOR VOICE = Orion said while looking directly at Nyra.
---
Nyra = ...
---
The Results
Lyra = Come on.
Don't look so depressed.
Maybe we didn't reach the next round.
But thanks to Manu and Nyra...
Falcon Team made history today.
---
Ruka = Alright!
Let's stop worrying and see the results.
Let's find out which five academies advanced to the next round.
---
NARRATOR VOICE = The moment Ruka said those words...
The entire stadium became silent.
A giant screen appeared in the sky.
Everyone looked up.
Falcon Team's faces instantly turned pale.
Shock.
Fear.
Disbelief.
Sweat appeared on their faces.
Something was terribly wrong.
---
COMING SOON...
Sorry for the late upload.
As you all know...
I'm naturally a late person.
Also, I want to ask something.
Should I change the cover image of the novel?
Comment "YES" or "NO".
And tell me—
Which part of the chapter was your favorite?
Your comments motivate me to keep writing.
And if you're enjoying the story...
Throw a Power Stone at it.
You know...
The red one.