Zach paused, scratching the back of his head, his expression caught between uncertainty and resolve.

“I think that would be the best thing to do,” he said, his voice tentative. Then, after a pause, he added, “But...”

“But what?” Ivonah’s tone was sharp, as if she had already anticipated his hesitation.

Zach chewed his lip, his gaze drifting to the dense foliage around them. “A big part of being in the military is being part of a massive organization. Even if we succeeded, we’d be hated for it.”

Ivonah crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. “I wouldn’t be up for something that disgusting anyway.”

Zach shrugged, a flicker of guilt passing over his face.

His thoughts turned back to the driver he had left behind in the forest. He could still hear his own voice, promising the little boy they’d get help for him. Was he just a coward after all?

Ivory broke the silence, his voice low but steady. “I don’t like it either. It sounds dangerous—and greedy.”

Zach nodded slowly, grateful for the solidarity. “It was just a thought,” he admitted. Then he straightened, his tone shifting to something more serious. “But let’s push that aside for now. Does anyone here have any kind of... special traits that might help us?”

Ivory shook his head. “None.”

Ivonah raised an eyebrow at Zach. “Nope. Nothing.”

Zach frowned, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face.

No way I’m the only one with something unusual going on.

Ivonah, ignoring his skepticism, started walking forward. “During one of the tests,” she began, “I heard they were supposed to evaluate us for something they called ‘inner manipulation.’”

Zach and Ivory followed, curious despite themselves. “Inner manipulation?” Zach repeated.

Ivonah nodded. “Yeah. Since this survival-slash-race is supposed to cover everything, maybe they’re trying to force us to figure it out here.”

Before anyone could respond, a faint glow caught their attention. Far ahead, something floated in the air, shimmering and bright.

The three exchanged a glance, then broke into a run.

The forest floor seemed to shift beneath their feet as they darted between trees and over gnarled roots. Zach led the charge, his long strides giving him an edge. Ivonah was close behind, her movements agile and controlled, while Ivory brought up the rear, his bulk making it harder to maneuver but lending him an air of unyielding determination.

As they ran, Ivonah’s voice carried over the sound of their footsteps. “This is supposed to be a single test, right? Not a team effort?”

“Yeah,” Zach called back. “You’re wondering if what I said about eliminating others means I’d... take you two out too?”

Ivory muttered, “I didn’t think of that.”

Ivonah’s voice turned guarded. “We barely know each other. It’s possible.”

Zach glanced over his shoulder, his face calm but firm. “Don’t worry. It wasn’t my intention.”

“How can I trust you?” Ivonah asked, her tone sharp.

“If I wanted to, I would’ve done it by now,” Zach replied without breaking stride.

Ivory let out a low laugh. “Overconfident for such a light guy, aren’t you?”

Zach answered back. “Yup.”

As they rounded a bend, Zach suddenly stopped, his hand shooting out to signal the others. “Wait.” His gaze fixed on something to the side.

Ivory and Ivonah slowed, following his line of sight. There, half-buried among the roots of a massive tree, was a chest. The wood looked ancient, weathered by time, and faint runes glimmered along its edges.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“What’s that?” Ivonah asked, stepping closer.

“Only one way to find out,” Zach said, crouching down. He hesitated for a moment, then flipped the lid open.

Inside were weapons: a sleek bow with a quiver of arrows, a gleaming sword, a heavy war hammer, and a curious red marble that seemed to pulse faintly in the dim light.

Zach’s eyes widened. “Jackpot.”

He reached in and grabbed the war hammer and the marble. “Anyone want this?” He held up the hammer.

“I’ll take these.” Ivonah swooped in, snatching up the bow and arrows without hesitation. “You can keep your hammer.”

Ivory frowned as his eyes lingered on the hammer. “Keep it,” he muttered, trying to sound indifferent.

Zach smirked, tossing the hammer at him. “You’re a big guy. Take it.”

Ivory caught it, his expression surprised but grateful. “Thanks.”

Meanwhile, Zach turned his attention to the marble. It felt cool and smooth in his hand, and as he squeezed it experimentally, it shifted in size, growing and shrinking with the pressure.

“Interesting,” he murmured, pocketing it.

Ivory finally broke the silence. “So... are you two related or something?”

“What?” Ivonah shot him a confused look.

“You know,” Zach added, “your names—Ivory and Ivonah. Kind of similar.”

Ivonah rolled her eyes. “No. But our parents were close. They wanted us to grow up like siblings.”

Zach raised an eyebrow. “And did it work?”

Ivonah and Ivory exchanged a glance.

“Kind of.”

“Not really.”

A guttural growl shattered the stillness.

Zach froze mid-step, his hand instinctively gripping the war hammer. “Did you hear that?”

“Yeah,” Ivonah whispered, her bow already drawn. She scanned the forest, eyes darting between the dense foliage. Ivory stepped closer, holding the hammer defensively, his jaw tight.

From the shadows, a massive bear emerged, its fur matted and bristling. It towered over them, its muscles rippling with unnatural energy. But what sent a chill down their spines were the glowing lines etched across its body, pulsing with the same energy as the runes on the chest they’d opened. The bear let out a deafening roar, and as its claws raked the ground, shockwaves rippled outward, splintering roots and throwing debris into the air.

“Move!” Zach shouted, diving to the side as the shockwave slammed into the ground where he had stood. The force sent dirt and leaves flying, leaving a gash in the earth.

Ivonah rolled behind a tree, nocking an arrow. “This thing isn’t normal!”

“No kidding!” Ivory growled, hefting the hammer. “How are we supposed to take it down?”

The bear charged, its claws glowing as it swiped at Ivory. He swung the hammer in defense, and to his shock, the weapon sent out a concussive blast upon impact. The shockwave collided with the bear’s attack, momentarily forcing it back.

Ivory blinked in surprise. “Did you see that?”

“Yeah, keep doing it!” Zach shouted, darting forward with the sword. He slashed at the bear’s side, and a brief, crackling arc of energy shot from the blade, striking the beast. Though it barely made the creature flinch, Zach’s eyes lit up with realization. These weapons... they’ve got powers.

I can better keep my system and powers secret with these kinds of weapons as substitutes.

“No time to celebrate!” Ivonah yelled, releasing her arrow. The projectile flew true, embedding itself in the bear’s shoulder before exploding in a burst of fire and force. The beast roared in pain, stumbling back, smoke rising from its scorched fur.

“Holy fucking shit!” she exclaimed, already reaching for another arrow.

The bear shook off the attack with frightening speed, its glowing claws slicing through the air. Another shockwave rippled outward, this one larger and more forceful. Zach barely managed to leap behind a fallen log as the wave split trees in its path.

“We can’t keep dodging forever!” Ivory bellowed, slamming the hammer into the ground and sending a shockwave directly at the bear’s legs. The blast knocked it off balance, giving Zach an opening.

Zach darted forward, gripping the sword tightly. He slashed at the bear’s neck, sending another energy arc crackling into its hide. The creature howled, rearing back, but its retaliatory swipe was too fast. Claws raked across Zach’s shoulder, throwing him into the dirt with a grunt.

“Zach!” Ivonah’s voice was sharp with concern as she loosed another explosive arrow. This one struck the ground near the bear’s feet, the explosion forcing it back just enough for Ivory to charge in. He swung the hammer in a wide arc, sending another shockwave crashing into the bear’s chest. The beast stumbled, roaring in rage.

Zach pushed himself up, wincing at the pain in his shoulder. “I’m fine!” he called, gripping the sword with renewed determination. “We’ve got to finish this now.”

Ivory shouted. “I’ll keep it busy. Ivonah, aim for its head!”

Ivonah nodded, drawing another arrow. “Got it.”

“I’ll go for the legs!” Zach added, darting to the side.

The bear roared again, its glowing claws flashing as it lunged at Ivory. He met the charge head-on, slamming the hammer down and unleashing a massive shockwave that halted the creature mid-attack. The force rippled through the air, shaking the ground beneath them.

Seizing the opening, Zach rushed forward, slicing at the bear’s hind legs with the sword. Each swing sent arcs of energy into the beast, weakening its stance.

“Now, Ivonah!” Zach shouted.

Ivonah let out a breath, her focus razor-sharp. She loosed the arrow, and it flew straight and true, piercing the bear’s skull. The resulting explosion sent a fiery shockwave rippling outward, engulfing the creature in flames. The bear let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing, its massive body hitting the ground with a resounding thud.

For a moment, the forest was silent save for the heavy breathing of the trio. Zach leaned on the sword, his shoulder still throbbing. Ivory stood over the bear’s corpse, hammer in hand, his face a mixture of exhaustion and relief. Ivonah lowered her bow, exhaling deeply.

“Well,” Zach said, wincing as he straightened. “That was... intense.”

[Level up! You are now Level 7.]