Ray spoke to Thani in a whisper, "I've told you everything about Fenrius. Now, what should we do? Do you have a plan?"

Thani remained calm and closed his eyes to concentrate. "Listen carefully, Ray and Joel. Do you know what time it is?"

"I don't know," Ray shook his head. "Why do you ask?"

"I forgot, even though I saw it before I left," Joel responded with a lie, pretending to be more active and hoping to be considered as someone who is contributing a little.

"I know. It's approximately 12:30 pm now," Thani assured them.

"You don't have to ask if you already know the answer. So, what's the plan?" Ray asked nervously.

Thani gathered his thoughts. They had arrived on the island at noon and had taken ten minutes to reach the cell. This meant they had been trapped for twenty minutes. Thani knew the way out: they had to go to the left end of the symmetrical hallway and find the stairs to the top along the wall. Since they were in Block A, they must turn left after the stairs and continue straight until they reached the main hall. However, the Bloodguards posed the only obstacle, making their escape not as straightforward as it seemed.

"Thani, have you been counting the time?" Joel was impressed.

"Yes. The guards have passed by our cell four times. That means they circle the prison every two and a half minutes. We can't be careless. Our job is to observe, watch the movements of the guards, and choose the best route to escape unnoticed. We have to wait for the right moment and seize the opportunity," Thani explained in a low voice.

"That's impressive, Thanistor the Knight. That nickname suits you very well for someone who has never lost in the arena," Ray said with admiration.

"It's been a long time," Thani replied quietly. "Even now, people still don't recognize me without my armor."

*

In one of the cells in Block B, three young girls - Yuria, Kirana, and Ischel - were planning an escape from the prison. Yuria was known to be quiet and introverted in class, always working alone. It was the first time she had been forced to cooperate, so she felt a little awkward. Kirana, on the other hand, had a great memory and could recall all her contemporaries' faces and the names of the men who liked her. Ten years is a long time, and children's memories are the most memorable and hard to forget.

Ischel, the third girl in the group, was a bit of a wildcard. She was outgoing and boisterous, always cracking jokes and keeping the group's spirits up. However, she could also be reckless and impulsive, which made Yuria and Kirana a bit nervous. Despite this, they knew they needed her help to make their escape plan work.

"How does it feel to receive the Flask of Nightmare liquid, Yuria?" asked Ischel, the girl on the left, to Yuria, who was in the middle.

Yuria's heart skipped a beat, and her head still hurt at the thought of the terrifying sound tormenting her head. She didn't know why, but she was so relieved after experiencing a death hotter than fire, colder than ice. Even now, her body was still shivering, and she wasn't used to feeling immense pressure.

"Please don't mention that liquid, Ischel. I feel like throwing up when I think about it. It's worse than ordinary death," Yuria replied with a limp look.

"Uh... I'm sorry, it's just that I'm so tired of being kept quiet," said Ischel, the muscular Amazonian woman.

Ischel Naria, cadet number 501 from Class C, hails from the only female society on the Amazonia Isle, located on the continent of Valhalor, which is the same continent as Zain to the north. Known as the Pantheress, Ischel is a tall, strong, and fiercely independent Amazonian who commands admiration from many.

One cadet, named Aleister, was so captivated by the physical prowess of the Amazonians that he detailed it in his personal diary. He described their well-defined shoulder and back muscles, along with their striking deltoid and trapezius contours. He also noted their prominent quadriceps muscles, which exuded both strength and beauty, as well as their superior arm muscles that worked in perfect harmony with the flexor digitorum profundus and its protractor muscles.

While Aleister found it fascinating to learn something new every day, it is important to note that there are female warriors and hunters who surpass some men in physical agility, strength, archery, riding skills, and combat arts.

Ischel's background was unique in that she came from a place where many northerners aspired to train at the academy instead of living in the wild. Life without power in Malazen was an intriguing prospect for hunters. Additionally, Ischel had an older female friend named Mesaac Barbara, whom she considered a sister. Mesaac had graduated from the academy but chose to join the Demolitionists faction instead of becoming a Professional Assassin sent to the kingdom. Ischel aimed to follow in her footsteps, but the exam that awaited her was hellish and unlike any previous generation's test.

"Relax, Ischel. At least you're not alone, my friend," giggled a fair, red-headed girl with jade-white skin to their right.

"Kirana, this is not the time to be playing games. Do you know how serious the situation is now?" asked Ischel seriously.

The girl named Kirana just smirked while playing with her eyes. "Well, the worst thing is we'll just rot here."

"Just? It's even more torturous than the Flask of Nightmare!" exclaimed Ischel.

"Hey! I told you never to say that again!" Yuria almost went mad.

"Oh, sorry. I mean, is there any way we can get out of here?"

"First, you have to keep your composure, my friend Ischel," replied Kirana.

"Ischel, Kirana," called Yuria discreetly.

"How can I stay calm at a time like this?!" exclaimed Ischel.

"Ischel! Kirana! Shut up!" Yuria shouted quickly.

Their instincts detected something that made them pause for a moment. A shadowy figure with loud strides was walking toward their cell. It was a Bloodguard who hit the bars of the cell once with a spear. The Bloodguard observed the three girls. Ischel, Yuria, and Kirana started breaking out in a cold sweat.

“One more time, then I will make the three of you sing,” said the Bloodguard before leaving their cell.

Yuria took a deep breath. “That was a close one… We could be wiped out if we let our guard down. And Ischel, what Nana said was true. You have to calm yourself down. Take a look around us. It's very unlikely that we'll get out now. I'm sure the other cadets think the same way."

“Huff... Alright. I'll try to calm down, I'm sorry. If you have a plan, just say it."

"For the time being, let's rest," said Yuria trying to lighten the mood.

"Sleep well, Ischel," Kirana continued affectionately.

Kirana Bashita, cadet number 496 from class B, is a dancer from Hakumei Castle located northeast of the Taiyo region (Mist Desert), not far from Shinra Village, which is separated only by the Halimun mountains. Kirana is the most popular girl in her class and is known for stealing the hearts of men to gain information. The seniors assume that Kirana is not only a dancer but also a ninja or samurai from Shinra - a Signer who can perform disguise techniques. While her classmates view her as an herbalist who enjoys blending fragrances and love potions, the girl's presence is easily recognizable by the captivating aroma of her fairy dust perfume, which is renowned for having the most exquisite scent in the world and can be detected from several meters away. Due to the many mysteries surrounding Kirana's identity, including her ability to perform Pyrokinesis, some people, including Yuria, suspect her of being a spy and a part of the Occultist faction.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

After Ischel had fallen asleep, Yuria turned to Kirana and whispered, "You seem to have a plan of your own... Dangerous Kirana... If you want to cooperate, why don't you just tell me your plan?"

"Soon, Yuria, you will understand why so many people call me Dangerous Girl," Kirana tittered quietly, her laughter like the gentle rustling of leaves in a breeze.

Yuria considered Kirana to be a perceptive person worth keeping an eye on, but for the moment, she could only bide her time. As night fell, Yuria's senses sharpened. She closed her eyes and focused on the surrounding sounds. The Draught of Agony had given her sharp hearing, and she could hear faint noises in the silence. She heard occasional scraping sounds, but they didn't seem to originate from Block B.

Suddenly, several guards rushed toward Block A, and Yuria's attention shifted to their direction. The scraping noise stopped abruptly. She wondered what could have caused the commotion in Block A. Could it be related to the cadets' escape plan? Yuria couldn't shake off the feeling that Kirana had something to do with it.

The pattern persisted, and the Bloodguards increased their security measures in Block A. Yuria knew they had to be careful and avoid raising suspicion. To her shock, Yuria could hear the guards' conversation from far away, confirming that a day had already passed. The anticipation and tension were taking a toll on her, but she knew everyone had to wait for the right moment to execute their plan.

***

The following day brought no change; the cadets remained locked in the immortal cells. They were treated like real prisoners and given no privileges as examinees. None dared to come out, their bodies and mouths locked in place. Fear was etched on their faces as they watched more and more Bloodguards patrolling. Trembling spread from one cell to another as they realized they were helpless, some regretting not drinking the Draught of Agony before being trapped in this hellish place. Manseto had ordered his subordinates to clean up any skeletons or corpses in the cell before the cadets entered, so they wouldn't panic or fear too much. The guards dumped the remains of the prisoners into deeper dungeons, where they would become food for the Hellhounds. If no one acted as a trigger, this final exam from the Instructor would continue to drain their minds from within.

"I can't take it anymore... How long do we have to stay in this cell?"

"We need someone desperate to come out, otherwise, this trial will continue forever."

"What about that Mad Fenrius? What's he doing?"

"Ah...that slacker is mostly just sleeping around... Don't expect too much from him."

Gloomy darkness shrouded the prison, the cadets were discouraged, hopeless, and depressed, and nothing could save their broken and distraught hearts. The last time one of the cadets made noise, the guards beat them mercilessly, leaving them with broken bones and swollen bodies. The big question remained; how could they escape from here? So far, no one had been able to answer that question.

*

Meanwhile, in one of the cells located in Block C...

"Hey, Karanzo! Can you hear me? Sazank Karanzo of Shinra, you survived the Flask of Nightmare, didn't you?"

"It's useless. He's been silent all this time. I think the effects of the Flask of Nightmare made him mute... I hope he's not deaf too..." replied one of Karanzo's cellmates.

Karanzo remained silent and deep in thought. When he first arrived on the island, he was asked by a senior assassin or checker, but he didn't answer. His comrades assumed that he was already mute and deaf because of the Flask of Nightmare, and the seniors and guards believed it too. But in reality, Karanzo's cleverness had allowed him to trick them all.

("Still waiting... Not yet! Come on someone, make some noise... Today is the climax!" ) Karanzo thought.

A loud whistle, resembling a doomsday trumpet, echoed through Block D and shook the entire prison. All the Bloodguards who heard the whistle rushed toward the direction of the cell from where it originated, even though they were uncertain which one it was. They started unlocking cells, hoping to catch the trolling cadet and teach him a lesson. Unfortunately, they ended up unlocking the wrong cell, where three innocent cadets became victims of the guards' wrath. The cadets were crying in misery and hoping that the real culprit would receive a harsher punishment than just rotting in Maldrakar Hell.

Another cadet in Block D shouted from the corner, “Someone, please get me out of here! I'll give three gold bars to whoever helps me!” His plea caused half of the guards who were busy hurting other cadets to rush toward his cell.

If a single cadet was spotted trying to escape, the guards would not hesitate to destroy cells or break through concrete walls if needed. They charged like bulls in their red armor, sending any fleeing cadets flying into the shadow realm. Riotous shouts from other prisoners filled the air, adding to the already tense atmosphere. The chaos united the inmates, making the prison feel hot and stifling. Most of the cadets had the same idea - they would turn the prison into a circus, confusing the guards. Then, anyone who found a loophole could escape safely, with the sacrifices of their comrades serving as a diversion.

("NOW!")

Karanzo spat out a lockpick from his mouth, catching it in his hand behind him. His next move was clear, even though he struggled a bit to feel the keyhole on the Aetherium shackles without looking.

"Karanzo! So you've been waiting around for a moment like this?" exclaimed one of his cellmates.

"Amazing! You've been hiding a lockpick in your mouth all this time without the guards noticing. But isn't that cheating? If they find out, you'll be disqualified!" remarked the other.

"To hell with the rules!" replied Karanzo as he removed the shackles on his legs. "In a world of assassins, rules are meant to be broken. Survival is the top priority, and as long as you don't get caught, it's all fair game."

Karanzo deftly helped his cellmates unlock their shackles, moving as quickly as a person takes a breath. Together, they left their cell and headed toward Block C. The distance was considerable, so it would take the Bloodguards in their heavy armor at least a minute to arrive. They seemed to be the first cadets to escape their cell.

"Let's free the others," Karanzo said.

"But Karanzo, isn't that too dangerous? It's better if we escape alone," warned his cellmates, concerned about the potential for backstabbing.

However, Karanzo had already moved to the adjacent cell and opened it with his lockpick. As a superior cadet from a well-known village, no one doubted his ability to hack and hijack.

"Hey, it's Karanzo! The savior has arrived!" exclaimed a grateful prisoner.

"Karanzo, we owe you so much! Thank you, buddy!" added another.

The man swiftly removed the shackles from all three of them in less than a minute. With his two cellmates following closely behind, their group now numbered six, including Karanzo.

"You five, get out of here immediately!" Karanzo ordered urgently. "I will help the other cadets first, then catch up with you guys later!"

Initially, they hesitated, but after a lengthy debate, the five cadets finally heeded the words of the man who had saved their lives. Witnessing his noble act, their perception of Karanzo transformed from that of a selfish person to the most generous cadet, always thinking about togetherness and being the savior of the cadets. Without him, which cadet could have escaped the cell first? His role was crucial to a successful escape in the future.

"Alright, we'll be waiting for you on the ship! Take care of yourself, Karanzo!" they said before running off to find a way out, leaving Karanzo behind.

After a while, one of the Bloodguards heard the cadets' footsteps running up the stairs. The Bloodguard shouted, "Chase them!" His warcry echoed throughout the prison.

Dozens of Bloodguards chased the five cadets like predators hunting their prey. The cadets navigated through several twists and turn in the prison until they found themselves on a straight path. Suddenly, they realized how foolish they had been to risk their lives by leaving Karanzo behind. They should have followed him and saved the others before attempting to escape. As they ran, the sound of the guards closing in on them from behind grew louder.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of running, they arrived at a giant gate in the main hall, which was firmly shut. They tried pushing and kicking the gate with all their might, but it wouldn't budge. There seemed to be no keyhole in sight, so they scanned the room and spotted two levers located at opposite ends. Unfortunately, before they could make their move, the guards caught up to them, leaving the five cadets trapped like cornered rats.

"Enough of that!" one of the Bloodguards exclaimed. "Since you dared to try to escape, we will execute you on the spot!"

"Please forgive us! Wasn't this just a test? We are willing to fail the test!" the five cadets begged, hoping for mercy.

The guard's response was harsh. "Who said this was just a test? This is a real prison, you brats! Kill them all!"

The Bloodguards continued to beat the five cadets mercilessly with bone-crushing instruments until they took their last breaths. The poor cadets' anguished screams echoed throughout the dungeon's dark corridors.

Meanwhile, Karanzo had gone in the opposite direction of the five cadets in search of an exit. He eventually stumbled upon a staircase leading to Block C, located at the end of the wall.

(“This is it! Good thing I still remember.”)

As Karanzo descended the stairs, he noticed a shadowy figure in armor also making its way down. Quickly, he extinguished the torch on the wall and hid behind a bend, preparing to ambush the guard from behind as they turned the corner. However, his plan was foiled when three more guards appeared behind him, trapping him.

Relying on his instincts to find a way out, Karanzo spotted a safe path leading to Block A where one of the cadets was still locked up. Without hesitation, he ran toward the cell.

"It's Karanzo! I thought he died after drinking the Flask of Nightmare!" exclaimed one of the cadets.

“After this, run outside as fast as you can,” Karanzo said. “Some of the cadets I saved have already left.”

As Karanzo worked to untie the cadets' shackles, he sensed a shadowy figure approaching from behind.

“Ka—Karanzo,” one of the cadets stammered.

"What is it?! Can't you see I'm busy?!" Karanzo replied, still focused on removing the cuffs.

"Behind...behind you," the cadet warned.