Dawn bled red across the sky as teams were deployed into the Narlspire Fringe, each blinked away by teleport glyphs that shimmered and vanished in succession.
Kaleid landed hard on damp earth.
The air hit him first—wet, musky, and thick with pollen. Ancient trees towered overhead, blotting out much of the sky.
Around him, grass rustled. The glyph's afterglow faded.
He wasn't alone.
To his left: Rin Asterwind, fox ears flicking as she crouched, staff raised. Relief washed across her face when she saw him.
To his right: Jeyne Falkholt, a sword-wielding noble girl with platinum hair and a gaze like cut stone.
Behind him: Bron Garrel, a bulky, axe-wielding commoner with calloused hands and an old grudge against the world.
An odd mix.
And a very unbalanced team.
---
System Analysis – Team Composition
— Rin Asterwind: Enchanter/Spirit Affinity – Long Range Support
— Jeyne Falkholt: Duelist/Metal Affinity – Midline Vanguard
— Bron Garrel: Berserker-Type – Frontline Tank
— Kaleid Ashvale: ??? (No listed class) – Designated Strategist
Compatibility Rating: 42%
Threat Mitigation Strategy: Required
---
First objective: survive.
Second: locate a fortified camp.
Third: neutralize at least one alpha-class forest beast.
Easy, right?
---
Hour 1 – Movement Begins
Kaleid immediately assumed point—not because he was the strongest, but because the system mapped ahead.
—
[System Terrain Mode: Activated]
> Nearby Threats: Mana Spore Fungus Cluster (Left Ridge), Emberwolf Scout (Southeast), Snare Vines (West Trail)
Safe Route: South, then East Curve. Detour adds 600 meters. Risk rating: Low.
—
"South curve," Kaleid said, scanning. "Avoid that trail—snare vines."
Jeyne arched a brow. "You see vines?"
"I see the patterns."
Rin nodded. "Trust him."
They followed.
Ten minutes later, screams echoed from the west.
"Other team took the vines," Kaleid muttered.
Bron whistled. "Damn."
---
Hour 3 – First Conflict
A low growl.
Then a shape burst from the brush—a Forest Brutebeast. Nine feet tall, ape-like with bark for skin and fangs made of mossstone.
It roared and charged—right at Bron.
Jeyne raised her sword. Rin prepared a glyph.
Kaleid didn't flinch.
> This is it.
He didn't need to fight head-on.
He needed to win.
---
"Bron, bait it left. Don't block."
"Huh?"
"Just do it!"
Bron swore but obeyed.
The brute lunged—Bron dove left.
"Jeyne, two steps back—Rin, wind glyph now!"
"Wind?"
"NOW!"
Rin released the stored spell into the base of a leaning tree.
Kaleid dashed forward.
> Target trajectory: recalculated.
The wind blast tipped the tree just as the brute rebalanced. The trunk collapsed and slammed down on its spine mid-charge.
A groan of wood and beast echoed.
It staggered.
Jeyne leapt, blade glowing silver.
One precise slash to the throat.
The brute dropped—dead.
The team stared.
---
[Trial Kill Confirmed – Forest Brutebeast]
> Strategic Kill Bonus Awarded.
Team Survival Efficiency: 91%
Sync Point Gained: +1
Sync Progress: 6% → 7%
---
"You planned that in seconds," Jeyne muttered.
"I planned it before we saw it," Kaleid said.
Bron scratched his head. "Damn, I'm startin' to feel like a sidekick."
Rin just smiled.
"He's good at seeing what isn't there yet."
---
Hour 6 – The Grotesque Strategy
A larger threat was closing in.
System detected it an hour before the roar reached them.
Forest Alpha: Mossfang Queen
— Giant spider-type
— Acidic webbing
— Hive control instincts
— Weakness: Thorax fracture, Light-elemental disruption
---
But they were not equipped to handle it head-on.
So Kaleid devised a plan.
And it was… horrifying.
---
Step 1: Lure the brute's corpse near a mana-fungus field.
Step 2: Inject it with one of Rin's unstable spirit glyphs.
Step 3: Use light runes to draw the Queen near.
Step 4: When she consumes the corpse, the glyph detonates inside her.
---
"That's vile," Jeyne whispered.
"It'll work," Kaleid replied flatly.
And it did.
The explosion was sickening—legs flying, acid spraying, the spider screeching as it convulsed.
Jeyne gagged.
Bron said, "That was… awesome."
Even Rin stared, eyes wide with respect and a hint of fear.
"You're not like the others," she whispered.
"No," Kaleid said. "I'm not."
---
[System Notification]
> Trial Objective Complete: Alpha-class beast neutralized.
Time to completion: 63% faster than projected.
Strategic Genius Evaluation: A-Rank
New Trait Registered: "Tactician's Thread"
— Improvisation + Prediction-Based Strategy Multiplier (Passive)
> Students nearby emotionally impacted.
Class perception shift: "Weirdly Dangerous" → "Unpredictable Threat"
---
Later That Night – Temporary Shelter
Jeyne avoided eye contact.
Bron sharpened his axe.
Rin sat beside Kaleid in silence.
Then, softly:
"Do you enjoy thinking like that?"
He blinked.
"No. I just… see solutions others don't."
She nodded slowly. "That's why I'm staying near you."
She leaned her shoulder gently against his.
The forest howled outside.
But inside, the team stayed still.
Grateful.
Terrified.
Awed.