After another two days of the previous regimen, Marcus decided to escalate things. The trio had proven they could handle the grueling obstacle courses, meditation challenges, and holographic gauntlets.
They'd lasted fifty waves against D-rank beasts, a feat Marcus hadn't expected so soon. They complemented each other by working as a team. But C-rank was a ballpark that took things to the next level.
It wasn't just about endurance or raw skill. It was about facing real threats, real opponents, who wouldn't hold back. Marcus wanted them to feel the weight of experience, to understand what it meant to stand against Adventurers who'd climbed up the Circle of Pillars, surpassing their limits.
So, he organized a series of duels against more seasoned guild members, saving the toughest challenge for last.
