The Shadow World had no clocks, but the survivors had learned how to measure time in the fading glow of the shards that lit their camps. When the crystal dimmed, it meant they'd survived another cycle.
Kaien Mori sat cross-legged on the cold ground, his eyes fixed on the shimmering panel floating in front of him. The mission list glowed faintly, words etched in strange runes that his mind somehow understood.
> **Mission Assigned:**
> Rank-Up Trial (F → E)
> Objective: Defeat 3 Shadow Beasts (designated: "Stalkers")
> Reward: Rank Advancement + 20 Shards
> Failure: Death
Mori swallowed hard. Even reading it made his palms sweat.
Ren leaned against a crumbled wall nearby, arms crossed. "So this is it. Your first step out of F-Rank."
Mori nodded slowly. "If I don't take it… I'll stay useless forever."
From the corner of their camp, Takuro's voice cut in, smooth and detached. "Or you'll die before you even reach E-Rank. But by all means—go prove yourself."
Mori shot him a look. "Why do you sound like you *want* me to fail?"
Takuro smirked faintly. "I don't want you to fail, Mori. I want to see what happens when you try."
Ren glared at him. "You could help, you know. For once."
"I could," Takuro replied with mock thoughtfulness. "But this is *his* trial. Not mine."
Mori clenched his fists, forcing himself to stand. "Then I'll just have to do it."
---
The path to the mission site wound through the skeletal remains of what might have once been a village—stone huts crumbled into piles, streets swallowed by black mist. The air carried a stench of ash and iron.
Ren walked beside Mori, steady and reassuring. "Listen. Stalkers are stronger than Crawlers or Serpents. They hunt in pairs. Keep your back covered at all times."
Mori nodded nervously. "Got it."
Takuro trailed behind, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. "He won't last five minutes."
"Shut up," Mori muttered.
They reached a clearing where the mist thinned. The silence was suffocating. Then came the sound—low, guttural growls.
Two creatures slinked from the shadows, their bodies lean and twisted like wolves, but their faces split into jagged maws that stretched too wide. Their eyes glowed red, unblinking.
Mori's chest tightened. His grip on the battered pipe slicked with sweat.
Ren drew his blade, stepping forward. "Stay close."
Takuro leaned against a broken column, watching. "Your move, Mori."
---
The first Stalker lunged. Mori swung clumsily, the pipe barely grazing its side. The beast snarled, whipping around faster than he could follow. Its claws raked across his arm, sending a hot line of pain through him.
"Argh—!"
Ren slashed at it, forcing it back, but the second beast circled, teeth bared.
"Mori—behind you!" Ren shouted.
Mori turned too slow. The Stalker's jaws snapped down—
—but a sudden arrow whistled past, striking the creature in its eye. It screeched, thrashing in agony before dissolving into smoke.
Mori blinked in shock. "What—?"
From the mist, a tall boy with sharp eyes lowered his bow. His dark hair fell over his forehead, and his movements carried quiet precision.
"Need a hand?" the boy asked flatly.
Behind him, two others emerged: a girl with long auburn hair tied back, a staff gripped in her hands, her expression firm and focused. And beside her, a broad-shouldered boy with spiky hair, his fists glowing faintly with energy.
Ren's eyes widened. "Renji… Haruka… Kenta!"
Mori's heart leapt. "You guys… you're alive?!"
---
Renji adjusted his bow. "Barely. You looked like you needed backup."
Haruka approached Mori, her gaze sweeping over his injuries. "You're hurt already. Idiot. You should've waited until you had more training."
Mori winced. "I… didn't want to wait anymore."
Kenta cracked his knuckles, grinning despite the tension. "Classic Mori. Still jumping headfirst into things. Let's clean this up."
The remaining Stalker lunged at Haruka, but she raised her staff, chanting under her breath. A burst of light flared, forcing the beast to recoil.
"Now!" she shouted.
Kenta slammed his fist into the ground, a shockwave knocking the creature off balance. Renji's arrow struck true, pinning it long enough for Ren to deliver the final blow, his blade slicing through its smoky body.
The beast dissolved, silence returning to the clearing.
Mori stood frozen, pipe still clutched in his trembling hands. He hadn't even landed a proper hit.
---
Ren clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't look so down. You're still alive. That's what matters."
Haruka sighed, brushing her hair back. "Barely alive. Honestly, Mori, this is just like you—trying to play hero without thinking ahead."
Mori's face flushed. "I… I just wanted to get stronger."
Renji's sharp gaze lingered on him. "Then you'd better learn faster. The Shadow World doesn't forgive weakness."
Takuro finally stepped forward, smirking faintly. "Well, well. The cavalry arrives. How convenient for our little F-Rank."
Kenta frowned. "And who the hell are you?"
"Takuro Hoshigami," he replied smoothly, bowing mockingly. "A fellow survivor. And currently… an observer of Mori's struggles."
Renji's eyes narrowed. "You talk like you're above this."
Takuro's smirk deepened. "Perhaps I am."
Ren stepped between them. "Enough. We're all on the same side here."
Takuro's expression flickered, just for a moment, before settling back into cool detachment. "If you say so."
---
Back at their makeshift camp, the group gathered around the glowing shard fire.
Kenta tore into the rations with loud enthusiasm. "Man, I didn't think I'd ever see you guys again. It's like a miracle we're all still breathing."
Haruka sat with her staff across her knees, her eyes fixed on Mori. "But not all of us will stay breathing if we keep making reckless decisions."
Mori lowered his head. "I know. I'm sorry."
Ren leaned forward. "No—he's trying. He just needs more time."
Renji folded his arms. "Time is the one thing we don't have. The Shadow World isn't waiting for us to get stronger. Every cycle we survive, the creatures get tougher."
Silence fell. The truth of his words hung heavy in the air.
Finally, Mori whispered, "Then I'll work harder. Whatever it takes—I'll catch up to you all."
Haruka's stern expression softened slightly. "…You'd better. Because I'm not watching another friend die."
Kenta grinned, punching Mori lightly on the shoulder. "That's the spirit. We'll drag you along whether you like it or not."
Mori managed a small smile. "Thanks, guys."
From the edge of the circle, Takuro watched, his eyes glinting in the firelight. The faintest smirk tugged at his lips as he whispered to himself:
"Good. Get stronger, Mori. The stronger you become… the sweeter it'll be when you fall."
---