The first stage of the test had ended, and the second stage began immediately. It was announced that the successful candidates would be divided into teams of three. Out of fifty contestants, only thirty remained. Kazuki stood in place, trying to take in what was happening, until he heard his name assigned to a team with Mitsu and Mio. He felt a mix of tension and curiosity, as this stage would no longer rely only on individual strength, but on teamwork and coordination.
As they started to get to know each other better, Kazuki learned that Mitsu had ranked third in the first stage. He was slightly shocked, especially when Mitsu explained that he had been born with one hundred units of Parka from the very beginning, which allowed him to develop much faster. Kazuki smiled and told him that he was lucky. He then turned to Mio and asked about her rank. She calmly replied that she had placed tenth, which surprised him even more.
When they asked Kazuki about his own rank, he answered honestly that he was twelfth. The conversation then shifted to their birth levels. Kazuki explained that he had been born at a low level, and that he made up for it through constant training. Mio said that she was at a medium level, while Mitsu confirmed that he was at an advanced level, and that his growth speed was faster than both of theirs. Despite their differences, the three of them felt an unexpected sense of balance, as if they had begun to understand each other's strengths and weaknesses.
The contestants were divided into ten teams, and it was announced that only five teams would advance to the final stage. Their team was number seven. The matches would be held randomly, following a three-versus-three format. Each team would fight once per day, and after five days, the second stage would come to an end. Their match was scheduled for the fourth day, giving them four full days to train and prepare.
Kazuki, Mitsu, and Mio used the time for intense training. They did not focus only on power, but also on coordination, role distribution, and how each member could support the others during battle. They knew that even a small mistake could lead to early elimination.
On the first day of the matches, just as the first and second teams were about to begin their fight, something unexpected happened. Creatures known as Jkarga suddenly appeared, spreading fear among the spectators. One of the teachers stepped forward and explained that the Jkarga were evil and powerful creatures that could appear at any time, but became even more dangerous at night. They fed on destruction, attacking humans and animals without mercy, and possessed enough power to destroy entire cities and villages with a single strike.
The teacher also explained that the Jkarga had been known since ancient times, when they caused widespread ruin before disappearing for long periods. Now, however, they had begun to appear again, signaling a real danger to the world. These creatures possessed great speed, incredible endurance, and terrifying offensive power.
At that moment, Kazuki and the other contestants realized that the second stage would not be an ordinary test. It was the beginning of a dangerous path. They understood that true strength would not lie in one individual alone, but in a team that could stand together until the very end.