The city was quiet. Too quiet.
Adrian led his group down the street, dagger in hand. Mira's fire flickered faintly, Leo gripped his plank tightly, and Tobias moved low, scanning for any movement. They had survived smaller fights—but Adrian knew what came next wouldn't be easy.
A black gate shimmered in the sky ahead. From it, dozens of monsters began to drop. Not just Ravagers this time. Larger, more grotesque forms with thick armor, multiple limbs, and claws capable of tearing through concrete.
Adrian stopped. His eyes narrowed.
"This is your real test," he said calmly. "Follow my lead exactly. Hesitate and you die."
Mira gulped. "Do you even… hesitate?"
Adrian didn't answer. Hesitation wasn't an option for him.
The monsters charged immediately, their roars shaking the ground. Adrian reacted instantly, moving forward to intercept the first one. He dodged its crushing claw with minimal effort and struck at its weak joint, marking it for follow-up attacks.
Mira launched fire at the approaching creatures, keeping them distracted. Leo swung his plank at the nearest enemy, deflecting its blows just long enough to create openings. Tobias moved unpredictably, striking any small gaps he could find.
Adrian's eyes constantly scanned the battlefield. Every movement mattered. Every misstep could cost a life.
"Form a line!" he shouted. "Mira, cover the back. Leo, hold the front. Tobias, stay low and strike weak points. Don't get greedy!"
The team obeyed, clumsy at first, but they adjusted to his commands.
One monster, larger than the rest, swung its arm down at Tobias. Tobias froze, but Adrian reacted instantly. He lunged, rolling between the creature's legs and delivering a precise strike to its weak point. Sparks flew as the armor cracked.
The monster roared, staggering, but it recovered quickly. Tobias stared in shock at Adrian.
"You can't hesitate," Adrian said sharply. "If you freeze, you die."
Tobias nodded, gripping his pipe tighter.
The fight intensified. More monsters dropped, each bigger and faster than the last. Adrian's group had to constantly reposition, coordinate, and react to survive. For the first time, Adrian used his Tactical Command skill. With a hand signal, he temporarily boosted their efficiency: Mira's flames burned hotter, Leo's strikes landed harder, and Tobias moved more precisely.
Even with the boost, it was a struggle. One of the larger creatures lunged at Tobias with crushing speed. Tobias barely dodged, stumbling to the ground. The creature raised its claw again, ready to strike.
"Move!" Adrian shouted, throwing his dagger with perfect precision. It embedded in the creature's leg, staggering it just long enough for Tobias to roll aside.
Tobias scrambled up, panting. Adrian didn't offer praise. Survival wasn't about recognition—it was about staying alive.
Step by step, strike by strike, they began to push back the wave. Adrian focused on identifying weak points, exploiting them, and keeping his team alive. Mira's flames, Leo's distraction, and Tobias's strikes combined with his own precise attacks to gradually wear down the monsters.
Finally, after a grueling battle, the last monster fell. Silence returned, broken only by the group's heavy breathing.
Adrian surveyed the battlefield. Dozens of black fragments from the destroyed creatures floated into the air and dissolved.
"Not bad," he said quietly. "But this is nothing compared to what's coming."
Mira looked at him with awe. "You're… different."
Adrian didn't answer. He never did. Strategy and survival were the only truths that mattered.
Above, the system observed. Adrian had proven his group could fight together, but it had also noted weaknesses. Hesitation. Inexperience. Overreliance on Adrian.
Adrian turned toward the horizon. More gates shimmered ominously. The next wave was coming.
He exhaled slowly. "Prepare yourselves. This is only the beginning."
The first wave had tested them. It had almost cost Tobias his life.
But Adrian knew the worst was yet to come.
And when the next wave hit, only those who could follow his cold, calculated commands would survive.