The night had barely ended when the next day began.
Darex's House
Darex was lying on his bed, still sore from the beating he had received the night before.
His father suddenly stood up from the chair beside the bed.
"Alright," he said calmly.
"If you and Alex have already decided…"
"…then I will speak with Alex's father and learn more about this warrior system."
Darex instantly jumped up.
"Wait! Wait! Wait!"
His father stopped.
"What?"
"Are you hiding something from me?"
"No! No!"
Darex waved his hands quickly.
"I just mean… maybe don't talk to Alex's father yet."
His father narrowed his eyes.
"Why?"
"You know Alex," Darex said carefully.
"He's very stubborn."
"When did he become stubborn?"
"Well… yesterday."
"He insisted on becoming a warrior."
"So he fought with his father."
His father crossed his arms.
"So?"
"The serum application is today."
Darex smiled nervously.
"Let us complete that first."
"After tomorrow we'll have to leave anyway."
"You can talk to Alex's father then."
His father stared at him for a few seconds.
Then he nodded.
"Fine."
"I'll talk to him the day after tomorrow."
He walked out of the room.
The moment the door closed—
Darex jumped off the bed.
"YES!"
"I fooled Dad!"
He stretched lazily.
"After that beating I deserve a little relaxation."
He chuckled.
"Anyway…"
"Dad will never catch me."
But outside the room—
His father was quietly standing in the hallway.
He had heard everything.
He opened the device in his hand.
The screen displayed detailed information about Warriors.
Danger level.
Survival statistics.
Synchronization risks.
He sighed.
"Dangerous… but maybe this danger will finally discipline him."
He looked toward the room.
"Maybe it will turn my childish son into a real warrior."
He switched the device off and walked away.
Parents' Conversation
Darex's mother had heard everything.
She approached her husband.
"Are you really going to send him into such danger?"
"What choice do I have?"
He sighed.
"He won't listen to me anyway."
Then he added quietly—
"And if Alex is going…"
"…then let Darex go too."
She looked surprised.
"You trust Alex that much?"
He nodded.
"As long as Alex is there…"
"…my son won't be in too much danger."
He smiled faintly.
"He thinks he tricked me."
"But he doesn't realize something."
"What?"
"A father always knows."
"Every lie."
"Every excuse."
"But we still pretend not to know."
"Because… that's what fathers do."
He stretched slightly.
"Let's sleep."
"Tomorrow they leave early."
Morning — Alex's House
The sun had just risen.
Alex woke up quickly and got ready.
He rushed toward the door.
"Mom! I'm leaving!"
His mother came from the kitchen.
"Wait!"
"At least eat something!"
"I'll eat later!"
"You can take the serum even after eating!"
"I know!"
"But I can't wait!"
He grabbed his bag.
"I'm going!"
His mother sighed.
"Wait."
"Take your sister with you."
"My sister?"
"Yes."
"Your father has already gone to the office."
"I have work at home."
"And Darex messaged me."
"He said he'll meet you directly at the center."
Alex frowned.
"So he left without waking me up?"
His mother laughed.
"He said his father beat him badly last night."
"So he doesn't have energy for morning conversations."
Alex shook his head.
"That idiot lied again."
His mother smiled.
"You two brothers are the same."
"You both know exactly what the other will do."
She waved him off.
"Go. Go."
"I don't have time to deal with you two."
Alex walked outside.
His sister was already waiting beside the car.
"So," she said.
"You're really going?"
Alex nodded.
"Of course."
"I've come too far to turn back."
She started the car.
"Then let's go."
Synchro Tower
At the same time—
Inside the massive Synchro Tower—
Jessi stood beside her father.
"You still haven't gone home?" he asked.
"I'll return directly to base."
"At least meet your mother first."
"Later."
"I have something important to do."
Her father looked curious.
"What base are you going to?"
"Stormfall Clan."
"Oh."
"That base."
He nodded.
"But you're still here."
"Yes."
"I'm waiting for someone."
"That boy?"
Jessi smiled faintly.
"I want to see something."
"Is he special…"
"…or just ordinary?"
Her father laughed.
"How will you test him?"
"With your deadly combo?"
Jessi's eyes sparkled.
"If he dies…"
"That will be the price for touching me without permission."
"And if he survives?"
"Then…"
"I'll personally decide his future."
Her father shook his head.
"I hope he survives."
"Boys like that are rare."
"You said that yesterday too."
"Yes."
"And I still mean it."
Arrival at the Tower
Alex's sister parked the car outside the tower.
The building was enormous.
Three hundred floors of shining metal and glass.
"Alex," she said softly.
"Are you sure?"
"Once you step inside…"
"…there's no turning back."
Alex smiled.
"No matter what career I choose…"
"Scientist."
"Politician."
"Soldier."
"There will always be danger."
"So if I must face danger anyway…"
"…I'd rather face it as a warrior."
He opened the car door.
His sister suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Think one last time."
He gently removed her hand.
"It's too late for that."
He stepped out.
She stayed inside the car.
Her eyes slowly became wet.
"I think something got in my eye," she muttered.
She wiped them quickly.
"I should clean this car later."
The Candidates
Outside the tower a huge crowd had gathered.
Hundreds of candidates.
Alex spotted Darex waving wildly.
"HEY!"
"Over here!"
He was directing cars like a parking attendant.
"This way!"
"Park here!"
Alex's sister sighed.
"Your idiot friend arrived an hour early."
Alex laughed.
"Of course he did."
She parked the car.
Alex stepped out.
"Good luck," she said quietly.
Inside the Tower
Candidates were separated from their parents.
Parents were guided toward a large waiting room.
Candidates were directed through a massive gate.
Inside—
Rows of testing cabins.
Each candidate confirmed their identity.
Darex stepped forward first.
"Name?"
"Darex."
"Identity confirmed."
"Cabin 23."
He walked left.
Alex stepped forward next.
"Name?"
"Alex."
"Identity confirmed."
"Cabin 43."
He walked right.
Their Thoughts
As Alex walked down the hallway, a thought appeared in his mind.
What if this decision is wrong?
Then he thought about Darex.
If I don't go… that idiot will still go.
Who knows what trouble he'll cause alone?
He laughed quietly.
I have to go.
At the same time—
Darex was thinking something else.
If I don't go… Alex will go anyway.
And who will entertain him there?
Warriors fight…
But someone has to pass the time too.
Both friends were walking toward their cabins.
Both thinking about each other.
Neither admitting it.
Cabin 43
Alex opened the door.
Inside the room sat a masked woman.
She looked up.
"Hello, Alex."
"I'm your tester."
Alex blinked.
"Tester?"
"I thought we only came for the serum injection."
"Yes," she said calmly.
"But before the serum…"
"…we must test your physical strength."
And far above—
In the observation room—
Jessi watched the screen.
Her eyes glowed with excitement.
"Let's see, Alex…"
"Just how strong you really are."