[Warn###.]
The impact came without warning.
A dark creature slammed into Jin from the side with brutal force, sending his body flying.
The world spun as his feet left the ground.
A few students screamed as he was thrown across the floating island like a ragdoll—past cracked stones, past shattered ruins—straight toward the edge.
Professor Cole moved instantly—but he was too far.
Jin's body kept flying—
—and then it crossed the edge.
There was nothing beneath him.
Only the abyss. Endless. Silent.
The wind roared past his ears as he fell.
The floating island above shrank rapidly, fading into the distance.
Below—darkness opened like an infinite ocean.
For a brief moment, his body felt strangely light.
Weightless. Falling deeper into nothing.
Then—something stirred inside his chest.
A faint energy awakened. Retsu.
It flowed through his veins like cold lightning.
His senses sharpened instantly.
The rushing wind slowed.
Distant shouts above returned as muffled echoes.
Then—a hand shot down and grabbed his wrist. Hard.
Jin's body jerked violently as the fall stopped.
Gasps erupted from the edge of the island.
Professor Cole leaned dangerously far over, gripping Jin's arm tightly.
Muscles tensed as he pulled.
For a moment, Jin hung in the empty air beneath the island.
Then slowly—he was dragged back up.
His body hit the rocky surface with a heavy thud.
Dust scattered. Silence lingered.
Professor Cole released his wrist.
But something stayed in Jin's mind.
When their hands touched—there had been a disturbance.
A faint burning sensation spread across his palm.
Not heat. Energy. Unstable.
The professor glanced briefly at Jin.
A beginner with energy…? Or did I imagine it…
He said nothing. Instead, he turned toward the students.
"Stay alert."
Jin exhaled slowly.
"…That was close."
Behind them—a monstrous roar exploded across the island.
The creature that had attacked Jin charged again.
Up close, its body looked even more grotesque.
Long, twisted limbs. Dark, cracked skin. Claws scraping sparks from the stone ground.
Several students stumbled back in panic.
"Watch out!" someone shouted.
The monster lunged.
Before it could reach them—one of the professional Descenders moved.
He vanished.
A blur cut across the battlefield.
The monster swung wildly—too slow.
CRACK.
The Descender appeared beside it.
His arm moved once. Clean. Precise.
The monster's head tore free and flew across the island.
A second later, the corpse collapsed with a heavy thud.
Silence fell.
Several students stared with wide eyes.
Others swallowed nervously.
The difference in power was overwhelming.
Emily ran toward Jin, her expression a mix of anger and fear.
She stopped in front of him and punched his chest.
"Are you trying to die on the first day?!"
The hit wasn't strong—but the emotion behind it was real.
Jin blinked.
"…You run fast."
She punched him again.
"Don't joke!"
Her voice cracked slightly.
Jin noticed.
For just a moment, her usual confidence disappeared.
Daniel stepped forward, scanning the island.
"Everyone stay focused," he said calmly.
"We're still inside an Abyss."