Back in the trial, night had finally faded and daylight slowly returned to the ruined world. Pale sunlight filtered through the massive black trees surrounding the convoy's temporary camp, giving the forest a strange silver glow. The air was calm for once. No monster screams echoed through the distance. No trembling earth. No bloodshed.
For the first time in many days, the survivors could actually breathe.
Today was meant to be their day of rest.
Jade stood beside a massive iron pot, calmly stirring boiling meat with spices he had gathered during their journey. Smoke rose into the air while the aroma spread through the forest like a blessing from heaven itself. Even exhausted survivors who had been asleep inside tents slowly woke because of the smell.
The atmosphere around the camp was peaceful.
Some survivors sat together sharpening weapons while discussing battle tactics quietly. Others practiced their abilities, trying to master newly received data. A few wandered around gathering firewood or cleaning armor stained with monster blood.
And then there were those who simply rested.
After weeks of endless fighting, some people only wanted silence.
Jade looked at the boiling food calmly while adding more seasoning. Cooking strangely relaxed him. No matter how dangerous the trial became, whenever he cooked, he felt like he had escaped reality for a little while.
The smell became richer.
Far away, hidden among the dark trees, several monsters approached the camp instinctively after sensing the food.
But the moment they reached a certain distance—
They stopped.
Their bodies trembled violently.
Then they turned around and fled into the darkness as though they had seen death itself.
That was because Little Gold and Blake were guarding the outskirts of the camp.
Or rather—
Aviana.
She stood on a large stone lazily, wearing her black-and-gold striped armor. Her flawless hair danced slightly with the wind while her golden-black eyes scanned the forest carelessly.
The monsters didn't dare approach her.
They feared her aura instinctively.
Even powerful creatures hesitated the moment they sensed her presence.
Blake stood nearby carrying a large spear over his shoulder. He looked at the fleeing monsters and laughed.
"They're smarter than humans."
Aviana puffed her cheeks proudly.
"Of course they are."
Blake shook his head helplessly.
"You became more arrogant after evolving."
Aviana folded her arms.
"I deserve it."
Meanwhile, inside the camp, survivors slowly lined up as Jade began serving food. No one dared complain about portions because everyone knew Jade personally cooked for over ten thousand people during their journey before most had died.
The survivors respected him deeply now.
Not because he was kind.
But because he survived.
Because he fought at the front.
Because he bled alongside them.
Jade handed roasted meat to one exhausted fighter and said calmly,
"Eat slowly. You nearly ruptured your veins during yesterday's battle."
The young survivor nodded gratefully.
Nearby, Ella finally stepped out of her tent. Her injuries had mostly healed, though she still looked slightly pale. Her silver bow rested behind her back while her sharp eyes immediately swept across the camp.
She noticed survivors smiling.
Laughing.
Talking.
Hope had returned slightly.
Ella walked toward Jade and sat beside the fire quietly.
"You're feeding an army again," she said softly.
Jade shrugged.
"If they starve, they'll die."
Ella smirked faintly.
"You really know how to sound inspiring."
Jade ignored the sarcasm.
At that moment, Aaron finally walked out from his tent.
Unlike most survivors, Aaron looked annoyingly fresh despite everything they had experienced. His black armor rested perfectly on his body while his hair remained strangely neat.
The moment Aaron smelled the food, his calm expression cracked slightly.
"…That smells illegal."
Jade handed him roasted meat on a stick.
Aaron accepted it gracefully before taking one bite.
Then he froze.
A dangerous silence followed.
Ella raised an eyebrow.
"…Why do you look emotional?"
Aaron slowly looked at Jade.
"You should have become a chef instead of a mass murderer."
Jade snorted.
"And you should stop hiding in shadows like a cockroach."
Aaron smiled slightly.
"That's racist against shadow users."
Ella nearly laughed.
The atmosphere around the fire became lighter.
Survivors nearby secretly listened while eating. They still found it unbelievable that Blood Slayer and Silent Slayer could sit peacefully together after nearly killing each other before.
Some people still remembered that terrifying battle vividly.
The shattered ground.
The shockwaves.
The blood.
And now the two monsters were casually eating breakfast together.
Reality felt strange.
Jade leaned slightly against a wooden crate while staring into the distance.
"We need to discuss the next plan," he said calmly.
Aaron nodded.
"The shadowed area."
Ella's expression became serious instantly.
Everyone nearby also fell silent unconsciously.
The shadowed area.
Even hearing the name caused chills.
That cursed place was one of the deadliest regions in the trial.
Aaron rested his elbow on his knee.
"We can't stay here forever. Supplies are stable for now, but the longer we delay, the more dangerous the creatures become."
Ella nodded slowly.
"And the survivors know it too."
Jade looked toward the camp.
The convoy had changed drastically.
Many had died.
Many had evolved.
Those remaining were no longer weak aspirants.
They were warriors hardened by suffering.
Just then—
Far away in another region of the trial.
Henry and his convoy rested near a frozen hill. Unlike Jade's group, Henry's survivors looked rougher and more exhausted. They had spent days constantly fighting blood wolves and mutated creatures.
Henry currently stood on a large rock in the form of a snow wolf.
His white fur danced with the wind while his sharp nose twitched slightly.
Then suddenly—
His golden eyes widened.
A delicious aroma reached him.
Henry immediately transformed back into human form.
"That smell…"
Cassie, the teenage girl standing nearby, looked confused.
"What is it?"
Henry looked toward the distance and smiled slightly.
"Jade."
Cassie blinked.
"You can recognize him by food?"
Henry nodded seriously.
"There's no one else in this horrible trial capable of cooking something that smells this good."
Several survivors nearby instantly became excited.
"Blood Slayer?"
"Are we meeting them?"
"Finally!"
Henry looked toward the convoy.
"Prepare everyone. We move immediately."
Cassie nodded and hurried away.
Soon the convoy began moving through the forest while following the aroma.
Henry transformed into his snow wolf form again to sharpen his senses. Snow aura spread beneath his paws as he dashed ahead of everyone.
Minutes passed.
Then an hour.
Finally—
They arrived.
Henry slowed down immediately.
What he saw shocked him slightly.
The camp was massive.
Survivors moved around with discipline. Guards stood around the perimeter while others trained or rested calmly.
This no longer looked like desperate people trying to survive.
It looked like a growing army.
Then Henry sensed something terrifying.
His instincts screamed.
He turned sharply.
And saw her.
A beautiful flawless girl stood beside Blake silently. Her black-and-gold striped armor reflected sunlight beautifully while her golden-black eyes looked almost divine.
Henry froze.
For a moment, he genuinely forgot how to breathe.
She didn't look human.
Yet she was.
But far too perfect.
The convoy behind Henry also became speechless.
"Who is she?"
"She's beautiful…"
"No… she's terrifying."
Aviana looked toward Henry.
Then suddenly—
Her face lit up brightly.
Without hesitation, she ran toward him happily.
Henry became even more confused.
Before he could react—
Aviana hugged him tightly.
The survivors behind Henry looked like their souls had left their bodies.
Henry's heartbeat exploded wildly.
His face heated instantly.
He looked completely stunned.
The girl buried her face against him happily.
Henry's brain stopped functioning.
He didn't know why, but the moment she hugged him, he felt an overwhelming urge to protect her.
And kiss her.
It was instinctive.
Almost unnatural.
So before his brain could process anything—
Henry gently held her waist.
Then leaned closer.
The convoy behind him widened their eyes.
Some survivors even covered their mouths dramatically.
Then—
SLAP!
A loud sound echoed through the entire camp.
Henry's head snapped sideways violently.
Silence fell instantly.
Aviana stepped back while glaring at him angrily.
"I hugged you because I know you," she said coldly. "Not because I wanted you to kiss me!"
Henry stood there frozen.
His cheek slowly became red.
The convoy behind him looked horrified.
Henry touched his face slowly.
"…I got slapped."
Then suddenly—
The flap of a nearby tent opened violently.
Jade walked out immediately after hearing the sound.
Survivors nearby had already gathered around curiously.
Jade looked toward Henry.
Then toward Aviana.
Then at the visible handprint on Henry's cheek.
A faint smirk appeared on Jade's face instantly.
"You see," Jade said calmly, "let me guess."
Henry looked toward him helplessly.
Jade crossed his arms.
"You tried kissing Little Gold."
Henry stared blankly.
"…Little Gold?"
He slowly turned toward Aviana again.
Then back toward Jade.
Then back toward Aviana.
His brain completely stopped functioning.
Aviana folded her arms proudly while looking away.
"Yes," she said coldly. "And he deserved the slap."
Henry pointed at her in disbelief.
"THAT is Little Gold?!"