The moment they walked inside the rift they were teleported to a different location. The group found themselves inside a cave. The air was thick and covered with the scent of blood as there were several dismantled corpses of low-tier demonic beasts. “What the hell happened here?” Dren muttered in shock. Even the Instructor was in disbelief but his expression was masked with his years of experience. “Come on, we have to be on the move. It is not a rare occurrence for demonic beasts to fight amongst themselves. If we can't find monsters at the entrance we will surely come across them as we move deeper..” Instructor Hale remarked and continued moving. “Haaa….It seems this test has just become a lot more easier. This bloody creatures did all the work for us.” Boros cheered and the others also jubilate at his comments except Miles who had an erring feeling. They moved deeper into the cave until the instructor who was leading them suddenly stopped in his tracks. “Please stop for a m

Hale was sent crashing across the cave floor, his sword clattering from his grip. Pain exploded through his ribs—something cracked. He gasped, vision blurring. “Captain!” Dren shouted. Dren rushed in, teeth clenched, blade flashing as he aimed for the troll’s knee. His strike landed but it was too shallow. The troll backhanded him. CRUNCH—! Dren’s body folded unnaturally as he was hurled through the air, slamming into the cave wall. He hit hard, sliding down limply, blood streaking from the corner of his mouth. “Kira—!” Hale shouted. “Heal them—now!” Kira was already moving. She raised her staff, panic flashing in her eyes as green light poured forth, wrapping around Hale and Dren. But the troll saw it. Its head snapped toward her. Its Yellow eyes locked onto the glowing figure at the back. It roared and charged. “Kira—move!” Miles shouted from behind. Kael rushed forward, placing himself between Kira and the troll, sword raised despite the tremor in his arms. “Over my

Miles’ heartbeat slowed instead of quickening. A double rift nest. His suspicion had been right from the moment they stepped into the boss chamber and found another rift waiting behind the sealed doors. Now the system itself had confirmed it. This was no longer just an instructor-led raid or a training exercise twisted by circumstance. This was a mission. And the system did not generate missions lightly. Miles clenched his fist slowly. Declining wasn’t an option—not for him. Not when the system had already marked the target. Whatever lay beyond the second rift, he would face it. Around him, the argument continued to rise in volume. Kael was cautious, his voice tight with concern. Dren sounded uncertain but alert. Boros, as expected, dismissed every warning with sharp laughter and biting confidence. Hale stood at the center of it all, visibly conflicted, weighing risk against necessity. Miles finally lifted his head. “There’s no point arguing,” he said calmly. The group fell

Hale’s voice tore through the suffocating pressure like a blade. “Hold the line! Formation—now!” His command snapped the group into motion by instinct alone. Kael and Dren moved to the front despite the fear clawing at their throats, blades raised. Boros planted himself beside Hale, shield up, axe glowing faintly with mana. Kira stood behind them, staff shaking in her grip as she began chanting, green sigils spiraling into the air. Hale’s mind was racing. Twenty Death Knights. This wasn’t a battle. It was an execution waiting to happen. “Kira—barrier! Full output, now!” His shout cut through the chaos like a blade. Kira didn’t hesitate. She slammed the butt of her staff into the stone floor, teeth clenched as she poured every drop of mana she could muster into the spell. Runes flared beneath her feet, expanding outward in a radiant dome of pale-blue light that enveloped the entire group. The barrier formed just in time. Steel slammed into it. BOOOOM—! The first Deat