The Entrance Exam (2)

The siren's voice echoed once more.

"There is only one rule—there are no rules.

Use any weapon. Kill if necessary."

Jay stood frozen, fear tightening his grip.

"Anyone who quits… will die."

The voice paused, then delivered the final blow.

"Only ten will survive. The rest… will not."

As the game began, chaos erupted instantly. Fighters lunged at each other, weapons flashing in the dim light.

Vardan quickly pulled Jay behind him, shielding him from the onslaught. His eyes scanned the room, assessing threats.

"Stay close," Vardan said firmly.

Jay trembled but nodded.

The first wave of attackers came, but Vardan fought them off with fluid, precise movements, knocking them down one by one. His martial arts training showed in every strike.

"Jay, don't hold back," Vardan called out as he fought. "Remember what I told you."

Jay hesitated, but as more people advanced, he was suddenly swarmed by a group of fighters. Vardan tried to push toward him, but a large man blocked his path.

Jay's heart raced as the men surrounded him. He glanced at Vardan, still locked in battle.

"Don't hold back…"

Jay's eyes narrowed. In a flash, he exploded into action, striking with surprising speed and power. His movements were wild but efficient. A grin crept across his face as he fought.

From a distance, Vardan caught a glimpse of Jay in action and froze for a brief second.

"That look… it's not normal."

Vardan realized Jay hadn't received his invitation just for fighting off thugs—he was chosen because of how he fought. Jay's smile, that menacing glint in his eye… he enjoyed the fight.

Jay dropped the last of his attackers and jogged back toward Vardan, still grinning.

Suddenly, the siren blared.

"Twenty remaining."

The fight intensified.

A figure leapt through the crowd—a swordsman. He landed in front of Vardan, eyes locked on him.

Without hesitation, Vardan stepped forward to shield Jay.

The swordsman unsheathed two blades, tossing one toward Vardan.

"Let's make this fair."

Vardan caught the sword, gripping it tightly. His training with Johan kicked in as he fell into a stance.

They clashed. Blades flashed in rapid succession, the sound of steel ringing out over the commotion.

Meanwhile, Jay found himself cornered by a pair of twins. Their matching smirks faded as Jay lunged at them with a wild expression, the same unsettling smile plastered on his face.

The twins hesitated, unnerved by his demeanor.

Within moments, Jay overwhelmed them, leaving them unconscious on the ground.

Across the room, Vardan's duel with the swordsman raged on. Their skills were evenly matched, neither giving ground.

Suddenly, the siren wailed.

"Ten survivors remain. The rest have failed."

Everyone froze.

Vardan and the swordsman lowered their weapons, breathing heavily. Vardan extended the blade back to him.

The swordsman accepted it with a slight nod.

Unbeknownst to them, in a darkened room elsewhere, a figure watched their every move on a wall of monitors.

The boss of the organization sat in the shadows, his face hidden.

"Interesting…"