Chapter 6: The Trial by Fire

Zayn stood before the group of survivors, his blue eyes gleaming under the dim moonlight. The atmosphere was tense, thick with anticipation and danger.

"We don't want any trouble," Zayn's kind voice carried a calm yet firm tone, attempting to defuse the situation.

But the leader of the survivors, a scar-faced man, smirked and said, "Here, only the strong survive. If you can't prove your worth, you won't find a place among us."

Zayn didn't want to fight, but his darker half wasn't willing to stay silent.

"Oh? Prove our worth? Fine. I'll make it quick."

In an instant, the air around Zayn changed. The leader's smirk faded as he felt a shift in the atmosphere. Energy surged around Zayn, the air grew heavier, and his blue eyes glowed intensely.

[Zayn's System – Combat Mode Activated]

All stats increased by 50% for 10 minutes.

Enhanced perception and reaction speed.

Zayn dashed forward at an inhuman speed, his movement ghostly as if his body flickered in and out of existence. In a blink, he appeared in front of the scar-faced man, his energy-coated fist crashing into the man's chest, sending him flying backward with immense force.

The ground cracked beneath the impact, and the man lay groaning in pain, struggling to get up. But despite his injuries, he smirked again.

"Heh… Not bad…"

Zayn's kinder half quickly stepped forward, placing himself between his darker self and the fallen leader before he could finish the job.

"Enough! We're not monsters."

Zayn's darker half chuckled coldly before vanishing, leaving the kind Zayn to face the wide-eyed survivors, who watched the scene in stunned silence.

The leader of the survivors pushed himself up with difficulty, then nodded at Zayn. "Welcome to our group… You've earned your place."

But the real question remained… Would this new alliance bring peace, or was it the beginning of an even greater battle?