Chapter 10: The Journey to the Top Begins

Later that evening, Free and Shawn sat in their dorm, reflecting on the intense battles from earlier.

"You beat Leon, but that was just the first step," Shawn said, arms crossed. "We need to climb faster."

Free exhaled, still feeling the adrenaline from his fight. "We need to get stronger, but how?"

Their answer came the next morning.

The academy buzzed with energy as students gathered in the grand hall, anticipation thick in the air. A massive holographic screen flickered to life, displaying the shadowed figures of the Ten Commandments, the strongest warriors in the nation.

A deep, commanding voice echoed through the chamber.

"You have proven yourselves in the entrance exam, but that was merely the first step. True warriors are forged through battle, and today marks the beginning of your real journey."

Instructor Darius stepped forward, his piercing gaze sweeping across the students. "Your next challenge is a real-world mission—your first D-Rank Beast Hunt outside the academy. This is no controlled environment. If you fail… you may not return."

A hushed silence fell. This wasn't training anymore—this was real.

Darius continued, "Your goal is simple: capture or eliminate a D-Rank XO Beast in the wild. Those who succeed will be promoted to Rank D. Those who fail… will remain at the bottom."

Free's heart pounded with excitement. Finally, a real test of strength. He turned to Shawn, whose red eyes gleamed with determination.

"This is it," Free whispered.

Shawn nodded. "We have to prove we belong here."

The students were divided into squads of four. To their surprise, Free and Shawn were grouped with Luna, the quiet girl with silver hair and a mysterious aura, and Marco, a burly fighter wielding twin gauntlets.

Luna glanced at them with disinterest. "Just don't slow me down."

Marco smirked. "As long as you don't freeze up when the beasts attack."

Free grinned. "Alright, let's just focus on passing."

After receiving their mission details, the squads were led outside the academy walls for the first time. Beyond the fortified gates lay the Wilderness Zone, a vast expanse of dense forests and rocky terrain where XO Beasts roamed freely.

As they ventured deeper into the wild, tension grew between them. The only sounds were the rustling leaves and the distant cries of unseen creatures.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the trees.

Luna's sharp eyes scanned the shadows. "Something's coming."

The bushes trembled. Then, with a burst of speed, a massive D-Rank XO Beast emerged—a monstrous, wolf-like creature with glowing blue fur and jagged fangs.

Marco cursed. "That thing's bigger than I expected."

Shawn summoned his panther, its muscles tensed. "No turning back now."

Free stepped forward, activating his XO Card. Shadow Fang appeared beside him, its dark fur bristling.

The beast snarled and charged.

"Spread out!" Free shouted.

The four of them moved in sync, each taking a position around the beast. Luna moved like a ghost, silent but calculated. Marco cracked his knuckles and slammed his gauntlets together, energy surging around his fists. Shawn's red eyes gleamed as he commanded his panther to strike first.

The panther lunged, claws flashing, but the beast swiped it aside with a powerful strike. It yowled in pain but recovered quickly.

"Damn, it's fast," Shawn muttered.

Luna suddenly raised her hand, and a flurry of silver daggers shot toward the beast. They sliced through the air, but the wolf dodged most of them. One dagger grazed its side, drawing a thin line of glowing blue blood.

"It can predict our moves," Luna said coldly.

Free clenched his fists. "Then let's make it unpredictable."

He charged forward recklessly, forcing the wolf's attention on him. Shadow Fang mirrored his movements, its fangs bared. Just as the wolf lunged, Free ducked, and at the same moment, Marco leaped from behind, slamming his glowing gauntlets into the creature's side.

A loud boom echoed as the impact sent the wolf staggering.

"Now, Free!" Shawn shouted.

Free didn't hesitate. He thrust his XO Card forward. Light engulfed the wolf, and it howled in defiance, struggling against the pull. But after a tense moment, its form shrank, sucked into the glowing card in Free's hand.

Silence filled the air.

Then, Marco let out a triumphant laugh. "That was insane!"

Luna crossed her arms. "We still have a long way to go."

Free held up the card, a grin spreading across his face. They had won—but this was just the beginning.