Broken Star!

Ren slowed his pace, stopping just short of the shimmering portal. Its glow rippled softly, casting distorted reflections of the world around it. His stomach churned—not from fear of the test, but from the weight of unanswered questions gnawing at his mind.

"Hey, Bell," he began, his voice quieter than usual.

Bell, adjusting the strap of his satchel with practiced ease, turned toward him. His sharp green eyes narrowed slightly, sensing the shift in Ren's tone. "What's up?"

Ren hesitated, his hand brushing the hilt of his sword. The words felt heavy, like stones in his throat. Finally, he forced them out. "The Great Hero Haruto… What can you tell me about him?"

Bell blinked, taken aback. "Haruto? What's with the sudden interest?"

"I just…" Ren faltered, his gaze fixed on the swirling light of the portal. "I just want to know more."

Bell exhaled, crossing his arms. "Alright. Haruto was one of the Four Great Heroes—the kind of name people whisper with awe, even now. He wasn't just strong; he was… unshakable. They say he could rally entire armies just by walking onto the battlefield."

Ren's grip on his sword tightened as he listened. "And? What happened to him?"

Bell's expression softened, a flicker of respect and melancholy crossing his face. "He's long gone, Ren. He passed away peacefully after the First Continental was over. He retired after uniting the kingdoms and spent his last years mentoring others. Taught them how to fight, how to lead. From what the stories say, he lived a life most people can only dream of."

Ren's chest tightened at the words. "A life worth remembering," he murmured.

Bell nodded. "Exactly. He wasn't just a warrior; he was a symbol of hope. Even now, his legacy inspires people. I mean, look around—his name is on half the statues and half the schools in the kingdom."

Ren's mind swirled with conflicting emotions. Relief flickered briefly—Haruto hadn't suffered, hadn't been lost to the same nightmare Ren had endured. But that relief was tinged with confusion, even guilt.

"You okay?" Bell asked, tilting his head. His voice was light, but his eyes carried an undercurrent of concern.

Ren forced a small smile, though it felt brittle. "Yeah. Just… wanted to know. Thanks."

Bell didn't press further. Instead, he gestured toward the portal with a casual shrug. "Well, whatever's going on in that head of yours, save it for after we pass this test. Let's not make our first day our last."

Ren chuckled weakly, the tension in his chest still coiled tight. "Right. Let's get this over with."

They stepped toward the glowing portal together, its light enveloping them in an instant.

***

Ren stumbled forward as the portal's glow dimmed behind him, the surreal sensation of teleportation leaving a faint nausea in its wake. He steadied himself, taking in his surroundings.

A dense forest stretched in every direction, its towering trees casting a dappled green light onto the moss-covered ground. The air was cool and carried the faint scent of pine and damp earth. Somewhere in the distance, the faint trill of birdsong pierced the silence, accompanied by the rustling of unseen creatures.

In the center of the forest, a massive stone tower rose above the treetops, its jagged silhouette cutting into the sky like a blade. A single clock face, its hands unmoving, loomed near the top, glowing faintly in the dim light. The structure seemed ancient yet foreboding, its surface marred by cracks and vines.

Ren's eyes fixed on the tower, his breath catching. "So that's the goal," he muttered, his voice barely audible.

"Your test has begun," a mechanical voice boomed from nowhere, startling Ren. The deep, disembodied tone seemed to reverberate in his very bones. "You have forty minutes to complete your objective."

Ren blinked, his heartbeat quickening. "Forty minutes?" he echoed, his gaze snapping to the towering structure again. He frowned, unsure of where to start. His hand instinctively brushed the hilt of his sword.

"Alright, focus," he muttered to himself, his voice steadying as he tried to calm his nerves. "I just need to find an orb and get it to that tower. Simple… right?"

But as he took a cautious step forward, the weight of the forest seemed to close in around him. Shadows danced between the trees, their movements quick and fleeting. Ren's grip on his sword tightened as unease prickled along his spine.

'This is no ordinary test,' he thought, scanning the area. His sharp gaze lingered on the undergrowth, half-expecting something to leap out. 'They wouldn't make it that easy.'

He pressed forward, each step careful but deliberate. The crunch of twigs underfoot and the occasional rustle of leaves overhead were the only sounds that accompanied him. Time seemed to stretch, the moments crawling by as he moved deeper into the forest.

As he rounded a particularly large tree, Ren froze. In a small clearing ahead, three figures stood locked in a heated exchange. Their voices were muffled by the distance, but their aggressive postures were unmistakable. One of them, a boy with wild black hair, launched a bolt of fire from his palm, narrowly missing another participant, who ducked and retaliated with a spray of jagged ice.

Ren crouched low, his eyes narrowing as he observed. The combatants seemed evenly matched, their attacks clashing in bursts of light and sound. The air around them shimmered with residual magic, crackling like static electricity.

'They're strong,' Ren thought, his jaw tightening. His chest tightened as the reality of the situation set in. These weren't just random participants—they were skilled, dangerous, and leagues ahead of him.

As if reading his thoughts, the faint glow of the blue screen appeared in his vision, displaying information about the three fighters.

[Name: Darrion - Strength: 13]

[Name: Elrik - Strength: 11]

[Name: Jynessa - Strength: 17]

Ren's stomach dropped. "Thirteen? Seventeen?" he whispered, his voice barely audible. His mind raced as he compared the numbers to his own meager stats. 'My strength is only 1. How am I supposed to compete with that?'

He swallowed hard, forcing himself to breathe evenly. "No way I'm picking a fight with them," he muttered under his breath. "Not now, not like this."

Carefully, he backed away, keeping his movements slow and deliberate to avoid drawing attention. Once he was far enough, he turned and bolted deeper into the forest, his heart pounding in his ears.

After what felt like an eternity of running, Ren came to a halt near a stone pillar. His chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath. A faint glow emanated from the top of the structure, drawing his attention. An orb rested there, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly light.

Hope flickered in his chest, but it was short-lived. Standing guard at the base of the pillar was a goblin. The creature was small but wiry, its green skin slick with sweat. It clutched a crude sword in its clawed hands, its beady eyes scanning the area with sharp intelligence.

Ren's grip on his sword tightened as his body tensed. Memories of his encounter with the goblin the previous day surged forward—its jagged teeth, the pain of its blows, the taste of helplessness.

'I barely survived last time,' he thought, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. 'And that was with Bell's help.'

The blue screen appeared again, displaying the goblin's stats.

[Goblin - Strength: 2]

Ren exhaled slowly. "Two," he muttered, his voice shaking slightly. "Still stronger than me."

For a moment, doubt threatened to take hold. But then he clenched his jaw, forcing the fear back down. "I have to do this. I can't run forever."

Ren unsheathed his sword, the blade catching faint glints of light that filtered through the forest canopy. He adjusted his grip, his palms slick with sweat. The goblin ahead growled low, its jagged teeth bared, and the crude sword it wielded shimmered faintly with grime and wear. Its beady eyes locked onto Ren, sensing both opportunity and threat.

'I have to do this. Running won't get me anywhere,' Ren thought, swallowing hard. His muscles tensed, a mix of fear and resolve coursing through him. He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. "Alright, just focus. Watch its movements."

The goblin's ears twitched as Ren shifted his stance, its small, wiry body vibrating with pent-up aggression. It took a cautious step forward, its blade raised. Ren mirrored the movement, his own sword poised for action.

Then the goblin lunged, its speed catching Ren off guard. Ren barely sidestepped, the goblin's sword slicing the air just inches from his shoulder. He swung his sword in retaliation, but the goblin was quick, darting back out of range with an unsettling screech that echoed through the clearing.

'Fast. Too fast,' Ren thought, his breath quickening. He shifted his grip on the sword, trying to adjust to the goblin's erratic movements. The creature darted in again, its blade aimed low this time. Ren blocked the strike, but the force rattled his arms, sending vibrations up to his shoulders.

"Damn it!" Ren gritted through his teeth, pushing back against the goblin's strength. He tried to counter with an upward slash, but the goblin ducked nimbly, its sharp reflexes keeping it a step ahead.

The goblin feinted to the left before quickly striking from the right. Ren barely managed to deflect the attack, stumbling back as the goblin pressed its advantage. The creature's movements were wild yet deliberate, its strikes relentless.

'I can't keep this up. It's faster, stronger,' Ren realized, his arms aching from the repeated impacts. He ducked under another swing, the goblin's blade whistling past his ear. His foot caught on a root, and he stumbled, nearly losing his balance. The goblin seized the opportunity, lunging with its blade aimed for Ren's chest.

"No, you don't!" Ren yelled, twisting his body just in time. The goblin's sword grazed his side, slicing through his shirt and leaving a shallow cut. Pain flared, but Ren ignored it, using the momentum to swing his own blade in a wide arc. The goblin jumped back, the tip of Ren's sword narrowly missing its midsection.

'Think, damn it. You can't win on brute strength,' Ren scolded himself, his breath coming in short gasps. He adjusted his stance, watching the goblin carefully. Its movements were aggressive but repetitive—a pattern he could exploit.

The goblin snarled, charging again, its blade slashing downward in a powerful strike. Ren sidestepped and slashed horizontally, aiming for its torso. The goblin twisted mid-charge, the blade slicing across its arm. A high-pitched screech filled the air as the goblin stumbled back, clutching its wound.

'Got you,' Ren thought, a flicker of hope igniting in his chest. He pressed forward, swinging his sword in a flurry of strikes meant to overwhelm the goblin. The creature deflected most of them, but its movements grew slower, its injured arm hindering its defense.

But it wasn't giving up.

The goblin suddenly leaped into the air, its small body twisting as it aimed a downward strike at Ren. The unexpected move threw him off, and he barely managed to raise his sword in time. The impact forced him to his knees, his arms straining to hold the goblin's blade at bay.

"Get… off!" Ren growled, pushing upward with all his might. The goblin staggered back, momentarily off-balance.

Seizing the opportunity, Ren lunged forward, his sword slicing upward. The blade cut deep into the goblin's midsection, drawing a spray of dark blood. The goblin let out a guttural cry, dropping its weapon as it clutched its stomach.

But Ren didn't stop.

With a shout, he swung his sword again, this time aiming for the goblin's neck. The blade connected with a sickening crunch, severing the goblin's head. Its body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

Ren stood over the corpse, his chest heaving as adrenaline coursed through him. Blood trickled from the cut on his side, and his arms felt like lead. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his sword trembling in his grip.

"That… was way too close," he muttered, his voice shaky. He looked down at the goblin's corpse, a mix of relief and disbelief washing over him. 'I actually did it. I won.'

The faint snap of a branch behind him made him freeze. His head whipped around, and his heart sank as he saw movement in the trees.

"It's them," he whispered, dread creeping into his voice. Emerging from the shadows were the three participants he'd seen earlier, their smug expressions making his stomach churn.

The tallest one smirked, his voice dripping with condescension. "Hey, demon. Mind if we take your orb?"

Ren's heart sank as the three teenagers emerged from the shadows. Their mocking grins and relaxed postures screamed overconfidence. The tallest of the trio stepped forward, his sandy blonde hair catching the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. He was broad-shouldered with a cocky smirk that only deepened as his piercing blue eyes locked onto Ren.

The second boy was lankier, with sharp features and a constant sneer. His dark hair fell messily across his forehead, shadowing his cold, calculating eyes. The third, stockier and with a shaved head, cracked his knuckles, his bulky frame exuding raw physicality.

The blonde one spoke first, his voice a mix of amusement and disdain. "You've got some guts, demon. Taking down a goblin all by yourself." He clapped slowly, the sound echoing in the clearing. "But guts won't save you here."

Ren instinctively gripped the hilt of his sword tighter, stepping back slightly. His tail flicked nervously behind him, betraying his unease.

The lanky one tilted his head, his sneer widening. "What's the matter? You look scared. Didn't anyone tell you? This forest isn't a safe place for… your kind."

The stocky boy stepped forward, flexing his fingers. "Let's just take his orb and be done with it. No need to waste time."

Ren's jaw tightened. "I'm not handing it over," he said, his voice firm but low. He tried to keep his expression calm, but his heart pounded in his chest.

The blonde boy chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, you're funny, demon. But see, it's not really up to you. We're just being generous by letting you walk away… after we take what's ours."

Ren's mind raced. He knew he didn't stand a chance against them in a direct fight. Their earlier display of magic was proof enough of their strength. Still, he couldn't afford to back down.

"I earned this orb," Ren said, his voice steady despite the tremor in his hands. "If you want it, you'll have to fight me for it."

The stocky one cracked his neck, stepping forward with a predatory grin. "Works for me."

Without warning, the lanky boy darted to Ren's left, his movements swift and precise. Ren barely managed to sidestep as the boy's fist sailed past his face. The blonde one followed, swinging a wooden practice sword aimed at Ren's midsection. Ren blocked it just in time, but the force of the impact nearly sent him stumbling.

"You're faster than you look," the blonde boy said, smirking. "But let's see how long you can last."

Ren swung his sword in a wide arc, forcing the blonde boy to step back. He took a quick glance at the other two, trying to gauge their next moves. The stocky one moved in, aiming a punch at Ren's ribs. Ren twisted, the punch grazing his side but still sending a sharp jolt of pain through his torso.

"Damn it," Ren hissed, gritting his teeth. He retaliated with a quick slash, catching the stocky boy on the arm. The boy flinched but didn't back down.

"Not bad," the stocky one growled, rubbing his arm. "But that's the last hit you'll get."

The lanky boy suddenly dashed behind Ren, grabbing his tail and yanking hard. Pain shot through Ren's body as he cried out, stumbling forward.

"Look at that!" the lanky one taunted, holding Ren's tail tightly. "The demon's got a weak spot."

Ren swung wildly behind him, forcing the lanky boy to release his grip. But as he turned, the stocky boy was already charging, slamming a shoulder into Ren's stomach. The impact knocked the wind out of him, and he fell to the ground, gasping for air.

The blonde boy stood over him, smirking. "You're out of your league, demon. You should've handed over the orb when you had the chance."

Ren struggled to get up, his vision swimming. But before he could steady himself, the stocky boy kicked him hard in the ribs, sending him sprawling. Pain radiated through his torso, and he coughed violently, blood flecking his lips.

"Stop… this," Ren gasped, his voice barely audible.

"Stop?" The blonde boy laughed, leaning down to meet Ren's gaze. "We're just getting started."

The lanky boy stepped forward and delivered a sharp kick to the side of Ren's head. The world spun violently, and darkness began to creep into the edges of his vision. His body refused to respond, the overwhelming pain forcing him into submission.

As the final blow landed, Ren's world faded to black, his last thought a mix of despair and defiance.

'It can't… end here.'

***

Ren's eyes fluttered open, his head pounding like a war drum. The faint rustle of leaves and the distant cries of birds filled the air. He lay sprawled on the forest floor, his vision blurred and his body aching in a way that made every breath a challenge. For a moment, he was disoriented, unsure of where he was or how long he'd been unconscious.

Then, it all came rushing back—the fight, the kicks, the taunts, the pain. His fingers dug into the dirt beneath him as frustration and shame bubbled to the surface.

"Damn it," Ren muttered, his voice hoarse. He sat up slowly, clutching his ribs as a sharp pain shot through him. "Those bastards…"

He glanced down at his hands, scraped and bruised, and then at his dirt-streaked clothes. His sword lay a few feet away, its blade dulled from his earlier fight with the goblin. The orb, however, was still securely fastened to his belt.

'At least they didn't take it,' Ren thought, a small relief amidst the storm brewing in his chest. He reached for the orb, gripping it tightly as if to reassure himself that it was still there.

But as he looked up, his heart sank. The towering spire at the center of the forest loomed in the distance, its clock face visible even from here. The hands were nearing the final mark, a stark reminder of how little time remained.

'The test… How much time do I have left?' Ren wondered, his eyes narrowing as he struggled to focus on the clock.

His vision cleared, and he froze.

Ten minutes.

"Ten minutes?!" he exclaimed, his voice cracking with panic. He staggered to his feet, his injuries protesting with every movement. "I can't fail. I can't."

Clenching his fists, Ren forced himself to stand upright, ignoring the searing pain in his side. "It's not over yet!" he growled. "I can still make it!"

With that declaration, he began to run.

The forest blurred around him as Ren pushed himself forward, his legs screaming in protest with every step. Twigs snapped beneath his feet, and low-hanging branches scratched his face and arms, but he didn't stop. His breath came in ragged gasps, his heart pounding as though it might burst.

'There has to be another orb,' he thought desperately, scanning the area as he ran. 'I can't be the only one who hasn't made it to the tower.'

His first stop was a nearby pillar, its surface weathered and cracked. Ren skidded to a halt, his heart sinking as he found it empty. Blood smeared the ground around the base, and the carcass of a slain goblin lay sprawled nearby.

'Someone's already been here,' Ren realized, his fists clenching. He didn't have time to linger.

He moved on, his gaze darting from side to side as he searched for any sign of another pillar. Minutes ticked by, each one gnawing at his resolve. Every pillar he found was the same—empty, with monsters either dead or nowhere to be seen.

"Damn it!" Ren shouted, slamming his fist against a tree. His vision blurred with frustration and exhaustion. "Did they take them all?!"

The sound of distant footsteps snapped him out of his despair. His head whipped around, his instincts on high alert. But instead of finding more competitors, his eyes landed on something unexpected—a clearing up ahead.

In the center of the clearing stood two small stone pillars, each holding a glowing orb. Ren's breath caught. He darted toward them, his heart pounding with both hope and suspicion.

Ren approached cautiously, his hand instinctively gripping his sword. The air around the clearing felt… wrong. It was unnervingly still, the usual rustling of leaves and chirping of birds absent. The ground was littered with the bodies of goblins and dire wolves, their forms twisted in grotesque poses as though their lives had been snuffed out in an instant.

"What happened here?" Ren muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He crouched near one of the goblins, its body still warm. "Did they kill each other?"

The thought was unsettling, but he couldn't dwell on it. His eyes darted to the two orbs, their soft glow standing out starkly against the carnage. Ren swallowed hard and reached for one of them.

The moment his fingers brushed the orb, the world shifted.

Darkness enveloped him.

One moment, Ren stood amidst the forest clearing, his hand brushing against the cold surface of the orb. The next, the world fell away, swallowed by an endless void. There was no wind, no sound, no ground beneath his feet. Yet he stood, suspended in the abyss. The oppressive stillness was suffocating, pressing against his chest as though the air itself sought to crush him.

Ren's breath quickened. "Where… where am I?" His voice echoed unnaturally, as though swallowed by the void and spat back in fragments.

The darkness shifted, almost imperceptibly at first. Then, a shape began to coalesce—a swirling mass of shadows that twisted and writhed like smoke caught in an unseen wind. Two crimson eyes emerged from the void, glowing like embers in the black. They fixed on Ren, freezing him in place with their unrelenting intensity.

"Well, well," a voice drawled, low and raspy, yet dripping with a sinister amusement. "What do we have here? A little lost soul wandering where it doesn't belong."

Ren's hand instinctively went to his sword, gripping the hilt tightly. His tail flicked behind him, betraying his unease. "Who… what are you?" he demanded, his voice steadier than he felt.

The shadowy figure chuckled, a sound that reverberated through the void like nails on glass. "Oh, how quaint. You think you can challenge me?" The mass of shadows shifted, taking on a more humanoid shape. Tendrils of darkness curled and coiled around its form, giving it an otherworldly presence.

"What do you want?" Ren asked, his voice hardening as he forced his body to remain still.

The figure tilted its head, its crimson eyes narrowing. "What do I want? No, no, little one. The question is: what are you?" It began to circle him, its movements fluid and unnatural, like ink spreading in water. "You don't belong here. You don't belong anywhere."

Ren turned, keeping his sword between himself and the entity. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, his voice tight.

The figure's laughter echoed again, colder this time. "Oh, but you do. You feel it, don't you? That gnawing in your chest, that weight you can't shake. The questions. The doubts. The guilt."

Ren froze. The words hit too close to home, cutting through his defenses like a blade. "Shut up," he snapped, his grip on his sword tightening. "You don't know anything about me."

The shadow leaned closer, its grin wide and full of malice. "Don't I?"

Before Ren could react, the figure's form began to shift. The swirling darkness condensed, taking on familiar lines and features. Ren's breath caught in his throat as the transformation completed.

It was Haruto.

But not the Haruto he remembered. This version of his friend looked older, harder, his eyes filled with contempt instead of warmth. The sight sent a chill down Ren's spine.

"Haruto…?" Ren whispered, his voice barely audible. His sword lowered, his arms suddenly heavy.

The illusion sneered, stepping closer. "You left me to die, Ren," it spat, its voice dripping with venom. "You ran. You abandoned me."

"No," Ren protested, shaking his head. "I didn't… I tried to save you! I—"

"Lies!" the shadow-Haruto roared, its voice echoing through the void. "You let the ceiling collapse. You could've saved me, but you didn't. You were too weak, too selfish."

Ren staggered back, his sword clattering to the ground. "That's not true!" he cried, tears stinging his eyes. "I didn't want this to happen! I… I didn't want to lose you!"

The figure loomed over him, its shadow stretching like a predator ready to strike. "Your weakness killed me, Ren. Admit it. You're a coward. A failure. You deserve nothing but this endless torment."

The weight of the accusation crushed Ren to his knees. The void around him seemed to tighten, pressing in from all sides. His vision blurred, and his breaths came in shallow gasps.

"I didn't mean to…" he whispered, his voice trembling. "I didn't mean to…"

The figure's grin widened, its voice dropping to a sinister whisper. "That's it. Give in. Let the guilt consume you. Let me take this burden from you…"

The air grew colder, and the shadows seemed to seep into Ren's skin. His limbs felt heavy, unresponsive. A faint purple miasma began to emanate from the illusion, snaking its way toward Ren like tendrils seeking to ensnare him.

"Just give up," the shadow-Haruto cooed. "Surrender. It's easier that way."

A single tear slid down Ren's cheek as his mind spiraled into despair. Memories of that day—the chaos, the fear, Haruto's outstretched hand—played over and over in his mind like a cruel loop. The guilt was unbearable, suffocating.

But then… a voice.

"I admire Haruto," Bell had said, his tone filled with reverence. "He wasn't just a hero—he was the kind of person who gave people hope. He made them believe in something better."

The words echoed in Ren's mind, cutting through the fog of despair. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as the memory anchored him.

"No," Ren muttered, his voice weak but defiant.

The shadow paused, its crimson eyes narrowing. "What did you say?"

Ren looked up, his tear-streaked face filled with a flicker of determination. "You're not him. Haruto wouldn't say those things."

The shadow's grin faltered. "You think you know him better than your own guilt?"

Ren forced himself to his feet, his legs shaking but his resolve strengthening. "I know this much—Haruto would never want me to give up. He'd want me to keep going. To find a way forward."

The illusion's form began to waver, the shadows around it swirling erratically. "You think you can defy me?" it hissed, its voice losing some of its power.

Ren's grip on his sword returned, his stance steadying. "You're just a shadow," he said, his voice gaining strength. "And I'm done letting my past control me."

With a roar of defiance, Ren swung his sword. The blade cut through the shadow's form, dispersing it into a flurry of smoke. 

Ren fell to his knees, his chest heaving as the oppressive darkness lifted. The clearing reappeared around him, bathed in faint sunlight that filtered through the forest canopy. His sword rested limply in his grip, the blade streaked with faint smudges of shadowy mist, a lingering remnant of the encounter. The world felt eerily still, as if holding its breath.

The blue screen flickered into his vision once more, its soft glow casting an otherworldly hue over his surroundings.

[You have overcome the trauma of your past life.]

[Your soul has completely merged with your new body.]

Ren's breathing slowed as he read the words, their meaning sinking in. His body trembled, not from fear but from the weight of what had just happened. He clutched his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat—his own, whole and unbroken.

He whispered to himself, his voice hoarse, "So that's it… it wasn't just about survival. It was about letting go."

Memories of Haruto flooded his mind, vivid and sharp. The laughter they shared, the plans they made, the desperation of their final moments together. For so long, Ren had clung to the guilt, the what-ifs, the belief that he had failed his best friend. But in the shadow demon's grasp, he realized something deeper: it wasn't about forgetting or moving on—it was about choosing to live.

Ren's fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms as a quiet determination took root. He thought back to what Bell had said about Haruto: the Great Hero who inspired countless lives. For the first time, those words brought comfort, not pain.

"Haruto," Ren said aloud, his voice steadier now, "if you're watching me from somewhere… I'll make this life count. I'll live it fully—not for you, but because of you. Just watch me."

The faintest breeze brushed past him, rustling the leaves as if the world itself acknowledged his resolve. A surge of energy pulsed through his body, radiating outward from his core. It was warm and steady, unlike the searing agony of his earlier transformation. His muscles felt stronger, his movements more fluid.

The blue screen expanded, displaying a new set of notifications:

[Strength has been restored to 12.]

[Agility has been restored to 13.]

[Stamina has been restored to 10.]

[Defense has been restored to 11.]

[Focus has been restored to 6.]

Ren's eyes scanned the stats, the numbers now carrying a weight of significance. His hand instinctively flexed, testing his newfound strength. The change wasn't just physical—he felt it in his mind, in his heart. The fractured pieces of his identity had finally clicked into place.

He pushed himself to his feet, his legs steady beneath him. The soreness in his body lingered but felt distant now, like an echo of a memory. He sheathed his sword with a resolute click, his eyes locking onto the distant tower that loomed above the forest canopy.

"I'm not running anymore," he murmured, his voice carrying a quiet intensity. He tightened the strap on his scabbard, his gaze sharpening with purpose. "No more hesitation."

The faint crunch of leaves under his boots accompanied his first step forward. As he moved, the forest seemed more alive than before. He could hear the chirping of birds and the rustling of small animals in the underbrush. The world felt brighter, more vivid—as if his newfound clarity had extended to the very air around him.

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he picked up his pace. His strides grew longer, his legs carrying him faster than he thought possible. The wind whipped against his face, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he relished the sensation.

As the tower drew closer, Ren's determination solidified further. He whispered under his breath, almost as a promise: "I'll live this life to the fullest… Just watch me, Haruto."

****

The adventurer's guild training hall was bustling with noise, the air thick with a mixture of excitement and impatience. The cadets who had already returned from the test congregated in small groups, their chatter ranging from boastful recaps of their performance to nervous speculation about what awaited them next.

"Hey, why don't they just get on with the announcements?" one cadet grumbled, tossing a small orb between his hands. "No one's gonna come out in the last five minutes, anyway."

"They can't just close the portal," another retorted. "Rules are rules. They have to wait till the timer runs out."

Nearby, Bell stood apart from the others, his green eyes scanning the room. His usually relaxed demeanor was gone, replaced by a tension that weighed heavy on his shoulders.

"Ren, where are you?" Bell murmured under his breath, his fingers tapping nervously against the hilt of his sword. He glanced toward the glowing portal at the far end of the hall. The seconds seemed to stretch into eternity.

Had Ren made it? Or had he…

Bell shook his head sharply, dismissing the thought. Ren wouldn't just give up—not after everything. But the doubt gnawed at him, relentless and unwelcome.

Suddenly, the portal's glow intensified, a brilliant light spilling into the hall and silencing the cadets mid-conversation. All eyes turned toward the shimmering gateway as a figure stumbled through.

Ren emerged from the portal, his body battered and covered in dirt, blood. His chest heaved with every breath, and his legs wobbled like they might give out at any moment. He braced his hands on his knees, trying to steady himself as the room fell silent.

For a moment, the only sound was the ragged rasp of his breathing.

Then, drawing on the last reserves of his strength, Ren straightened up, his eyes blazing with defiance. He raised a fist weakly in the air and shouted, his voice hoarse but triumphant:

"I made it!"

The words echoed through the hall, silencing even the whispers that had begun to spread.