By the time Terry Yan and the others returned to the hotel, it was already past eleven at night.
And they brought back grim news several instructors had fallen in battle.
At Martial Saint Academy alone, two teachers had died, and one more was sent straight to intensive care. Whether he would survive was still uncertain.
Terry himself was severely injured, nearly losing an arm.
Even the director of instruction had been wounded and looked utterly exhausted.
Teachers from the other schools weren't faring much better losses were heavy across the board.
"Sir!"
The students resting at the hotel were quickly roused and rushed out to greet their returning teachers.
Several more emotional students couldn't help but burst into tears upon seeing how battered their instructors were.
For a while, the atmosphere in the hotel lobby was solemn and heavy.
"Terry, how are you holding up?"
Vincent Fox made his way to Terry Yan's side.
Terry paused at hearing that new nickname "one-five-seven" but quickly brushed it off.
"It's nothing serious… It's late, you all should go rest. We'll talk tomorrow."
"I'll walk you to your room," Vincent said.
Terry declined at first, but Vincent insisted. Terry quickly realized Vincent had something important to discuss.
Once they reached his room, Terry chuckled.
"By the way, I saw the news while I was at the hospital. Vincent, you stepping up at such a critical moment was impressive. I expect someone from the government will show up tomorrow to award you a medal."
He was referring to Vincent's daring act of luring away the flying mutant beast.
Vincent didn't react much, clearly unfazed.
Terry smiled knowingly and added, "Don't underestimate that honor medal. It comes with quite a few perks. For instance, there are some restricted zones that only those with medals can access."
"Oh?"
Now Vincent was interested.
He didn't care about titles, but forbidden zones? Those piqued his curiosity.
Seeing this change in expression, Terry smiled.
"Alright, Vincent, what is it you really want to ask me?"
Vincent nodded. "Terry, you're close with Walter Wayne, right?"
At the mention of that name, Terry's expression immediately darkened.
"What about him?"
"I was ambushed on my way back by professional assassins."
Terry's eyes widened in shock.
"That really happened?"
He suddenly recalled something. "Wait, were there three bodies? We saw three corpses by the road on our way back."
Vincent smiled faintly. "Four, actually. The last one was a sniper. Before dying, he told me that Walter Wayne, along with the Harper and Lawson families, were behind it…"
Vincent then recounted the entire event.
After hearing everything, Terry slammed his fist into a nearby cabinet, veins bulging.
"That bastard!!"
At that moment, Terry was filled with murderous intent.
Walter had sent killers after his most promising student completely crossing the line. How could Terry not be furious?
"But Walter's already been expelled from Godslayer Academy. Even if I go looking for the academy now, it won't help," Terry muttered, frowning.
"Revenge has a name and a face. Why look for the school?" Vincent asked. "Terry, you must know where Walter lives, right?"
Terry's heart skipped a beat.
"Vincent, what are you planning? Don't do anything reckless!"
"Reckless?" Vincent chuckled. "They're already trying to kill me, and you still think I'm the one being reckless?"
Terry was speechless.
After a moment of thought, he clenched his fists again.
"Alright. I understand. Vincent, you've got a bright future ahead of you. Let me handle Walter Wayne."
Now it was Vincent's turn to be surprised.
He could tell Terry wasn't joking.
"Terry, there's no need. Just tell me where to find him. I'll take care of it myself."
But Terry waved him off.
"He's doing this because of me. This is between me and Walter. I'll end it."
Vincent stared at him for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright. Got it. Then, get some rest."
With that, Vincent left the room.
Terry stood by the window, face grim.
"Walter Wayne…"
He growled the name, filled with hatred.
Everything he'd told Vincent he meant it.
For years, because of a certain woman, he had held back. But learning that Walter had sent assassins after his student?
That crossed the line.
Two days later…
Vincent, Autumn Summer, and the others arrived at a military base.
Alongside them were students from the other top ten schools from the national tournament.
Over the next four days, they would undergo intensive training and education before entering a top-secret restricted zone that was off-limits to the public.
"Welcome, everyone! I'm your instructor!"
In the base's wide-open yard, a dark-skinned soldier addressed the students.
"I'll be leading your lessons for the next few days."
"But before I begin, there's something you must understand."
"The forbidden zone you're about to enter isn't just any restricted area. It's tied to the very fate of our nation!"
"There are entrances to this forbidden zone in countries all over the world!"
"In four days, each country will send their representatives into the zone. This is an international competition between the youth of every nation. And if any country's representatives fail, the monsters inside will break loose and invade the real world!"
"As you can see, the heavy military presence here is meant to keep those creatures contained."
"However, if you manage to complete your missions and perform well inside, you'll earn tremendous rewards from the zone itself and medals of honor from the military!"
As he spoke, a student suddenly raised her hand.
It was Lucia Blair.
"Yes, you have a question?" the instructor asked.
Lucia looked puzzled. "If this forbidden zone is so important, why are you sending freshmen like us? Wouldn't it be better to use experienced elites?"
The instructor nodded.
"A fair question. But this zone is extremely unusual. Only those who have entered no more than three zones can access it. Anyone beyond that limit will be rejected."
"In other words, it's not that we don't want to send experts it's that the zone only allows newcomers!"
Understanding dawned across the students.
This forbidden zone really was… strange.
Even Vincent couldn't help but grow curious.
----------------------------------------------------
The deeper he goes, the more the truth unravels. Don't wait read ahead and witness Vincent's rise before the world catches up!
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