Huff—huff—
Footsteps tore through the long, empty corridor, echoing violently against stone walls.
The man ran without direction, lungs screaming as each breath came shorter than the last. His eyes burned red, veins ruptured across his vision as panic carved itself into his face. Sweat drenched him, fear weighing heavier than exhaustion.
"L-leave me…!"
His voice cracked. "I won't say anything—I swear—!"
He took a sharp turn—
—and slipped.
Something warm spread beneath his feet.
The smell hit him next.
Iron.
Fresh.
His breath caught.
A dead end.
The wall ahead was painted deep red, thick streaks still crawling downward. Behind him, something scraped softly against the floor.
A hand seized his ankle.
"So what if you stay quiet?"
The voice was calm—almost gentle.
"It's better if no one remembers you."
The man screamed as he was dragged backward, fingers clawing helplessly against the stone until his nails tore away. His cries collapsed into choking, wet sounds.
A quiet laugh followed.
"I really shouldn't wake the others…"
Snap.
The blood vanished.
The stench disappeared.
The corridor stood pristine once more—unnaturally clean.
"Tch. Delayed by a pig."
Footsteps faded into the darkness, something heavy dragged along behind them.
Two Days Later — Central City Inn
"Oii!! Wake up, you slowpoke!!"
A sharp kick sent Kael tumbling off the bed.
"Ouu—!!" He clutched his head, eyes watering. "Are you trying to kill me, Aya?!"
"Huh? What did you say, idiot Kael?"
"N-nothing! Nothing great!" He yawned. "So… the results?"
Aya smirked proudly.
"I got admitted with the highest marks. Hehe~"
Kael blinked. "Wait—"
Smack.
"Aya's Rule Number Five!" she snapped. "Never interrupt the goddess Aya mid-speech!"
"Ouch!! Why do you keep hitting me today?!"
"You—what did you just say?!"
The morning descended into chaos as it usually did. By the time they left the inn, Kael had been thoroughly beaten—barely alive but familiar with the routine.
As they walked the bustling streets, Aya spoke seriously for once.
"Our identity casets arrive tomorrow. No entry without them. And don't get cocky—there are monsters among the new students. Real ones."
Kael nodded absentmindedly.
Then—
He stopped.
His gaze locked forward.
Ten meters ahead stood a woman from the previous test group. Snow-white hair flowed down her back, long slender legs carrying her calmly through the crowd. Pointed ears peeked from beneath her hair.
Her eyes—
They looked gentle.
But deep within them lay something cold.
Endless.
Like a frozen wasteland.
"B-beautiful…" Kael whispered.
Aya puffed her chest proudly. "I know I am—"
Smack.
Kael: "I want her."
"You damn pervert!!"
"Ouch!! I meant the sword!!"
"Sword?"
He pointed shakily toward a blade displayed beside the elven woman—elegant, ominous.
Aya froze.
"…Sword?"
Her face burned red.
She turned and bolted.
"H-Hey—!"
Kael followed—
Then stopped.
The air crushed him.
His chest tightened violently, heart skipping before pounding uncontrollably. A deep, primal dread flooded his body.
"What… is this…?"
His chest went empty.
He looked down.
A blade pierced straight through him.
Not clean. Not merciful.
It trembled slightly, protruding from his back. His body refused to scream—shock locking him in place.
Then pain bloomed.
Blood spilled from his mouth as his knees buckled.
"Oh… poor thing…"
A whisper brushed against his ear.
The blade twisted.
Kael convulsed.
It was pulled free with a sound no living body should make.
He slammed onto his back, warmth spreading beneath him, vision shaking violently. His hands twitched uselessly in the air.
"Wh… who…"
No answer.
His eyes stared upward, wide and glassy, tears sliding silently as life drained away.
The street moved on.
Their lies a lifeless body in the corner of alleyway unknown to the world