In this world, only the strong survive.
The weak are crushed.
Once, I was one of them.
Fear, limitations, helplessness—they chained me down.
But today… everything has changed.
Before me lies a trial of darkness.
If I want to live, I must push beyond my limits.
If I fail—my death won't be the only price. My family will be erased as well.
---
Thud… thud…
Footsteps echoed across the silent chamber.
General Maksim stood at the head of the table, his gaze cold as ice but burning with hidden fire.
Beside him, Daniel watched me with an uncanny look, as if he sensed something buried deep within me.
The moment Jackson entered, the air itself grew heavy. His mere presence was oppressive.
Grace folded her arms, the faint glint of her blade reflecting in her sharp eyes.
Nora remained silent, but her aura carried a blade-like tension.
And Kaito—the samurai—his stare felt like it could pierce a man's heart.
I tightened my grip on the Black Sword, holding my breath.
Everyone around me was powerful. Dangerous.
But I knew—today, it was me they were measuring.
Grace whispered softly—
"Ryan…"
Every gaze turned toward me.
The air grew heavier, as if each breath carried a storm within it.
---
Maksim began the introductions, his tone deep and commanding.
Jackson—team leader, former boxer. His punch once split a giant python in half.
Grace—martial arts master. Her strikes with the blade were invisible—only the aftermath could be seen.
Ivan—beast controller. From savage tigers to soaring eagles, every creature bent to his will.
Irina—assassin with poisoned blades. One cut meant slow, inevitable death.
Kaito—the samurai. His speed was so sharp, the eye could not follow.
Ayaka—ninja. Swift, clever, disappearing and reappearing without warning.
Ji Hwan—whose hands can channel deadly firearms at terrifying speed.
Kai—commander of electric weapons, lightning crackling across his guns.
Then Maksim's gaze locked onto me.
"And this… is Ryan. A master of martial arts. But there is something more within him—something that has yet to fully awaken."
The room grew silent.
Daniel's eyes glimmered again with that same uncanny look.
I could feel it—he had sensed the dark power inside me.
---
Maksim slammed a hand on the table.
"With the Hunters, we will also have Special Forces—fifteen soldiers, one scientist, two doctors, and two rocket specialists. They are our shield, our support. If you don't learn to trust one another, this mission will be over before it begins."
His words struck like thunder.
I nodded silently, the weight of his command pressing down on me.
---
Later, in private, the President stood before me.
A faint smile touched his lips, but his eyes were grave.
"Ryan," he said. "If you take part in this mission, your family will be safe. We will protect them."
I replied coldly—
"Can I truly trust you?"
He leaned forward, voice firm.
"Of course."
But in his eyes, I saw something else.
Something that told me trust was nothing but an illusion.
Still, I had no choice.
For my family's sake, I had to accept.
---
We stood at the edge of the mountain.
Below us, the entrance to the cavern yawned like a living mouth, eager to devour.
The wind howled, trees swaying violently as if warning us away.
Maksim's voice thundered.
"This is the place. Within this cave lies a curse, a mystery that has claimed countless lives. Many teams have entered… none have returned. Today, you will be the first to challenge its darkness."
One by one, the others leapt.
White parachutes unfurled, gleaming under the sunlight.
I stood still for a moment.
The blade in my hand caught the light, flashing brilliantly.
The wind tugged at my hair, carrying the scent of danger.
I drew a deep breath, closed my eyes—
And jumped.
The cave swallowed me whole.
The wind roared, light and shadow twisting like serpents around me.
It felt alive—waiting just for me.
My heartbeat thundered—thump, thump, thump.
Every second rattled my body, yet my mind remained calm.
I am Ryan.
And today, I will push beyond my limits.
This cave is my trial.
And I will survive.
Every step, every breath, every heartbeat strengthens me.
This cavern is my trial.
And I am ready ...