For a single second… no one moved.
Then everything exploded.
"Take it!"
The leader's voice cut through the air like a blade.
The entire opposing team surged forward.
"DEFENSIVE FORMATION!" Felix shouted instantly.
Zoya didn't hesitate. She rushed back toward the group, clutching the small box tightly in her hands.
Mary stepped forward and grabbed her wrist. "Give it to me!"
Zoya didn't argue. She passed the box in one swift motion.
"I'll hide it," Mary said, already moving.
"Be careful!" Daniel called out—but she was already gone, slipping behind the trees.
The Battle Begins
The first attack came fast.
One of the enemy members charged straight at Felix, throwing a punch aimed at his face.
Felix caught his wrist mid-air and twisted it sharply, flipping him onto the ground.
"Too slow," Felix muttered.
Behind him, Lucy and Lily moved together, blocking two attackers at once.
"Left!" Lucy shouted.
"I see it!" Lily replied, dodging and countering instantly.
Meanwhile, Noah stepped in front of Zoya, stopping two opponents from getting close.
"Stay behind me," he said firmly.
Zoya clenched her fists. "I can fight too."
"I know," Noah said, blocking another attack. "But right now, protecting you is the priority."
Daniel Steps In
In the center—
Daniel stood still for just a moment… observing.
Too many enemies.
Too fast.
Too chaotic.
Then—
He moved.
One attacker rushed at him. Daniel sidestepped, grabbed his arm, and slammed him into the ground.
Another came from behind—
Daniel turned instantly and blocked the strike, his movements sharp and controlled.
But more kept coming.
The leader watched him carefully, a slight smile forming again.
"So that's the famous Williams…"
Mary's Side
Deep behind the battlefield—
Mary ran through the trees, her breath slightly uneven.
She quickly looked around, then found a hollow space beneath a fallen log.
"Perfect…"
She placed the small box inside, covering it with leaves and dirt.
"No one's taking you," she whispered.
But just as she stood up—
A shadow moved behind her.
Mary turned instantly.
An enemy.
"So you were the one hiding it," he smirked.
Mary's expression hardened.
"…Try taking it."
Back to the Fight
Things were getting intense.
Felix was coordinating loudly.
"Don't spread out! Stay in pairs!"
Lucy and Lily moved perfectly together, their coordination improving with every second.
Noah and Zoya had started pushing back their opponents.
And Daniel—
Daniel was now fighting three people at once.
He blocked one, dodged another, but—
A fourth attack came from the side.
It hit.
Hard.
Daniel stumbled back, pain shooting through his body.
"Daniel!" Zoya shouted.
The leader stepped forward now.
"Looks like the Williams isn't so invincible after all."
The Turning Point
Daniel wiped the blood from the corner of his lip.
His breathing slowed.
His eyes changed.
"...I never said I was."
Then—
Something shifted.
A faint energy began to rise around him.
Invisible… but powerful.
The air felt heavier.
Even the enemy team paused slightly.
"…What is that?" someone whispered.
Felix's eyes widened slightly.
"…Daniel…"
Thrones Awakens
A sudden force surged—
And Daniel moved faster than before.
He dodged an incoming attack effortlessly and struck back with precision.
One opponent fell.
Then another.
The leader's expression finally turned serious.
"So that's your power…"
Daniel didn't respond.
He just kept moving.
Controlled.
Focused.
Dangerous.
Mary Returns
At that moment—
Mary rushed back into the battlefield.
"I've secured it!" she shouted.
Felix smirked. "Good. Now we finish this."
Final Clash
The fight reached its peak.
Both sides pushed harder.
But now—
The balance had shifted.
The Nightfall team was no longer defending.
They were attacking.
Felix led the charge.
Lucy and Lily cleared space.
Noah and Zoya backed them up.
And Daniel—
Daniel faced the leader directly.
The two clashed.
Fast.
Sharp.
Relentless.
But in the end—
Daniel's strike landed.
The leader staggered back.
Silence fell.
Victory
The opposing team slowly backed away.
The leader looked at Daniel for a long moment… then smiled faintly.
"…This isn't over, Williams."
Daniel didn't respond.
He didn't need to.
The message was clear.
They had lost.
Treasure Secured
Minutes later—
Mary retrieved the hidden box.
Everyone gathered around.
"We did it…" Lucy said softly.
Felix nodded. "Let's not waste time. We submit it now."
Return to the Arena
The journey back felt different.
Lighter.
Victorious.
When they entered the main hall—
Eyes turned toward them.
Whispers spread.
"They got one…"
"Nightfall Kingdom…"
"They actually did it…"
They stepped forward and submitted the treasure.
Level One—
Cleared.
A Strange Feeling
As they stood there, catching their breath—
Daniel felt something.
A gaze.
He turned slightly.
Across the hall—
A familiar face.
Judy.
She smiled at him.
But this time—
It wasn't playful.
It was… different.
Behind him—
Mary noticed.
Her expression changed.
Just slightly.
The announcement echoed through the hall:
"Congratulations to all teams who have cleared Level One."
But as the cheers filled the air—
Daniel's mind stayed quiet.
Focused.
Because deep down—
He knew.
This wasn't just a competition anymore.
Something bigger had already begun.