Chapter – Sector Zero (Part 2)
Drake POV
The First Guardian wasn't like any enemy I'd ever faced.
He didn't fight with rage.
He fought with certainty.
Our blades collided again.
BOOM!
The shockwave ripped through the abandoned street, shattering the remains of nearby buildings.
He stepped back only half a pace.
"...Impressive."
"So are you."
Without another word, he disappeared.
Fast.
Too fast.
I barely turned in time to block another strike from behind.
Steel screamed against steel.
The impact forced me backward across the cracked pavement.
He wasn't trying to kill me immediately.
He was testing me.
Judging me.
Every movement.
Every decision.
Every weakness.
Around us, the others were fighting dozens of Guardian soldiers.
Unlike the monsters above...
These enemies fought like trained warriors.
No wasted movement.
No unnecessary attacks.
Every strike was calculated.
"LEFT!" Ace shouted.
Zien ducked instinctively as Ace intercepted another Guardian.
The two fought back-to-back naturally.
Almost like they had trained together for years.
Nearby, Kavin spun his spear in a wide arc, knocking three enemies away from Kenning.
"You alright?"
Kenning rolled her eyes.
"I've survived an apocalypse."
"I know."
"But I still worry."
She smiled despite herself.
"...Idiot."
"Only for you."
She bumped his shoulder lightly before throwing another knife past him.
It struck a Guardian directly between the eyes.
"Nice throw."
"I know."
"...Show-off."
"Absolutely."
Even during battle...
They still found time to tease each other.
...
A loud explosion echoed across the ruined city.
Thyme landed beside Gorya after kicking an armored Guardian through a stone wall.
"You hurt?"
"I'm fine."
"You sure?"
"I said I'm fine."
He looked at the cut on her arm.
"...You're bleeding."
"It's just a scratch."
Without saying another word, Thyme quickly tore a strip from his already damaged jacket and wrapped it around her arm.
"You don't have to—"
"I know."
He tightened the knot carefully.
"But I wanted to."
Gorya looked at him quietly.
Then reached up and brushed the dust from his cheek.
"You always take care of everyone."
"I only care this much about one person."
Her cheeks turned pink.
Before another Guardian reached them, she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you."
Thyme froze.
"...You kissed me."
She smiled.
"I did."
Jay yelled from somewhere nearby,
"CAN YOU TWO STOP BEING ADORABLE FOR FIVE MINUTES?!"
"I DON'T HEAR ANY COMPLAINTS WHEN YOU DO IT!" Gorya shouted back.
"FAIR!"
Even Percy laughed while firing another shot.
...
Alys POV
Drake was still fighting the First Guardian.
Neither of them seemed tired.
That frightened me.
If Drake...
The strongest among us...
Was struggling...
How powerful was the true creator of the System?
Suddenly—
The ground beneath me cracked.
"Alys!"
I jumped aside just as a Guardian's blade sliced through the pavement.
Before I could recover, another one rushed toward me.
Too fast.
I raised my weapon—
But someone reached me first.
Clang!
Drake.
He blocked the attack with one hand.
Without even looking at me, he whispered,
"Stay close."
"I'm not helpless."
"I know."
"Then why—"
"Because protecting you is my choice."
For a moment...
Everything around us faded.
The battle.
The explosions.
The screams.
Only his eyes remained.
Calm.
Steady.
Certain.
Heat rushed to my face.
"...You're unfair."
"I've been told that."
Another Guardian attacked.
Drake knocked it aside effortlessly before turning back to me.
His hand found mine for just a second.
"You trust me?"
"Always."
"Good."
He squeezed my hand gently.
Then released it.
Together we charged back into the battle.
...
The First Guardian suddenly raised his sword toward the sky.
Every Guardian soldier froze.
Blue light spread through the entire underground city.
The streets began to move.
Buildings shifted.
Roads folded apart.
The city itself was changing.
Lucien's eyes widened.
"...No."
Ryu looked around.
"What's happening?"
Lucien answered quietly.
"He's activating the Trial."
The mechanical voice echoed across Sector Zero.
"Phase One complete."
"Initiating Judgment Trial."
Massive stone doors slowly rose from beneath the ground.
Each door was marked with an unfamiliar symbol.
The First Guardian lowered his sword.
"You have defeated my soldiers."
"But strength alone..."
"...has never been enough to save humanity."
His silver eyes swept over all of us.
"The next trial will reveal your hearts."
"If even one of you fails..."
He paused.
"...everyone dies."
Silence spread through the ruined city.
Jay swallowed.
"...I suddenly miss fighting monsters."
The First Guardian stepped backward into the light.
"We shall meet again."
His figure disappeared.
The enormous doors creaked open on their own.
Cold air drifted out from the darkness beyond.
Lucien stared at the entrance.
His usually calm face had become pale.
"...This..."
"...is where the real nightmare begins."
No one spoke.
Yet one by one...
Every survivor stepped forward.
Not because they weren't afraid.
But because they refused to leave anyone behind.
Together...
They crossed the threshold into the Judgment Trial.