Deep within the Valley of Order, a massive war horn echoed throughout the cavern.
Its call summoned hundreds of fledgling assassins toward the training grounds.
One by one, they filled the surrounding stands.
The arena resembled an underground colosseum illuminated by countless torches. Stone walls curved around the battlefield while elevated viewing platforms overlooked the grounds below.
Standing atop one such platform, Kado waited patiently for his master's arrival.
Meanwhile, the final spectators took their seats.
Every fledgling wore the yellow uniform reserved for the lowest rank.
Yellow.
Orange.
Red.
Black.
Each color represented a step closer to becoming a full-fledged assassin.
Beyond that, the hierarchy continued.
Grunt.
Soldier.
Squad Commander.
Instructor.
Den Mother.
Disciple.
Direct Disciple.
Then finally...
The Three Reapers.
To eliminate confusion, every fledgling was identified by a numbered badge attached near their collar.
Names held little value within the Hidden Cave of Untold Shadows.
Numbers were easier to replace.
Despite the tense atmosphere, whispers still spread throughout the audience.
"Why do you think they gathered everyone?"
"No clue. I thought we still had three months before the first trial."
"Maybe it's an execution."
"Whose?"
"No.00."
A few nearby students immediately looked interested.
"The bronze-skinned boy?"
"Who else?"
The speaker scoffed.
"He was the only one who failed the initiation."
"Hmph. Serves him right."
"Anyone too scared to kill doesn't belong here."
"I said take it back."
The timid voice barely reached them.
The boys turned.
A petite girl with curly red hair and pink eyes glared at them.
"What was that, pipsqueak?"
This time she raised her voice.
"I said take it back."
The boys blinked.
"No.00 isn't a coward."
Her fists clenched.
"He's braver than anyone I know."
The pair immediately burst into laughter.
"Oh please."
"If he isn't a coward, then who is?"
"Mind your own business."
The girl's face reddened.
"Make me, you cravens!"
One of the boys rose from his seat and raised his fist.
She instinctively flinched.
His punch never landed.
A hand seized his wrist.
"I don't think that's wise."
A calm voice interrupted.
"People have died here for far less."
The atmosphere immediately shifted.
A teenage boy stood beside them.
Short black hair.
Sharp features.
Slitted eyes that appeared closed even when open.
A permanent smile lingered across his face.
"No.24!"
The girl's face lit up.
The two boys immediately stiffened.
"...You're right."
"Thanks for the warning."
Neither wanted trouble with No.24.
Satisfied, he released the wrist.
The pair quickly turned away.
Taking a seat beside the girl, No.24 sighed.
"What have I told you about starting fights you can't finish, No.55?"
He gently patted her head.
She brushed his hand away.
"How could I stay quiet while they insulted No.00?"
No.24's smile softened slightly.
"I understand."
For a moment, his gaze drifted elsewhere.
"He was like a brother to me too."
The girl frowned.
"Was?"
No.24 remained silent.
"Grow up, No.55."
His tone became quieter.
"You know what happens to people who disobey orders."
"It would take a miracle for—"
He suddenly stopped speaking.
The entire arena fell silent.
A suffocating pressure washed over the crowd.
No.24's smile vanished.
Kado had arrived.
His killing intent briefly swept through the colosseum before disappearing just as quickly.
Then his voice thundered throughout the arena.
"Presenting Master Lee!"
Everyone immediately stood.
Master Lee stepped onto the platform overlooking the grounds.
A pristine black robe draped over his frame while gray leopard fur lined his shoulders.
The moment he appeared, the atmosphere changed.
"Greetings, Master Lee!"
The arena bowed as one.
Fear.
Respect.
Worship.
No one dared remain standing.
"You may rise."
Only after receiving permission did anyone move.
Lee wasted no time.
"I have gathered you all here today to welcome back a lost lamb."
A smile slowly spread across his face.
"Or to watch one remain lost forever."
His gaze shifted toward the northern tunnel.
"No.00."
"Come forth."
Every head turned.
Footsteps echoed through the arena.
Zeke emerged from the darkness.
He walked calmly toward the center of the grounds before stopping beneath Lee's platform.
Then he bowed.
Instantly, hundreds of eyes focused upon him.
Shock spread throughout the audience.
No.24 quickly covered No.55's mouth before she could shout in excitement.
Meanwhile, Lee continued.
"Begin the initiation."
"Bring out the prisoner."
A red-uniformed fledgling emerged from the southern tunnel.
Dragging a bound figure behind him.
The prisoner wore purple.
A sack covered their head.
Although their face remained hidden, their smaller frame revealed they were a woman.
The captive collapsed to her knees several feet away from Zeke.
Something immediately felt wrong.
Zeke narrowed his eyes.
'Wait...'
The red-uniformed assassin grabbed the sack.
Then pulled.
The arena collectively froze.
"No..."
The thought escaped Zeke before he realized it.
The face staring back at him belonged to someone neither he nor No.00 had expected to see.
Elizabeth.
Their Den Mother.
The woman who had raised them.
Taught them.
Protected them.
Within the Hidden Cave, Den Mothers occupied a unique role.
They nurtured future assassins before sending them into the darkness.
Seeing one kneeling here was almost unthinkable.
"Mom!"
A muffled scream escaped No.55.
Tears immediately streamed down her cheeks.
Panic overtook her.
Before she could do anything reckless, No.24 struck the back of her neck.
She collapsed unconscious.
His hands trembled slightly as he lowered her into her seat.
"I'm sorry."
His voice barely rose above a whisper.
"But this is for your own good."
Fortunately, nobody noticed.
All attention remained fixed upon the arena below.
Upon Zeke.
Upon Elizabeth.
Upon the cruel spectacle unfolding before them.
Elizabeth's mouth was gagged.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked toward the boy she had raised.
Meanwhile, Lee watched from above.
Smiling.
'This isn't supposed to happen.'
Zeke's thoughts raced.
When Lee summoned the Class of '88 and Unit One, he believed he understood the test.
A repeat of his original failure.
A captive.
A blade.
A choice.
But not this.
Not Elizabeth.
Not someone valuable.
Not someone No.00 genuinely cared about.
The conflict raging inside him wasn't entirely his own.
Fragments of No.00's emotions surged through him.
Love.
Respect.
Gratitude.
Pain.
The red-uniformed fledgling stepped forward.
A blade was offered.
Zeke accepted it.
The steel felt cold in his hand.
Around him, hundreds watched in anticipation.
Above him, Master Lee's smile widened.
The moment of truth had arrived.