Inside the Hidden Cave of Untold Shadows, a month had passed since the events of Trial Two.
Summoned to the training grounds within the Valley of Order, only twenty-one red fledglings remained from the original three hundred who had begun their journey. The familiar glow of torchlight illuminated the coliseum as Zeke, Liz, and Kenshin waited for Silva's arrival.
Eventually, Silva emerged from the North Tunnel.
Unlike previous gatherings, however, he was accompanied by an unfamiliar group.
"Allow me to introduce the misfits of Unit 2!"
The group behind him wore the same red ninja uniforms. These fledglings belonged to previous classes that had failed to complete the final trial.
Participants were allowed to retake the final trial up to two times. Should they fail a third attempt, they would either face execution or be permanently assigned as guards, forfeiting any chance of reaching the surface.
Among the eighty members of Unit 2 stood a familiar face.
A scar stretched across his right eye.
Zeke immediately recognized him as the man who had dragged Elizabeth to her execution.
The sight alone was enough to place him firmly on Zeke's growing list of people who needed to die.
Once both units were organized into separate groups, Silva continued.
"As Unit 2 already knows, the final trial will last one and a half years and operate entirely on a point system."
He paused before continuing.
"To pass, you must accumulate one hundred contribution points. Participants will form teams of three and complete assignments posted daily in the Valley of Light's central square. More difficult tasks offer greater rewards."
Zeke, Kenshin, and Liz had already received most of this information from Den Mother Vivien.
Trial Three officially began tomorrow.
The trio had already chosen their team.
Unfortunately, a problem remained.
Every participant was required to be at least Stage 2 Disciple to qualify.
Zeke had already reached Stage 3 Disciple.
Kenshin stood at Stage 2 Master.
Liz, however, remained stuck at Stage 1 Grandmaster.
Silva eventually finished his explanation and tossed a stack of registration scrolls onto the ground. Participants quickly moved forward to record their teammates' numbers.
After informing everyone where to submit their completed forms, Silva dismissed the gathering.
Groups immediately began forming across the training grounds.
Of the one hundred and one participants from the Valley of Order, only Liz and a handful of others had yet to meet the minimum requirement.
While observing the crowd, Zeke activated the ability gifted to him by the Immortal System.
Scouter.
Although he had only earned a Grade D during Trial Two, missing out on several valuable rewards, the ability itself had proven invaluable.
A translucent green lens materialized over his right eye.
Yellow text appeared within his vision.
Names.
Traits.
Stages.
Health.
Power Levels.
Everything became visible at a glance.
Initially, the ability struggled against individuals significantly stronger than himself, but even with that limitation, Scouter provided an overwhelming strategic advantage.
Most notably, it had allowed him to gauge Reaper Ono's strength.
Stage 3 Grandmaster.
That revelation alone had helped Zeke better understand the mountain he still needed to climb before exacting his revenge.
"Hey! Who said you could leave already?"
A raspy voice suddenly echoed across the coliseum.
A group of three Unit 1 fledglings froze mid-step.
"Tsk. Why would we ever take orders from a bunch of rejects?"
No.188 sneered.
Stepping forward from Unit 2 came a lanky young man with wispy black-and-gray hair.
Two others followed behind him.
"What a shame."
His tone was almost disappointed.
Without warning—
No.188's head separated from his body.
Blood sprayed across the arena as the severed head flew through the air before crashing onto the stone floor.
The corpse collapsed a moment later.
Silence followed.
Nobody understood what had happened.
The attacker hadn't moved.
The victim had been standing over thirty meters away.
"I suppose nobody ever taught him to respect his elders."
The young man smiled.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm No.2020. These are No.2024 and No.2025."
His eyes swept across both units.
"Let's save everyone a lot of trouble and establish the proper pecking order."
No.2020 then explained the unspoken traditions between Unit 1 and Unit 2.
Because available tasks were limited each day, competition for contribution points was fierce.
Traditionally, veteran Unit 2 members used their superior numbers, experience, and strength to force Unit 1 participants into supporting roles.
Resistance was discouraged.
Often violently.
"Now then..."
His smile widened.
"I'm sure everyone understands their place."
Most faces immediately lowered.
Even members of Unit 2 avoided eye contact.
No.2020 and his companions had built a fearsome reputation over the years.
They had narrowly failed the final trial during their last attempt.
Now, with everything on the line, nobody wanted to become their next example.
Satisfied by the silence, No.2020 began to grin.
Then blood splashed across his face.
His expression froze.
Turning right, he saw something that left him speechless.
No.2024 had collapsed to his knees.
Both arms were gone.
Severed cleanly.
A short blade of blue Qi extended from Zeke's hand.
The bronze-skinned boy stood over the screaming man with an emotionless expression.
For several seconds, Zeke simply listened to the agonized cries.
Only then did he respond to No.2020's earlier threat.
"No need to worry."
His voice was calm.
"I understood you perfectly."
The entire coliseum stood frozen.
No.2020 couldn't even comprehend what had happened.
He hadn't sensed Zeke move.
He hadn't sensed an attack.
Nothing.
"...Bastard!"
No.2020 finally shouted.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Zeke tilted his head.
"What does it look like?"
He glanced around the arena.
"I'm establishing the proper pecking order."
His gaze returned to No.2020.
"After all, seniority means very little when someone stronger enters the room."
"You little—"
The words died in No.2020's throat.
Zeke's killing intent erupted.
The pressure alone nearly forced him backward.
At Stage 2 Master, No.2020 instantly understood the truth.
He wasn't even close to No.00's level.
"...Nothing."
"Hmph."
Zeke dismissed him immediately.
"I thought so."
His attention shifted back to No.2024.
The scarred man trembled beneath him.
"Do you remember me?"
No.2024's face turned pale.
"I was only following Master Lee's orders..."
"I'll take that as a yes."
Zeke stepped forward.
The screams gradually faded into pitiful wheezing.
"So you were following orders."
He nodded thoughtfully.
"I can understand that."
For a brief moment, hope appeared in No.2024's eyes.
Then Zeke continued.
"But the extra liberties you took are something I can't forgive."
His voice grew colder.
"Especially the look on your face when you dragged my Den Mother to her death."
"...I'm... sorry..."
The apology barely escaped the man's crushed throat.
Zeke stared down at him.
"Tsk."
He shook his head.
"I don't think you were listening."
A sickening crunch echoed throughout the arena.
No.2024 stopped moving.
"There is no forgiveness left in me for your actions."
Without another glance, Zeke turned and walked away.
Kenshin and Liz quickly joined him.
Before leaving, he offered one final warning.
"Let this be my first and last warning."
His calm tone somehow felt more terrifying than a shout.
"Anyone who schemes against us can expect the same outcome."
Nobody spoke.
Nobody moved.
Even No.2020 remained silent.
For the first time in years, his authority had been shattered completely.
"Dammit!"
His furious scream echoed behind them.
Meanwhile, Zeke, Kenshin, and Liz returned to Zeke's upgraded chamber.
Once inside, Zeke posed a question.
"Did either of you happen to see how No.2020 killed No.188?"
Liz shook her head.
Kenshin thought for a moment.
"I'm not sure about the technique, but I saw a thin wire wrapped around No.188's neck before it happened."
Zeke nodded.
"Correct."
The pair immediately straightened.
"The technique is called Spider's Noose."
He continued.
"It's an array technique. Nearly invisible. Anyone who unknowingly enters its range becomes entangled by a thread linked directly to the user's will."
Understanding dawned on their faces.
"He must've prepared it before Silva arrived."
"Exactly."
Zeke nodded again.
"He intended to make an example out of the first person who challenged him."
The room fell quiet.
Eventually, Zeke looked toward Liz.
"How close are you to Stage 2?"
She lowered her gaze.
"I don't know..."
The disappointment in her voice was obvious.
She knew she was holding them back.
Fortunately, Zeke smiled.
"No need to worry."
Both Liz and Kenshin looked up.
"I already have a solution."
Liz's eyes widened.
"Really?"
For the first time in weeks, genuine hope returned to her face.