Early morning.

  Mist covered the academy courtyard like a thin shroud.

  Team 117 stood before a small armored vehicle, securing their gear.

  Romo slung his wooden sword across his shoulder.

  Ina reviewed a checklist of tools.

  Levan silently fastened his bag, not speaking a word.

  Supervisor:

  > “Zone C-7 lies beyond training boundaries.

  No other teams will be there.

  Communication is forbidden.

  Withdrawal requires explicit authorization.”

  Ina (calmly):

  > “When do we return?”

  Supervisor:

  > “When you're done… or broken.”

  ---

  ?? Pages 11–20: En Route to C-7

  The vehicle rolled through a path overtaken by dry roots.

  Silence wrapped around them.

  Romo (whispering):

  > “I’ve never seen this road before…

  It feels like we’re leaving the academy’s world.”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Ina:

  > “We are.

  Zone C-7 isn’t classified.

  It’s said to be a forgotten testing ground.”

  Levan placed his hand on the vehicle’s window, watching the trees.

  > “Still… it feels alive.”

  ---

  ?? Pages 21–30: Arrival at the Site

  The vehicle stopped before a rusted fence.

  Beyond it—dense forest.

  No guards.

  No signs.

  Just an open gate—half broken.

  Supervisor opened the door.

  > “From here… your mission begins.”

  He handed them a small tracking device—

  It only glowed blue when they approached the target.

  Ina:

  > “Only one point? No mapped path?”

  Supervisor:

  > “You choose the path.

  No one will be watching.”

  ?? Pages 31–40: First Steps

  They entered the forest.

  The trees towered above them, the light dim.

  A faint rustling echoed in the distance.

  Romo lifted his sword.

  > “Footsteps… not far.”

  Ina checked her compass—slight deviation.

  Levan stepped forward.

  > “Nothing’s attacking…

  But something is watching.”

  ---

  ?? Pages 41–50: Temporary Camp

  They found a semi-flat area and decided to rest briefly.

  Ina pulled out a hand-drawn map.

  > “Target’s two hours ahead.

  But the terrain’s unstable.”

  Romo lit a small fire.

  Levan watched the forest, silent.

  Ina:

  > “You move with certainty… even without a Will.”

  Levan:

  > “I trust what I feel—

  Not what I lack.”

  ---

  ?? Pages 51–60: Tension at Dusk

  Night crept in.

  Humidity rose.

  The sounds around them grew louder.

  A low growl…

  Something approached.

  Romo stood at once.

  Ina gripped her blade.

  A pale creature emerged from between the trees.

  It didn’t attack—just stared.

  Then vanished.

  Ina:

  > “It wasn’t real…

  Or it wasn’t complete.”

  --

  ?? Pages 61–70: Rotating Watches

  They took turns sleeping.

  Levan sat near the fire.

  Ina etched symbols into the ground.

  Romo slept quietly.

  Ina (in a whisper):

  > “This zone isn’t empty…

  As they told us.”

  Levan:

  > “Maybe they needed us to believe it was.”

  ---

  ?? Pages 71–80: Advancing Toward the Target

  At dawn, they moved forward.

  The tracker glowed brighter.

  Romo dashed ahead—

  The ground collapsed beneath him.

  Levan grabbed his arm just in time.

  Romo:

  > “If you weren’t close…”

  Levan:

  > “Stay close…

  To those you want to protect.”

  --

  ?? Pages 81–90: Reaching the Target

  They reached an old metallic facility—

  Half-buried underground.

  A faded sign read:

  > “Research Station C-7 – Restricted Entry”

  The door was ajar, rust eating through its edges.

  The interior—dark.

  Ina:

  > “This station wasn’t mentioned in any of the briefings.”

  Romo:

  > “Do we go in?”

  Levan:

  > “We’re here…

  So we go in.”

  ---

  ?? Pages 91–100: The Beginning Within

  They entered slowly.

  Dim lights flickered on.

  Faint, unexplainable footsteps echoed—

  Even though no one else had entered.

  The air turned unnaturally cold.

  From one corner, a worn mechanical voice activated:

  > “Surveillance… initiated.”

  The three exchanged glances.

  ---

  End of Chapter 10 – Zone C-7