The warning didn't fade.
Next Candidate Approaching Rapidly
Alex stopped instantly.
Not because he hesitated—But because his instincts screamed at him to.
"Stop," he said quietly.
Kael and Bren froze mid-step.
They didn't question it.
Not anymore.
The air shifted.
Subtly at first.
Then sharply.
Like something had just entered their space.
Alex's eyes narrowed.
Fast…
Not just movement speed.
Presence.
This one wasn't hiding.
Wasn't waiting.
It was coming straight toward them.
Bren exhaled slowly.
"…Tell me that's not what I think it is."
Alex didn't look away from the distance.
"…It is."
A second later—They saw it.
A figure.
Moving across the terrain at impossible speed.
Not jumping.
Not running.
Gliding.
Like the ground didn't matter.
Kael's grip tightened.
"…That's not normal."
Alex nodded.
"…None of this is."
The figure didn't slow down.
Didn't hesitate.
It was coming directly for them.
Which meant—It already knew.
"…It's targeting you," Bren said.
Alex didn't deny it.
"…Yeah."
The system pulsed again.
Target Identified: Active Candidate
Threat Level: High
The distance closed in seconds.
Then—It stopped.
Right in front of them.
No impact.
No sound.
Just stillness.
The figure stood tall.
Relaxed.
Too relaxed.
A man.
Mid-twenties.
Dark hair.
Calm eyes.
And a faint smile.
"…So you're the one," he said.
His voice was light.
Almost casual.
Like this wasn't a life-or-death situation.
Alex stepped forward slightly.
"…And you came alone."
The man's smile widened just a little.
"…Of course."
A pause.
Then—
"…I don't need anyone else."
Bren muttered under his breath.
"…Yeah, I don't like this guy."
Kael didn't speak.
But his stance shifted.
Ready.
The man's gaze moved past Alex for a second.
Taking in Kael.
Then Bren.
"…They're not candidates."
Not a question.
A statement.
Alex's eyes sharpened.
"…No."
The man nodded slowly.
"…Then stay out of this."
His tone didn't change.
Still calm.
Still polite.
But the meaning—Was clear.
Kael stepped forward.
"…Not happening."
The man looked at him.
Really looked this time.
And for a moment—The air tightened.
Then—He smiled again.
"…Suit yourself."
The pressure hit instantly.
Not like before.
Not overwhelming.
Focused.
Directed.
At all of them.
Bren staggered slightly.
"…What the—"
Kael gritted his teeth.
"…This guy…"
Alex didn't move.
Because he felt it too.
But unlike the others—He could read it.
Not fully.
But enough.
"…You're holding back," Alex said.
The man tilted his head slightly.
"…Of course."
A pause.
Then—
"…This is just a greeting."
That wasn't reassuring.
The system pulsed again.
Threat Escalation Detected
Alex stepped forward.
"…Then let's skip the greeting."
The man's smile didn't fade.
"…Alright."
And then—He disappeared.
Alex reacted instantly.
Too late.
A strike came from the side—Fast.
Precise.
Alex barely blocked it.
The impact sent him sliding back several meters.
His arms shook slightly.
That's… strong.
Not overwhelming like the construct.
Not unreadable like the presence.
But refined.
Dangerously refined.
The man didn't follow immediately.
He stood where Alex had been.
"…Better than I expected," he said.
Alex steadied himself.
"…You're not bad either."
The man chuckled softly.
"…Not bad?"
A pause.
Then—
"…I like you."
And then—He moved again.
Faster.
This time—No holding back.
Their clash exploded instantly.
The force cracked the ground beneath them.
Alex pushed forward—Matching him.
Reading him.
Adapting.
But this time—It wasn't enough.
The man adjusted too.
Every movement Alex made—He matched.
Every shift—He countered.
"…You're learning," the man said mid-fight.
"…That's good."
Alex didn't respond.
Because he realized something.
He's doing the same thing I am.
Adapting.
Growing.
Mid-fight.
Their blades clashed again—Harder.
Faster.
Neither gaining ground.
Neither falling behind.
Equal.
For now.
The system pulsed.
Combat Sync Detected
Alex's eyes narrowed.
So that's it…
This wasn't like before.
This wasn't one-sided.
This was—A real fight.
The man stepped back slightly.
Creating distance.
Still smiling.
"…Yeah," he said quietly.
"…This is going to be fun."
Alex exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah."
Because he felt it too.
This one—Wouldn't be easy.
Wouldn't be quick.
And wouldn't end without everything on the line.
The system flashed suddenly—
New Condition Triggered:
Only One Candidate Will Advance.