His voice carried natural authority.
The students instinctively listened.
Even the nervous ones straightened.
Not far away, Mira watched in silence.
Her gaze shifted between Jin—
and the dead monster nearby.
Then she spoke.
"That monster ignored everyone else."
The group turned toward her.
"It ran straight at him."
She nodded toward Jin.
Daniel frowned slightly.
"You're saying it targeted him?"
Mira shrugged.
"I'm saying it didn't look random."
Her eyes lingered on Jin a moment too long.
Not fear. Curiosity. Maybe even concern.
The fighting ended soon after.
The remaining monsters were eliminated quickly by the two professional Descenders.
Their movements were efficient. Controlled. Almost effortless.
Energy stones scattered across the rocky ground.
Professor Cole approached the students with a bag of collected stones.
"Take one stone each. Break them."
The students exchanged curious glances.
Daniel stepped forward first.
He picked up a stone. Dark red energy swirled inside.
He crushed it.
The stone shattered instantly.
A stream of energy flowed into his body.
His muscles tightened. His posture straightened.
Daniel smiled.
"I can feel it."
Excitement spread through the group.
Emily stepped forward next.
She hesitated briefly before crushing her stone.
A soft white glow flowed into her chest.
Her eyes widened.
"It's warm…"
She looked genuinely surprised.
Mira moved next. Calm. Precise.
She crushed her stone. The energy flowed smoothly.
No visible reaction. Expression unchanged.
Professor Cole observed her carefully.
"Good control."
She nodded slightly.
Then—Jin.
He picked up a stone.
Red energy swirled slowly inside.
Professor Cole's gaze fixed on him.
Jin crushed it.
Silence followed.
Nothing happened.
The energy didn't enter his body.
It disappeared.
As if the air itself had swallowed it.
Jin stared at his empty hand.
A screen appeared before his eyes.
Only he could see it.
[Absorption — Failed.]
[Condition unchanged.]
[To progress: Kill.]
Jin clicked his tongue quietly.
"…Damn. Same thing."
Professor Cole stepped closer.
The Retsu hadn't entered Jin's body.
It had simply vanished.
For a brief moment, the energy around Jin distorted.
"Is there a problem?" the professor asked.
Jin shrugged.
"I can't absorb the energy."
A few students exchanged uneasy glances.
"Wait… what? That can happen?"
"I've never heard of that…"
Someone in the back laughed quietly.
Professor Cole's eyes narrowed slightly.
He remembered a conversation from earlier that week: Your class will have several interesting individuals.
He had assumed it meant Daniel. Maybe Mira.
Now—he wasn't so sure.
Still, he spoke calmly.
"Your body may have low compatibility with Energy. Don't worry. You'll gain strength over time."
Jin repeated the words silently.
Gain strength over time…
He looked again at the system screen:
[Mission]
[Kill Monsters]
[541 / 1000]
Emily looked at him and smiled.
"Don't worry. You'll catch up."
Jin smiled back.
"Sure."
But inside—he knew the truth.
They would move forward.
And he would fall behind.
Just like before.
Then—the system flashed again.
[Warning.]
[Killing intent heading toward you.]
[Distance: 10 meters]
Jin froze.
A cold sensation crawled up the back of his neck.
Someone here wanted him dead.
He slowly scanned the island.
Students were talking. Daniel was testing his strength. Emily laughed with a friend.
Nothing looked unusual.
Then—a memory surfaced.
A light tap on his shoulder. That hadn't been a monster. That had been a hand. Human.
And another memory—
The message.
[Find my man inside the Abyss.]
[If he finds you first—]
[You die.]
Professor Cole clapped once.
"Training complete."
The students turned toward him.
"Prepare to ascend."
Mira raised her hand slightly.
"Do we need parachutes like before?"
Professor Cole shook his head.
"No."
Without further explanation, the two professional Descenders walked to the edge—and jumped.
Their bodies disappeared into the darkness.
One by one, the students followed.
Daniel went first. Then Emily. Then Mira.
Soon—only two remained near the edge.
Jin. And Professor Cole.