The first level had ended.
The forest fell into silence, but it wasn't peaceful. It felt heavy, as if the ground itself remembered everything that had just happened.
Eight remained.
They had passed.
But they were not heroes.
Not yet.
Mark stepped forward, his presence alone enough to shift the atmosphere.
"With the help of Andria," he said calmly, "you managed to pass the first level."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.
"But don't misunderstand… passing one level does not make you heroes."
A quiet tension spread through the group.
"You still have two more levels. Only then will you earn that title… and the right to join the Hero Club."
Thierry lowered his gaze slightly.
So this is just the beginning…
Mark raised his hand.
"The next level will test something different."
A faint smile appeared.
"Your mind."
"You will form teams of two."
The group straightened immediately.
"Hidden within this forest are golden pots. Your objective is simple—find one and bring it back."
Brian smirked.
"That's it?"
Mark's gaze sharpened.
"There are only three pots."
Silence followed.
Four teams. Only three survive.
"One team," Mark continued, "will be eliminated."
The pressure became real.
"This is not a test of strength alone, but teamwork, speed, and concentration."
"Team A: Thierry and Killua."
"Team B: Ishimwe and Mobi."
"Team C: Brian and Andria."
"Team D: Melvin and Akusa."
"The team that fails to bring a pot… is eliminated."
Thierry walked toward Killua.
"Arashi… nice to meet you. Let's work together."
Arashi smirked.
"We're winning."
Thierry raised an eyebrow.
"My plan is simple," Arashi continued. "I handle speed… you handle thinking."
Thierry paused, but before he could question it, Arashi added softly,
"You'll see my power… trust me."
Thierry said nothing.
But he understood—Arashi wasn't joking.
"GO!"
The forest exploded into motion.
Everyone ran.
Except Team A.
Thierry and Arashi remained at the mountain near the castle doors. The massive gate stood behind them like a silent judge.
Arashi waited.
Thierry closed his eyes.
Think…
Where would the pot be?
His mind mapped the terrain, the logic, the intention behind the test.
Then his eyes opened.
Sharp.
"Run to the middle part of the forest. On your way… you might find one."
Arashi smiled.
"Ok… here I go."
In the next instant—
He vanished.
The air cracked as Arashi shot forward with unnatural speed, scanning everything as he ran. Trees blurred past him, the ground barely registering beneath his feet.
Back at the mountain, Thierry watched calmly.
Now I understand…
He is the speed.
Moments later—
Arashi's voice echoed faintly through the forest.
"I found one golden pot, Thierry!"
Thierry remained calm.
"Good. Then come back to the castle."
But then—
A pause.
Something changed.
Arashi's voice returned, this time more serious.
"…Seems there's a problem."
Thierry's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What kind of problem?"
"There's something stuck on my legs… I can't run."
Silence.
Thierry immediately understood.
"That's bad… it's Team D. Their powers—it's some kind of trap."
Arashi looked down.
A strange, sticky substance wrapped around his legs, binding him to the ground.
It wasn't normal.
It was infused with power.
Holding him.
Restricting him.
Arashi exhaled slowly.
"…Then I guess…"
A faint grin appeared.
"…it's time for my fighting spirit."
Thierry's expression didn't change, but his eyes sharpened.
"Hmph… fighting spirit, huh…"
Then—
Arashi closed his eyes.
The forest went silent.
The air tightened.
And in the next second—
Lightning exploded.
A violent surge of energy burst from his body, shaking the ground beneath him.
"RAAAHH…!"
Thunder roared through the sky.
Electricity wrapped around him like a living storm.
"Ramuh… God of Lightning…"
The lightning struck down from above, crashing into his body and spreading through the glue-like trap.
The energy burned through it.
Destroyed it.
Overpowered it.
A massive aura formed behind him—like the spirit of a thunder god standing at his back.
A soul of lightning.
Ancient.
Wild.
Unstoppable.
The trap shattered.
Completely.
Arashi stood free.
Breathing lightly.
But his eyes—
Glowing.
Cold.
Focused.
Back at the castle, Thierry felt it.
He looked toward the forest, slightly impressed.
"…That's… insane."
Then—
The ground shifted again.
This time, not from power—
But from presence.
Arashi stepped forward, holding the golden pot.
"Team D…"
His voice dropped.
"…sorry, but I'm your worst problem."
From the trees ahead—
Two figures emerged.
Melvin.
Akusa.
Melvin smirked, his hands glowing faintly.
"So… he broke the glue."
Akusa stepped forward, vines slowly forming around her arms.
"I'll stop you with my plant powers."
The air tightened.
The atmosphere shifted again.
Not just a hunt anymore.
Now—
It was a clash.
Arashi stood still.
Lightning flickering around him again.
Not as wild as before—
But sharper.
More controlled.
More dangerous.
He looked at them calmly.
"…Try."
And far behind—
Thierry's eyes narrowed.
Watching everything.
Calculating.
Because something felt off.
This wasn't just a team battle.
This level…
Was forcing them into conflict.
Arashi stretched his arms lazily, cracking his neck as faint sparks of lightning flickered around him.
"Man… why is everything always so troublesome?" he sighed.
Then—
The ground beneath him shifted.
A thick, dark liquid spread across the forest floor like a living shadow. Before he could step away, it wrapped around his legs and hardened instantly.
Locked.
Arashi looked down.
Paused.
"…Seriously?"
He tried to move.
Didn't work.
He stared at it for a second longer… then scratched his head.
"Wait… am I stuck? Nah, that's crazy."
From somewhere in the forest, Melvin's voice echoed faintly.
"Let's see you run now."
Arashi blinked.
"…Oh. So I am stuck."
Silence.
Then he sighed again, way too calm for the situation.
"Man… I just wanted to grab the pot and go back. Why are people making this a whole boss fight?"
Back at the mountain near the castle—
Thierry's eyes narrowed slightly.
He could feel it again.
That energy.
Rising.
Back in the forest—
Arashi rolled his shoulders.
"Alright, alright… I get it."
He closed his eyes.
"…Guess I gotta try a little."
A small spark appeared.
Then—
Lightning exploded.
"Ramuh… God of Lightning."
Thunder roared across the sky as electricity burst violently from his body, crashing down into the ground and spreading through the substance trapping him.
The liquid shook—
Cracked—
Then began to burn away.
"Lightning Armour."
Energy wrapped around him, forming a glowing aura of electricity. It wasn't just power—
It was pressure.
The trap shattered instantly.
Arashi stepped forward like nothing happened, glancing at the broken ground.
"…That was kinda weak."
He stretched again, completely relaxed.
Then he looked toward the castle.
"Oh right… I was supposed to go back."
He lowered his stance slightly.
Lightning gathered around his legs, crackling softly.
"…Let's not make this late. I'm hungry."
"Ultimate Thunder Speed."
In the next instant—
He disappeared.
Not even a blur.
Just—
Gone.
The ground exploded behind him, trees shaking violently as a shockwave tore through the forest.
And then—
He appeared.
Right beside Thierry.
Like he had always been there.
Holding the golden pot.
The delayed thunder crashed a second later, shaking the entire mountain.
Thierry didn't move.
But his eyes sharpened.
"…You're ridiculous."
Killua grinned, dropping the pot casually.
"Yeah, yeah. I know."
He stretched again like he just came back from a walk.
"…So, we won now, right?"
Mark stepped forward.
The air did not simply shift—it compressed, as though the space around him had been forced to acknowledge his presence. A faint crack spread beneath his feet, subtle yet absolute, like a quiet declaration of authority.
"Good work," he said.
His tone was calm, but it carried weight.
"Thierry. Arashi. You've cleared the second level."
His gaze moved beyond them, into the depths of the forest.
"But this is not over."
Arashi exhaled slowly.
"Ramuh… disarm."
The lightning armor surrounding his body did not vanish—it fractured, breaking apart into countless sparks that scattered into the air like fading stars. A distant rumble followed, low and heavy, as if something far above had acknowledged his power.
Thierry stood beside him, composed, but alert.
"We made it."
Yet his voice lacked ease.
Because the forest was not calm.
It was watching.
Thierry turned slightly toward Arashi.
"That ability… it wasn't normal."
Arashi smirked, though there was pride behind it.
"And your mind saved us."
A brief silence passed.
Then, more quietly—
"Ramuh. God of Lightning."
For a moment, the clouds above responded with a distant growl.
Deeper within the forest, the atmosphere shifted.
Light struggled to reach the ground, choked by towering trees whose branches intertwined like a cage. Every step echoed too clearly, every movement felt exposed, as if the forest itself were listening.
"Sweetheart… jackpot."
Brian lifted the golden pot.
It did not merely shine—it pulsed, faintly, like a living thing. The moment it was revealed, the air around them tightened.
Andria smiled.
"Then we're done."
Brian tilted his head, a grin forming.
"That's it? No reaction?"
"Team A already finished," she replied.
He let out a quiet laugh.
"Of course they did."
A short pause followed.
"Thierry doesn't lose."
Andria's eyes narrowed slightly.
"But you're not Thierry."
Her gaze settled on him.
"So what are you trying to prove?"
Brian's expression did not change.
"Watch me."
The wind stopped.
Not slowed—stopped completely.
Leaves froze mid-air, suspended in unnatural stillness.
Andria's expression sharpened instantly.
"…We're not alone."
"Correct."
A voice emerged from the shadows.
Melvin stepped forward, composed and steady.
"Hand over the pot."
Behind him, Akusa appeared, her eyes glowing faintly.
"Do that, and nothing happens to you."
Brian moved forward, placing himself between them and Andria.
"And if we don't?"
Akusa smiled faintly.
"Then we take it."
Andria did not hesitate.
"We do the opposite."
Brian exhaled lightly.
"Thought so."
Melvin sighed.
"Then don't complain."
The forest erupted.
Vines burst from the ground, tearing through soil and roots as they surged forward. At the same time, Melvin slammed his hand against the earth.
"Glue Field."
The ground beneath Andria liquefied instantly, thick and heavy, swallowing her legs before she could react.
Then it snapped back.
The adhesive tightened, locking her in place.
At the same moment, vines coiled around her arms, binding her completely.
She was immobilized.
Brian's gaze sharpened.
"…Too fast."
Andria smirked faintly.
"I still—"
"Mel—"
A vine lashed across her face, cutting her off instantly.
Melvin laughed.
"You really thought that would work?"
He raised his hand, energy gathering.
Then—
Everything changed.
The air grew heavy.
Violently so.
It pressed down, suffocating, unnatural.
Brian lowered his head.
"You touched her."
His voice had changed.
Lower. Colder.
A deep blue energy began to rise behind him.
At first, it moved like water.
Then it surged.
"Marine Armor… activate."
Moisture gathered from the air—not gently, but violently, as if pulled by force. Streams of water spiraled around him, compressing into dense currents of energy.
Then it happened.
The armor did not form.
It erupted.
A surge of blue-silver energy detonated outward as the armor solidified across his body. The ground beneath him collapsed under the pressure, cracks spreading in every direction.
For a single second—
Everything went still.
Brian lifted his head.
His eyes glowed.
"Ultimate…"
He vanished.
There was no movement.
No transition.
He was already there.
"Marine Punch."
The impact did not explode.
It erased.
The air shattered as a massive wave of force tore forward, devouring everything in its path. Trees were not broken—they were obliterated. The ground split open, unable to withstand the pressure.
Melvin and Akusa were caught in it instantly.
They were gone.
The wave continued.
Relentless.
Until the forest itself was flattened.
Silence followed.
Heavy. Absolute.
Fragments of wood drifted down slowly.
The vines loosened.
The adhesive dissolved.
Andria fell to the ground, free.
She looked at Brian.
Standing alone at the center of destruction.
The armor faded slowly, dissolving like water retreating into nothingness.
"Now…" he said quietly.
"…am I impressive?"
Andria smiled.
Not playfully.
Not teasingly.
Genuinely.
"I always knew."
A brief pause.
"You were dangerous."
Brian turned away.
"…Let's go."
"I can walk—"
He lifted her before she could finish.
They moved forward.
Through what remained of the forest.
Broken trees covered the ground. The earth was torn apart, scarred by the force of what had just occurred. Their path no longer resembled a route.
It looked like the aftermath of war.
They encountered Team B along the way.
Another golden pot.
Together, they reached the castle.
Thierry stood among the others, watching quietly.
Analyzing.
Understanding.
"…So everyone made it."
"Yeah!"
Voices rose in unison.
Relief. Excitement. Energy.
Mark stepped forward once more.
This time, a faint smile rested on his face.
"You fought."
"You adapted."
"You trusted each other."
He paused.
"You did not pass level two."
Silence spread.
"You passed level three."
Shock followed instantly.
"You are now members of the Hero Club."
Mobi blinked.
"…Wait. There's no next level?"
Mark's expression shifted.
"Oh, there is."
His presence deepened.
"But from now on…"
A pause.
"I will guide you."
"I will train you."
"I will break you…"
"…and rebuild you into heroes,we will have more work and messions in the coming future..."
He then vanished and everyone remained silent looking at each other then they smiled.As he was just watching them interact in silence and un noted presence.
Later, the group gathered together.
The air had calmed… but something remained unfinished.
They stood in a loose circle, the ruined forest stretching behind them like a silent witness.
Arashi crossed his arms.
"…We need a name."
Mobi blinked. "A name?"
"For the team," Arashi said. "We're not just random anymore."
A short silence followed.
Then—
"Storm Breakers," Mobi said quickly.
"No," Homura replied instantly.
"Why not?"
"Because it sounds like something that loses."
Brian exhaled. "…It does."
Mobi frowned. "Okay then YOU say something."
Homura didn't hesitate.
"Crimson Dominion."
Arashi stared at him.
"…We're not villains."
"That's your opinion."
"Next," Brian said.
Another silence.
One by one, ideas came—and died just as fast.
"Lightning Pact." "No."
"Shadow Alliance." "Too edgy."
"Divine Squad." "Too arrogant."
"Elemental Force," Arashi said.
This time, the silence lingered a little longer.
"…Not bad," Brian admitted.
Homura tilted his head. "…Too simple."
Mobi nodded. "Yeah… feels incomplete."
Arashi clicked his tongue.
"…Then what do you want? A whole speech?"
No one answered.
Because the truth was—
They didn't know.
The name mattered more than they expected.
It wasn't just a label.
It was identity.
Meaning.
Brian's gaze shifted slightly.
Toward Andria.
She had been quiet the entire time.
Watching.
Thinking.
"…You choose," he said.
Everyone looked at him.
Then at her.
Mobi raised an eyebrow. "Wait—why her?"
Brian shrugged lightly.
"…Because she didn't say anything stupid yet."
"Hey—"
But Arashi interrupted.
"…No. He's right."
Homura smirked faintly. "Also… she's the only one who didn't try too hard."
A pause.
Then Arashi added—
"…And she sees things differently."
Now all eyes were on her.
Andria blinked once.
"…Me?"
Brian nodded. "Yeah."
Mobi folded his arms. "Don't mess it up."
She looked around at all of them.
At their expressions.
At the tension.
At the unspoken bond forming between them.
Then she smiled.
Not playfully.
Not teasingly.
Something softer.
Something real.
"…Hero Elemental Force."
Silence.
But this time—
It felt right.
Homura exhaled slowly.
"…It's balanced."
Arashi smirked.
"…Yeah. Finally something that doesn't sound like Mobi named it."
"HEY—"
Mobi pointed at him. "At least mine had style!"
Arashi shrugged. "…Yeah, losing style."
Brian let out a quiet breath. "…You two are loud."
Mobi crossed his arms. "You just mad mine was better than yours."
"…You didn't even finish yours."
"…Details."
Thierry, who had been quiet the entire time, finally spoke confident
"That works."
Mark turned away.
"Rest."
"Tomorrow…"
A brief pause.
"…your real training begins."
The wind returned, moving gently through the ruined forest.
But far above the clouds—
Something watched.
Not with curiosity.
With intent.
"…So they've awakened."
Darkness shifted.
And for the first time—
The future no longer felt safe.