Arden stood still in the middle of the battlefield, the sounds of clashing, roaring, and Valtor screaming in the background fading from his mind.

His brows furrowed. He rubbed his chin slowly, deep in thought.

"Hold on…" he whispered. "Last year, they never awakened. So they're not seasonal beasts."

He took a step forward, staring at the forest.

"That means… what? Every three years? Four years?"

He shook his head. "No… this pattern makes no sense. Just what the hell is this island hiding?"

He crouched again, touching the ground.

"And because of the demonic mana, nobody investigates… Everyone avoids this place," Arden muttered.

"But for us… the mana helps our bodies. It strengthens us instead of poisoning us."

He stood up slowly.

"I think… I need to check this deeper."

A voice popped up right beside him.

"Hey, Brother Arden."

Arden flinched and turned his head sharply.

Standing beside him, smiling like he hadn't just appeared out of thin air, was Dion Dulcoria, his first real friend.

The only person who stood by him back when everyone in the clan bullied him.

The only one who grabbed his wrist and said, "Let's get out of here," when Arden had enough with his clan.

The one who brought him to the God Gym's first disciple recruitment.

Dion lifted one hand in greeting. "Yo."

Arden exhaled softly. "Dion… don't sneak up like that."

Dion only laughed, brushing his light hair back.

He always looked too clean for the battlefield, like a rich young master who took a wrong turn into a jungle.

"Well, you were staring at the dirt like it was gold," Dion said. "What's wrong?"

Arden explained everything he had just thought about the beasts, the strange hibernation pattern, and the island's secrets.

Dion listened quietly, nodding along, arms crossed.

When Arden finished, Dion whistled.

"I see… yeah, that is interesting." He flicked his fingers lightly, like tapping a wine glass.

"If there's some weird cycle, this island might be hiding something big."

Arden nodded, serious.

Dion smirked. "Soo… wanna check it out? Just a little scouting?"

"No," Arden said immediately.

He shook his head firmly. "This is only the first day. Also…"

Arden looked toward the deeper jungle, his eyes sharp.

"If a third realm beast wakes up, I can't guarantee anything. I can beat a third realm cultivator, sure… But a beast is different."

"Their bodies are monsters from birth. Even with our new path, I don't know how scary they can get."

Dion blinked once, then nodded.

"Fair point. I don't wanna die yet."

A loud scream echoed behind them.

"AAAAARDEN!! HELP ME!! THIS THING DOESN'T LET GO!!"

Arden didn't even turn his head. He just sighed.

Dion peeked back and snorted. "Your junior brother is getting his arm chewed by the wolf."

Arden waved a hand lazily. "He has a strong body. He won't die."

"But he looks like he's gonna cry," Dion said, squinting.

"He'll live."

"…And he's calling for his mom now."

Arden rubbed his temple. "Just tell the senior disciples to help him."

Dion grinned. "Got it, Brother Arden."

He jogged off, waving.

Meanwhile, behind Arden, Valtor screamed again:

"WHY IS NO ONE HELPING MEEEE?!"

Arden ignored him completely.

His eyes returned to the forest, and his expression hardened.

"…This island is quite mysterious. I need to tell Master to investigate it."

---

On the east side of the jungle, Team Rynor moved through thick vines and uneven ground.

Rynor rubbed his forehead for the tenth time that hour.

'This woman is gonna kill me before the beasts do…'

Seira walked ahead with perfect posture, chin high, silver-blue hair flowing like she owned the entire forest.

She didn't even look back at the team following her.

Rynor clicked his tongue. "Oi, Ice Princess. Don't go too far. You're only first realm. Stay behind."

Seira slowly turned her head, her eyes colder than the morning mist.

"Who are you to tell me what to do?"

Rynor almost choked. "I'M YOUR SENIOR BROTHER, THAT'S WHO!"

Seira scoffed lightly and kept walking. "Seniority doesn't matter to me if the senior is weak."

Rynor's eye twitched. "Weak? Weak?! Oi, come back here!"

The junior disciples behind them quietly stepped away, afraid sparks would fly.

Just then...

RRRROOOOARRR!!

A demonic beast burst through the trees, covered in pitch-black fur and thick muscles.

Its aura slammed into them like a wave, meaning that it was a second-realm demonic beast.

The juniors froze while Seira blinked once, surprised but not afraid.

Rynor's stomach dropped.

'Damn it, a second realm already?! If she gets hit, she'll die!'

He yelled, "Seira! BACK! NOW!"

She ignored him entirely and stepped forward.

"No. I came here to hunt."

She pulled her bow back quickly, mana gathering around the string.

Rynor's face twisted. "GODDAMMIT! Why are all the new direct disciples insane?!"

The beast roared and lunged toward Seira.

Rynor flashed forward instantly.

Thunder burst from his legs with a sharp crack without any chant, his feet exploding with yellow light.

He appeared in front of the beast and swung his leg across like a lightning whip.

"Thunder Kick!"

BOOM!!

The beast flew across the clearing, smashing through trees before collapsing, twitching and smoking.

The juniors gasped.

Seira's eyes widened for the first time since arriving.

"…You cast without chanting?" she asked quietly.

Rynor smirked, flicking sparks off his foot. "Casted? Please. Casting is for normal cultivators."

He pointed at his chest.

"This is the power of a [Unique Physique], Ice Princess."

Electricity crawled across his arm as he spoke.

"When you awaken one, your body itself becomes a weapon. I can unleash thunder from any part of my body whenever I want with just a thought."

Seira's expression shifted, still cold, but now respectful.

Rynor stepped closer, lowering his voice.

"And if you don't want to die on the first day, stay behind me until you're strong enough. Got it?"

Seira hesitated, then nodded once.

"…Understood."

Rynor blinked.

"Wait. You actually listened?"

Seira crossed her arms. "You've proven you're not weak. For now."

Rynor snorted but couldn't hide the small grin tugging at his lips.

"Tch. Fine. Just don't run ahead again."

The juniors let out breaths they'd been holding.

Seira looked at Rynor's cracked, sparking leg.

Her pride softened slightly.

"That kick was strong… Senior Brother."

Rynor froze.

"…Say that again?"

"No."

She walked past him, chin up again.

Rynor clutched his chest dramatically. "Damn… almost died of shock."

The juniors laughed quietly.

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