A faint shift—a ripple in the air—brushed against his skin, coming from the left.
Something was creeping toward him… slowly.
He didn't react.
Instead, he played the role of the prey—baiting the predator.
Then—the pressure spiked.
He turned instantly, thrusting his spear like lightning.
Boom!
The impact sent the defender sliding backward across the column, his body crashing into the fog-shrouded boundary.
Alex didn't wait. No hesitation.
He sprinted toward the fifth column, heart steady, guard up.
Suddenly—
[Whistle!]
A sharp sound pierced the fog.
Then a deep, echoing voice boomed:
"15 minutes remaining."
Alex didn't flinch.
He pulled his spear back, its shaft humming as it slid through the air.
Now realizing there wasn't much time left, Alex heard footsteps approaching from behind.
Out of the fog emerged Rina and Selene, followed closely by Luther, his massive shield still gleaming.
Luther looked around and asked, "Where's the defender from the last column?"
