Hansung Yu stepped forward, the room dimming slightly as a projection screen lit up behind him.
"This will be a hunting test," he announced, then smirked. "But this time, you're the ones being hunted."
A murmur passed through the group of Regulars.
Hansung gestured to the projection behind him, where an image of a sleek, black sea-creature appeared—its glossy skin gleamed like oil, and a ruff of sea-green fur circled its neck. Bright emerald eyes gleamed from the image.
"This," Hansung said, "is a Net Dolphin. They are intelligent predators that hunt once a day—to feed their queen."
The image shifted. A new creature emerged on the screen: long, translucent, and unnerving. It resembled a massive jellyfish, its pulsating body floating in shadowy water.
"At the center of the pit where this test takes place," Hansung continued, "resides the Queen of the Goby Dolphins. Below that pit lies another—deeper and filled with water. This deeper section connects to an underground water system through a narrow tunnel. At 10 a.m., the tide from the tunnel rises, filling the pit; and at 5 p.m., it drains again."
A diagram of a large, curving structure appeared on screen—like an hourglass, or a goblet.
"Because of its shape," Hansung said, "we call it the Wine Glass."
He pointed to the image. "When the Wine Glass fills, fish are drawn to it. That's when the hunt begins. The Net Dolphins form a circle around the pool and weave a net of Shinsu, gradually narrowing it inward until their prey is pushed directly to the Queen's mouth."
He turned back to the Regulars. "Now, for the key detail—Baam will become one of those fish."
Baam blinked.
Hansung elaborated, "He'll be enclosed in a special Shinsu bubble—lightweight and buoyant. It moves with the flow of Shinsu and mimics the behavior of a real fish. The goal is simple: Baam must be successfully 'eaten' by the Queen alongside the other fish... and then spat out onto dry land. If that happens, you all pass."
Shibisu raised a hand, his brow furrowed. "Wait. So the dolphins carry Baam to the Queen?"
Hansung nodded. "Correct."
Shibisu tilted his head. "Then... what exactly is our role?"
Hansung clasped his hands behind his back. "In the natural world, every predator has a rival. While the dolphins are hunting, Barnacle Goblins will attempt to sabotage the process. They use massive creatures called Wetworms to steal the gathered fish before the Queen can feed."
"If Baam is eaten by a Wetworm," Hansung said flatly, "you fail the test."
Gasps echoed across the room.
"But that's not all," he added. "The natural enemies of the Wetworms and Barnacle Goblins are a species known as Striped Earthpigs. The sight or scent of an Earthpig causes the Net Dolphins to panic and flee the area, abandoning the hunt."
Khun folded his arms, already thinking. "So... our real job is to make sure the dolphins can hunt without being disturbed."
"Exactly," Hansung confirmed.
Anaak cracked her knuckles, eyes gleaming. "So we just need to take out the goblins, the worms, and the pigs. Easy."
Hansung nodded once. "Correct. Eliminate the threats—or hold them off—long enough for Baam to complete the hunt cycle."
He paused.
"...And pray you don't run into the Bull."
The room quieted.
Hansung's tone darkened.
"A monstrous predator that devours anything that moves. It is highly intelligent and extremely dangerous. If you encounter the Bull..." He let the warning hang. "Run. Or die."
Silence settled over the room like mist.
Hansung's smile returned.
"Any questions?"
---
After the test explanation concluded and the Regulars dispersed to prepare, Lero Ro approached Hansung Yu.
"Director," he said in a low voice, "I'd like to speak with you in private."
Hansung raised a brow, then gestured for him to follow. The two walked down a quiet corridor and entered Hansung's office. The door closed behind them with a soft click.
Hansung poured himself a fresh cup of coffee and leaned against the desk. "What is it now?"
Without a word, Lero Ro pulled a folded note from his coat and held it out.
Hansung took it lazily, glanced at the writing, and read it aloud with a bemused tone: "Kill Rachel to stop Baam from climbing the tower."
He lowered the note, his expression unreadable.
"This was discovered in Hoh's room," Lero Ro explained. "After he was eliminated."
Hansung exhaled quietly through his nose. "So someone coerced Hoh into attacking Michelle Light."
Lero Ro nodded. "Exactly. And according to Khun, the note was delivered before the tag test even began."
Hansung's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That would mean," Lero Ro continued, "whoever gave him this knew the team compositions in advance. Only test officials would have access to that information."
Hansung gave a dismissive wave. "And what of it? Regulars getting injured—it's still their responsibility."
"But this wasn't an accident," Lero Ro insisted. "This was manipulation. The integrity of the test was compromised."
A moment of silence passed. Hansung sipped his coffee.
Then, with a nonchalant shrug, he said, "Fine. Handle it however you like."
Lero Ro bowed slightly and left the room.
---
A short time later, Michelle Light—Rachel—stood nervously in front of Lero Ro. Her gaze lingered on the floor, shoulders slightly slumped.
He looked at her with a mix of sympathy and calculation.
"Michelle Light," he said calmly, "we've reviewed the incident during the tag test. After reexamining the circumstances... it's been decided that your disqualification was made in error."
Rachel's eyes widened in disbelief. "You mean...?"
Lero Ro gave a small nod. "You'll be allowed to take part in the final test."
A spark of joy bloomed on her face. "Really? I can continue?"
"But," Lero Ro added firmly, "you will receive no additional points. This is purely a reconsideration based on fairness, not favoritism."
Rachel quickly nodded. "Of course! Thank you so much."
Hansung Yu stepped into view from the hallway, silently observing. His eyes met Rachel's.
"This is the last chance you'll get to climb the tower," he said, his voice cold yet pointed. "Don't waste it."
Rachel's face tightened, but she quickly bowed.
"I won't. Thank you, Director."
---
After the decision was made, Lero Ro gathered the Regulars to deliver the updated announcement.
"There's been a revision regarding the final test participants," he said. "Michelle Light will be allowed to take part. No extra points will be awarded."
A brief silence followed before Baam's face lit up with relief. Energy returned to his eyes as if a weight had been lifted.
Around him, others exchanged glances—some surprised, some indifferent—but most seemed quietly pleased.
With that, the Regulars split into their assigned teams and made their way to their respective positions in the testing zone.
The final test began.
Within minutes, reports and observations started flowing across the communication channels.
Hatz stood near the edge of a ridge, scanning the area below. He relayed his findings through his Pocket.
"No movement from the goblins. And the earthpigs haven't shown up yet either."
Khun's voice came over the shared channel, calm and controlled. "Understood. We can't probe underground with the Lighthouses, so we'll need to hold the surface. Prioritize positioning."
He gave out the orders methodically.
"Hatz, monitor the goblins' behavior and report any changes.
Spear Bearers—wait on higher ground. If the worms start moving, strike from above.
Shibisu's team, stay alert for earthpigs attacking the dolphins.
Narae... you sit tight and avoid drawing attention."
Everyone acknowledged their roles and moved accordingly.
A moment later, Hatz's voice came through again—this time with urgency. "Khun, can you hear me? Dede Cancho and Blarouse… they've disappeared."
Shibisu blinked in surprise as he heard the message. "What do you mean, disappeared?"
Khun's tone sharpened. "Clarify, Hatz. What exactly happened?"
"I don't know," Hatz replied, scanning the area again. "I just sensed something off. A strange bloodlust… fleeting, but powerful. Be careful."
He gestured for his team to shift positions.
Time passed under growing tension.
Hatz spoke again. "It's starting. Spear Bearers—get ready."
From a nearby cliff, Rak and Paracule looked down, eyes narrowing.
"The goblins are on the move," Hatz reported. "And there's more of them than we expected."
Khun's voice returned with quiet intensity. "Hatz, proceed as we planned. Find out what they're doing, and don't get spotted.
Spear Bearers—hold position until I give the signal.
This needs to be precise. If we miss our chance, there won't be another."
Hatz and his team moved into position, carefully stalking the goblins. The creatures were advancing alongside the massive wetworms.
Hatz said, "I'm counting on you this time, Revolutionary."
---
Underground Tunnel, the Wine Glass Structure
Shibisu edged along the damp tunnel wall, every sense on high alert. Suddenly, a hulking shape lunged from the shadows—a Black Bull. Its sleek, obsidian scales caught the faint light, and those crimson-ringed eyes locked onto him.
He barely dodged its snapping jaws. The Bull—a towering four-meter predator—snarled as it tore into one of his teammates. Shibisu watched in horror as the creature crunched through bone, then slurped blood before casually spitting the remains aside.
Frozen by fear, Shibisu sank to the ground, heart pounding.
A sharp cry echoed behind him—one of the net dolphins had sounded its alarm. The Bull paused, swiveling its massive head toward the disturbance. Then, with slow deliberation, it stalked toward the dolphin.
Our dolphins… Shibisu thought, panic rising. They'll be next.
Grabbing a loose stone, he hurled it at the Bull's broad back. It thunked harmlessly against thick hide. The Bull glanced at him with disdain before turning away.
"Even the Bull ignores me…" Shibisu muttered, bitterness creeping into his voice.
Grimly, he drew his knife and charged. With desperate timing, he leapt and brought the blade crashing down against the Bull's flank.
"Yes!" he cried triumphantly—until the Bull wheeled around, its expression unreadable as Shibisu tumbled to the ground.
A low growl rumbled from its throat. Suddenly, with a deafening screech, it charged.
Shibisu sprinted, adrenaline surging, but the Bull's long stride closed the gap in seconds. It scooped him up in its powerful jaws, lifting him skyward.
Then—whip crack!—a green blur struck the Bull in the head. The creature staggered back, releasing Shibisu into the tunnel dust.
Anaak dropped to her feet, Green April coiled in her hand.
"Hey, monster," she called, voice cool. "Better think twice before eating him."
Endorsi emerged beside her, sword in hand.
"And I'm here to make sure you don't get indigestion," she added dryly.
Shibisu dusted himself off, blinking at their unexpected arrival.
"Two Princesses of Jahad… saving me?" he stammered.
Endorsi shrugged. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm here to play with that big horned cow."
Anaak smirked, stepping forward. "The Bull's my prey. You're just in the way, horn-girl."
With a roar, the Bull lunged again. Endorsi and Anaak leapt back in unison as it crashed into the cavern wall.
Endorsi wiped a trickle of dust from her sword.
"Let's make this interesting," she proposed, eyes glittering.
"A five-minute duel—taking turns fighting the Bull. If I defeat it, I get the 13-Month Series swords."
Anaak's smile widened.
"And if I win?"
Endorsi bowed mock-seriously.
"Then I'll serve you for life."
Anaak cocked an eyebrow, considering. Finally, she nodded.
"Deal."