Lucas was stunned by what had appeared before him. Even though he was already aware of the absurd level of technology used by the academy, he never imagined they would be capable of creating something on that scale.

In front of him, in the air, runes of a deep dark-blue color began to form, glowing softly as if they were made of pure energy. The letters floated in an orderly manner, arranging themselves until they formed a clear message:

Mission

Eliminate 50 Demonic Beasts to advance to the next floor, 48h remaining.

Progress: (0/50)

Note: Whenever you wish to consult the runes, simply pronounce the word

“Mission” out loud. They will appear automatically.

Good luck.

…

Lucas swallowed hard, but despite the initial shock, he felt a spark of excitement. That clearly demonstrated the level of UG. A small smile appeared on his lips.

“Fifty beasts, huh? Looks like they’re not going easy.”

A few seconds later, the runes disappeared automatically, as if they had never been there. Lucas stood up and lightly brushed his hands against his body, cleaning the dust that had accumulated on his clothes. Then he checked his belongings, making sure nothing was missing. Not that he had much… but for him, it was more than enough.

After confirming that his sword was still secured in its sheath, Lucas began to analyze the surroundings.

“So… I really am in a forest.” He sighed. “Well, nothing I didn’t already expect.”

After all, all the candidates had prepared themselves for something like this. They knew, to a greater or lesser extent, what awaited them after entering this exam. Perhaps that was why no one had supported the arrogant young man in armor. Someone clearly unprepared for what was coming.

Lucas closed his eyes. It was as if he were seeing beyond the obvious, not only with sight, but with perception. As if he were searching for something, either within his own thoughts… or in the environment around him.

A few seconds passed. When he opened his eyes again, a faint smile appeared on his face. It was as if he had already understood the entire forest.

He slowly turned toward the east. “This way,” he said with conviction. “This is the right path.”

Then Lucas moved deeper into the forest. Thick roots crossed the ground chaotically, while low branches and dense bushes appeared like natural traps, ready to make anyone trip or get hurt. Even so, Lucas moved with precision. He avoided each obstacle naturally, as if he already knew exactly where every root and every branch would be.

As he walked alone among the trees, a nostalgic thought crossed his mind.

This reminds me of the training with my master…

Immediately after, a shiver ran down his spine.

Brrr… my body hurts just remembering that time…

After moving through the forest for some more time—facing small obstacles and maintaining a steady pace—Lucas finally reached the place he was looking for.

Ahead of him, the trees opened up, revealing a wide clearing. The blue sky appeared above him, dotted with light clouds, while the sun shone intensely, pouring light over the open space. Lucas raised his gaze and lightly furrowed his brow.

To think that we’re inside a modern building… If I told this to my master, he probably wouldn’t even believe it.

He stayed silent for a few seconds before letting out a slight crooked smile.

Nah… thinking about it, he wouldn’t even be surprised. That old monster…

But what really mattered at that moment was right in front of him.

A river of clear water crossed the clearing, flowing calmly.

Lucas observed it for a few moments and felt a small sense of relief.

At least there, he wouldn’t have to worry about water.

But that concern vanished in an instant.

Lucas’s senses screamed.

Without thinking, his body reacted before his mind. In a fluid motion, he drew the sword from his waist and spun around, turning his back to the threat.

Then he saw it.

A colossal beast, more than three times his size, emerged between the trees. Its brown skin was thick and irregular, marked by old scars, its eyes red as blood. Huge fangs protruded from its mouth like barely contained blades, and two long, curved black horns crowned its monstrous head.

In the creature’s hands was a grotesque weapon—a gigantic axe made of raw wood, reinforced with sharp blades at the ends. The sheer weight of the thing made the ground groan beneath the beast’s feet.

Without hesitation, the creature charged.

The axe sliced through the air with a violent whistle, descending toward Lucas like a death sentence.

For a brief instant, the world seemed to slow down. Despite the shock, Lucas reacted.

He raised his sword horizontally, one hand firm on the hilt, the other pressing the blade near the tip, anchoring his entire body on that single point of defense.

CRASH!

The impact was brutal. The collision echoed through the forest like thunder, making the nearby trees tremble. The force was absurd, enough to crush bones, to shatter ordinary steel.

But Lucas did not yield.

His feet sank slightly into the ground, the earth cracking under the pressure… and still, his posture remained firm.

The muscles of his body contracted like tensioned steel. His arms trembled, but they did not retreat.

The blade held.

For an instant, man and monster were locked in that direct confrontation—force against force.

Despite the grotesque difference in size, despite the violence of the blow… Lucas endured it. Without wavering. Without stepping back.

Enduring the pressure of the beast, Lucas raised his head and looked directly at it.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

“That’s all you’ve got.”

Right after, Lucas gritted his teeth. Veins bulged along his neck as he bent his knees, digging his feet into the ground. In a single explosive movement, he lifted his body and pushed the axe blade back, forcing it to retreat.

The impact made the air tremble.

The beast let out a low growl, surprised at being repelled. The axe was knocked aside, opening space between the two.

Lucas did not waste the opportunity.

He spun the sword with a firm and precise motion, now gripping the hilt with both hands. He adjusted his stance, bent his knees again, and aligned his body like a seasoned warrior. The blade rose to head height, reflecting the light filtering through the forest, before the tip of the sword lined up directly with the creature’s chest.

Silence fell for an instant. Lucas’s cold gaze met the beast’s.

“Come.”

That only fueled the beast’s fury.

“RAAAHHH!”

With a deafening roar, it charged again, raising the colossal axe above its head and bringing it down with even greater violence. The air was torn apart by the brutal movement of the improvised blade.

But this time, Lucas did not try to block.

With precise reflexes, he made a small jump backward, dodging by just a few centimeters. The axe passed where his head had been an instant before, slicing the air with enough force to create a gust that made the surrounding leaves shake.

Before the blade hit the ground, the beast showed that it was not just brute strength.

With an unexpectedly fast movement, it twisted the axe sideways and stepped forward, trying to split Lucas in half with a horizontal strike.

Lucas reacted instantly. He rotated his body, adjusted his base, and raised the sword at the exact angle.

CLANG!

The two blades collided with a dry, violent impact, sparks bursting into the air.

But unlike before…

Lucas did not retreat. Not even a step.

His body remained firm, solid like a wall. It was as if he were mocking the beast’s strength simply by standing there, unmoving.

Lucas’s gray eyes met the creature’s.

Then, with a short and precise movement, he shoved the axe aside, opening the beast’s guard—and advanced.

The blade traced a brutal arc.

SHRRRK!

The sword tore through the creature’s abdomen, ripping open the thick skin as if it were soaked cloth. Blood burst out immediately, hot and dark, splashing across the forest floor.

“Grrrraaaah!” the beast roared in pain, stumbling back a few steps.

Lucas rotated his body smoothly, stopping in front of it. The blade in his hand dripped blood slowly, each drop falling like a warning.

He smiled. A cold smile.

“Is that all you’ve got?”

The provocation was the final straw.

“RAAAHHH!”

The beast roared in absolute fury, consumed by humiliation. Without learning from its mistakes, it raised the axe again and charged, pouring all the remaining strength into the same brutal attack.

But this time…

Lucas did not retreat.

He advanced.

At the last instant, Lucas threw himself forward, rolling across the packed earth. The axe passed above him, missing by a hair.

Still in motion, Lucas twisted his body, adjusted his grip, and in a single perfect flow, unleashed the strike.

The blade cut horizontally.

CRACK—SHRRRK!

One of the beast’s massive limbs was completely severed. The colossal leg fell to the ground with a heavy thud, making the earth tremble. The creature lost its balance, letting out a scream of pain and despair as it collapsed.

Lucas stood up slowly. His breathing was steady. His gaze, sharp.

The beast writhed on the ground, releasing muffled growls as blood poured from the open wound. Its claws tore at the earth in a futile attempt to rise, but the body no longer responded. The monstrous strength that had once crushed everything around it now dissipated into desperate spasms.

Lucas approached in silence. Each step was firm. Controlled. Unhurried.

The beast tried to react, but failed. The pain was too great. The fear, even greater.

Lucas tightened his grip on the sword’s hilt, feeling the weight of the blood-soaked blade. He stopped beside the creature’s head, observing it for a brief moment. There was no hatred in his eyes. No pleasure. Only resolve.

He raised the sword above his head.

The air seemed to grow heavy.

In a single clean and precise motion, the blade came down.

The strike was fast. Final.

The beast’s head was severed from its body, rolling across the ground before stopping among roots and leaves. The remaining body twitched one last time… and then became still.

Silence once again dominated the forest.

At that very moment, dark-blue runes appeared before Lucas, floating in the air like an absolute verdict:

“You have killed a demonic beast.”