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Chapter 5 - Chapter ??? - A new friend ?

Several kilometers away, Yajiro and Ezekiel were making their way through the woods.

Leaning against a tree covered in bluish bioluminescent mushrooms, Yajiro let out a loud sigh:

— I'm done for...

— We can't afford to slow down. We already lost time because of the incident. Come on, Ao, get moving!

— That's exactly why I'm exhausted! Running like mad to escape all those monsters... he sighed, visibly even more drained just from remembering it.

— Well, if you hadn't screamed like an idiot, we wouldn't have been spotted!

A flash of memory crossed their minds.

They had been hiding in a bush, watching a group of three candidates fighting a creature.

— We only step in if it goes bad, Ezekiel had whispered.

But Yajiro, mesmerized by one of the fighters, hadn't listened.

He had rushed out into the open, ready to play the hero.

Back to the present.

— Yeah... I guess that was kinda my fault, admitted Yajiro, scratching the back of his head with an awkward smile.

Yajiro reluctantly pushed off the tree and dragged himself toward Ezekiel.

They resumed their journey, heading deeper into the forest, where ancient trees, thick plants, and ether-soaked mushrooms surrounded them in an eerie glow.

Suddenly, they slowed down.

To their right, off the trail, a supply bag lay abandoned on the ground.

As they approached, they noticed scattered belongings forming a trail leading to a small cave, half-hidden by vegetation.

Yajiro and Ezekiel exchanged a glance.

— Ya...

— Just checking if there's anything useful in the bags! replied Yajiro, already darting forward.

No sooner had he begun rummaging than a figure burst out of the cave, charging straight at him.

— Watch out! shouted Ezekiel.

He shoved Yajiro aside, who fell backward.

With a swift motion, he drew his knife and barely deflected the attack, following up with a kick that pushed the assailant back, leaving a trail in the soft earth.

The two opponents squared off.

Their stances betrayed an instinctive mastery of combat.

Yajiro jumped to his feet and drew his knife as well, ready to fight back.

The assailant — a young man with dark skin, covered in blood and wounds — watched them for a moment, panting, eyes hard.

— Changed your mind? Back to avenge your little buddies? You'll be joining them soon, he growled.

— I don't know what you're talking about, replied Ezekiel through gritted teeth. But if you attack us again... it'll be your last.

The young man's expression softened slightly.

— You're not part of those bastards?

— Like I said: we don't even know who you're talking about, replied Ezekiel.

The stranger lowered his weapon — still wary, but less tense.

— We took shelter in that cave for the night, me and my group.

They ambushed us while we slept... Killed my two teammates.

But I woke up... Managed to take out two of them.

The other two ran off like cowards.

— We're not like that, replied Ezekiel, locking eyes with him.

— But... why would candidates do something like that? asked Yajiro, his face marked with confusion.

The young man replied:

— We're close to the finish. Only fifty spots.

Some would rather guarantee their place... by eliminating the others.

The three of them sheathed their weapons almost in unison, as if by reflex.

— We lost a teammate too... said Yajiro, more subdued.

Two seconds of heavy silence passed.

Then, to everyone's surprise, Yajiro added:

— We should team up. I bet our friend's waiting for us at the finish line. You'll see, he's nice.

Ezekiel briefly closed his eyes, a faint smirk forming.

He said nothing, but nodded in agreement.

The young man wiped a trickle of blood from his cheek, took a deep breath, then exhaled:

— Alright... I'm in.

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