Under the silent, watchful eyes of the hidden observers known as the Lantaws, Auren lay motionless on the thick carpet of moss and fallen leaves, feigning sleep. He knew. He knew this entire trial was being monitored from afar—every twitch, every move, every decision. This wasn't just survival—it was a performance.
As if responding to an internal alarm, Auren stirred and opened his eyes with a slow, deliberate blink. He sat up and immediately reached for the familiar shape of his water bottle, tucked beside his well-worn green adventurer's backpack. With practiced ease, he unscrewed the cap and took a swig, gargling to cleanse his mouth of the gritty forest dust that clung to his throat.
Spitting out the murky water, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and muttered coolly to no one in particular, "Alright. Let's get to work."
[FALCON FOCUS]
