A booming announcement echoed across the main plaza of the Bio-Gene Warrior Command Center in District 10. Over 600 students from regional high schools had gathered for the real-world field exam that would determine their eligibility for admission to the National Bio-Gene Warrior Academy.
This was no simulation. No safe, controlled exercise.
They were being deployed into actual wild zones inhabited by Tier 1–2 mutant creatures — real danger, real death, no safeties.
Even the lowest-tier mutants could end lives in a blink if underestimated.
From the Control Center
"The exam will begin in 15 minutes. All participants will be randomly teleported into one of 12 designated field zones."
"Objective: Collect at least 20 energy cores from Tier 1–2 mutants within 30 days. Survival is mandatory."
"Failure to collect the required number of cores, suffer critical injury, or die will result in immediate disqualification and permanent expulsion from the Bio-Gene Warrior system."
"Participants who collect 30+ cores within 15 days will be fast-tracked into the Elite Class selection round."
Gasps and murmurs spread across the plaza. Regular school students paled, while those from elite academies adjusted their gear calmly. The children of noble families exuded quiet confidence.
Exam Parameters
Condition
Result
≥ 20 cores
Pass (initial qualification)
≥ 30 cores in 15 days
Eligible for Elite Class
< 20 cores / death
Immediate failure
Kill-stealing / not collecting personally
Fail (tracked by personal core ID)
Each candidate's gear included a personalized core capsule keyed to their bio-signature — making theft or deception impossible.
Elite Candidates' Gear
Class A Nano-Armor: Lightweight, high-resistanceToxin-filter Masks: Detects mutant gas/virusesGEU Analyzer Goggles: Identifies enemy powerField Drones: Controlled via arm moduleSmart Core Capsule: Prevents energy leakage
Seung-woo's Standard Kit
Training-grade energy bladeClass C armor: Basic bite resistanceHandheld GEU scannerStandard core capsule
But he smiled faintly: "Gear doesn't determine fate. The wielder does."
Pre-Deployment Dialogue
"So... if we can't get 20 cores, we're erased from the system for good?" Hyun-joo asked, half-joking, half-serious.
"Then don't die," Seung-woo replied with a thin smile.
"Easy for you to say!"
"It's not easy. But we'll make it happen."
Common Mutants in the Area
Viper Chlorona: Glowing-scaled snake. Releases poison mist in a 10-meter radius.Clawbeast: Two-headed wolf. Fast, stealthy, attacks from shadows.Bloodbugs: Swarm-type insect. Uses sonic interference. Dangerous when grouped.
Entering Zone 14
One by one, students vanished in warp-light, scattered randomly across a mountainous forest terrain.
Seung-woo felt the warp's pressure before his body reappeared deep in a shadowed forest.
This was Zone 14 — Deep Shadow Grove.
Towering trees. Chilling winds. Trembling leaves. Insects shrieking in waves. No sunlight reached the forest floor.
His handheld scanner lit up.
[Range: 180 meters] [GEU Detected: 145 — Tier 1]
Leaves rustled.
Stones tumbled in the dark.
The scanner buzzed lightly, tracking a nearby lifeform.
[Range: 180 meters] [GEU: 145 — Tier 1]
Seung-woo swallowed slowly. His hand gripped the hilt of his blade. His body slipped into a defensive stance instinctively.
The insect sounds abruptly stopped. Only his own breath echoed.
Then—
GRASSSHHHH!!!
A black blur burst from the brush. The scanner lagged for half a second.
Clawbeast — a two-headed mutant wolf, nearly the size of a recon craft.
It lunged from shadow, red eyes gleaming with deadly intent. Its claws sliced air near Seung-woo's face.
"Too fast..." he thought, right hand on his blade, left hand readying the emergency armor latch.
"My first real hunt."
The beast made no sound — but the weight of its step quaked the ground.
It was so close, he could see the shimmer of fur and glint of fangs.
Seung-woo inhaled — not from fear, but to ready something.
[Field fluctuation: GEU spike detected] [Warning: Impact imminent]
The shadow pounced.
Their eyes locked.
And in that split second—
The world held its breath.
End of Chapter 7
Next Chapter: The First Battle Begins...