The morning breeze flowed over the mountain top, cool and sharp. Every contestant standing there wore the same look—an uneasy mix of excitement and fear. Everyone knew something big was about to begin.
That's when the four girls in green dresses appeared from the mist, their footsteps almost soundless, their eyes calm but sharp. One of them stepped forward and spoke in a loud, firm voice.
"Listen carefully, everyone," she said."This will be… your final test."
The entire area went silent. Only the wind whistled softly between the trees. Elric tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. His heart pounded in his chest, but there was no fear in his eyes—only determination.
"If you pass this test," the second girl continued, "you will officially become Shadow Slayers. But if you fail…"She paused, a faint cold smile curling on her lips."…you won't even be remembered. The shadows will devour everything."
A few contestants swallowed hard, some just nodded silently.
The third girl stepped forward. "This test won't be like cutting rocks or tackling sword attacks. This time, your enemy will be a real Shadow. You'll have to cut its throat with your own hands to prove your strength. That's what makes a real Slayer."
Elric felt a chill run down his spine."A real Shadow? Seven days of fighting them? How are we supposed to survive against creatures stronger than us?"
But then a small grin appeared on his face."No… I won't back down. I'll become a Slayer. No matter what happens."
The fourth girl raised her voice, "You'll descend the mountain and fight through the forest below. For seven days, you must survive by slaying every Shadow that crosses your path. Only those who live… will earn the title of Slayer."
The forest echoed with a unified "YES!" from all the contestants.Elric shouted too — "YES!"
The girls bowed slightly and said softly, "Best of luck, future Slayers."And in the next second, they vanished like they were never there.
Each contestant started walking in different directions. Elric looked up at the sky — the sun had climbed higher. A foul, rotten stench filled the forest air… like something dead was waiting in the dark.
"This must be their nest," Elric thought.
He slowly drew his sword and stepped forward into the thick, dark forest. The deeper he went, the darker it became. Every gust of wind felt like something brushing past his neck.
Suddenly—"Shhhhhhh…"A strange sound came from the shadows.
Two Shadows emerged from the darkness behind the trees. Their faces were hidden, their glowing red eyes piercing, and their bodies leaking black smoke
Elric steadied his breathing. "Remember your training, Elric… focus."He bent slightly, tightened his grip on the sword, and—
"Water Breathing — First Form!"
A blue water-like flow spun around his sword. In a flash, Elric slashed forward, cutting through both Shadows' throats in one clean strike. The Shadows burst into black ash, disappearing into the air.
"That's it?" Elric chuckled lightly. "I thought it would be harder."
He kept walking deeper into the forest. The air grew thicker… heavier.
Not long after, the stench returned — this time stronger."There's more of them here," Elric thought.
Three Shadows crept out of the darkness this time — crawling low, whispering with distorted voices, "Sssslaaayyyerrrrr…"
Elric's heartbeat quickened, but his stance was firm."Alright… let's try Second Form."
"Water Breathing — Second Form: Flowing Torrent Slash!!"
His body vanished for a second. One Shadow's head flew off. Then the second. The third tried to escape—but Elric was too fast. One clean slash, and the last Shadow turned to dust. ⚔️🔥
He exhaled, breathing heavily."Looks like all that training paid off…"
All around the forest, other contestants were also fighting their battles. Swords clashed. Shadows screamed. Branches cracked. The night was slowly swallowing the forest.
Some screamed for help. Some kept pushing forward, slaying shadows.
Elric heard the cries—but didn't turn back."This is a test. Everyone has to survive on their own."
The sun finally sank. Darkness wrapped the forest completely. This was only Day One.Six more days remained—and each day would be far worse than the last.
Elric rested his sword on his shoulder and walked deeper into the black forest."This was just the trailer… the real story begins now."