Everyone arrived at Shinji's house at exactly 7:00 A.M.
Shinji stood waiting for them, his expression unusually serious.
Shinji:
"Before I say anything… there's something you all need to know."
The atmosphere instantly shifted.
Shinji:
"A catastrophic disaster may be approaching our beloved Nation of Light. Be cautious. I have a bad feeling about this."
The team exchanged uneasy glances.
Shinji:
"I saw a dream—one where the eastern region of our nation was completely destroyed."
Silence fell.
Shino:
"What do you mean, Sensei…?"
Shinji exhaled slowly.
Shinji:
"I wish I knew. Even I don't understand what's happening. POX detected dangerous signals coming from that area. They investigated—but found nothing."
He paused.
Shinji:
"Still… several Malius heroes fell sick just from being there."
Jeisuke clenched his fists.
Jeisuke:
"Then we need to be ready."
Shino:
"There's definitely something dangerous waiting for us."
Shinji nodded.
Shinji:
"Maybe. Maybe not."
He turned and gestured for them to follow.
Shinji:
"Now… come with me to the training ground."
In Shinji's backyard—
A massive ancient rock rested at the center of the field.
It was enormous. Jagged. Covered in strange, unnatural patterns that seemed almost alive.
Shinji:
"Take a good look."
Akaimo's eyes widened.
Akaimo:
"Woah… that thing is huge. And those patterns… Sensei, what is this?"
Shinji:
"An ancient rock. It possesses… special properties."
The team stared in silence.
Shinji:
"Your task is simple."
He pointed at it.
Shinji:
"Push it 100 meters."
Everyone froze.
Shinji:
"Each one of you must do it. If even one person fails—no one goes home."
Shino stepped forward, disbelief clear on his face.
Shino:
"That's impossible! That rock looks dangerously heavy. Pushing it even an inch feels impossible."
Shinji turned his gaze toward him.
Shinji:
"Shino… weren't you the one who asked me to push you harder?"
Shino fell silent.
Akaimo:
"Still… this thing is massive."
Shinji's voice hardened.
Shinji:
"I'm not hearing excuses. Do it by any means necessary."
He turned toward the house.
Shinji:
"I'll be in my lab, researching the Reberu 7 Merus monster head you brought back."
He stopped at the door.
Shinji:
"And don't try to cheat."
A pause.
Shinji:
"You wouldn't be cheating me. You'd only be cheating yourselves."
The door closed.
The air felt heavy.
Shinji's voice echoed faintly from inside:
Shinji:
"If someone gets tired, they may rest. Another person can try."
Jeisuke stepped forward.
Jeisuke:
"Mind if I go first?"
Shizuku nodded.
Shizuku:
"Go ahead."
Jeisuke rolled his shoulders.
Jeisuke (thinking):
Doesn't matter how heavy it is… this should be easy for me.
He planted his feet and pushed.
Nothing.
Not even a centimeter.
Jeisuke frowned.
He changed his stance. Tried again.
Still nothing.
Jeisuke pushed harder.
No movement.
Jeisuke (thinking):
What…?
He tried again. And again.
The rock didn't budge.
Jeisuke (thinking):
This doesn't make sense…
It feels unrealistically heavy.
Sweat dripped down his face as his breathing grew heavy.
Still—no movement.
The others stared in shock.
Jeisuke finally stepped back, exhausted.
Shino walked forward slowly.
Shino:
"…My turn."