The air was thick.
Arthur and his team were escorted into a large, white hallway where the remaining contestants sat in scattered clusters.
The usual competitive energy was gone, replaced by a suffocating atmosphere that pressed down on their shoulders.
Team 1 huddled together, one girl clutching her knees to her chest, her shoulders shaking silently with suppressed sobs.
Team 4 looked hollow.
Team 6 was no better. Violet sat with her face buried in Joseph's shoulder, her breaths uneven. Jackie, always loud and brash, slumped against the wall, staring at his trembling hands.
Meanwhile, Arthur stood calm.
Gwin noticed his expression, her voice soft but curious, "I'm surprised to see a determined look on your face."
Arthur turned to her, "Believe me, what we faced was hell. But getting sad or depressed about it isn't going to help. The best thing to do is to keep moving forward."
Miles said nothing, but he felt his Wyrm wrapping itself around him.
The doors slammed open with a resounding bang, the sound jolting everyone.
Eagle strode in causing every eye to lock onto him, desperate for an explanation.
"Congratulations, only two teams failed this year. I'm seeing an improvement," Eagle said, devoid of celebration.
No one cheered.
A boy from Team 9 staggered to his feet, "Do you have any idea what we went through? There's no way in hell a couple of rookies could defeat an S-rank threat!" he shouted.
Eagle smirked, "You're right. Throughout the years, every rescue test was strictly C- to B-rank, depending on your skill level."
The boy opened his mouth to argue, but Eagle cut him off with a raised hand, "The purpose of this test wasn't to see if you could win against an unbeatable opponent," he continued, his tone hardening, "It was to simulate the toughest challenge any hero needs to expect throughout their lives."
He held up a finger.
"No matter what, the people come first. Regardless if you're in the Top Ten, the strongest hero in the world, or believe you can easily defeat your target. If you let an innocent life meet their end because you were too hyper-focused on glory, then pack your bags and leave."
His gaze swept the room, lingering on those who charged for the villain first instead of planning to help the civilian.
Then, a second finger, "Secondly, you will die." A beat of silence hung heavy, "Maybe tomorrow. Maybe in thirty years. But it will happen—suddenly, brutally, and without warning."
A choked sob erupted from Team 9's corner.
"It's not an industry with a happy ending. You're all young, and some were groomed by our celebrities into joining this line of work. But most of you might not even live past the age of thirty. Ask your mentors how many close friends they've lost. All because they weren't ready for the scary portion of being a hero. The simulation wasn't even the villains' true behavior because I had to make it survivable for you guys. Because they're smart enough to know you're not ready for them."
The words hung in the air, an undeniable truth that sank into their bones.
Arthur's fingers twitched. He thought of Gwin's lifeless eyes in the simulation. Of Miles' broken arm, the sickening snap still ringing in his ears. Of the little girl's whimpers.
All that wasn't even the real experience from an S-rank villain.
Eagle folded his arms, "There's one more thing you need to understand. Believe me when I tell you that this bit of information I'm sharing will save you one day."
A hologram flickered to life above him, projecting four silhouettes that glowed with ominous light, "One day, you guys will obtain a nemesis. Take a look at the categories above."
The Ideologue – "Challenges your beliefs. Forces you to question everything."
The Lost – "They feel special when you fight them and give their life meaning. The same way they give you meaning."
The Hated – "Wants you dead for reasons beyond logic. Often goes after your loved ones. These types of people are common."
The Lover – "Will destroy you because they care too much. Goes far to stalk and kidnap."
"Every hero has a nemesis," Eagle said, "Maybe you've met yours already. Maybe they're waiting." His voice dropped further, "But one day, they will come. And if you're not ready?"
The hologram shifted—revealing a hero's gravestone, its inscription weathered and faded.
"They'll ruin your life before they end it."
Silence reigned.
"Let me tell you a story. A girl in my high school was obsessed with me and in love. I didn't feel the same way because I had a girlfriend. She didn't handle rejection well and became more depressed on having me. That same girl became my nemesis once she killed my family to get my attention. And she loved it because my attention was stopping her and nothing else. One day, after I was hospitalized due to an encounter with an S-rank…" Eagle paused, his breath steadying.
He took a deep breath in, then out, "She appeared, took a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and violently assaulted me at my weakest. To make matters worse, she was pregnant with my child. Then, using some of my DNA, she took a DNA test and gave the results to my wife only two days after we were married. She immediately divorced me."
Everyone was mortified.
"It's not too late to hang up the cape and live a simple life. Results will be posted in three days. You are dismissed."
Eagle left without another word, his footsteps a fading echo.
No one moved at first, the room frozen in the aftermath.
Then, slowly, it stirred back to life as each person made their way to their dorm.
Joseph caught Arthur's eye across the hall. For once, there was no smirk, no challenge—just a silent acknowledgment.
Gwin tugged Arthur's sleeve, her voice gentle, "Hey. You okay?"
Arthur watched Jackie stumble out, his usual swagger gone. Watched Violet wipe her eyes with Joseph's sleeve. Watched Miles flex his unbroken arm to reassure himself it was still there.
"Yeah," he lied, "Let's go."