Chapter 8: The Test
The dojo smelled of sweat, pinewood, and something warmer—like tradition wrapped in discipline.
Tyler stood awkwardly near the entrance, watching students move in sync under the sharp-eyed supervision of the Master. Thirty of them, dressed in crisp white uniforms, struck the air in unison. Each movement echoed through the spacious hall.
At the center stood Master Kai—still as stone in a stream. His shaved head glistened under the lights. His black belt bore faded red stitching and unfamiliar symbols. He didn't look like anyone Tyler had seen in Hollow Pines. There was something old-world about him. Something exacting.
"You made it. That's great," Andrew whispered, nudging Tyler with an elbow. "You won't regret this."
Tyler nodded as Andrew handed him borrowed gear.
"Are they always this good?" Tyler asked, voice low.
Andrew grinned. "Master Kai doesn't take just anyone. You gotta pass a test to even be considered."
Tyler's stomach tightened. "You didn't mention that part."
"You'll be fine. He's not looking for perfection, just potential."
During class, Master Kai approached silently. His gaze was unreadable.
"Do you wish to train?" the Master asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Have you ever fought before?"
"Not like this. Just school fights, and I wasn't great at those, sir."
Kai studied him. "Then you must take the test."
The floor cleared. Students gathered, curious. Silent.
Kai demonstrated basic forms—strikes, stances, and blocks—and then gestured.
"Show me how you move."
Tyler did his best to copy what he'd seen. His movements were rough, unsure. He stumbled once but corrected. His muscles remembered wildness, not discipline. He was just a guy swinging his fists, trying not to look ridiculous.
Kai raised a hand blocking Tyler's fist. Tyler froze.
"You are strong," the Master said at last, "but lack refinement. Still... your heart doesn't falter. You learn fast. With time, I believe you can go far."
Relief hit Tyler like cool water.
"You may stay. Be on time. In this place, early is on time. On time is late."
After class, Tyler grabbed a water bottle, sweat-soaked and exhilarated. Then a soft ping echoed in his head.
System Notification
Stamina +1
Endurance +1
New Optional Task Unlocked: Become a Black Belt.
Rewards will be received upon completion.
His eyebrows lifted. Optional tasks? And rewards? That's new.
Hollow Pines – Later That Night
Selene wiped a smear of grease from her hands and muttered a curse. Her bike tire was toast, and the investigation wasn't going much better. She'd been chasing sightings after the full moon—strange noises, torn fences, claw marks in bark—but nothing concrete.
Still, something kept pulling her back to this area. Like the creature was tethered here.
With no tools to fix the tire, she spotted a faded metal sign: 24/7 – Graves Auto & Salvage. The garage lights were still on.
She pulled into the gravel driveway, her engine's rumble fading into the night. Parking near Bay 2, she cut the engine.
Inside, a blond-haired guy sat behind the desk, surrounded by books and receipts. He looked up like he hadn't heard another human voice in hours.
Selene pulled off her helmet. The moonlight framed her face like a photo.
"Hey," she said.
The guy blinked.
"Hey," she repeated, louder.
"Oh! Sorry!" he stammered, nearly knocking over his chair. "I—uh—I wasn't expecting anyone."
She sized him up. No recognition in her gaze.
"Do you fix tires?"
"Yeah—yeah, I can do that," he said, scrambling for his tools. His movements were stiff with residual soreness from training.
Selene wheeled the bike forward, eyes on him. Something about the way he moved, it tickled her instincts. Familiar. Dangerous, maybe.
"You okay?" she asked as she caught him staring.
He jolted. "Yeah! Almost done."
"You keep staring at me," she teased, one eyebrow raised.
"Sorry, ma'am. We don't get women like you around here. Especially not riding a machine like that."
Selene flushed. "I'm not a ma'am. Name's Selene. And you are?"
"I'm... Tyler. Tyler Graves. You're not from around here, are you?"
"Nope. Just passing through." She smirked. "What gave me away?"
Tyler chuckled. "I've lived here my whole life. I'd remember you."
"There could be others like me in Hollow Pines."
"Like you?" He shook his head, cheeks going red. "No, I don't think so."
She smiled, and silence settled while he finished the repair.
"How much for the fix?" she asked.
Tyler wiped his hands on a rag. "Well... late hour, one-man job, plus the kit... What do you think is fair?"
"Aren't these things usually priced? Fifty bucks?"
Tyler laughed. "Yeah they are, lets make and exception, fifty that's fair. But... meeting you kind of made my week. Consider your presence payment enough."
Selene blinked. "You're serious?"
"Dead serious." Tyler replied
"No one's ever said that to me before."
He shrugged. "Then maybe they're stupid."
She hesitated. "Let me give you something for the trouble."
"Well... maybe you can buy me coffee sometime?"
Selene's eyes lit up. "I'd like that. After I finish what I'm working on."
"I'll hold you to it." Tyler said
She handed him her phone. "Here. Put your number in. I'll text you when I'm free."
He did.
She mounted her matte black bike, helmet in hand. "Goodbye, Tyler Graves. Stay safe... and don't go into the woods."
Helmet on, engine roaring, she disappeared into the moonlit night.
Elsewhere at the Med School Library
Mason sat in a quiet corner, neck sore from reading. His screen showed a mix of blood disorder charts and folklore about lycanthropy.
A chair slid out across from him.
He looked up.
The girl from the café.
Short black hair, side-shaved. Oversized hoodie. Green eyes that practically glowed.
"You been looking into werewolves?" she asked casually.
Mason blinked. "Uh—how do you know that?"
"You talk to yourself when you read," she smirked. "Also, you rented The Physiology of Cryptids twice. Not exactly subtle."
"Do You believe in that stuff?" Mason asked
"I believe in patterns," she said. "And you're chasing something that fits one."
He leaned in. "Do you know anything?"
"I know you're asking the right questions... just maybe not in the right places."
She stood.
"Name's Jun, by the way. You?"
Mason stared. She was beautiful—in a spunky goth kind of way. "I'm Mason."
"Nice to meet you, Mason. See you around."
And just like that, she vanished.
Later That Night
Tyler collapsed into bed, still sore from training but lighter somehow. The dojo, the task, the girl—Selene—had all left his head spinning.
He sent her a message:
Hey, it's Tyler Graves. Here's my number. Let me know when you're free. I promise I won't stare so much next time. 😅
He smiled at the screen. Then frowned.
"Don't go into the woods."
Was that just friendly advice... or did she know something?
Whatever the case, Tyler needed to get stronger. Control the transformation. Figure out what the System was building him for.
Because if it was offering him tasks now...
What came next might be bigger than anything he was ready for.