Kazuichi stood at the summit of the mountain, his chest still heaving from the climb, as Nakajima Ryuunosuke issued the next challenge.

The air was thick with tension, a palpable energy that crackled between the hybrids who had made it to the top. Ryuunosuke’s eyes gleamed as he spoke, his words precise and laced with the promise of an impending storm.

"The next test is an all-for-one battle of attrition. The rules are simple: defeat anyone you encounter. Only those left standing at the end will earn their dinner tonight. The rest will join the Bulwarks for an additional activity." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

Groans from the Hybrid crowd could be heard as they waited for Ryuunosuke to give the signal...

"Begin!"

Kazuichi barely had time to react before he felt the eyes of every hybrid on the summit turn toward him. It was as if the air had been sucked out of the atmosphere, leaving only the thrum of adrenaline and the sharp focus of those around him. He had expected this—the moment they had learned who he was, the famed stronghold leader hybrid, they had seen him as the biggest threat. And they weren’t wrong.

"Are you kidding me?" He asked himself, shrugging his shoulders as he braced for the worst.

A dozen hybrids launched themselves at him simultaneously, a mass of bodies converging with the singular goal of taking down the strongest among them. Kazuichi’s mind raced, assessing the situation in a split second. He didn’t want to use his Blood Art just yet—it was too early to reveal his hand. Instead, he relied on his physical prowess, the raw power and speed of his Dement Type hybrid abilities.

He dodged the first attack, a blur of motion as he sidestepped a powerful blow aimed at his head. His attacker, a hulking Merc Type hybrid, followed up with a sweeping kick, but Kazuichi was already on the move, his body twisting gracefully out of harm’s way. He could feel the ground tremble beneath the weight of the assault, but he remained unfazed, his focus razor-sharp.

Another hybrid, a lean Hound Type, came at him from the side, her claws extended in a feral slash. Kazuichi blocked the attack with his forearm, the force of the blow reverberating through his bones. But he didn’t waver. With a swift counterattack, he drove his elbow into her midsection, sending her sprawling back. There was no time to see if she recovered; the next wave was already upon him.

Kazuichi moved with calculated precision, his every motion a study in efficiency. He ducked under a flurry of punches, his body twisting as he delivered a punishing kick to an opponent’s ribs. Another hybrid tried to grab him from behind, but Kazuichi spun around, using the momentum to flip the attacker over his shoulder and onto the hard ground.

Arisu, Lea, and Jurou watched from a short distance, their expressions inscrutable. They had no intention of joining the fray just yet. They knew Kazuichi could handle himself, and they had their own reasons for holding back. Arisu’s keen eyes tracked Kazuichi’s every movement, admiring the fluidity and power of his attacks.

As for Lea, her gaze was more calculating, considering the best moment to intervene if needed. Jurou simply observed, his massive arms crossed over his chest, a silent sentinel.

But despite Kazuichi’s formidable skills, the sheer number of attackers began to take its toll. He could feel the strain in his muscles, the growing fatigue from the constant barrage of attacks. And still, more hybrids kept coming, each one eager to be the one to take him down. He knew he couldn’t keep this up forever—eventually, they would overwhelm him.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, a new challenger entered the fray. This one was different, a towering figure who moved with the lethal grace of a predator. His name was Murakami Kaito, a Merc Type hybrid with a reputation that rivaled even Kazuichi’s. His dark hair fell across his eyes, which gleamed with a cold, merciless light. Kaito was untouchable—an enigma who had never been defeated in combat, his speed and power unmatched by anyone who had faced him.

Kazuichi felt a jolt of recognition as Kaito stepped forward, the other hybrids instinctively backing away to give him space. Kaito’s presence was magnetic, commanding attention and respect with nothing more than his silence. He was a force of nature, a living weapon honed to perfection.

Kaito wasted no time in closing the distance between them. His first strike was almost too fast to see, a blur of motion that Kazuichi barely managed to block. The impact sent a shockwave through his arm, the sheer power of the attack making him grit his teeth. Kaito didn’t relent, following up with a relentless assault that pushed Kazuichi to his limits.

Every punch, every kick was delivered with surgical precision, each one designed to break through Kazuichi’s defenses. And for the first time since the battle began, Kazuichi found himself on the defensive, forced to react rather than initiate. Kaito’s speed was terrifying, his movements so fluid they seemed almost effortless.

Kazuichi’s breath came in short, sharp gasps as he struggled to keep up with the onslaught. He could feel his strength waning, the fatigue in his limbs threatening to slow him down. But he refused to give in. He had faced impossible odds before, and he would do so again.

As Kaito’s attacks grew more intense, Kazuichi’s mind raced, searching for a way to turn the tide. He knew he couldn’t win this fight through brute strength alone—he needed to outthink Kaito, to find a weakness in his seemingly impenetrable defense. But Kaito gave him no openings, his attacks a seamless flow of power and precision.

In the midst of the chaos, Kazuichi caught a glimpse of Arisu, Lea, and Jurou watching from the sidelines. They hadn’t moved to intervene, but their eyes were locked on him, silently urging him to hold on. He knew they believed in him, that they trusted him to find a way to prevail. And he wasn’t about to let them down.

"I see... so this is how it goes," Kazuichi gritted his teeth.

It wasn’t a battle of attrition anymore, but a battle of time.