CHAPTER 57: AMBUSH IN THE SHADOWS.

SNAP.

A sharp crack echoed as the wooden stick holding the trap in place broke.

In an instant, the heavy boulder that had been carefully balanced above came crashing down.

THUD!

The giant stone slammed directly into the assassin’s back, knocking him off his feet and pinning him to the ground.

The impact left the assassin groaning in pain, stunned and unable to move properly.

The rest of the assassins had already reached group two.

Kael didn’t waste a moment. He leaped down from the ledge where he had been hiding, landing beside the fallen man.

Quickly, he grabbed a vine and tied the assassin’s hands together, pulling them tightly behind his back.

Then, he secured another rope around the assassin’s legs, making sure he couldn’t escape or fight back.

The man struggled weakly, his body twitching against the ropes. But the boulder’s impact had drained most of his strength. He couldn’t break free.

Kael crouched beside him and leaned in close.

"Quiet," he warned. "One sound, and the rest of the professors will be here. You don’t want that", he lied.

The assassin bared his teeth, a snarl rising in his throat—but he didn’t speak. He understood the threat.

Kael grabbed the ropes and began to drag the man. It was slow, rough work. The assassin’s body scraped lightly along the stone floor, and Kael made sure to keep his steps steady and quiet.

He made sure nobody noticed.

They moved deeper into the tunnel, away from the others. The light faded behind them.

Finally, Kael reached the far side where no one would see and It was quite abandoned.

He pulled the man upright and propped him against the damp stone wall. The assassin sat slumped, breathing heavily, eyes watching Kael with quiet hatred.

In group two!

Group Two had just completed their dungeon exploration when the ground trembled faintly beneath them.

Then—

Footsteps. Three shadows emerged from the darkness ahead.

They were dressed in black, their faces hidden beneath masks. Cold, deadly eyes scanned the students.

The assassins had arrived.

A wave of panic surged through the group like a crashing tide.

Some students instinctively stumbled back, eyes wide with fear.

A few students handled their weapons in fear.

Some others were simply froze, too shocked to move or speak. The dim tunnel walls echoed with gasps and hurried footsteps.

"W-We’re under attack!" a voice shouted, cracking with fear.

But not everyone was afraid.

Professor Yulia stepped forward calmly. She didn’t flinch or raise her voice and the look of her eyes were dead serious.

Beside her stood Edwin. His stance was firm, and his eyes were focused. Power seemed to radiate from him. With slow, practiced movement, he drew his sword. The blade gleamed in the dim light of the tunnel.

Then...

Cecelia spun around, scanning the group. Her heart was already racing.

(Where’s Kael?) she whispered to herself, breathing short and tight in her chest.

She turned in every direction, searching for his face among the students, but he didn’t return.

Before she could take another step, a blur of movement caught everyone’s attention.

Suddenly, one of the assassins moves forward like a shadow.

His blade flashed under the faint dungeon light, sharp and deadly. Without warning, he charged straight toward the group of students—fast, silent, and with killing intent in his eyes.

Gasps echoed as students stumbled back, their eyes wide with fear.

But before the assassin could get close...

Professor Yulia raised her hand.

Her movement was calm but precise—like she had done this a hundred times before.

In that instant, a soft hum filled the air. A bright shimmer of energy spread out from her like a wave.

It pulsed across the tunnel.

It felt like time itself slowed down.

The assassin stopped suddenly in the middle of his run, his feet sliding as a bright magical shield appeared between him and the students. The shield hit him with such force that it pushed him back, like he had run into a wall made of air.

The students watched with wide eyes. Their fear started to fade, replaced by amazement.

Everything feels different now.

Professor Yulia stood in front of them, calm and strong, like a protector.

She is ranked 91th of the national level!

With her calm voice, she said, "since you have chosen this, you have no escape."

"Edwin," she said. "Take the one on the left."

He nodded. "Yes, Professor."

The assassins moved like blades through wind—fast, silent, and lethal.

One leaped toward the students.

Another charged straight at professor Yulia.

The last veered off toward Edwin, as if sensing strength in him worth testing.

The battle began.

Edwin vs. Assassin:

The assassin’s dagger flashed through the air, aiming for Edwin’s throat.

He quickly ducked down, rolled across the ground, and swung his sword upward.

His blade hit the assassin’s short sword with a loud clash, sending sparks flying.

The assassin stepped back with a grunt, then jumped off the wall and attacked again, moving incredibly fast.

But Edwin was fast too. He blocked every strike. His movements were smooth.

"You’re strong," the assassin said through his mask. "But not strong enough."

Edwin narrowed his eyes. "We’ll see."

Suddenly, the assassin dropped a small bomb to the ground.

Smoke exploded everywhere, covering the tunnel in darkness.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then—CLANG! Steel against steel.

Edwin moved through the smoke like a shadow, his sword shining as he swung it through the air. He could tell where the assassin would strike and blocked or dodged every attack before hitting back.

"I’ve trained too for this," Edwin said quietly. "You won’t be able to take down anyone today."

Then he made one strong, clean strike. His sword broke through the assassin’s defense.

The assassin fell to the ground with a groan.

Edwin, empowered by the rune he had activated , felt strength surge through his body. His grip tightened around the hilt.

With one powerful swing, he slashed downward. The force of the blow was so great that it shook the ground—dust and debris exploded into the air, filling the tunnel in a thick dust.

Some students shielded their eyes, coughing. Others stared in shock.

"Was that really Edwin?" one whispered.

"He’s gotten so strong..." another murmured, awe in their voice.

Edwin stood over him, his sword pointed at the man’s neck.

"It’s over," he said.

Then professor Yulia vs. Assassin:...