Black snow. Apocalypse

They returned to their rooms just as the system pinged a new alert.

> System Notice:

❖ "Demon Orb proximity confirmed — 3,000 steps from current location."

❖ "New Directive Unlocked: Uncover the Six Seals."

❖ "Your fate has begun."

Josh's expression twisted into one of surprise.

Kaen looked at him. "What happened?"

Josh replied calmly, "The orb. It's actually really close."

Kaen leaned in. "Should we go now?"

"Maybe tomorrow," Josh said. "First—engage Combat Arena."

> System: Combat Arena Initialized

The void bent, building into a terrain as the two stepped into simulated battle. They trained harder than usual, and soon, the system chimed again.

> New Ability Unlocked: Water Manipulation (Level 1)

Level Up Achieved — Level 2

Bonus Attributes:

Speed: +75%

Strength: +75%

Durability: +75%

Instinctive Reaction: 10%

Blightfall Compatibility: 75%

Blightfall Upgraded to Level 2

Erasure Ability — Still Intact

"Wow... so much at once," Josh muttered, panting but satisfied.

The next day arrived. At school, the system's map pointed clearly to the orb's hidden location—somewhere on school grounds.

Classes began, and the morning passed without incident. Kaen and Josh had gained respect, and for once, weren't clashing with anyone.

That was until Zephyr stepped into the room.

White-haired. Loud. Confident.

Without warning, he strode straight to Josh—and threw a punch.

But before it landed, Josh's instinctive reaction kicked in. He caught Zephyr's fist midair without flinching.

"I'll be taking you down," Zephyr said with a cocky grin.

In the blink of an eye, he used a teleportation spell—transporting them both to the roof of the school building.

He launched into battle immediately, throwing a barrage of spells at Josh. But Josh simply dodged, hands in his pockets.

Irritated, Zephyr activated his telekinesis, lifting Josh high into the air and slamming him to the ground.

Vitality Drop: 1%

Josh smirked. "Alright… I guess I'll take this seriously."

He activated his Fogbeast Armor and shot forward at light speed, landing a powerful Soul Fist punch—but Zephyr blocked it with both hands and slid back.

Then, Zephyr summoned a flame vortex, increasing the temperature.

Josh calmly countered with water manipulation, extinguishing it.

Zephyr scoffed. "Water? Already?"

He formed three fire arrays, combining them in a powerful explosion—engulfing Josh.

Smoke and fire billowed… until a shadow emerged.

Josh, surrounded by purple aura, stepped through the blast unharmed.

Then he moved. One flash—light speed.

A punch wrapped in Level 5 Fire sent Zephyr flying.

The battle escalated. Zephyr combined earth manipulation and complex spells to create a giant arcane array above Josh.

System Alert: "Test basic power: Erasure."

Josh pointed a single finger at the glowing array—and it vanished.

He turned his finger to Zephy

System Notice:

"Human Erasure Failed.

Array Erasure: Complete.

You cannot erase living beings… yet."

Zephyr stood in disbelief. "How is this… possible?"

Josh's eyes pulsed with faint light. Then, with quiet confidence, he delivered a final, devastating punch—coated in fire.

Zephyr collapsed. But moments later, he stood, laughing breathlessly.

"Now I believe it. You're the real deal. I didn't mean to bully you—I just didn't know how else to test your strength."

Josh raised an eyebrow, his voice calm and cold. "What?"Josh meets up with Kaen in the hallway.

They exchange a nod—silent but clear: It's time to find the orb.

Josh follows the system's guidance, Kaen trailing close behind him.

Unbeknownst to them, a silent shadow follows—watching, waiting.

The system map leads them through the quieter wings of the school, finally arriving at an old, forgotten corridor. Dust hangs in the air like fog, and the walls crackle faintly with old magic.

A hidden panel slides open. A stairway spirals down beneath the school.

They descend.

The shadow follows.

The underground air is colder, heavier. Arcane runes flicker faintly along the stone walls as if reacting to Josh's presence.

At last, they reach a wide, circular chamber. In the center, surrounded by ancient stone carvings, lies a glowing seal—dark blue, with red veins pulsing slowly within it.

The system pings:

❖ "Third-Level Seal Detected."

Josh whispers, "Third level seal…"

He reaches out and touches the edge.

The seal flares violently, burning his palm with blinding energy. Josh stumbles back, gritting his teeth.

Suddenly, magical sirens begin wailing across the underground chamber.

Before they can react, the shadow behind them steps forward—

It's Lia.

"What are you guys doing here?" she asks, startled. "What in the world is this place?!"

Josh and Kaen are wide-eyed.

Kaen stutters, "U-uh… Josh was… um, touring?"

Josh glares.

Lia raises a brow, unconvinced. But before anyone can say more—

A sharp crack of magic bursts behind them.

Principal Zed teleports in.

His cloak flares with white-blue energy, wand raised.

"Who's there?!" he booms, his voice echoing across the stone.

Seeing them, he lowers his wand slowly, eyes still tense.

"You shouldn't be here," he says firmly. "This place is forbidden."

Josh steps forward. "Why? What is this place?"

Zed's voice tightens. "It's not safe. That's all you need to know—for now. Leave."

The trio exchange glances but obey. They turn to leave.

But Zed lingers, standing before the seal, his eyes locked on its now-flickering glow.

Then, softly—so only the seal hears—he mutters:

"If the seal breaks… we all fall."

He clenches his jaw, fear tightening in his throat.

Behind him, the seal pulses once—like it had heard him.