Gangsters:Rise To The Top

Phase Three – The Survival Test Begins

The sun had barely risen over Jengraimukh Academy, but the tension in the air was undeniable.

Phase Two—the Combat Trials—had been brutal, but now, only 100 S Rank Students were selected from the 12000 fighters.

And this time, brute strength wouldn't be enough.

The Announcement – Miss Ananya's Warning

The students gathered in front of the academy's Grand Hall, where a massive digital screen flickered to life.

Miss Ananya stood before them, her expression serious.

"Congratulations to those who have made it this far. But now comes the hardest challenge of all—Phase Three: The Survival & Adaptability Test."

A low murmur spread through the crowd.

A student whispered, "Survival? Does that mean we're going into the wilderness?"

Miss Ananya continued. "You will be taken to an undisclosed location—an environment designed to test your endurance, decision-making, and survival instincts."

"The goal is simple: survive for 72 hours."

The students exchanged uneasy glances.

"That's three whole days!" someone muttered.

But Miss Ananya wasn't finished.

"This will not be a team event. Each of you will be on your own. No allies. No backup. Only your wits, strength, and aura control will keep you alive."

The tension spiked instantly.

Even Ayang and Rihan looked a little uneasy.

Jasmine crossed her arms. "Great. Now we're playing wilderness survival?"

Rihan adjusted his glasses. "This won't just be about fighting. They'll test our intelligence, stamina, and adaptability."

Mri, however, simply smiled. "Sounds fun."

Miss Ananya's gaze hardened. "One more thing… There will be enemies in the field."

A hushed silence fell over the students.

"Enemies?" Ayang raised an eyebrow. "Do you mean wild beasts?"

Miss Ananya shook her head. "No. You will be hunted."

The words sent a chill down everyone's spine.

"There will be professional combatants in the survival field—skilled warriors hired to track, attack, and eliminate you. If you are captured or defeated, you fail the test."

The students froze.

Professional fighters? That was no joke.

Even Mri's expression darkened. "So it's a real battlefield."

Miss Ananya nodded. "This is the final test. If you can't survive this… you don't deserve the S-Rank title."

The screen behind her changed, showing five different zones in an expansive wilderness:

1. Dense Jungle – Perfect for ambushes and stealth attacks.

2. Frozen Tundra – Cold, slippery terrain with harsh conditions.

3. Ruins of an Ancient City – A battlefield full of hiding spots and broken structures.

4. A Rocky Mountain Range – Uneven ground with dangerous cliffs.

5. The Abyssal Swamp – A misty, eerie landscape with hidden dangers.

Each student would be dropped into a random zone.

The challenge was not just survival, but also escape.

Only the ones who lasted the full 72 hours and made it back to the academy would pass.

---

The Drop-Off – Mri's Assignment

The students were taken to a massive aircraft, where they were blindfolded before departure.

Mri sat calmly, his mind already planning strategies.

Beside him, Ayang cracked his knuckles. "This is insane, but I like it."

Jasmine, sitting across from them, smirked. "Don't die too fast, Mri."

Mri chuckled. "I should be saying that to you."

Suddenly, a voice over the speakers announced:

"Drop Sequence Initiated."

One by one, the students were forced to jump out of the aircraft, parachuting into unknown territory.

Mri's heart raced as he fell through the sky, the wind roaring past him.

Then, he spotted his landing zone.

A dark, misty swamp.

The Abyssal Swamp.

Landing in the Swamp – The Test Begins

Mri hit the ground gracefully, rolling to absorb the impact.

The swamp was eerily silent, with thick fog covering the ground.

His feet sank slightly into the muddy terrain, making movement difficult.

Suddenly, a chilling sound echoed through the air.

A low, growling noise.

Mri's eyes narrowed. "Looks like the fun's starting early."

In the distance, shadows moved through the mist.

He wasn't alone.

Elsewhere – The Others Face Their Own Battles

Ayang – The Ancient Ruins

Ayang crouched behind a broken stone wall. He could hear footsteps nearby.

"Looks like I've got company already," he muttered.

A masked fighter leapt from the shadows, swinging twin daggers.

Ayang smirked. "Bad move."

With a swift counter, he disarmed his opponent in seconds.

---

Rihanjit– The Frozen Tundra

Rihanjit's breath was visible in the cold air.

The icy terrain was brutal, but he remained unfazed.

Then—a spear flew toward him.

He dodged at the last moment, his instincts sharp.

"That was close," he muttered. "Guess I'll have to start fighting."

---

Jasmine – The Rocky Mountains

Jasmine wiped sweat from her brow. The high-altitude terrain was exhausting.

She paused, scanning the area.

Then—a sniper shot rang out!

She rolled behind a rock, narrowly avoiding the bullet.

"Snipers? Are they serious?" she growled.

Her test had just gotten a lot harder.

---

Back to Mri – The First Battle

Mri remained calm, even as the growling got louder.

A dark figure emerged from the mist, wielding a long katana.

The fighter's mask covered their face, but their aura was undeniable.

"A bounty hunter," Mri murmured.

The warrior lunged forward, sword slicing toward Mri's throat.

Mri dodged effortlessly, his instincts far ahead of his opponent's attack.

"Too slow," he whispered.

Then, with a single palm strike, Mri sent the fighter flying into the swamp waters.

The opponent didn't get back up.

Mri sighed. "If this is all they've got, I won't even break a sweat."

But deep down, he knew.

The real threats were still ahead.