The forest was thick with mist, the sunlight barely reaching the ground. The squad moved cautiously, aware that Grade 3 beasts lurked in every shadow. Today's mission was designed to push them beyond their limits — a real test of strength, coordination, and courage.
We led them to a clearing, wide enough to be visible from the surrounding trees. Hidden among the foliage, six early advanced-tier golden-furred monkeys perched on boulders and branches, their amber eyes glowing with intelligence and malice. These weren't mindless beasts; they were cunning, fast, and stronger than any enemy the squad had faced independently.
"Remember your training," I murmured under my breath to Alex. "We stay hidden. This is their fight. Let them prove themselves."
The squad moved into the clearing, formation tight. Their nerves were palpable, but I could see the determination in their eyes. They were ready to fight on their own for the first time.
The golden monkeys leaped down, their movements a blur. The forest shook with the force of their landing. Immediately, the squad split into tactical positions, following the training drills we had drilled into them: flanking, trapping, and focusing on one target at a time.
Lan Wei, one of the peak Purple Blood Realm men, struck first, channeling mana through his spear. A golden monkey twisted mid-air, deflecting the attack with its powerful arm, but the coordinated assault from the squad forced it to retreat.
"Keep the formation! Focus fire!" shouted another, Wei Feng, mid-swing with his dual swords glowing with mana. The monkeys screeched, their sonic cries shaking the ground, but the men held their positions, launching attacks in perfect sequence.
For the first time, they fully synchronized — the Purple Blood Realm fighters using speed and precision, the Void Realm users channeling mana to restrain and control, and the True Spirit and Mystic Realm soldiers reinforcing the lines.
The first monkey lunged at a young recruit, teeth bared. Normally, fear would have frozen him, but this time he reacted instinctively, using a defensive talisman and countering with a mana-imbued strike that staggered the beast. The squad immediately converged, their combined attacks driving the monkey down.
One by one, the golden monkeys were overwhelmed by sheer teamwork. Two of the beasts fell after a barrage of attacks perfectly timed and coordinated by the squad, their bodies hitting the forest floor with a thud that echoed through the clearing.
But the exertion was immense. Mana flared in the air, exhaustion set in, and the squad began to reach their limits. Sweat streamed down their faces, breaths came in ragged gasps, and limbs trembled from pushing beyond their natural strength. The remaining monkeys circled, aware of the squad's weakening state, but they had already paid a heavy toll.
Finally, the last four monkeys regrouped for one last coordinated assault. The squad tried to hold the line, but fatigue and strain became too much. One by one, the men dropped to their knees, mana flickering and draining, until all twenty-eight lay unconscious among the trees, exhausted but victorious in spirit.
Alex and I stepped out from the shadows. My chest rose and fell rapidly; I could feel my own mana pool pulsing in anticipation. "They've done well," I said quietly, surveying the scene. "They fought without us, and they held… even if just for a moment."
Alex nodded, spatial energy rippling around him. "They've broken out of their shells. They've truly learned how to operate as a team. We just need to stabilize them before they collapse further."
I sent a low pulse of mana toward the squad, restoring a fraction of their energy, enough to prevent permanent strain. One by one, they stirred, blinking in confusion, then recognition. The pride in their eyes was unmistakable. For the first time, they realized what they were capable of.
I crouched beside Lan Wei, who had just regained consciousness. "You all did well," I said firmly. "Better than I expected. This is what I wanted — not perfection, but courage, coordination, and the willingness to push beyond fear."
Alex added, "This is only the beginning. There are stronger beasts, deadlier threats ahead. But today, you've proven that you can fight together, not just survive alone."
The golden monkeys' corpses still lay scattered across the clearing, their cores, fur, and fangs glinting in the fading sunlight. The squad began collecting the spoils, their hands shaky but determined. Today, they had faced death, exerted their full strength, and emerged victorious.
I watched them from the edge of the clearing, a faint smile tugging at my lips. This was the transformation I had been waiting for. They were no longer just recruits; they were soldiers — true warriors capable of surviving the wilds of the Grade 3 forests and beyond.
And as we prepared to lead them back to the city, I knew that soon, the next challenge would be even greater. But for now, this victory — hard-earned, visceral, and transformative — would ignite the potential in every man under my command.