Probably the very next day.
A loud metallic sound echoed through the barracks.
TONG… TONG… TONG…
The sound was sharp, repetitive, and impossible to ignore. It slammed straight into my ears and pulled me out of sleep like a hook.
"Huh—!"
I jolted upright, my heart pounding. For a moment, I didn't even know where I was, as I woke up immediately after the bell.
The unfamiliar wooden ceiling above me, the narrow bed, the smell of iron and sweat lingering in the air—it all reminded me at once.
This wasn't my old world.
This was the training camp.
Before I could even fully process that thought, a rough voice shouted from outside.
"TIME FOR BREAKFAST! EVERYONE OUT IN FIVE MINUTES!"
"What—already?!"
I looked around frantically. Sunlight was already streaming in through the narrow windows. I was late. Very late.
"Damn it…"
I jumped off the bed, nearly tripping over my boots. Around me, other newcomers were already scrambling—some hurriedly pulling on shirts, others cursing as they searched for missing belts or armor pieces.
I threw on my uniform as fast as I could, barely caring if it was perfectly straight.
Buttons were done unevenly, and my hair was a mess, but I didn't have time to fix it.
If I missed breakfast on my first day, I'd stand out in the worst way possible.
I rushed outside and followed a group of other newcomers who were jogging toward the dining hall.
The morning air was cool, but tension hung thick among us. No one was talking much.
Everyone looked nervous, alert—like prey walking into a den full of predators.
The dining hall soon came into view.
It was massive.
A long stone structure stood at the side of the compound, with high pillars and wide entrances.
Inside, I could see rows and rows of long tables. The place was easily big enough to feed over a thousand comrades at once.
The smell of food—steamed rice, soup, roasted meat—filled the air, making my stomach growl painfully.
By the time I entered, a long line had already formed.
"Great…" I muttered.
I took my place at the very back.
That's when I noticed Rion.
He was ahead of me, maybe ten people ahead. When he turned around and spotted me, his face lit up immediately.
"Oh!" He waved enthusiastically. "You made it!"
I raised a hand slightly in response, relieved to see a familiar face.
Rion smiled and stepped out of the line, clearly intending to come over and talk.
But just as he moved, his foot accidentally brushed against someone else's.
The person he stepped on slowly turned around.
It was a senior.
I could tell immediately from the insignia on his uniform and the way people around him stiffened. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and his eyes were sharp and cold.
Rion froze.
"I—sorry—" Rion began.
Before he could finish, the senior shoved him hard in the chest.
Rion stumbled backward.
"Hey, junior," the senior said, his voice low and threatening. "Don't you know your place?"
My heart sank.
"Oh no…" I whispered.
I immediately stepped forward.
"Wait—!"
But before I could reach them, the senior lifted his leg and kicked Rion brutally in the side.
The impact was horrifying.
Rion's body flew through the air, crashing several meters away and slamming into the ground with a heavy thud.
The sound echoed through the hall.
Gasps erupted from nearby comrades. Conversations died instantly. Dozens of heads turned toward the commotion.
"Rion!" I shouted.
I ran to him as fast as I could. He was curled on the ground, coughing violently, his face pale with pain.
At that moment, a powerful presence approached.
The captain.
He walked calmly towards the scene. Everyone immediately straightened and fell silent.
The senior stepped back respectfully.
The captain didn't even look at him.
Instead, he turned directly to Rion, who was still struggling to stand.
"Respect the rules," the captain said coldly. "This is your final warning."
Rion tried to push himself up.
"I—I'm sorry, sir…"
"In the next warning," the captain continued, his tone emotionless, "you will be expelled."
My fists clenched.
(What the hell…It was clearly the senior's fault.)
But no one spoke.
Rion bowed his head.
"Understood… sir."
The captain nodded once and turned away. The senior smirked slightly before walking off as well, as if nothing had happened.
I rushed to Rion's side and helped him sit up.
"Are you okay?" I asked quietly.
"I… I think so," he said, forcing a weak smile. "It just hurts a bit."
Around us, murmurs began to rise again. Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Did you see that kick?"
"That senior is ruthless…"
"Poor guy… first day and already marked."
I helped Rion gather his dropped tray and straighten his uniform.
That's when the atmosphere shifted again.
The murmurs changed.
"…They're here."
"The top three…"
"Heroes…"
I looked up.
Three figures had entered the dining hall.
Their presence alone commanded attention. People instinctively stepped aside, making way for them.
The top three heroes of the novel, I realized.
And among them—
Mingkong.
She walked with calm elegance, her long hair tied neatly, her eyes sharp and observant. Her aura was different—refined, powerful, and dangerous.
People whispered endlessly.
"She's beautiful…"
"So strong…"
"No one in our generation can match her…"
As I continued picking up the mess near Rion, I felt it.
A gaze.
I looked up slightly.
Mingkong was staring at me.
Directly at me.
Her eyes didn't wander. They didn't flicker.
They were locked onto me.
(Is she… looking at me?) I thought.
Our eyes met.
For a split second, something flickered across her face.
Fear.
(Is this for real?.. What the hell... )
(Tatsuki…)
(I know your strength.)
(So you came here too…)
(I have time traveled as well.)
Her thoughts churned violently.
(Facing you directly is a death wish.)
(But I will ruin your training.)
(And when the time comes…)
(I will kill you myself.)
(You are the one who slays all the heroes.)
Her breathing faltered for just a moment.
But only for a moment.
Within seconds, she regained control. Her expression returned to calm indifference, as if nothing had happened.
She turned away and continued walking with the other heroes.
(This feeling…)
(It's terrible.)
(He's so strong that even top-ranked comrades wouldn't be able to defeat him.)
(I must be careful.) Mingkong thought.
I watched her back as she walked away.
I didn't understand why.