Thuong Sinh walked toward the officer and handed over the sword that had been snapped in two, smiling as he spoke.
"My apologies."
The officer took the broken blade and replied with a smile that it was no problem.
As soon as Thuong Sinh turned around, he saw Van Binh squeezing through the crowd, his excitement so intense he couldn't hide it.
"Thuong Sinh! You nearly gave me a heart attack just now!"
He gestured wildly, his voice so loud that several people nearby couldn't help but stare. "I actually thought you were going to finish him off with that one move!"
Thuong Sinh glanced at him, his voice calm: "Quiet down a bit."
Van Binh chuckled and ran ahead of him, whispering softly into his ear: "Don't you see? The whole field is watching you."
Indeed, many gazes were still fixed on Thuong Sinh. Some were filled with astonishment, some with curiosity, and a few held a hint of wariness.
Thuong Sinh said nothing more, walking with Van Binh back to their seats.
In the resting area, the blue-clad instructor silently added a few notes to the roster. His eyes lingered on the name "Thuong Sinh" for a beat longer before he gave a slight nod, saying nothing.
Van Binh sat down beside him, intending to tease him further, but seeing Thuong Sinh closing his eyes to regulate his breathing, he swallowed his words.
"Alright!"
The blue-clad instructor closed the roster, his steady voice echoing across the field.
"Today's examination is concluded. The results will be announced later. Everyone is dismissed."
The tension that had lasted since morning finally dissipated. Many let out sighs of relief; some collapsed onto the ground, while others left the field in silence, the shock of the recent battles still lingering in their eyes.
The bell rang at the perfect moment, pulling everyone out of the heavy atmosphere. It was time for lunch.
Van Binh stood up and pulled at Thuong Sinh:
"Let's go, let's go eat. I have to eat double today; my heart almost fell out of my chest."
Thuong Sinh didn't answer, only standing up to follow the crowd.
After lunch, the two returned to the residential area. The hallways were much quieter than in the morning, with only scattered footsteps and the occasional sound of a door closing.
Just as Thuong Sinh pushed his door open, before he could step inside, the door opposite also opened, causing him to turn his head.
Minh Thong was standing there.
He had changed into simple clothes, his arm still wrapped in a thin bandage, and his expression was much calmer than it had been on the field. When he saw Thuong Sinh, he froze for a beat.
Behind Minh Thong was a thin, pale youth wearing glasses, panting heavily as if he had just run a long distance. Upon reaching the door, his knees buckled, and he had to brace himself against the wall to stay upright.
"Cough... cough... thank goodness... I made it... in time..."
Van Binh recognized him instantly and widened his eyes:
"Hey! Aren't you the one from this morning who crawled off the field as soon as you stepped out?"
The youth with glasses looked up, his face still pale and his breathing ragged. He propped his hands on his knees to stand up straight, his voice sounding somewhat helpless:
"Yeah... it's me, but my name isn't 'Hey'."
He hesitated for a moment and then continued, as if afraid others would forget:
"My name is Thanh Tien."
Van Binh paused for half a beat upon hearing the name, then his eyes widened, and a familiar, slightly provocative grin appeared on his face.
"Thanh Tien?"
He folded his arms behind his back and walked a circle around the bespectacled youth, clicking his tongue repeatedly.
"Just hearing the name, one can tell you're rich. Your family must have a lot of money, right?"
Thanh Tien's mouth twitched, clearly accustomed to this kind of teasing.
"No."
He replied quickly, then added firmly: "Not even a single penny."
"You don't have any, yet your name is Thanh Tien?" Van Binh chuckled. "Then your parents must have named you that to pray for wealth?"
Thanh Tien sighed and pushed up his glasses once more: "Perhaps. But it seems the effect hasn't been very good."
Thuong Sinh stood nearby, glancing at the two of them. His gaze lingered on Thanh Tien a bit longer, recalling the scene from the morning when he had collapsed under the pressure before the fight even began.
"Are you alright?" Thuong Sinh asked, his voice neither warm nor cold.
Thanh Tien was slightly stunned, then nodded: "I'm okay now. I'm just not used to the aura on the field."
He turned to look at the room opposite, where Minh Thong had just stepped out; their eyes met for a brief moment. Minh Thong gave a slight nod, said nothing, and went back into his room.
The hallway became quiet again.
Van Binh slung an arm over Thuong Sinh's shoulder and whispered: "Seems we won't be lacking interesting people around here."
Thuong Sinh didn't reply, only glancing toward the opposite door. In his heart, he quietly noted the name Minh Thong, then turned his gaze toward Thanh Tien—a person who seemed weak, yet managed to endure until the Transcendent selection round.
As evening approached, Thuong Sinh sat cross-legged on his bed, his back straight. His breathing was steady and slow, each breath harmonizing with the rhythm of his body.
Initially, Van Binh lay with his hands behind his head staring at the ceiling, but after a while, he began pacing the room out of boredom. He glanced at Thuong Sinh, seeing him as motionless as a statue from start to finish.
"Bored to death..." Van Binh muttered.
Before beginning his practice, Thuong Sinh had warned him clearly: No making noise. Although Van Binh was talkative, he didn't dare interfere, so he stood up and gently opened the door.
"I'm heading to the room opposite for a bit, I'll be back later."
He spoke softly, and as the door closed, the room returned to absolute silence.
Time passed quickly.
From afternoon to evening, the sunset outside the window faded completely, yielding to the night falling over the dormitory area. Right at that moment—
Knock... knock...
The sound of knocking on the door caused Thuong Sinh to open his eyes.
Slowly drawing in his breath, he stood up and stepped off the bed. When he opened the door, he was met by a uniformed officer with a straight posture and a serious expression.
"Thuong Sinh?"
"That is me."
The officer said nothing more, merely handing over a neatly sealed envelope.
"Someone sent this for you."
Thuong Sinh took it and nodded slightly: "Thank you."
The door closed.
He stood still for a moment, his gaze fixed on the envelope. The familiar name on the letter caused him to freeze for a beat.
Ly Hong Quan.
[Thuong Sinh,]
[I am currently caught up in some important matters and cannot meet you in person.]
[Regarding the investigation you asked of me, I have had my men check the entire registry of survivors recorded in the safe zones, including the Duong Nam zone. Your family's names are not on the survivor lists in the zone.]
[However, this does not equate to death. During the initial outbreak, many people evacuated spontaneously without registering or leaving records.]
[I have dispatched people to track movement routes outside the system. It will take more time.]
His gaze darkened as images of his Father, Mother, and older brother flashed through his mind.
"Hey, hey! Minh Thong, your saber technique this morning was truly vicious."
Thuong Sinh glanced toward the door, then suppressed his emotions. He carefully tucked the letter into his clothes and sat back on the bed, silent, looking around the quiet room.
Two weeks passed within the military shelter. Thuong Sinh maintained his daily routine: physical training in the morning, unarmed and wooden weapon combat in the afternoon. Ability control classes were held, but he did not participate.
Van Binh, Minh Thong, and Thanh Tien all trained with him. During this time, Thuong Sinh also managed to become acquainted with several people around him, observing their fighting styles and memorizing faces that had potential. The training space became familiar, a temporary peace before the real missions ahead.
By the second week, one morning, just as the group had completed their running and combat drills, the loudspeaker along the hallway blared:
"All Abilities and Transcendents, prepare to receive area expansion missions. Everyone gather at the central field in ten minutes!"
Thuong Sinh frowned slightly, stood up, and took the sword wrapped in white cloth, strapping it to his waist. He then headed out with Van Binh.
The field was crowded, packed with people lined up in neat rows. The atmosphere was very serious. The instructor scanned the people standing before him and cleared his throat:
"From now on, what you undergo is no longer training."
The old instructor paused, his cold gaze scanning each row of people.
"Outside the safe zone, there are no laws, and even less timely rescue."
"I have gathered you here today only to make one thing clear."
"The upcoming mission is to expand the controlled area, clear infection points, and confirm survivor status."
"The two words 'area expansion' sound simple, but in reality, they mean you will be the ones at the front, stepping outside."
The atmosphere grew even heavier.
"In this mission, the use of all powers is permitted."
"Abilities, cold weapons, firearms—all are valid."
"But remember one thing: out there, the priority is not killing, but surviving."
The old instructor took a deep breath.
"In thirty minutes, the team assignments will be announced."
"Afterward, prepare your gear and write a will if necessary."
"Those who cannot handle the pressure may still withdraw now."
No one stepped out.
The instructor nodded, his voice dropping low.
"Then prepare yourselves."
"The gates of the safe zone are about to open."