Takahishi's ragged breathing filled the air as he dropped to one knee, his daggers trembling in his hands. Crinix stood opposite him, his axe hanging limp from his right hand, his chest heaving with exhaustion. It had been days since they started training with Shinro. Today was the last day of their training and tomorrow was the Hunter Survival Test.

Shinro's voice cut through the air, his words dripping with disdain. "You guys are so worthless. You haven't even managed to create any divine technique."

Takahishi's eyes flashed with anger, but before he could respond, Crinix intervened, his voice barely above a whisper. "We are trying, Shinro."

Shinro's expression turned glacial, his eyes narrowing. "You are not trying enough!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the forest.

Takahishi's eyes rolled heavenward, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Maybe you aren't giving us the proper training."

Shinro's face darkened, his eyes blazing with anger. He took a step closer to Takahishi, his fists clenched. Crinix swiftly intervened, blocking Shinro's path.

Shinro's gaze locked onto Crinix, his chest heaving with rage. Then, in an instant, his expression changed, a sly grin spreading across his face.

"You guys are wasting my time, and you know what? You're right... I'm not giving you the proper training."

Shinro's eyes glinted with a malevolent light as he picked up his sword from the ground. "Your training begins now. If you manage to land a hit on me before sunset, it will be official that you have what it takes to participate in the hunter survival test."

Crinix's eyes narrowed, his grip on his axe tightening. "Just one hit, right?"

Shinro's grin widened, his eyes flashing with excitement. "Just one hit."

Takahishi's face set in a determined expression, his daggers at the ready. "This is gonna be easy. We'll show you that we have what it takes."

Shinro's laughter was like a cold wind, sending shivers down their spines. Then, in a flash of steel, he charged at Takahishi, his sword slicing through the air.

Takahishi ducked, his back hitting the ground as he narrowly avoided the blade. He sprang to his feet, his eyes wide with fear. "What are you doing, man? You're trying to kill me!"

Shinro's response was a flurry of sword strikes, each one aimed at Takahishi's heart. Crinix leapt into the fray, his axe blocking Shinro's sword strikes with a shower of sparks.

"Shinro, what are you doing?" Crinix yelled, his axe trembling with the force of Shinro's blows.

Shinro's grin never wavered, his eyes blazing with intensity. "This is your training! For you both to awaken your divine techniques, you must experience danger!"

Crinix's face set in a determined expression, his axe flashing in the sunlight as he clashed with Shinro. Takahishi, however, took a different approach. He turned and ran, disappearing into the forest.

Crinix's eyes flicked towards Takahishi's retreating back, his expression incredulous. Then, he refocused on Shinro, their blades clashing in a deadly dance.

The sound of steel on steel echoed through the forest, the two combatants exchanging blow for blow. Crinix's arm began to ache, his movements slowing as Shinro's attacks grew more intense.

Then, in a flash of steel, Shinro struck, his blade biting deep into Crinix's arm. Crinix's eyes widened in pain as he stumbled backward.

Shinro's grin never wavered, his eyes glinting with triumph. "Hope that doesn't leave a scar," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Crinix's face twisted in pain, his glaring at Shinro. Then, he remembered Takahishi. He turned, his eyes scanning the trees, but Takahishi was nowhere to be found.

A cold feeling crept up Crinix's spine as he realized he was alone, wounded, and at Shinro's mercy. Then, Shinro vanished, leaving Crinix to wonder if he had imagined the whole thing.

But the pain in his arm was all too real.

Crinix's head spun, his vision blurring. Then, he heard Shinro's ragged breathing behind him. Crinix's eyes snapped open, his heart racing with fear. He wasn't joking when he said we must experience danger.

Shinro's sword flashed in the sunlight, its blade slicing through the air towards Crinix's exposed back. Crinix reacted instinctively, rolling onto the ground as the blade whistled past his ear.

He sprang to his feet, his eyes locked onto Shinro's, his heart pounding with fear. This was no training, this was survival.

Crinix's eyes snapped up to meet Shinro's gaze as he complimented him on his reflexes. "Nice reflexes, Shinro," Shinro said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Crinix sprang to his feet, his arm throbbing in pain as blood continued to flow from the gash. He knew that if he tried to fight Shinro in his current state, he would be at a severe disadvantage. I guess l got no choice, l must retreat for now.

Without hesitation, Crinix turned and sprinted into the forest, the trees blurring together as he disappeared from view. Shinro's laughter echoed through the forest, a cold, mirthless sound that sent shivers down Crinix's spine.

"It's gonna be fun hunting you guys," Shinro called out, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure.

Meanwhile, Takahishi pounded through the underbrush, his legs pumping furiously as he put as much distance between himself and Shinro as possible. He didn't dare look back, fearing what he might see.

Finally, exhaustion caught up with him, and he stumbled to a stop in front of a towering tree. He leaned against the trunk, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath.

"That Shinro guy is psycho," Takahishi muttered to himself, his eyes scanning the surrounding area. "This ain't no training. He wants to kill us."

Takahishi's gaze drifted upward, and he spotted a sturdy branch that looked like it could support his weight. With a burst of determination, he began to climb the tree, the bark scraping against his skin as he ascended.

Finally, he reached the top of the tree and settled onto a secure branch, his arms wrapped tightly around the trunk. A triumphant grin spread across his face.

"Hehehe, he won't find me here," Takahishi whispered to himself, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. "If l stay here till sunset, he will probably give up and this training will be over." Takahishi grinned.

As minutes ticked by, Takahishi waited with bated breath. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the crunching of footsteps through the underbrush. Takahishi's head jerked up, his eyes widened as he scanned the surrounding trees frantically, but the dense foliage obscured his view.

The footsteps drew closer, the rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs growing louder. Takahishi's heart pounded in his chest, his senses on high alert. The footsteps halted abruptly beneath the tree, and the sound of heavy breathing filled the air. Takahishi's gaze darted downward, his eyes straining to penetrate the darkness.

"Who's there?" Takahishi called out, his voice shaking slightly.

There was no response, but the breathing grew louder, more labored. Takahishi's heart racing, he leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the spot where the footsteps had stopped.

"Who's there?" Takahishi repeated, his voice firmer this time.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, its eyes glinting in the fading light. Takahishi's heart skipped a beat as he realized who it was.

"Shinro," Takahishi whispered, his voice barely audible.

Takahishi's hand flew to his mouth, his palm pressing against his lips to stifle a scream. His eyes were fixed on the figure below, his heart racing with fear. He exhaled and inhaled quietly, his mind racing with thoughts of escape.

The figure took a few steps forward, its back still turned to Takahishi. He could feel his heart beating in all directions, his fear threatening to overwhelm him.

"He's found me," Takahishi whispered to himself, his voice barely audible.