Six years later
Six years had passed since the apocalypse, and memories of it were fading.
Forced to flee their homes due to the swift spread of a mysterious disease, they sought refuge on an isolated island.
Yet, this island harbored the same infected creatures. To safeguard themselves, they erected towering walls using the earth beneath their feet and the trees surrounding them.
It took time, but they finally completed it.
After finishing the walls, they began constructing their shelters, and soon, it transformed into a small village.
Everyone lived together, subsisting on mushrooms and plants, digging holes for clean drinking water.
A semblance of peace endured for a while, until some began to stray from the rules.
Some claimed they'd had enough and needed to venture beyond the walls for better sustenance, potentially jeopardizing everyone.
As the saying goes, where there are no rules, there are no crimes.
The chaos persisted until the villagers were asked to elect leaders to guide them in their new settlement.
Seven men and women emerged as the leaders, donning the titles of baron and baroness.
These new leaders established strict rules that all must follow, with severe consequences for those who disobeyed.
They trained a group of lethal fighters known as "Runners." It was their duty to explore beyond the walls, bring back news of the outside world, and secure provisions for the people.
However, joining the Runners required proving oneself fit and worthy; not just anyone could venture outside.
****
Under the afternoon sun's bright glare, its rays pierced Kadori's eyes, prompting him to shield them with his hand.
"What's wrong, Kadori? Are you breaking a sweat just standing for a few seconds? How do you expect to run if you're so feeble?" A man in a brown uniform, General Sikes' assistant and the leader of the Runners, Shaw Helmsworth, sneered.
Before him stood groups of teenagers, all the same age and garbed in identical brown uniforms.
They stood firm, except for Kadori, who perspired profusely and panted.
Kadori had always aspired to join the Runners. However, no matter how hard he tried, he always ended up deemed weak and unfit to leave the walls.
For the past six years, he had trained tirelessly to prove himself, but his efforts fell short.
"You can't be a Runner if you're weak!" Shaw declared.
"I am not weak," Kadori retorted nonchalantly, meeting Shaw's gaze with a glare.
"Oh yeah? Then why does Baron Duncan claim you're one of the weakest and should never be allowed to join?" Shaw inquired, closing the distance between them.
Honestly, Kadori had no clue what Uncle Duncan hoped to achieve by keeping him from running.
Since the village's inception, Duncan had striven to keep Kadori away from the battlefield, pushing him towards a life as a farmer.
Only a few years prior did Duncan relent, allowing Kadori to partake in Runner training sessions.
But behind the scenes, he whispered to the leaders, urging them not to admit Kadori to the ranks.
"Well, I suppose he's just trying to protect me, that's all," Kadori replied.
"If you were strong, you wouldn't need protection," Shaw stated.
"Well, why not put me to the test? Let me duel with one of your best Runners. If I win, you'll have to include me in the team," Kadori proposed, a determined expression etched on his face.
Shaw burst into laughter upon hearing Kadori's challenge.
"So, you believe you can best one of the gifted three? Truly?" Shaw finally spoke after his fit of laughter.
"Yes, summon one of them if you dare. I am confident in my abilities," Kadori asserted confidently.
The gifted three were individuals who had been infected but did not turn.
The bite granted them unimaginable power known as "Chaos energy."
General Sikes had first discovered it and subsequently taught the remaining three how to harness it.
Chaos energy could be employed in various ways, such as hardening, speed augmentation, energy blasts, telekinesis, and more.
After they discovered Chaos energy, they also found a method to transfer it to others.
Once the blood of the gifted entered a person, they perished and were reborn as gifted.
However, this power was reserved for the leaders and Runners, excluding Kadori.
Uncle Duncan had enacted a strict law prohibiting anyone from turning Kadori into a gifted, fearing his body might reject the energy and he might not resurrect.
"You wish to challenge one of the gifted three when you're not even a Chaos energy user?" Shaw scoffed, shaking his head.
"Why not put me to the test? Let me duel with one of your best Runners. If I win, you'll have to include me in the team," Kadori proposed, a serious expression etched on his face.
"Are you afraid I might defeat him while you were unable to?" Kadori said with a smirk, causing the students to chuckle.
"Still as arrogant as always," Shaw said. "Bjorn, get over here!" Calling out, Bjorn began to make his way towards the students and Shaw.
"What's the matter?" Bjorn asked, sweeping his long blond hair back with his hand.
At 16, Bjorn had grown even more striking. His once short blonde hair now fell to his neck, often braided.
His physique was what every girl would covet.
Kadori felt a twinge of jealousy whenever he caught a glimpse of Bjorn. Why couldn't he have been born that way?
"This boy here called you weak and challenged you to a one-on-one," Shaw said with respect.
"Kadori is my buddy, why would I fight him?" Bjorn questioned, draping his arm around Kadori's shoulder.
"I am serious!" Kadori snapped, pushing Bjorn's arm away. "I'm done being treated like a feeble child. I need to go out there and fight for what is right. And the only way to prove myself is if I beat you." Kadori spoke with determination, his fist clenched.
"Very well then," Bjorn replied.