Dimension System: SSS Rank Talent Awakening

----

Dabi and his team gathered in the academy’s training courtyard as the sun began its slow ascent, painting the horizon in hues of gold and crimson. The night had been restless; the weight of the Headmaster’s words lingered in their minds, sharpening their resolve. Today marked the beginning of the tournament’s first trial— a survival test in the infamous Crimson Expanse.

As they made their final preparations, the air was thick with unspoken anticipation.

"Alright, listen up," Dabi began, unfolding a map of the Crimson Expanse on a makeshift table. "We know three things: the terrain is unpredictable, the artifacts are well -hidden, and the other teams are just as determined to win. Our success depends on staying adaptable and working together."

Zen leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "The Headmaster mentioned dangerous creatures. Do we know what to expect?"

"Not specifically," Althea replied, tying her healer’s pouch to her belt. "But we can assume they’ll be as hostile as the environment itself. We need to stay alert."

"Agreed," Dabi said, his eyes scanning the map. "We’ll prioritize movement and scouting. Kiba, you’ll take point as our tracker. Zen and Jeni, you’ll handle defense and crowd control if we run into trouble. Althea, your focus is on keeping everyone in top shape."

Jeni smirked, tossing a small ice shard between her fingers. "And you?"

"I’ll handle offense and artifact retrieval," Dabi replied. "If we’re split up, stay calm and regroup. This isn’t just about speed —it’s about survival."

The team nodded, their trust in Dabi unshaken.

At sunrise, total twenty teams assembled at the ground, the energy of the moment palpable. Headmaster Raghnall stood on a raised platform, his commanding presence silencing the murmurs.

"You are about to face the Crimson Expanse," Raghnall announced, his voice carrying across the ground. "This is not merely a test of strength, but of wit, endurance, and unity. Remember— your team is your greatest asset. Trust in one another, and you may yet emerge victorious."

With a sweep of his arm, he activated a series of magical portals, each glowing with an eerie red hue. "Your destinations have been assigned. Step through, and may your resolve carry you through."

As Dabi’s team approached their portal, a wave of excitement and nerves washed over them. They exchanged brief nods, a silent promise to have each other’s backs, and stepped through.

The portal spat them out into a dense, humid jungle. Towering trees stretched skyward, their canopies forming a near -impenetrable barrier against the sunlight. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the distant cries of unseen creatures.

"Stick together," Dabi instructed, drawing his sword.

Kiba knelt, his hand pressed against the ground. "The soil’s loose here. Recent movement —probably something large."

Jeni scanned the surrounding foliage, frost gathering on her fingertips. "Let’s hope we don’t meet whatever made those tracks."

Zen unsheathed his twin blades, his stance tense. "If we do, we’ll deal with it."

Althea closed her eyes briefly, a soft glow emanating from her hands. "Let’s stay focused. The map Raghnall gave us isn’t going to help much here. We’ll have to trust Kiba’s instincts."

Barely an hour into their trek, the team encountered their first challenge: a ravine spanned by a crumbling stone bridge. On the other side, the faint glow of an artifact was visible, embedded in a tree trunk.

"It’s a trap," Dabi said immediately, scanning the surroundings. "The bridge is too obvious."

Kiba nodded, his gaze fixed on the shadows beneath the bridge. "Something’s waiting down there."

As if on cue, a deafening roar echoed through the jungle. From the shadows emerged a hulking beast, its body covered in jagged scales and its eyes glowing an unnatural red.

"Positions!" Dabi yelled.

Zen charged forward, his blades flashing in the dim light. He drew the creature’s attention with calculated strikes, dodging its powerful swipes with practiced ease.

"On it!" Jeni shouted, raising her hands. A wave of frost shot forward, coating the creature’s legs in ice and slowing its movements.

Kiba used the distraction to unleash a torrent of water, creating a swirling barrier to push the beast further from the bridge. "Keep it occupied!" he called out.

Dabi’s eyes locked onto the glowing artifact embedded in the tree trunk beyond the ravine. "I’ll retrieve the artifact," he said, already sprinting toward the bridge.

Althea positioned herself behind Zen, her hands glowing with healing light. "Careful, Zen! You’re pushing too hard!" she warned as Zen narrowly avoided a clawed swipe.

The beast roared again, its legs cracking through the frost Jeni had created. It lunged toward Dabi, who was mid-way across the fragile bridge.

"Not today!" Jeni growled, her hands moving in a rapid arc. A wall of ice shot up between Dabi and the beast, blocking its path.

With the beast momentarily distracted, Dabi leapt across the final gap of the bridge. Reaching the artifact, he grasped it firmly. The moment he did, a pulse of energy erupted from it, lighting up the jungle and causing the beast to recoil.

"It’s weakening!" Zen shouted. "Finish it off!"

Kiba and Jeni worked in tandem, water and ice combining to freeze the beast’s movements entirely. Zen lunged forward with a powerful strike, his blades glowing faintly with residual energy from the gate’s trial. The creature let out one last roar before collapsing into the earth, its body dissolving into mist.

Dabi rejoined the group, the artifact glowing in his hand. "One down," he said, catching his breath. "But that was just the beginning."

As the team regrouped, the artifact in Dabi’s hand began to hum softly. "This isn’t just a key," Althea observed, studying the glow. "It’s connected to something bigger."

Dabi nodded. "The Headmaster said these artifacts are part of the trial, but he didn’t say how. My guess? They’ll unlock the path to the central point."

"Which means every team is after them," Zen said grimly.

"Exactly," Dabi replied. "We need to stay ahead and keep moving. But we also can’t afford to burn ourselves out. The expanse is testing us in more ways than one."

The team set off again, the pulse of the artifact a constant reminder of the challenges ahead. Unseen eyes watched them from the shadows, the jungle itself seeming to shift and respond to their presence.

As they ventured deeper, they knew one thing for certain —this trial wasn’t just about survival. It was a game of strategy, and the stakes were higher than ever.

The team’s journey deeper into the Crimson Expanse was marked by tension and unease. The jungle’s canopy grew denser, and strange sounds echoed in the distance— growls, rustling leaves, and the occasional guttural cry. Every step felt heavier, the air thick with anticipation.

"We need to find higher ground," Zen suggested, scanning their surroundings. "This low terrain makes us sitting ducks."

Jeni nodded. "And we need to rest soon. That last fight drained more energy than I care to admit."

Dabi stopped, holding up the glowing artifact. "Before we move, let’s test this." He placed the artifact on the ground. Instantly, it projected a faint hologram of the expanse, with several glowing markers spread across the map.

"Those must be the locations of the other artifacts," Kiba said, his voice steady. "And... look here." He pointed to a massive glowing icon at the center of the map.

Your next chapter is on NovelBin.Côm @@novelbin@@

"The central point," Althea said. "That’s where we need to go."

Dabi narrowed his eyes. "If we can see this, so can the other teams. This map just turned the trial into a race."

Before they could strategize further, a rustling in the underbrush drew their attention. They fell silent, weapons ready. A figure emerged, a young woman clad in dark armor, her expression calm but calculating.

"Looks like you’ve found one of the artifacts," she said, her voice smooth. "Hand it over, and I won’t have to hurt you."

Dabi stepped forward. "Not happening. Who are you?"

The woman smirked, snapping her fingers. Four more figures appeared from the shadows, surrounding the group. "Team Vesper. And you’re about to learn why we are the called the strongest team."

The ensuing battle was swift and chaotic. Team Vesper moved with precision, their attacks coordinated and relentless.

Zen clashed with the team’s swordsman, their blades sparking with each clash. Jeni and Kiba worked together, using ice and water to hold back two others, while Althea focused on keeping everyone healed.

Dabi squared off with the leader, her movements fluid and precise. She wielded twin daggers, their edges glinting with a strange, dark energy.

"You’re good," the woman admitted, dodging Dabi’s strikes. "But good isn’t enough here."

"We’ll see about that," Dabi replied, summoning a surge of energy from within. His blade glowed faintly as he unleashed a flurry of attacks, forcing her to retreat.

Despite the initial advantage, Team Vesper began to falter under the combined efforts of Dabi’s group.

Zen disarmed his opponent with a well-timed strike, sending the swordsman sprawling. Jeni and Kiba’s teamwork created a series of ice walls and water traps, incapacitating their opponents.

---