Dimension System: SSS Rank Talent Awakening

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The leader of Team Vesper gritted her teeth, realizing they were outmatched. "Fall back!" she ordered, signaling her team to retreat.

Dabi’s team held their ground, watching as their opponents vanished into the jungle. @@novelbin@@

"That was too close," Jeni said, catching her breath.

Dabi nodded. "They were strong, but we were stronger. Let’s keep moving. We can’t afford to lose momentum." We need be more careful. There might be more teams around here waiting for an ambush. They move forward.

That evening, the team found a secure clearing to rest. As they sat around a small fire, the weight of the day’s events hung over them.

"They’re not the only team we’ll face," Kiba said, his voice low. "And they won’t all retreat so easily." I have a felling they will be back.

"We’ll handle it," Dabi said firmly. "We’ve come too far to let anyone stop us now."

Zen looked at the glowing artifact in Dabi’s hand. "It’s strange, isn’t it? This trial isn’t just about strength. It’s about how far we’re willing to go to win."

Althea placed a reassuring hand on Zen’s shoulder. "We’ve already proven we can adapt. We’ll keep proving it until we reach the end."

Dabi stood, his gaze fixed on the dark expanse ahead. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we push harder. No matter what comes next, we face it together."

As the team settled in for the night, the jungle seemed to watch them, its shadows shifting and pulsing with life. The next trial awaited, and they knew it would be even more challenging than the last.

The Crimson Expanse stretched endlessly before them, a labyrinth of dense foliage, towering trees, and eerie sounds that hinted at unseen dangers. The air was humid and heavy, clinging to their skin and amplifying their fatigue after the recent skirmishes. Dabi led the group cautiously, his senses on high alert. They had survived the trials of the gate and proven their strength, but the true test lay ahead.

The artifact in his hand glowed faintly, its light pulsating like a heartbeat. Around him, his team moved with equal vigilance, their earlier bravado tempered by the realization that survival in this trial was not guaranteed.

"We need higher ground," Zen muttered, breaking the silence as he wiped sweat from his brow. His twin blades, still slightly stained from their last battle, hung at his sides. "This terrain gives every advantage to an ambush."

"Agreed," Dabi replied, scanning the horizon for anything resembling a vantage point. His eyes caught a ridge in the distance, partially obscured by mist. "There. We can regroup and plan once we’re up there."

Jeni, ever the pragmatist, spoke up. "Before we go charging up, let’s address the fact that we’ve been going non-stop. We need rest. That last fight took more out of us than we want to admit."

Dabi hesitated. She was right. His team had fought valiantly against both the gate’s trials and the unexpected ambush from Team Vesper, but the strain was evident. Althea’s usual calm demeanor now carried an undertone of exhaustion, and even Kiba’s steady presence seemed more subdued.

"We’ll rest once we reach the ridge," Dabi decided. "It’s too open down here. If another team finds us, we’ll be at a disadvantage."

The climb to the ridge was grueling. Each step felt heavier as they navigated the uneven terrain, their boots sinking into the soft, damp earth. At last, they reached the summit, where a rocky outcrop provided a clear view of the surrounding jungle.

Dabi placed the artifact on the ground. As it connected with the earth, it emitted a soft hum and projected a holographic map of the Crimson Expanse into the air. The team gathered around, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten as they studied the display.

The map was detailed, showing the sprawling expanse in its entirety. Several glowing markers were scattered across the terrain, each representing the location of another artifact. At the center of the map was a larger, pulsating icon— a beacon that signified the final destination of this trial.

"These markers... they’re the locations of the other artifacts," Kiba observed, his voice steady but tinged with concern. "But there’s something else."

Dabi nodded, his eyes narrowing. "If we can see this, so can the other teams. This trial isn’t just about finding artifacts— it’s a race. And the closer we get to the center, the more we’ll run into others trying to do the same."

Zen, who had been studying the map intently, pointed to a marker dangerously close to their current position. "There’s one here. If we move quickly, we can secure it before anyone else does."

Jeni crossed her arms. "And risk another ambush like the one from Vesper? We need to be smart about this."

"She’s right," Althea chimed in. "We’ve seen how coordinated these other teams can be. If we rush in without a plan, we’ll be outmaneuvered."

Dabi considered their arguments. He knew time was a critical factor, but recklessness could cost them dearly. Finally, he spoke. "We’ll approach cautiously. Zen, you take point. Kiba, cover the rear. Jeni and Althea, stay close to me. If we encounter resistance, fall back immediately. This isn’t a fight we can afford to lose."

The team descended from the ridge, moving silently through the underbrush. The jungle seemed to close in around them, its oppressive atmosphere making every sound feel louder than it was. Read the latest on NovelBin.Côm

As they neared the artifact’s location, a rustling in the foliage brought them to a halt. Dabi raised his hand, signaling silence. From the shadows emerged a figure— a young woman clad in dark armor. Her expression was calm, almost amused, as she regarded them.

"Looks like you’ve found another artifact," she said, her voice smooth but laced with mockery. "Hand it over, and we can avoid unnecessary bloodshed." Last time we go easy on you. We didn’t want to waste our enemy so early. But this this you have total two artifacts. So we won’t let you go this time.

Dabi stepped forward, his gaze steady. "We don’t hand over what we’ve earned. Don’t act all high and mighty. You didn’t go easy. We defeat you, you ran away. That’s the truth."

The woman smirked, snapping her fingers. We will see about that. Her team members again emerged from the shadows, surrounding Dabi’s team. Each was armed and carried themselves with a confidence that suggested they didn’t run last time. As if Dabi and his team were defeat by them.

The battle erupted in a blur of motion. Team Vesper attacked with precision, their movements coordinated and relentless.

Zen met the team’s swordsman head on, their blades clashing in a dance of sparks and steel. Jeni and Kiba worked in tandem, creating barriers of ice and water to hold back two other attackers. Meanwhile, Althea remained in the center, her hands glowing with healing energy as she kept her team in fighting shape.

Dabi faced off against the leader, her twin daggers flashing with dark energy. She was fast, her strikes coming in rapid succession, but Dabi’s reflexes were sharper.

"You’re good," she admitted, narrowly dodging a strike from Dabi’s glowing blade. "But good won’t be enough."

"Keep talking," Dabi replied, you are fighting same way as the last time. Dabi summoning a surge of energy. His next attack forced her to retreat, her confident smirk replaced by a grimace.

The tide of the battle began to shift. Zen disarmed his opponent with a calculated strike, sending the swordsman sprawling. Jeni’s ice walls combined with Kiba’s water traps to incapacitate their foes, leaving them immobilized.

Realizing they were outmatched, the leader of Team Vesper said "Fall back!"

Don’t let them run again, Dabi said. His team members catch each one ot them.

Dabi says. Admit defeat and withdraw from the tournament. Otherwise I will have to do it myself.

She replied, alright... Alright. We will withdraw from the tournament. Let’s us go.

"That was too close," Jeni said, her breathing heavy.

"They were strong," Kiba admitted, "but we worked together. That’s why we won."

Dabi looked at each of them in turn. "There’s no guarantee everytime, we will face a fool team like that. We need to be ready for anything."

Zen nodded. "We’ve come this far. No point in holding back now."

After that ,they found a secure clearing to rest. The fire they built was small, its light barely cutting through the oppressive darkness of the jungle.

As they ate, their conversation turned to the challenges ahead.

"We’re not just fighting for ourselves," Althea said softly.

Dabi allowed himself a small smile. "Rest up. Tomorrow, we push forward. The next artifact is ours."

Before dawn, a messenger arrived—a small, mechanical bird that landed near their fire. It carried a message from Headmaster Raghnall.

Dabi unfolded the note and read it aloud. "The central point has been activated. Teams are now converging. Be prepared for anything."

The team exchanged determined looks. They were ready.

As they packed up their camp and prepared to move out, the jungle seemed to hum with anticipation. The Crimson Expanse was alive with challenges, and Dabi’s team was ready to face them all.

Their journey was far from over, but their bond had never been stronger. Together, they would carve a path through the chaos and emerge victorious.

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