The Awakening Of The Shadows
Chapter 43: Unbreakable Determination

Chapter 43: Unbreakable Determination

The sound of light rain pattered against the rusted rooftops of Red Hollow Base, a constant noise blending with the hurried footsteps of soldiers patrolling the area. The flickering floodlights cut through the heavy darkness that spread across the camp.

It had been a few days since Lian began his training with Viktor. The hostile environment, the soldiers’ disdain, and the brutality of the physical exercises had crushed whatever pride he still had when he arrived.

Pain was no longer a novelty. His body was covered in bruises, cuts, and tense muscles that barely allowed him to rest. The scent of blood, sweat, and wet earth had become part of his routine. But he never stopped.

And today would be no different.

"Get up."

Viktor’s rough voice echoed through the training area. The veteran sat on a crate, watching Lian with crossed arms as he struggled to catch his breath.

Lian placed his hands on his knees and took a deep breath, trying to ignore the throbbing pain coursing through his body. His shirt was soaked with sweat and mud, and his muscles screamed for rest.

But that was not an option.

Without another word, Viktor tossed a canteen at Lian, who caught it in midair.

"Drink. You’ll need more strength for today’s training."

Lian took a quick sip of the cold water before pouring the rest over his face, feeling the refreshing shock awaken his senses.

Viktor stood up and pointed toward an open area of the field, where a row of wooden stakes was driven into the ground, marking a combat space. Some soldiers stood around, watching with disinterested expressions.

"Enough endurance training. Now it’s time for something more... practical," Viktor said, picking up a training knife and spinning it between his fingers before tossing it to Lian, who instinctively caught it.

"Let’s see if you can really fight without relying on your sword."

Lian twirled the short blade in his hand, testing its weight. It was light, nothing compared to the brutal heft of Oblivion.

Before he could react, Viktor lunged.

Fast.

Lian barely managed to raise the blade in time to block the first attack. The impact made his hand tingle, and before he could steady his stance, Viktor landed a direct kick to his stomach.

The air was forced from his lungs, and he fell to his knees, gasping.

"Weak."

Lian growled, forcing himself to stand again.

Viktor didn’t wait. With surprising speed, he delivered a series of short, precise strikes. Lian blocked a few, but every clash of the blades sent tremors through his arms.

This wasn’t a simulation.

Viktor wasn’t holding back.

In a swift motion, Viktor grabbed Lian’s wrist and twisted it, forcing him to drop the knife. Before he could react, a punch exploded against his face, sending him to the ground.

This time, he didn’t get up immediately.

The taste of blood spread through his mouth, and his vision blurred for a moment. His body screamed for rest.

But then...

The image of Elios flashed in his mind. The feeling of defeat. Of powerlessness. His fingers dug into the muddy ground.

"I can’t... keep losing."

I won’t lose again.

With a shout, Lian threw himself forward before Viktor could react, grabbing the fallen knife and spinning his body for a direct strike to the veteran’s side.

But Viktor had anticipated it.

With a swift movement, he dodged the attack, grabbed Lian by the shoulder, and threw him to the ground again, pressing the blade against his neck.

Silence settled.

The soldiers around them watched, waiting for the conclusion.

Viktor stared directly into Lian’s eyes.

The boy was exhausted. Wounded. But his eyes... showed no surrender. A small smirk played on the veteran’s lips.

He pulled the knife away from Lian’s neck and took a step back.

"Finally, you’ve started to fight."

Lian remained on the ground for a few seconds, catching his breath. Then Viktor turned to the observing soldiers.

"Tomorrow, he’ll fight against you."

The soldiers exchanged surprised glances before smirking. Lian just took a deep breath, feeling a mix of exhaustion and adrenaline.

In a more secluded part of the base, Lian sat on the ground, looking up at the sky. It was a place he often went to rest. Even though his training was over for the day, the base never truly rested.

Since Lian didn’t yet have the same duties as the soldiers, he took advantage of the time to recover after his training.

"Found you, rookie."

Lian heard a familiar voice and quickly stood up in an upright stance, looking toward the source. It was Argus.

"Relax, rookie, I’m not here to scold you for resting."

Lian eased his rigid posture. He had no pride left to uphold.

"Do you need something from me?" Lian asked, confused as to why Argus had sought him out.

"I just want to ask you one thing... Why don’t you give up? This place wasn’t made for you. Just leave. We need soldiers, not kids." Argus spoke, looking directly into Lian’s eyes with a serious expression.

"Give up."

Lian stared back, unafraid.

"I won’t give up. I don’t care what you say or think. You can keep hitting me, insulting me—you won’t drive me away. Giving up hurts more than this training."

Lian’s eyes were filled with determination, unshaken as he voiced his thoughts to Argus.

Argus suddenly burst into laughter, leaving Lian confused by the unexpected reaction.

"Rookie, I like you a little more now."

Argus placed a hand on Lian’s shoulder and continued.

"This place is literally hell. People here will insult you, humiliate you, do anything to make you give up. Most of them want to see you fall because they see something in you that they don’t have."

Argus turned his back to leave, but before he could walk away, Lian called out.

"What do they see in me?"

"A determination and courage strong enough to endure what they couldn’t. Don’t give up, rookie. It’ll be fun watching you shut them up."