Martian Archer

The atmosphere in the academy's staging area was thick with tension. Students checked their gear one last time, making final adjustments before heading into the exam zone.

Leon tightened the strap on his quiver, still unsettled by his earlier conversation with Goro and Rei. No matter how much he tried to warn them, they wouldn't listen.

"If no one else will believe me… I'll have to find the truth myself."

A sharp whistle broke him from his thoughts.

"Leon! Over here!"

Hugo approached, carrying something wrapped in cloth. He smirked as he handed it over.

"Figured you'd appreciate a little upgrade."

Leon unwrapped it, revealing his bow—only now, it looked slightly modified.

"What did you do?"

Hugo crossed his arms.

"Relax. It's nothing crazy. Just a shock absorber and a stability enhancer. You'll have better control when firing at high speeds."

Leon ran his fingers along the bow's grip. The weight distribution felt better—smoother.

"Thanks, Hugo. I owe you one."

Hugo grinned.

"You can pay me back by surviving."

As Leon adjusted to the bow's modifications, his gaze flickered toward Goro and Rei.

Something was off.

Their weapons looked… different.

Goro's shield, which had previously been a standard issue for tankers, was now bulkier, with an unfamiliar symbol etched into the metal. Rei's sword had a sleeker design, almost too advanced for a student test.

Leon narrowed his eyes.

"Where did they get those?"

He stepped closer.

"Goro. What's with the new shield?"

Goro looked at it proudly.

"Klein hooked us up. Said it was a little 'bonus' for our hard work."

Leon's stomach churned.

"Did he, now?"

He turned to Rei.

"And your sword?"

She didn't look up as she adjusted the blade's grip.

"Same."

Leon clenched his jaw.

Klein had personally given them new weapons—right before the exam?

Something wasn't right.

Before he could press further, the academy loudspeakers flared to life.

"All teams, prepare for deployment."

The exam was about to begin.

Shuttles transported teams into the exam zone, dropping them at random locations.

Leon, Goro, and Rei landed in a rocky forest terrain. Trees loomed overhead, providing natural cover, while jagged cliffs surrounded them from a distance.

"Alright," Goro said, adjusting his shield. "Let's move carefully. We stick together, watch each other's backs."

Leon nodded, keeping an arrow nocked.

The wind rustled through the trees. It was eerily quiet.

Too quiet.

Rei took point, scanning the area with his archery instinct.

Then

A rustle.

A shadow shifting in the distance.

Leon's instincts screamed.

"AMBUSH!"

Suddenly, arrows rained down from above.

Enemy teams emerged from the trees, attacking from multiple angles.

Leon fired a rapid shot, striking one assailant in the shoulder.

"Goro! Shield up!"

Goro slammed his foot down, activating his defensive stance.

The shield hummed

Then

BOOM!

A deafening explosion tore through the air.

Leon barely had time to react before he was thrown backward.

He hit the ground hard, dust filling his lungs.

Through the smoke, he saw

Goro's body crumpled on the ground.

His shield completely shattered.

"No… No, no, no—"

Leon scrambled to his feet, coughing through the debris.

Goro wasn't moving.

Blood pooled beneath him.

Rei had been thrown aside, but Leon had managed to push her away in time. She groaned, dazed but alive.

Leon's breath caught in his throat.

The shield had malfunctioned.

No it had exploded.

"Klein gave him that shield.'

His mind raced.

"This wasn't an accident."

Someone had sabotaged them.

And now

Goro was dead.

The sounds of approaching enemies echoed through the smoke.

Leon's grip tightened on his bow, heart pounding.