In the bustling streets of the advanced capital, specifically at the main council headquarters, there was constant movement within the spacious halls. Employees moved back and forth between electronic display screens, each deeply engrossed in their work with precision and focus. Some were busy programming complex systems, while others were refining the design of the mazes and preparing locations for the competition, racing against time to ensure every detail was perfect. Every corner and every screen reflected part of this world full of secrets, where creativity met technology, as everyone awaited the moment for the highly anticipated challenge to begin.
The "Emperor's Shadows" competition was exclusively managed by the Ministries of Defense and Interior; no one outside these institutions was allowed to approach it. Every four years, only one individual was selected to earn this enigmatic title, gaining a place in the secretive Shadows Unit — those whose faces were never known and whose voices were never heard. The winner received neither fame nor fortune, but instead vanished from the public eye, erased from all records, beginning a new life in the shadows where secrets and mysteries converged in service of the Emperor.
The loud sound of the commanders' whistles filled the air at the Tsugomori Military Base, signaling the start of the morning drill. The first-year soldiers gathered swiftly and orderly, standing in perfect formation in the middle of the vast courtyard. The air was thick with anticipation as they quickly moved into their designated positions, each knowing their exact role in this rigorous military system.
At the beginning of one of the rows stood a young woman in her twenties. Her features were sharp, her gaze cold, standing tall with disciplined posture. The commander approached her and said in a firm voice, "You there, soldier! State your name!"
The woman saluted the commander and replied in a strict, serious tone, "My name is Saki, from the Kojin group of the Fifth Regiment, first-year, sir!"
The commander responded with a questioning tone, "Kojin group? You must have some unique qualities." He extended his hand toward the military tag on her shirt, reading her full name and serial number. His eyes widened slightly as he examined the tag, then he said with a curious tone, "So you're Saki, the daughter of the former Air Force commander?"
Saki replied confidently, "Yes, sir." The commander looked at her closely, examining her features with interest, before shifting his focus back to the rest of the soldiers, saying in a quiet tone, "Interesting."
The commander's stern expression returned as he focused on the soldiers again. Saki caught a fleeting look of sadness in her eyes as memories of her father unexpectedly surfaced. She shook her head gently, trying to push away those painful memories threatening to invade her mind once more. She refocused her attention on the courtyard, ready for whatever lay ahead.
The massive electronic screens in the courtyard turned on, announcing the beginning of the "Emperor's Shadows Game." The commander raised his rough voice and said firmly, "As you know, every four years, a competition is held to earn the title of 'Emperor's Shadow,' which grants you a place in the Shadows Unit. Of course, I don't need to explain who they are; you are all well aware."
"The winner of this competition will not gain fame or wealth but will have the honor of joining the Shadows Unit, tasked with performing secret missions — even those that concern the Emperor himself."
Saki's eyes began to shine, her body already flooding with adrenaline. She whispered to herself, "This is your ultimate goal, Saki. You have to win… for your father." Her features grew intense, more focused, watching every move the commanders made, every word that came from their mouths, and every detail that might be useful in the future.
The commander continued, "You will be divided into four groups, each led by a commander who will supervise you. At the start of the game, you will form one team, working together to overcome the trials, but during this process, we will evaluate your scores based on intelligence, physical abilities, quick decision-making under pressure, and how you interact with your comrades here at the base. Those who achieve the highest scores will advance to the next phase, and you may only use your abilities under specific conditions. Using them outside the base's boundaries is strictly prohibited for any reason, even if the kingdom is ablaze! Do you understand?"
All the soldiers responded in unison and with firm voices: "Yes, sir!"
The commander said confidently, "Excellent. Now, you will be assigned to groups consisting of seven members each."
Four more commanders emerged from the hall, taking their places before the soldiers, positioned in the middle of the courtyard. One of the commanders approached her, his dark brown eyes and disheveled black hair immediately drawing her attention, along with the tattoo on his neck, which he wore openly without concern.
He stepped forward and said, "You're Saki, right?"
She replied calmly, "Yes, sir."
He smiled slightly and added, "Good. You're in my squad."
He gestured for her and the other six soldiers to follow, and they fell into step behind him, moving steadily toward an unknown destination. Saki's eyes scanned cautiously and inquisitively, trying to absorb every corner of this new place they'd entered, where the tall walls and surrounding equipment whispered with mystery and intensity, as if hinting that what lay ahead would not be easy.
Her gaze shifted to the young commander walking ahead of them, with his confident stride, broad shoulders, and the clear authority in his presence. Saki muttered to herself, "He must be a legend. How did he reach the rank of commander at such a young age?" Her thoughts were interrupted as they reached their destination.
They stopped in a vast hall surrounded by thick walls that gave the place an aura of strength and prestige. To the right was a large, fully equipped wrestling arena, and on the left were heavy boxing bags lined up. In front of them, various physical training equipment was scattered around, suggesting that this place was dedicated to preparing soldiers at the highest level.
Saki's eyes sparkled with excitement as she took in the military training hall. The sound of soldiers' footsteps filled the space, while the scent of sweat and hard work hung in the air. She felt a renewed passion surge through her, as if every corner of this place was calling her to test her strength and ability. Deep down, there was a feeling of fierce determination. She was certain that she would prove to everyone, and to herself most of all, that she was capable of achieving the impossible. Time might not be on her side, but her resolve was stronger than any obstacle.
Her focus was fixed on every movement and detail in the hall. Soldiers around her were training, some lifting weights, others sprinting on treadmills. Saki could feel the power flowing through her veins, and her anxiety about the future began to fade bit by bit. But she knew that reaching the top required more than just physical strength. She would have to prove her endurance, both mentally and physically. This wasn't just the beginning of a workout; it was the start of a real, personal challenge. There was no room for error or retreat.
The commander called her in a firm voice, "Saki, come here."
She approached the commander with steady steps, though her heart was beating rapidly, but she tried to mask her nerves. She sensed from the way he was watching her that he had been observing her since the training began.
"Do you think you're ready for the next challenge?" he asked her seriously, his eyes focused intently on her.
She replied in a determined tone, attempting to keep her composure, "Yes, sir. I'm ready."
He nodded, then said, "The exercises you'll undergo today are a true test of your endurance. This time it won't be like what you're used to; there will be surprises, and you'll need to be prepared for them."
He didn't say more, but his look alone was enough to make her feel the weight of responsibility. He knew she was under pressure, but he wanted to push her to her absolute limits.
Saki swallowed, nodding again. "I won't let you down, sir."
Then the commander ordered, "Start immediately. Don't waste a second."
This time, the training was unlike anything Saki had experienced before. Rather than focusing solely on physical strength, there was a greater challenge involving intelligence and the ability to adapt to unpredictable situations. The hall contained multiple stations, each with a task requiring different skills: quick thinking, endurance, and coordination between mind and body.
As Saki moved toward the first station, her tension began to build. She knew every step could be crucial in determining whether she would pass this training or not. But that inner fire that never ran dry was burning within her, pushing her to continue despite all obstacles.
There was no time for hesitation, and in that moment, she realized the exercise wasn't just a test of her strength but a test of her fighting spirit and her ability to face the unknown with courage.
This challenge was the first step toward qualifying for the "Emperor's Shadow" competition, so failure was not an option. The competition had been a dream that had long haunted her, an irreplaceable opportunity to prove herself in front of everyone. She knew that failure here would shatter every hope of achieving her goal, and there would be no second chance if she backed down now.
With each step, the sounds around her began to fade, becoming a thick silence that filled her mind. She focused on the next task ahead, closing her eyes to everything but the goal she was pursuing.
"No room for error," she whispered to herself, "I'm here to win"