Seo-yeon's lightning comes alive, not in wild arcs but in precise strikes. The electricity dances between her fingers like living threads as she aims. My ability processes the unfolding strategy:
[Basic Information Sight]
Current Access: 3.4%
Status: Combat Analysis
Note: Multiple target tracking
"Left side clear!" she shouts. Her lightning cuts through two creatures, the precision of her attacks forcing them to dodge exactly where Min-ji's purple flames wait.
The creatures shriek as they burn, their liquid metal forms unable to regenerate through the altered fire. My ability's processing speed kicks up another notch, tracking every movement:
[Basic Information Sight]
Current Access: 3.4% → 3.5%
Status: Enhanced Processing
Note: Combat clarity increasing
The rate of improvement startles me – like my ability is desperately trying to keep up with the chaos. No time to analyze it though; the battle demands full attention.
"Wind barrier, three o'clock!" I call out, spotting three creatures trying to flank. Ji-ho responds instantly, his remaining strength focusing into a precise blade of air that cuts through their attempt.
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Human
Name: Kang Ji-ho
Threat Level: B
Status: Second Wind
Distance: 2m
Basic Traits: Wind Control
Current Action: Precision Strike
Warning: Final Reserves
Sung-min plays his part perfectly, making a show of gathering his enhanced strength. The creatures respond exactly as predicted, their forms merging into larger masses to block his apparent charge. They don't notice Min-ji's flames slowly encircling their position.
"Eight minutes," the Scholar announces, adjusting its glasses. "Though I must say, the sudden display of coordination is... academically interesting."
The creature-mass surges forward, expecting Sung-min's frontal assault. Instead, he drops and rolls as Seo-yeon's lightning and Min-ji's flames cross above him, creating a brief corridor through the chaos. My ability captures every detail:
[Basic Information Sight]
Current Access: 3.5% → 3.6%
Status: Tactical Analysis
Note: Pattern recognition maximized
"Professor Lee, now!" I shout, seeing the perfect moment. His mental enhancement might be drained, but his timing is perfect. He throws a piece of transformed wall through the corridor, drawing every creature's attention for one crucial second.
The safe zone pulses behind their defense, its entrance barely visible through the mass of twisted forms and liquid metal. We have one shot at this.
"Everyone, move!" Seo-yeon commands. We fall into position instinctively after fighting together through the maze. Sung-min and Ji-ho take point, strength and wind complementing each other. Min-ji and Seo-yeon flank them, fire and lightning ready. Professor Lee and I stay centered, where my ability can track incoming threats.
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Modified Human
Name: None Registered
Threat Level: S (Combined)
Status: Final Defense
Distance: 10m
Basic Traits: Mass Merger
Current Action: Total Block
Warning: ALL OR NOTHING
The Scholar leans forward slightly, its perfect posture showing the first hint of genuine interest. "Seven minutes. Show me if you've actually learned anything."
Everything happens at once.
Everything explodes into motion. Sung-min charges forward, his enhanced strength turning transformed floor tiles into projectiles. Ji-ho's wind curves around him, turning the debris into a storm of shrapnel. The creature-mass shifts to block, exactly as we need it to.
[Basic Information Sight]
Current Access: 3.6%
Status: Combat Analysis
Note: Tracking multiple targets
"Left side weakening!" I call out, spotting a gap in their defense. Seo-yeon's lightning strikes instantly, precise and deadly. Three smaller creatures dissolve into ash. My ability updates faster, the information becoming clearer with each exchange:
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Modified Human
Name: None Registered
Threat Level: S
Status: Defensive Shift
Distance: 8m
Basic Traits: Mass Adaptation
Current Action: Reforming
Warning: New Pattern
The creature-mass ripples, trying to close the gap. Min-ji's purple flames catch them mid-movement, the fire burning through their liquid metal forms. They can't regenerate fast enough. The path to the safe zone clears for a precious second.
"Six minutes," the Scholar announces. "Though time might be less relevant than your immediate survival."
More creatures pour from the walls, smaller but faster. My head pounds as the information floods in:
[Basic Information Sight]
Current Access: 3.6% → 3.7%
Status: Threat Assessment
Note: Processing speed increasing
"Don't let them surround us!" Seo-yeon shouts, her lightning creating a barrier behind us. The electricity seems to sing through the air, her desperation giving it new strength. Ji-ho's wind keeps our flanks clear, each gust precisely timed despite his injury.
Professor Lee stumbles. Sung-min catches him without looking, his enhanced reflexes making the movement fluid. "The safe zone's barrier," Lee manages between breaths, "it's fluctuating. We need to time this perfectly."
He's right. The purple energy field protecting the safe zone pulses with a rhythm. I can't scan it directly – my ability only works on living entities – but I can track how the creatures react to each pulse.
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Modified Human
Name: None Registered
Threat Level: S
Status: Defensive Pattern
Distance: 15m
Basic Traits: Barrier Avoidance
Current Action: Timed Movement
Warning: Synchronized Behavior
"They're backing away every thirty seconds," I say, watching the creatures' movements. "The barrier must be strongest just after they retreat."
The creature-mass realizes our plan. They start merging again, becoming something bigger, deadlier. Their liquid metal forms flow together like mercury, creating a wall of twisted flesh and purple veins between us and safety.
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Modified Human
Name: None Registered
Threat Level: S+
Status: Final Form
Distance: 12m
Basic Traits: Complete Merger
Current Action: Total Block
Warning: MAXIMUM THREAT
"Five minutes," the Scholar notes. "And do mind the rather interesting transformation occurring behind you."
The walls of the maze have started to move, folding inward like a closing fist. We're running out of space as quickly as we're running out of time.
One chance. One gap between the creatures' retreat. One final push through a living wall of nightmares.
"Get ready," I say, watching the creatures' movements. "Next retreat in ten seconds."
[Basic Information Sight]
Current Access: 3.7%
Status: Combat Analysis
Note: Pattern prediction active
The creature-mass pulses, its combined form rippling with anticipation. Behind us, more shapes emerge from the closing walls. My ability tracks both threats:
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Modified Human
Name: None Registered
Threat Level: S+
Status: Attack Ready
Distance: 12m
Basic Traits: Mass Formation
Current Action: Preparing Strike
Warning: LETHAL INTENT
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Modified Human
Name: None Registered
Threat Level: A
Status: Multiple
Distance: 20m
Basic Traits: Wall Integration
Current Action: Surrounding
Warning: Cutting Retreat
"Three seconds!" The creatures start their synchronized movement. "Now!"
Seo-yeon's lightning erupts, not in attacks but in a blinding flash. In the same instant, Min-ji's purple flames create a wall behind us. Ji-ho's wind howls, lifting us forward as Sung-min charges, Professor Lee secured in one arm.
My head feels like it's splitting as information floods in about every moving threat:
[Basic Information Sight]
Current Access: 3.7% → 3.8%
Status: Maximum Processing
Note: Multiple target tracking
The creature-mass tries to reform, but they're caught in their own retreat pattern. Their liquid metal forms scatter, unable to maintain cohesion during their programmed withdrawal. We hit their line as they're still separated.
"Four minutes," the Scholar's voice carries a hint of genuine interest. "Perhaps there's hope for this class after all."
Sung-min plows through three smaller creatures, his enhanced strength scattering their forms. Seo-yeon's lightning picks off two more trying to flank us. Min-ji's flames keep the wall-creatures at bay while Ji-ho's wind clears the path ahead.
We're going to make it. We're actually going to—
The Scholar snaps its book shut.
"Time for your final exam."
Something rises from the ground between us and the safe zone. Something that makes every creature retreat in genuine fear. My ability struggles to process what I'm seeing:
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Modified Human
Name: None Registered
Threat Level: SS
Status: Teacher's Pet
Distance: 5m
Basic Traits: Pure Evolution
Current Action: Final Test
Warning: RUN
The real test begins now.