Dawn was still a whisper on the horizon when he was pulled awake by a sharp jab to his ribs. His eyes snapped open to find Mira standing over him, arms crossed, a smirk playing at her lips. "Up. Now."
Groaning, he forced himself to sit. His body ached from the previous day's training, every muscle screaming in protest. But there was no room for weakness. Not here. Not if he wanted to survive.
Callen stood near the door, tossing a small sack toward him. "Eat first. Then we run."
"Run?" His voice was hoarse from exhaustion.
Mira rolled her eyes. "You think fights are just about throwing punches? If you can't outlast your opponent, you lose."
Finn, still wrapped in his blanket near the embers, muttered, "Rather you than me."
With a sigh, he tore open the sack. Inside was a piece of tough bread and some dried meat. He ate quickly, ignoring the bland taste. Then, without another word, he followed them out into the empty streets of Black Hollow.
They ran. Not a leisurely jog, not a simple warm-up—this was relentless, punishing. Callen led the way, setting a brutal pace through the twisting alleyways, over uneven cobblestone streets, past waking merchants setting up their stalls. The cold morning air burned in his lungs, his legs protesting with every step.
[Adaptive Growth: Stamina Slightly Increased]
By the time they reached the outskirts, he was gasping for air. His body felt like lead, his vision blurred at the edges. He braced his hands on his knees, struggling to stay upright.
Mira barely looked winded. "Not good enough."
He forced himself to straighten, his breath ragged. "Again."
Callen chuckled, slapping him on the back. "Now you're getting it."
The rest of the day followed the same brutal rhythm. Sprints, push-ups, carrying sacks of grain up uneven steps. They drilled him mercilessly, breaking him down piece by piece.
By midday, his arms felt like dead weight, his legs refusing to obey. He collapsed onto the dirt, sweat-soaked and exhausted. The idea of standing seemed impossible.
Mira knelt beside him. "You're hitting your breaking point. That's good."
He could barely lift his head. "Good?"
She smirked. "It means you're about to get stronger."
[Adaptive Growth: Physical Endurance Slightly Increased]
He closed his eyes, focusing on steadying his breath. He wanted to quit. His body begged him to stop. But he couldn't afford to. He had come too far to give in now.
That night, as they returned to the hideout, he barely had the strength to sit up. Finn tossed him a waterskin. "Thought you were dead for a minute."
"Not yet," he muttered, drinking deeply.
Callen grinned. "Good. Because tomorrow, we start real sparring."
His stomach twisted, but he only nodded. He had survived another day. And tomorrow, he would fight.
[Quest Updated: Rise Through the Ranks – Training Nears Completion]