Three individuals stand in front of us. In the middle, the adult, targeting Jenna, of average height and build, is wearing a turban and a veil with brown eyes.

  To his right stands a young girl with a broad smile and hair that has a gradient of colors. Her iris surrounds the concentric circles of her yellow pupil. Despite her young age, she is several inches taller than us.

  Finally, opposite me, another adult with a very imposing build. Tall, sturdy, with short golden hair and a confident smile. None of them are wearing armbands. They are all Recluses, and the big guy is probably their leader.

  _ Ayden: “ What the hell is this?? Damn it, we've never been alone! ”

  The girl takes a few steps forward, then turns around.

  _ Person 2: “ Seriously, Pico, how did you manage to mess up? ”

  _ Pico: “ Don't make me repeat myself, Edna. ”

  She shrugs her shoulders.

  _ Edna: “ Well, whatever. They're screwed anyway. ”

  Some of the orphans grit their teeth.

  _ Son: “ Those bastards, they really plan to smoke us out! ”

  She turns around again and watches us closely.

  _ Edna: “ Hey, look! They're wearing armbands. They're villagers! ”

  _ Person 3: “ Look closely, their armbands aren't green. ”

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  _ Edna: “ Oh! You're right! They're brown. ”

  _ Pico: “ They're from another Zone. What the hell are they doing here? ”

  _ Edna: “ It doesn't matter why they're here. They're on our territory. And also… ”

  _ Kaya: “ You talk a lot. ”

  Every eye turns toward her, surprised by her sudden remark. Offended by her twin's condescending tone, Edna glares at her with an icy stare.

  _ Edna: “ Huh? I thought I heard wrong. ”

  _ Kaya: “ I said, you talk too much. Shut up and fight. ”

  _ Kona: “ What an idiot! Why is she provoking her opponent?? ”

  The anger and tone of voice gradually rise.

  _ Edna: “ You insolent little girl! I'll eliminate you first! ”

  Inflamed by Kaya's provocation, she rushes towards her at breakneck speed. She leaps several meters, lunging forward to deliver a sharp punch. With a fluid movement, Kaya dodges, taking two steps back. Without pause, Edna continues her offensive. A barrage of punches and kicks rains down on her prey.

  _ Shailly: “ Kaya! ”

  Shailly is about to help the twins when a sudden attack comes her way.

  _ Hazel: “ Shailly, watch out!! ”

  With a quick, instinctive movement, Ma?ko pushes Shailly, sending her to the ground just in time. Regaining her composure, she stands up.

  _ Shailly: “ Thank you. ”

  Ma?ko's gaze hardened, her voice tinged with dark determination.

  _ Ma?ko: “ You'll thank me when we're all out of this mess. ”

  _ Pico: “ Exactly. Never take your eyes off your opponent, kid. ”

  As a spectator of the chaotic battlefield, I remain calm, my mind focused on finding a way out.

  _ Person 3: “ Hey, kids. ”

  But quickly interrupted by the last Reclu.

  _ Person 3: “ You're looking at your comrades a lot, even though your opponent is right in front of you. ”

  Son, Jenna, and I are stuck, much to our regret. Still wearing a very confident smile, he continues.

  _ Person 3: “ Oh, but come to think of it, I haven't even introduced myself. ”

  As we watch in amazement, he takes off his red T-shirt and gradually transforms.

  _ Son: “ Oh, oh, hey, hey, hey... Seriously?? ”

  The individual's body becomes more fluid, his limbs and entire torso covered in iridescent blue scales with yellow stripes. He is 10 cm taller and has a longer, rather pointed nose. As an added bonus, two small blades protrude from his forearms.

  _ Ayden: “ He's unclassifiable! ”

  A shiver of fear runs through us as we observe a marine chimera with a humanoid body and animal-like appearance.

  _ Person 3: “ I am Memba, the leader. And your journey ends here. ”