Episode 5: Anatomy of a Nightmare

5:55 AM.

The Sub-Level 3 Classroom smelled of camphor and formalin preservatives. This room looked more like a hospital morgue than an academy classroom. Long stainless steel tables were lined up neatly, complete with blood drainage trenches underneath.

The twelve remaining students from last night's test sat tensely. Dark bags lined their eyes; they clearly hadn't been able to sleep after nearly losing their minds to the Troll Heart.

Arkan sat in the very back row, leaning back calmly. His left hand, which last night felt like it was absorbing pure energy, had now returned to normal, only he felt much fitter than usual. The aching pain in his shoulders was completely gone.

At exactly 6:00 AM, the steel classroom door slid open.

Vance walked in. The man was already holding a cup of black coffee in one hand, while his other hand dragged a thick canvas sack that left a trail of thick, purplish fluid on the classroom floor.

Thud.

Vance threw the sack onto the main dissection table at the front of the class.

"Good morning, future corpses," Vance greeted flatly, setting down his coffee. "Today we won't be discussing the history of Gates. We'll be discussing how to keep you from dying instantly when you step inside one."

Vance pulled the bottom of the sack, dumping its contents onto the steel table.

The carcass of a creature the size of a large breed dog lay there. Its skin was pale gray, eyeless, with a mouth full of jagged, razor-sharp teeth. Its forelimbs were too long, ending in curved, scythe-like claws.

Several students held their breath. A foul stench immediately filled the room.

"This is a Blind Stalker," Vance tapped the table with his iron cane. "A monster inhabiting D-Rank Gates. Fast, agile, and likes to go for the neck. Now, a question for those of you who think you're smart: where is this creature's Mana Core located, and what's the fastest way to kill it?"

Silence fell over the class. A curly-haired student in the front row raised his hand hesitantly. "In... its heart, Sir? Do we have to stab its heart?"

Vance stared at the student as if he were looking at trash.

"You pierce its heart," Vance said coldly, "and this creature will thrash around with its remaining nerve reflexes, then rip your intestines out before it actually dies. Furthermore, the blood from its heart is highly acidic. If your cheap sword gets splashed by it, your weapon will rust to dust in three seconds."

Vance sighed, looking disappointed. "Anyone else?"

In the back corner, a chair squeaked softly. Arkan crossed his arms on the desk.

"The gap beneath the back neck bone plate, third vertebra," Arkan's voice broke the silence, flat and unhesitating.

Every head, including Vance's, turned toward him.

Arkan continued, his eyes staring intently at the carcass. "They're blind, so their hearing is incredibly sharp. Their ear bone structure is connected directly to their spinal cord. Thrust your combat knife exactly at the third vertebra at a forty-five-degree upward angle. You'll sever its motor nervous system instantly. The creature will be paralyzed without even having the chance to thrash."

Arkan tilted his head slightly. "And as for its Mana Core... it's not in the chest. It's at the base of its throat, wrapped in a venom gland sac. You have to dissect it from beneath the jaw carefully if you don't want to destroy the Core's market value."

The room was dead silent. The students stared at Arkan with their mouths half-open. Details like that weren't in any public guidebook. That was pure knowledge born from practical slaughter.

Vance fell silent for a few seconds, staring at Arkan's face. The scarred man slowly raised his coffee cup and took a sip.

The same predatory smile from last night returned to grace Vance's face.

"Impressive," Vance muttered. He glared across the class. "Hear that, you idiots? If you don't want to die, write down exactly what this street rat just said. Because that is the only way you'll survive the field practicum the day after tomorrow."

Arkan didn't smile. He knew, by showing off his knowledge like this, he had just put himself directly onto Vance's dangerous surveillance radar.

---

Author's Note:

Arkan just couldn't resist showing off his street smarts! 🤣 But was catching Instructor Vance's attention really a good idea? Wait for the continuation in the next episode! Don't forget to add this to your library!

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