Chapter 16: A New Path Forward

  The city outside the hideout was a maze of broken infrastructure, scattered debris, and fragmented memories of what had once been a thriving metropolis. The air was thick with the scent of rust, dampness, and the faintest hint of ozone. Jin stood at the edge of the makeshift balcony, his eyes scanning the horizon. The world had fallen apart in so many ways, and now, he was just another lost soul trying to survive.

  But he couldn’t remain lost forever.

  “How do you feel?” Kael’s voice came from behind him, her tone calm, almost knowing. She had that way of asking questions that made Jin feel like she already knew the answer.

  Jin turned, meeting her gaze. “I don’t know… I feel like I’m stuck. Like I’m in over my head. The Cipher Breaker—this key to Layer 12—it feels like it’s more of a curse than a blessing.”

  Kael raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. She simply waited for him to continue.

  “I’m not strong enough for this,” Jin admitted, his voice lower than usual. “I don’t know enough about the world, about how to fight. About… any of this.”

  “You’re right,” Kael replied, matter-of-factly. “But that’s why you’re here. You want to get stronger, to survive, and to do more than just exist in this broken world. But strength—real strength—isn’t just about power. It’s about knowledge, decision-making, and adaptability.”

  Jin ran a hand through his hair. He had always considered himself capable, but now, surrounded by people like Kael and Felix, he was starting to realize just how little he knew. His skills in the real world hadn’t prepared him for the chaos that had erupted around him.

  “I don’t even know where to start,” Jin confessed.

  Kael studied him for a moment, as if deciding whether to push him further or give him some space. “I know someone who can help you with that. But you have to be willing to put in the work.”

  Jin looked up at her, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. “Who?”

  “Felix,” she said, nodding toward the man who had been silently observing them from the corner. Felix, who had kept to himself for the most part, now straightened up as if on cue.

  “Training?” Felix said, the word sounding strange coming from him. “I don’t train people. But I know people who do. And I’ve been around long enough to know what it takes to survive in this world.”

  Jin was skeptical. Felix didn’t seem like the type who would take on a project like this. But Kael’s nodding affirmation convinced him to hear Felix out.

  “Survival isn’t just about fighting,” Felix continued. “It’s about learning when to fight, when to hide, and when to make a deal. And if you want to make it in this world, you need to learn all three.”

  Jin considered this, then asked, “So, where do we start?”

  Felix’s lips curled into a half-smile. “I’m not a teacher, but I know someone who can train you in the ways of combat. I can teach you the basics of street survival, but you’ll need more than that. If you want to climb the dder of this world, you’ll need to understand the factions, the economy, and how to manipute the network.”

  Jin nodded slowly. “Alright, I’m in. What’s next?”

  Kael stepped forward, a rare, approving look in her eyes. “There’s a training ground not far from here. Felix will take you there. If you can handle the basics, we’ll talk about the next step.”

  Felix stood, stretching his arms and checking his gear. “Follow me.”

  The journey to the training ground was brief, but Jin couldn’t help but feel a tinge of anxiety. He had trained before, but that had been in a controlled environment. Here, the stakes were real. One wrong move could cost him his life.

  When they arrived at the training ground, Jin’s eyes widened at the sight of the facility. It wasn’t much—just a few sparse structures and makeshift equipment—but the air hummed with the energy of battle. A few others were there, practicing sparring or honing their skills, each one seeming more skilled than the st.

  “Alright,” Felix said, cpping Jin on the shoulder. “I’m not here to hold your hand. I’ll give you the basics, but the rest is up to you. You learn quickly, and you survive. You don’t… and you die. Simple as that.”

  Jin felt a cold shiver run down his spine, but he squared his shoulders. He wasn’t here to fail. Not after everything that had brought him this far.

  Over the next few hours, Jin was thrown into a grueling series of drills. Felix had him working on both physical endurance and mental exercises, constantly pushing him to go beyond his limits. The physical training was brutal, but Jin found that it wasn’t just his body that was being tested—it was his mind.

  Felix expined the importance of situational awareness, the ability to read people and situations, and the harsh realities of surviving in a fractured world. There were no rules, no mercy.

  By the end of the day, Jin was exhausted—physically drained and mentally taxed. He y on the floor of the training ground, his chest rising and falling with each breath.

  “You’ve got potential,” Felix said, standing over him. “But you’ve only scratched the surface. The world out there doesn’t care about your potential. It’ll eat you alive if you’re not careful.”

  Jin nodded slowly. He had a long way to go, but for the first time since stepping into Echelon, he felt like he was on the right path.

  As they walked back to the hideout, Jin’s mind raced. This was just the beginning. He would need more than just strength to survive in this world. But with the right training and the right mindset, he could become someone who could change the tide.

  “Thanks, Felix,” Jin said quietly. “I won’t forget this.”

  Felix just grunted, his gaze distant. “You’ll have plenty of chances to prove yourself.”

  Jin didn’t respond. He had a lot of proving to do.