The students had made their way through the chaotic maze of traps, illusions, and deadly robots. By the time they arrived at the Flag Tower, fatigue and frustration had settled in. Kaizen, who had been watching from the safety of the surveillance room, could barely contain his amusement as he observed the students scramble and bicker.
His smile was wicked as he clicked a button on his console, causing the giant screen in the room to flash. It was time to teach them a lesson—or perhaps more accurately, mock them for their failures.
The Flag Tower Challenge
The towering structure was impressive, but the students had no idea what they were walking into. The final leg of the mission involved more than just reaching the flag—it was about surviving the chaos that Kaizen was about to unleash.
By the time Team 1 (Leo, Rika, Jae Eun) arrived at the tower, they were already battered and exhausted. Leo was the first to attempt to scale the flagpole, but he barely made it a few feet before the ground beneath him rumbled.
"Trap!" Rika yelled, her voice barely audible over the hum of the mechanism. The ground cracked, revealing hidden spikes ready to shoot up. Leo scrambled to climb higher, narrowly avoiding them, but he wasn't fast enough. The trap didn't stop there.
From above, a burst of gas descended, filling the air with thick, blinding smoke. Leo's senses were overwhelmed, and the sounds of Kaizen's laughter echoed in his mind.
"This is where your skills are truly tested, misfits," Kaizen's voice boomed over the intercom, dripping with amusement. "Welcome to my final trap."
Team 3's Strategy Breakdown
Meanwhile, Team 3 (Dae-Min, Sori, Do Yoon) had reached the base of the tower, their earlier success giving them a false sense of confidence. They had overcome illusions, dealt with physical traps, and evaded the pressure-point bots, but they weren't prepared for the sudden shift in environment.
The air began to crackle as a dark shadow passed overhead, and a mechanical drone appeared, hovering ominously above them. It wasn't just a standard obstacle; it was an automated target with advanced attack capabilities.
"Scatter!" Dae-Min ordered, but it was too late. The drone's laser beams shot toward them, the sound of its mechanisms whirring ominously.
The students split up, each dodging the beams with varying levels of success. Sori managed to take cover, but Do Yoon wasn't as quick. He was hit, and his body jolted as the energy beam locked onto him.
"Sori, cover me!" Do Yoon yelled, his voice strained as he struggled to get back on his feet.
Sori darted forward, creating a distraction, while Dae-Min used his quick reflexes to disable the drone's targeting system. The team managed to survive, but just barely. Their teamwork was tested under pressure.
Team 2's Illusions Revisited
Team 2 (Byul, Mira, Taemin) arrived next, fully prepared to deal with whatever Kaizen had in store for them. Byul was already analyzing the flag tower, his mind racing for the most efficient way to overcome the challenge.
"We need to be quick," Byul said, glancing at his teammates. "This is probably a trick. Kaizen doesn't play fair."
Mira nodded, her eyes narrowed with determination. "Let's get this over with."
But as soon as they approached the tower, the ground beneath them began to shift, and walls rose from the floor like walls of a maze. They had been led into a trap—a labyrinth of mirrors.
"What the hell is this?" Taemin muttered, his voice tinged with frustration.
Each step they took triggered another mirror, reflecting distorted versions of themselves. The illusions multiplied, making it impossible to tell who was real. It was a psychological nightmare, designed to disorient and confuse.
Byul had dealt with illusions before, but this was something else. The mirrors were alive, shifting and moving as if they had a mind of their own.
"Focus!" Byul shouted. "Don't fall for it!"
He closed his eyes, trying to block out the false reflections, and soon the others followed suit. Together, they managed to break free from the labyrinth, though their minds were left rattled by the experience.
The Final Showdown at the Flag
The students, now battered and bruised, finally reached the heart of the tower. They had learned the hard way that no mission would ever be easy under Kaizen's watch.
But when they arrived at the flag, it wasn't exactly what they expected.
The flag wasn't just hanging there—it was surrounded by mechanical drones that hovered around it, ready to strike at anyone who tried to get close. The final obstacle wasn't just physical; it was a test of timing, strategy, and above all, patience.
The drones began to circle faster, and Kaizen's voice came through the intercom once more.
"You all thought you were done, didn't you? But no, this is where it gets interesting. The drones will continue to increase in number, and I'll be watching to see who can survive and who cracks under the pressure."
Kaizen's Mocking Victory
As the students gathered, ready for their final push, Kaizen appeared on the monitor, his face twisted into a mocking grin.
"Well, well, well. Look at you all. You survived my little game," Kaizen mused, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "But don't get too excited. You've all made it this far, but that doesn't mean you've earned anything yet."
He chuckled darkly, watching them closely.
"Each one of you has failed in your own way. You're slow, predictable, and worst of all—not ruthless enough."
The students exchanged uncomfortable glances, unsure if they were being pranked. Kaizen was clearly enjoying their discomfort.
"Don't worry, you'll learn. Or maybe you won't," he added, his grin widening. "I'm just getting started, misfits. Welcome to my world."
The screen cut off, and the final challenge began.