The following day, the air was thick with anticipation as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon. Ling Li, ever the strategist, canceled their usual foreign language lesson. Today, the trainees needed every moment to prepare in the magic array. This was the last day of their training, the final test before they faced real demonic beasts.

At sunrise, the trainees assembled at the entrance of the magic array, the air buzzing with unspoken tension. Ling Li stood alongside Shi Min, both radiating a calm authority.

"Remember, you will be facing second-level demonic beasts today. Learn as much as you can. This is your last day of training. Tomorrow, you will be facing the real beasts," Ling Li's voice was steady, a mixture of encouragement and warning.

"Little Jack, I will put you as the overall leader of your group," Shi Min added, his eyes twinkling with pride.

Jack's face turned a deep shade of crimson at the nickname. At six feet four inches, with muscles that spoke of countless hours of training, the name felt like an irony. 'Am I still so little in his eyes?' he wondered, his thoughts a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"Could you stop embarrassing Jack by calling him Little Jack?" Ling Li chided, her voice filled with a rare hint of warmth.

"Ha ha, he will always be my Little Jack," Shi Min replied, his laughter rich with affection. He had watched Jack grow from a determined child into a formidable Class A soldier, and the nickname was an endearing reminder of that journey.

Jack, caught between laughter and gratitude, flashed a smile that showed off his perfect white teeth. "Thank you, Grand Master. I will do my best to lead," he said, his voice ringing with sincerity and determination.

"Good, you may go in," Shi Min announced, his tone signaling the start of their final test.

With a nod of resolve, the trainees stepped into the magic array, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. They were united by their training and the bonds they had forged. The day promised trials that would push them to their limits, but they were ready to prove their worth.

The trainees were stunned as they stepped inside the array, greeted by a colossal demonic lion with a serpent tail, a snakehead swaying ominously on its back. The sight was both mesmerizing and terrifying, an unholy hybrid of ferocity.

"Spread out!" Jack's voice cut through the initial shock, rallying them into action. "Don't get entangled with the tail."

As if on cue, the serpent-tail lashed out, slamming into the ground with such force that the earth fractured beneath them, sending them all airborne.

Thud... thud... thud. They landed in a chaotic, disheveled heap.

"Damn!"

"What the hell!"

"Shit!"

"Focus! Don't get yourself too near. I think it can breathe fire!" someone yelled, their voice tinged with panic.

The demonic lion's tail rose again, poised for another strike.

"Look out!!!"

SLAM!!!

Once more, the tail hit the ground, and they were thrown into the air like ragdolls.

"Damn!"

"Fuck!"

Jack quickly strategized. "Let's try to split into two; others use arrows while we use our swords. Let us focus on one target—its head."

They nodded in agreement, steeling themselves for the attack.

"How do we attack with our swords? You mean we go near that thing?" someone questioned.

"Yes, attack from the side; don't go head-on! Unless you want to be barbecued."

"Ready? Let's go!"

They launched their assault. One arrow found its mark, striking the demonic lion's eye. The beast roared in agony, its serpent tail thrashing wildly and sending them flying once again.

The demonic lion's relentless thrashing sent their comrades flying out of the magic array. Three of them reappeared outside with Ling Li and Shi Min.

"Go back!" Ling Li's voice rang out, leaving no room for hesitation.

The three trainees, stunned but obedient, re-entered the array, immediately faced with the chaos of their comrades battling the giant demonic lion. One of them muttered, "If these were real demonic beasts, we'd be dead already."

They quickly regrouped. "Why don't we try to deal with its tail first since it's attacking us?" one suggested.

"Let's try it; we can use our swords. Give your best shot!" Jack directed.

"Two of you distract the lion. Don't get bitten by the snake!"

With a collective breath, they prepared to attack. "Ready? At go, we attack!"

"Ready," they replied in unison.

The demonic lion, lifting its tail for another strike, was met with a barrage of attacks. The serpent-tail hissed and swayed, bleeding from multiple wounds as it tried to shake them off. The beast roared, exhaling scalding steam from its mouth.

"Shit! It's scorching hot!" someone cried out.

"Steam burns are worse than fire!" another added, grimacing.

Despite the heat, they pressed on, hacking at the tail until it was severed. The lion roared in pain, releasing more steam, but its movements were visibly slowed. Jack and his team readied themselves for the final assault.

"Let's do it again! Make sure not to get hit by the tail," Jack instructed.

"We hurt the beast! Let's do it again! Make sure not to get hit by the tail."

The giant demonic lion was about to raise its tail again when the twenty-six men started to attack. The demonic lion roared and exhaled scalding steam from its mouth. Trying to lift its tail, it seemed hurt and swayed its tail sideways instead; it was bleeding profusely from the team's strikes. Now, the snake is eyeing them with its fangs showing.

The group retreated back, watching its movement.

"Don't get roasted!"

"We hurt the beast! Let's do it again! Make sure not to get hit by the tail."

"Ready? At go… Let's go!"

Once again, the whole group attacked the giant demonic dragon snake tail. The demonic lion's tail was cut off. This time, it roared and exhaled an even greater amount of steam.

"Shit! It is scalding hot!"

But the cut tail seemed to have its own life and swayed toward getting ready to bite while the lion started to pounce on them as well.

"Split into two! Bows and arrows!" Jack yelled.

"Shoot!!!" Twenty-eight men started their attacks with their bows and arrows; half were fighting the giant demonic lion, while the other half were fighting the snake tail.

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