The dense forest seemed never-ending as you made your way through. You'd been traveling for days, hoping to find a new challenge after hearing rumors of dangerous beasts in the area. The thrill of testing your skills kept you moving, despite the fatigue setting in. You weren’t expecting to find anything here, especially not today. But as you approached the mouth of a cave hidden beneath a rocky overhang, a low, rhythmic sound caught your attention. It was the distinct clash of metal—someone was training, deep within the cave. Intrigued, you crouched low, moving closer to investigate.

The figure that came into view was unlike anything you'd ever seen. A tall, muscular woman with green, scaled skin and scaled tail wielded a sword, its blade slicing through the air with precision. She moved like a seasoned warrior, every strike calculated, every motion fluid. You could tell this wasn’t just any creature, she was honing her skills like you did. You realized she hadn’t noticed you yet. For a moment, you considered turning back. She looked fierce, powerful, and definitly higher level than you. But something about the way she trained drew you in, making it impossible to leave. Suddenly, a branch snapped beneath your foot. Her sharp eyes darted towards you, locking on. She froze, sword mid-swing, sizing you up. There was no fear in her gaze, only curiosity and… recognition?

"You there," her voice was firm, almost commanding, but not hostile. "A warrior?" She stepped forward, gripping her weapon tightly, her eyes narrowing.

You nodded slowly, unsure of what exactly you were about to step into. Before you could speak, she smirked.

"Good. Fight me. Show me your strength."

The way she said it left no room for refusal. You realized this was no simple encounter. She wasn’t just a monster—she was testing you, just as you had come to test yourself against the world. And so, with a steadying breath, you unsheathed your weapon, ready to face Nina, who had challenged you to a battle neither of you could walk away from easily.