Three Days Later – Baekho Guild's Central Arena, Seoul
The stadium roared with cheers. Thousands of spectators packed into the seats — civilians, media outlets, and elite guild members alike. A massive digital banner stretched across the sky:
> "2025 Baekho Guild Inter-Division Trainee Tournament – Day 1"
What was originally designed as internal training had grown into a national broadcast event. Every major guild sent their scouts. Even S-rank Hunters were rumored to be watching.
For low-rank Hunters, this was either your stepping stone to power...
...or your public execution.
---
"Next match: Group 17 – Round 1."
The announcer's voice echoed through the arena.
> "Joo Yeong-su, E-rank, newly assigned to scout division, vs. Hwang Dae-jin, D-rank, melee class from beast-hunting division."
Cameras zoomed in.
A giant screen displayed their profiles.
Most of the crowd laughed.
> "What's an E-rank doing in the arena?"
"He's going to get destroyed."
Even in the stands, guild members scoffed.
> "That's the kid from Sector 8, right? I heard he got lucky in a misranked dungeon."
> "Let's see how 'lucky' he is now."
---
Yeong-su walked out into the arena floor, dressed in a plain black training uniform. His only weapon was a basic short blade. No enhancements. No artifacts. Just skill.
Across from him stood Hwang Dae-jin — tall, muscular, and already grinning like he'd won.
> "I won't go easy on you, rookie," Dae-jin smirked. "You'll pass out before you even swing."
Yeong-su simply nodded, eyes calm.
The system whispered in his mind.
---
[Duel Mode Detected – PvP Rules Active]
Life limit set to 10%
No fatal strikes
Weapons allowed
Power usage: Permitted
System Synchronizing Combat Prediction... 72%
---
Match Start
A horn blared.
Dae-jin charged like a bull, sword raised high. His movements were reckless but fast—too fast for a normal E-rank to dodge.
To the crowd, it was obvious.
> "It's over."
But Yeong-su's eyes glowed faintly.
[Foresight – Activated]
3 Seconds Ahead
He sidestepped before Dae-jin's strike even began, sliding behind him.
Dae-jin stumbled, confused.
> 'Where did he—'
CRACK!
Yeong-su slammed the hilt of his blade into the back of his neck. A clean, pressure-point hit. Dae-jin fell to his knees, dazed.
The crowd gasped.
> "H-he dodged that?"
"That wasn't luck."
Dae-jin growled and activated his skill — Beast Charge, a D-rank brute-force buff.
His muscles swelled, and he roared as he lunged again.
Yeong-su waited—
[Phantom Strike – Activated]
In one blur, he dashed forward and struck the inside of Dae-jin's thigh. A deep, clean hit — non-lethal, but enough to sever balance.
Dae-jin fell flat on the floor.
> "W-what the—?!"
Before he could rise—
[Combat Prediction – Target Will Attempt Counterspin in 1.3 sec]
Yeong-su predicted the angle, ducked, and struck again.
This time: neck artery — pressure knockdown.
Dae-jin collapsed.
KO.
---
[Victory – Joo Yeong-su (E-Rank)]
[Skill Precision +2%]
The crowd was dead silent.
Then—
> "What the hell was that…?"
> "That wasn't an E-rank."
> "That was clean. Clinical. Like an assassin."
Up in the private box, a white-suited woman with silver eyes narrowed her gaze.
"Find me everything on that boy. Now."
She was Baekho Guild's A-rank vice captain, Seo Rina — known as the "Moon Fang."
---
Post-Match
Yeong-su returned to the prep room, wiping blood from his glove. Several scouts stared at him now—not with pity, but confusion.
> "Where did you learn to move like that?"
"You don't fight like a scout…"
"You fight like someone who's seen real death."
He didn't answer.
But his system buzzed.
---
[Public Recognition: +5%]
[Power Suppression – Decreased to 45%]
[Class Unlock Progress: 29%]
---
Later that day, he reviewed the tournament brackets.
His next opponent was Choi In-hyuk — a D-rank mage with elite academy background. A lightning specialist.
More dangerous than Dae-jin. More strategic.
A real opponent.
And among the audience for Round 2… would be elite guilds, corporate sponsors, and potential enemies.
---
That night, in his rooftop room, Yeong-su looked up at the city skyline.
> "You all want to see what I am?"
> "Then I'll show you just enough…"
He grinned.
> "...before I tear your entire system down."