Chapter 2: Into the Top 20
Scene 1: The Gauntlet
The hallway was quiet, but Joon-seo could feel it — eyes tracking his every move. He was officially Rank 25. The top 20 was a different atmosphere. These weren't just fighters — they were tacticians, born predators.
He had to move now. Wait too long, and they'd gang up on him.
> [Quest Activated: Break into Top 20] [Reward: New Passive Skill — Pain Resistance Lv.1]
His next opponent: Rank 20 – Seo Jin-hyuk. A brutal kickboxer known for breaking bones and forcing medical leaves. Three opponents hospitalized in the past semester.
Joon-seo requested the fight silently through the code network. The reply came with a single word:
> "Tomorrow. Track Field. After class."
Scene 2: Blood on Concrete
The field was deserted except for the two of them. Jin-hyuk cracked his knuckles.
"You're not bad. But I'm not the ones you beat."
Joon-seo said nothing. The moment the match began, he feinted forward. Jin-hyuk swung a wide low kick.
Joon-seo stepped in and countered with an inside hook to the ribs.
The system activated:
> [Skill Use: Boxing – Hook Lv.2] [Impact Efficiency: 88%]
Jin-hyuk grunted but grinned. "Good. But not enough."
The next exchange was vicious. Kicks slammed into Joon-seo's forearms. He returned jabs, slipped, pivoted. His body screamed with pain, but his mind stayed cold.
A perfect taekkyeon step slipped him behind Jin-hyuk. One brutal back elbow to the spine. Then a knee to the chin.
Jin-hyuk dropped. Blood dripped from his nose and mouth.
> [Quest Complete: Rank Achieved – 20th] [New Skill Acquired: Pain Resistance Lv.1]
Joon-seo breathed slowly. Not out of relief — but calculation.
"Next."
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: Baekho's Apex — Oh Tae-suk
Scene 1: The Phantom Throne
In a quiet, hidden dojo deep inside Baekho's third floor, the real king trained.
Oh Tae-suk. Rank 1.
Nobody had seen him fight in months. Rumors said he didn't need to. His last public match ended with the opponent knocked out in ten seconds — with a single punch.
Tall. Pale eyes. Calm.
He sat before a sandbag, knuckles red. A student approached and whispered in his ear.
"…Kang Joon-seo. Rank 20 now."
Tae-suk opened one eye.
"So he's climbing. Let him."
"He's different."
"Good. It'll be boring otherwise."
He returned to his training, fists like steel.
---
: Outside Incheon's borders
Scene 1: Seoul's King
Across the Han River, inside a VIP karaoke room, laughter echoed.
Name: Ryu Shi-won. District King – Seoul.
Known for his unshakable charisma and deadly rhythm-style street combat. Wears fashion like armor. Controls the Seoul schools like a godfather.
A lieutenant whispered in his ear.
"Baekho's shifting. Someone's climbing too fast. Kang Joon-seo."
Ryu raised an eyebrow.
"Name sounds familiar."
He took a sip of wine.
"If he rises past Rank 10, notify Busan and Daegu. We may need to prepare for a new 'meeting.'"
Scene 2: Busan's Watchers
In a quiet mountain-side gym, a boy wearing gloves was punching a tire.
Name: Han Do-wook. District King – Busan.
No shoes. No music. Just rhythm.
Another student showed him a phone.
He read the screen.
"…Joon-seo?"
He smiled. "Incheon finally produced someone?"
He dropped into stance.
"Hope he climbs. I'm bored."
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Scene 3: The Divinities Stir
Back in Incheon, the hidden chat lit up.
> [DIVINITY CODE: Kang Joon-seo — Rank 20] [Profile: Rapid progression. Strategic. Emotionally flat. Suspected System user. Martial variety confirmed.]
> [Protocol Suggestion: Let him reach Top 10. If unstable, eliminate. If worthy… recruit.]
A new message appeared in gold:
> [Approved — Daegu Divinity]
The game wasn't even close to beginning. It had already started.
And Joon-seo was walking into it head-on.
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