The arena fell into absolute silence.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
Rank 10 stood calmly, hands behind his back, as if this wasn't a fight—but a lesson.
"Name," he said.
Muyeon didn't hesitate.
"Jin Muyeon."
The man nodded slightly.
"Remember mine."
A pause.
"Gu Cheon."
The name alone caused a ripple through the crowd.
"That's him…"
"He hasn't lost once…"
"Muyeon is dead…"
Muyeon stepped forward.
"…Good."
BOOM.
The match started.
Gu Cheon moved first.
No warning.
No wasted motion.
Muyeon's eyes widened slightly—
Too fast.
BAM!
A kick slammed into his guard, sending him flying across the arena.
Stone shattered beneath him.
[HP: 68%]
Muyeon rolled, barely regaining balance.
"…So this is Rank 10."
Gu Cheon didn't chase.
He walked forward slowly.
Calm.
Controlled.
"You're strong," he said.
"But not at this level."
Muyeon wiped blood from his mouth.
Then smiled.
"…We'll see."
He activated everything.
[Combat Instinct Active]
[Aura of Dread Active]
He rushed forward.
Faster than before.
Sharper.
More precise.
Punch.
Kick.
Feint.
Gu Cheon blocked everything.
Effortlessly.
"Too predictable."
BAM!
A counterpunch slammed into Muyeon's chest.
CRACK.
Muyeon was thrown again.
Harder this time.
[HP: 49%]
[Warning: Internal Damage Increasing]
The crowd watched in shock.
"He's getting crushed…"
"Rank 10 is on another level…"
Muyeon slowly stood.
His breathing heavier now.
His body screaming.
But his eyes—
Still calm.
"…I see it now," he muttered.
Gu Cheon paused.
"Oh?"
Muyeon stepped forward again.
Slower this time.
Careful.
Observing.
"You're not faster than me…"
A pause.
"You're just more efficient."
For the first time—
Gu Cheon's eyes sharpened.
Muyeon smiled faintly.
"…I can learn that."
He moved again.
This time—
Different.
Not rushing.
Not forcing.
Gu Cheon attacked.
Muyeon shifted slightly—
Minimal movement.
Perfect angle.
The strike barely missed.
Gu Cheon's eyes widened slightly.
Muyeon countered.
A clean hit to the ribs.
BAM.
Gu Cheon stepped back.
Just one step.
But it happened.
The arena gasped.
"He hit him…"
"No one below Rank 10 has touched him…"
Gu Cheon looked down at his side.
Then back at Muyeon.
"…You're adapting mid-fight."
Muyeon didn't answer.
He just moved again.
The fight changed.
Not one-sided anymore.
Strike.
Dodge.
Counter.
Muyeon was still losing—
But slowly closing the gap.
[Villain Adaptation Activated]
[Level Up: Lv.2 → Lv.3]
His movements sharpened again.
Cleaner.
Faster.
Deadlier.
Muyeon smiled.
"…Now we're talking."
Gu Cheon's expression changed.
Not calm anymore.
Serious.
"Then I'll end this."
He stepped forward.
Aura exploded.
This time—
No holding back.
The pressure alone cracked the arena floor.
Muyeon felt it instantly.
Danger.
Real danger.
[System Warning]
[Fatal Strike Incoming]
Gu Cheon's hand moved.
Muyeon couldn't fully see it.
Too fast.
Too sharp.
So—
He didn't try to see.
He trusted instinct.
He moved.
At the last possible moment—
He twisted his body.
The strike pierced past his side—
Cutting deep.
Blood spilled.
But—
He survived.
And in that instant—
Muyeon struck back.
FULL FORCE.
BAM!
The impact sent Gu Cheon sliding back several meters.
Silence.
Both stood still.
Breathing heavy.
Muyeon's side was bleeding badly.
His body shaking slightly.
[HP: 21%]
[Critical Condition]
Gu Cheon looked at him.
Then smiled.
A real smile.
"…You're insane."
Muyeon smirked.
"…You noticed?"
A pause.
Then—
Gu Cheon raised his hand.
"I concede."
The arena froze.
"…What?"
"Rank 10… gave up?"
Gu Cheon turned away.
"This isn't my final fight."
A glance back.
"…But if we continued, one of us would die."
He walked out of the arena.
Silence exploded into chaos.
[Victory Achieved]
[Rank Updated: 10]
[Villain Points +100]
Muyeon stood alone.
Barely.
But standing.
Above—
Elder Seo smiled faintly.
"…He broke the wall."
Muyeon looked at the rankings.
At his new position.
Rank 10 — Jin Muyeon
He exhaled slowly.
"…Top 10."
But his eyes didn't stop there.
They moved higher.
"…Not enough."
[System Notification]
[Major Reward Unlocked]
Skill: Shadow Step
Trait Upgrade Available
System Evolution Progress: 45%
Muyeon smiled.
Even with blood dripping down his body—
He smiled.
"This is just the beginning."