Morning came with no peace.
Only tension.
The Black Arena was filled again.
But this time—
It wasn't for a trial.
It was for a spectacle.
Word had spread overnight.
"Rank 10 has been challenged."
Jin Muyeon stepped into the arena calmly.
Bandages still wrapped around his body.
Blood stains not fully gone.
Eyes followed him everywhere.
Whispers grew louder.
"He got attacked last night…"
"And he still came?"
"He's insane…"
Muyeon ignored all of it.
His gaze was fixed ahead.
Standing in the center—
A man waited.
Tall.
Broad.
Arms crossed.
Rank 8
"Jin Muyeon," the man said.
His voice carried across the arena.
Muyeon stopped a few steps away.
"…You called me out?"
The man smirked.
"Of course."
A pause.
"You've made too much noise."
Muyeon tilted his head slightly.
"…So?"
The man's eyes turned cold.
"So I'll silence you."
The crowd erupted.
"A direct challenge!"
"Rank 8 vs Rank 10!"
Above—
Elder Seo watched silently.
Instructor Han stood nearby.
Arms crossed.
Eyes focused.
"Begin."
No drum this time.
No signal.
The moment the word left Han's mouth—
The fight started.
Rank 8 moved instantly.
Faster than Gu Cheon.
Stronger.
More aggressive.
BAM!
A fist slammed toward Muyeon's head.
Muyeon dodged—
Barely.
The wind pressure alone cut his cheek.
[HP: 47%]
"…Fast," Muyeon muttered.
Rank 8 didn't stop.
Another strike.
Then another.
Then another.
No pause.
No opening.
Muyeon stepped back repeatedly.
Blocking. Dodging.
Reading.
But—
This opponent didn't give space.
"Too slow!" Rank 8 roared.
BAM!
A kick slammed into Muyeon's side.
CRACK.
Muyeon flew across the arena.
Dust exploded.
[HP: 34%]
[Warning: Body Near Limit]
The crowd watched in shock.
"He can't keep up…"
"Rank 8 is overwhelming him…"
Muyeon stood slowly.
Breathing heavier now.
"…Different from Rank 10," he muttered.
Gu Cheon was controlled.
Efficient.
This one—
Was overwhelming force.
Muyeon wiped blood from his mouth.
Then smiled faintly.
"…Good."
Rank 8 frowned.
"You're still smiling?"
Muyeon stepped forward.
"I learn faster this way."
He activated everything.
[Combat Instinct Active]
[Killing Intent Detection Active]
[Villain Adaptation Active]
His eyes sharpened.
The world slowed again.
Rank 8 charged.
This time—
Muyeon didn't retreat.
He stepped in.
Their fists collided.
BAM!
Shockwave exploded outward.
The ground cracked beneath them.
Rank 8's eyes widened slightly.
"…You got faster."
Muyeon smirked.
"…You got predictable."
He twisted—
Dodged a follow-up strike—
Then countered.
CRACK.
A clean hit to Rank 8's ribs.
The crowd gasped.
"He hit him!"
Rank 8 stepped back.
Just one step.
Then smiled.
"…Good."
His aura exploded.
"Now let's get serious."
The pressure increased instantly.
Muyeon felt it.
This wasn't even his full power before.
[System Warning]
[Opponent Increasing Output]
Rank 8 vanished.
BAM!
Muyeon couldn't fully dodge.
The hit landed.
He was thrown again.
Harder.
[HP: 21%]
[Critical State]
Muyeon coughed blood.
His vision blurred slightly.
"…This is bad."
But—
He smiled.
Because he understood now.
Not just movement.
Not just strength.
Flow.
Rank 8 attacked again.
Muyeon didn't think.
Didn't react.
He moved.
Naturally.
Like he already knew what was coming.
The strike missed.
Then—
Muyeon stepped inside the guard.
Palm strike.
FULL FORCE.
BOOM!
Rank 8 was pushed back several steps.
Silence.
Everyone froze.
"…He pushed Rank 8 back?"
Muyeon stood there.
Barely holding himself up.
But his eyes—
Clear.
"…I see it now," he whispered.
Rank 8 looked at him.
Then smiled slowly.
"…You're dangerous."
Muyeon smirked.
"…You're late to notice."
Both stood still.
One heavily injured.
One just getting serious.
The tension reached its peak.
Because everyone knew—
The next exchange—
Would decide everything.