The arena was still shaking.
Not from the fight—
But from what just happened.
Rank 10 → Rank 8
In one battle.
No one could process it.
Jin Muyeon stood at the center.
Barely conscious.
Barely alive.
[HP: 3%]
[Emergency State]
Yet—
He didn't fall.
"…Not yet," he muttered.
The crowd watched in silence.
Fear had replaced excitement.
Because now—
They understood.
He wasn't normal.
He was something else.
Then—
A presence descended.
Heavy.
Cold.
Absolute.
Every disciple froze.
Even the air felt crushed.
Muyeon's body trembled slightly.
Not from fear—
But instinct.
Danger.
He slowly lifted his head.
At the highest platform—
Someone stood.
A woman.
Long black hair.
Calm eyes.
Beautiful—
But terrifying.
Rank 3
Hwa Ryun.
No one spoke her name.
But everyone knew it.
She looked down at Muyeon.
Silently.
"…So this is the one," she said softly.
Her voice wasn't loud.
Yet it reached everyone.
Muyeon met her gaze.
"…You've been watching," he said.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Of course."
A pause.
"You're interesting."
The entire arena felt suffocated.
Because those words—
Weren't praise.
They were judgment.
Muyeon narrowed his eyes.
"…What do you want?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"To test you."
The words fell like a blade.
The crowd exploded.
"Rank 3?!"
"She's going to fight him?!"
Instructor Han stepped forward instantly.
"…Enough," he said coldly.
"This isn't part of the rules."
Hwa Ryun didn't even look at him.
"…Rules?" she murmured.
Then—
Her aura flickered.
For a split second—
Everything froze.
Instructor Han's expression changed.
He stopped.
Didn't move again.
Silence.
She looked back at Muyeon.
"I won't kill you."
A pause.
"Unless you're disappointing."
Muyeon smiled faintly.
Even now.
"…That's funny."
Blood dripped from his chin.
"I was thinking the same."
The arena went silent again.
No one dared breathe.
Hwa Ryun's smile deepened slightly.
"…Good."
She stepped forward.
And in that instant—
She vanished.
Muyeon's eyes widened.
Too fast.
He couldn't track it.
Couldn't react.
Then—
A hand stopped inches from his throat.
He froze.
Didn't even see her move.
"…You can't even see me," she whispered.
Muyeon clenched his teeth.
"…Then I'll just have to feel you."
[Killing Intent Detection: Overloaded]
[System Strain Increasing]
His senses exploded outward.
Everything sharpened.
Not sight.
Instinct.
Hwa Ryun moved again.
This time—
Muyeon moved too.
Barely.
Her strike grazed his shoulder instead of piercing his throat.
Blood splashed.
But he survived.
Hwa Ryun stopped.
"…You moved."
For the first time—
Her eyes sharpened.
Muyeon smirked weakly.
"…I told you."
"I learn fast."
A pause.
Then—
She smiled.
Not lightly.
Genuinely.
"…Good."
The pressure increased again.
This time—
It was real.
Not a test.
A warning.
Muyeon felt it.
Death.
But instead of fear—
He felt excitement.
[System Notification]
[Hidden Condition Met]
[Emergency Evolution Available]
Muyeon's eyes widened slightly.
"…Now?"
The system responded.
[Do you wish to evolve?]
[YES / NO]
Hwa Ryun stepped forward again.
"No more games."
Muyeon smiled.
"…Perfect timing."
His finger moved.
YES.