Silence ruled the ruined arena.
Not fear.
Not shock.
Authority.
Elder Seo stood above all.
One step forward—
And the entire battlefield froze.
Even the wind stopped.
Jin Muyeon tried to move—
But his body refused.
[Movement Restricted: Absolute Authority]
"…So this is an Elder," he muttered.
Hwa Ryun stood to the side.
Silent.
Watching.
Instructor Han lowered his head slightly.
"…Elder Seo."
Seo didn't respond immediately.
His gaze was fixed on Muyeon.
Cold.
Sharp.
Measuring.
"…You," he said calmly.
Muyeon looked up.
Even injured—
Even barely standing—
He didn't lower his eyes.
"…You broke the arena."
A pause.
"…You disrupted rank order."
Another pause.
"…And you nearly lost control."
The air grew heavier.
"Tell me," Seo continued.
"…what should your punishment be?"
The entire arena held its breath.
Muyeon smiled faintly.
"…Punishment?"
A quiet laugh.
"…If I say none, will you accept it?"
A few disciples flinched.
Instructor Han frowned.
But—
Elder Seo didn't react.
"…No."
Muyeon shrugged slightly.
"…Then why ask?"
Silence.
For a moment—
The pressure increased.
But then—
It stopped.
Elder Seo's eyes shifted slightly.
Not anger.
Not approval.
Interest.
"…You speak boldly for someone who nearly died."
Muyeon smirked.
"…Still alive though."
A pause.
Then—
Elder Seo turned away slightly.
"…Very well."
Everyone tensed.
"The decision is made."
The pressure dropped just enough for people to breathe again.
Muyeon narrowed his eyes.
"…Let's hear it."
Elder Seo raised one hand.
"Jin Muyeon."
"From this moment—"
"You are removed from standard disciple ranking."
The arena exploded in whispers.
"Removed?!"
"What does that mean?!"
Muyeon's eyes sharpened.
"…Not ranked?"
Elder Seo continued.
"You no longer belong to the lower ranks."
A pause.
"But—"
"You are not yet qualified for the upper seats."
Silence.
Then—
The words that changed everything:
"You will enter the Abyss Trial."
The crowd froze.
Someone whispered—
"…No way…"
Another stepped back.
"…That's a death sentence…"
Muyeon frowned slightly.
"…Abyss Trial?"
Hwa Ryun's eyes shifted.
For the first time—
There was clear reaction.
"…You're sending him there?"
Elder Seo glanced at her.
"…You object?"
A pause.
"…No," she said calmly.
"…I'm interested."
Muyeon looked between them.
"…Explain."
Elder Seo turned back to him.
"The Abyss Trial is not a test of strength."
A pause.
"It is a test of survival."
Muyeon's smile returned.
"…That sounds easy."
Elder Seo's gaze sharpened slightly.
"…No one who entered it from your level has returned."
Silence.
Even the air felt colder.
"…Inside," Seo continued,
"…you will face creatures, illusions, and your own limits."
A pause.
"…And if you lose control again—"
His voice dropped slightly.
"…you will not come back."
Muyeon stood quietly.
Then—
He laughed.
Not loudly.
Not arrogantly.
But genuinely.
"…So either I die…"
A pause.
"…or I come back stronger."
He looked up at Elder Seo.
"…That's not punishment."
A smirk.
"…That's a reward."
The arena fell silent again.
Elder Seo watched him.
Then—
A faint smile appeared.
"…We will see."
He turned away.
"It begins tomorrow."
The pressure lifted instantly.
Muyeon's body finally gave in.
He dropped to one knee.
Breathing heavily.
[HP: 4%]
But his eyes—
Were burning.
"…Abyss Trial…"
The system flickered.
[New Quest Activated]
[Survive the Abyss Trial]
[Reward: Unknown]
Muyeon smiled.
"…Perfect."
Above—
Hwa Ryun watched him leave.
"…Don't die," she whispered.
Muyeon didn't turn back.
"…Not planning to."
But deep inside—
Even he felt it.
For the first time—
Real danger awaited.