The silence didn't break.
It shattered.
WHISPER—WHISPER—
"…That's him…"
"…He came out alive…"
"…No… look at his aura…"
Fear spread faster than fire.
Muyeon stood at the center.
Unmoving.
Unbothered.
Watching.
Hwa Ryun clenched her fists.
"…What did you do in there…" she whispered.
Muyeon glanced at her.
"…Survived."
That one word—
Made her step back.
Because she felt it.
He wasn't the same.
Not even close.
SYSTEM ALERT
[Global Ranking Update Initiated]
[Re-evaluating All Disciples…]
The sky above the training grounds distorted.
A massive projection appeared.
Numbers.
Names.
Ranks.
Everyone froze.
"…It's updating…"
"…Now?!"
Elder Seo's expression darkened.
"…This timing…"
Muyeon smirked faintly.
"…Finally."
THE RANKINGS APPEAR
Rank 10 → Rank 6: Unchanged
Murmurs spread.
"…Top ranks didn't move…"
"…Then—"
The list shifted.
Rank 5: Hwa Ryun
Her eyes widened.
"…I moved up…"
But she didn't smile.
Because she knew—
This wasn't about her.
The air grew heavy.
Rank 4: ??? (Hidden)
Shock.
"…Hidden rank?!"
"…That's never happened—"
Elder Seo's eyes narrowed.
"…So they're watching already…"
Muyeon's gaze sharpened slightly.
"…Interesting."
Then—
Rank 3: Jin Muyeon
Silence.
Then—
EXPLOSION OF NOISE
"…WHAT?!"
"…Rank 3?!"
"…He jumped that high?!"
Even the top disciples froze.
Hwa Ryun's eyes shook.
"…Rank… 3…"
She looked at him.
Really looked.
And understood.
"…That's still too low…"
Muyeon chuckled.
"…Exactly."
The ranking trembled.
Glitched.
Distorted.
ERROR
Everyone froze again.
"…What's happening now…"
The system flickered violently.
NEW CATEGORY UNLOCKED
[Special Rank: Abyss Candidate]
Only one name appeared.
Abyss Candidate: Jin Muyeon
Silence.
Pure.
Absolute.
Fear.
"…What is that…"
"…That's not a normal rank…"
Elder Seo's face hardened.
"…A separate classification…"
A pause.
"…He's no longer just a disciple."
Muyeon smiled slowly.
"…So I'm special now."
The pressure around him increased again.
Unstable.
Dangerous.
Alive.
Hwa Ryun whispered—
"…Monster…"
Muyeon glanced at her.
"…Not yet."
Far above—
The hidden observers watched.
"…It manifested," one said.
"…Faster than expected," another replied.
A third voice spoke—
Cold.
"…Then we proceed."
Back below—
Elder Seo stepped forward.
The ground trembled slightly.
"…Jin Muyeon."
Muyeon looked at him.
Unfazed.
"…Yes?"
A pause.
"…You will be placed under direct supervision."
Silence.
Then—
Muyeon laughed.
Low.
Dangerous.
"…Try."
The entire training ground froze.
Killing intent flickered.
Elder Seo's eyes sharpened.
"…You forget your place."
Muyeon's smile widened.
"…No."
A pause.
"…I'm starting to understand it."
The tension snapped.