The air turned deadly.
No one moved.
Not because they didn't want to—
But because they couldn't.
Elder Seo stood still.
Yet the pressure around him—
Crushed everything.
"…Kneel."
One word.
The ground cracked.
BOOM—!!
Several disciples dropped instantly.
Others struggled to breathe.
Hwa Ryun clenched her teeth—
"…This pressure…"
Muyeon didn't move.
Not even a step.
Not even a flinch.
He just stared.
"…Is that all?"
Silence.
Then—
Elder Seo's aura exploded.
CRACK—!!
"…You've grown arrogant."
Muyeon smiled.
"…I've grown stronger."
The pressure intensified.
Even Rank 5 staggered.
But Muyeon—
Still stood.
The system flickered.
[WARNING: EXTERNAL SUPPRESSION DETECTED]
[Abyss Authority Responding…]
Muyeon's eyes darkened.
"…Oh?"
The heartbeat returned.
THUMP.
Elder Seo's gaze sharpened instantly.
"…That sound…"
Muyeon stepped forward.
And for the first time—
The pressure around him changed.
Not resisting.
Overwriting.
THUMP—!!
A second pulse exploded outward.
The ground shattered beneath both of them.
Elder Seo's robe fluttered.
"…You dare…"
Muyeon raised his hand slowly.
Dark energy coiled around it.
Unstable.
Violent.
Alive.
[Skill Unlocked: Abyss Grasp (Partial)]
Muyeon smirked.
"…Let's test this."
He clenched his hand—
GRIP—!!
The space in front of him twisted.
Then—
Collapsed inward.
BOOM—!!
A massive invisible force surged toward Elder Seo.
The elder's eyes widened—
Just slightly.
He raised his hand—
CLASH—!!
The two forces collided.
Shockwaves tore across the training ground.
Disciples were thrown back.
Dust filled the air.
Silence—
Then—
It cleared.
Elder Seo stood unmoved.
But—
A crack—
Ran beneath his feet.
Muyeon's eyes lit up.
"…You felt that."
Elder Seo stared at him.
Long.
Carefully.
"…That is not demonic energy…"
A pause.
"…What did you bring back with you?"
Muyeon smiled.
"…Something better."
The system pulsed again.
THUMP.
This time—
Even the elders behind Seo stepped back.
"…This is bad…" one whispered.
Elder Seo raised his hand.
Stopping everything.
"…Enough."
The pressure vanished instantly.
Silence returned.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
He looked at Muyeon.
"…You will not be touched."
Shock spread.
"…Elder?!"
Seo continued—
"…For now."
A pause.
"…But understand this."
His gaze sharpened.
"…If you lose control—"
"…I will kill you myself."
Silence.
Muyeon chuckled.
"…You can try."
Tension rose again—
But Seo turned away.
Ending it.
"…Training is suspended."
The disciples slowly recovered.
But their eyes—
Never left Muyeon.
Fear.
Respect.
Something else.
Hwa Ryun stepped closer.
Slowly.
"…What are you becoming…"
Muyeon looked at his hand.
Dark energy still flickering.
Unstable.
Hungry.
He smiled faintly.
"…Something they can't control."
Far above—
The observers watched.
"…He resisted Elder Seo," one said.
"…No…" another replied.
A pause.
"…He challenged him."
Silence.
Then—
"…Accelerate the next phase."
Back below—
Muyeon walked away.
Unstoppable.
Unpredictable.
And for the first time—
Everyone understood.
The rankings didn't define him anymore.
He was becoming something else.