The battles did not stop. They intensified.
After his first victory, the atmosphere around him shifted completely. What was once curiosity had now turned into recognition and caution.
Candidates who were called against him no longer stepped forward confidently. They came prepared, focused, aware that a single mistake would end everything.
But it didn't change the outcome.
His second match began with a speed-type opponent, someone who relied on agility and unpredictability. The moment the signal was given, the opponent disappeared from sight, leaving behind only afterimages and a sharp slicing intent from multiple directions.
Fast. Very fast. But not enough. Lee Hyun didn't chase. Didn't panic.
He stood still for a brief second, his eyes tracking, not the body, but the flow of movement. The pattern. The rhythm.
"…Found it."
The moment the real body entered his range, he moved. One step. One strike. The blade traced a clean arc. And the opponent collapsed before even realizing what had happened.
Silence. Then whispers.
"…Again…"
"…He didn't even try…"
The third match was different. A defense-type candidate. Heavy. Stable. A living fortress. Each strike Lee Hyun delivered was absorbed, redirected, neutralized. The opponent smiled, confident in his durability.
"You can't break through—"
The sentence never finished. Because Lee Hyun didn't increase power. He changed angle. Flow. Timing.
The Dragon Blade Dance adapted, its elegance turning sharper, more precise. Instead of clashing head-on, he slipped through the defenses, targeting the gaps that shouldn't have existed.
One opening. One strike. The defense collapsed instantly.
"…Impossible…"
The opponent fell to one knee, unable to continue.
Time passed. Matches blurred. Victories stacked. Some were quick. Some required adjustment. Some forced him to think deeper. But all of them ended the same way.
Win.
With each battle, something changed within him. Not his strength. But his understanding.
The Dragon Blade Dance grew smoother, its first pattern no longer something he had to consciously activate. It became instinctive. Natural. His movements began to carry a rhythm that others couldn't follow.
And the Demon's Sword, though hidden, responded more clearly. Each strike felt heavier. Sharper. More efficient. As if something within it was slowly waking up.
"…So it evolves through usage…"
A faint realization. But he didn't dwell on it. Because the stage was narrowing.
"Next—Lee Hyun."
Again. He stepped forward. This time, the opponent didn't speak. Didn't provoke. Only nodded. They both understood. The fight began. And ended In three exchanges.
The opponent collapsed, breathing heavily, unable to continue. No complaints. No disbelief. Only acceptance.
"…You're stronger."
By the time the matches slowed, only a few remained. The platform, once filled with countless candidates, now felt vast and empty. Because only ten stood. And among them... was Lee Hyun.
A deep silence spread across the arena. Not because nothing was happening, but because everything had already been decided.
Kang Jinhyuk stepped forward once more, his gaze sweeping across the remaining candidates.
"The top ten,"
he said calmly.
No applause. No celebration. Just acknowledgment.
"You have passed."
A pause.
"But this…"
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"…is where the real evaluation begins."
The air tightened instantly.
"From here onward,"
he continued,
"your ranking will be determined."
A faint shift in tone.
"Top ten is not the goal."
His gaze moved across them.
"Standing at the top is."
Lee Hyun stood silently among them. Nine others. Each one different. Each one powerful.
Min Seoah stood calmly, her presence unchanged, yet undeniably dominant.
Another candidate radiated overwhelming physical strength.
One carried a sharp, almost suffocating killing intent.
One stood quietly, yet his presence felt… dangerous.
"…So these are the real ones."
His eyes narrowed slightly. This was where it began.
At that moment the system appeared. Clear. Unavoidable.
[Quest Progress Updated]
[Objective: Achieve 1st Place in Cheonryeong Entrance Examination]
[Current Status: Top 10 Reached]
[Remaining Requirement: Rank #1]
A brief pause. Then a faint smile appeared on his face.
"…Almost there."
The reward surfaced in his mind once again.
Bloodline Awakening.
Special Lottery Ticket.
Full Shop Access.
None of it was ordinary. None of it could be ignored.
"…I need first place."
Not for pride. Not for recognition. But for growth. Absolute growth.
The platform shifted once more. The arenas merged into a single, larger battlefield. No more simultaneous matches. No more distractions. Only one fight at a time. Only the strongest advancing.
Kang Jinhyuk's voice echoed again.
"The next round…"
A pause.
"…begins now."
Lee Hyun took a slow breath. His gaze lifted. Focused. Calm. But deeper than before. Because now there were no weak opponents left. No easy victories. Only those who stood at the peak of this generation.
And among them only one would stand above all.
"…Let's finish this."
---
To be continued..