As the excitement from the intense match between Tae-young and the mage began to settle, whispers of admiration and awe filled the room. Students marvelled at Tae-young's exceptional skill and cunning tactics, expressing their admiration for his ability to turn the tide of the game in his favour against all odds.
"He's incredible," one student remarked, shaking his head in disbelief. "I never would've thought he could pull off a comeback like that."
"Yeah, Tae-young's on a whole other level," another student chimed in, nodding in agreement. "That escape manoeuvre he pulled off was nothing short of genius."
The praise for Tae-young rippled through the crowd, with students exchanging stories of his past victories and legendary feats within NexaRealm. Some recounted tales of his strategic brilliance and unmatched precision, while others admired his unwavering determination and resilience in the face of adversity.
"He's definitely earned his reputation as Korea's top assassin," a student commented, a hint of reverence in his voice. "I wouldn't want to go up against him in a match."
Amidst the chorus of admiration, Joon-ho and Soo-jin listened intently, their admiration for Tae-young growing with each passing moment. They couldn't help but feel a sense of pride knowing that one of their fellow students possessed such extraordinary talent and skill.
"He's something else, isn't he?" Soo-jin whispered to Joon-ho, her eyes still fixed on Tae-young as he received accolades from the crowd.
"Yeah, I have to agree that he's truly one of a kind. It's no wonder he's considered the best," Joon-ho nodded in agreement, his admiration for Tae-young evident in his expression.
As the room buzzed with admiration for Tae-young's remarkable victory, a sudden shift in the atmosphere occurred as Daesung Moobon, the defeated mage, erupted into a fit of anger and accusations. His face contorted with frustration, Daesung pointed an accusatory finger at Tae-young, his voice rising with each word.
"This is ridiculous! There's no way he could have escaped my bind! He must have cheated!" Daesung's voice echoed through the room, drawing the attention of everyone present.
Daesung Moobon's voice reverberated through the room, filled with frustration and anger as he launched into a tirade against Tae-young. His accusations flew like arrows, sharp and pointed, aimed directly at the victor of their intense battle.
"There's no way he could have escaped my bind! It's impossible!" Daesung's voice cracked with intensity, his eyes blazing with indignation as he sought to discredit Tae-young's victory.
"He must have cheated! There's no other explanation!" he exclaimed, his voice rising with each word as he refused to accept defeat.
The spectators watched in stunned silence, unsure how to react to Daesung's outburst. Some exchanged uneasy glances, while others simply stared in disbelief at the spectacle unfolding before them.
"He's just making excuses," muttered one onlooker, shaking their head in exasperation.
But Daesung paid no heed to the murmurs of the crowd, his focus solely on denouncing Tae-young's victory as fraudulent.
"He's a cheat! A fraud! He doesn't deserve to win!" Daesung's voice echoed off the walls, his words laced with venom as he continued to hurl accusations at Tae-young.
Despite the growing tension in the room, Tae-young remained stoic, refusing to dignify Daesung's rant with a response. He simply watched in silence, his expression unreadable, as Daesung's words faded into the background.
As the commotion gradually died down and Daesung's protests lost their fervour, a palpable sense of unease lingered in the air. The incident had cast a shadow over the room, leaving an uncomfortable tension in its wake.
Tae-young's response hung in the air, cutting through the tension like a knife.
"Maybe all your opponents were as weak as you," he retorted calmly, his words dripping with sarcasm.
Daesung's face contorted with fury, his fists clenched at his sides as he glared daggers at Tae-young. Before anyone could react, he lunged forward, aiming a wild punch at Tae-young's face.
But before the blow could land, a commanding voice boomed through the room, stopping them both in their tracks.
"That's enough!" called out Instructor Dong-soo, his authoritative tone cutting through the chaos like a knife. "Break it up, now!"
The sudden interruption brought a moment of clarity to the heated exchange, and both Tae-young and Daesung froze in their tracks, realizing the gravity of the situation.
Instructor Dong-soo's presence commanded respect, and his intervention prevented the situation from escalating further. As the tension began to dissipate, he directed Tae-young and Daesung to separate and calm down.
Reluctantly, the two players obeyed, casting wary glances at each other as they walked away in opposite directions. The spectre of violence had been averted, but the lingering animosity between them hung thick in the air.
As Tae-young and Daesung parted ways, their brief but intense exchange left an indelible mark on the atmosphere. Joon-ho couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine as Tae-young's gaze briefly met his own, conveying a silent warning that resonated deep within him.
Instructor Dong-soo's authoritative voice broke through the lingering tension.
"Alright, everyone, that's enough for today. Let's clear out of here," he announced firmly, his gaze sweeping across the room.
Joon-ho turned to Soo-jin beside him, speaking in a low voice.
"Quite a scene back there," he remarked, his brow furrowing slightly.
Soo-jin nodded, her expression grave.
"Totally unexpected. Tae-young really knows how to handle himself," she replied, her eyes briefly scanning the dispersing crowd.
"Yeah, but things got heated fast," Joon-ho observed, his voice tinged with concern. "Glad Instructor Dong-soo stepped in when he did."
Soo-jin glanced at Joon-ho with a reassuring smile.
"Let's get out of here. Maybe we can grab a coffee or something," she suggested, her tone lightening.
Joon-ho nodded in agreement.
"Sounds good. Anything to take the edge off," he replied, falling into step beside Soo-jin as they followed the flow of students toward the exit.
As they joined the stream of students exiting the game building, the air was heavy with a mixture of lingering tension and subdued murmurs. Conversations buzzed around them, dissecting the events that had just transpired and speculating on the outcome.
The conversations around them buzzed with excitement and speculation about the intense match they had just witnessed.
"Did you see that move he pulled?" one student exclaimed to another.
"I thought Daesung had him for sure," another voice chimed in.
Joon-ho and Soo-jin walked side by side, their steps echoing in the hallway as they made their way back to the main campus. The weight of what they had witnessed lingered in the air between them, unspoken but palpable.
Despite the chaos of the moment, there was a sense of relief in knowing that the situation hadn't escalated further. Yet, Joon-ho couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him, a reminder of the underlying tensions that simmered beneath the surface of campus life.
As they emerged from the building into the crisp afternoon air, Joon-ho and Soo-jin exchanged a wordless glance, silently acknowledging the need to put the events behind them and move forward. With each step, they left the tumultuous scene behind them, heading back into the familiar rhythms of university life.
The students' voices continued to echo in the corridors, their chatter a backdrop to Joon-ho and Soo-jin's silent contemplation. Each step brought them closer to the heart of the campus, where life went on as usual. Joon-ho couldn't help but replay the events of the tournament in his mind, analyzing each move and strategy that had unfolded before them. Despite the tension that had filled the air, there was also a sense of excitement, a reminder of the passion that fueled their shared love for NexaRealm.
Soo-jin's presence beside him offered a sense of comfort, a silent reassurance that they were in this together. As they reached the bustling main campus, Joon-ho glanced around at the familiar faces of their fellow students, each lost in their world of conversations and activities. It was a stark contrast to the intensity of the tournament, a reminder that life at NexaCorp Korea University was multifaceted and ever-changing.
The sun cast long shadows across the campus grounds, signalling the approaching end of the day. Joon-ho felt a sense of relief wash over him as they walked, the weight of the day's events slowly lifting from his shoulders. He knew that tomorrow would bring new challenges and adventures, but for now, he was content to bask in the simple pleasure of being surrounded by friends.
As they neared their dormitory building, Joon-ho and Soo-jin exchanged a glance, a silent acknowledgement of the bond that had formed between them. Despite the trials they had faced, they had emerged stronger and more resilient than ever. With a shared smile, they stepped through the doorway and into the warmth of their shared living space, ready to face whatever the future held with courage and determination.
Once they settled into their dorm room, the events of the day began to fade into the background, replaced by the comforting familiarity of their surroundings. With a sense of camaraderie and shared experiences, Joon-ho and Soo-jin knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, drawing strength from each other and the bonds they had forged at NexaCorp Korea University.