Joon-ho's heart raced as he bolted from his previous hiding spot, the events of the last few moments replaying in his mind. He had narrowly escaped a brutal encounter with Tae-young, using the distraction of another student's presence to his advantage. The forest was still, save for the rustling of leaves underfoot and the distant echoes of ongoing battles. But Joon-ho couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, a predator lurking just out of sight.
As he decided to find a better hiding place, a sudden surge of bloodlust washed over him. Without glancing back, Joon-ho leapt to the side, narrowly evading a lethal slash from Tae-young. The strike missed him by inches, cutting through the air with a deadly whoosh. Tae-young was relentless, his pursuit unyielding. Joon-ho's mind spun as he sprinted, thoughts of the other student flashing briefly. Had Tae-young eliminated them? There hadn't been any announcement from the system about another elimination, but Joon-ho couldn't be certain. He might have missed it in the chaos.
Panic gave way to determination. The game wasn't over yet, which meant they weren't in the top ten. Survival was paramount. Going on the offensive against Tae-young would be a suicide mission; his prowess was unmatched, and Joon-ho knew his chances in a confrontation were slim. His priority now was to stay alive, to outlast, not to overpower. He darted through the dense foliage, seeking cover and hoping to throw off his pursuer.
Tae-young, however, was a seasoned predator. His senses were honed, and his instincts razor-sharp. Joon-ho could feel the pressure mounting with every step, every breath. The forest seemed to close in around him, the once expansive map now feeling claustrophobic. He scanned the area, looking for any advantage, any place that might offer a moment's respite. The silence was unnerving, broken only by the sound of his laboured breathing and the occasional distant clash of weapons.
Joon-ho's mind raced, thinking of all he had learned, all he had trained for. He had to stay calm, to think strategically. Finding a secluded spot, he paused to catch his breath. His body trembled with adrenaline, every muscle taut. He couldn't let fear take over; he had to use it to sharpen his focus. The game would end soon, he told himself. He just had to hold on a little longer.
He moved again, slower this time, more deliberate. Each step was measured, and every sound was scrutinized. He knew Tae-young was still out there, hunting him. But Joon-ho had one advantage: he understood the importance of patience, of waiting for the right moment. He couldn't afford any more mistakes. Survival was the only goal, and he was determined to achieve it.
Joon-ho's pulse hammered in his ears as he darted through the forest, Tae-young's relentless pursuit a constant pressure at his back. He moved quickly, but Tae-young was always a step ahead, closing the distance with unnerving speed. Every maneuver Joon-ho attempted, Tae-young countered with effortless precision. Whatever Joon-ho could do, Tae-young did one better.
The dense underbrush provided some cover, but not enough. Joon-ho zigzagged through the trees, hoping to shake his pursuer, but Tae-young's shadow loomed ever closer. Each step Joon-ho took seemed futile as if he were merely delaying the inevitable. He relied now on a twist of luck and fate, praying that the number of students still in the game was dwindling to ten. He just needed to survive a little longer.
The sound of clashing swords echoed through the forest, their blades meeting in brief, furious exchanges. Joon-ho's strikes, though swift and precise, were deflected with ease. Tae-young parried each blow with minimal effort, his movements fluid and deadly. Joon-ho's skills, honed through years of practice, seemed almost ineffective against Tae-young's superior technique.
Sweat dripped down Joon-ho's forehead as he ducked and weaved, narrowly avoiding a devastating strike. He countered with a quick thrust, but Tae-young sidestepped and retaliated with a powerful swing. Joon-ho blocked, but the force of the blow sent him staggering backwards. He regained his footing, breathing heavily, his eyes scanning for any potential escape.
Tae-young's eyes were cold and focused, a predator locked onto its prey. Joon-ho could see the determination in his opponent's gaze, the unwavering resolve to dominate. There was no hesitation in Tae-young's movements, no hint of doubt. Every action was calculated, every strike precise.
Joon-ho's mind raced. He knew that if they continued this game of cat and mouse, he would inevitably lose. Tae-young was simply too skilled, too relentless. His only hope was to buy enough time for the other students to engage, and for the system to announce another elimination. He needed the distraction, the shift in focus that would grant him a brief reprieve.
He took a deep breath, calming his racing thoughts. He had to play this smart, to use every trick he had learned. As they clashed again, he attempted a feint, hoping to catch Tae-young off guard. But Tae-young saw through the ruse, countering with a swift, precise strike that grazed Joon-ho's arm.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Joon-ho pressed on, dodging and weaving, always on the move. He could hear the occasional distant clash of other battles, the signs that his peers were still in the fight. He needed them to be aggressive, to engage and eliminate each other, reducing the number of players left.
In a desperate gamble, Joon-ho used a smoke bomb, filling the area with a thick, obscuring fog. He hoped it would buy him a few precious moments, a chance to find better cover. But even through the smoke, he could sense Tae-young's presence, feel the predator closing in. The game of cat and mouse continued, the tension mounting with every passing second.
Joon-ho's thoughts turned to Soo-jin, the promise he had made. He couldn't afford to fail, not now. He had to survive, to outlast. His heart pounded with determination as he pushed forward, using every ounce of his skill and cunning to stay one step ahead. The fight was far from over, and Joon-ho was resolved to see it through to the end.
Just then, the NexaRealm system voiced out an elimination.
[XXX: Enemy Elimination!]
Joon-ho's heart and eyes lit up. He thought that was it, the winning call. But as the realization hit him, he knew it wasn't the match decider. The tension returned, amplified by his fleeting hope. His slip of thought cost him dearly, as Tae-young closed in completely.
Tae-young's blade whistled through the air, and Joon-ho barely managed to parry the blow. They clashed furiously, but it was clear Tae-young had the upper hand. With a powerful strike, Tae-young disarmed Joon-ho, sending his sword flying. Tae-young pinned him against a tree, his blade poised for the final blow. There was nowhere else for Joon-ho to run or hide.
Just as Tae-young was about to end Joon-ho, the system voiced out another elimination.
[Hyun-ae: Enemy Elimination!]
This time, it was Hyun-ae who had gotten a kill somewhere on the map. The system then announced
[Match over. Top ten players decided.]
Joon-ho's heart pounded as the weight of the words sank in. The relentless chase, and the desperate fight for survival, had all led to this moment. Tae-young's blade hovered inches from Joon-ho's throat, but he paused, the announcement giving him reason to stop.
"Lucky bastard," Tae-young muttered, stepping back and lowering his weapon.
Joon-ho collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily, the adrenaline slowly ebbing away. He couldn't believe it. He had made it to the top ten, saved by the skin of his teeth and a twist of fate.
The forest around them began to fade as the digital landscape of NexaRealm dissipated. The students were transported back to the real world, their minds still reeling from the intense battle. As Joon-ho removed his Realm device, he looked around at the faces of his peers, each one marked with exhaustion and relief.
He spotted Hyun-ae in the crowd, her eyes meeting his with a knowing smile. They had done it. They were among the top ten, one step closer to representing Korea in the NexaRealm Championship. The journey was far from over, but for now, Joon-ho allowed himself a moment of triumph. Luck and fate had been on his side today, and he intended to make the most of it.
Joon-ho stood up, his legs still shaky from the ordeal. As the reality of his accomplishment settled in, a wave of emotion washed over him. The faces of his peers, most disappointed, few elated, blurred together in the aftermath of the intense trial. He made his way through the crowd to where Hyun-ae stood.
They exchanged a silent nod, a mutual acknowledgement of their shared determination and effort. The journey ahead was daunting, but this victory, however small, was a testament to their resolve. They had proven themselves today, and with that, a newfound confidence blossomed within Joon-ho. He was no longer just the sole representative from Daehan Academy; he was a contender, ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.