Instructor Dong-soo stood before the gathered students, a rare smile on his face as he applauded their performances.
"Well done, everyone," he began, his voice carrying a mix of pride and solemnity. "You've shown great skill and determination. I must apologize to those who did not qualify. It was a tough competition, and you all gave your best. For the ten who survived, you know who you are. You will receive a call-up through the NCK app. Class is dismissed for today."
The students began to file out of the room, their expressions a mix of relief and disappointment. Joon-ho's eyes tracked Tae-young, who walked out without a glance at anyone, his demeanour as composed as ever. Joon-ho couldn't help but admire him, despite the tension between them during the match. He then turned his attention to the scoreboard, which had been largely ignored in the immediate aftermath of the intense competition.
There, at the very top, was Tae-young's name. 20 kills. Nearly half of the participants had fallen to him. The next highest was a mere three or four kills. Tae-young had indeed left his mark, a clear message of his dominance.
As Joon-ho and Hyun-ae walked out together, the weight of their achievement settled in. They had survived and made it to the top ten, but the journey ahead was still long and fraught with challenges. Joon-ho glanced at Hyun-ae, seeing the same mix of exhaustion and determination reflected in her eyes. They both knew that this was just the beginning. They had proven themselves today, but the real test was yet to come.
Outside the classroom, the sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the campus. The reality of their accomplishment began to sink in. They were among the best, the elite few who had made it through the gruelling selection process. Joon-ho felt a surge of pride, not just for himself, but for Hyun-ae as well. They had both come a long way and now, they stood on the threshold of something greater.
As they walked toward the dorms, Hyun-ae's voice filled the air with a mixture of exhaustion and relief.
"I can't believe we made it to the top ten," she exclaimed, her eyes bright with excitement. "I was so nervous, but we did it! We're going to compete for a chance to represent Korea!"
Joon-ho smiled faintly, trying to match her enthusiasm, but a nagging feeling weighed him down.
"Yeah, it's amazing," he replied, though his voice lacked the same fervour.
He couldn't shake the sense of undeserved luck that had carried him through the final moments. The image of Tae-young's blade mere seconds away from ending his run still haunted him. If not for Hyun-ae's timely elimination of another competitor, he wouldn't be standing here.
"Hey, what's wrong? We made it, didn't we? This is a big deal!" Hyun-ae noticed Joon-ho's subdued demeanour.
"I know, it's just... I feel like I shouldn't have passed. I was lucky, Hyun-ae. If it weren't for you, Tae-young would have eliminated me. It doesn't feel right," Joon-ho sighed, running a hand through his hair.
Hyun-ae frowned, unsure of how to cheer him up. She understood his feelings but didn't want his self-doubt to overshadow their achievement.
"Luck or not, you're here now. You've worked hard just like everyone else. Sometimes, it's about seizing the moment, and you did."
She tried to think of something more encouraging to say but found herself at a loss. In a moment of hesitation, she pulled out her phone and started typing a text to Soo-jin: "Hey, Soo-jin. Joon-ho is feeling down about passing the test. Do you have any ideas on how to cheer him up?"
Just before hitting send, Hyun-ae paused. She remembered that Soo-jin and Hana were still undergoing their tests. The outcome of their results was still unknown. Sending the message now might distract Soo-jin at a crucial moment.
Hyun-ae slipped her phone back into her pocket and took a deep breath. She needed to find a way to lift Joon-ho's spirits on her own.
"You know," she began. "Sometimes we're our own worst critics. You've always been too hard on yourself. You deserve this, Joon-ho. We've all got here through a combination of skill and luck. It's part of the game."
"Thanks, Hyun-ae. I guess you're right. It's just... hard to shake off the feeling," Joon-ho looked at her, seeing the sincerity in her eyes.
"Besides, we're a team, remember? We support each other, and that's what got us this far. We'll keep pushing forward, together," Hyun-ae smiled warmly, nudging him playfully.
Joon-ho's spirits lifted a little at her words. He nodded, a more genuine smile forming on his lips.
"Yeah, you're right. Thanks for reminding me."
As they continued their walk, the weight of the competition began to settle, giving way to a shared determination. They knew the journey ahead would be tough, but they had each other and their friends. For now, they allowed themselves to savour the victory, however fleeting it might be.
While Joon-ho and Hyun-ae navigated their paths to the top ten, their friends were embroiled in their respective trials, each facing unique challenges and showing their exceptional skills.
In her match, Soo-jin, a formidable Fighter, was known for her strategic mind and swift execution. She navigated through the dense forest of the NexaRealm map, her senses heightened. She stayed close to the edges, avoiding unnecessary confrontations, and only striking when the opportunity was undeniable. Her calculated approach paid off. She managed to outmanoeuvre her opponents, securing crucial eliminations that propelled her into the top ten.
Hana, also a Fighter, displayed a more aggressive playstyle. She thrived in head-on confrontations, her combat skills and quick reflexes earning her a reputation as a relentless competitor. Despite facing fierce opponents, Hana's unwavering determination and exceptional combat skills saw her through. She engaged in multiple skirmishes, emerging victorious each time and securing her place among the top ten.
As a Mage, Sang-hee's strength lay in her ability to control the battlefield with her spells. She used her abilities to trap and ambush her opponents, creating a web of magic that was nearly impossible to escape. Her strategic use of terrain and her magical prowess enabled her to eliminate her opponents from a distance, ensuring her safety while steadily climbing the ranks. Her clever tactics and precise execution secured her spot in the top ten.
Jin-kyong, the Marksman, relied on her sharp aim and strategic positioning. She stayed hidden in high vantage points, picking off opponents with her impeccable accuracy. Her patience and precision allowed her to control the battlefield from afar, eliminating threats before they could get close. Despite the pressure, Jin-kyong maintained her composure, methodically securing eliminations and earning her place in the top ten.
As a Tank, Kang-dae's role was to withstand attacks and create opportunities for his teammates. In his test, he used his resilience to outlast his opponents. He positioned himself in areas where he could take advantage of his defensive abilities, drawing enemies into prolonged battles where he had the upper hand. His unwavering defence and strategic plays ensured that he remained one of the last standings, securing his position in the top ten.
The silent and enigmatic Kyu remained an unknown quantity to his peers. Matter of fact, not one of them knew when he was tested nor how he was tested. Of course, this mystery had been going on for so long that it was not much of an anticipation already. Yet still, we hope to see the end of this mystery one day or another.
Each of them, through their distinct approaches and unwavering determination, managed to secure their spots in the top ten. Their strengths and unique strategies highlighted their potential to represent Korea on the world stage.
As they regrouped and shared their experiences, the weight of their accomplishments began to sink in. Each of them had faced formidable opponents and overcome significant challenges to make it this far. They exchanged stories of close calls, strategic manoeuvres, and the moments that tested their limits. There was a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect that had deepened through their trials. Joon-ho, despite his earlier doubts, found solace in the fact that his friends had also made it through, each of them proving their mettle in their unique way.
Soo-jin, with her usual enthusiasm, recounted a particularly intense encounter where she had narrowly escaped an ambush by using a clever feint. Hana chimed in with her tale of a prolonged battle that tested her endurance and combat skills to the limit. Sang-hee shared how her strategic use of spells had turned the tide in her favour multiple times, while Jin-kyong spoke about the satisfaction of landing critical shots from a distance, neutralizing threats before they could close in. Kang-dae's story of outlasting his opponents with sheer resilience drew admiration from everyone, and Kyu silently took in all their accounts, as the hearer.
As they prepared for the next phase of their journey, there was a renewed sense of purpose and determination among them. The road ahead would undoubtedly be even more challenging, but they were ready to face it together. The bond they shared, forged through countless hours of training and the trials they had endured, would be their greatest strength. With their eyes set on the ultimate goal of representing Korea on the world stage, they knew that this was just the beginning of an even greater adventure.