Jin-kyong's laughter echoed through the dense foliage, her hands still raised in mock surrender. The situation seemed to have diffused, and both Joon-ho and Hyun-ae allowed themselves a moment of relief. But that moment was all Jin-kyong needed to spring her trap. The sharp click of a gun being cocked reverberated through the jungle, freezing Joon-ho in place. His heart pounded as he turned his head, finding Chin-hwa, Korea's second-best Marksman, standing there with a gun aimed at his cheek.
Time seemed to slow as Chin-hwa pulled the trigger, the sound of the gunshot tearing through the silence. Joon-ho's figure dissipated into thin air, vanishing like a mirage.
Jin-kyong and Chin-hwa's eyes widened in shock. They had expected the confrontation to end with a clean elimination, but Joon-ho had outsmarted them.
Unbeknownst to them, Joon-ho had used a body double spell, anticipating that Jin-kyong's sudden surrender was too suspicious. His real self had remained hidden, watching the events unfold from a safe distance. The gunshot had hit nothing but an illusion.
Seizing the confusion of the moment, Hyun-ae, who hadn't prepared a similar trick, slipped away into the shadows, her footsteps barely making a sound as she vanished from sight.
Jin-kyong and Chin-hwa, realizing the tables had turned, quickly decided to retreat. But just as Chin-hwa began to move, the real Joon-ho emerged from the shadows, his dual daggers glinting as he closed in on his target. Chin-hwa, however, was no ordinary Marksman.
With a display of acrobatic skill, Chin-hwa twisted away from Joon-ho's attack, his movements fluid and precise. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared into the underbrush, leaving Joon-ho standing in the wake of his speed.
Joon-ho couldn't help but marvel at the display. He had watched Chin-hwa's impeccable speed during the Weekly Tournament as a spectator, but witnessing it up close was an entirely different experience. It was nothing short of impressive, and Joon-ho knew he had just faced a worthy adversary.
The jungle around him fell silent once more, the echoes of the recent encounter fading into the distance. Joon-ho stood there for a moment, catching his breath and preparing for whatever might come next. The game was far from over, and he knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down again.
As the minutes ticked by, the once-intense match had slowed to a crawl. Everyone seemed to be playing it safe, retreating whenever they found themselves at a disadvantage. With each team wary of being third or fourth-partied, the fight felt dead—an anticlimax to the build-up of tension. The thrill of the chase and the heat of battle were replaced by a cautious game of cat and mouse, with no one willing to make the first move.
Joon-ho crouched behind a boulder, scanning the treeline for any signs of movement. The jungle was eerily quiet, the sounds of battle now distant memories. He couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment as the match dragged on, each second bringing them closer to the inevitable end.
The timer on the match hit zero, signalling the conclusion of the game. Joon-ho let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. He hadn't been eliminated—not once. For someone ranked 17th in Korea, that felt like an accomplishment. He could take that as a compliment, a sign of his growth and skill.
The system's voice echoed in his ear.
[Match Over. Thank You.]
Joon-ho stood up, dusting himself off as he prepared to leave the digital world behind. The lush jungle faded around him, replaced by the stark interior of the Game Building. As the other players began to log out, the room filled with murmurs and chatter about the match. Everyone was still buzzing with the adrenaline of the game, even if it had ended in an anti-climactic way.
Back in the physical world, each group of students returned to their designated rooms—Assassins with Assassins, Mages with Mages, and so on. Joon-ho rejoined the Assassins, exchanging nods with Hyun-ae and a few others who had also made it through the match unscathed.
The instructors soon gathered everyone's attention, congratulating them on their performance. The match, while not the most eventful, provided valuable insights into each student's capabilities.
"You all did well today," one of the instructors began. "This was a test of your strategy, your adaptability, and your teamwork. Take what you've learned and think about how you can improve."
As they were dismissed, the instructors left them with one final note. "Tomorrow, same place. But not in your rooms. We'll meet in the main hall. You'll be going into actual teams now."
With that, the students filed out of the rooms, each lost in their thoughts. The real challenge was about to begin, and Joon-ho knew that the next phase would be even more intense. He couldn't wait to see what came next.
After the instructors dismissed them, the eight friends gathered in their usual spot outside the training facility. Kyu was missing, having texted the group that he was held back by something he couldn't explain just yet. His absence was noted but not questioned too deeply, as Kyu's mysterious tendencies were well-known among them.
The group sat in a loose circle, the energy from the match still buzzing between them. Hana, still slightly winded from her intense battle with Tae-young, stretched her arms above her head. "You know, I didn't think I'd ever have to face him seriously. That guy is something else," she admitted, shaking her head with a mix of frustration and respect.
"You did great, Hana," Joon-ho said, leaning back against the cool metal of the building behind him. "I was watching from the shadows. You were holding your own against Tae-young."
"Well, until he decided to swoop in like a hawk and almost take my head off," Hana replied, rolling her eyes. "I swear, he's a dtfferent breed than any of us."
Jin-kyong chuckled, leaning forward with a grin.
"And speaking of being different, I still can't believe you pulled off that body double trick, Joon-ho. I was sure I had you!"
"Just something I picked up along the way. Can't be too careful, especially with you and Chin-hwa around," Joon-ho smirked a glint of pride in his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, you two were clever with that little trick. But what's the deal with you two ganging up on me, huh? I thought we were friends!" Soo-jin, who had been quiet up until now, gave Joon-ho a playful shove.
"Hey, no hard feelings, Soo-jin. It's just the game. Besides, you know you're a tough opponent. We had to work together just to stand a chance," Hyun-ae laughed, shaking her head.
"I guess I can't blame you. But next time, I'm coming for you two first," Soo-jin pouted but the grin tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement.
"You know, for all the chaos, we did pretty well. No one got completely wiped out, and we all had our moments," Kang-dae, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up.
"Yeah, but it's only going to get tougher from here. The real teams start tomorrow. We'll have to figure out how to work with others, not just among ourselves," Sang-hee nodded, her expression thoughtful.
The group fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in their thoughts about the day's events and what lay ahead. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, there was a sense of camaraderie between them, strengthened by their shared experiences.
As the group lingered, the conversation naturally shifted to lighter topics. Joon-ho stretched his legs out, feeling the tension slowly ease from his muscles.
"You know, for all the intensity of today, it was kind of fun. A little chaotic, but fun."
"We all need to step up our game if we're going to keep surprising each other like that. Next time, no holding back," Hyun-ae leaned in a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Next time, I'm not going easy on you two. I'm coming at you with everything I've got," Soo-jin smirked.
"Oh, we'll be ready," Joon-ho replied with a grin. "But seriously, it's good to know we can push each other like this. It'll make us stronger in the long run."
"It's all part of the training. We're learning how to adapt, and how to handle pressure. Today was just the beginning," Kang-dae, ever the steady presence, nodded.
"You know, no matter what happens with the team assignments, I'm glad we have each other. We've been through a lot together, and I'm sure there's more to come," Hana glanced around at her friends, her expression softening.
"Yeah, and we'll face it all together. Whatever happens, we've got each other's backs," Sang-hee smiled warmly.
The group murmured in agreement, the bond between them palpable. They knew the road ahead would be challenging, with new teams and tougher opponents, but they also knew they weren't facing it alone.
As they finally parted ways, there was an unspoken agreement between them all: no matter what teams they were assigned to, they'd always have each other's backs, on and off the battlefield.