The next day dawned, and the chosen fifty students made their way back to the Game Building with a mix of anticipation and determination. However, upon arrival, they were met with a surprise. None of the five main instructors were present. Instead, a single, regular lecturer stood before them, his demeanour calm and composed.
"Good morning, everyone," the lecturer began, his voice carrying easily across the room. "Your instructors have other important matters to attend to, as per the plan. For the next three days, your mission is simple: familiarize yourselves with your new team members. Use this time wisely."
With that, the lecturer dismissed them, and the students dispersed, heading to their assigned training rooms.
Joon-ho, part of the second team, scanned the crowd for Soo-jin and Jin-kyong. He quickly spotted Soo-jin, her expression a mix of determination and curiosity. Jin-kyong was not far behind, her eyes sharp and focused as usual.
"Ready to meet the rest of the team?" Joon-ho asked, falling into step with the two girls as they made their way to Room 2.
"Let's see what we've got," Soo-jin nodded, her competitive spirit already kicking in.
As they entered Room 2, they took in their surroundings. The room was well-equipped, with several stations for practising different skills, from combat to strategy planning. The air was thick with the anticipation of forming new alliances and facing future challenges.
A knock on the door interrupted their thoughts. The door creaked open, revealing a somewhat short man with a round belly leading the way. He seemed nervous, his posture not exactly exuding confidence, but his eyes held a spark of determination.
"Hi there," he greeted, offering a shy smile. "I'm Baek-hyeon Nae, the Mage for our team."
His introduction was met with welcoming nods from the trio. Joon-ho stepped forward, offering a handshake.
"Joon-ho Kang, Assassin. Nice to meet you."
One by one, Soo-jin and Jin-kyong introduced themselves as the Fighter and Marksman of the team, respectively. Baek-hyeon seemed relieved to find the atmosphere friendly, and the four quickly began discussing their previous experiences in NexaRealm.
Suddenly, the door swung open without a knock, slamming against the wall. The abrupt entrance drew all eyes to the doorway, where a tall, broad-shouldered man stood. His presence was commanding, and he exuded a confidence that bordered on arrogance. He didn't bother with pleasantries or introductions. Instead, he surveyed the room with a sneer.
"This is it?" he scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "This is the team I'm supposed to carry? You all look weak."
The room fell silent, the man's bluntness taking everyone aback. He had a sharp, chiselled face, with dark eyes that seemed to look down on everyone. His muscular build and intimidating aura screamed of someone used to being in charge, someone who didn't tolerate weakness.
Soo-jin's fists clenched at her sides, her temper flaring. She was about to fire back when Jin-kyong stepped in, placing a hand on her arm and whispering
"That's Min-jae Hwang, the third best Tank in Korea under the Roamer role. Don't let him get to you. He's used to throwing his weight around."
Joon-ho's eyes narrowed as he observed Min-jae. There was something familiar in the man's arrogance, something that reminded him of Tae-young's aggressive, self-assured demeanour. But while Tae-young's confidence was rooted in undeniable skill, Min-jae's felt more like an overcompensation, a defence mechanism to mask any potential insecurities.
Min-jae crossed his arms, his gaze moving from one teammate to the next.
"Listen up," he said, his tone commanding. "I don't care about your feelings. We're here to win. If you can't keep up, you're dead weight."
Joon-ho exchanged a glance with Soo-jin and Jin-kyong. The tension in the room was palpable, but beneath it, there was also a shared understanding. Min-jae might be difficult, but they were all here for the same reason: to become the best and prove themselves on the world stage.
Baek-hyeon, who had remained silent, shifted uncomfortably under Min-jae's gaze but didn't back down. There was a determination in his eyes that suggested he was ready to prove himself, no matter the odds.
Joon-ho took a deep breath, stepping forward.
"We get it, Min-jae. You're here to win, and so are we. But if we're going to do this, we need to work together. We all have our strengths. Let's figure out how to use them."
Min-jae's eyes flicked to Joon-ho, sizing him up. For a moment, it seemed like he might push back, but then he nodded slightly, a grudging respect in his gaze.
"Fine," Min-jae said, his voice a little less harsh. "Let's see what you've got."
And with that, the team began their first session together, the initial friction slowly giving way to a tentative understanding. It was clear that their journey would be anything but smooth, but if they could learn to harness each other's strengths, they might just have a shot at becoming something formidable.
Min-jae leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, his eyes scanning the group with a calculating gaze. "We need to see what each of us is made of. I propose a free-for-all match in NexaRealm. It's the best way to get a taste of everyone's prowess."
Joon-ho exchanged glances with Soo-jin and Jin-kyong. The idea wasn't bad. Knowing each other's strengths and weaknesses would be crucial for their team dynamics. Plus, it would be a chance to see what Baek-hyeon and Min-jae were capable of.
"Works for me," Soo-jin said, cracking her knuckles. "Let's do this."
Baek-hyeon nodded hesitantly, while Jin-kyong simply shrugged, her expression unreadable but game for the challenge.
"Alright then," Joon-ho agreed. "Let's dive in."
Soo-jin quickly set up a private room server for them in NexaRealm, and before long, the five of them were ready, their avatars materializing in a small, confined arena. The setting was deliberately chosen for its tight quarters, forcing them into frequent and intense encounters.
"Remember," Min-jae's voice crackled through their communication link, "it's a free-for-all. No teaming up."
With that, the match began.
The arena was a maze of narrow corridors and tight spaces, perfect for quick skirmishes and sudden ambushes. Almost immediately, Jin-kyong darted into action, her Marksman skills allowing her to take swift, calculated shots from a distance, picking off targets before they could get close.
Soo-jin charged in with her typical aggression, her Fighter avatar clashing with Jin-kyong briefly before she veered off to confront Baek-hyeon. The Mage was holding his own, his spells creating barriers and hurling projectiles that kept Soo-jin at bay, but there was an unmistakable tension in his movements.
Joon-ho, meanwhile, stayed on the move, using the shadows to his advantage, his Assassin abilities keeping him elusive and hard to pin down. He was watching, observing, waiting for the right moment to strike.
As the battle unfolded, it became clear that Min-jae was a force to be reckoned with. His Tank avatar was a juggernaut, shrugging off hits and dishing out punishment with brute strength and precision. But what caught Joon-ho's attention was the way Min-jae zeroed in on Baek-hyeon.
The two clashed in a corner of the arena, Min-jae's heavy attacks battering through Baek-hyeon's defences. Baek-hyeon tried to hold his ground, casting defensive spells and attempting to keep his distance, but Min-jae was relentless. His taunts came through the comms, each one sharper than the last.
"Come on, Mage," Min-jae sneered, his voice oozing with disdain. "Is this all you've got? No wonder you're on the second team."
Baek-hyeon's face twisted in concentration, but the pressure was too much. Min-jae's bullying tactics wore him down, and it became clear that Baek-hyeon was struggling. He stumbled, casting a spell that went wide, leaving him vulnerable.
Joon-ho, observing from a distance, saw what was happening. It was no longer a test of skill but pure harassment. Without hesitation, he leapt into the fray, launching a surprise attack on Min-jae to push him away from Baek-hyeon.
Min-jae stumbled back, momentarily surprised. He quickly recovered, a mocking grin spreading across his face.
"Breaking the rules already, Joon-ho? No teaming, remember?"
"This isn't testing. You're just bullying him. That's not what we're here for," Joon-ho stood his ground, his eyes locked onto Min-jae's.
Min-jae's expression darkened, his arrogance giving way to a flicker of anger.
"Fine. Have it your way," he spat, readying himself for another round.
The tension was palpable as the free-for-all continued. Joon-ho's intervention had given Baek-hyeon a chance to regroup. With renewed focus, the Mage began to hold his own better, though the scars of Min-jae's bullying still lingered.
Soo-jin and Jin-kyong continued their strategic battles, each showcasing their unique skills. Soo-jin's strength and agility allowed her to dominate close encounters, while Jin-kyong's accuracy kept the others at bay from a distance.
Joon-ho kept a watchful eye on Min-jae, ready to step in if the Tank overstepped his bounds again. The arena buzzed with the sound of clashing weapons and casting spells, each player pushing their limits.
As the match wore on, it became clear that despite their differences, they all had the potential to become a formidable team. Baek-hyeon, though shaken, showed glimpses of brilliance with his spellcasting. Min-jae's strength and resilience were undeniable, even if his attitude needed adjustment.
Finally, the match drew to a close. Exhausted but wiser, they exited the virtual world, their bodies still buzzing with the adrenaline of combat. The room was silent for a moment, each player reflecting on what they had learned.
"Not bad. You've got some skills," Min-jae broke the silence, his tone begrudgingly respectful.
"We all do. But we need to work together if we're going to succeed," Joon-ho nodded, accepting the backhanded compliment.
"We'll get there. This was just the beginning," Soo-jin, ever the optimist, smiled.
"Yeah. We'll get there," Baek-hyeon, still shaken but determined, nodded in agreement.
The tension from earlier had dissipated, replaced by a tentative sense of camaraderie. They had a long way to go, but today had been a crucial step. If they could learn to harness each other's strengths and overcome their weaknesses, they might just stand a chance in the upcoming challenges.