For the following days of the week, the atmosphere within NexaCorp Korea University was charged with intense focus and quiet determination. The chosen fifty students, each part of the top ten teams, were all acutely aware of the stakes. Every practice session, every discussion, and every moment spent in the virtual realm of NexaRealm was a step toward the final selection. The students knew that only three teams—or fifteen players—would make the final cut, and this knowledge drove them to push harder than ever before.
In every corner of the game building, teams were practising relentlessly. Strategies were refined, plays were rehearsed, and team chemistry was built through countless hours of collaboration and adjustment. Bonds were strengthened as teammates learned to trust each other more, and their coordination improved with each session. Every team was focused on one goal: to be among the top three.
Team 2, however, faced a unique set of challenges. The tension that had once threatened to tear them apart was still there, but it had softened into a more manageable tension. They had learned, through trial and error, to work together despite their differences. Joon-ho, Soo-jin, Jin-kyong, Baek-hyeon, and Min-jae spent hours practising, and their playstyles gradually began to complement each other. They weren't perfect, but they were functional, and that was enough to keep them going.
Joon-ho had taken on the role of mediator, ensuring that conflicts didn't escalate. He kept the team focused on their goal, constantly reminding them that their success depended on their ability to work as a unit. Soo-jin and Jin-kyong, ever supportive, backed him up, their synergy a strong anchor for the team. Baek-hyeon, more reserved but no less determined, provided a calm and steady presence that helped balance the more volatile personalities within the group.
Min-jae, however, remained a wildcard. His self-centered playstyle often led to moments of brilliance, but just as frequently resulted in costly mistakes. His aggressive pushes sometimes caught the team off-guard, forcing them to scramble to adapt. Yet, over time, the others had learned to expect these moments and to mitigate their impact. When Min-jae made a reckless move that paid off, the team celebrated the success. When it didn't, they shrugged it off and called it a fluke, focusing instead on what they could control.
Despite these challenges, Team 2 managed to find a rhythm that worked for them. Their coordination was improving, and their understanding of each other's playstyles had deepened. They were beginning to anticipate each other's moves, filling in the gaps and covering for one another in ways that hadn't been possible before. It wasn't always smooth, but it was progress, and that was enough to keep them moving forward.
Still, there was an underlying awareness that their cohesion was fragile. They all knew that if the selection was based on team performance, they would need to prove that they were more than just a group of individuals playing together—they needed to be a true team. The pressure was on, and every day brought them closer to the final decision. The looming possibility of failure was a constant reminder of what was at stake.
As the week progressed, the instructors kept a close eye on all the teams. They watched how the students interacted, how they handled adversity, and how they grew together as teams. The instructors had high expectations, and they were looking for more than just skill—they were looking for teams that could withstand the pressure, teams that could adapt and thrive under any circumstances.
For Team 2, this meant continuing to work through their differences and finding ways to turn their weaknesses into strengths. They knew they had to stay functional and operational, no matter what. The next few days would be crucial, and they were determined to make the most of them. Each practice session was a test of their resolve, a chance to prove that they had what it took to make the final cut.
The final selection loomed ever closer, and with it, the hopes and dreams of fifty students. As the days ticked by, the weight of that reality pressed down on each of them, fueling their drive to succeed. The crucible of teamwork was heating up, and only the strongest would emerge from it ready to represent Korea on the world stage.
The weekend arrived, bringing a brief reprieve from the relentless pace of training. For many of the fifty students, it was a chance to unwind, to relax their minds from the intense tension that had been building throughout the week. The hallways of NexaCorp Korea University were quieter, the game building less crowded, as some students chose to take a step back, recharge, and reflect on their progress.
For Joon-ho and his teammates in Team 2, the weekend was a welcome break. They had pushed themselves hard, navigating the highs and lows of their group dynamics, and now they needed a moment to breathe. Joon-ho, Soo-jin, and Jin-kyong agreed to take Saturday morning off, opting for a leisurely breakfast and a walk around the campus, away from the screens and the pressure of the game.
As they strolled through the campus gardens, the conversation drifted away from strategy and game mechanics, shifting to lighter topics—memories of their time in university, plans, and even the latest shows and music they were enjoying. It was a moment of normalcy amid a highly competitive environment, and it helped to ease some of the tension that had built up over the week.
But not everyone was taking it easy. A dedicated group of students had chosen to spend the weekend honing their skills, unwilling to let up even for a moment. They could be found in the game building, practising with their teammates or grinding through solo drills, determined to refine their strategies and improve their performance. For them, the weekend was just another opportunity to gain an edge, to get one step closer to securing a spot in the final fifteen.
Among this group was Baek-hyeon, who had quietly made his way to the game building early Saturday morning. While his teammates were taking some much-needed rest, he saw this as a chance to work on his weaknesses without distractions. He spent hours running through different scenarios, practising his timing, and refining his mechanics. He knew that every bit of extra effort could make a difference when it came time for the final selection.
Min-jae, ever the lone wolf, also spent his weekend deep in practice. Unlike the others, he wasn't working on team coordination or synergy; he was focused purely on his performance. He ran drills, tested out new strategies, and pushed himself to his limits, confident that his skill would be what ultimately secured his place in the final team. To him, teamwork was secondary to raw talent and the ability to make decisive plays on his own.
As the weekend progressed, the contrast between those who chose to unwind and those who kept grinding became more apparent. Some students took the time to socialize, reconnect with friends outside of the competitive circle, or simply relax in their dorm rooms with a good book or a movie. Others, driven by the fear of falling behind, poured every ounce of energy into their practice, unwilling to waste a single moment.
For Joon-ho, the weekend was a balancing act. He understood the importance of rest and recovery, both for himself and for his team, but he also knew that the final selection was looming ever closer. By Sunday afternoon, he found himself back in the game building, rejoining those who were still hard at work. He practised alongside his teammates, but with a renewed sense of purpose and a clearer mind after the brief break.
Soo-jin and Jin-kyong followed his lead, returning to the game building after their morning off. They spent the rest of the weekend working together, refining their coordination and discussing strategies they could implement in the coming week. Despite the challenges they faced, there was a quiet determination among them to keep pushing forward.
By the end of the weekend, the atmosphere at NexaCorp Korea University was charged with anticipation. The students had used the time in different ways, but all were preparing themselves mentally and physically for the intense week ahead. The brief respite had given them a chance to recharge, but now it was time to dive back into the competition, knowing that every practice session brought them closer to the final selection.
As Sunday evening turned to night, the fifty students found themselves back in their dorms, preparing for the next day. Some were anxious, others excited, but all were focused on the same goal: to be among the top three teams that would represent Korea in the World NexaRealm Championship. The weekend had come to an end, and the final push was about to begin.
As the night deepened, a quiet resolve settled over the campus. In their respective rooms, the students reflected on their progress, their challenges, and the immense task that lay ahead. Each of them knew that the coming days would be crucial—decisive moments that could determine their futures in the competitive world of NexaRealm. With minds sharpened by both rest and relentless practice, they drifted into sleep, carrying with them the weight of their ambitions and the hope that their efforts would be enough to secure their place among the chosen few.