The new week dawned with a palpable tension in the air as the fifty students gathered once again outside the game building. The atmosphere, which had been one of cautious optimism and quiet determination, had now shifted to something more intense. There was no more time to play nice, no room for mistakes. The instructors were back, and with them came the promise of a challenge unlike any they had faced before.
As the students settled into their teams, whispers of speculation filled the air. The instructors soon addressed them, cutting through the murmur with the gravity of their announcement. Today marked the beginning of a decisive phase—a series of matches that would determine who among them had what it took to represent Korea in the World NexaRealm Championship.
"For the entire week," Instructor Seung-hyun began, his voice firm and steady. "You'll be facing off against each other. Two games a day and only a game on Friday, nine games in total. By the end of it, we'll have a ranking based on your wins, draws, and losses. The top three teams will be chosen to represent our university. The rest of you... well, you'll be saying your farewells."
The weight of his words settled over the students like a heavy blanket. No one wanted to be among those saying goodbye. Each of them had fought hard to make it this far, and now the stakes were higher than ever. There was no more room for hesitation, no more time for internal conflicts or self-doubt. It was do or die.
Joon-ho felt the pressure immediately, his mind racing through strategies and potential outcomes. The earlier challenges and training sessions had been intense, but this—this was the real deal. They were no longer just preparing for a potential spot; they were fighting for survival in this competition.
Team 2, like the other teams, huddled together, the air between them thick with unspoken concerns. Min-jae's impulsiveness, Baek-hyeon's insecurities, and the lingering tensions from their previous conflicts all threatened to undermine their efforts. Yet, there was also a shared determination—a silent agreement that they had to make this work, no matter the cost.
As they prepared to face their first opponents, the tension was almost tangible. The days of casual practice were over, replaced by a relentless drive to prove themselves. Every student knew that these matches would be unlike any they had played before. The instructors had set the stage for the ultimate test, and now it was up to each team to rise to the challenge.
No more playing nice. The real deal had arrived, and the battle for survival had begun.
The air was thick with tension as the matchups were announced, sending a wave of anticipation and anxiety rippling through the gathered students. Team 1 versus Team 2. The words echoed in Joon-ho's mind, amplifying the pressure that was already building within him. It was as if the universe had conspired to pit them against the best team right from the start. Hana, Tae-young, In-su, Chin-hwa, Kyu—each name was a titan in their own right, and together, they formed the most formidable team in the competition.
Team 2 gathered in a tight circle, the gravity of the situation settling over them. There was no avoiding this battle. If they wanted to advance, they would have to go through the best. The instructors had thrown them into the deep end, and now it was sink or swim.
"Alright," Joon-ho began, trying to muster confidence. "We know they're strong, but we've been training hard too. Let's not focus on who they are. Let's focus on what we can do. Stick to the plan, and don't get reckless."
Min-jae scoffed slightly but said nothing, his frustration from their previous conflicts simmering beneath the surface. The rest of the team nodded, their expressions a mixture of determination and nervous energy. The stakes had never been higher.
Moments later, they were diving into NexaRealm, the familiar rush of adrenaline washing over them as the virtual world materialized around them. They found themselves in the waiting room of a private match, the countdown ticking away the seconds before the battle would commence. Across the room, Team 1 stood, their calm, collected demeanour only adding to the tension. Hana, her eyes sharp and focused; Tae-young, exuding confidence; In-su, with a calm leadership aura; Chin-hwa, the ever-watchful Marksman; and Kyu, the enigmatic Roamer who always seemed to be one step ahead.
This was it. The countdown hit zero, and they were plunged into the battlefield—a sprawling, chaotic arena designed for maximum intensity. It was a standard deathmatch, with a 15-minute timer looming over them like a ticking bomb. The objective was simple: wipe out the enemy team, or at least survive longer than they did.
Team 2 moved out cautiously, keeping close to each other, mindful of the danger that Team 1 posed. Joon-ho led the charge, with Soo-jin flanking him, Jin-kyong keeping a watchful eye from behind, Baek-hyeon sticking close to Min-jae, who took the lead as their Tank.
In contrast, Team 1 was more fluid in their movements, almost like a dance. They spread out across the map, using their skills to probe and pressure Team 2 from different angles. In-su's commands were crisp and efficient, directing their attacks with precision.
The first clash came quickly, a sudden burst of action as Tae-young and Kyu flanked from the sides, forcing Team 2 into a defensive position. Min-jae charged forward, attempting to disrupt Team 1's formation with an aggressive push. His move caught them off guard, briefly scattering their ranks.
But the instructors' earlier warning had rung in their ears—this wasn't the time for reckless heroics. Joon-ho called for a retreat, pulling back to regroup as Min-jae's overextension left him vulnerable.
Team 1 capitalized on the momentary chaos, striking hard and fast. Hana's powerful blows forced Soo-jin back, while Chin-hwa's precise shots kept Jin-kyong pinned down. Amid the fray, Tae-young and Kyu worked in tandem to dismantle their opponents with surgical precision.
The clock ticked down, each second feeling like an eternity. Team 2 fought back with everything they had, but the pressure was immense. They were struggling to keep up with Team 1's relentless assault, and the cracks in their coordination were starting to show.
As the timer neared its final minutes, it became clear that a decisive moment was approaching. Team 2 was battered but not broken, desperately holding on against the onslaught. But Min-jae, true to form, broke away from the group, attempting a last-ditch effort to turn the tide.
It was a gamble and one that did not pay off. Team 1, with their experience and synergy, quickly reacted, isolating and overwhelming him. With Min-jae down, the rest of Team 2 was quickly overrun.
The match ended with a resounding victory for Team 1, their superiority undeniable. Team 2 had fought bravely, but they were no match for the well-oiled machine that was Team 1.
As the final score flashed on their screens, Joon-ho felt a sinking feeling in his chest. The outcome wasn't unexpected, but it was still a bitter pill to swallow. They had lost their first match, and now, the road to redemption was steeper than ever.
The sting of defeat hung heavy over Team 2 as they regrouped after the match. The silence was thick with disappointment, each member of the team processing the loss in their way. Joon-ho stared at the ground, frustration boiling just beneath the surface. They had known the match would be difficult, but facing the reality of their defeat was harder than he had anticipated.
Min-jae leaned against a wall, arms crossed, a scowl etched on his face. He hadn't taken kindly to the loss, and the tension between him and the rest of the team simmered dangerously. Jin-kyong and Soo-jin exchanged weary glances, both of them visibly drained from the match. Baek-hyeon, usually quiet and observant, seemed lost in thought, likely considering where things had gone wrong.
"This was just the first match," Joon-ho finally said, breaking the silence. His voice was steadier than he felt. "We have another one coming up, and we can't afford to carry this loss with us. We need to focus on what's next."
The team nodded, though the weight of the loss was still evident in their expressions. They knew Joon-ho was right—there was no time to dwell on what had happened. They had to pick themselves up and prepare for the next battle.
The reality of the competition was setting in. They had nine more matches to prove themselves, and the margin for error was slim. As much as the defeat to Team 1 had stung, it was only one match. The tournament was far from over, and they still had a chance to turn things around.
With the next game looming, Joon-ho gathered the team for a quick strategy session. They needed to regroup, to learn from their mistakes, and to come back stronger. The day wasn't over, and they couldn't let a single loss dictate the rest of their journey. There was still time to fight, and they would give it everything they had.