The crisp morning air brushed against the students' faces as they were led by the instructors to a part of the facility they hadn't yet discovered. Excitement mixed with curiosity surged through them as Instructor Seung-hyun slid open the heavy wooden door, revealing an expansive outdoor training area beyond the building's confines. The yard was vast, bordered by tall, dense trees that seemed to mark the perimeter of their world for the next month.
Whispers broke out among the students as they exchanged confused glances. It didn't add up. They were here to play NexaRealm, to represent their nation in one of the most competitive strategy games out there. This space, with its dirt paths and scattered training dummies, felt like it belonged to an old martial arts dojo or a boot camp, not an elite gaming facility.
"Why are we outside?" Joon-ho muttered under his breath, side-eyeing Kyu, who remained silent but watchful. The quiet tension between them from the previous days had not dissipated, yet for now, it lay dormant beneath the shared confusion.
Hana, standing amongst the girls, raised an eyebrow as she took in the scene.
"Are we about to run laps or something?" she whispered to Soo-jin, who stifled a nervous laugh.
Instructor Dong-soo stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the assembled students.
"I can see the questions on your faces," he began, his voice commanding and sharp. "You came here expecting computer screens and comfortable chairs. But today, you'll learn that being a top-tier competitor isn't just about your strategy in-game."
The instructors positioned themselves at even intervals, creating a line of authority in front of the students. Behind them, the rising sun cast long shadows that stretched across the yard, adding a touch of drama to the scene.
Instructor Min-ji took over, a steely glint in her eyes.
"We're going to teach you what it means to endure, to sharpen your instincts, and to find unity in adversity. Your greatest asset isn't just your mind—it's your ability to act when everything is on the line."
The murmurs among the students grew, a mix of anticipation and scepticism rippling through the group. Jin-kyong crossed her arms, a smirk playing on her lips.
"This is going to be interesting," she muttered, more to herself than to anyone else.
The instructors' faces remained unreadable as they waited for the murmurs to subside. When silence fell once more, Instructor Hye-won stepped forward, her tone softer but no less impactful.
"Today marks the beginning of your real training. What you'll experience here isn't just about physical endurance. It's about learning to adapt when things don't go as planned, to harness the unexpected and make it your strength."
A chill passed through the group, the gravity of her words sinking in. The speculative questions in their eyes were gradually replaced with the realization that this wasn't just a game—it was an initiation into something more profound and demanding.
As they stood lined up, with the morning sun now fully risen and casting a golden hue over the scene, the students realized they were about to be tested in ways they had never imagined.
The morning sun cast a warm glow over the training field as the boys lined up, their movements sluggish and eyes still heavy with sleep. Instructor Seung-hyun barked commands with the precision of a drill sergeant.
"You know what's coming! Let's see some energy!"
As the boys began their stretches, a familiar yet unexpected sound filled the air. It was the unmistakable beat of a lively, old-school pop song, the kind that blared through the school gym during warm-up exercises. For a moment, the boys exchanged surprised glances, trying to stifle smiles or laughter. Even the more serious among them, like Kyu, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the nostalgic tune.
Instructor Dong-soo, standing with his arms folded and a sly grin on his face, nodded approvingly as the song played on.
"What? Surprised?" he called out, his voice cutting through the music. "You're not here just to train your muscles. We're here to build stamina and resilience—and sometimes, that means a little reminder of where you came from."
Tae-young scoffed under his breath, rolling his eyes as he bent forward in a toe-touch.
"Great. High school gym class all over again," he muttered, earning a few chuckles from the boys nearby.
But it wasn't long before the playful atmosphere shifted. The instructors' keen eyes were fixed on every movement, assessing form and attitude. The boys started to realize that this was not just a warm-up for nostalgia's sake. The pace quickened, the stretches became more rigorous, and the lightheartedness faded as muscles began to burn.
"Keep up!" Instructor Ji-woo shouted, clapping his hands to maintain rhythm. "You're going to need every ounce of energy you've got."
Kang-dae, who had been grinning at the song's absurdity, now found himself sweating profusely. He exchanged a glance with Joon-ho, who nodded with a look of shared understanding. This was the calm before the storm, a subtle psychological test wrapped in a seemingly harmless warm-up.
The song played on, cheerful and upbeat, as if mocking their growing fatigue. One by one, beads of sweat dripped from their brows, and their breath came in heavier puffs. It was no longer just a simple morning routine; it was a layered exercise, testing their ability to adapt, endure, and maintain discipline even when faced with something unexpected.
Kyu, true to his silent nature, focused intently, never allowing a hint of discomfort to show. Tae-young, meanwhile, pushed harder, his ego refusing to let him falter in front of the others. The lone wolves like Min-jae and Baek-hyeon eyed the instructors warily, knowing full well that this was the first of many tests.
Instructor Dong-soo's voice rang out once more, now sharper and more commanding.
"Enough playing around. If you think this is just a warm-up, think again. This is your first gauge of focus and endurance. Remember, the real training hasn't even begun."
The boys' hearts sank at the implication. If this was the start, what awaited them would be far from the playful tunes of school nostalgia.
The students' warm-up ended with their muscles sore and their breaths ragged. Beads of sweat trickled down their faces, and their clothes clung damply to their bodies. The instructors gave a sharp nod of approval, signalling that they could take a quick break before the next phase began.
"Get some water," Instructor Seung-hyun said, gesturing toward a series of water fountains lined neatly along the wall by the entrance. The students wasted no time in moving over to the fountains, the cold water offering a moment of reprieve. The sound of splashing water mingled with gasps of relief and the soft murmur of conversation as they rehydrated and wiped their faces.
Tae-young, still holding onto his air of superiority, glanced around with a smirk.
"This is only the beginning. I hope you're all ready," he said, casting a sideways glance at Kyu, who responded with a subtle nod but kept his expression neutral.
Kang-dae, nearby, chuckled.
"Save your bravado for the real challenge," he muttered, nudging Joon-ho, who managed a weary smile.
The break was over before they knew it, and the instructors' voices rang out once more.
"Line up!" Instructor Ji-woo commanded, his tone leaving no room for hesitation. The students quickly formed a line, curiosity bubbling beneath their fatigue. As they settled into place, they noticed something new on the ground—a white strip of tape stretching across the floor.
"What's this for?" Baek-hyeon muttered under his breath, voicing the question on everyone's mind.
Instructor Dong-soo stepped forward with a sly grin.
"Good question," he said. "This is your starting line. Beyond this, a full obstacle course awaits."
At his nod, Instructor Min-ji wheeled in a trolley-mounted TV, the screen flickering to life and displaying a detailed map of the facility.
Gasps rippled through the line as the students took in the layout. The course wrapped around the building in a massive ring, with icons scattered at various points to denote obstacles. But the icons were strange—ambiguous shapes that offered little clarity. A jagged line here, a spiral there, and a few other cryptic symbols that made no sense at a glance.
"It's like a puzzle," Kyung-mi muttered, squinting at the screen as if it would give away more information. The icons only deepened the sense of anticipation and dread. What did they mean? What exactly were they in for?
"This course has been designed to test every aspect of your physical and mental endurance," Instructor Hye-won said, her voice calm but firm. "We won't tell you what each obstacle involves—that's part of the challenge. Adaptability is key."
Soo-jin's eyes narrowed as she analyzed the map, her competitive spirit already sparking to life. Hana, who had regained her composure after the rough start to the morning, exchanged a glance with Sang-hee. The look they shared was one of determination and silent agreement: whatever lay ahead, they would face it head-on.
Min-jae shifted uneasily, eyeing the map with a mix of excitement and nervousness. The rest of the boys mirrored his unease, a tension settling over the group as the instructors stepped back, their expressions unreadable.
Instructor Seung-hyun finally broke the silence.
"You have ten minutes to catch your breath and strategize with your teams. After that, the real test begins."
The students stood there, the weight of the announcement pressing down on them like a tangible force. Some exchanged quiet words, while others stared resolutely at the white line, already mentally preparing for what was to come.
The air was thick with anticipation, each heartbeat syncing with the unspoken promise of challenge. This was no ordinary training. It was the start of something far more gruelling—a trial that would test not just their strength and skill but their very will to endure.