The sunlight was blinding at first, a sharp contrast to the dim, claustrophobic confines of the cave. Team 2 stood still for a moment, soaking in the fresh air and open space. It was as if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders, the final push through the maze-like cave finally behind them.
Joon-ho glanced around, his breathing steadying as he surveyed the surroundings. The open field stretched wide, but his focus sharpened when he caught movement on both sides.
To their left, a group emerged—Team 1. Tae-young was at the helm, his determined expression softened by the relief of the outdoors. Behind him were Hana and Kyu, their camaraderie evident in the quiet exchange of words and smiles. In-su adjusted his sleeves, his cool demeanour is intact despite the sweat on his brow, while Chin-hwa's keen eyes scanned the area, alert for any further surprises.
To their right, Team 3 appeared. Kang-dae stepped forward first, his imposing figure cutting a confident silhouette against the sunlight. Hyun-ae and Sang-hee flanked him, their contrasting energy—a mix of quiet focus and sharp wit—balancing out the group. Hi-ah trailed behind, her gaze darting curiously across the clearing, while Kyung-mi brought up the rear, his expression unreadable but his presence solid.
Joon-ho exchanged a glance with Min-jae, who nodded slightly. It seemed all three teams had finished at nearly the same time, a testament to their collective effort and determination.
Jin-kyong let out a low whistle.
"Looks like we weren't the only ones fighting for our lives back there."
"I'd bet they had their share of fun with the mannequins," Soo-jin folded her arms, smirking.
Before anyone could add more, a series of footsteps approached. The atmosphere shifted as five figures entered the scene—the instructors, their presence commanding immediate attention.
Instructor Seung-hyun led the group, his sharp eyes and composed demeanour setting the tone. Beside him, Instructor Ji-woo carried a clipboard, his expression thoughtful yet warm as he took stock of the students. Instructor Min-ji stood with arms crossed, her no-nonsense air tempered by a slight smile that suggested she was impressed. Instructor Dong-soo's energetic stride brought a hint of levity to the otherwise serious gathering, while Instructor Hye-won, calm and poised, completed the group with a watchful gaze.
The instructors stopped a few steps from the teams, their collective gaze sweeping over the students. Instructor Seung-hyun was the first to speak, his voice steady and authoritative.
"Congratulations to all of you," he began, his tone carrying both pride and expectation. "What you've just completed wasn't just about physical endurance or quick thinking. It was a test of your ability to adapt, to play your roles, and to function as a team. And judging by the fact that you're all standing here now, I'd say you've passed with flying colours."
A ripple of murmurs ran through the groups, a mix of relief and quiet celebration. Joon-ho glanced over at Min-jae, who gave a small grin, and then at Jin-kyong, who simply shrugged, though her slight smile betrayed her satisfaction.
Instructor Ji-woo stepped forward, his expression softening.
"Every challenge you faced was carefully crafted to push you to your limits—not just individually, but as a team. Each of you brought something unique to the table, and it's that balance that made this outcome possible."
Instructor Dong-soo clapped his hands together, his grin wide.
"And I bet you all have stories to tell, huh? Maybe about some mannequins giving you a tough time?" His joke earned a few chuckles, easing some of the tension.
Instructor Min-ji raised an eyebrow, her voice firm but encouraging.
"Don't get too comfortable. The real point of this exercise was to show you what happens when the boundaries between the game world and reality blur. Your skills in NexaRealm are valuable, but only if you can bring them to life here, in the real world. Remember that."
Instructor Hye-won's gaze lingered on each team, her voice calm yet resolute.
"Take pride in what you've achieved today, but don't forget: this is just the beginning. What you've learned here will shape how you approach every challenge moving forward."
The teams nodded in unison, a newfound respect for the instructors and themselves settling over them.
As the instructors stepped back, Instructor Seung-hyun gave a final nod.
"Rest up. You've earned it. We'll debrief soon."
With that, the instructors moved off to the side, leaving the teams to process their achievements. Joon-ho glanced back at his teammates, a grin spreading across his face.
"Well, Team 2," he said, his voice light. "We did it. And hey, it looks like the others aren't half bad either."
"Not bad at all," Jin-kyong agreed, her smirk returning. "But I'm still glad we're us."
Soo-jin laughed, throwing an arm around Min-jae.
"Damn right. Team 2 all the way."
The teams began mingling slightly, exchanging nods, words of encouragement, and quiet comparisons of their experiences. Despite the rivalry, there was a shared sense of accomplishment that connected them all.
And as the sun hung straight on the horizon, they knew this was a moment they wouldn't forget—a turning point in their journey, both as individuals and as teams.
As the instructors began stepping aside, Tae-young's voice sliced through the air, commanding attention like an unsheathed blade.
"Wait!" he called out, striding a step forward with a sharp glare directed at Instructor Seung-hyun. "What about the prize? You said there'd be an extravagant lunch. Don't tell me all this was for nothing."
The other students glanced at each other, some stifling laughter while others murmured in curiosity. Tae-young's demand wasn't exactly unexpected—after all, this was Tae-young. The number one Assassin in Korea didn't just compete; he dominated. And he never let anyone forget it.
Instructor Seung-hyun turned back, his expression cool and collected, though the faintest trace of amusement flickered in his eyes.
"Ah, the extravagant lunch," he said, his voice carrying an air of nonchalance that only stoked Tae-young's fire.
"Yeah, you know," Tae-young pressed, his arms crossed. "The one you hyped up to get us all worked up over this course. I'm not about to waste my time on something that doesn't deliver."
Instructor Seung-hyun chuckled lightly, a rare sound.
"It was a joke."
Tae-young's jaw dropped, the words hitting him like an unexpected counterattack.
"A joke?" His voice dripped with indignation. "Instructor Seung-hyun, you might think you're funny, but trust me, you're not."
Some of the other students stifled their laughter, but Tae-young barely noticed. He was too busy glaring at the instructor as though the joke was a personal affront.
Instructor Seung-hyun raised an eyebrow, clearly unbothered by Tae-young's challenge.
"Let me clarify," he said smoothly. "What I meant by a joke is this: only one team was supposed to win the extravagant lunch. But in reality…"
He paused, letting the suspense linger just long enough to test even Tae-young's patience.
"All teams will get a great lunch. You've all earned it. This course was gruelling, even for someone of your calibre, Tae-young."
The faint compliment did little to soothe Tae-young's ego. He scoffed lightly, though there was the barest flicker of satisfaction in his expression.
"Well, of course, it was gruelling for everyone else," he muttered under his breath, loud enough for the nearby teams to hear.
Instructor Dong-soo, standing nearby, let out a hearty laugh.
"Still hung up on food, Tae-young? I thought the number one Assassin in Korea had bigger priorities than his stomach."
Tae-young shot him a look, his pride flaring.
"Easy for you to say, Instructor Dong-soo. But last I checked, I didn't just beat the course—I beat your ranking in NexaRealm."
The jab earned a mix of chuckles and gasps from the students. Instructor Dong-soo, ever the playful one, simply shrugged with a grin.
"Fair enough. But don't forget, Tae-young, that ranking doesn't mean much if you can't back it up in the real world."
"I just did," Tae-young shot back, gesturing around him. "And I didn't need a joke prize to do it."
The banter lightened the mood, even as Tae-young remained unapologetically himself. The rest of Team 1 rolled their eyes good-naturedly, accustomed to their leader's larger-than-life personality.
As they all began to file toward the dining area, it was clear that the real prize wasn't just the food. For most, it was a sense of teamwork and accomplishment after completing such a gruelling challenge.
The tension of the obstacle course finally eased, replaced by a collective sense of relief and accomplishment. Yet, Tae-young lingered at the back of the group, casting one last glance at the maze-like caves they'd emerged from. His lips curled into a self-assured smirk, his thoughts already racing ahead. This wasn't just another victory—it was proof.
Proof that he could outshine anyone, even outside NexaRealm, even against odds stacked high. As his gaze shifted to the instructors, particularly Instructor Dong-soo, the glint in his eyes hinted at one thing: the hunger for competition wasn't just about food—it was about always being one step ahead.