Yun Ha-jin stood among the carnage, his breath coming in heavy bursts as he wiped sweat from his brow. The battlefield stretched out around him, littered with the carcasses of slain monsters, their blood staining the ground. The Dokkaebis had unleashed a wave of creatures upon the incarnations left behind during Main Scenario 6—the Monster Hunting scenario. While many had ventured to Peace Land, Ha-jin chose to remain and test himself against the tide of creatures.
The decision had paid off. He had fought his way through 264 monsters, using every skill and every weapon in his arsenal to survive. Each monster he encountered tested his mettle, forcing him to adapt and evolve as he faced varied threats. From vicious dog-like beasts to towering behemoths that seemed to shake the earth with every step, Ha-jin pushed his limits, his stamina almost spent but the thrill of the hunt surging in his veins. Each creature he felled brought him closer to the rewards he sought.
As he stood amidst the battlefield, his notification chimed:
Scenario Reward: You have achieved the second-highest monster count. You are awarded 230,000 coins. Total balance: 330,000 coins.
A smirk crept across his face. The coins were a nice bonus, but that wasn't what excited him the most. Along with the reward came something far more valuable:
You have gained a new ability: Eye of the Hawk.
The ability allowed Ha-jin to place his enemies under powerful illusions. His control over his opponents' perceptions would give him a tactical edge, distorting reality to his advantage. He could create visions that misled his foes, leading them into traps or causing them to question their own sanity. With his new power, he could turn the tides of battle before a single strike landed.
"This should come in handy," Ha-jin murmured, his eyes scanning the horizon for any remaining threats.
However, the aftermath of the monster hunt didn't bring him peace. The air felt charged, and a feeling of unease settled over him. Something darker loomed on the horizon, a presence that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He turned slowly, scanning the area, when suddenly a figure stepped out from behind a massive pile of rubble.
Nirvana Moebius.
Nirvana was a legend among the incarnations who remained in Seoul, a figure known for his Thought Infection ability, which allowed him to manipulate the minds of those around him. He had single-handedly taken down all the kings present in Seoul, bending them and their followers to his will. And now, he stood before Ha-jin, his dark robes flowing around him like shadows.
Nirvana regarded Ha-jin with calm, unblinking eyes. "You've made quite the impact, young one," he said softly. "But you should know, this battle will end the same as all others."
Ha-jin narrowed his gaze, feeling the weight of Nirvana's words. "We'll see about that."
The tension in the air thickened as they prepared to clash. Ha-jin felt adrenaline surging through his veins, readying himself for the confrontation. He called upon his Rotating Palm Technique, gathering energy in his palm as he lunged forward.
The two men collided with a force that sent shockwaves through the area. Ha-jin threw every skill he had at Nirvana, swinging wildly and focusing on precision. Each strike was met with equal force; Nirvana's movements were fluid, almost hypnotic, as he dodged and countered with devastating blows of his own.
But Nirvana's true strength lay in his mind. With each strike Ha-jin landed, Nirvana fought back with illusions that warped Ha-jin's perception of reality. Ha-jin found himself momentarily disoriented, grappling with visions of multiple Nirvanas attacking from all angles.
"Fight the illusion! Focus!" he chided himself, forcing his mind to clear. He activated Eye of the Hawk, summoning an illusion of his own. Suddenly, a second Ha-jin appeared, charging at Nirvana from a different angle.
The real Ha-jin watched as Nirvana faltered, momentarily confused by the sudden appearance of the illusory double. Seizing the opportunity, Ha-jin lunged forward, unleashing a barrage of strikes that sent Nirvana stumbling back.
But Nirvana was quick to recover. "Impressive," he said, his voice smooth and confident. "But you'll need more than tricks to defeat me."
With a wave of his hand, he unleashed a wave of Thought Infection that surged toward Ha-jin. Ha-jin felt it crawling into his mind, trying to take root and control his thoughts. He fought against it, digging deep into his reserves, channeling every ounce of willpower to resist.
"I won't fall to your games!" he shouted, pushing back against the invading force.
The two continued to clash, each trying to outmaneuver the other, but as the fight wore on, Ha-jin began to tire. Nirvana, on the other hand, seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment, his calm demeanor unshaken.
In one last desperate attempt, Ha-jin called upon his Bloodlust Gaze, focusing on Nirvana with an intensity that sent shivers through the air. For a brief moment, he could see Nirvana falter, a flicker of uncertainty in his otherwise stoic expression. Ha-jin lunged, aiming a powerful strike that would end the fight.
But Nirvana countered just in time, redirecting the blow and retaliating with a sweeping kick that knocked Ha-jin off balance. As Ha-jin hit the ground, he felt the wind knocked out of him.
As he lay there, struggling to regain his breath, Nirvana approached, looking down at him with respect in his eyes. "You fought well. Better than most," he said. "You've earned my respect."
Ha-jin grunted, his body screaming in pain, but he met Nirvana's gaze without fear. "I'll take that as a compliment," he said, breathing heavily.
Nirvana offered a small smile before walking away, leaving Ha-jin with a bittersweet feeling of both victory and defeat. He hadn't won the fight, but he had pushed Nirvana further than anyone else had. And in doing so, he had survived, gaining not just the rewards of the scenario, but also the knowledge that he had grown stronger.
As the dust settled and the monsters around him lay dead, Ha-jin took a deep breath and stood up, ready for whatever came next. The battle with Nirvana had tested his limits, but it had also shown him that there was still more to learn—more power to gain.
With his new abilities and growing strength, Ha-jin knew that the next time they met, the outcome might be different.
And he would be ready.