### **Chapter 9: The First Match**
The simulated forest flickered into full existence around Jae-min and Tae-ho, casting long shadows from towering trees and scattered underbrush. The sound of rustling leaves and distant birdsong created an almost serene atmosphere—an illusion that masked the tension crackling in the air.
Jae-min's gaze darted across the environment as his system highlighted critical elements: uneven terrain, climbable trees, and a shallow stream winding through the battlefield. Meanwhile, Tae-ho stood confidently, his fiery orange Star Power radiating around him like a burning aura.
"Ready to lose, Jae-min?" Tae-ho called out, smirking as he twirled his spear. "You might have done well in the dungeon, but here, raw power is what matters."
Jae-min ignored the taunt, focusing instead on analyzing his opponent. Tae-ho's talent, **Blazing Spear**, was an offensive ability that enhanced his spear strikes with fire-based attacks. Its strength was undeniable, but Jae-min knew its weakness—it consumed significant amounts of Star Power with prolonged use.
The system's voice chimed in his mind:
**"Key strategy: Avoid direct confrontation. Exploit terrain to exhaust the opponent's resources."**
---
The match began with a loud gong. Tae-ho wasted no time, surging forward with his spear ablaze.
"Take this!" he roared, thrusting the weapon toward Jae-min. A burst of flame erupted from the tip, searing through the air.
Jae-min rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. The flames scorched the ground where he had been standing, leaving a blackened mark.
"Running already?" Tae-ho sneered, chasing after him.
Jae-min activated **Create Zones**, altering the terrain beneath Tae-ho's feet. The ground shifted, creating a slight incline that caused Tae-ho to stumble. Taking advantage of the moment, Jae-min sprinted deeper into the forest, forcing Tae-ho to pursue him.
---
As Tae-ho chased him, Jae-min used **Dungeon Insight** to navigate the forest, identifying hidden hazards and choke points. He led Tae-ho toward a narrow path bordered by thick roots and low-hanging branches.
When Tae-ho followed, Jae-min activated another **Zone**, manipulating the terrain to tighten the passage. The branches seemed to close in, slowing Tae-ho's movements and forcing him to slash at the foliage with his spear.
"Stop running and fight me!" Tae-ho shouted, flames licking at the edges of his spear as he cut through the branches.
"Why would I fight on your terms?" Jae-min muttered to himself, his lips curving into a small smile.
---
The chase continued, with Jae-min using the environment to wear down Tae-ho. Each time Tae-ho attacked, Jae-min either dodged or manipulated the terrain to block or redirect the flames.
Finally, Tae-ho's movements began to slow, and the fiery aura around his spear dimmed. His breathing was labored, and sweat dripped down his face.
"What's the matter, Tae-ho?" Jae-min called out, stepping into a clearing. "Running out of steam?"
Tae-ho gritted his teeth, anger flashing in his eyes. "You think you're so clever? Let's see how you handle this!"
Summoning the last of his energy, Tae-ho launched a massive fire strike, the flames roaring toward Jae-min like a raging inferno.
---
Jae-min activated **Create Zones** at the last second, creating a barrier of earth that absorbed most of the impact. The remaining flames dissipated harmlessly into the air.
Before Tae-ho could recover, Jae-min sprang into action. He used **Dungeon Insight** to locate a weak spot in the terrain beneath Tae-ho and activated another **Zone**, destabilizing the ground. Tae-ho stumbled, his footing lost as the ground shifted beneath him.
Jae-min rushed forward, grabbing a nearby branch and using it to sweep Tae-ho's legs out from under him. Tae-ho fell to the ground, his spear clattering out of reach.
"It's over," Jae-min said, standing over his opponent.
Tae-ho glared up at him, his frustration evident. But he didn't argue. "Fine. You win."
---
The match ended with another gong, signaling Jae-min's victory. The simulated forest faded away, returning the arena to its original state.
The crowd erupted into cheers and murmurs of surprise.
"Did Jae-min just beat Tae-ho?"
"Wow, I didn't think he had it in him."
"He's more than just a support guy, huh?"
Jae-min stepped off the field, his heart pounding with adrenaline. Ji-a, So-young, and Hyun-woo greeted him with wide smiles.
"That was amazing!" Ji-a said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You completely outsmarted him."
"Yeah," So-young added. "You didn't just fight—you controlled the entire match."
"Thanks," Jae-min said, a small smile breaking across his face. He felt a newfound sense of confidence.
---
As the tournament continued, Jae-min watched the other matches, studying his potential opponents. Each victory brought him closer to proving his worth, not just to his classmates but to himself.
That night, as he lay in bed, the system chimed once more.
**"Mission complete. Star Power increased by 10. Current total: 43."**
Jae-min smiled to himself. The path ahead was long, but for the first time, he felt like he belonged on it.
**To be continued...**