In Apartment Balcony, Morning Light Creeping In.
Min-ho stood on his cramped balcony, hands outstretched. His gaze fixed on the empty space ahead as small, floating barriers flickered to life, one after another.
"Smaller barriers cost less energy."
He shuffled them around like puzzle pieces, tossing one from hand to hand.
_________________________________________
[System Notification]
[Energy Control: 15% efficiency]
Skills Improving...
-Energy Barrier>Energy Barrier (Novice+)
-New Skill Unlocked: Multiple Barrier Formation.
_________________________________________
Min-ho grinned, feeling his confidence build.
Until the screaming started.
His head snapped toward the street below. A crowd scattered as three shadowy figures prowled after them, red eyes glowing with malicious hunger.
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[System Notification]
[Warning: 3 Hostile Entities Detected]
Type: Shadow Scout (Enhanced)
Recommend Level: 3
_________________________________________
Min-ho's throat tightened. "I'm level one…"
The shadows turned their heads, locking onto him as if sensing his presence. Their bodies rippled unnaturally as they began scaling the building's exterior.
"No time for fear."
Min-ho summoned the small barriers once again, but this time, he spread them across the air beneath him like stepping stones.
"Please work, please work, please work…"
He hesitated for half a second—then stepped onto the first barrier.
His foot held.
_________________________________________
[System Notification]
[New Skill Created: Energy Platform (Basic)]
Tactical Options Expanded.
_________________________________________
Min-ho's lips curled into a grin.
"Alright… class is in session."
He took another step, ascending further as the Shadow Scouts closed in from below..
This time, he wasn't planning on running.
Min-ho balanced precariously on his glowing energy platform, staring down at the three Shadow Scouts climbing rapidly up the side of the building.
Their crimson eyes pierced the dark, narrowing on him like predators eyeing fresh prey.
"Okay… new plan."
His eyes flicked to the empty street below.
"RUN!"
Min-ho spun on his heels, ready to leap to the next platform—
"Duck!"
The sharp command cut through the cold air.
Min-ho barely registered the voice before he instinctively dropped to the platform.
A blazing arrow of red energy seared past his head, slicing through the chest of the lead Shadow Scout.
The creature screeched as it dissolved into ash.
Landing gracefully on the rooftop railing across from him was a girl, her long black ponytail swaying behind her. A red energy bow materialized in her hands, crackling with residual power. Her gaze was sharp and focused, scanning the remaining Scouts.
Min-ho blinked. "Who…?"
_________________________________________
[System Notification]
[Nearby Player Detected]
-Ha-jin Lee
- Level: 3
- Class: Energy Archer
- Alignment: Unknown
_________________________________________
Min-ho's eyes widened. "Another player?!"
"You're like me?" he called out, gripping his pipe tightly.
"Less talking, more fighting!" Ha-jin replied, nocking another energy arrow.
Two of the remaining Scouts peeled off, lunging toward her. The third set its sights solely on Min-ho, claws glinting under the pale light.
"She's so calm…" Min-ho thought as he braced his platform with more barriers. "Her energy control is insane!"
The Scout pounced. Min-ho hurled up multiple small barriers, halting the creature mid-air. It thrashed against the translucent shields.
"Your defense is solid," Ha-jin said, firing two rapid arrows into the other Scouts. "But defense won't win fights."
"I'm working on it!" Min-ho growled, sweat dripping down his brow.
Ha-jin vaulted over to his platform, landing beside him effortlessly.
"Here," she said, grabbing his wrist. "Let me speed things up."
The moment her fingers touched his skin, a warm surge of energy flooded through him. Min-ho's eyes widened as red light swirled and intertwined with his blue.
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[System Notification]
[Energy Resonance Detected]
Temporary Skill Share Available – Duration: 5 minutes
_________________________________________
"This feeling…" Min-ho's breath hitched. "It's like her energy is teaching mine!"
Ha-jin's grip tightened. "Your energy can take any form. What feels natural to you?"
Min-ho's mind flickered back to childhood memories—late nights at the dojo, gripping a wooden sword during kendo practice.
"A sword."
His energy responded instantly. Blue light extended from his palm, hardening into a long, crystalline blade.
_________________________________________
[System Notification]
[New Skills Acquired – Energy Weapon
Formation (Basic)]
_________________________________________
"That's more like it." Ha-jin said, while smiling.
The Scouts hissed as they circled closer, sensing the change.
"I'll take high," Ha-jin said, raising her bow. "You go low."
Min-ho shifted into a stance, his sword vibrating with power. "Wait! Why are you helping me?"
Ha-jin's gaze flickered, briefly serious. "Because in three days, we'll need each other to survive."
Their conversation ended as the Scouts lunged again.
Min-ho's energy sword sliced clean through the leg of the nearest Scout. As the Shadow Scout reeled back, Ha-jin loosed another arrow, finishing it off mid-fall.
Their movements synchronized without thought—Min-ho deflected with barriers while Ha-jin struck from a distance.
_________________________________________
[System Notification]
[Combat Synchronization Achieved]
Combo Attacks Unlocked
_________________________________________
Min-ho panted, locking blades with the final Scout. "Three days? he thought, eyes narrowing. "What happens in three days?"
With one final surge, he drove his sword through the Scout's crystal core. The Shadow Scout howled before dissolving into mist.
Silence settled over the rooftop.
Ha-jin lowered her bow, catching her breath. "Not bad, rookie. Quick learner."
Min-ho leaned against the railing. "And you're still not explaining anything."
Ha-jin glanced at the horizon, her expression grim. "Check your system messages from three days ago."
Min-ho hesitated before pulling up his status screen. His fingers hovered over the message log.
As he scrolled, his eyes locked onto one notification he hadn't noticed before.
_________________________________________
[System Notification]
[Global Event: The Great Purge]
Time Remaining: 2 days, 23 hours, 47 minutes
Players Remaining Worldwide: 1,327
Active Players in Seoul: 2
_________________________________________
Min-ho's breath caught. "Only two…?"
Ha-jin's gaze softened. "Yeah. Everyone else either died or…" Her voice trailed off, eyes flicking away.
A low, distant roar echoed across the city, vibrating through the air like a warning.
Min-ho tightened his grip on his sword." The Great Purge…"
Ha-jin stepped toward the edge of the rooftop. "Get stronger, Min-ho. Because in three days, this city will be crawling with things much worse than Scouts."
Min-ho swallowed hard as he stared out at the skyline. "I survived the first trial… but this is just the beginning."