With the heavy silence of the Ironclad Demon's chamber still echoing in his ears, Jihoon took a moment to gather himself. The exhilaration of victory coursed through his veins, but he knew he needed to process what had just transpired. The weight of the Ironclad Heart in his inventory served as a reminder of the power he had just claimed, and the Hell's Dagger glimmered with the promise of new challenges ahead.
"Time to regroup," he murmured to himself, the thrill of the fight still pulsing through his body. He recalled the clue he had uncovered and the path it hinted at—the Abandoned Sanctum awaited him, but first, he needed to log out and prepare for what lay ahead.
Jihoon accessed the menu interface that floated before him, the familiar holographic display shimmering with various options. He navigated through the options, selecting Log Out. A warm light enveloped him, pulling him back from the vibrant chaos of the Nether Realm to the stillness of his reality.
The Real World
As the world around him faded back into focus, Jihoon found himself back in his modest room. The quiet hum of his computer and the gentle glow of the monitor greeted him, grounding him in reality. He blinked, adjusting to the mundane sights of his surroundings. The contrast between the thrilling battles he had just faced and the tranquility of his room was stark.
He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the adrenaline still coursing through him. The memories of the battle replayed in his mind—the heat of the fight, the thrill of victory, and the weight of the clue he had discovered. Each detail felt vivid and raw, as if he were still standing in the Ironclad Demon's lair.
Reflecting on the Journey Ahead
Jihoon moved to his desk, opening a notebook he kept specifically for his thoughts on the Nether Realm. He jotted down the inscription from the Ironclad's chamber, his handwriting hurried as ideas flowed through him. "The chains that bind the world…" he wrote, underlining the key phrases. He knew that understanding this clue would be crucial to his mission.
"I need to prepare," he said aloud, his determination solidifying. Jihoon began to gather his gear, checking and double-checking his supplies. He would need to be ready for anything, whether it was facing other players in the trials or deciphering the clues that could lead him to the truth about the impending cataclysm.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Jihoon glanced at the clock. Time was slipping away, but he felt more ready than ever. The journey he had begun in the Nether Realm was intertwined with the fate of humanity, and he was determined to see it through.
A New Dawn
As the first light of dawn crept through his window, Jihoon prepared himself for the day ahead. He might have logged out of the Nether Realm, but his mission was just beginning. Armed with new knowledge and unwavering resolve, he was ready to face the challenges that awaited him, both in the real world and the virtual one.
His heart raced with anticipation as he thought of what lay ahead—trials, battles, and mysteries waiting to be uncovered. "No matter what it takes, I'll uncover the truth," he vowed to himself, the fire of determination igniting within him once more.
And with that, Jihoon stepped forward into the day, ready to embrace whatever came next.
The battles in the Nether Realm weren't just about strength alone—they required skill, precision, and, just as important, physical endurance. Jihoon stood up, grabbed his bag, and headed out to the gym, knowing he needed to train his real body just as hard as his virtual avatar.
At the Gym
The scent of sweat and metal greeted him as he entered the gym. The sound of heavy weights clanging together and the rhythmic pounding of fists against punching bags filled the air. Jihoon wrapped his hands and started with a routine—jabs, hooks, and uppercuts hammering into the bag with intensity. Each punch echoed his determination to be ready for the future, to ensure he could survive in both worlds.
As he focused on his punches, a deep voice cut through the sound of leather and fists.
"You won't get much stronger just by hitting that bag."
Jihoon stopped and turned to see a middle-aged man with a muscular build standing nearby. His arms were thick with muscle, and his stance radiated a calm, yet formidable strength. The man walked over, his eyes evaluating Jihoon's form.
"Come spar with me," the man said, his tone more of a command than a request.
Jihoon wiped the sweat from his brow and sized up the stranger. The man looked like someone who'd been through countless battles, both in life and in the ring. Sparring with him would be no easy task, but Jihoon knew he needed to test his limits.
"Alright," Jihoon replied, stepping into the sparring ring.
The Spar
The two of them faced each other, no words exchanged. Jihoon raised his fists, taking a stance as he studied the man's posture. Despite the stranger's casual demeanor, Jihoon could sense the coiled energy ready to explode at any moment.
Jihoon started with quick jabs, testing the man's defenses. The man blocked easily, his movements fluid and effortless. Jihoon tried to follow up with a flurry of punches, but the man's guard was impenetrable. Every strike was met with precise blocks or swift dodges.
Then the man countered.
His fist moved like lightning, slamming into Jihoon's ribs with just enough force to knock him back. Jihoon winced but steadied himself, rushing back in. The spar was intense—Jihoon gave it his all, his fists flying as fast as they could, aiming for openings that never really existed.
But the middle-aged man's experience was overwhelming. He flowed with every attack, deflecting and countering with brutal efficiency. Jihoon gritted his teeth, determined not to back down. He launched a fierce combination, weaving in kicks, but just as he thought he'd found a rhythm, the man unleashed a bizarre attack.
The man ducked low, then spun, his body twisting unnaturally as his elbow came crashing into Jihoon's side. The suddenness of the move stunned him. Before Jihoon could react, the man followed with a sweeping kick that knocked Jihoon off his feet, sending him crashing to the mat.
Jihoon lay there, gasping for breath, his body aching from the impact. The spar had only lasted a few minutes, but it felt like hours.
The man walked over, extending his hand.
"Not bad, kid," he said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "You've got spirit, but there's more to fighting than brute force."
Jihoon took his hand, letting the man pull him up. He stood on shaky legs, wiping the sweat from his face as he let out a sigh.
"It was my loss," Jihoon admitted, his voice steady despite the pain.
The man grinned. "Losing is part of the process. Learn from it. You've got potential, but you need to refine it."
Jihoon nodded, appreciating the advice. He wasn't discouraged by the loss—if anything, it lit a fire in him. There were still gaps in his abilities, and this spar had revealed them. But he was determined to fill those gaps, to push himself further than he ever had before.
As the man walked away, Jihoon watched him for a moment, wondering who he was, saying "was there someone like him in the future, well now's not the time to be curious I'll eventually find out later". The man's strength was undeniable, but there was something more to him—a kind of knowledge or experience that went beyond just physical training.
Jihoon made a silent vow to come back stronger the next time they crossed paths.