The underground training facility buzzed with activity, its cold metallic walls lit by artificial lights. Reinforced barriers and holographic projectors created an uncanny simulation of Devil Zone terrain. To most applicants, this was a chance to prove their worth. To Jin Seo, it was nothing but a tedious chore.
Seo stood at the back of the crowd, arms crossed, his face betraying zero enthusiasm. He glanced at the excited faces of his fellow applicants and sighed.
"This is just sad," he muttered.
Kai, leaning against a nearby wall, smirked. "Cheer up, man. You don't want to look like you're scared, do you?"
"Scared? No," Seo replied flatly. "Bored? Absolutely."
"Yeah, well, bored or not, people are already talking." Kai nodded toward the clusters of applicants sneaking glances in Seo's direction. "You're Jin Sang-ho's kid. Everyone expects you to pull off some kind of miracle."
Seo's expression soured. "Let them expect. I didn't ask to be here."
The chatter in the room abruptly ceased as their proctor entered—a sharp-featured woman in lightweight armor. Her name tag read Sandra, and the emblem of the Seoul Guild gleamed on her chest plate.
"All right, listen up," Na-yeon said, her voice slicing through the silence. "This isn't a game. You're here to prove you can survive a Devil Zone. Fail here, and you'll never make it out there."
She scanned the group, her gaze landing on Seo. Her expression hardened. "Even if you have a famous last name, you don't get special treatment. Prove yourself, or get out of my sight."
Seo stiffened but said nothing. Kai elbowed him lightly. "Ouch. You gonna let her talk to you like that?"
"She's not wrong," Seo muttered, though his jaw tightened.
Sandra gestured to the simulation chamber's door. "Team assignments are on the monitor. Move quickly. You've got five minutes to prepare."
Seo and Kai approached the screen.
"Looks like we're together," Kai said, grinning. "Lucky you, huh?"
"Sure," Seo deadpanned.
Their team consisted of four others: a muscular guy with a shield, a girl with a bow, and twin brothers wielding daggers. Seo barely registered their names as they were introduced.
The group entered the chamber, the air immediately cooler, the lighting dim and oppressive. Holographic projections of jagged rocks and swirling mist created an eerie, lifelike atmosphere.
Seo's phone buzzed.
[Simulated Devil Zone: D Rank]
[Objective: Neutralize the Core Entity]
"Simple enough," Kai said, unsheathing his sword. Its polished blade gleamed faintly in the simulated moonlight.
Before anyone could respond, a low growl echoed through the chamber. A hulking, wolf-like Devil emerged from the shadows, its crimson eyes glowing with malice.
"Positions!" the shield-bearer barked. "I'll tank! Archery, support! Daggers, flank it!"
The group scrambled into formation, their movements unsteady but earnest. Seo hung back, watching as the wolf lunged, claws sparking against the shield.
"Hey!" Kai shouted over his shoulder. "You planning to help, or just standing there?"
Seo sighed, gripping the hilt of his practice sword. The weight felt unfamiliar in his hand, awkward and unbalanced.
The wolf turned on him, snarling as it leaped. Seo dodged clumsily, the beast's claws barely missing him. Instinct kicked in, and he swung his blade in a wide arc. To his surprise, it connected, slicing into the wolf's flank.
The creature howled, staggering back.
"Nice one!" Kai called, driving his sword into the wolf's hind leg.
Seo exhaled, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. For a fleeting moment, he felt something he hadn't expected—exhilaration.
The twins darted in, their daggers flashing as they delivered the finishing blows. The wolf collapsed, shattering into fragments of light.
[Enemy Neutralized: 50% Progress to Core Entity]
The notification flashed on Seo's phone. He stared at it, lips twitching into a faint smirk.
Kai clapped him on the back. "Not bad for your first run, huh?"
"It's whatever," Seo muttered, though the adrenaline still buzzed in his veins.
The group pressed on, taking down more holographic Devils. Seo's movements grew sharper, his hesitation fading as he fell into a rhythm. By the time they reached the Core Entity—a towering Devil with molten cracks running along its body—he felt strangely confident.
The battle was intense, but the team worked together, their efforts culminating in a final strike that shattered the Core into light.
[Simulation Complete: Success]
[Performance: Above Average]
Kai let out a triumphant cheer, wiping sweat from his brow. "We killed it out there!"
Seo remained quiet, though he couldn't deny the small flicker of pride warming his chest.
Sandra was waiting as they exited the chamber, clipboard in hand. She nodded curtly at Seo. "Better than I expected. You've got potential—if you stop wasting it."
Seo didn't respond, but her words lingered.
That evening, as he and Kai sat on the steps outside a convenience store, sipping canned coffee, Seo's mind replayed the day's events. He hadn't expected to enjoy the simulation. But he had.
Kai nudged him. "So? Ready to join the Guild for real?"
Seo didn't answer. Instead, he pulled out his phone, scrolling through the Devil Zone alerts. He stopped at one: a freshly opened C-Rank Zone in the Yeonpo District.
"This one," Seo said, showing Kai the screen. "Let's check it out."
Kai gaped at him. "A C-Rank? Are you crazy? That's way above our level!"
"You've got a contract, don't you?" Seo said. "And I did fine today. We'll be careful."
Kai hesitated, torn between worry and excitement. "This is reckless, man."
"Maybe," Seo said, his eyes glinting with determination. "But you said it yourself—I've got potential. Let's see if it's real."