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Chapter 3
: Pressure Points
Scene 1: Rumors in the Ranks
It seems he defeated three others aswell.
Overnight, the atmosphere in Baekho Academy thickened. Joon-seo's fight with Rank 19 wasn't just heard about—it was watched, replayed, analyzed.
Three ranked fighters in the Top 20 called in sick the next day.
> "He didn't just beat Gyu-seok. He dissected him."
> "No waste in movement. No panic. Like he's fought to survive."
Whispers slithered into classrooms. Teachers ignored them. Baekho knew how its unofficial system worked. The strong ruled. The weak kept their heads down.
But now there was a new name climbing.
And he wasn't talking.
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Scene 2: Rank 18 – Yoo Sang-bin
Sang-bin was flashy. Loved spinning kicks, loud entrances, and video uploads of his fights. He greeted Joon-seo in the cafeteria with a smirk and a phone.
"Let's make it go viral. I'll knock you out in 30 seconds."
Joon-seo didn't respond. He walked past him with his tray.
Later that day, Sang-bin ambushed him during open training.
He spun. Jumped. Kicked.
Joon-seo blocked the first with his forearm. Dodged the second. The third connected—but barely. Sang-bin smiled.
Then Joon-seo moved.
Boxing. Two jabs. One cross. Sang-bin stumbled.
> [Skill Used: Boxing]
Taekkyeon. A pivot kick. Chin clipped.
> [Skill Used: Taekkyeon]
Sang-bin dropped. The gym was silent.
> [Rank Achieved: 18th]
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: Breaking the Noise
Scene 1: Rank 17 & 16
Joon-seo's progress was a machine. No declarations. No boasts.
Rank 17 came the next day. A ground fighter. Wrestler. Joon-seo outpaced him with footwork, stayed standing, and chipped away.
> [Skill Used: Boxing] [Skill Used: Taekkyeon]
[Judo]. [Jiu-jitsu]. [Grappling defense]. [Precision]. A liver shot ended the match.
Rank 16 didn't even make it a full round. A brawler with no defense. Joon-seo took a few blows—but that was part of it. He wanted to feel it.
> [Passive Activated: Pain Resistance Lv.1]
He didn't flinch. And when his counter landed, it was surgical.
> [Rank Achieved: 16th]
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Scene 2: Stirring the Top 15
From the Top 15 onward, it wasn't just about strength. It was reputation.
Those in that tier weren't just strong—they were feared. The teachers knew them by name. Some were protected.
But Joon-seo had reached the edge.
The line was watching him.
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: Phantom Reactions
Scene 1: Inside the Top 10 Lounge
Oh Tae-suk sat with his legs crossed. A screen showed footage of Joon-seo's recent fights. He paused at the [pivot step]. [The elbow]. [The grip break].
"He's not just fighting," he said quietly. "He's adapting."
Another Top 10 member scoffed. "Just a fluke. He'll break soon."
Tae-suk smiled. "Then fight him. You're Rank 10."
The room went silent.
> [ Rank 10 ????]
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Scene 2: The Divinities Report
> [Subject: Kang Joon-seo – Current Rank: 16th] [Behavioral Profile: Cold, efficient, emotionally restrained. No known alliances.] [Recommendation: Accelerate observation. Daegu approval confirmed. Seoul watching closely.]
A final note:
> "Incheon may produce more than a King. It may produce a problem."
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: Silence Before Collision
Scene 1: Back at Home
Joon-seo sat in his room, knuckles bruised and bandaged. The holographic system appeared.
> [Progress: Rapid. Efficiency Rating: 92%.] [Next Suggested Target: Rank 15.]
He didn't respond.
He closed the interface. Walked to his mirror.
His reflection looked back — leaner, harder, still.
Father's voice echoed faintly:
> "The weak deserve what they get."
Not this time.
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