When they returned to the house their master had given them, everything felt… different. The same small space, the same single bed, the same quiet surroundings, but the awkwardness that once lingered between them was gone, replaced by a strange sense of comfort that neither of them spoke about.
The door closed behind them, and for a brief moment, both just stood there, as if realizing that something between them had changed after that dungeon. Min Seoah was the first to break the silence, her gaze fixed on him, not cold like before, not distant, but curious.
"How did you kill it?"
Lee Hyun paused slightly, knowing exactly what she meant, the final attack, the overwhelming explosion that erased the boss before it could even react. He didn't answer immediately, his expression calm as always, hiding everything behind that familiar mask.
"…A skill."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"That wasn't just a skill."
He looked at her, then away, his voice steady.
"It's something I can't explain yet."
There was no hesitation in his tone, and strangely, she didn't push further. Maybe it was because of what they had gone through, or maybe it was because she understood that everyone had secrets, especially in a world like this. Instead, he asked something that had been on his mind.
"Why did you protect me?"
She blinked slightly, caught off guard by the question, her expression softening just a little.
"…I don't know."
She looked away, thinking for a moment before continuing.
"I just… felt like I had to."
There was no grand reason, no logic behind it, just a simple answer that somehow carried more weight than anything else. She hesitated for a second, then spoke again, her voice quieter this time.
"And… about before."
A pause.
"I'm sorry. I misunderstood you."
For the first time, her tone carried something close to embarrassment, a rare sight from someone like her. Lee Hyun looked at her, but he didn't say anything, not because he didn't care, but because words felt unnecessary at that moment. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable anymore, it was… natural.
After a few seconds, he spoke again.
"Congratulations."
She tilted her head slightly.
"For what?"
"You awakened it."
His gaze was steady.
"Your real power."
She understood immediately, her hand tightening slightly as she felt the faint trace of that power still within her, something far beyond what she had before.
"…SSS rank."
She said it quietly, almost like she was still processing it.
He nodded.
"You're one of them now."
The chosen ones. Those who stood above others.bThose who could shape the future.
She let out a small breath, a faint smile appearing for a brief moment.
"…It almost killed me."
"But it didn't."
He replied calmly.
"And now you're stronger because of it."
There was a truth in his words that couldn't be denied. The risk had been real, the danger overwhelming, but the reward… had balanced everything.
After that, there were no more heavy conversations. No more tension. Just a quiet understanding between them as they settled back into their routine, but this time, everything was different.
The next month passed like a storm of growth. They didn't waste a single day. From early morning to late night, they trained, fought, and pushed themselves beyond their limits. The techniques their master had given them were no longer unfamiliar, they refined them, mastered them, and made them their own.
Lee Hyun improved his control over Dragon Blade Dance, unlocking deeper understanding with every battle, while also integrating his magic and demonic energy more smoothly into his fighting style.
His Void Domain became more stable, more controlled, and though he still couldn't use it freely, its power became something he could rely on when it mattered most.
Min Seoah, on the other hand, transformed completely. Her Frost Sovereign power, once unstable and overwhelming, slowly came under her control. Her attacks became sharper, colder, more absolute, and her domain, though still taxing, became something she could use without immediately collapsing. The difference between her old self and her current self was like night and day.
And then there were the dungeons. They cleared them, again, and again, and again. But this time, it was different. The fear was gone. The struggle also reduced.
What once felt overwhelming now felt manageable, and what once pushed them to their limits now barely slowed them down. D-rank dungeons, even at nightmare level, became something they could clear with coordination and precision, their teamwork improving with every fight. They no longer needed desperate strategies, no longer needed to gamble everything just to survive.
They dominated. Records were broken, clear times shattered. Their names spread through the academy. Lee Hyun and Min Seoah became known. Not just as talented individuals, but as monsters. They became popular after that dungeon anomaly incident.
By the end of the month, their growth was clear. Lee Hyun stood at Level 32. Min Seoah at Level 30. Their stats, their control, their experience, everything had risen to a level far beyond normal students. Even compared to other geniuses, they stood out.
And yet, their master never appeared. Not even once, and no guidance or message from her. It was as if she had disappeared completely. One evening, after returning from another dungeon clear, Lee Hyun finally asked.
"You don't know anything?"
Min Seoah shook her head.
"No."
Even she, her own daughter, had no information. That alone said enough. Something was happening. Something bigger than last event. But for now, they could only move forward.
As days passed, their bond grew stronger, not through words, but through shared battles, shared struggles, and shared silence. They understood each other better now, their movements in combat almost instinctive, their coordination seamless.
And then.. the time came. The tournament. The event that would gather the strongest newcomers, the place where talents would shine, where rankings would be decided, where the world would see who truly stood at the top.
Both of them stood outside their house that day, ready. No nervousness or hesitation only calm and confidence stood on their face. Because they were no longer the same people who had entered that dungeon before. If they faced the Goblin King now, they wouldn't struggle. They wouldn't be pushed to the edge. They would defeat it effortlessly.
Lee Hyun looked ahead, his eyes steady.
"This time…"
Min Seoah stood beside him, her presence cold and sharp, a faint smile forming on her lips.
"…we win."
And together, they stepped forward.
---
To be continued..