The tournament grounds were nothing like the test arena they had seen before, this place was on a completely different level, vast and grand, filled with towering structures, layered platforms, and countless arrays carved into the ground that faintly glowed with protective energy, and as Lee Hyun and Min Seoah stepped inside together, the sheer scale of it became clear instantly.
The crowd was massive, students, officials, powerful figures, and even representatives from different organizations had gathered, all eyes filled with anticipation, curiosity, and excitement, and the moment they entered, the atmosphere subtly shifted.
Whispers began. Then murmurs. Then voices.
"That's him…"
"The one who cleared the anomaly dungeon…"
"Both of them…"
"It's real…"
Their story had already spread far beyond what they expected. Two young awakeners clearing an anomaly dungeon, something even experienced hunters avoided, something that could wipe out entire squads, and not only did they survive, they cleared it. That alone was enough to turn them into legends among the younger generation.
Lee Hyun didn't react. He simply walked forward. Min Seoah beside him, calm as always, her presence cold and composed, but even she could feel the tension in the air. This wasn't just about numbers anymore, this wasn't just about power levels, this was a gathering of the best, and every single person here had something to prove.
As they moved deeper inside, the crowd grew denser, the energy heavier, and suddenly,
"Seoah!"
A voice called out loudly. Min Seoah stopped. Her eyes shifted. Seven people approached from a distance, waving slightly as they came closer, their expressions familiar to her, and after a brief pause, she stepped toward them. Lee Hyun followed quietly, observing.
"They're my friends."
She said simply after a glance at him. The group surrounded her quickly, greetings flowing naturally, their tone relaxed, comfortable, clearly people she trusted. One of them stepped forward, smiling as he looked at Lee Hyun.
"Aren't you going to introduce us?"
Min Seoah glanced at Lee Hyun again, then spoke calmly.
"This is Lee Hyun."
A short introduction. Simple, but enough.
Lee Hyun nodded slightly.
"Nice to meet you."
One by one, all seven introduced themselves, their personalities varied, some calm, some energetic, some clearly confident in their strength. Among them, two stood out immediately, their presence sharper, their aura stronger.
S rank.
The rest were A rank. Talented, strong and not ordinary. But among them, one person's gaze lingered too long.
A young man, well-dressed, confident, but with something unpleasant hidden behind his expression. His eyes moved between Min Seoah and Lee Hyun, and it didn't take long to understand. Jealousy.. or may be possessiveness.
He stepped forward slightly, his tone polite but carrying an edge.
"Seoah."
She didn't respond immediately. He smiled lightly.
"What exactly is your relationship with him?"
The air around them shifted. Min Seoah's expression didn't change.
"That's none of your business."
A direct answer, cold and final, as her nature.
But he didn't stop.
"Come on… don't be like that."
His tone softened artificially.
"You know I've always cared about you."
A pause.
"I've told you before… I'm serious."
His gaze flicked toward Lee Hyun.
"And I still don't understand what you see in someone like him."
A brief silence followed, then, he continued.
"I mean… look at him. You can say from a glance, no background, no support, nothing. What can he even give you?"
The tension rose instantly. But before Lee Hyun could respond— A voice cut through, a cold and sharp voice.
"Who said he needs a background?"
Everyone turned. A figure walked forward, tall, elegant, powerful and beautiful. Her presence alone silenced the surrounding noise, her eyes calm but carrying an authority that made even the air feel heavier.
"And why would he need one… when he has power that surpasses it?"
Lee Hyun's eyes widened slightly.
"…Sis?"
Everyone froze. Shock spread instantly. The person who had been speaking earlier stiffened completely, his expression changing from arrogance to fear in an instant.
She stepped closer, her gaze landing on him.
"You were saying something."
Her tone was calm, but terrifying.
He swallowed.
"T-this is just… a misunderstanding…"
He forced a smile.
"You don't need to get involved in something so… trivial. He's just—"
He stopped. Because her eyes changed, cold, dangerous. For a moment, it felt like death itself was staring at him.
"You should choose your words carefully."
She stepped forward slightly.
"And who you call low."
His body trembled. Because everyone knew who she was. A name recognized even at the national level. A powerhouse that even the government relied on. And he, had just insulted her brother. Lee Hyun stepped forward quickly.
"Sis."
Her attention shifted instantly.
The coldness disappeared.
"Why are you here?"
Her expression softened immediately, her guard dropping completely as she looked at him, and without hesitation, she walked forward and pulled him into a tight hug.
"I just came back from a mission…"
Her voice carried emotion.
"And I heard what happened to you."
A pause.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Her grip tightened slightly.
"Do you even know how scared I was?"
Her voice trembled faintly, a tear forming in her eye but not falling. Lee Hyun froze for a moment. Then slowly, he hugged her back.
"…I'm fine."
For the first time, his voice carried warmth. A real and genuine one. She pulled back slightly, looking at him carefully.
"I told you not to take life-threatening risks."
A hint of anger.
"But you've grown so much you don't listen anymore?"
He smiled faintly.
"…Sorry."
"I won't do it again."
She sighed softly, then patted his head.
"Take care of yourself."
Then her expression changed again to cold and sharp.
"I'll look into that anomaly."
Her voice lowered.
"A cleared dungeon shouldn't behave like that."
A pause.
"There's someone behind it."
Her eyes darkened.
"And when I find them…"
"…I'll kill them."
Lee Hyun looked at her. And for a moment, he felt proud.
After that, she turned toward Min Seoah.
Her expression softened again.
"Thank you."
Min Seoah blinked slightly.
"For saving his life."
A small nod.
"If you ever need anything… just ask."
Before anything more could be said, the same arrogant boy tried again, stepping forward nervously.
"I-it's an honor to meet you… I—"
Her gaze landed on him, just once. And that was enough. His face turned pale instantly, his body trembling as if something invisible was crushing him.
Lee Hyun stepped in.
"Sis, don't."
He said calmly.
"The tournament is about to start."
She looked at him for a second. Then smiled.
"Alright."
She patted his head lightly.
"I have things to take care of."
"I'll watch later."
And then, she left just like that. The pressure disappeared. But the silence remained. Min Seoah looked at him, carefully.
"…She's really your sister?"
He nodded.
"You didn't tell me."
"…Didn't get the chance."
A pause.
"Or didn't feel like it."
She looked away.
"…Idiot."
A hint of irritation. Something else mixed within. Then a voice echoed in their minds. Their master.
"Come."
Both of them stiffened. Without hesitation, they moved. When they arrived, she was already there, sitting calmly, her presence as cold and overwhelming as ever, her gaze falling on both of them as they approached. She observed them silently.
Then nodded slightly.
"You've improved."
Simple words, but meaningful. She raised her hand and two items appeared. It was armors, but not ordinary ones. Dark, sleek, perfectly fitted, with faint engravings that pulsed with hidden power.
"These are forged by a master blacksmith."
Her voice steady.
"High-grade defensive artifacts."
She looked at them.
"They will adapt to your energy."
"Reduce incoming damage."
"And respond to lethal threats automatically."
Min Seoah stepped forward slightly.
"Why didn't you come for a month?"
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, their master raised her hand. And gently patted her head. A soft smile appeared. Completely different from her usual cold expression.
"I was busy."
Her voice softer.
"Preparing these."
"And handling… other matters."
She then looked at both of them again.
"I've also placed a protective spell."
"A high-level one."
"So you won't feel as helpless again."
After that, her tone returned to normal, but she spoke with Min Seoah more casually, like a mother talking to her daughter, and Lee Hyun quietly stepped back, feeling slightly out of place in that moment.
But before he could leave, she stopped him.
"Lee Hyun."
He turned.
"…Thank you."
Her voice was calm.
"For saving my daughter."
He shook his head immediately.
"There's no need."
"I was just doing what you taught me."
She didn't argue. But her gaze remained firm. Then, the announcement echoed. The tournament, was beginning. She looked at both of them one last time.
"I'll be watching."
"Show me your growth."
"And after this…"
"I'll train you properly."
The next moment, a host stepped onto the stage. And the entire arena fell silent.
---
To be continued..