Min-woo lay on his dorm bed, staring at the ceiling, repeating the same worries for days. That massive quest floating in the system window kept catching his eye.
[Special Quest: National University Martial Arts Tournament Victory]
Difficulty: ★★★★★ (Extreme)
Participation Requirements: Must win school selection tournament
Expected Participants: Top fighters from 32 national martial arts universities
Rewards: Partial unlock of Eternal Cycle Scripture + Identity of hidden enemy revealed + Unlock of system's highest functions
Upon Failure: Major restriction of system functions + Delay in Mujokja bloodline awakening
'National top fighters...' Min-woo sighed. It was absurd to think that he, who couldn't even properly perform basic martial arts just a few months ago, was considering a national tournament.
However, thinking about his recent achievements in the martial arts exam, it wasn't entirely impossible. His rapidly growing skills with the system's help, his cooperative relationship with Mujokja's consciousness, and above all, the support of his research society colleagues.
"Just worrying won't give me answers." Min-woo muttered as he got up. "Let me start with the school selection tournament."
Just then, the dorm door burst open and Kim Cheol-su entered.
"Min-woo! Big news!" Senior Cheol-su's face was a mix of excitement and tension. "The announcement just came out. The school selection tournament roster has been revealed..."
"Already?" Min-woo stood up in surprise.
"Yeah, but looking at the participant list, this is no joke. Not only second-year seniors, but even third-year monsters are participating."
When Senior Cheol-su showed his phone, Min-woo's face hardened.
[Crescent Moon Martial Arts University National Tournament Representative Selection]
Format: 32-person tournament
Schedule: Starting in one week
Major Participants:
Lee Mujin (3rd year) - Thunder Lightning Sword Technique, last year's national top 8 Jang Hye-rin (3rd year) - Ice Flower Palm Technique, national ranking 15th Park Seong-ho (2nd year) - Iron Armor Defense Art, strongest defensive specialist Choi Ji-eun (1st year) - Spectrum Sword Technique, this semester's top student Kang Min-woo (1st year) - Defective Martial Arts Research Society...
"It says Defective Martial Arts Research Society..." Min-woo laughed self-deprecatingly.
"That's not the problem." Cheol-su said with a serious expression. "Senior Lee Mujin is a real monster. He made it to the national top 8 last year, and this year he's considered one of the championship candidates."
An hour later, all members gathered in the research society's secret meeting room. Park So-ra, Yoon Seong-min, Choi Ji-eun, and even Senior Kim Cheol-su. Everyone's expressions were serious.
"To be honest," Park So-ra spoke first, "Min-woo's chances of winning the school selection tournament are... honestly about 5%?"
"Isn't 5% too generous?" Yoon Seong-min smiled bitterly. "Senior Lee Mujin is the strongest third-year, and Senior Jang Hye-rin is no pushover either. Plus Senior Park Seong-ho's Iron Armor Defense Art makes attacks completely ineffective..."
Ji-eun quietly raised her hand. "But looking at Min-woo's growth rate, there's definitely potential. Look at the martial arts exam. Everyone was amazed..."
"That's true, but," Senior Cheol-su shook his head, "the opponents are too strong. Especially Senior Lee Mujin is already at intermediate-advanced level. Min-woo is still at intermediate-beginner..."
Min-woo received his colleagues' worried gazes and thought deeply. He checked his current status through the system.
[Current Ability Analysis]
Martial Arts Level: Intermediate Beginner
Special Ability: Defective Martial Arts Combination Art (70% success rate)
Possessed Martial Arts: Phantom Movement, Iron Wall Internal Energy, Splitting Sword Technique, Ghost Sword Technique
Potential Ability: Mujokja Bloodline Awakening (15% awakened)
[School Selection Tournament Win Rate Prediction]
vs Lee Mujin: 8% vs Jang Hye-rin: 12% vs Park Seong-ho: 23% vs Choi Ji-eun: 45% Other opponents: 60-85%
'Senior Lee Mujin really is only 8%...'
But Min-woo had no intention of giving up. Rather, such adversity ignited his fighting spirit.
"Everyone," Min-woo stood up and said, "I know the odds are low. But if I don't challenge it, it's 0%. And..." He hesitated for a moment, then continued with determination. "Actually, I have a special reason."
Everyone's attention focused on Min-woo.
"There's a personal reason why I must participate in the national tournament. I can't explain in detail right now, but it's really important."
Ji-eun took Min-woo's hand. "If Min-woo says so, we'll all help. Right?"
The other members nodded.
"Then let's make a plan." Senior Cheol-su opened his notebook. "How can we maximize Min-woo's win rate in one week?"
After the research society meeting ended, when Min-woo returned to his room alone, a new message appeared from the system.
[Emergency Situation Detected]
[School Selection Tournament Win Rate Analysis Complete: Overall Average 25%]
[Special Support Mode Proposed]
⚡ Emergency Power-Up Package ⚡
Option 1: Explosive Growth Route
Content: 7 days of extreme training for 1-stage additional awakening Risk Level: High (60% overload risk) Expected Win Rate Increase: +15% Side Effects: Potential inability to use martial arts for 2 weeks after tournament
Option 2: Strategic Preparation Route
Content: Develop customized tactics for each opponent + Create new combination martial arts Risk Level: Medium (30% failure risk) Expected Win Rate Increase: +10% Side Effects: Mental fatigue accumulation
Option 3: Cooperation Enhancement Route
Content: Victory through perfect teamwork with colleagues in information warfare Risk Level: Low (10% secret exposure risk) Expected Win Rate Increase: +8% Side Effects: Partial revelation of system abilities required
Min-woo fell into contemplation looking at the three options. The most certain method was explosive growth, but it had a 60% overload risk. If he failed, not only the tournament but even daily life could become difficult.
'But if I only play it safe, I'll never be able to win.'
Min-woo was about to choose Option 1, but suddenly his colleagues' worried faces came to mind. Ji-eun's warm touch, Senior Cheol-su's sincere encouragement, everyone who said they believed in him and would help.
'I shouldn't try to solve everything alone.'
"I'll choose Option 2." Min-woo said quietly.
[Strategic Preparation Route Selected]
[7-Day Intensive Training Plan Generating...]
⭐ Individual Customized Strategies ⭐
vs Lee Mujin Strategy: Speed Battle
Combine Phantom Movement + Splitting Sword Technique for disruption then hit-and-run Absolutely prohibit prolonged battles (impossible to overcome stamina difference) Ultimate technique timing: Moment of counterattack transition after opponent's attack
vs Jang Hye-rin Strategy: Firepower Battle
Defend against ice attacks with Iron Wall Internal Energy Neutralize Ice Flower Palm Technique with Splitting Sword Technique's flame attribute Core: Close-range engagement and pressure
vs Park Seong-ho Strategy: War of Attrition
Opponent's Iron Armor Defense Art cannot be broken through directly Attack defensive blind spots with Ghost Sword Technique Victory through stamina consumption battle
[New Combination Martial Arts Proposal:]
"Phantom Splitting Movement" (Working Title)
Complete fusion of Phantom Movement + Splitting Sword Technique Effect: 3 phantoms simultaneously use different sword techniques Success Rate: 45% (can rise to 80% through practice)
At the same time, 2km away from Crescent Moon Martial Arts University, Purification Alliance special agents were holding an emergency meeting in a motel.
"We've confirmed information that the target is participating in the school selection tournament." A man in black sunglasses reported while looking at his laptop.
"Interesting." A middle-aged woman who appeared to be the team leader said in a cold voice. "This is a golden opportunity to accurately measure how far the Mujokja descendant has awakened."
"But if he reveals his identity too early..." another agent expressed concern.
"It's fine. It might actually be good." The team leader smiled. "Real combat data is much more accurate. Besides, if he wins..."
"He'll receive much more attention at the national tournament."
"Right. Then other forces will test him for us without us having to step in directly."
The team leader looked out the window toward Crescent Moon Martial Arts University campus. "Record all matches in high definition, and don't miss any moments of Mujokja bloodline awakening. And..."
She paused and added with a meaningful expression.
"Just in case, put Team B on standby. If he becomes stronger than expected too quickly, an 'accident' might happen even during the school selection tournament."
The agents' expressions hardened coldly.
At 11 PM, Min-woo was training alone at the school's back mountain training ground. Under the moonlight, he alternately practiced Phantom Movement and Splitting Sword Technique, exploring the possibility of new combination martial arts.
'Phantom Splitting Movement... is it really possible?'
The first few attempts failed. The qi flows of the two martial arts were too different to harmonize. But as he continued trying without giving up, he gradually began to get the feel for it.
Min-woo took a deep breath and simultaneously drew up the qi flows of Phantom Movement and Splitting Sword Technique. Initially, the opposing energies of the two martial arts collided and churned violently within his body. But Min-woo didn't give up and continued trying to unify the two flows.
That's when it happened.
Swoosh... Wooooong...
A gentle blue light began to swirl around Min-woo's body, and the air subtly rippled as faint afterimages began to separate from his body.
The first phantom slowly revealed itself to Min-woo's right. Though translucent, it had clear outlines, and in its hands was condensed the ever-changing sword qi characteristic of Splitting Sword Technique.
The second phantom appeared on the left. This phantom took a more agile stance, holding its sword in reverse grip, specialized for side attacks.
The third phantom manifested last from behind Min-woo. This phantom's sword technique was completely different from the first two. It emanated a more direct and powerful aura, feeling like an assassin aiming for a one-hit kill.
Whiiiiing...
As the three phantoms completely separated, they formed a perfect triangular formation like three swordsmen who had trained together for a long time. The real Min-woo played the role of commander in the center, while the three phantoms showed themselves pressuring an imaginary enemy from different angles.
The right phantom moved first. "Splitting First Form - Illusion Slash!" As if voices could be heard, it executed continuous slashes at rapid speed. Blue trajectories were drawn from the sword tip, creating complex patterns.
Simultaneously, the left phantom reacted. "Splitting Second Form - Reverse Flow Sword!" From its reverse sword stance, it demonstrated a twisting sword technique that perfectly linked with the first phantom's attack.
Finally, the rear phantom seized the opportunity. "Splitting Third Form - Annihilation Slash!" It took a stance to deliver a powerful strike targeting the gap created by the two front phantoms.
As the three sword techniques unfolded simultaneously, a scene like a painting spread across the training ground under the moonlight. Blue sword qi intersected in complex patterns drawing beautiful trajectories, and the movements of the three phantoms were as harmonious as a single dance.
But that beautiful moment didn't last long.
"Success!" Just as Min-woo was about to cheer, his knees buckled from excessive qi consumption.
[Warning: Reckless Combination Attempt Detected]
[30% Stamina Consumed]
[Rest Recommended: Minimum 6 hours]
Min-woo exhaled roughly and looked up at the sky. Under the starlit night sky, he realized once again how big and difficult his dream was.
But at the same time, experiencing the moment when seemingly impossible combination martial arts actually materialized gave him hope.
'One week... really a short time.'
Min-woo clenched his fist.
'I'll definitely make it happen. For my colleagues, and...'
He briefly recalled that enormous secret he had seen in Mujokja's memories.
'To learn the truth.'