9 AM, Crescent Moon University Central Martial Arts Hall
The grand martial arts hall filled with the entire student body was truly a sea of people. The usually quiet spectator seats were packed without a single empty spot, and students even crowded into the corridors and entrances, craning their necks to see.
"Wow... there really are 32 participants." Ji-eun exclaimed in admiration, looking down at the arena from the front row of the spectator seats.
"As expected, our school has many masters too." Kim Cheol-su nodded. "Look at third-year Senior Lee Mujin over there... he made it to the national top 8 last year."
"Top 8 is really amazing. That's the best record in our school's history." Ji-eun marveled.
Cheol-su's expression became even more serious.
"Right. That's why I'm more worried. If Min-woo meets that senior in the second round..."
In the center of the martial arts hall, a massive arena measuring 30 meters on each side was installed. Special barrier shields surrounded the arena to prevent martial arts aftermath from reaching the spectator seats.
In the judges' seats, professors from each department sat alongside Principal Munyeong-geom. Munyeong-geom's gaze was particularly sharp, as if he could see through the abilities of all participants.
"Now, we will announce the tournament bracket!"
The voice of the student council president serving as MC echoed through the speakers. The names of 32 people began appearing on the giant electronic display.
[School Representative Selection Tournament First Round Bracket]
Group A
Match 1: Kang Min-woo (1st year) vs Choi Jae-hyuk (2nd year) Match 2: Lee Mujin (3rd year) vs Kim Dong-hyun (1st year) Match 3: Jang Hye-rin (2nd year) vs Song Mi-ra (3rd year) Match 4: Park Seong-ho (3rd year) vs Lee Jun-ho (2nd year)
Group B
Match 5: Yoon Dae-seong (2nd year) vs Jung Su-jin (1st year) Match 6: Han Sang-woo (3rd year) vs Jo Hyun-min (2nd year) Match 7: Seo Yu-ri (3rd year) vs Kim Tae-jun (1st year) Match 8: Jang Min-seok (2nd year) vs Oh Seong-min (3rd year)
"Oh? Min-woo is in the first match!" Park So-ra exclaimed in surprise.
Min-woo's heart began racing as he saw his name assigned to the first match. His opponent was second-year Choi Jae-hyuk, a student famous as an elite from the Swordsmanship Department.
[Opponent Information Analysis]Name: Choi Jae-hyuk (2nd year, Swordsmanship Department) Specialty: Thunder Lightning Sword Technique - Orthodox swordsmanship + rapid consecutive attacks Skill Level: Intermediate-Mid (one level above Min-woo) Weaknesses: Lacks endurance, easily readable patterns Threat Level: ★★★☆☆
'Intermediate-Mid level...' Min-woo felt nervous. He had barely entered intermediate-beginner level.
The system quietly sent a message.
[Strategic Recommendations]Recommended Tactics: War of attrition + Phantom Splitting Movement utilization Win Rate Prediction: 52% Caution: First 3 minutes are crucial - beware Thunder Lightning Sword Technique's explosive power
10 AM, Competitor Waiting Room
Min-woo was doing final checks in the waiting room. He repeated deep breathing while reviewing the sensation of the Phantom Splitting Movement he had practiced the night before.
"Nervous?"
Choi Jae-hyuk spoke to him from the side. Though he was only one year older than Min-woo as a second-year, he had a considerably good physique and confidence could be felt from his sword-carrying posture.
"A little," Min-woo answered honestly.
"Still, you're impressive for a first-year. There aren't many first-years who made it to the top 32." Choi Jae-hyuk smiled. "But I won't go easy in the match. My Thunder Lightning Sword Technique is too fast for first-years to block."
His tone was friendly, but his eyes burned with confident fighting spirit.
"Me too," Min-woo nodded.
Just then, an announcement echoed.
"Competitors for the first match, please enter the arena."
Min-woo and Choi Jae-hyuk stood up simultaneously. As they walked down the corridor leaving the waiting room, Min-woo could hear cheering from Ji-eun and his colleagues.
"Min-woo! Fighting!"
"We believe in you!"
The cheering from the spectator seats gave Min-woo strength. But at the same time, he felt pressure.
'I can't disappoint them.'
10:15 AM, Central Martial Arts Hall Arena
"First match! Contestant Kang Min-woo vs Contestant Choi Jae-hyuk!"
The two contestants faced each other in the center of the arena. Cheers and support erupted from the spectator seats.
The referee stood between the two contestants and explained the match rules.
"Weapon use permitted, fatal injuries prohibited, match ends immediately upon surrender declaration. Are both contestants ready?"
"Ready!" both contestants answered simultaneously.
"Match... begin!"
Swoosh!
Choi Jae-hyuk drew his sword like lightning and charged forward.
"Thunder Lightning Sword First Form - Lightning Flash!"
A lightning-fast thrust flew from his sword tip. The speed was much faster than expected, so Min-woo barely managed to twist his body and dodge.
Whoosh! Clang!
Min-woo also quickly drew his sword and took a defensive stance. But Choi Jae-hyuk's attacks didn't stop.
"Thunder Lightning Sword Second Form - Chain Lightning Strike!"
Consecutive slashes poured down like a torrential rain. Min-woo retreated while barely managing to block them, but was already starting to breathe heavily.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
"Wow... Senior Choi Jae-hyuk is so fast!"
"Min-woo is being pushed back!"
Worried voices could be heard from the spectator seats.
Min-woo thought to himself, 'What should I do?'
[Combat Analysis in Progress...]Opponent Pattern Analysis: 75% CompleteWeakness Discovered: 0.3-second gap after 3 consecutive attacksRecommended Action: Continue defense then seize counterattack opportunity
Min-woo nodded and continued focusing on defense. Choi Jae-hyuk's attacks grew faster and stronger, but at the same time, patterns began to become readable.
'There!'
After Choi Jae-hyuk executed the Thunder Lightning Sword Third Form, a brief gap appeared as expected. This was the moment Min-woo had been waiting for.
"Iron Wall Internal Energy!"
Instantly, silver energy erupted from Min-woo's entire body. His skin became hard like metal with a subtle luster, and a 'humming' vibration sound echoed through the air. As if a giant shield surrounded Min-woo, an invisible barrier was formed.
When Choi Jae-hyuk's Thunder Lightning Sword struck that barrier—
Clang!! Screeeeech!!
Lightning and iron wall collided, creating tremendous sparks. The entire arena flashed white, and shockwaves strong enough to reach the spectator seats occurred. But Min-woo didn't budge. Rather, calm confidence shone in his eyes.
Despite the strong impact, Min-woo didn't flinch. Choi Jae-hyuk showed a surprised expression.
"What? That defensive power..."
Right at that moment, Min-woo began his counterattack.
"Phantom Splitting Movement!"
Instantly, Min-woo's body began to blur as if submerging into water. And the next moment—
Whooooosh!
Blue energy swirled from Min-woo's body and spread in all directions. Like a mirror shattering, the single Min-woo began separating into three beings.
The first phantom materialized to Min-woo's right. Though translucent, it had clear outlines and blue sword energy writhed in its hands.
The second phantom appeared on the left. Crouched low while holding a reverse sword, it looked like a leopard stalking its prey.
And the real Min-woo stood calmly in the center, like a battlefield commander.
"What... what is that?"
Choi Jae-hyuk looked around in confusion. Just seconds ago, there had been one opponent, but suddenly three had surrounded him in a triangle formation. The sight of each Min-woo glaring at him from different angles was like a nightmare.
"This is... this is impossible..." Choi Jae-hyuk's voice trembled.
But Min-woo had already begun moving.
"Splitting First Form - Illusion Slash!"
The right phantom began the first attack.
Swoooosh!
Blue sword energy shot from his sword, moving in zigzag patterns like lightning toward Choi Jae-hyuk. A single sword strike suddenly split into three in mid-air, approaching in different trajectories.
Just as Choi Jae-hyuk hurriedly raised his sword to block the first attack—
"Splitting Second Form - Reverse Flow Sword!"
The left phantom moved. From its reverse sword stance, it traced a bizarre twisting trajectory, and like a snake slithering, a serpentine sword strike aimed for Choi Jae-hyuk's blind spot. This attack perfectly coordinated with the right phantom's attack, blocking all possible paths for Choi Jae-hyuk to defend.
"This is...!"
Choi Jae-hyuk desperately tried to twist his body to avoid both attacks, but at that moment, he felt a cold energy behind him.
The real Min-woo was preparing his final attack.
Three sword strikes converged simultaneously toward Choi Jae-hyuk. Like a giant net tightening around its prey, it was a perfect encirclement with no escape.
Choi Jae-hyuk's eyes filled with despair. At this moment, he realized this wasn't simple illusion technique. All three attacks were real sword strikes that could actually harm him.
"No...!"
Choi Jae-hyuk desperately shouted.
"Thunder Lightning Sword Ultimate - Total Body Lightning!"
Lightning exploded from his entire body. This was his last trump card. The highest-level defensive technique that wrapped his whole body in lightning to repel all attacks.
Clang! Clang!
The attacks from the front two phantoms were blocked by the lightning barrier. Relief briefly crossed Choi Jae-hyuk's face.
But right at that moment—
Powerful energy exploded from Min-woo's real body.
"Phantom Splitting Movement Ultimate - Three Origin Annihilation!"
Swoooooosh!
The third phantom moved. Silent like an assassin, faster than lightning. The phantom that had completely disappeared from Choi Jae-hyuk's sight teleported to his side in 0.1 seconds.
"What?!"
Thunk!
The lightning barrier was useless. The third phantom's sword passed through the barrier like a ghost and precisely struck Choi Jae-hyuk's wrist.
Click!
Choi Jae-hyuk's sword flew helplessly through the air. At the same time, a cold sword tip lightly touched his neck.
The match was over.
The three phantoms gradually became blurry and disappeared, leaving only one Min-woo standing with his sword before Choi Jae-hyuk. Rather than a victorious smile, his face showed an expression of surprise at his own abilities.
"Match over!"
The referee declared the end of the match.
Immediately After Match End
"Winner! Kang Min-woo!"
The spectator seats exploded.
"Woooah! Min-woo won!"
"Amazing! A first-year beat a second-year!"
Ji-eun and the research society members jumped up cheering. Ji-eun especially clapped while tears welled up in her eyes.
Min-woo shook hands with Choi Jae-hyuk, encouraging each other.
"Good match. That final combination attack was truly amazing." Choi Jae-hyuk said sincerely.
"Thank you. You were really strong too, senior." Min-woo bowed his head.
But as he left the arena, Min-woo felt various gazes watching him from the spectator seats. Principal Munyeong-geom's gaze was particularly sharp.
'Something... I feel like I'm getting too much attention?'
Indeed, talk about Min-woo began emerging throughout the spectator seats.
"Who is that first-year? How can he use such combination martial arts?"
"Phantom Movement and Splitting Sword Technique simultaneously? Is that even possible?"
"His talent is considerable. He might work even in national tournaments."
[Warning: Attention Level Rapidly Rising]Current Attention Level: 45% (Dangerous Level)Recommendation: Need to control power in next match
Seeing the system's warning message, Min-woo felt slightly nervous. Being too conspicuous was also a problem.
Colleagues rushed over from the spectator seats to surround Min-woo.
"Min-woo! That was really amazing!" Ji-eun said with a bright smile.
"What was that final attack? When did you learn such technique?" Kim Cheol-su asked curiously.
"Just... it came to me in the moment." Min-woo answered vaguely.
Park So-ra pointed to the next match. "Now it's Senior Lee Mujin's match. That person is really famous for being strong."
Preparation for the next match was already beginning on the arena floor. It was a battle between third-year Lee Mujin and first-year Kim Dong-hyun.
Lee Mujin was tall and lean, but an extraordinary aura could be felt from his sword-holding posture. He was the famous master of Thunder Lightning Sword who had advanced to the national university martial arts tournament top 8 last year. In contrast, Kim Dong-hyun was a first-year similar in age to Min-woo, but tension was already evident on his face.
'That senior might be my next opponent.'
Min-woo began carefully observing Lee Mujin's movements.
[Automatic Analysis Mode Activated]Target: Lee Mujin (3rd year)Nickname: Thunder Lightning Sword Career: Last year's national top 8 advancement Estimated Skill: Intermediate-Advanced ~ Advanced-Beginner Specialty: Thunder Lightning Sword Technique - Lightning attribute swordsmanship Threat Level: ★★★★★
Same Time, Campus Outskirts
About 1km away from the martial arts hall, two people were observing the martial arts hall with binoculars from a cafe's second-floor window.
"The target's abilities are improving faster than expected." A man in a black suit quietly reported.
"Did you secure the footage?" A woman sitting beside him asked in a cold voice.
"Yes. We recorded the entire match process in high definition. Especially the final combination martial arts part can be analyzed from multiple angles."
The woman frowned while looking at her laptop screen. Min-woo's Phantom Splitting Movement scene was frozen on the screen.
"Is it acceptable for Mujokja bloodline awakening to be this fast?" she muttered.
"What instructions did headquarters give?"
"Continue observation for now. But if he shows this kind of growth in the next match too..." The woman's eyes turned cold. "We'll have to make our move before other forces act. Even if headquarters doesn't want it..."
"Understood."
The two people raised their binoculars again to look at the martial arts hall. Far away, they could see Min-woo and his friends cheering in the spectator seats.
Without their knowledge, danger had already come within reach.