2:00 PM, Central Martial Arts Hall Lobby
After all the first-round matches concluded, spectators and contestants were catching their breath while waiting for the second-round bracket announcement. Minwoo sat with his teammates at the cafeteria, eating a simple lunch to calm his nerves.
"The first-round matches were really intense," Jieun said with admiration. "Especially Senior Lee Mujin's match... it was absolutely overwhelming."
Cheolsu nodded. "Kim Donghyun was quite skilled, but it ended in less than three minutes. The power of Thunder Sword Technique was beyond imagination."
Minwoo recalled Lee Mujin's match from earlier. Although Kim Donghyun had desperately defended, the lightning emanating from Mujin's sword moved like living serpents, penetrating every defense. Particularly the final technique, "Thunder Sword Ultimate - Thunder Dragon Descent," was truly shocking.
[Lee Mujin Ability Re-analysis]Martial Arts Level: Intermediate-Advanced (Nearly entering Advanced level) Thunder Sword Technique Mastery: 95% (Ultimate technique level achieved) Special Ability: Complete control of lightning-attribute qi Weaknesses: None detected Counterstrategy: Currently impossible
'Can I really win against this?'
As Minwoo was feeling discouraged, the announcement suddenly came over the loudspeaker.
"Announcing the second-round bracket!"
Everyone's attention turned to the large screen.
[Round 2 Bracket]
Match 1: Kang Minwoo (1st year) vs Lee Mujin (3rd year) Match 2: Jang Hyelin (2nd year) vs Park Seongho (3rd year) Match 3: Yoon Daesung (2nd year) vs Han Sangwoo (3rd year) Match 4: Seo Yuri (3rd year) vs Jang Minseok (2nd year)
The cafeteria fell silent for a moment. Everyone was looking at the first matchup.
"Minwoo vs Mujin..." Cheolsu muttered.
"Isn't this... meeting too early?" Sora said worriedly.
Seongmin sighed. "Bad luck. Senior Mujin is essentially the top championship candidate..."
But Minwoo was surprisingly calm. In fact, he felt somewhat relieved.
'I would have had to face him eventually anyway. Maybe it's better to meet him early.'
Jieun took Minwoo's hand. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah." Minwoo nodded. "It might actually be good. Delaying it won't make Senior Mujin any weaker."
3:00 PM, Player Lounge
During the preparation time before the second-round matches, Minwoo was alone in the player lounge, organizing his thoughts. As he was doing a final strategy check through the system, someone sat beside him.
"You're Kang Minwoo, right?"
When Minwoo turned his head, Lee Mujin was sitting there with a calm expression. Up close, his overwhelming presence was even more palpable. He was tall with a good build, but more than anything, the sharpness emanating from his eyes was extraordinary.
"Yes, hello Senior." Minwoo greeted politely.
"I saw your first-round match. Phantom Split Step, was it? Quite an interesting combination." Mujin said seriously. "Defective martial arts combination technique... so it really was possible."
"You know about it too, Senior."
"I'm interested. I think martial arts don't have to be only in their complete forms to be meaningful." Mujin said something unexpected. "Rather, exploring new possibilities might be more meaningful."
Minwoo was a bit surprised. He didn't expect Mujin to have such an open mindset.
"However," Mujin's expression became serious. "I won't go easy in today's match. I also need to advance to the national tournament."
"Of course. I feel the same way."
Mujin looked at Minwoo for a moment, then said, "To be honest, the current skill gap is considerable. But you have something special. I'm not sure what it is though."
[Warning: Opponent suspects Wuji heritage]Estimated probability: 23%Recommended action: Be cautious in conversation, minimize ability exposure
Seeing the system warning, Minwoo became cautious.
"I just... work hard, that's all."
"I see." Mujin stood up and said, "Well, see you on the arena. Give it your best. That way I can fight with full strength too."
After Mujin left, Minwoo remained alone, lost in thought. He felt both respect for his opponent and an even stronger burden.
'He's really strong. Not just in skill, but as a person too.'
4:00 PM, Central Martial Arts Hall Arena
Before the first match of round 2 began, the atmosphere in the stands was distinctly different from round 1. There was a stillness and tension like being in the eye of a typhoon that dominated the entire arena. Everyone understood the significance of this match. The rookie's miracle vs the champion's dignity.
"I'm so nervous!" Jieun said, sweating in her palms. Her voice was an octave higher than usual.
"Can Minwoo pull off a miracle?" Cheolsu also looked tense. His fists were unconsciously clenched tight.
Sora shook her head worriedly. "Honestly... a miracle needs to happen. Senior Mujin's Thunder Sword Technique is already legendary level."
Majestic music echoed from the arena entrance as the two contestants began to enter.
Minwoo appeared first. Though he had gained confidence from his first-round victory, a slight tension was still visible in his gait. However, his eyes remained unwavering.
"Go Minwoo!"
"Show us the freshman miracle!"
"Phantom Split Step! Phantom Split Step!"
Cheering voices for Minwoo burst out from various parts of the stands.
Then, the moment Lee Mujin appeared, the arena's atmosphere completely changed.
Rumble rumble rumble...
There was an illusion of distant thunder. Each step Mujin took into the arena was accompanied by subtle electricity flowing through the air.
"Mujin! Mujin!"
"Thunder Sword! Thunder Sword!"
"Show the pride of third years!"
Female students' screams mixed with male students' cheers as the stands stirred. But Mujin himself remained perfectly calm despite all the noise.
When the two contestants faced each other at the arena center, the physical difference became even more apparent. Mujin was 185cm tall with broad shoulders and solid muscle. His perfectly balanced physique, like a sculpture, emanated the depth of inner power forged through long training.
In contrast, Minwoo at 175cm appeared relatively small. However, his body radiated the flexibility and agility shown in round 1.
But the real difference was in the 'aura' emanating from the two.
As Mujin slowly drew his sword, the surrounding air began to gradually change.
Zzzip...
A faint electrical sound came from his scabbard. Like the calm before a storm, it felt as if some tremendous force was compressed and about to explode.
Tiny sparks barely visible to the eye began dancing around Mujin's body. Small blue lightning scattered from the tips of his hair, his collar, his scabbard into the air.
Zzziiiing...
A subtle electrical noise spread throughout the arena. It sounded like a massive generator starting up.
[Danger: Being overwhelmed by opponent's aura]Current Minwoo condition: 85% → 78% → 73%Cause: Natural intimidation from Thunder Sword TechniqueRecommended action: Immediate mental recovery needed
Seeing the system warning, Minwoo took a deep breath. Mujin's presence was so overwhelming it felt suffocating. It was like standing before a massive storm cloud.
'Calm down. I also have the skill that won round 1. I can't give up just because the opponent is strong.'
As Minwoo tried to calm himself with his own breathing technique, Mujin spoke.
"Don't be nervous. Just do your best." His voice was unexpectedly warm. "I'm really looking forward to your Phantom Split Step."
Minwoo nodded. "I'm also... honored to see your Thunder Sword Technique firsthand, Senior."
The referee walked between the two contestants and declared the match in a booming voice.
"Round 2, Match 1! Contestant Kang Minwoo vs Contestant Lee Mujin!"
The noise from the stands briefly subsided. Everyone was waiting for the referee's next words.
"Weapons allowed, fatal injuries prohibited, match ends immediately upon surrender declaration. Are both contestants ready?"
"Ready!" Both contestants answered powerfully.
The moment Mujin brought his right hand to his scabbard, the arena's air suddenly became heavy. And when he drew his sword halfway—
Zzziririri!
Intense blue electricity flashed like lightning from the blade. The light was so strong that several people in the stands momentarily covered their eyes.
"Wow..." Gasps erupted from the stands.
"That must be the Thunder Sword!"
"Real lightning is coming from the sword!"
Mujin's sword wasn't just a weapon. The entire blade pulsed with blue light like living lightning. Tiny electrical currents constantly moved across every surface of the blade, as if lightning had been compressed into solid form.
Minwoo also slowly drew his sword. His sword looked ordinary compared to Mujin's spectacular lightning sword, but upon closer inspection, a subtle silver aura flowed along the blade.
The referee confirmed both contestants were ready and quickly retreated outside the arena. Now only two swordsmen remained in the massive 30x30 meter arena.
Under the focused gaze of 10,000 spectators, the referee raised his right hand high.
Time seemed to stop.
And then—
"Begin... the match!"
FLASH!
The moment Mujin moved, the entire arena was momentarily bathed in blue light. Just by lifting his sword and taking the first step, he created a powerful electrical field around him.
Zzziizzizick!
Small electrical marks were left on the ground wherever his feet touched. They were black lines as if lightning had grazed the earth.
Each movement as Mujin slowly raised his sword was artistry. Following his motions, electricity in the air swirled, forming a blue aura around his sword.
"Wow... is that really a martial art used by humans?" An awed voice came from somewhere in the stands.
Then Mujin began his first attack.
"Thunder Sword Technique First Form - Lightning Flash Strike!"
CRACK!
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