7:00 PM, Dormitory Corridor
Min-woo left the martial arts hall and was heading to the dormitory with his companions. As he walked down the corridor, his heart was complicated. He had lost to Lee Mu-jin in the duel, but strangely, he felt no regret.
"Min-woo, you really fought well," Ji-eun said, gently grabbing Min-woo's arm. "You fought on equal terms with Senior Lee Mu-jin."
Kim Chul-su nodded. "That's right. Can you believe a first-year could fight like that with the strongest third-year?"
"Especially that final 'Silver Light Dispersion' was amazing!" Park So-ra said excitedly. "To completely dismantle the Thunder Dragon with seven swords..."
Yoon Sung-min also said with admiration, "You created that martial art with your own power, without relying on Mu-geuk-ja's consciousness. It's truly incredible."
Min-woo smiled slightly as he listened to his companions' words. That's right. The most important thing about today's duel wasn't the result of the match. It was that he had demonstrated true Fragmentation Sword Technique with his own power, without Mu-geuk-ja's help.
[Growth Through Defeat Detected]
Mental Strength +15
Willpower +20
New Trait Unlocked: "Indomitable Fighting Spirit"
Effect: +25% ability manifestation rate in crisis situations
'Even the system acknowledges it,' Min-woo thought to himself.
Dormitory Lounge
Even in the bustling student lounge, conversations about Min-woo continued.
"Hey, did you see that first-year? He practically tied with Lee Mu-jin!"
"So Fragmentation Sword Technique is really possible. I've never seen it before."
"How far would he go in the national tournament?"
Ji-eun whispered to Min-woo, "Everyone's paying attention to you. You've really become famous now."
But Min-woo's heart was already looking toward the next challenge. Today's defeat had actually become an even greater motivation. Lee Mu-jin's final words kept echoing in his ears.
"I hope you'll be stronger the next time we meet."
Min-woo's Room
At 10 PM, Min-woo was alone in his room, reflecting on today's match. On his desk lay a poster for the National University Martial Arts Tournament he had received a few days ago.
'The national tournament...'
The poster read "47th National University Martial Arts Tournament - Determining the Peak of Young Martial Artists." Participation was only granted to winners of each university's representative selection tournament.
'Can I really become the university representative?'
Judging from today's duel with Lee Mu-jin, he still had a long way to go. Lee Mu-jin was last year's national tournament quarterfinalist. Fighting on equal terms with him was certainly growth, but to win the championship, he needed to become much stronger.
Knock knock
At the sound of knocking on the door, Min-woo turned his head.
"Come in."
Ji-eun entered carrying two cups of warm tea. Her face showed a mixture of worry and encouragement.
"You're still awake," Ji-eun said, offering him tea and sitting down. "What are you thinking about so seriously?"
"The national tournament," Min-woo pointed to the poster. "Can I really participate in that?"
Ji-eun smiled warmly. "Of course you can. You saw today's match. You fought almost equally with Senior Lee Mu-jin."
"But I lost."
"That's not what's important," Ji-eun said seriously. "What's important is that you keep growing. Just a few months ago, you couldn't even properly combine defective martial arts, and now..."
Min-woo nodded. She was right. Just a few months ago, creating even the Iron Wall Phantom Step Technique was difficult, but now he could simultaneously control seven swords in real combat.
"And," Ji-eun added, "you have us. You're not alone."
Min-woo looked at Ji-eun and smiled. That's right. He wasn't alone. He had companions who would fight alongside him and people he needed to protect.
Looking at the stars visible outside the window, Min-woo made a resolve in his heart.
'Next time, I'll definitely win. And I'll participate in the national tournament to show... how far I can go.'
[New Goal Setting Detected]
"National Tournament Advancement" goal registered
Special reward planned upon achievement
Min-woo looked at the system message with an even more confident expression. Defeat wasn't the end, but a new beginning.
But he didn't know yet that in a few hours, his peaceful daily life would once again be swept up in great waves...
4:12 AM, Min-woo's Dormitory Room
BEEP BEEP BEEP! BEEP BEEP BEEP!
Min-woo awoke to a sudden system alarm. It was the first time the usually quiet system had sounded such an urgent alarm.
"What the..." Min-woo groggily got up and checked the system window.
[⚠️ Emergency Danger Detected!]
Multiple high-level martial arts users infiltrating campus
Hostile intent confirmed
Current location: Approaching 300m from main gate
Recommended action: Immediate evacuation or combat preparation
"Purification Alliance?" Min-woo rubbed his eyes and approached the window.
Looking down outside, he could see people in black clothes moving stealthily throughout the campus. Even in the moonlight, their movements were those of trained martial artists. They moved so quietly and quickly that ordinary people would never notice them.
[Detailed Analysis Results]
Number of infiltrators: 15
Average martial arts level: High-tier Qi Accumulation
1 commander-level: Estimated Innate tier
Equipment: Sound-blocking talismans, tracking prevention talismans
Formation: Purification Alliance special forces "Black Tiger Unit"
At that moment, red warning lights began flashing throughout the campus. It was a signal that the school's defensive barrier was being neutralized.
WOOOOONG... WOOOOONG...
Low-pitched sirens echoed throughout the dormitory.
Near the Main Gate, Black Tiger Unit Assembly Point
"Thunder Tiger" Jang Sung-woon was giving final instructions to his subordinates. A man in his mid-thirties with a tall stature and sharp features. Tiny sparks of electricity were crackling from his hands.
"The target is one person: Kang Min-woo," Jang Sung-woon said in a cold voice. "Capture alive if possible, subdue if he resists."
"Captain," one of his subordinates asked cautiously, "what if the school side resists?"
"Avoid unnecessary killing, but eliminate anyone who interferes with our mission," Jang Sung-woon's eyes turned cold. "We need to secure Kang Min-woo before he grows any stronger. This might be our last chance."
All the subordinates nodded in unison. They were all elite agents handpicked by the Purification Alliance.
"Team 1 searches the dormitory, Team 2 the research club room, Team 3 the library. Find him within 10 minutes."
"Yes, Captain!"
Min-woo's Room
Min-woo hurriedly got dressed while conversing with the system.
'System, why did the Purification Alliance suddenly attack? Wasn't there an agreement with the school?'
[Analyzing...]
Anomaly detected
Inconsistent with official Purification Alliance headquarters operation patterns
Hypothesis: Independent action by internal faction
Possibility 1: Hardliner faction unauthorized operation (78%)
Possibility 2: Sudden change in headquarters policy (22%)
'Independent operation? What does that mean?'
[Purification Alliance Internal Analysis]
Moderate faction: Maintains agreements, prefers gradual approach
Hardliner faction: Immediate elimination, prefers forceful response
Current infiltrating unit's behavior pattern likely belongs to hardliner faction
Min-woo understood. There was internal conflict within the Purification Alliance, and the hardliners couldn't wait any longer and moved independently.
THUD THUD THUD!
Urgent footsteps echoed from the corridor. Simultaneously, an emergency broadcast rang out.
"All students evacuate immediately. This is not a drill. Repeat..."
When Min-woo opened his door, several students were already running around the corridor in panic. However, most didn't properly understand the situation.
"Min-woo!" Ji-eun's voice called from the distance.
Ji-eun rushed over and grabbed Min-woo's arm. Her face clearly showed anxiety.
"What's happening? Suddenly the sirens..."
"The Purification Alliance has attacked," Min-woo explained briefly. "They're looking for us right now."
Ji-eun's face turned pale. "Then what do we do?"
Just then, Min-woo's phone rang. It was an urgent call from Kim Chul-su.
"Min-woo! Where are you? Come to the research club room immediately! It's dangerous!"
"Senior Chul-su, I'm at the dormitory!"
"Damn... they probably sent people there too. Be careful and come. We'll protect you."
The call ended.
Min-woo firmly grasped Ji-eun's hand. "Let's go to the research club room. The seniors are waiting."
"But won't it be dangerous?"
"If we stay here, we'll just get caught," Min-woo said decisively. "If we're together, there might be a way."
[Emergency Quest Activated!]
Title: The Hardliners' Independent Action
Objective: Survive the Black Tiger Unit's attack together with companions
Reward: ???
Failure: Captured by Purification Alliance
The two carefully slipped out of the corridor and began running toward the research club room. The dawn air was cold, and the campus was eerily quiet. But within that quietness, a dangerous energy lingered.
As he ran, Min-woo thought, 'This time, it seems like there'll be a truly unavoidable battle...'