3:47 AM, Purification Alliance Seoul Branch - Underground Conference Room
In the depths of the Seoul branch building, a windowless conference room was filled with tense atmosphere. A dozen figures in black uniforms sat around a round table, their faces hidden in shadows. Only the red emergency lighting illuminated their cold expressions.
At the head of the table sat a middle-aged man with an imposing presence. This was "Iron Blood Sword" Jo Man-seok, leader of the Purification Alliance's hardliner faction. His eyes gleamed with a cold light as he stared at the large screen in front of him.
The screen showed footage from yesterday's school selection tournament. The moment when Min-woo had fought equally with Lee Mu-jin, creating seven sword shadows simultaneously, was playing on repeat.
"This is intolerable," Jo Man-seok said in a low voice. "A first-year student fighting on equal terms with a third-year? And creating new martial arts in real-time?"
The officers around the table exchanged uneasy glances. They had all seen the footage, but their leader's reaction was more intense than expected.
"Sir," one brave officer ventured, "shouldn't we discuss this with the moderate faction leadership first? There's still the non-aggression pact with the school..."
SLAM!
Jo Man-seok's fist crashed down on the table. The impact was so powerful that hairline cracks appeared in the solid wood surface.
"Non-aggression pact?" Jo Man-seok's voice rose dangerously. "While we're bound by outdated agreements, that monster is growing stronger by the day!"
The Hardliners' Emergency Decision
"Look at this footage carefully," Jo Man-seok pointed at the screen. "Yesterday, Kang Min-woo demonstrated abilities that shouldn't be possible for someone his age. Seven simultaneous sword manifestations, real-time martial arts creation... This isn't normal growth."
He stood up, beginning to pace around the room like a caged predator.
"If we wait any longer, he'll become completely beyond our control. By then, it won't matter what agreements we have."
"But sir," another officer interjected cautiously, "if we act without headquarters' approval, it could cause internal conflict..."
"Internal conflict?" Jo Man-seok laughed coldly. "Do you think there won't be conflict when Mu-geuk-ja's heir grows strong enough to challenge the entire martial world? Lee Tae-jun and his moderates are too naive!"
The room fell silent. Everyone knew their leader's position, but hearing it stated so bluntly was still shocking.
Jo Man-seok continued, "I've made my decision. We act tonight, before the moderates can interfere."
Operation Planning
Jo Man-seok activated a holographic map showing Crescent Moon Martial University's campus layout. Red dots marked various strategic points.
"The target is Kang Min-woo. Capture alive if possible, neutralize if necessary." His finger traced routes across the map. "The school's barrier system has several weak points we've identified over the past months."
"What about the school's faculty?" asked the deputy commander.
"Avoid unnecessary casualties, but don't let them interfere with the mission." Jo Man-seok's eyes gleamed. "Principal Mu-myeong-geom is formidable, but he's bound by the agreement. He won't expect a direct assault."
One of the younger officers raised his hand hesitantly. "Sir, what if the target resists? His recent performance suggests he's quite capable..."
"That's exactly why we're sending the Black Tiger Unit." Jo Man-seok smiled grimly. "Thunder Tiger Jang Sung-woon will lead 15 elite operatives. Even a prodigy can't stand against those odds."
The Point of No Return
Jo Man-seok pulled out a sealed communication device and placed it on the table. "Once I activate this, there's no going back. The Black Tiger Unit will deploy immediately."
The room was dead silent. Everyone understood the gravity of the moment. They were about to violate a treaty that had maintained peace for years.
"Sir," the deputy commander spoke carefully, "are you certain this is the right path? If we're wrong about Kang Min-woo's threat level..."
"We're not wrong." Jo Man-seok's voice was final. "I've seen the analysis reports. His growth rate is unprecedented. In six months, he'll be beyond our reach. In a year..." He paused dramatically. "He might be strong enough to restart Mu-geuk-ja's revolution."
That silenced all remaining objections. The specter of Mu-geuk-ja's ancient uprising was still fresh in the collective memory of the martial world.
The Die is Cast
Jo Man-seok picked up the communication device. "Thunder Tiger, this is Iron Blood Sword. You are authorized for Operation Midnight Snare."
A gravelly voice responded immediately: "Roger. Black Tiger Unit is ready for deployment."
"Target: Kang Min-woo of Crescent Moon Martial University. Priority: Alive, but lethal force authorized if necessary. Time frame: Complete the mission before dawn."
"Understood. We'll have him within two hours."
The communication ended. Jo Man-seok looked around the table at his officers, their faces grim in the red emergency lighting.
"Gentlemen, tonight we prevent a catastrophe. History will judge us favorably." He paused, then added with cold certainty, "And if it doesn't... at least there will still be a history to judge."
The Black Tiger Unit Mobilizes
4:10 AM, Purification Alliance Special Operations Base
In a facility hidden beneath Seoul's busy streets, the Black Tiger Unit was making final preparations. Fifteen elite operatives checked their equipment with military precision. Each wore form-fitting black uniforms embedded with qi-dampening materials and sound-suppression talismans.
Jang Sung-woon, the unit commander known as "Thunder Tiger," stood before his assembled team. His tall frame and sharp features were intimidating even to his own subordinates. Small sparks of electricity occasionally danced between his fingers—a sign of his mastery over lightning-based martial arts.
"Listen carefully," he addressed his team. "This is not a standard operation. We're moving against a potential Mu-geuk-ja descendant on academy grounds."
The team members exchanged meaningful glances. They all knew what that meant—this target was dangerous enough to warrant breaking treaties.
"Intel suggests the target has rapid growth abilities and can perform real-time martial arts fusion. Do not underestimate him." Jang Sung-woon's voice carried the weight of experience. "However, he's still a first-year student. Overwhelming force and speed will be our advantages."
One operative raised her hand. "Rules of engagement, sir?"
"Capture alive is preferred, but your safety comes first. If he demonstrates threat levels beyond our projections..." Jang Sung-woon's eyes flashed with electric energy. "Eliminate him immediately."
Departure
Three black helicopters lifted off from the hidden landing pad, their rotors muffled by specialized dampening fields. As they flew through the pre-dawn darkness toward Crescent Moon Martial University, Jang Sung-woon studied the intelligence files one final time.
"Kang Min-woo," he murmured, looking at the student's photo. "Let's see if you're really worth breaking a three-hundred-year-old peace for."
Below them, Seoul slept peacefully, unaware that the delicate balance of the martial world was about to be shattered by a single operational decision.
The hardliners had made their move. There would be no turning back now.
4:15 AM, Crescent Moon Martial University Campus
The campus was serene in the pre-dawn quiet. Security guards made their routine patrols, students slept peacefully in their dormitories, and the night shift staff worked quietly in the administrative buildings.
None of them noticed the three black shapes approaching from the north, flying low to avoid radar detection.
In his dormitory room, Min-woo was sleeping deeply, recovering from yesterday's intense duel with Lee Mu-jin. He had no idea that in less than thirty minutes, his world would once again be turned upside down.
The system that had been quietly monitoring his vital signs suddenly detected multiple high-level qi signatures approaching the campus perimeter. Its emergency protocols activated...
[⚠️ ALERT: Multiple hostile presences detected]
[Threat Level: Extreme]
[Initiating emergency wake-up sequence...]