106

Chapter 106 — The A-Rank Arena

Three days passed after the White Valley expedition.

For most Awakeners, three days were enough time to return to their normal routines.

For Subin, they were enough to expose another problem.

He was becoming too well known.

The Awakener Association's training complex was crowded that afternoon. B-rank and A-rank Awakeners moved between the combat halls while instructors monitored their progress. Several guild representatives had also arrived, apparently looking for recruits or negotiating dungeon contracts.

Subin entered the main training hall carrying Simple Edge.

The conversations began almost immediately.

“That's Subin.”

“He's here.”

“Isn't he the one who cleared Greenfall?”

“He didn't clear it. He explored it.”

“Whatever. He came back alive from an A+ territory alone.”

Subin ignored the whispers and continued toward the sword training area.

He had barely reached it when someone called his name.

“Subin!”

He turned.

Kang Min-seok approached with his axe resting across one shoulder.

“You promised me a rematch.”

“I remember.”

“Today.”

Subin looked around the crowded training hall.

“Here?”

“Why not?”

“Too many people.”

Min-seok grinned.

“That's exactly why.”

Subin understood.

A public fight between two A-rankers would attract attention, but Min-seok wasn't looking for publicity.

He wanted to test himself.

Subin nodded.

“Fine.”

The news spread through the training hall within minutes.

An A-rank swordsman and an A-rank axe user were going to fight.

People began gathering around the arena.

Han Yerin arrived shortly afterward and immediately understood what was happening.

She walked toward Min-seok.

“You couldn't wait until tomorrow?”

“No.”

“You're impossible.”

“I've been waiting three days.”

Yerin looked at Subin.

“And you agreed?”

“He asked.”

“That isn't a reason.”

“It was enough.”

Yerin sighed.

Choi Ara joined them, looking amused.

“You two are becoming predictable.”

Min-seok pointed toward the arena.

“Don't distract him.”

Ara raised an eyebrow.

“I'm not the one who challenged someone stronger than me twice in the same week.”

Min-seok's expression changed.

“I'll win this time.”

Subin stepped into the arena.

“Let's find out.”

The surrounding Awakeners became quiet.

An Association instructor raised his hand.

“This is a controlled spar. No lethal attacks. No attacks outside the arena. If either participant loses consciousness, the match ends immediately.”

Both nodded.

The instructor stepped back.

“Begin.”

Min-seok moved first.

His axe came down with enough force to crack the reinforced arena floor.

Subin shifted sideways.

The axe missed him by several centimeters.

Min-seok immediately rotated his body and swept the weapon horizontally.

Subin raised Simple Edge.

Steel collided with the axe.

The impact pushed him backward.

A murmur spread through the audience.

Min-seok smiled.

“Better than last time, right?”

“Yes.”

Min-seok attacked again.

This time he didn't rely on raw strength.

His movements were cleaner.

His feet were more stable, and his attacks connected into one continuous sequence rather than being individual strikes.

Subin recognized it immediately.

“Stability Through Continuity.”

Min-seok's eyes narrowed.

“You remember.”

“I remember everything I learn.”

“Then remember this.”

The axe changed direction halfway through the swing.

Subin's eyes sharpened.

He had expected the weapon to continue downward.

Instead, Min-seok used the momentum to rotate the axe and strike from the opposite side.

Subin barely avoided it.

The blade of the axe passed across his chest.

The audience reacted.

Min-seok grinned.

“I improved.”

“You did.”

Subin's expression became more serious.

Then he moved.

His sword struck the axe three times in rapid succession, not trying to break through Min-seok's defense but forcing him to reposition his feet.

Min-seok blocked the first.

The second pushed his weapon slightly outward.

The third forced him to step back.

Subin followed.

Min-seok swung.

Subin disappeared from the weapon's path.

Not through speed.

Through timing.

His sword stopped a centimeter from Min-seok's neck.

Silence.

The instructor raised his hand.

“Match.”

Min-seok remained still for a moment.

Then he laughed.

“Damn.”

Subin lowered Simple Edge.

“You improved significantly.”

“That's the first compliment you've given me.”

“You earned it.”

Min-seok looked at the sword.

“Your sword is still ridiculous.”

Subin glanced down at Simple Edge.

“It hasn't changed.”

“That's what makes it ridiculous.”

The crowd began dispersing.

But not everyone left.

A few guild representatives approached Subin almost immediately.

One of them was a middle-aged man wearing a blue guild uniform.

“Subin, I'm from Iron Shield Guild. We'd like to discuss a contract.”

Another stepped forward.

“Our guild is prepared to offer you a permanent A-rank position.”

A third interrupted.

“We can provide access to high-level training facilities, equipment, and exclusive dungeon rights.”

Subin looked at them.

“I don't need a guild.”

The first representative frowned.

“Everyone needs an organization eventually.”

“Why?”

“Resources. Information. Protection.”

“I have the Association.”

“That isn't the same.”

Subin didn't answer.

Han Yerin walked over and quietly stood beside him.

The guild representatives noticed her.

One of them smiled.

“Perhaps you should think about it. With your potential, you could become the strongest guild's core member.”

Subin shook his head.

“I'll consider individual opportunities.”

He didn't reject everything.

He simply refused to give someone control over his path.

The representatives eventually left.

Ara watched them disappear.

“You realize they're going to keep asking.”

“Yes.”

“Some will offer ridiculous amounts of money.”

“Yes.”

“Some will offer political connections.”

“Yes.”

“Some will probably offer women.”

Subin looked at her.

“Why would that matter?”

Ara laughed.

“I was wondering how long it would take you to understand.”

Yerin glanced at Ara.

“Don't encourage them.”

Ara smiled.

“I wasn't.”

Subin looked confused.

Yerin shook her head.

“Forget it.”

Before the conversation could continue, Director Kang's voice came through the hall's speakers.

“All A-rank personnel report to Conference Room Two.”

The three looked at each other.

Min-seok walked over.

“Sounds important.”

Subin nodded.

They headed toward the conference room together.

This time, the room was considerably more crowded.

Representatives from eight guilds were present, along with senior Association officials and several A-rank Awakeners.

Director Kang stood at the front.

A large screen displayed the current national Awakener rankings.

Subin immediately noticed something unusual.

His name had appeared.

National A-Rank Awakener Ranking

1. Han Yerin — A Rank

2. Lee Jae-hyun — A Rank

3. Kang Min-seok — A Rank

4. Park Jae-hyun — A Rank

5. Choi Ara — A Rank

6. Subin Vans — A Rank

The room became noisy.

Min-seok stared at the screen.

“Sixth?”

Ara smiled.

“At least you're on the list.”

Yerin looked at Subin.

“You're going to move up quickly.”

Jae-hyun leaned back.

“I disagree.”

Everyone looked at him.

He pointed toward the ranking.

“The Association has insufficient data on Subin.”

Director Kang nodded.

“That is true.”

Jae-hyun continued.

“Then why is he ranked sixth?”

“Because his combat records justify it.”

“Some of those records are from private dungeon reports.”

“They were verified.”

Jae-hyun looked toward Subin.

“Then verify him publicly.”

A murmur passed through the room.

Min-seok smiled.

“I know where this is going.”

Jae-hyun stood.

“Every A-rank Awakener should be evaluated under the same conditions.”

Director Kang considered him.

“What are you proposing?”

“A national A-rank combat evaluation.”

The room became completely silent.

Jae-hyun continued.

“Controlled one-on-one matches. Standard equipment restrictions. Association observers. No guild interference.”

Subin looked at him.

“And the purpose?”

“To determine whether your ranking is justified.”

Subin remained silent.

Yerin frowned.

“There's no need to prove anything to him.”

Jae-hyun looked at her.

“This isn't about personal feelings.”

“It clearly is.”

His expression tightened.

Before the argument could grow, Subin spoke.

“I'll do it.”

Yerin turned toward him.

“Subin.”

He looked at her.

“I don't mind.”

Jae-hyun smiled slightly.

“Good.”

Director Kang studied Subin.

“You understand that a public evaluation will increase your exposure.”

“Yes.”

“And you'll have several strong opponents.”

“Yes.”

“Some of them may deliberately target your weaknesses.”

“That makes it useful.”

Min-seok laughed.

“Of course he'd say that.”

Director Kang sighed.

“Fine.”

He activated the screen.

“The A-rank evaluation will take place in two weeks.”

Several guild representatives immediately began discussing sponsorships and broadcasting rights.

Subin frowned.

“Broadcasting?”

Director Kang nodded.

“The Association intends to make the event public.”

“I don't like that.”

“Neither do I.”

“Then why?”

Director Kang looked around the room.

“Because society needs to see what A-rank strength actually means.”

Subin didn't argue.

The decision had already been made.

After the meeting, Subin walked toward the exit.

Yerin caught up with him.

“You really agreed without hesitation.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Subin stopped.

“Because I've never fought most of them.”

Yerin understood.

For Subin, the evaluation wasn't about fame.

It was another opportunity to learn.

She smiled.

“Then I'll see you in the arena.”

“You're participating?”

“Of course.”

Subin looked at her.

“Then I might lose.”

Yerin smiled.

“That sounds almost like a compliment.”

“It is.”

She laughed.

They continued walking.

A few meters behind them, Ara watched the exchange.

Min-seok came beside her.

“You noticed?”

Ara glanced at him.

“Everyone noticed.”

“Think he'll actually fight her seriously?”

“If they meet, yes.”

Min-seok nodded.

“That'll be interesting.”

Ara smiled.

“Very.”

Across the hall, Lee Jae-hyun stood with his guild members.

One of them asked quietly, “Guild Leader, are you entering?”

“Yes.”

“And if you face Subin?”

Jae-hyun looked toward him.

“I'll beat him.”

The confidence in his voice was unmistakable.

Meanwhile, Subin returned to the training hall.

He drew Simple Edge.

The blade reflected the overhead lights.

He began practicing.

Not a new technique.

Not a powerful attack.

The same basic sword movement he had practiced thousands of times.

Foundation.

His movements became smoother.

His breathing stabilized.

The surrounding noise gradually disappeared from his mind.

For several minutes, he practiced alone.

Then Yerin returned.

She stood at the edge of the training area, watching silently.

Subin noticed her after another sequence.

“You're still here.”

“I wanted to watch.”

“Why?”

“Because I've never seen you practice Foundation for this long.”

Subin lowered his sword.

“I've been relying too much on advanced principles.”

Yerin looked thoughtful.

“So you're going back to the beginning?”

“Not exactly.”

He looked at Simple Edge.

“I'm trying to understand why the beginning still matters.”

Yerin smiled.

“That sounds like something only you would say.”

Subin resumed training.

Yerin remained there.

Neither spoke for a while.

The sword moved through the air again and again.

Simple.

Precise.

Controlled.

And somewhere within that repetition, Subin felt something change.

Not enough to produce a system notification.

Not enough to increase his percentage.

But something had shifted.

His understanding of Foundation had become slightly deeper.

He stopped.

Simple Edge remained silent.

Personal Sword Path: 99.9%

Still unchanged.

Subin smiled.

“Not yet.”

Yerin looked at him.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

He sheathed the sword.

The national A-rank evaluation was two weeks away.

For the first time since becoming an Awakener, Subin would face several of the strongest humans in the country—not because a dungeon forced them together, but because humans themselves wanted to measure their strength.

And unlike monsters, these opponents would remember every defeat.