127

Chapter 127 — Different Styles, One Battlefield

The first official day of mixed-nationality training began with the Association transforming the largest training complex into a simulated battlefield. The usual combat arena had been divided into several connected zones containing artificial forests, stone structures, open ground, narrow corridors, elevated platforms, and areas where mana density could be adjusted remotely. The purpose wasn't to imitate a particular dungeon but to create a situation in which different fighting styles would have to function together without the participants knowing exactly what kind of terrain they would face.

Subin stood near the entrance with Yerin, Liu Wei, Ethan, Min-seok, Ara, Jae-hyun, and several foreign Awakeners while Director Kang explained the rules.

"This exercise will be different from yesterday's sparring sessions. You won't be fighting individually. You'll be divided into mixed teams, and each team will receive the same objective. The battlefield contains simulated monsters, mana barriers, resource points, and opposing Awakener teams. Your goal is to secure the designated points and reach the extraction zone."

Min-seok raised his hand.

"Can we fight the other team?"

Director Kang looked at him.

"Yes."

Min-seok lowered his hand with satisfaction.

"But," Director Kang continued, "the objective isn't simply to defeat them. Your performance will be evaluated based on coordination, resource management, decision-making, and how effectively you use the different abilities available to your team."

Min-seok's expression became less enthusiastic.

"That sounds complicated."

Ara smiled. "That's because it is."

The teams were announced shortly afterward.

Subin was assigned to a team consisting of Yerin, Ethan, Amelia Carter, and Takumi Sato.

Liu Wei joined Min-seok, Ara, Daniel Kraus, and Yoo Hae-rin.

Jae-hyun was assigned to another mixed team with several international Awakeners.

The arrangement immediately created several reactions.

Min-seok looked toward Subin.

"Why do you always get Yerin?"

Yerin crossed her arms.

"Because I was assigned to his team."

"That's what I mean."

Ethan laughed.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure he doesn't steal all the attention."

Subin looked at him.

"I wasn't planning to."

"That makes it easier."

The teams entered separate preparation rooms.

Yerin immediately took responsibility for organizing their formation.

"Takumi, you're our primary defense. Amelia, stay behind the main formation unless we need long-range support. Ethan, you'll move between the front and middle positions. Subin..."

She paused.

Subin looked at her.

"What?"

"Do whatever you're going to do."

Ethan laughed.

"That's a remarkably detailed instruction."

Yerin smiled.

"His fighting style doesn't fit normal formations."

Subin nodded.

"That works."

Amelia looked between them.

"You two have worked together before."

"Many times," Yerin answered.

"That explains it."

Takumi adjusted his gloves.

"I've seen recordings of both of you. Your coordination should be useful."

Subin looked toward the closed gate.

"What are the rules about communication?"

"Open communication is allowed," Yerin said. "But the opposing teams can hear us if we're close enough."

Subin nodded.

"Then we shouldn't talk unnecessarily."

Ethan smiled.

"That's going to be difficult with me around."

The gates opened.

The five Awakeners entered the simulated battlefield.

The environment immediately changed their rhythm. They were surrounded by dense artificial trees, but the ground beneath them was uneven and covered with scattered stone formations. Mana density was moderate, while several areas ahead showed stronger concentrations.

Yerin raised her hand.

"Formation."

The team moved naturally.

Takumi remained at the front, his defensive ability forming a reinforced barrier around his body. Amelia stayed several meters behind, scanning the terrain. Ethan moved slightly to the side, while Subin walked near the center.

They hadn't gone far when several simulated monsters emerged from the trees.

They looked like black-furred wolves, but unlike ordinary dungeon monsters, their movements were controlled by the training system.

Takumi moved first.

The wolves charged.

His defensive barrier absorbed the first impact, while Ethan moved around his side and struck the second wolf. Amelia released an arrow from behind them, eliminating another target.

Subin drew Simple Edge.

Instead of attacking immediately, he watched the remaining wolves.

They weren't acting independently.

Their movements were synchronized.

"Left."

Yerin reacted instantly.

She moved toward the left side as Subin stepped toward the right.

The formation split for only a moment.

The wolves changed direction.

Subin cut through the mana connection linking three of them.

Their synchronized movement collapsed.

Yerin's spear swept through the opening, while Ethan finished the remaining targets.

The simulated monsters disappeared.

Amelia lowered her bow.

"That was fast."

Subin sheathed his sword.

"They were sharing movement information."

Ethan looked at him.

"You noticed before the system identified it?"

"Yes."

Takumi nodded.

"Then we should assume other simulated enemies may have similar coordination."

They continued forward.

The first resource point was located near a stone structure in the center of the forest. According to the rules, securing it would provide their team with additional points and restore a portion of their mana.

But when they approached, they found another team already there.

Jae-hyun stood at the front.

He looked toward Subin.

"Of course."

Min-seok was beside him.

He smiled.

"This is going to be fun."

Yerin immediately moved her spear into position.

"Don't get carried away."

Min-seok raised his axe.

"I won't."

Ethan glanced toward Subin.

"Do you have a plan?"

Subin looked at the opposing formation.

Jae-hyun's team had three melee fighters positioned in front, two ranged users behind them, and a defensive Awakener protecting the resource point.

"They expect us to attack the center."

Yerin nodded.

"So we don't."

Subin looked toward Amelia.

"Can you reach the resource point from here?"

She examined the distance.

"With a clear line, yes."

"Takumi?"

"I can create one."

Ethan smiled.

"I think I understand."

The fight began.

Jae-hyun moved first, leading his front line forward while Min-seok charged toward Takumi. Their weapons collided with enough force to shake the artificial ground.

Ethan immediately moved toward Jae-hyun.

Their swords met.

Jae-hyun's style had changed considerably since their previous encounters. He didn't attempt to predict Ethan's movements. Instead, he reacted to each exchange, changing his position continuously.

Ethan's mana sword shifted shape as he fought, becoming shorter during close exchanges and extending again when distance increased.

Their battle became extremely technical.

At the same time, Min-seok's axe hammered against Takumi's defensive barrier.

"You've got a strong shield!"

Takumi grunted.

"You're not exactly gentle."

"That's the point."

Yerin moved around them, preventing the opposing team from reinforcing the center.

Subin didn't join any of the fights.

He watched.

He studied the movement of every member.

Then he noticed something.

Jae-hyun's team was unconsciously creating a gap whenever Min-seok attacked.

The gap lasted less than a second.

But it appeared every time.

Subin moved.

He crossed the battlefield without attacking anyone, stepping through the space created by Min-seok's pressure.

Jae-hyun noticed.

"Subin!"

He attempted to intercept him.

Subin changed direction.

Jae-hyun followed.

That was exactly what Subin wanted.

By forcing Jae-hyun away from the center, he created another opening.

"Now."

Amelia released her arrow.

The projectile passed between two fighters and struck the activation point of the resource structure.

The point changed ownership.

Their team had secured it.

Min-seok looked over and laughed.

"You used me as bait."

Subin answered calmly.

"You created the opening."

"I did?"

"Yes."

Min-seok grinned.

"I like that."

The exercise continued.

Their team moved toward the second objective, but the opposing teams had begun adapting. Jae-hyun's team changed their formation, while another mixed team attempted to intercept them from the forest.

This time, Subin didn't take control of the battle.

He allowed Yerin to lead.

She directed Takumi toward the front, asked Amelia to move to higher ground, and told Ethan to protect the rear while she and Subin handled the center.

The difference was immediate.

Subin didn't have to make every decision.

Yerin understood the battlefield.

She recognized when to push and when to hold position, and she trusted the people around her to perform their roles.

Subin realized that this was another form of strength.

Not controlling everything.

Knowing when someone else should make the decision.

The second objective was secured.

By the time the exercise ended, Subin's team had secured three of the four resource points and reached the extraction zone.

Their final score placed them among the highest-performing teams.

But Director Kang wasn't particularly interested in the score.

He gathered all the participants after the exercise.

"The important thing today wasn't who won."

Min-seok looked disappointed again.

Director Kang continued.

"The strongest lesson was that different abilities can compensate for one another's weaknesses. A swordsman doesn't need to solve every problem with a sword. A tank doesn't need to remain in front at all times. An archer doesn't need to stay at the rear. Adaptation matters."

Ethan nodded.

Liu Wei added, "And understanding your teammates is just as important as understanding your opponents."

Director Kang smiled.

"Exactly."

The participants dispersed into smaller groups.

Subin found himself standing beside Liu Wei and Ethan.

"You two are becoming difficult to avoid," Subin said.

Ethan laughed.

"That's because you're interesting."

Liu Wei looked toward him.

"There's another thing."

"What?"

"You didn't use your strongest attacks."

Subin nodded.

"It wasn't necessary."

Liu Wei smiled.

"That's what I thought."

Ethan looked at Simple Edge.

"Then I want to fight you again."

"Me too."

Before the conversation could continue, Min-seok approached.

"Everyone wants to fight Subin."

Ara followed behind him.

"That's because you're all obsessed with combat."

Min-seok pointed toward her.

"You were asking Liu Wei about his sword technique this morning."

"That's research."

"That's fighting research."

"It is still research."

Yerin joined the group.

"All of you should rest."

Min-seok looked at her.

"You sound like Director Kang."

"Someone has to."

Subin smiled slightly.

The afternoon was spent exchanging techniques rather than fighting. Hae-rin and Amelia practiced long-range shooting together, while Ara and Elena worked on elemental mana control. Tae-won and Takumi compared defensive abilities, and Min-seok spent nearly an hour discussing axe techniques with Daniel.

Jae-hyun approached Subin near the end of the session.

"You noticed my formation weakness."

"Yes."

"How?"

"You moved differently whenever Min-seok attacked."

Jae-hyun nodded.

"I'll fix it."

"I know."

Jae-hyun looked at him.

"You really don't give compliments easily."

"You improved."

"That's enough."

He walked away.

Subin watched him leave.

The rivalry between them had changed again.

It was no longer simply about defeating one another.

They were pushing each other to improve.

As evening arrived, the international participants gathered for dinner.

Yerin sat beside Subin again.

Min-seok noticed immediately.

"Again?"

Yerin looked at him.

"Do you want to sit here?"

Min-seok shook his head.

"No."

"Then stop complaining."

The table erupted in laughter.

Subin looked around at the people sitting with him.

A Korean spear user.

A Chinese swordsman.

A European swordsman.

A Brazilian martial artist.

A British archer.

A Japanese tank.

Korean A-rankers.

People from different countries who had awakened only months ago, yet were already standing at the forefront of humanity's new era.

The world was becoming larger.

And for the first time, Subin wasn't simply moving through it alone.

After dinner, Yerin walked beside him outside the Association.

"You seemed happy today."

"I was."

"Because of the fighting?"

"Partly."

She smiled.

"And the rest?"

Subin looked toward the building behind them.

"The people."

Yerin's expression softened.

"Good."

They walked together through the quiet evening.

Neither mentioned tomorrow's training.

Neither talked about dungeons.

For once, there was no need.

The next stage of Subin's journey would bring stronger opponents, unfamiliar dungeons, foreign territories, and eventually places far beyond Earth.

But before reaching those distant worlds, he was learning something much closer to home.

A sword could defeat an enemy.

A team could overcome a battlefield.

And trust could allow a swordsman to move farther than he ever could alone.