Chương 11: THE CHALLENGE

Kang Dae-ho clicked his tongue as he approached with his two lackeys, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Look who's here," he said loud enough for anyone nearby to hear.

"The no skill trash actually showed up." The comment was intentionally precise, like he'd chosen the wording to sting in the most efficient way. A few students lingered, glancing over. Then more stopped. Within moments, a small crowd was forming in the hallway. Someone whispered, "Isn't that Sam Jimin?" Another replied, "That E-1, no skill guy?" And then the jeering began.

"Damn, that's rough."

"Why's he even here?"

"Bro should live as a civilian." Jimin tried to speak; he wanted to; but his throat tightened on instinct. His past self curled inward, dragging chains of humiliation around his ribs. Memories of middle school, the mocking, the helplessness, the way he'd let himself be stepped on… every part of it tried to swallow him again.

"No. Not again." He inhaled slowly. He had promised himself that this life would be different. He forced his shoulders to relax.

"Break the pattern, Jimin. Break it right here." He lifted his head. Dae-ho raised a brow, clearly expecting silence.

"What? Cat got your...." Jimin cut him off.

"Wow. We haven't even started the day and you're already this loud. Is your Unique skill 'annoying others by barking'?" The crowd erupted in stifled snickers. Dae-ho blinked.

"What?" A student whispered too loudly, "He got him good." Dae-ho's face flushed. He wasn't used to being challenged; certainly not publicly, and definitely not by someone, everyone knew was weak. He was boiling with rage. His hand twitched, mana starting to pulse faintly around his palm. He was about to activate a skill. But then…. A heavy pressure slammed into the hall like a wave of compressed air. It wasn't killing intent. It was a surge of mana. It was the overwhelming presence of a veteran Rifter.

Conversations died instantly. The air seemed to thicken, making even breathing feel like a conscious effort. A voice followed.

"Enough." Every head snapped toward the source. A man in his late 40s, stood at the end of the hall; with a younger man and a younger woman behind him. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. The old man had black and grey hair & beard; and was wearing a black trench coat over a basic combat suit. His arms behind his back, posture straight, expression unreadable. He didn't look angry; he didn't need to. His presence alone silenced everyone.

"You are in a school," he said calmly.

"Not a marketplace. Line up. Now." Students scattered immediately, the crowd dissolving in seconds. Dae-ho straightened, trying to regain composure. Jimin stayed frozen where he was, heart pounding but face calm. He pointed at the two of them.

"You two. Move." They followed the other students. The other students had already lined up, but when the old man stood in front of them, they snapped into a straighter formation, as if instinct recognized authority before the mind did.

"Good," he said.

"At least you can stand properly." He walked to the front, hands behind him again.

"Welcome to your first combat class. I am Ryu Seong-ho, Rank A-2, a retired Rifter." The students were amazed by his rank and level; and they started whispering among themselves. He continued, "I have been the Combat Instructor of this course for the last 5 years."

"They are your Assistant Combat Instructors for this course," he said, pointing towards the other two instructors.

"Today, we begin with the foundation every Rifter must master before stepping into a Rift: understanding the battlefield, your tools, and your team." Mixed reactions spread through the line; some excitement, many groans. Seong-ho continued, unaffected.

"Before any of you learn how to swing a sword, throw a punch, or cast even the weakest spell properly, you must understand the principles that prevent Rifters from dying like amateurs." He gestured to the holoboard behind him. Diagrams appeared; simple silhouettes showing positions, spacing, and range patterns.

"Combat basics: distance management, rhythm, and awareness. You can have the strongest skill in the room, yet die because you misstep once." Then he shifted topics with military precision.

"Next: Gear and Artifacts. The backbone of modern Rifter combat." Heads lifted. Interest grew.

"Most of you know the basics. But listen carefully: your equipment is not a luxury; it determines survival. A Rank-D Rifter with B-rank Gear can potentially outperform a C-rank Rifter with no Gear. Artifacts are basically relics found in rifts. They are rare and expensive but offer unique effects. Having even one, increases your survival chances." Jimin listened intently. Artifacts. Gears. Enhancement. Compatibility. He stored every word carefully. Seong-ho moved on.

"Finally: party formation. The number one rule; no solo heroics. Rift monsters don't care about your pride. They exploit your blind spots. A balanced team of four; close-range, long-range, mage, support; can handle threats that a single Rifter cannot." A student whispered, "But what if you're strong enough alone?" Seong-ho turned his head slightly.

"Then you are stupid enough to die alone." A ripple of uneasy laughter spread. The lecture stretched on; not boring exactly, but dense, methodical. Many students began shifting on their feet. Jimin, however, absorbed everything with growing fascination. Structures, patterns. This was his territory. Finally, Seong-ho closed the holoboard.

"That is the end of the lecture." A wave of silent celebration spread through the students.

"I said the lecture is over; not the class." [Immediate Groans!!] Seong-ho smiled faintly.

"Relax. I know my lecture isn't captivating. But a first day should be memorable." His tone shifted; still calm, but carrying a new energy.

"And what's more memorable than a fight?" Students perked up instantly, "A fight? On day one?"

"We have healers and medical support ready. Injuries will be treated in minutes. So….. who wishes to volunteer?" Silence. No one wanted to be the first fool to be knocked out in front of the entire class. Seong-ho raised a brow.

"What? Most of you're gonna be rifters, aren't you? Or did I walk into a civilian class by mistake?" Still silence. Then a hand rose confidently. It was none other than Kang Dae-ho. Seong-ho nodded.

"Good. At least one is showing initiative. As expected." Jimin's eyes narrowed slightly.

"As expected?" He didn't like the tone. Then Seong-ho asked, "Now…. who will fight Dae-ho?" Students looked around, avoiding eye contact. Dae-ho didn't wait.

"I challenge Sam Jimin," he said instantly. Jimin's eyes widened.

"What the…."