The cafeteria buzzed with tension.
Jinhyuk had barely touched his tray of kimchi stew when a shadow fell across his table.
It was Min Taejin—the son of a guild executive, B-rank, and known for his short temper.
"Hey, pig," he sneered. "You think you can flirt with Rina just because you sit beside her?"
The room went quiet.
Jinhyuk didn't even blink. "She sat beside me."
"You saying she likes you?" Taejin slammed a hand on the table.
Before he could say more, a pop-up appeared in Jinhyuk's vision.
> [Duel Challenge Issued: Min Taejin vs. Kang Jinhyuk]
[Wager: Honor & Continuation of Attendance]
[Status: Forced Acceptance – Due to Rankless Status]
> [Time: Today – 5:00 PM]
[Location: Arena 2 – Student Watchers Allowed]
Rina stood up, face cold. "This is childish."
Taejin smirked. "Then come cheer for your piglet."
Jinhyuk sighed and stood.
"Fine. I'll entertain the kid."
---
5:00 PM – Arena 2
Bleachers packed. Phones out. Everyone wanted blood.
Min Taejin stood confidently, his blade glowing blue with mana.
Jinhyuk stood calmly, arms folded.
The referee glanced between them. "Any last words?"
Taejin grinned. "Try not to cry when I cut your fat."
Jinhyuk finally moved.
He took off his school jacket—revealing muscle hidden beneath the baggy fabric.
Not shredded,
Not bulky,
—but dense, tight, and taut muscle, carved by Qi and forged in fire.
The crowd gasped.
"What the hell…?"
"He's not fat…"
"That's—what kind of body is that?!"
Even Rina's eyes widened just a little.
Jinhyuk raised one hand lazily.
"Come, little boy. Let's see if your mouth can keep up with your blade."
---
> [Skill: Hidden Qi – Activated]
[Suppression Mode: 90% Power Cap]
[Estimated Required Output: 7%]
Taejin charged.
A blur of sword slashes.
Lightning-fast footwork.
Jinhyuk dodged everything with a bored expression.
Then—one step.
He vanished.
Bang!
Taejin was on the ground. His sword… gone. His body? Bruised, disarmed, humiliated.
Jinhyuk stood over him.
"That was pathetic."
---
> [Duel Complete – Winner: Kang Jinhyuk]
[Status Updated: Qualified Combatant – No Longer Rankless]
[Reputation: +120]
[Rumor Spread: "The Pig Is a Monster"]
---
Outside the arena, Rina waited.
"You held back," she said.
Jinhyuk smirked. "Still too obvious?"
She nodded. "You're not ordinary."
"Neither are you."
She turned and walked away—but her ears were slightly red.
---