Solo Steps

As Joon-ho trod the familiar path to class, the absence of Hyun-ae by his side felt palpable. The camaraderie they had developed over the past few days had become a comforting routine, and now, he found himself navigating the bustling campus alone.

The decision for Hyun-ae to accompany Soo-jin to her Fighter course class was still fresh in his mind, a reminder of the ever-changing nature of their schedules and aspirations. While he understood her reasoning, a part of him couldn't help but feel a twinge of loneliness without her company. It was strange to walk these halls without their shared conversations and laughter echoing through the corridors.

Yet, amidst the solitude, Joon-ho couldn't help but admire Hyun-ae's determination to explore new horizons and challenge herself. Perhaps, he mused, it was a testament to her resilience and ambition, qualities that he had come to admire in her.

As he reached the lecture hall, Joon-ho resolved to approach the day with the same sense of purpose and determination, ready to embrace whatever challenges lay ahead on his path.

As Joon-ho entered the lecture hall, he couldn't help but scan the room for any unfamiliar faces. The possibility of new students joining their class, especially from the Fighter course, lingered in his mind. The interconnected nature of the Fighter and Jungler roles in NexaRealm often meant that students from one course could seamlessly integrate into the other.

However, as he glanced around the room, Joon-ho noticed that the majority of familiar faces remained. There were no obvious signs of new students from the Fighter course, dispelling his initial curiosity. It seemed that for today at least, their class would proceed with its usual composition.

Reflecting on the unique dynamics of their roles, Joon-ho pondered the flexibility and versatility that defined the Jungler and Fighter classes. In the world of gaming, these roles were not rigidly fixed; rather, players could adapt and switch between them as needed. A knight, traditionally associated with the Fighter class, could seamlessly transition into the role of a Jungler if the situation demanded it. Similarly, an assassin, typically designated as a Jungler, could easily assume the role of a Fighter when necessary.

The thought of such fluidity intrigued Joon-ho, highlighting the complexity and depth of NexaRealm's gameplay mechanics. It was a testament to the game's immersive world-building and strategic depth, offering players endless possibilities for exploration and experimentation.

Despite the absence of new faces in today's class, Joon-ho's contemplations on the interconnectedness of roles in NexaRealm sparked a renewed sense of curiosity and excitement for the day's lesson. As the instructor prepared to begin, he settled into his seat, eager to delve deeper into the intricacies of their chosen roles.

As Joon-ho sat in the corner of the lecture hall, enjoying the calm before the class commenced, he couldn't help but notice a subtle tension in the air. The usual chatter that filled the room seemed subdued today, replaced by hushed whispers and anxious murmurs. It was evident that the prospect of integration between courses had stirred a sense of unease among the students.

Amidst the subdued atmosphere, a woman entered the class, her confident demeanour and striking appearance drawing the attention of those around her. With short, bleached blonde hair and an aura of self-assurance, she commanded a presence that was hard to ignore. Despite the whispers that accompanied her entrance, Joon-ho remained oblivious to the commotion, lost in his thoughts.

It was only when the woman approached him with a faint smile that Joon-ho's attention was drawn to her.

"Excuse me," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of familiarity. "Is this seat taken?"

Surprised by the sudden interaction, Joon-ho turned to see the familiar face of Hana, a standout student from the Fighter course.

Hana was renowned for her exceptional skills in NexaRealm, earning her the distinction of being the second-ranked player in Korea on the Fighter leaderboard. Her prowess in the game was matched only by her determination and drive to excel, making her a formidable opponent on the battlefield.

Stammering slightly in response to her unexpected presence, Joon-ho managed to reply that the seat was indeed vacant.

"Oh, uh, no, it's not taken," he said, trying to regain his composure. With a nod of gratitude, Hana took her place beside him, her presence adding a new dynamic to the otherwise quiet corner of the lecture hall.

As Joon-ho sat there, the whispers around him grew louder, each word a stinging reminder of his perceived inadequacy. The murmurs seemed to swirl around him like a whirlwind of judgment, questioning his worthiness to sit beside someone of Hana's calibre.

"Who does he think he is?" one voice scoffed, barely concealing its disdain.

"He looks weak," another whispered, the words slicing through the air like a dagger. The tension in the room was palpable, and Joon-ho couldn't help but feel the weight of their scrutiny bearing down on him.

Despite the hurtful remarks, Joon-ho remained outwardly composed, his expression betraying none of the turmoil brewing within. He knew that some of the criticisms held a grain of truth – after all, what right did he have to be seated next to the second-best Fighter in Korea? It was a question that lingered in his mind, gnawing at his confidence even as he tried to push aside the doubts.

As if the whispers weren't enough, Joon-ho felt the weight of Tae-young's gaze boring into him. The top-ranked assassin in Korea, who had previously shown nothing but disdain towards Joon-ho, now seemed to find him worthy of attention. It was a discomforting shift, one that only added to the burden of scrutiny Joon-ho was already enduring. He could sense the eyes of the entire class on him, their collective judgment bearing down like a heavyweight.

Joon-ho despised being the centre of attention, a sentiment that had only grown stronger over the years. It was one of the main reasons he had adamantly refused to pursue a professional career in gaming, despite his undeniable talent. The thought of being scrutinized and judged by strangers, of constantly being under the spotlight, filled him with a sense of unease that he couldn't shake.

But now, here he was, thrust into the spotlight once again, surrounded by whispers and stares that seemed to pierce through his defences.

As the tension in the room seemed to mount, Hana couldn't help but notice the turmoil brewing within Joon-ho. Sensing his discomfort, she leaned closer and asked softly.

"Are you Joon-ho?"

Joon-ho nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Yes, that's me. I'm surprised you remembered my name, considering we only met once before," he admitted, recalling their brief encounter during a weekend jog.

A brief silence fell between them, but this time, it was Joon-ho who broke it with a question of his own.

"What honour do I have to have you sitting next to me?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Hana chuckled lightly at his question.

"Honestly, not much," she replied with a shrug. "I'm just trying to get to know someone new, and you seemed like the perfect choice."

Intrigued by her candid response, Joon-ho pressed further.

"But how did you know to find me?" he inquired, genuinely curious.

Hana's expression softened as she explained.

"Well, during my class, many people tried to befriend me, but it always felt like they were just trying to get on my good side, you know? But Soo-jin was different. She was relentless in her efforts to make friends with me, and without even realizing it, we hit it off."

"Soo-jin? How do you know her?" Joon-ho's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

Hana smiled warmly at the mention of Soo-jin's name. Recalling their conversation from the previous day, Hana continued.

"She's the reason I'm here. During orientation, I won a match against Soo-jin, and I was struck by her sincerity and determination. She wanted to befriend me and learn from me, so when she reached out to me, I accepted without hesitation."

To add more, Hana then also dived into the aspect of her integration.

"When I told Soo-jin about my plans to integrate into the Jungler course, she mentioned that you were in the same class and could help if I needed it. So, here I am."

Joon-ho couldn't help but marvel at the serendipity of it all.

"What a small world," he remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

As Joon-ho processed Hana's words, he couldn't help but marvel at the serendipity of it all. The intricate connections and chance encounters that had brought them together seemed almost too perfect to be mere coincidence. Yet, here they were, two strangers brought together by a shared acquaintance and a mutual desire for genuine connection.

As the class began and the instructor launched into the day's lesson, Joon-ho couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps destiny had a hand in guiding their paths to intersect in this unexpected way. Truly, the world was smaller and more interconnected than he had ever imagined.