Unexpected Encounter

Lee Seung watched with a hint of satisfaction as six determined men surrounded his clones. Their eyes burned with fierce resolve, but Seung's clones stood calm and composed, almost indifferent to the challenge ahead.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

"Let's see if it's really luck," he murmured under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.

The referee's whistle cut through the air, and the room fell silent as the fight began. The six men charged in unison, their wooden swords swinging with practiced precision. The clones met their assault with equal skill, their movements swift and fluid, as if anticipating each strike before it landed.

Meanwhile, outside the sparring room, a man and a woman peered through a narrow window, their faces partially hidden by the shadows. The man, in his thirties, had a curious gleam in his eyes, while the woman, nearing sixty with hints of gray in her hair, watched with a more critical gaze.

"Aish, keep your head down!" the woman whispered harshly, slapping the man on the back as he leaned too far forward. "Do you want him to see us?"

The man chuckled softly. "What? A B-class fighter afraid of a mere F-ranker?"

Ignoring his teasing, the woman focused on the scene unfolding inside. Her eyes widened as she saw the two masked men—Seung's clones—swiftly overpowering their six opponents. The men were beaten and bruised, sprawled on the ground, struggling to rise.

"Why the hell are we keeping watch on someone like him? This is a mockery of our status!" the man grumbled, spitting on the ground in frustration.

The woman glared at him, her expression stern. "If you dislike tailing a young boy that much, you should have voiced your disinterest to Miss Kim Eunji," she snapped. "But no, you just..."

She paused as the man stood up abruptly from his squat. "You can stay and finish this boring assignment. I'm getting some sandwiches," he said with a grin and walked away without waiting for a response. The woman watched him cross the street, shaking her head in disbelief.

"He can't commit to a single thing," she muttered, turning her attention back to the sparring room.

INSIDE THE SPARRING ROOM

The leader of the group approached Seung, his expression a mix of admiration and curiosity. "Your friends are quite skilled. They should visit us more often," he said, extending his hand for a firm handshake.

Seung smiled awkwardly, feeling a bit out of place. He was only a spectator, yet he received almost all the compliments.

"Ah, sure, they will," he replied, withdrawing his hand as quickly as he could. With that, he and his clones left the room, heading back to his apartment.

Once inside his dimly lit apartment, Seung sat on the edge of his bed, his face illuminated by the soft glow of his phone. He scrolled through the Hunter wiki, searching for a team of C-rank hunters looking for an extra hand. The screen displayed various raiding teams, but none fit the criteria he sought.

Minutes passed, and his search remained fruitless. 'Are C-rank teams really that scarce?' he wondered, frustration creeping in. His mind wandered to his sister and the reason he had become an Awakened in the first place. He needed a way into a third-rate team, a chance to get his hands on the Jar of Life, a material undervalued by most but crucial for his sister's recovery.

Just as he was about to give up and contact his manager for help, a notification pinged on his phone. It was a message from Jiwon.

-Hi, this is Jiwon. Let's meet at the abandoned factory tomorrow morning and go to school together. Che...it seems I have forgotten some things you taught me. 7:00 AM, sharp!

The next morning, Seung stepped out of his apartment, his white shirt glowing in the golden light of dawn. His bag was slung over one shoulder as he walked down the street, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Why do I feel excited to be meeting her?" he mumbled to himself, chuckling softly. "Let's go and show the exam what we've got, Lee Seung!"

He took a cab to a subway near his old neighborhood and then trekked to the abandoned factory where Jiwon was already waiting. The walkway beside the factory was cracked and uneven, with weeds growing between the slabs. Faded graffiti decorated the walls, adding a splash of color to the otherwise dreary setting.

"You're late, Mr. Lee Seung," Jiwon teased, her tone light and friendly.

Seung rubbed the back of his neck, smiling sheepishly. "Please, be lenient with me..."

Jiwon waved off his concern. "Ehh... who said I was upset? You take words too seriously."

They walked side by side, the silence between them growing slightly awkward. Seung's mind raced, trying to think of something to say, but before he could, a tall shadow loomed ahead, blocking their path.

Seung's brows furrowed as he looked up, recognizing the man standing before them. A muscular figure, one he had encountered before—though he couldn't quite place where.

"Oh-oh, here you are, Mister hand-you-over-to-the-police!" the man exclaimed, his voice dripping with malicious glee. Seung's heart sank as he remembered who the man was.

'How did he get out of prison so quickly?!' he thought, clenching his fists. 'Aish, this is the last thing I expected on exam day...!'

Before he could react, a thick metal rod came crashing down on his head with a loud bang, sending him sprawling to the ground. Pain exploded in his skull, and his vision blurred.

"Lee Seung! Seung!" Jiwon screamed, her voice filled with terror as she rushed toward him. But two more men appeared, grabbing her arms and forcing her to her knees. "Let... go of me!"

The man with the rod sneered at her, lifting the weapon threateningly. "What a crazy bitch you are. Shut your mouth before I help you shut it!"

Seung groaned, pushing himself up despite the throbbing pain in his head. Jiwon's eyes widened in horror as she pointed at him, her voice trembling. "You... Lee Seung... you're... you're bleeding!"