Soft late-morning sunlight bathed the marshland, still trembling from the fierce battle earlier. Though the energy field hadn't completely stabilized, the system reported that all high-level threats had been neutralized.
Drones flew overhead, broadcasting alerts and distributing updates to remaining examinees.
[System: Field Examination – Standard Phase Concluded][Survivor Rate: 90%+][Initial Scores Calculated][Notice: Evaluation for "Prodigy Class" Under Review]
Kang Seung-woo stood under a large tree, his body streaked with blood and wounds from mutated beasts. Yet his gaze remained calm and sharp. His wrist display showed updated field data:
[Name: Kang Seung-woo][Energy Cores Collected: Tier 2 x3 | Tier 3 x2][Status: Evolution Level C-Class – Not Yet Achieved][Note: Abnormal Power Signature – Under Confidential Review (B-Level)]
"Still not enough," he muttered, glancing at the glowing cores in his hand.Even after surviving death more times than he could count, his goal had never changed—evolve and survive.
Footsteps approached from behind.
"Hey, mysterious power guy—you still in one piece?"Hyun-joo grinned, his right arm bandaged and face worn but cheerful.
"Barely." Seung-woo pocketed the cores.
Hyun-joo pulled up his screen."You saw the announcement, right? They're calling in the 'special power group' for private interviews before university enrollment. If you don't make that list, I'll stop believing in fate."
Seung-woo frowned slightly.He didn't like being "selected" for things beyond his control.He wasn't chasing fame. He just wanted to be strong enough to live in this cruel world.
Suddenly, his wrist screen lit up—new message:
[Invitation: Prodigy Class Interview][Time: Within 48 hours at Central Coordination Hub, Education Zone 10][Note: Mandatory Attendance]
Seung-woo stared at the message for a moment, then whispered:
"Looks like… they've begun choosing pieces for the grand game."
Inside the Central Coordination Hub, Unified Education Zone 10 —An abandoned facility repurposed into a temporary recovery center.
Giant monitors displayed examinee scores, ranked by survival, kills, and energy efficiency.
Seung-woo stood with Hyun-joo near the room's edge. His display read:
[Status: Pending Review – Unknown Bio-Energy Detected][Confidential: Do Not Disclose to External Parties][Preliminary Rank: 17 / 1,500 candidates]
A tall older man in a lab coat entered, flanked by specialists with the emblem "Special Evaluation Unit" on their chests.
"Candidates listed below, follow me to the lower assessment chamber."Fifth on the list: "Kang Seung-woo, District 10 School."
Without a word, Seung-woo nodded and moved through the crowd.
Inside the classified assessment room —Dim lights. Soft hums from genetic analyzers.
"This boy's genome variance is beyond standard parameters... yet he has no prior experimental history."
The old man spoke slowly.
"There are few in this world who can bypass our scans. All of them... have become the world's turning points."
Not long after, Seung-woo returned with a golden badge clipped to the left side of his chest.
[Final Results: Advanced Selection Qualified][Prodigy Class – Admitted to National Warrior University, Zone 10]
Only 8 candidates from over 1,500 examinees had been accepted into the Prodigy Class.
As the announcement ended, students began returning to their homes.
Home – District 10, Lower Sector
"Seung-woo oppa!!"Nara, his younger sister, threw herself into his arms.
Their mother rushed over, eyes glistening."You really made it back… my son."
His father stood at the stairs, breathing caught—but his eyes glowed with pride."You've already gone farther than I ever could."
Seung-woo smiled gently, placing a hand on Nara's head.Then turned to his father and said,
"Not yet, sir. But I will—because I must, for our family."
That night, their dinner was humble but warm.
Laughter from Nara.The quiet smile of his mother.For a brief moment, the battlefield felt like a distant dream.
Later, sitting in his room, Seung-woo stared out at the city bathed in bio-energy lights.
He closed his eyes.
This wasn't the end.
It was the beginning of something far greater.