Soohyeok's martial arts and skills had shown remarkable growth in mastery.
Thanks to the abundant energy in the area, his internal energy, although based on a relatively fast yet stable technique for a beginner like the Sacred earth technique, was steadily accumulating. With just a bit more foundation, he could soon begin full-fledged training in a core cultivation technique.
"Once I start training in the Divine Technique of the Union of Heaven and Earth, I'll be able to start practicing footwork too."
Footwork, in fact, was an extremely important martial art for any warrior.
No technique could be performed while just standing around like an idiot — footwork was quite literally the foundation of a martial artist.
Still, Soohyeok hadn't yet learned any footwork techniques, for two reasons. First, the only footwork he knew was an advanced and secret technique called the Taeguk Eight Immortals Steps . Second, to learn that technique, one needed to have at least reached the first level of the Divine Technique of the Union of Heaven and Earth.
That's why he hadn't yet begun footwork training.
Fortunately, his sense of spatial awareness was decent, so unless he encountered an overwhelming enemy, it shouldn't pose a serious issue.
And once he began learning the Divine Technique of the Union of Heaven and Earth and the Taeguk Eight Immortals Steps, Soohyeok would officially be considered a top-tier martial artist.
In the world of Hwan Continent, a "top-tier martial artist" referred to those capable of fighting a tiger without breaking a sweat — experts who had entered the ranks of true masters.
Soohyeok believed that before these two weeks of real combat training were over, he'd reach that level.
Since he was walking a path he had already traveled once before, calling his progress "monstrous" still wouldn't quite capture it.
***
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work during the past two weeks of theory classes."
While reflecting on his growth, Soohyeok was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Shahar, who entered without a trace.
Startled, Soohyeok clicked his tongue.
"Maybe I need to reach at least the peak level to sense her presence."
Shahar moved quietly and stealthily — not because she specialized in stealth, but because she was simply that strong.
In Soohyeok's judgment, she was at least at the Super Peak level by the standards of the Hwan Continent.
"Let's skip the pleasantries and get to the point. As you all know, starting today, real combat training begins. You'll be crossing over to another world with me and other active Awakeners from Earth to receive proper battle training. Needless to say, there's a high chance of injury — you could even die."
Unlike usual, Shahar wasn't smiling. Her voice was serious and heavy.
The atmosphere in the classroom grew solemn.
Awakeners made a lot of money — but their jobs were just as dangerous.
Blood money. Life bonuses.
Those were the phrases always associated with them.
The students had known this — but now, they were becoming the ones at risk.
It hit differently now.
"I'll take only three questions this time as well."
Shahar scanned the classroom.
No one raised their hand. Their expressions were serious and silent.
Seeing this, a small smile returned to Shahar's lips.
"You all seem mentally prepared. Good. Now, allow me to introduce the instructors who will be guiding you through the next two weeks of training."
With that, Shahar snapped her fingers, and unfamiliar figures stormed into the classroom in an instant.
Their presence was sharp. Heavy.
Not one of them gave off a weak impression.
Even by Hwan Continent standards, none of them seemed below the peak level.
"Hooh… They really went all out."
Soohyeok was quietly impressed.
They were thoroughly prepared — even while training Awakeners, they had placed elite instructors on standby to minimize potential casualties.
It was yet another sign of how much Earth — specifically South Korea — valued its Awakener talent.
"After yesterday's exam, we divided everyone into groups of three. Then we drew lots to assign instructors to each team. I will now read the group and instructor names. Be ready. First up, Group 1! Oh Seyoung, Kim Ihan, Lee Sungkyun.
Your instructor is Park Jiwoon. He's better known by his nickname — Crazy Runner."
"Aaah…"
As Shahar shouted the names with a hearty laugh, impressed murmurs echoed around the classroom.
And it didn't stop there.
The instructors that followed — every single name and nickname — drew shocked reactions.
Among them were senior officials from the Awakener Association and executives from top Awakener guilds, which operated much like massive corporations.
Guilds took a share of an Awakener's income, but in return offered management, growth support, item supply, and generous salaries. Most Awakeners hoped to join one. It offered security, long-term planning — a real future.
And from the looks of things, excelling in this training practically guaranteed an invitation.
Everyone hoped for it.
They hoped their assigned instructor was someone from a guild's executive ranks — and for most, that wish came true.
"Group 8… Yang Soohyeok."
And then, Soohyeok's name was called.
***
"Isn't this truly the blessing of the World Tree? Gentlemen, it's good to see you again! Hahaha!"
With a hearty laugh, Shahar looked at the three students standing before her.
"Baek Iyeon, Jin Changhyuk, Yang Soohyeok."
On the first day of training, the three students who had tried to talk to or question Shahar were now all grouped together.
"Just to be clear, this wasn't planned. It was a pure battle of luck — the lottery decided it. Ho ho."
In the relatively light-hearted mood, Soohyeok looked from Shahar to the others.
"Not bad at all."
His impression of Shahar wasn't a bad one.
There's that saying, after all — You can't spit on a smiling face. Shahar was a beauty who always had a smile. It was hard to dislike her.
Also, her strictness and discipline as an instructor were appealing in their own right. If he were to name a trait that really drew him in, it would be her strong sense of pride. He couldn't say what lay deep in her heart, but at least outwardly, she exuded a bright and refreshing energy.
That kind of energy could uplift and empower everyone around her.
There truly was no reason to dislike her.
As for Jin Changhyuk — his tattoos made for a rough first impression, but during the theory classes, his sincerity showed. Knowing a bit about his background, even if just superficially, made Soohyeok feel a kind of kinship with him.
They had never actually spoken, but there was no bad vibe.
Lastly, there was Baek Iyeon — who needed no explanation.
"I'm so happy to be in the same team with Instructor Shahar! With Oppa and even Mister here, it's the cherry on top! The fire on the charcoal!"
In some ways, she was similar to Shahar.
Bright, cheerful, and someone who uplifted those around her.
Although her personality could be a bit of a bother to Soohyeok, he didn't dislike her.
"It's exciting when fate ties people together like this, but don't let your guard down. Everyone, the portal we'll be entering today has been rated at the lowest rank — Grade 1. The area is large, and the monster density is low. Do you understand what that means?"
"Yes! It means a very easy-level portal!"
Baek Iyeon raised her hand once again and answered. Shahar nodded.
"It is a very easy-level portal, yes. But that doesn't mean it's full of harmless monsters that can't kill people."
Shahar's voice dropped lower.
"Oh…"
Baek Iyeon, who had been all smiles, couldn't continue speaking.
Her face turned slightly pale.
She wasn't the only one.
Of the three standing face-to-face with Shahar, the expressions of the other two — everyone except Soohyeok — had hardened.
It was only natural.
Right now, Shahar was radiating killing intent, directed solely at those three.
This kind of killing aura — malice — was something one inevitably encountered when facing monsters, beasts, or deadly enemies. Most people freeze the first time they experience it. The primal fear born of a desire to survive doesn't instantly turn into the instinct to fight. That transformation takes time.
And most warriors experiencing real combat for the first time… die at this stage.
Soohyeok too had nearly died the first time he encountered killing intent.
One desperate step — a miracle born of sheer will — had saved his life.
And then, with his own killing intent focused into a single strike, his spear had pierced the enemy's gut and brought him victory.
That first kill — that memory — was still vivid.
He'd vomited on the spot, frozen in place. But he had stabbed with the spear because he didn't want to die.
"The fact that it feels nostalgic now… really shows how convenient human forgetfulness is.
Still, her killing aura… it's impressive. Refined, yet convincingly savage."
Shahar's killing aura had a wild, beast-like intensity.
She could've emitted something sharper and more refined, but there was only one reason she chose to release it in such a way.
Because the enemies these three would face from now on… were monsters of that exact type.
They weren't beings who directed killing intent at humans with purpose.
They were pure beasts, driven by instinctual hostility, radiating rough, primal killing aura.
And the three of them were about to be thrown right into a pack of those creatures.
"Stay sharp. I'll say it again: you can get hurt. You might even get your throat torn out and die to a lowly Grade 1 monster."
Shahar spoke those words with a smile, her killing intent still washing over them.
Then, she withdrew it.
"Haaak…!"
"Huff… huff…"
Baek Iyeon and Jin Changhyuk gasped for breath, as if they'd just stepped out of a downpour — drenched in cold sweat, gulping air.
Shahar's gaze, however, remained fixed on Soohyeok.
Her expression was full of doubt.
"Have you been on a battlefield before?"
"Well, more or less." Soohyeok replied casually.
"I see…"
Shahar narrowed her eyes.
She was the chief instructor.
Which meant she had full access to all information about the trainees.
She had read all their files — and she remembered. In Soohyeok's records, there was no mention of combat training or battlefield experience. He shouldn't have had any.
Yet he withstood that killing intent without flinching.
That was not something an ordinary person could do.
"Heh."
Shahar gave a faint chuckle and looked away.
As Soohyeok had expected, she didn't press for details.
"Instructor Shahar is the type who trusts what she sees with her own eyes, not what's on paper."
There were people like that on the Hwan Continent too.
Those with a strong sense of pride in themselves.
They didn't bother learning about others in advance — because they believed that nothing would change unless they saw it for themselves.
In the end, they only trusted what their own eyes confirmed.
For Soohyeok, dealing with someone like Shahar actually made things more comfortable.
"Yang Soohyeok will serve as the leader of Group 8. Any objections?"
The other two, still recovering from the pressure and gasping for air, just shook their heads.
They had no energy to care about team leaders or anything else.
To them, Shahar now seemed like a terrifying drill sergeant from hell.
"The portal we're assigned to is close by. Even by Earth's standards, it's within an hour's run from the Awakener Association."
Even though Shahar's voice had been hard to hear before, this announcement landed with full force in the ears of the two trainees.
"From now on, assume jogging form. Stay tense. Don't even think about relaxing. A warrior must always know how to restrain themselves. Group 8, prepare."
Shahar's gaze swept past the still-shaking trainees and returned to Soohyeok.
"Group 8, ready."
Now understanding Shahar's personality quite well, Soohyeok dropped into jogging posture and answered.
"Move out."
Shahar smiled brightly as she declared the start of hell.
Soohyeok began to run, and the other two, forcing themselves into position, followed behind him.
The cool breeze dried their sweat and pushed them forward.