The sky above Korea roared with thunder.
Dark clouds twisted violently as if the heavens themselves were disturbed.
At the center of the storm stood a lone figure.
Water spiraled endlessly around his body.
Blue lightning snapped through it like a living dragon.
His feet barely touched the ground.
This was Chen Wei.
His eyes were sharp. His aura was terrifying.
Chen Wei (inner thought):
"I finally unlocked it... but controlling this power is far harder than I imagined."
The water around him suddenly exploded outward, cracking the ground.
Chen Wei:
"I made a promise to gain power… but this? This is insane."
(smirks)
"That idiot… just how many layers of power has he already unlocked?"
His voice turned serious.
Chen Wei:
"Looks like I arrived before him after all. Typical… He's always late."
The storm slowly calmed.
[Meanwhile – A Quiet Rooftop, Somewhere in Korea]
A gentle breeze passed through the rooftop.
A girl stood silently, looking at the glowing sky.
Her long hair moved softly with the wind.
This was Lily.
Her eyes were filled with emotion… and guilt.
Lily (inner thought):
"I still haven't fulfilled the promise… the promise I made to Leo's mother."
Her hand slowly moved to her chest.
A faint Phoenix-shaped flame flickered for a second and disappeared.
Lily (soft whisper):
"My Phoenix power could help him so much… but destiny never moves in straight lines."
She sighed.
Lily:
"Looks like I arrived early too… He still hasn't come. Just like always."
She smiled faintly.
[Tournament Entrance – Daytime]
Crowds flooded the massive Korean stadium.
Fighters from all nations gathered.
The air was tense with killing intent.
Lily walked calmly through the gates.
Suddenly—
Lily (shouting):
"CHEN WEI, YOU IDIOT!!"
People turned.
A tall boy with sharp eyes stopped.
Water sparks crackled faintly around his fingers.
Chen Wei:
"…Who are you?"
Lily froze.
Her expression changed from shock… to heartbreak.
Lily:
"Y-You don't remember me? We used to play together when we were kids!"
Chen Wei (coldly):
"I don't remember anything from my past."
Lily clenched her fists.
Lily (angrily, voice shaking):
"How can you forget so easily, stupid!"
Chen Wei's eyes widened slightly.
Chen Wei (inner thought):
"…She sounds exactly like her."
For a split second, a face appeared in his memory.
Chen Wei (softly):
"Your voice… it's the same as my girlfriend's."
Lily froze.
Then she turned away.
Lily:
"Hmph. Whatever. I didn't come here to revive old memories."
She walked toward the registration gate.
Lily:
"I'm entering the tournament too."
Chen Wei watched her leave in silence.
[Airport – Korea]
A tired young man stepped out of the terminal with a bag over his shoulder.
His clothes were messy.
His face looked exhausted.
This was Leo.
Leo:
"…Thank God. At least I have a company branch here. Otherwise I'd be sleeping on the road."
He took out his phone.
Leo:
"Arrange a hotel for me immediately."
Within minutes, a luxury car stopped in front of him.
The door opened.
A familiar butler jumped out dramatically.
Butler (crying loudly):
"MASTER!! Forgive me… your respected father has passed awayyyyy!!"
He hugged Leo tightly.
People stared.
Leo slowly turned his face toward an unseen presence.
Leo (looking at the 'camera'):
"Hey, you idiot writer… what kind of timing is this for a tragedy?"
Suddenly, the butler stopped crying.
Butler:
"Master… who are you talking to?"
Leo (serious face):
"…Nothing. Let's go to the hotel."
[Hotel – Private Gym]
The moment Leo dropped his bag—
He walked straight into the gym.
His eyes sparkled.
Leo:
"What a great gym!"
He walked to a dumbbell rack and casually lifted a 10-ton dumbbell with one hand.
The floor cracked.
The entire gym went silent.
All martial artists stared in horror.
Random Fighter:
"…Who is this kid?"
Leo switched into a ridiculous bodybuilding pose.
Leo (posing):
"Perfect."
Suddenly—
He slipped.
BOOM.
He fell flat on his face.
Silence.
Then—
Leo (looking at the 'camera' again):
"I sincerely apologize to all my 3k loyal viewers for this embarrassment."
He wiped his nose.
Leo:
"This all happened because my writer is bad at comedy."
He stood up proudly.
Leo (smiling):
"See you in the next chapter. And don't forget to leave your rating."