Anas descended from the platform after Song and So-ah's matches ended, and headed toward Director Kang Dae-ho who was standing in the middle of the arena watching the results with satisfaction. He stopped before him and looked at him with calm eyes.
Anas: (Calmly) "Director... I have a request."
Director Kang: (Looking at him curiously) "Go ahead."
Anas: "I want to face the five hunters together... in one fight."
The director's eyes widened for a moment. He stopped moving, looking at Anas as if hearing something unreasonable.
Director Kang: (Astonished) "What?! You want to face Kang Chul-soo, Han Bo-bae, Moon Jae-won, Choi Min-ho, and Park Jun-ho... all at the same time?!"
Anas: (Calmly) "Yes."
Director Kang: (Shaking his head) "This is madness! These are among the strongest S-rank hunters in Korea. Even I can't face them all at once!"
Anas: (With a faint smile) "I am not you."
Director Kang: (Sighing) "Alright... this is an unusual request. But what about your wife?"
Anas: "She will do the same. She will face them all after me."
The director paused for a moment, staring at Anas with wide eyes. It was clear he was trying to absorb what he was hearing.
Director Kang: "You two will face five of the strongest S-rank hunters in Korea... each separately?"
Anas: "Yes."
Director Kang: (Rubbing his forehead) "Alright... I'll think about it. Wait here."
He left them and headed toward the five hunters who were sitting on the benches in the corner of the arena, resting after their matches and drinking water. He approached them, looking at them seriously.
Director Kang: "I have news for you."
Park Jun-ho: (Looking at him) "What is it?"
Director Kang: "That man... Anas... asked to face all of you at once."
Kang Chul-soo: (Jumping up) "What?! That's impossible!"
Han Bo-bae: (Fidgeting with her hair nervously) "Is he mocking us?!"
Moon Jae-won: (In a quiet but angry voice) "We're not toys to be played with."
Choi Min-ho: (Gripping his bow) "This is an insult! How dare he ask to face us all?!"
Park Jun-ho: (In a dangerously calm voice) "Either he's unnaturally confident... or he's a fool."
Director Kang: "I tried to convince him not to do it, but he insists. And stranger still... his wife will also face you afterwards."
Han Bo-bae: (Laughing sarcastically) "His wife too?! What kind of family is this?!"
Kang Chul-soo: (Growling) "We can't accept this! It demeans us!"
Director Kang: "I know. But I want you to think... if you refuse, he'll think you're afraid. And if you accept, you can prove your strength."
Moon Jae-won: "He'll be the one afraid... when we finish him in seconds."
Park Jun-ho: (Thinking for a moment) "The director is right. If we refuse, he'll think we're cowards. Let's accept, and show him that S-rank isn't a game."
The five looked at each other, exchanging glances. Then they all stood.
Kang Chul-soo: "We'll accept the challenge. But he'll regret this insult."
Director Kang: (Smiling) "That's what I wanted to hear. Prepare well."
The director returned to Anas, who was standing calmly beside Ji-won and Nayun.
Director Kang: "They agreed... reluctantly. But I warn you, they're very angry. They'll attack you with everything they have."
Anas: (Smiling) "Don't worry... they will not and cannot last a single second."
Director Kang: (Frowning) "Don't underestimate them. I've seen their strength. This match is happening at your own request."
Anas: "I know what I'm doing."
Anas turned toward the platform and climbed it with calm steps. From the seats, Song Ji-ho shouted.
Song Ji-ho: (Enthusiastically) "Anas! Win! Show them who's strongest!"
Nayun: (Shouting) "Dad! Dad! Win!"
Ji-won: (Looking at him confidently) "Show them what we can do."
Anas stood in the middle of the platform, and the five hunters climbed from the other side. They stood facing him, their eyes burning with anger and provocation.
Kang Chul-soo: (Growling) "Do you know how insulting this is? Being asked to face one man!"
Han Bo-bae: (In a sharp voice) "We'll make you regret this insolence."
Moon Jae-won: "I'll have my darkness swallow you."
Choi Min-ho: "My arrows won't miss you."
Park Jun-ho: (Coldly) "After today, you'll learn not to underestimate anyone."
Anas looked at them calmly, and didn't reply to a word. He just stood there, waiting.
In his heart, he whispered.
Anas: (Whispering) "MOD MENU authority... view others' status windows."
Five blue screens appeared before him, hovering in the air, each belonging to one of the hunters. He looked at them with focus.
```
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ [SYSTEM ALERT: Opening Status Window] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ [STATUS: Kang Chul-soo - Wall Breaker] ║
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [Basic Information] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ Rank: S- │ ║
║ │ Age: 34 │ ║
║ │ Experience: 4 years │ ║
║ │ Specialization: Physical Power - Destruction │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [Core Stats] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ HP: 12,500,000 / 12,500,000 │ ║
║ │ MP: 3,200,000 / 3,200,000 │ ║
║ │ STR: 8,700,000 │ ║
║ │ AGI: 2,100,000 │ ║
║ │ STA: 9,300,000 │ ║
║ │ INT: 890,000 │ ║
║ │ PER: 1,400,000 │ ║
║ │ LUK: 560,000 │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [Skills] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ ■ [A+] Crushing Blow │ ║
║ │ ■ [A] Skin Armor │ ║
║ │ ■ [A-] Beast's Roar │ ║
║ │ ■ [B+] Pounce │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
```
```
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ [STATUS: Han Bo-bae - Shadow Ghost] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [Basic Information] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ Rank: S- │ ║
║ │ Age: 31 │ ║
║ │ Experience: 3 years │ ║
║ │ Specialization: Speed - Assassination │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [Core Stats] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ HP: 8,900,000 / 8,900,000 │ ║
║ │ MP: 4,100,000 / 4,100,000 │ ║
║ │ STR: 3,200,000 │ ║
║ │ AGI: 9,800,000 │ ║
║ │ STA: 4,500,000 │ ║
║ │ INT: 1,700,000 │ ║
║ │ PER: 8,200,000 │ ║
║ │ LUK: 1,200,000 │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [Skills] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ ■ [A] Shadow Flicker │ ║
║ │ ■ [A-] Poisoned Dagger │ ║
║ │ ■ [B+] Reflection │ ║
║ │ ■ [B] Camouflage │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
```
```
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ [STATUS: Moon Jae-won - Shadow Mage] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [Basic Information] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ Rank: S │ ║
║ │ Age: 42 │ ║
║ │ Experience: 4 years │ ║
║ │ Specialization: Shadow Magic - Drain │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [Core Stats] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ HP: 18,300,000 / 18,300,000 │ ║
║ │ MP: 32,500,000 / 32,500,000 │ ║
║ │ STR: 2,100,000 │ ║
║ │ AGI: 3,800,000 │ ║
║ │ STA: 5,600,000 │ ║
║ │ INT: 28,900,000 │ ║
║ │ PER: 12,400,000 │ ║
║ │ LUK: 1,800,000 │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [Skills] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ ■ [S-] Shadow Hands │ ║
║ │ ■ [A+] Energy Drain │ ║
║ │ ■ [A] Shadow Shield │ ║
║ │ ■ [A-] Darkness │ ║
║ │ ■ [B+] Shadow Flicker │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
```
```
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ [STATUS: Choi Min-ho - Eagle Eye] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [Basic Information] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ Rank: S │ ║
║ │ Age: 28 │ ║
║ │ Experience: 4 years │ ║
║ │ Specialization: Archery - Absolute Precision │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [Core Stats] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ HP: 15,700,000 / 15,700,000 │ ║
║ │ MP: 8,900,000 / 8,900,000 │ ║
║ │ STR: 4,200,000 │ ║
║ │ AGI: 7,800,000 │ ║
║ │ STA: 5,100,000 │ ║
║ │ INT: 6,300,000 │ ║
║ │ PER: 31,500,000 │ ║
║ │ LUK: 2,400,000 │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [Skills] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ ■ [S-] Barrage from the Sky │ ║
║ │ ■ [A+] Eagle Eye │ ║
║ │ ■ [A] Crystal Arrow │ ║
║ │ ■ [A-] Thread of Death │ ║
║ │ ■ [B+] Gazelle's Leap │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
```
```
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ [STATUS: Park Jun-ho - Iron Fist] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [Basic Information] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ Rank: S+ │ ║
║ │ Age: 52 │ ║
║ │ Experience: 4 years │ ║
║ │ Specialization: Close Combat - Legendary Endurance │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [Core Stats] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ HP: 68,500,000 / 68,500,000 │ ║
║ │ MP: 12,300,000 / 12,300,000 │ ║
║ │ STR: 52,100,000 │ ║
║ │ AGI: 18,700,000 │ ║
║ │ STA: 61,400,000 │ ║
║ │ INT: 3,200,000 │ ║
║ │ PER: 9,800,000 │ ║
║ │ LUK: 1,100,000 │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [Skills] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ ■ [S] Earthquake Fist │ ║
║ │ ■ [S-] Steel Skin │ ║
║ │ ■ [A+] Legendary Endurance │ ║
║ │ ■ [A] Rush │ ║
║ │ ■ [A-] Devastating Slap │ ║
║ │ ■ [B+] Roar │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
```
Anas: (Looking at the screens then extinguishing them) "Hmm... good."
The five hunters stood confused, not knowing what he was doing. They thought for a moment he was observing them, but they didn't see the screens.
Park Jun-ho: (Coldly) "Are you done staring?"
Anas didn't reply. He just stood there, waiting.
Director Kang approached the edge of the platform and raised his hand.
Director Kang: "Everyone get ready..."
Silence reigned for a moment. Even everyone's breaths stopped.
Director Kang: "Begin the fight!"
The moment the director uttered the last word, something strange happened.
Anas disappeared.
He didn't move, didn't run, didn't jump. He simply vanished, as if he had never existed.
The five hunters paused for a moment, staring at the empty space. Before they could react, they felt something strange behind them.
They turned quickly, but saw nothing. Only Anas's shadow passing between them like a breeze.
Then...
WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!
Five consecutive strikes, barely visible to the eye. The marks of the punches appeared on their bodies suddenly, as if invisible hands had struck them from every direction.
Their bodies flew through the air like dolls. The massive Kang Chul-soo flew like a feather, Han Bo-bae shot like a broken arrow, Moon Jae-won tumbled across the ground, Choi Min-ho crashed into the energy barrier, and Park Jun-ho fell outside the arena with tremendous force.
They all fell outside the platform boundaries, creating resounding impact sounds.
THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!
The arena fell completely silent.
Anas appeared in his original spot, as if he had never moved. He stood calmly, looking at the hunters lying outside the arena.
Director Kang: (Looking at his watch in shock) "One point one seven seconds... 1.17 seconds exactly..."
A long silence reigned. Then the cheers erupted.
Nayun: (Jumping with joy) "Dad! Dad won! Won in a flash!"
Song Ji-ho: (Mouth open) "Oh... oh my... what did I see?! He... he disappeared then reappeared and it was all over in just over a second!"
Yoon So-ah: (Trembling) "This... this isn't fighting. This... this is absolute crushing."
Park Jeung-soo (Deputy Director): (Dropping his water cup) "I saw nothing. I saw absolutely nothing. How... how did he do that?!"
Director Kang: (Whispering to himself) "Five S-rank hunters... in 1.17 seconds... this is impossible. This exceeds all known standards of power."
As for Ji-won, she stood calmly in her place, smiling faintly.
Nayun: (Looking at her) "Mommy, aren't you surprised?"
Ji-won: (Patting her head) "No, sweetie. I know your father's power."
Song Ji-ho: (Approaching her) "You know his power? What is it? How strong is he really?!"
Ji-won: (Laughing) "Secret."
Anas descended from the platform calmly and headed toward them. Everyone was looking at him as if he were a mythical creature.
Yoon So-ah: (In a faint voice) "You... you're not an ordinary human."
Anas: (Smiling) "Perhaps."
Director Kang: (Approaching him) "This... this is unbelievable. You've shattered all expectations."
Anas: (Calmly) "I haven't told you anything yet."
He looked at Ji-won and pointed toward the platform.
Anas: "Your turn now."
Ji-won: (Rising) "Finally."
She headed toward the platform, but Anas stopped her for a moment and whispered in her ear.
Anas: (Whispering) "Use only a small part of your power. Don't show everything."
Ji-won: (Nervously) "I know! I'm not stupid!"
Anas: "How much do you think you'll use?"
Ji-won: "And you, how much did you use?"
Anas: "Only 5%... and not even from my full power."
Ji-won: (Eyes widening) "5% did this?!"
Anas: (Smiling) "Yes. You use 9% of your power... but don't use it completely. Control it."
Ji-won: (Sighing) "Fine. Understood."
Ji-won climbed onto the platform, her red hair glowing under the lights, her golden eyes sparkling. She looked like the legendary phoenix preparing to soar.
The five hunters, who had just been treated and returned to their normal state, looked at each other. They were terrified after what happened with Anas, but their pride prevented them from withdrawing.
Director Kang: (Calling out) "Fighters... get ready for the second match. This time against Mrs. Park Ji-won."
The hunters climbed onto the platform hesitantly, but took their positions.
Park Jun-ho: (Seriously) "We don't know her power, but after what happened with her husband... be careful."
Director Kang: "Get ready..."
Ji-won: (Standing calmly, hands in her pockets)
Director Kang: "Begin the fight!"
In a fraction of a second, before any of the hunters could move, Ji-won looked at them.
Then she snapped her finger.
CRACK!
In the very next moment, fire ignited on all their bodies. Golden-red fire, not ordinary, but sacred flames. Tongues of flame rose around them, and they screamed in pain.
Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!
The screams tore through the arena's silence. They rolled on the ground trying to extinguish the fire, but it was stubborn.
Ji-won: (Calmly) "Enough."
She stopped the fire with a single word. The hunters were left lying on the ground, their clothes burned but their bodies unharmed. It was as if she controlled the fire with terrifying precision.
Director Kang: (Looking at his watch in greater shock) "Two seconds... exactly two seconds!"
The medics intervened immediately, and the hunters were quickly treated. They returned to their normal state, but the terror remained in their eyes.
The arena fell silent again, then erupted in cheers louder than before.
Nayun: (Jumping) "Mommy! Mommy! You're a hero! Just two seconds!"
Song Ji-ho: (Stepping back) "Oh my... Anas's wife is this strong too?! What kind of family is this?! Two seconds for five S-rank hunters!"
Yoon So-ah: (Trembling, tears in her eyes) "This... this fire is unlike any fire I've seen. It's... it's pure like sacred flames. In just two seconds..."
Park Jeung-soo: (Whispering) "1.17 seconds for the husband... two seconds for the wife... this family will change the concept of power in the world."
So-ah approached the platform, looking at Ji-won with admiration and fear.
Yoon So-ah: (In a trembling voice) "Ji-won... you're... you're the strongest woman I've ever seen. How... how did you do this in just two seconds?!"
Ji-won: (Descending from the platform and approaching her) "Family secret."
Yoon So-ah: "Can you... teach me someday?"
Ji-won: (Laughing) "Maybe. If you're ready for harsh training."
Yoon So-ah: (Nodding firmly) "I'm ready!"
---
At that moment, the main door of the arena opened, and a man no one had seen before entered.
He was a man in his forties, with pure white skin, short blond hair, piercing blue eyes, and an elegant formal suit. His walk was confident, as if he owned the place.
He headed toward Director Kang and his deputy, stopping before them.
The Man: (In a resonant voice, in English) "Director Kang. It's been a while."
Director Kang: (Stepping forward to shake his hand) "Mr. Carter! Welcome to Seoul! I didn't expect you so soon."
The Man: (Smiling) "Your report was... intriguing. I had to see for myself."
They spoke in English for a few minutes, then Director Kang turned toward Anas and Ji-won.
Director Kang: (In Korean) "Mr. Anas, Mrs. Park... allow me to introduce Mr. James Carter, from the main headquarters of the Global Awakening and Hunters Association in America. He is SS rank, nicknamed 'Hawk Eye'."
James Carter: (Approaching them, shaking their hands warmly, in Korean) "Pleased to meet you both. I saw what you just did... and I'm truly impressed. 1.17 seconds and two seconds... this has never happened in the association's history."
Anas: (Calmly) "Pleased to meet you."
James Carter: "Director Kang asked me to come evaluate your tests. But after what I saw, I can confirm that you'll both receive excellent ranks. You at least SS+, and your wife at least SS."
Anas: (Looking at him calmly) "I am certain that my rank is SSS. And my wife's is SS+."
James paused for a moment, looking at Anas with serious eyes.
James Carter: (Seriously) "This is serious talk. SSS rank is only achieved by 14 people in the world. You cannot joke about this matter."
Anas: (Confidently) "I never joke. I am certain of what I say."
James Carter: (Rubbing his chin) "And if you're wrong?"
Anas: "I'm not wrong. Do you want me to prove it?"
James looked at Anas for a long time, thinking. Then he took a deep breath.
James Carter: "Alright... if you want to prove you're SSS rank and your wife is SS+, I suggest the following."
He looked at Anas seriously.
James Carter: "You will face three SS+ rank hunters. And your wife will face three SS rank hunters. If you win, I will recommend raising your ranks immediately."
Anas: (Calmly) "When?"
James Carter: "Do you agree first?"
Anas: "I agree."
James Carter: (Smiling) "Excellent. But there's a condition... the press and the public will be present. This is an official test, and must be public. Do you agree?"
Anas thought for a moment. He looked at Ji-won, who nodded in agreement. He looked at Nayun, who was looking at him with confidence. Then he looked back at James.
Anas: "I agree."
James Carter: (Extending his hand) "Then, the test is in two days. Prepare well."
Anas: (Shaking his hand) "We'll be ready."
James Carter bowed slightly, then turned to Director Kang and exchanged some words, then left the arena with the same dignity with which he entered.
Anas looked at his family.
Anas: (Calmly) "Let's go."
They all headed toward the arena exit. Song Ji-ho and Yoon So-ah looked at them with appreciation and admiration.
Song Ji-ho: (Shouting) "Anas! Ji-won! Good luck! I'll watch you!"
Yoon So-ah: (Waving) "Ji-won, you're my role model!"
Ji-won smiled and waved back.
They left the building, and got into their luxurious black car. Anas sat behind the wheel, Ji-won beside him, and Nayun in the back seat.
The engine started, and the car moved through the night streets of Seoul.
Nayun stared out the window, a smile never leaving her face. Ji-won looked at Anas with eyes full of confidence and love.
Ji-won: (Calmly) "In two days... we'll prove to the world who we are."
Anas: (Smiling) "Yes."
The car moved through the darkness, leaving behind the city lights, and a future full of challenges.
```
╔══════════════════════════════════════╗
║ [SYSTEM ALERT: End of Day] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════╣
║ [Location: Seoul - Yazeed Family Apartment] ║
║ [Anas's Result: 1.17 seconds] ║
║ [Ji-won's Result: 2 seconds] ║
║ [Next Test: After Two Days] ║
║ [Opponents: 3 SS+ Hunters / 3 SS Hunters] ║
║ ║
║ [The fun... hasn't begun yet] ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════╝
```