Screens were everywhere. In the homes of Seoul, in the cafes of Tokyo, on the streets of New York, in the offices of London. Every screen, every phone, every tablet displayed the same images. Images of destruction, images of fire, images of the phoenix, images of the mysterious man who appeared from nowhere to defeat the monsters.
The battles in Myeong-dong, Hongdae, and Gangnam were not ordinary battles. They were moments that changed the very concept of power across the entire world.
American News Anchor: (On CNN) "What we witnessed today in South Korea is not merely a gate attack. It is… it is the announcement of a new era. The era in which humanity stands on equal footing with myths."
BBC Anchor: (In a trembling voice) "The images coming from Seoul show scenes that defy explanation. A woman flying, lighting up the sky with golden fire, fighting a creature that unleashes fire piercing space. Then a man emerging from shadow, swords flying around him, ending the battle in moments."
Korean Newspaper: (Headline) "The Phoenix and the White Swordsman – Who Are They?"
Japanese Newspaper: "Korea Survives a Crimson Gate Catastrophe Thanks to Unknown Fighters."
American Newspaper: "The Phoenix and The Swordsman: New Heroes Emerge from Seoul's Ashes."
On social media, the images topped every trend. Videos showing Ji-won flying in the sky, and others showing Anas standing amid his floating swords, garnered hundreds of millions of views.
X Post: "Who is this woman? Her hair is red as fire, her eyes golden. She is not human!"
Another Post: "The man with the swords… I saw him in Hongdae. He vanished then reappeared, and everything ended. Who is he?"
Third Post: "My heart stops every time I watch the phoenix fight. She is… she is the most beautiful and powerful thing I have ever seen."
Fourth Post: "If I were a hunter, I would kneel before them. Those two saved Seoul."
---
Living Room – Penthouse Apartment
Anas sat on the sofa, Nayun beside him, Ji-won on the opposite chair. The large screen showed the press conference being held by Director Kang.
Director Kang: (On screen, with a stern face) "I will be clear. What happened today was a harsh test for the city of Seoul and for the entire world. The three crimson gates that appeared in Myeong-dong, Hongdae, and Gangnam were an existential threat. But thanks to the sacrifices of our hunters and thanks to…"
The screen suddenly went dark. It turned off.
Anas raised the remote control and calmly switched off the television.
Nayun: (Looking at him) "Dad! Why did you turn it off? The director was talking about you and Mom!"
Anas: (Smiling) "Everything he is going to say, we already know. He will speak of heroism, of sacrifice, of the need for unity. All that is fine, but it tells us nothing new."
Ji-won: (Looking at him curiously) "Anas… all this commotion. All these news reports. The whole world is talking about us. Is that good or bad?"
Anas: (Placing his hand on her shoulder) "This is excellent. This is exactly what we wanted."
Ji-won: (Eyes widening) "What do you mean?"
Anas: "The more famous we become, the greater our value. The more they talk about us, the greater our influence. All of this… is part of the plan."
Ji-won: (With great curiosity) "Your plan… what is your plan really? Do you want to take over the world? Do you want to…"
Anas laughed softly.
Anas: "Take over the world? No. That is not my goal. Not even close."
Ji-won: (Puzzled) "Then what is your plan?"
Anas: (Looking out the window at the lights of Seoul) "You will see soon. But first… we have to pass tomorrow's test."
Ji-won: (Suddenly remembering) "Tomorrow's test! Yes! Tomorrow is the rank evaluation test!"
Nayun: (Jumping with joy) "Mom will become the strongest hunter! And Dad will be the strongest hunter!"
Anas: (Patting her head) "Exactly. Tomorrow… you will face three true SS-rank hunters."
Ji-won: (Staring at him) "Three true SS-rank hunters? Not like Park Chul-soo?"
Anas: "Not like him. These possess skills of their rank. Their true power. Not just titles."
Ji-won: (Breathing deeply) "And you?"
Anas: "I will face three true SS+ rank hunters."
Ji-won: (Eyes widening) "True SS+?!"
Anas: "Yes. And after passing this test… you will receive a true SS+ rank. And you will be one of five people in the world qualified to reach SSS rank."
Ji-won: (Breathing heavily) "And you?"
Anas: (Smiling) "I will receive SSS rank."
Ji-won was silent for a moment. She looked at her hand, then at Anas.
Ji-won: "So… tomorrow we will make history."
Anas: "That is the goal."
Nayun: (Yawning) "Dad… I'm tired."
Anas: (Carrying her) "Come on. Let's go to sleep. Tomorrow is a big day."
He carried Nayun to her room and laid her in bed. He covered her and kissed her forehead.
Nayun: (Closing her eyes) "Dad… tomorrow I'll cheer for you and Mom."
Anas: (Smiling) "We will need your cheering."
Nayun quickly fell asleep. Anas went out to the living room, where Ji-won was still sitting, gazing out the window.
Anas: (Sitting beside her) "Don't be afraid."
Ji-won: (Looking at him) "I'm not afraid. I'm just… thinking."
Anas: "About what?"
Ji-won: "About everything. How we got here. From that small apartment in Jongno to this luxurious penthouse. From being an ordinary office worker to… to the phoenix."
Anas: (Taking her hand) "This is only the beginning."
Ji-won: (Leaning her head on his shoulder) "I trust you."
Anas: (Muttering) "Sleep. Tomorrow is a long day."
Ji-won fell asleep beside him. Anas stayed awake a little longer, gazing at the sky.
Anas: (To himself) "Tomorrow… the real fun begins."
---
The Next Morning
Sunlight filtered through the bedroom curtains. Anas woke first and went to wake Ji-won and Nayun.
Anas: (Gently shaking Ji-won's shoulder) "Wake up. Today is a big day."
Ji-won: (Opening one eye) "What time is it?"
Anas: "Seven o'clock. We have plenty of time."
Nayun: (Jumping from her bed) "I'm ready! I'm ready!"
Ji-won: (Laughing) "You went to sleep early, didn't you?"
Nayun: "I want to wear my prettiest clothes!"
After a light breakfast, the family went to their rooms to dress.
Anas: He wore an elegant black suit with a modern cut, made of fine wool fabric, with a crisp white shirt and a dark gray silk tie. His black polished shoes reflected the light. His short white hair was combed back, and his features appeared even sharper and more refined.
Ji-won: She wore a long dark purple dress with an elegant, modest cut, covering her shoulders and flowing to her ankles. The dress was adorned with faint silver embroidery like stars. A short white coat over it, and medium-height black heels. Her bright red hair was styled in soft waves, and her golden eyes sparkled.
Nayun: She wore a pure white princess-style dress with a light pink ribbon around the waist. Her long black hair was tied in an elegant ponytail with a small white ribbon. Her shiny white shoes made her look like a little princess.
Nayun: (Standing before the mirror) "Dad! I'm beautiful! I look like a princess!"
Anas: (Smiling) "You are my little princess."
Ji-won: (Looking at Anas) "And you… look like a king."
Anas: (Extending his arm) "Then let us go to battle."
---
They got into the car, the black Mercedes-Maybach S 680, and drove toward the Seoul branch of the Global Awakening and Hunters Association. The streets were quiet in the early morning, but the city lights still shimmered from the previous night.
They arrived at the building. The building was surrounded by heavy security barriers, and many press and media vehicles gathered in front.
Nayun: (Looking out the window) "Dad! Look at all those people!"
Anas: (Calmly) "They came to watch us."
They stopped at the main entrance. Anas got out first, then helped Ji-won and Nayun out. They paused for a moment in front of the cameras.
Photographer: (Shouting) "They're here! The Phoenix and the White Swordsman!"
Reporter: (Running toward them) "Mr. Anas! Can you give a statement?!"
Another Reporter: "Mrs. Park! How do you feel after what happened in Gangnam?!"
Anas did not reply. He just smiled faintly and gestured for Ji-won and Nayun to enter.
They entered the building, where they were greeted by Park Jeung-soo, the deputy director.
Park Jeung-soo: (Bowing) "Mr. Anas, Mrs. Park, welcome. Please, come to the waiting room."
He led them to a luxurious waiting room on the upper floor, with glass walls overlooking the city.
Park Jeung-soo: "The test will begin in one hour. I will inform you when it is time."
Anas: "Thank you."
After Park Jeung-soo left, the family sat on the sofa. Nayun played with her phone, while Anas and Ji-won looked at each other.
Ji-won: (Whispering) "Nervous?"
Anas: (Smiling) "No. You?"
Ji-won: "No. Just… curious."
Anas: "What do you want to know?"
Ji-won: "Who will our opponents be? How will they fight? How strong will they be?"
Anas: "You'll see soon."
After a quarter of an hour, the door opened and James Carter, the representative of the association's main headquarters in America, entered.
James Carter: (Smiling) "Mr. Anas, Mrs. Park. Pleased to meet you again."
Anas: (Standing) "Mr. Carter. It seems you are here to evaluate us once more."
James Carter: "This time… the evaluation will be at an entirely different level."
Ji-won: (Looking at him) "What do you mean?"
James Carter: (Seriously) "The hunters you will face today are not like those you faced last time. Last time, the opponents were ordinary hunters, most without real skills. Park Jun-ho was the only one with some skills. The others… were very ordinary."
Anas: (Calmly) "I know."
James Carter: (Surprised) "You know?"
Anas: "Director Kang was exaggerating about them. He was afraid they might suffer serious injuries. So he exaggerated their abilities to avoid taking risks."
James Carter: (Looking at him with admiration) "You… you understand things quickly."
Ji-won: (Sighing) "So… what we faced last time was just… a game?"
James Carter: "Yes. But today… the game is different. Today… you will face real opponents."
Anas: (Smiling) "This is what we have been waiting for."
James Carter: (Looking at his watch) "It is time. Please, come to the simulation arena."
---
The massive doors opened.
The simulation arena was larger than they had expected. Its area equaled twenty football fields, surrounded by high walls equipped with transparent energy barriers. In the stands sat numerous important figures.
Anas: (Looking around) "Who are they?"
James Carter: (Muttering) "Important figures from around the world. Leaders of major guilds, representatives of governments, military commanders, even some high-rank hunters have come to witness… the birth of new legends."
Ji-won: (Eyes widening) "All these people… came to watch us?"
James Carter: (Smiling) "The whole world is waiting to see what you two will do today."
Anas looked at Ji-won. She looked at him. Then they both laughed. A soft, clear laugh.
James Carter: (Puzzled) "You're laughing? This situation terrifies most people."
Anas: (Smiling) "Don't worry. We will succeed."
James Carter: (Looking at them) "I hope so. Because all eyes are on you."
Anas and Ji-won descended to the arena floor. Standing in the center, they awaited their opponents.
In the stands, Nayun sat beside Park Jeung-soo, her eyes sparkling.
Nayun: (Whispering) "Dad… Mom… you will win. I am sure."
On the other side of the arena, the doors opened.
And the opponents emerged.
And the real battle was about to begin.
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╔══════════════════════════════════════╗
║ [SYSTEM ALERT: Rank Test Begins] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════╣
║ [Location: Association Simulation Arena] ║
║ [Candidates: Anas Sharif Yazeed – Park Ji-won] ║
║ [Opponents: 3 True SS / 3 True SS+] ║
║ [Attendees: Major World Figures] ║
║ ║
║ [The fun… begins now] ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════╝
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