On track
Hae-Won made his way through a desolate forest, his eyes fixed on the map glowing in front of him. Since earning his Master rank, his progress had accelerated. Every encounter felt sharper, his strikes more precise, his confidence soaring. For the first time, he felt like he was on track.
As he walked, a familiar chime echoed in his ears—a notification of viewer comments. He swiped the screen open, his eyebrow raised with curiosity as he glanced at the flood of messages appearing before him.
**[LIVE VIEWER COMMENTS]**
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**[User1234]:** "Yo, this guy actually got Master rank? Thought he was a lost cause."
**[LegendaryBlade_007]:** "Can't believe he survived the Trial of Yōkai! I tried that in my game and wiped out in the third wave…"
**[HaHaMan]:** "Didn't he get wrecked by Jin-Ho-Sung just last week? This dude has guts, I'll give him that."
**[MiNaFan#1]:** "Wait, is that Mi-Na from VERSE? She's ranked top 500 now—Queen of Pride, baby! Hope Hae-Won can keep up…"
**[VillainWatcher]:** "Hae-Won's fighting style is improving. He's not just surviving—he's actually grinding smart now. Respect."
**[WastelandLegend]:** "He better be grinding. With that universe rank, he needs all the help he can get."
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Hae-Won chuckled at the mixed reactions. Some viewers clearly had little faith in him, but others seemed intrigued. It was strange having an audience comment on his every move, but a part of him felt oddly motivated by it. He wanted to prove them wrong, to show everyone that he wasn't just some weakling lost in the VillainVerse.
He swiped to scroll through more of the comments, a few catching his eye.
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**[DragonQueen]:** "Not gonna lie, the Shattering Fist gauntlet looks OP. But he barely knows how to use it. If I had it… well, he'd better figure it out before he faces real competition."
**[Watchful_One]:** "Notice how he's aiming for higher-level monsters now? Dude's got some ambition."
**[OhNoNotYouAgain]:** "Is it just me, or does he seem different? He's more… focused."
**[ShadeMaster]:** "Maybe that's what Master rank does to you. Makes you think you're untouchable. Let's see how long he lasts."
---
The comments gave him an unexpected boost. *Focused,* he thought. *I can live with that.*
Suddenly, a message flashed across his screen.
**[SYSTEM MESSAGE: Incoming Call from Master Jin-Ho-Sung]**
The color drained from Hae-Won's face as the call button blinked ominously, pulsing as if waiting for him to answer. He glanced back at the comments, feeling a surge of nervous energy at the thought of Jin-Ho-Sung watching him, judging him, perhaps even mocking him.
But then, a single comment appeared that made him pause.
**[Mi-Na]:** "Don't back down, Hae-Won. You've come too far. Answer the call."
He took a deep breath, fingers hovering over the accept button. He'd faced so much to get here, and even with the whole world watching, he wasn't going to retreat now.
With a resolute swipe, he accepted the call.
---
The screen shifted, and Jin-Ho-Sung's face appeared, wearing his trademark smirk. His gaze bore into Hae-Won, sizing him up with an air of disinterest.
"Congratulations on reaching Master rank," Jin-Ho-Sung said, his tone mocking. "I never thought someone as… ordinary as you would make it this far."
Hae-Won's jaw clenched, but he forced himself to stay calm. "I'm not the same as before. You'll see soon enough."
Jin-Ho-Sung chuckled. "Oh, I'm sure I will. The VillainVerse isn't kind to dreamers, Hae-Won. But maybe… just maybe, you'll be entertaining."
With that, Jin-Ho-Sung ended the call, his face vanishing from the screen. The comments poured in again, more animated than ever.
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**[DarkestNight]:** "Jin-Ho-Sung calling him out! Hae-Won's on his radar now."
**[KnightOfShadow]:** "Man, I'd be shaking in my boots. Jin's on a whole other level."
**[Mi-Na]:** "Don't let him intimidate you, Hae-Won. This is your game too."
**[PhoenixRising]:** "Let's go, Hae-Won! Show Jin what you're made of!"
---
Hae-Won straightened, his resolve hardening. This journey had just begun, and now he had an audience to inspire, rivals to defeat, and a path that was clearer than ever.
"Alright," he muttered, glancing toward his next destination. "Let's see what the VillainVerse really has in store for me."