“The Old Man’s Hand”

Alt title: Stop Means Stop

The floor of the arena was soaked with blood — some of it real, some of it still regenerating.

Jinwoo's breathing was controlled, but tighter now. His left arm bled from three places. His coat was torn, shadows flickering erratically at the edges of his aura.

Across from him, Wolverine stood with his chest still half-shredded — the muscle crawling back, but slower now, blood slicking his stomach.

And in between them, Deadpool limped forward, hands raised like a referee no one asked for.

"Okay, time out," he said. "Let's all appreciate that I'm still technically alive and—"

Jinwoo surged forward again.

Wolverine did the same — a low, bestial growl tearing from his throat.

Two attacks about to collide again.

Until—

Both of them froze.

A hand gripped Jinwoo's wrist.

Another hand locked around Wolverine's.

Firm. Calm. Effortless.

Go Gunhee stood between them.

No aura flared. No shadows moved. No claws slid deeper.

Just absolute, overwhelming control in silence.

"That's enough."

His voice wasn't loud.

But it landed.

Jinwoo's daggers stilled in the air.

Wolverine's claws remained an inch from Jinwoo's face.

The Chairman released them both and stepped back, gaze stern.

"This was a spar," he said. "Not a war."

The room was silent. Everyone behind the glass hadn't moved for over a minute.

Jinwoo stepped back and lowered his daggers. Shadows curled around his feet and slowly withdrew into the floor.

Wolverine didn't budge at first. Still breathing hard. Still itching to cut.

Then he exhaled.

"Old man," he muttered. "You stop me like that again, and I might actually listen next time."

He looked at his wrist where Gunhee had grabbed him — a faint red mark remained. Not a bruise, but pressure. Real pressure.

Wolverine cracked his neck.

"Still got it, huh?"

Gunhee didn't reply. But his eyes narrowed.

"I was an S-Rank long before they gave letters to power."

Deadpool's system chimed in.

[Quest Complete – Survive 5 Minutes Against Sung Jinwoo]

+20 Stat Points+New Title: "Shadow-Dodger"+1x Random Weapon Box+System Note: "Your Luck still sucks."

Current Luck: -120

Deadpool dropped to the floor with dramatic flair, sprawled out.

"We made it, boys. We survived. I didn't even lose a limb.Mentally? Sure. But physically, I'm golden."

He pulled a juice box from inventory and sipped.

"Respect to the brooding king. But next time, I'm bringing grenades."

Jinwoo said nothing. He turned to Gunhee and nodded.

"Thank you."

Gunhee's voice was low, firm.

"We've learned enough today. No more tests."

Wolverine looked around at the floor — broken tiles, blood trails, shattered shadows.

"Shame. I was just getting warmed up."