Inside the small restaurant, the brothers sat across from each other, eating their food.
One of them—Seed—wore an unsettling smile.
Pojay narrowed his eyes.
"Seed… what are you plotting inside that filthy head of yours?"
Seed looked up calmly. "Pojay, you're an adventurer, right?"
"Yeah. And?" Pojay replied cautiously.
"Teach me your ways."
Pojay almost choked. "Didn't you say becoming an adventurer was the fastest way for a man to die?"
Seed leaned forward. "I want to spar with you."
Silence followed.
Then Pojay laughed. "What a change of heart. Fine—but don't come crying afterward."
The park was quiet.
The brothers stood facing each other, a few meters apart.
Pojay took a firm stance, relaxed yet confident, a faint smile on his face. Seed, on the other hand, struggled to mimic a proper stance. Neither wore armor. Neither held weapons.
Seed wanted a fair fight—martial skill alone.
"I'll remind you of the rules," Pojay said, raising his fists. "No crying afterward."
Seed grinned. "Don't worry. I can handle it."
Pojay frowned. He was never this excited during a fight…
Seed moved first.
His punches were wild and inaccurate, thrown with pure enthusiasm rather than technique. Still, his speed was surprising.
Pojay easily dodged every blow.
"You disgust me as an E-rank adventurer," Pojay said calmly. "But you are fast. I'll give you that."
With one smooth motion, Pojay dropped low, swept Seed's legs, and sent him crashing to the ground. Grabbing Seed's shirt, he pulled back a fist—stopping it a breath away from Seed's face.
"Weak," Pojay said.
Seed blinked… then smiled.
"Again."
Pojay froze. "What?"
"I thought you'd be crying by now," Pojay muttered. "Where did this confidence come from?"
Seed pushed himself up. "I just feel like I can beat my older brother."
Pojay stared at him. Then he sighed.
"…Alright. No more holding back."
This time, a faint heat gathered around Pojay's fist.
Seed swallowed and focused.
Pojay stomped the ground and rushed forward, his blazing punch aimed straight at Seed's stomach.
Seed barely reacted in time.
He grabbed Pojay's forearm, used the momentum, and flipped over his brother's head—landing clumsily but upright.
Pojay turned sharply, eyes wide.
He's never been this agile…
Seed felt it too. So this is agility…
Pojay didn't pause.
He spun mid-step, heat gathering around his leg, and unleashed a blazing kick.
The strike connected with Seed's left shoulder.
Pain exploded through his body as he was sent flying into a nearby wall.
"Seed!"
Pojay rushed forward in panic. "Damn it—I went too far!"
Seed lay against the debris, breathing heavily. His shoulder throbbed violently.
A translucent screen appeared before his eyes.
HP: 2 / 8
Warning: Severe damage detected
Then another message followed.
Your body has endured extreme stress
Durability +1 (New stat unlocked)
Seed clenched his teeth. Durability…?
Before he could think further, footsteps approached.
"On it."
A calm female voice rang out.
A young woman stepped forward—wearing light white armor, a sword strapped to her back. Brown hair framed her focused expression.
"Nina," Pojay said urgently. "Please."
She nodded and knelt beside Seed, placing her hands over his injured shoulder. A soft glow spread from her palms.
Warmth flowed through Seed's body.
Slowly, the pain faded.
Another screen appeared.
HP: 8 / 8
Status: Stabilized
Warning: Energy imbalance detected
Seed exhaled deeply.
Pojay looked away. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have used that much power."
Seed sat up, testing his arm. "You didn't kill me. That's a win."
Nina smiled faintly. "You're tougher than you look."
Seed turned his head away quickly, his face warm. An angel…
Pojay stood and unsheathed his sword.
"You passed," he said. "Not many people can dodge my attacks and take one hit like that."
He handed the sword to Seed
Seed hesitated, then accepted it.
A notification appeared.
Equipment Acquired
Wind Blade Sword (E-rank)
• Strength +1
• Skill: Wind Strike
• Note: A dormant energy resides within
Pojay smiled. "It's yours. You don't know magic yet—but you will."
Seed tightened his grip around the hilt.
A mysterious energy…
He looked up, eyes burning with curiosity.