Sung Jin-Woo had interrupted a battle between two hunters, stepping in just as the fight had reached its peak. Now, he found himself facing an imposing figure—Madara Uchiha.
The legendary warrior eyed Jin-Woo with a sharp gaze, his presence radiating authority. His voice, deep and commanding, cut through the tense atmosphere.
"I've read your report," Madara began, his eyes narrowing. "You were once the weakest—an E-rank hunter struggling to survive even against the lowest-ranked monsters. Then, after your second awakening, you became an S-rank. But unlike other hunters, you weren't at your full potential immediately. Instead, you grow stronger every single day." He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before continuing.
"But it's not just your strength that has changed…" Madara's expression darkened slightly, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
"Your attitude and arrogance have as well. You were once a timid, powerless brat—barely able to survive a low-level dungeon. But now? You don't even blink when standing in front of S-rank hunters. You disregard them entirely and even have the audacity to interrupt someone else's fight without a second thought."
The weight of his words hung in the air, his tone carrying an almost accusatory edge. But more than that, Madara was testing him—pushing him, provoking him.
It was intentional, calculated. He wanted to see for himself just how strong Sung Jin-Woo had truly become.
Jin-Woo remained unfazed, his expression unreadable. With a slight movement of his fingers, he released the Japanese hunter he had subdued earlier. The man, now free from Jin-Woo's grip, staggered slightly before rising to his feet.
Ignoring the tension between himself and Madara, Jin-Woo turned toward Cha Hae-In. His expression softened slightly as he spoke to her in a calm, measured tone.
"It seems my intervention was a mistake. I apologize, Hunter Cha Hae-In."
Cha Hae-In, still processing everything that had just happened, blinked in surprise. She quickly shook her head, her voice slightly hesitant but sincere.
"N-No, it's okay… and thank you for helping me," she replied, offering a small, appreciative nod.
Jin-Woo gave a slight nod in return before turning on his heel, making his way toward the exit of the training facility. His movements were relaxed, unhurried, as if he had already dismissed the confrontation. But just as he was about to leave, a figure stepped into his path.
Madara.
His presence alone was enough to make the air feel heavier. He stood tall, his arms crossed, his crimson eyes locked onto Jin-Woo with an intensity that could pierce through steel.
"What do you think you're doing?" Jinwoo asked, his voice carrying a subtle challenge. he met his gaze without hesitation. His expression was calm, unreadable, but his aura—his very presence—spoke volumes.
"I recall apologizing to Hunter Cha Hae-In for interrupting her match just now," he said evenly.
Madara smirked.
Sung Jin-Woo stood still, his expression calm but observant. He could tell from the way Madara was looking at him—sharp, analyzing, almost intrigued—that this was no ordinary confrontation.
Madara exhaled slowly before speaking.
"It's not about what happened anymore," he said, his voice carrying a firm certainty. "To put it simply—I have some questions for you."
Jin-Woo raised an eyebrow slightly but didn't respond. He simply waited, allowing Madara to continue.
"You're strong," Madara stated matter-of-factly. "The strongest hunter here. I want to see exactly how much stronger." His crimson eyes gleamed with a dangerous curiosity. "The last time we met, you were weaker. But now? The rate at which you've grown—it's beyond comprehension."
He took a slow step forward, his gaze never leaving Jin-Woo's. Then, his expression darkened slightly.
"And more importantly…" he muttered, his eyes narrowing. "There's a stench coming from you."
Jin-Woo's eyes sharpened at that.
Madara was sensing something within him.
His ability to perceive energy, refined through countless battles, and being avessel of the brilliant light allowed him to feel the source of power that Jin-Woo carried. And now, standing this close, there was no mistaking it.
'It's faint, like a flickering matchstick… but it's there,' Madara thought.
The presence Jin-Woo carried—this energy—was unmistakably familiar. It was something that shouldn't belong to a mere human.
Madara's expression remained unreadable, but his thoughts were racing.
'So, that's it… He's connected to them. A vessel… for one of the Monarchs.'
His smirk faded for a moment as he came to a conclusion.
'That means… I will have to kill him In future.'
Though the fight he was about to start was one of curiosity, of testing strength, deep inside, Madara was already preparing for something much bigger.
Jin-Woo, unaware of Madara's inner thoughts, met his gaze evenly. He could sense the shift in the atmosphere.
Jinwoo's expression remained unreadable as he took a step forward, his gaze fixed ahead as if Madara wasn't even worth his attention.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said, his tone calm, almost indifferent. Without another glance, he began to walk past Madara, his voice carrying a quiet finality.
"And I truly don't care. I'll be going now. I have somewhere to be."
Madara had expected this reaction. However, what Jinwoo didn't anticipate was that Madara wasn't merely extending an request—he was issuing a command.
Before Jinwoo could take another step, a powerful hand clamped down on his shoulder. The grip was firm, unyielding, a silent declaration that this conversation was far from over.
Madara's voice was smooth yet laced with authority as he spoke.
"It seems there's been a misunderstanding." He tightened his grip slightly, ensuring Jinwoo could feel the weight behind his words.
"I wasn't asking for your permission."
A moment of silence stretched between them.
Jinwoo slowly turned his head, his dark eyes shifting toward Madara. There was no tension in his posture, no flicker of surprise or irritation. Instead, his gaze was composed—calm, almost detached.
Cold.
As if he didn't even consider Madara a threat.
"I'll say this nicely," Jinwoo murmured, his voice low yet carrying an undeniable sharpness. "Let go of my shoulder."
The air around them shifted in an instant.
A wave of immense magical energy surged from Jinwoo, unseen yet suffocating. It poured out like a tidal wave, filling the space and crashing against everyone nearby.
Other hunters who were present—watching from a distance—felt it immediately.
Their instincts screamed at them, their bodies freezing as an involuntary chill ran down their spines.
Some staggered backward, their breath hitching, their minds overwhelmed by the sheer force of the power they were sensing.
Madara, still gripping Jinwoo's shoulder, didn't flinch.