"Where the Future of Power Unfolds."
That's the motto etched into every banner, every promotional ad, every dumb hype video for the NextGen Awakener Duels. The media loves shortening it to N.A.D., like it's some kind of school club. But anyone actually in the awakened world knows better—it's South Korea's most prestigious 1v1 combat tournament for those under 18. An annual blood-soaked proving ground for talent, pride, and politics.
Hosted by the Coalition of South Korea's top-tier Awakener associations and monitored by the South Korean Awakener Council, N.A.D. has evolved far beyond just a youth tournament. It's a statement. One that says, "I belong at the top."
Yejun had asked casually, as if we were talking about weekend plans.
"You thinking of joining this year?"
I leaned back slightly in my seat, arms crossed. "I'm still thinking about it."
That alone made Seongha blink. "Wait—you're not sure? I thought you were a lock-in. You're gonna kill it out there."
Aera leaned in a little, hopeful. "Yes, Rheon, you should join. Father says you're the most talented awakener he's ever seen."
I gave her a glance. That shy, genuine tone in her voice again. Before I could respond, Seongha smirked.
"Yeah, Rheon. You should listen to your girlfriend."
I let out a long, audible sigh, shooting him a dry look. "Really?" Classic Seongha. He always knew how to be annoying just enough to avoid a punch in the face. Yejun smirked behind his glass, and Aera? She turned red faster than a fire-based awakener flaring up.
Yejun chuckled lowly into his glass while Aera flushed red and looked away, pretending to focus on her cutlery.
I shifted the conversation. "It's not that I'm worried about winning. I will win—if I join. But… the scope feels small, y'know? Only under-18 awakeners in Korea. What I really want is Echelon Genesis Tournament."
They all paused. Blank stares.
Yejun blinked first. "You mean the EGT?"
He leaned forward on the table, eyebrows raised.
"You do know what that is, right? It's like NextGen Duels, but global. A high-level international 1v1 tournament for elite awakened under-18s. It's organized under the WAA. You'd be fighting the best of the best under-18 awakeners in the world. The absolute top. Combatants from every major awakened nation compete—China, the U.S., Russia, Europe, India, Japan…"
I smirked, just slightly.
"Exactly. That's better. I want to fight the best—not just locally, but everywhere. I want to see how I stack up against the world."
Seongha whistled. "If it's you, I honestly think you could take it."
Yejun nodded. "Same. You're built different."
Aera, however, crossed her arms, frowning. "That's fine and all, but you should still join NextGen. That arrogant bastard Suman Kang from Baekdu keeps saying you're 'lightwork.' Says you're all hype."
Yejun immediately looked offended. "That arrogant punk."
"He's lucky he hasn't crossed paths with me recently," Seongha muttered.
I raised an eyebrow. Suman Kang, huh?
We've never crossed paths, but he's been yapping from the sidelines for years now. Baekdu's little prodigy. No real bite.
"…Maybe I will join then," I said calmly, watching their faces light up.
They cheered like I just announced I'd saved the world.
"You two should join too," I added, glancing at Yejun and Seongha. "I've sparred with both of you. You've got what it takes."
Seongha grinned. "I'm already planning to. I want to crush at least one Baekdu brat."
Yejun smirked with quiet confidence. "Of course I'll join."
We all turned to look at Aera at the same time.
She blinked, caught off guard. "What? No—I'll let you boys go break each other's ribs. I'll be on the sidelines. Cheering. Probably holding a 'Team Rheon' banner."
We laughed, and just like that, the serious talk gave way to more casual conversation. After lunch, we headed out to one of the biggest shopping malls in Seoul—one of the largest in East Asia, actually.
The four of us roamed the upper floors, played arcade games (Seongha somehow lost to a claw machine three times in a row), and wandered into luxury boutiques where Aera browsed designer collections like she owned them. Then we hit an animal café that had both dogs and cats lazing about like celebrities. I knelt down with a huge husky nuzzling against my leg while Seongha tried to pet a cat that immediately swiped at his wrist.
"Ow! What the hell?" he cried. Seongha said in reflex.
Yejun didn't even skip a beat. "Maybe you smell bad. Offended the cat's senses."
We all burst out laughing—except Seongha, who just glared at the cat like it had betrayed him personally. A staff member rushed over, apologizing, but Seongha waved it off, rubbing his arm. "Nah, I'm good. Just another scar for the collection." He have to say something to reassure the staff even though he was not hurt nor a scratch scar would form. Seongha was just surprised by the cat's feral behaviour.
We were still mid-laugh when my phone buzzed.
I checked the screen—Father.
I stood up, pressing the receiver to my ear. "Father?"
His voice was firm. Low. Urgent.
"Rheon. You and the others need to return to Union HQ immediately. The Han brothers and several of their known accomplices have been spotted in South Korea."
I froze. "The Han Brothers? They're international criminals, aren't they?"
"Yes," Father replied without hesitation. "Extremely high-risk. The Union agents assigned to you will escort you back now."
My mind immediately jumped. "What about Mother? And Subin?"
"They've already arrived at the Union. They're safe. Be vigilant, son."
And the line cut.
I turned to the others.
"Han brothers?," Yejun voice was tight. "Aren't they top 150 in the global rankings? High-risk awakeners?"
Seongha's expression dropped. "Those guys are wanted in half the world…"
Before I could speak, the Union agents stepped into view.
"Rheon-nim," one said, already bowing slightly. "Orders from the Chairman. We will escort all of you to Union HQ now."
We left the café without another word. The mood had shifted. This wasn't a tournament, or a cat scratch, or another lazy afternoon.
Something was coming.
And somehow, I had a feeling we were going to be right in the middle of it.