The Unspoken Divide

Laughter echoed through the clearing as Tae-young's team swaggered back towards Instructor Dong-soo, their triumph evident in their confident strides. Joon-ho's jaw tightened as he watched them, the mocking tone grating against his senses.

He exchanged a tense glance with Hyun-ae and their remaining teammate, a silent acknowledgement of the disdainful attitude displayed by their rivals. As Tae-young and his teammates approached, their laughter rang out louder, a blatant display of superiority that left Joon-ho seething with frustration.

"Looks like someone's having a rough day," one of Tae-young's teammates jeered, casting a derisive glance in Joon-ho's direction.

As Tae-young's team approached, their demeanour oozed with a smug sense of superiority. The jeers and mocking laughter cut through the air like knives, each taunt laced with a venomous undertone that stung Joon-ho and his teammates to the core. They could feel the weight of the ridicule bearing down on them, a relentless assault on their pride and dignity.

The derisive glances directed their way felt like daggers, each one piercing deeper into their already wounded spirits. It was as though Tae-young's team took pleasure in their misfortune, revelling in the opportunity to belittle and degrade them at every turn. Their laughter echoed like a haunting refrain, a constant reminder of their perceived superiority and the humiliating defeat suffered by Joon-ho's team.

But it wasn't just the words that cut deep—it was the actions that spoke volumes. The way Tae-young's teammates swaggered past them with arrogant smirks plastered on their faces as if they were entitled to mock and ridicule them without consequence. The dismissive gestures and condescending glances only served to exacerbate the humiliation, leaving Joon-ho and his teammates feeling small and insignificant in comparison.

Despite the overwhelming sense of indignation bubbling within them, Joon-ho and his teammates remained steadfast in their resolve. They refused to allow Tae-young and his cronies to dictate their worth or undermine their confidence. Instead, they drew strength from their solidarity, standing tall in the face of adversity and vowing to prove their worth on their terms.

Joon-ho's jaw tightened as he listened to the jeers and taunts from Tae-young's team, each word feeling like a dagger aimed at his pride. The urge to lash out burned within him, but he suppressed it, knowing that giving in to anger would only play into their hands. Beside him, Hyun-ae's expression hardened with resolve, her eyes reflecting the same determination that burned within Joon-ho.

"We won't let them get to us," she said, her voice firm with conviction. "We'll show them what we're made of, on our terms."

Joon-ho nodded, his eyes reflecting the simmering frustration that pulsed through the group. As his teammates voiced their grievances, their words dripping with indignation and regret, he listened in silence, letting their anger wash over him like a tidal wave.

"We should have just taken the kill when we had the chance," the red-haired teammate muttered, their voice heavy with resentment.

"We let them walk all over us. We should have fought back," the other one chimed in. The air crackled with tension, each word a sharp indictment of the injustice they had endured.

Finally, when the last of them had spoken their piece, Joon-ho's voice cut through the silence like a blade.

"Enough," he said, his tone firm but measured. "There's no point dwelling on what we should have done. We need to focus on what we can do now."

As they continued their search through the forest, tension lingered in the air, overshadowing the sense of determination that had fueled their previous efforts. However, it didn't take long for them to stumble upon another Shadowwood Gardener. With a shared glance and a silent understanding, they launched their attack, their movements synchronized and precise.

Despite their anger and frustration, they fought with unwavering focus and determination, each blow aimed with precision and intent. The Shadowwood Gardener put up fierce resistance, but they refused to be deterred, pressing on until the miniboss finally fell before them.

As they made their way back to their instructor, there was little sense of triumph in their victory. The bitter taste of resentment still lingered in their mouths, casting a shadow over their accomplishments.

Despite their success, the sting of having their previous kill stolen lingered, tainting their sense of achievement. As they returned to their instructor, their hearts heavy with disappointment, they couldn't help but wonder if their efforts would ever be truly recognized in the face of such blatant injustice.

As they arrived back at the designated meeting point, the tension in the air was palpable, casting a heavy shadow over the once hopeful atmosphere. Instructor Dong-soo stood at the centre, his expression unreadable as he watched the students return one by one. Above them, a timer displayed in the sky served as a stark reminder of the limited time remaining, ticking down with relentless precision.

The mood among the students had shifted drastically since the beginning of the activity, morphing from hopeful anticipation to simmering hostility and resentment. Glances were exchanged with an edge of suspicion, and the air crackled with an undercurrent of tension that seemed to permeate every interaction.

Once cheerful faces were now set in grim lines, and the camaraderie that had once bound them together had been replaced by a sense of distrust and animosity. Whispers of discontent rippled through the crowd as students eyed each other warily, their previous camaraderie shattered by the events that had unfolded during the activity.

Amid this charged atmosphere, Instructor Dong-soo's presence loomed large, his gaze piercing as he surveyed the gathered students. It was clear that he too sensed the shift in mood, and his expression was grave as he waited for the last few stragglers to return.

As the final moments of the timer ticked away, a sense of unease settled over the group, each passing second only serving to heighten the tension that hung thick in the air. In the wake of their recent trials, the students stood on edge, uncertain of what awaited them in the moments to come.

Instructor Dong-soo's voice cut through the tense atmosphere, breaking the uneasy silence that had settled over the group.

"Congratulations to all of you for completing the task," he announced, his tone firm but encouraging. "You've shown determination and resilience in the face of adversity, and for that, you should be proud."

As murmurs of acknowledgement rippled through the crowd, Instructor Dong-soo continued.

"The winner of today's activity will be compensated shortly, and the NCK points gift will be distributed accordingly." Though he didn't reveal the identity of the victorious team, his words sparked a flicker of anticipation among the students, their curiosity piqued by the promise of rewards.

With the task at hand completed, the students began to disengage from NexaRealm, the virtual landscape dissipating around them as they returned to the familiar surroundings of the main hall in NexaCorp Korea University. As they reconnected with reality, the tension that had hung thick in the air began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of relief and exhaustion.

Instructor Dong-soo's reassuring presence served as a beacon of stability amidst the chaos, his words of encouragement offering a glimmer of hope amid the uncertainty that lingered in the aftermath of the activity. As the students gathered in the main hall, they awaited eagerly for the announcement of the winner, eager to see who would emerge victorious in the fierce competition that had unfolded in the virtual realm.

As the tension gradually ebbed away and the students regrouped in the main hall, Joon-ho couldn't help but reflect on the tumultuous events that had unfolded during the orientation activity. Despite the challenges and setbacks they had faced, he felt a sense of camaraderie among his teammates, a bond forged through adversity and shared determination.

Looking around at his fellow students, Joon-ho realized that they were all on this journey together, navigating the complexities of university life and striving to carve out their paths in the world of NexaCorp Korea. While today's activity had been fraught with conflict and competition, it had also served as a testament to their resilience and strength in the face of adversity.

As they awaited the announcement of the activity's winner, Joon-ho felt a sense of anticipation mingled with apprehension. Regardless of the outcome, he knew that they had given it their all, and that was something to be proud of. With each passing moment, he grew more confident in their ability to overcome whatever challenges lay ahead, united in their pursuit of success and fulfilment in the realm of NexaCorp Korea University.

Despite their valiant efforts and the bonds forged amidst adversity, he couldn't help but wonder what other trials awaited them in the days to come. As they dispersed from the main hall, the weight of uncertainty hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the unpredictable nature of their journey at NexaCorp Korea University. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, there was also a glimmer of hope, a sense of resilience that bound them together as they faced whatever challenges lay ahead, determined to emerge stronger and more united than ever before.