Three months had passed since Phoenix had firmly established its grip on Suwon. The city was quieter now, but beneath the calm surface, the heartbeat of influence, control, and preparation never stopped. Yujhae's team had grown stronger, sharper, and more coordinated — each member evolving into a weapon finely tuned for the battles ahead.
Yujhae stood on the rooftop of Phoenix HQ, watching the city beneath him. Neon signs flickered in the evening haze, and the streets carried a rhythm that no outsider could fully understand. He flexed his fingers, feeling the subtle tingle of newfound strength. Quests, training, and real combat had paid off — every stat had improved: endurance, strength, reflexes, strategy, and charisma. His speed had surged even further, exceeding previous limits by eight points, giving him an almost preternatural fluidity in movement.
SYSTEM UPDATE:
Stats Upgraded — Endurance, Strength, Reflexes, Strategy, Charisma +9 each | Speed +17 (8 points increase)
Skills Upgraded — Combination Lv.10 | Wheel-Kick Lv.15 | All-Vision Lv.4
"You've been quiet," Dojin's voice rumbled from behind, and Yujhae turned to see him cracking his knuckles, shoulders broader, posture more imposing than ever. Over the last three months, Dojin had honed a brutal Hard-Counter technique, capable of turning any aggressive attack back on the opponent with devastating force. Endurance had increased by 9 points — he could absorb punishment that would floor most others.
Taejun approached silently, his movements sharper, almost liquid in motion. His speed had increased by 7 points, and he had mastered Ultra Dodge, a technique allowing him to read incoming attacks and evade with near-instant precision. Every swing, jab, or kick could now be met with a flawless, countering maneuver.
Kang Jisu, standing slightly apart, exuded controlled menace. His Jiu-Jitsu had evolved into something almost mechanical, every joint lock, choke, and throw executed with absolute efficiency. Strength +11 had turned him into a human anchor — unstoppable once he gripped an opponent.
SYSTEM UPDATE:
Security Team Stats Upgraded:
Kang Jisu — Strength +11, Jiu-Jitsu Lv.10
Dojin — Endurance +9, Hard-Counter Lv.8
Taejun — Speed +7, Ultra Dodge Lv.5
The team gathered in the Phoenix training hall, a massive warehouse converted into a combat dojo. Sparring mats, weapon stations, and obstacle courses sprawled across the floor. Holographic combat simulations flickered along the walls, projecting virtual opponents with unpredictable styles.
Yujhae initiated the session. "We've conquered the streets, shown the underground who we are. Now it's time to perfect ourselves. We train faster, hit harder, and coordinate like a single organism."
Dojin stepped forward, testing Hard-Counter against one of the holograms. The simulation lunged aggressively; Dojin absorbed the strike, twisting his opponent's momentum into a shoulder slam that sent the digital combatant sprawling. Every move he made demonstrated the lethal harmony between brute force and precision.
Taejun's turn was a blur. He weaved through an array of fast strikes, Ultra Dodge activating at impossible intervals. He countered with pinpoint strikes, leaving virtual assailants staggered or entirely incapacitated. The combination of his speed upgrade and evasive skill made him nearly untouchable — a living phantom of the battlefield.
Kang Jisu moved methodically, locking and grappling holographic enemies in rapid succession. Strength and Jiu-Jitsu upgrades turned him into a walking nightmare for anyone who tried to resist. Each hold was precise, each counter automatic, his movements refined into a symphony of submission and control.
Yujhae finally stepped into the simulation arena, All-Vision Lv.4 heightening his perception. He could see openings others missed, track multiple opponents simultaneously, and execute Combination Lv.10 and Wheel-Kick Lv.15 seamlessly. The room became a dance of attacks and counters, every strike deliberate, every movement flowing into the next without hesitation.
After hours of synchronized drills, Yujhae surveyed his team. "Three months. Strength, speed, coordination — we've evolved. But this isn't just for dominance. It's preparation. Suwon is ours, but there are bigger cities, bigger kings, and bigger threats waiting. We need to be ready for all of them."
Dojin smirked, wiping sweat from his brow. "I've never felt more unstoppable. Whoever tries to challenge us next won't even see what hit them."
Taejun nodded silently, the calm in his eyes betraying nothing. "Our timing, movement, and reaction are now unmatched. Any attack can be read, avoided, or turned against the aggressor. Phoenix is lethal."
Kang Jisu's cold gaze swept over the room. "Strength without control is nothing. Coordination without power is meaningless. We have both. And any enemy that comes for us will regret it instantly."
Yujhae clenched his fists, feeling the pulse of power within him and his team. Three months of growth had transformed them from a city-defending force into an unstoppable weapon of strategy, skill, and raw power. Suwon was secured, but the world beyond waited — and Phoenix would meet it head-on.
SYSTEM LOG:
MC & Security Team — Fully Upgraded After Time Skip
Skills & Combos Maxed For Current Stage
Combat Coordination & Team Efficiency — 95%
The neon skyline of Suwon reflected in the glass as Yujhae's eyes gleamed. The time for subtle influence was past. Phoenix was ready. Any challenge, any city, any king — they could handle it. The next phase of expansion would begin, and no one would stand in their way.