Reality Quest: The Monarch

Author: There will be changes to the protagonist's name, going from Jun Sung-Woo to Kang Dagyum. The previous chapters already reflect this change.

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"So, this is why you wanted to bring me here?" Kang asked, looking around with a calm yet attentive expression. The setting was simple—countless thugs surrounded him, some armed, others not—but that didn't faze Kang in the slightest.

He watched as the System screen floated before him, the blue glow of its notifications growing stronger as the environment seemed to adjust to the new challenge he was about to face.

[Secondary Mission: The Peak.]Conditions: Become feared, Defeat the Monsters (0/50).Reward: 300 Points and 4,000 Credits.

"Defeat the monsters..." Kang murmured to himself, cracking his neck as he shook his head. "Well, shall we get started?"

A few minutes earlier.

Kang followed Siyeon through the dimly lit streets, the sound of their footsteps echoing lightly along the empty sidewalk. The night breeze blew gently, slightly ruffling Kang's black hair as he walked with his hands in his pockets, maintaining an unconcerned gaze.

He watched Siyeon closely. The girl showed no signs of nervousness, but Kang knew how to recognize when someone was hiding information.

Deciding to break the silence, he asked in a casual tone:

"Siyeon, tell me... what exactly am I going to do there?" His voice was calm, but it carried a subtle hint of distrust.

Siyeon didn't stop walking, but she let out a light sigh before answering.

"I don't know the details," she said bluntly. "I was just told to take you to the regular meeting of the Gwanak-gu bullies. After that, I was instructed to leave the building."

Kang narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this. The situation was becoming more and more suspicious.

'Hmm... I think I know what's going to happen.'

He didn't need to think too hard. It was obvious. A stranger being taken to a group of bullies? A meeting where the person who brought him was supposed to leave immediately after his arrival? Everything pointed to just one possibility:

They were planning to test him.

Whether it was an initiation fight, a trial, or even a trap, Kang knew he had to be prepared. But instead of worrying, a small smile appeared on his lips.

If it was a test of strength… then he saw no problem at all.

They kept walking for a few more minutes until they reached a building with a common appearance, yet it exuded an air of secrecy. The windows were dark, and only a dim light illuminated the entrance. A few motorcycles were parked outside, and the smell of cigarette smoke lingered in the air.

Siyeon opened the door without hesitation, and they took the elevator up. Kang remained silent, keeping a neutral expression while his senses stayed sharp for any unusual movement.

And the moment they reached the floor, the elevator doors opened.

The first thing he noticed was the number of people inside the room.

The place was spacious, resembling a repurposed warehouse turned into a meeting point. There were only scattered chairs and a stage. But what truly stood out were the people.

At least 40 individuals were inside. Some were sitting, others leaning against the walls. A group was playing cards in one corner, while another was whispering in hushed tones. But the moment Kang stepped in, all eyes turned to him.

The men inside were all around 18 years old, but they had one thing in common: they exuded danger. Some bore visible scars, while others had tattoos that seemed to represent some kind of gang. Some were armed, holding iron pipes or wooden bats. Others appeared to prefer fighting with their bare hands.

Kang showed no reaction. He simply observed each of them, quickly memorizing their faces, as well as their apparent strengths and weaknesses.

Siyeon, noticing the tension in the air, merely clicked her tongue and muttered under her breath:

"Tsk... I knew it would be like this."

She then looked at Kang and said in a casual tone:

"Well, my job ends here. Good luck, Kang."

Without waiting for a response, she turned around and left.

Kang didn't panic and simply asked, "So, is this why you wanted to bring me here?"

Present time.

[Begin the Monster Hunt]

The first attack came fast— a tall, muscular man lunged forward with a metal baton, aiming directly at Kang's head. But he had already anticipated the movement.

With a sidestep and a slight tilt of his body, Kang dodged the strike by mere inches, feeling the sharp wind brush past his face. Before his attacker could retreat, he pivoted on his heels and threw a direct punch to the man's chin.

The impact echoed in the air. The assailant let out a grunt, stumbling backward with unfocused eyes. The baton slipped from his trembling fingers, and Kang, with flawless reflexes, caught it before it hit the ground.

[Weapon Lord Activated!]

[Weapon Lord]

Become a master of all types of weapons—everything can be a weapon, and there is nothing the user cannot wield as one.

Can be used against any type of enemy, armed or unarmed.

Mastery: 0%MP Cost: None

The moment he gripped the staff, something changed. A wave of understanding surged through his mind, as if thousands of combat experiences with weapons were flowing into him. His fingers automatically adjusted to the object's weight, finding the best grip for maximum efficiency.

"Tsk... This is good."

Wasting no time, Kang advanced. His body moved with frightening speed, and before those around him could react, he struck.

BAM!

The first blow landed on an opponent's chin, snapping his head violently backward as he spat saliva and blood.

THWACK!

In one fluid motion, Kang spun the staff and struck another man across the cheek, the impact distorting his face before he collapsed to the ground.

WHACK!

Without hesitation, he continued. The end of the staff slammed into the back of a third man's neck—a precise strike that made his body seize up before he crumpled like a ragdoll.

CRACK!

Finally, a last strike landed against another enemy's throat, the impact producing a dry, sickening sound as he choked and dropped to his knees, clutching his neck in despair.

All of this happened in mere seconds.

The group of thugs, who had once looked down on Kang with superiority, now hesitated. They had just watched four men collapse to the ground before they could even react.

For a brief moment, silence took over the scene.

Kang twirled the staff casually in his hands, his cold eyes sweeping over the faces of the remaining enemies.

"Next." He murmured.

Several advanced toward him, and Kang struck without any difficulty, knocking them out with simple blows to the neck or head, wasting no energy to take them down.

A scream echoed through the room, drawing the attention of the few still standing.

"Enough of this!"

The man who stepped forward was a large figure, muscles bulging and a scar crossing his eyebrow. His gaze carried both anger and determination, and before Kang could react, he lunged without hesitation.

With a violent thrust, he used his own head as a battering ram, colliding with Kang's staff. The impact was brutal, the sound of metal breaking echoing through the space. The staff cracked, and a piece of it flew to the side, spinning in the air before landing with a dull thud.

[Alert! Weapon Master cannot be used with a damaged weapon]

A blue message flashed before Kang's eyes. He glanced at the screen for a brief moment before sighing, his expression carrying a mix of disinterest and mild disappointment.

"Ah, what a shame."

Without hesitation, he spun what remained of the staff in his hands and tossed it away like trash. The broken piece of wood bounced on the floor and slid a few meters, stopping near one of the fallen thugs.

The big man, who had expected Kang to hesitate or show some weakness, widened his eyes.

"What—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Kang was already in motion. His feet scraped against the ground as he advanced, closing the distance in the blink of an eye.

Kang's punch landed squarely on the big guy's face, the crushing impact making his nose explode in blood as the man stumbled backward, dazed. Wasting no time, Kang spun his body and delivered a side kick, striking another thug who had tried to attack him from the flank. The man was sent crashing into the wall, knocking down some of the allies standing behind him.

[Combat Instinct Activated!]

[Reflexes Enhanced!]

Kang's eyes gleamed for a moment, his body reacting before his mind could even process the danger. A third thug attempted to punch him, but Kang simply ducked and, in a fluid motion, used his own enemy for support. He vaulted over the man, twisting in the air before landing on the shoulders of another opponent.

Looking at the remaining group, Kang smirked.

"You should've brought more people."

He bent his legs and dropped down with force, using all his weight and momentum to crush the thug beneath him. The impact was so strong that the ground trembled, cracks forming in the worn-out floorboards.

[Side Mission: The Peak.]Conditions: Become feared. Defeat the Monsters (15/50).Reward: 300 Points and 4,000 Credits.

The system's blue screen floated before Kang's eyes. He frowned, suppressing a sigh.

"Damn... Looks like I'll have to spend more than I wanted."

He knew that relying solely on brute strength and instinct would take him far—but not far enough. If he wanted to reach the top, he needed technique.

[Credits used: 4,500][Kung Fu (Basic) acquired!][Taekwondo (Basic) acquired!]

A wave of knowledge coursed through his body, as if his cells were absorbing centuries of experience in an instant. His muscles reacted almost instinctively, assimilating the movements and postures of these martial arts.

"This is interesting..."

His body felt more fluid, more adaptable. He rolled his shoulders, testing his newfound flexibility, and sensed his balance improving. Before he could delve deeper into the sensation, another thug charged at him.

"Die, you bastard!"

The fist came in a direct arc, aiming for his face. Before, Kang might have dodged instinctively, but now... he knew exactly how to respond.

[Combat Instinct + Kung Fu]

He sidestepped, smoothly twisting his body, as if he had predicted the attack before it was even thrown. His leg shot out in a low kick, striking the enemy's knee from the side.

Crack!

The man let out a howl and collapsed to the side, clutching his leg in pain.

"Let's keep going." Kang murmured, advancing without losing his rhythm.

Another opponent came from the side, trying to grab him. Kang spun in the air, taking advantage of a newly learned Taekwondo move, and landed a spinning kick to the enemy's temple.

The man fell unconscious before even hitting the ground.

He landed smoothly and faced the remaining thugs, a faint smile forming.

Silence took over the area for a moment. Some of the thugs hesitated, exchanging nervous glances.

[Side Mission: The Peak.]Conditions: Become feared. Defeat the Monsters (20/50).Reward: 300 Points and 4,000 Credits.

He cracked his fingers and took a step forward.

"Who's next?"

Kang advanced with calculated precision, his cold, piercing gaze sweeping across the makeshift battlefield. As soon as a thug approached, he lifted his leg and delivered a brutal front kick, striking the enemy's stomach with enough force to make him spit saliva and double over in agony. Without losing momentum, Kang spun on his axis and launched a back kick, hitting another opponent's chin with a sharp impact.

Both collapsed to the ground before they could react.

Without hesitation, Kang bent his knees and leaped into the air. His body spun in an elegant yet lethal motion before his foot violently collided with another thug's face. The sound of the impact echoed through the area, and the man was sent flying backward, landing face-first, unconscious.

As he landed smoothly, Kang snapped his fingers and smirked.

"Well, now let's switch styles."

Slowly, he raised his hands, curling his fingers like sharp claws and assuming a predatory stance. His eyes gleamed with a killer instinct as the system notified the change:

[Kung Fu: Eagle Claw Style.]

In an instant, Kang lunged forward like a wild beast, his agile body moving in a zigzag pattern. Before the bullies could react, he struck with precise, slicing blows, his "claws" sinking into their joints and vital points.

Each attack was a blur of motion, his fingers striking throats, ribs, and shoulders with surgical precision. Some of his targets screamed as the throbbing pain spread through their bodies. Small cuts appeared where Kang's nails had passed, and droplets of blood flew, staining the floor and walls around them.

The remaining bullies began to retreat, trembling at the terrifying sight.

Kang slowly straightened, taking a deep breath, his chest rising and falling in a controlled rhythm. He looked at the fallen enemies, then at those still standing—bodies frozen in fear.

"W-what the hell is this?!"

One of the bullies' voices shook as he stared at the blood splattered on the floor—a vivid, frightening red that contrasted with the cold, artificial light of the place. The metallic scent filled the air, heightening the tension among the thugs.

But Kang paid no attention. His sharp eyes glimmered coldly as he moved with frightening speed. His body slid across the floor in a low strike, and his fingers, curved like sharp claws, dug into the side of an enemy's abdomen. The bully let out a scream of anguished pain, his body trembling before collapsing heavily to the ground, unconscious.

The blue notification glowed before Kang's eyes.

[Side Quest: The Peak.]Conditions: Become feared. Defeat the Monsters (30/50).

He took a deep breath, feeling a slight twinge in his muscles. His body was getting used to the technique, but it was still not at the ideal level. Despite this, the effectiveness of his attacks was undeniable.

"Tsk... I need more mastery over this."

Before he could prepare for the next move, one of the bullies charged with an iron rod, trying to surprise him with a lateral strike. Kang, however, sensed the intention at the last second. His sharp gaze caught the movement of the enemy's arm, and with a subtle dodge, he avoided the impact, feeling the wind brush his face.

Seizing the opening, Kang grabbed the opponent's wrist tightly and spun his body, using the enemy's weight and strength against him. With a precise strike to the shoulder, he threw him away as if he were a ragdoll. The bully flew several meters before crashing violently to the ground, groaning in pain.

The others hesitated. Some of their eyes began to widen, their hands trembling involuntarily. Fear spread among them like a disease.

"Hey... maybe we should call for reinforcements." One of them murmured, his voice trembling, betraying his insecurity.

"Cowards!"

A deep, hoarse voice echoed through the area, cutting the heavy silence like a sharp blade.

The group of bullies instinctively stepped back, clearing the way for an imposing figure who emerged from among them.

He was tall, ridiculously muscular, and covered in scars that seemed to tell stories of past battles. His gaze was sharp, like a predator's, and unlike the others, he showed not the slightest trace of fear.

Kang narrowed his eyes. This one was different.

The man cracked his neck, his muscles stiff and ready for a fight, and a crooked smile formed on his face.

"Finally, someone interesting." He said, his voice filled with excitement. "Let's see if you're as strong as you look, kid."

A new notification flashed on the floating blue screen.

[Mission Updated: Face the Strongest of Monsters!]Conditions: Defeat Jang Mu-Yeon.Reward: 500 Points, 7,000 Credits, 1 Random Skill.

Kang smirked.

"This is what I like."

With a swift leap, Kang lifted his leg and kicked forcefully, aiming for Jang's chest. The bully defended with his arms, but even so, the force of the impact reverberated through his body, causing a discomfort that made him falter for a moment.

[Kung Fu: Crane Style.]

Jang barely had time to react before Kang charged again. The lightness and agility with which he moved were impressive. The claws formed by Kang's hands scraped Jang's arm with speed, leaving a deep cut. Blood began to flow, but Jang had no time to worry about it.

Kang then leapt again, spinning his body in the air and launching a powerful upward kick, aiming for Jang's chin. The impact was so strong that Jang's head was forced back, but he resisted, his muscles tense as he tried to absorb the blow. With a swift movement, Kang pulled back, creating some distance.

'He's tough, and worst of all, switching between Kung Fu and Taekwondo takes a lot of physical energy. I'm starting to get tired,' Kang thought as he watched Jang recovering. His breathing was controlled, but still somewhat heavy. It wasn't what he wanted, but he knew he had to stay focused.

'However, this is getting fun,' Kang thought, his wide, mischievous smile never fading. Adrenaline ran through his veins, and despite the slight exhaustion beginning to set in, the thrill of the battle kept him alert. He was getting more and more involved, feeling that this clash with Jang was exactly what he needed to prove his true power.

The sound of Jang's footsteps echoed as he advanced, the expression on the leader of the bullies' face now more serious, but no less challenging.

Kang moved forward with a confident smile, his agile body cutting through the air as he quickly approached Jang. The leader of the bullies seemed more tense now, but still held his firm stance. Kang attacked with his claws, his fingers cutting the air with precision, and the unmistakable sound of blood spreading on the floor followed. Jang defended with difficulty, his stamina tested with every strike.

'I have to wait for an opening,' Jang thought, his eyes watching every movement of Kang attentively. He knew that if he made a mistake, the consequences would be fatal. Then, watching Kang make a bold move that turned his back on him, Jang saw his chance.

'Now!' He thought, focusing all his strength into a single punch. The blow had devastating power, a simple move, but packed with all the weight and force of Jang. However, before he could land his strike, a claw violently slashed his face, and the sound of blood being torn apart filled the air.

"AAAGH!" Jang screamed in pain, putting his hand to his face. His right eye was injured, and he could barely believe what had just happened. 'This guy is insane! When did he have the chance to attack?!' Jang barely had time to process what happened before Kang, with the same unshakable calm, mocked him.

"Hey, what's the matter? Not giving up now?" Kang said, his left hand stained with blood. The contempt in his voice seemed to heighten Jang's frustration. In response, Kang spun in mid-air, using the momentum to land a precise strike on Jang's face with his eagle claw. The impact was brutal, but Jang, still in shock, had time to react, putting his hands to his face as he tried to move away to recover.

"I still have other things to test." Kang said with a smile, an emotion clearly visible in his eyes. He was in his comfort zone now, enjoying the battle. With the claw set aside, Kang assumed an entirely new stance, adjusting his body and preparing for what would come next. The change was instantaneous and powerful.

[Taekwondo in use.]