Soul system:Return Of The SSS-Ranked Troublemaker-Chapter 24: Jeju island (1)

As they emerged from the dense forest, Zion unfolded the old, crinkled map in his hands. The paper felt rough, its edges worn with time.

"This looks ancient..." he thought.

"So, what does it say?" Karina asked, leaning in.

Zion sighed. "No idea. It’s in Korean."

Yin and Karina exchanged disappointed looks.

"Ugh..." Karina groaned.

"Our phones are still in our room, by the way," Yin added, rubbing the back of his head.

"Yeah, thanks for remembering now," Karina shot back sarcastically before snatching the map from Zion’s hands. She studied it closely, her brows furrowing.

"Hmm... This looks like a town or a city. We should head there," she decided.

Zion and Yin nodded, and the trio set off northward.

After over two hours of walking, their feet ached, and exhaustion weighed on them. The thick canopy of trees had thinned out, giving way to an open road.

"Man, we’ve been walking forever..." Zion muttered, stretching his sore arms.

Suddenly, Yin’s eyes widened in excitement. "Look! A city!"

Zion and Karina followed his gaze, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten.

"Let’s go!" Zion said, picking up the pace.

As they rushed forward, they spotted a massive sign up ahead.

[Jeju City – The Capital of Jeju Island]

"This is it! Maybe we can find a flag here!" Yin said eagerly.

"Yeah, let’s check it out," Karina agreed.

Zion, however, remained wary. A city... This might not be as easy as we think.

The moment they stepped into Jeju City, the atmosphere changed entirely. The quiet rustling of the forest was replaced by a chaotic blend of sounds—honking cars, the chatter of street vendors, and the distant hum of music playing from speakers.

The streets were a fusion of modern skyscrapers and traditional Korean architecture. Towering glass buildings reflected the sunlight, standing in contrast to hanok houses with curved rooftops and wooden beams. Neon signs buzzed with vibrant colors, advertising shops, restaurants, and game centers.

The air smelled of sizzling meat and fresh seafood from the bustling marketplace nearby, where vendors called out in different languages, selling everything from handcrafted souvenirs to exotic dishes. Tourists from all over the world roamed the streets, some marveling at the historic temples tucked between modern structures, while others haggled at lively night markets.

"This place is insane..." Yin muttered in awe.

As they navigated through the crowd, Zion noticed groups of students scattered throughout the city, all competitors in the same game. Some were chatting, others scouting for flags, and a few looked just as lost as they were.

"Hmm... Maybe asking some of them wouldn’t hurt," Zion thought.

"Hey, Karina," Yin said, nudging her. "That’s the Black Team. Maybe we should ask them for directions?"

Karina shot him a sharp look. "No. We can’t trust anyone. This is a competition. They could lead us into a trap."

Zion smirked slightly at her caution. She’s actually smart... though honestly, I doubt any of these students could stand against me.

His smirk widened as he entertained the thought.

Yin, catching sight of Zion’s expression, felt a chill run down his spine. What the hell? He looks terrifying when he smiles like that...

They continued walking, weaving through the bustling streets, the electric energy of Jeju City pulsing around them.

"Man, this is so boring... We haven’t made any progress," Yin complained, stretching his arms.

"Shut up! Do you see us complaining?!" Karina snapped.

"You guys hungry?" Zion asked casually.

Yin nodded eagerly, but Karina hesitated. Hmm... She thought for a moment before giving a small nod.

As they wandered through the bustling market, the scent of sizzling meat and fresh bread filled the air. Without warning, Zion’s hand shot out, snatching a loaf of bread from a nearby stall. Smooth and precise, his movements went unnoticed by the busy vendors.

The group quickly slipped into a narrow alleyway, their breaths heavy with adrenaline.

"What the hell were you thinking?!" Karina hissed.

Zion swiftly clamped a hand over her mouth. "Relax. I’ll pay for it once the challenge is over," he said calmly.

Releasing her, he handed them the bread.

"I forgot... Zion’s a rich kid," Yin thought, hesitating before taking a bite. But what happened to his parents? His gaze flickered toward Zion, but he quickly shook the thought away. I shouldn’t ask... that’s family business.

They ate in silence, finishing the bread quickly before continuing their search.

"Hey, do you remember if the heroes gave any hints?" Zion asked as they walked.

"I don’t think so. They just said it’s somewhere on the island," Yin replied.

"Ugh! How are we supposed to find it? This island is over 2,000 square kilometers!" Karina groaned in frustration.

Their journey led them onto a steep path, and soon they came across a large wooden sign.

[Hallasan Mountain – Jeju’s Highest Peak]

"Let’s go up. We might find a clue there," Karina ordered, taking the lead.

After a long, grueling climb, they finally reached the peak. The sight before them was breathtaking—Jeju Island stretched endlessly beneath them. The city lights twinkled like scattered stars, illuminating the mix of modern skyscrapers and traditional villages. Mountains and forests blended into the vast coastline, where the dark ocean shimmered under the moonlight.

Yin took a deep breath, taking in the view. But as he turned to explore the area, something caught his eye. His expression hardened.

"Hey... Come here," he whispered, signaling Zion and Karina to follow.

They crouched behind a bush, staying hidden as they peeked ahead.

"Look," Yin said quietly.

A group of four students stood nearby—members of the White Team.

Callix

Leon

Celestia

George

Zion narrowed his eyes. "Those guys are in my class. Three of them are in the top three rankings... and George is top seven."

"Yeah, but I didn’t expect them to work together. They all have boring personalities," Zion muttered.

"Wait—focus," Karina whispered sharply. "Look at what they’re doing..."

The three of them watched closely, their instincts kicking in. Something was happening.

After a while of spying on the White Team, their eyes widened in shock.

Before them stood a massive stone formation, carved in the shape of a dragon. Its eyes suddenly gleamed with an eerie light, and cracks spread across its stone skin. Piece by piece, the rock crumbled away, revealing something alive beneath.

Celestia stood at the center of the ritual, her hands glowing with a brilliant aura. The energy pulsing from her fingertips extended to her eyes, mouth, and palms, radiating with increasing intensity. The dragon’s once-lifeless stone form began to shift—the rough texture of its body smoothed into scales, its rigid features softened into flesh. Slowly, its massive head emerged, blinking as if awakening from a long slumber.

Just then—crack!

Yin lost his balance and stumbled forward, a sharp rustling of leaves breaking the tense silence.

Leon’s head snapped around, his sharp gaze locking onto the disturbance. His once-calm expression twisted into suspicion, his piercing eyes scanning the shadows.

"Who’s there?" he demanded, his voice cold and unwavering.