The ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE SYSTEM
Chapter 89: A NEW CHALLENGER

Chapter 89: A NEW CHALLENGER

GU GROUP – CEO OFFICE

Chen Yu settled comfortably into the chair facing Gu Sung Ho. The old man’s eyes were sharp, unwavering, the weight of decades of experience pressing behind his measured gaze. Chaewon stood slightly behind Chen, arms crossed, still tense.

Chen Yu spoke first, voice calm yet carrying a quiet authority that filled the spacious office.

"Gu Sung Ho, CEO of the Gu Group," he began, "I want to make it clear—I have no intention of harming your granddaughter. On the contrary, I want to help her. If she becomes my disciple, she’ll gain the strength she needs to survive what’s coming. In return, I will resolve the problems threatening your group."

Before Gu Sung Ho could answer, Chaewon stepped forward, eyes wide, tone sharp.

"How do you know about our problems? Only Grandpa and I know the details—no one else should!"

A flicker of surprise crossed the old man’s face, but he raised a hand, wordlessly gesturing for Chaewon to calm down. She bit her lip but stepped back, though her eyes never left Chen Yu.

Gu Sung Ho exhaled slowly, folding his hands atop his desk. His voice was low but steady.

"I wonder, Mr. Chen," he said, eyes narrowing ever so slightly, "what does the man behind the Challenger Association stand to gain by making my Chaewon stronger? How will it benefit you?"

Chen Yu’s lips curled into a faint, almost amused smile.

"Oh, I have my reasons," he replied evenly. "The simplest one is this: she needs to go somewhere soon—a place where only the strong can survive. If she’s weak, she’ll die."

Gu Sung Ho’s eyes flashed with a mix of confusion and alarm.

"And why, exactly, must my granddaughter go to such a place?"

Chen Yu let out a small chuckle, leaning back casually.

"Well, one reason is obvious—she’s pretty." His eyes glinted mischievously at the shocked look on both Chaewon’s and Gu Sung Ho’s faces before he waved a hand dismissively. "I’m kidding, of course. The truth is it’s because of her potential—and her rare class. From what I’ve seen, her potential is a perfect ten. That’s rarer than you can imagine."

The old man frowned, his gaze contemplative but still cautious.

"If you expect me to trust you with my granddaughter, I need to know where exactly she’ll be going—and why. I can’t allow this blindly."

Chen Yu nodded slowly, expression turning serious.

"I understand. Here’s what you need to know..." He laid out a brief yet carefully worded explanation: the formation of Neo-Terra, the necessity of assembling ten powerful challengers, and the trials that awaited them in the upper realm. He spoke clearly, revealing only what was necessary while keeping his rebirth and deeper secrets hidden.

When he finished, the room was silent. The ticking of the antique clock on the wall seemed to echo louder than before.

Chen Yu leaned forward, eyes locking with Gu Sung Ho’s.

"And I’ll make you an offer, Mr. Gu: if you allow your granddaughter to become my disciple, I will also awaken you as a challenger. I believe you’re someone who should have the power to protect what’s important to you."

For a moment, Gu Sung Ho’s composure cracked—just slightly—as shock flickered in his eyes. He looked at Chaewon, who stood stiff but resolute, then back to Chen Yu.

"I don’t know if what you say is true," the old man said at last, his voice low and thoughtful. "But... for now, I’ll believe you, Chen Yu."

Then his eyes narrowed a touch, his tone turning skeptical but intrigued.

"But tell me—how exactly do you plan to awaken someone? That’s something far beyond even the Challenger Association’s control."

Chen Yu’s lips curved into a slow, confident smile.

"That," he replied, voice almost playful yet carrying an undeniable power, "is something you don’t need to worry about."

Chen Yu’s gaze grew distant, his eyes unfocused for a brief moment as he spoke silently in his mind:

Peace of All Beings, I know you have some control over the system. Make him a challenger—and don’t make his trial too difficult.

A heavy, ancient voice echoed back into his consciousness, cold and regal.

Human... it is the first time you have asked me for something directly, so I will grant it. But remember—this will not happen again. You cannot order me at will, even as my contractor.

Fine, Chen Yu thought quickly, just do it.

Suddenly, Gu Sung Ho vanished from his chair—like a candle flame snuffed out. The air in the office shifted; an unnatural stillness settled over the room.

"Grandpa?!" Chaewon gasped, eyes wide, spinning around frantically. Her voice cracked with panic. "Where is my grandpa?!"

A heartbeat later, space rippled like disturbed water, and Gu Sung Ho reappeared in his seat. His face was pale, his breathing ragged—but his eyes blazed with an intensity Chaewon had never seen before. His aura had changed completely; faint wisps of energy pulsed around him like a second skin, proof that he was now a challenger.

For a brief second, time around him had moved painfully slowly; to him, it felt as if he had endured a long trial of survival and combat. Images of fierce beasts, deadly traps, and near-death moments flashed through his mind. Yet something else filled him too—a newfound strength surging in his veins, a power he had never dreamed he could possess.

So this is what it means to be a challenger... Gu Sung Ho thought, still trembling slightly. It’s overwhelming... but also exhilarating. And this young man... what is he really?

He stood up abruptly, knees bending low in a rare bow of gratitude. His voice was hoarse but firm.

"I... I will never forget this, Mr. Chen. You’ve granted me a chance I thought impossible."

Chen Yu simply waved a hand, his tone casual yet confident.

"No need for thanks, Chairman Gu. You’re strong enough now to protect your family and your group. But..." His eyes sharpened. "I understand your concerns about Chaewon’s safety. Let me assure you—if she is by my side, no harm will come to her. She’ll become stronger than you or she ever thought possible."

Chaewon’s mouth hung open slightly as she looked between the two men. Her cool demeanor wavered under the weight of everything happening so quickly.

Gu Sung Ho slowly clenched his fists, feeling the new power thrumming beneath his skin. The trials had been terrifying—but they had also shown him glimpses of a world beyond his comprehension.

This boy... this Chen Yu... he isn’t just powerful. He’s someone who can change everything. If Chaewon stays with him... she’ll be safer than anywhere else. And maybe... maybe this is what our family needs to survive the coming storm.

He straightened, his expression a mix of resolve and lingering awe.

"Very well," he said solemnly. "I will entrust Chaewon to you, Mr. Chen. But remember—if you break that trust..."

Chen Yu’s eyes glinted with amusement. "I know. You’ll come for me. And I wouldn’t expect anything less."

He let his gaze sweep over both of them, his tone shifting to businesslike precision.

"Now—let’s deal with the threats your group is facing. Once those are handled, we’ll prepare for the trials ahead. And know this..." His eyes landed on Chaewon, who unconsciously straightened under his gaze. "You, Miss Gu, are now the eighth member of my team to ascend."

A brief silence fell over the office, the weight of what had just transpired settling in like the hush before a storm.

Unknown Space

A vast, shadowed chamber stretched endlessly into darkness. A long, obsidian table gleamed faintly under a cold, ethereal light. Around it sat twelve figures draped in pristine white robes, their faces obscured by porcelain masks. Each mask bore a number—1 through 10 on either side, and a single figure at the head of the table marked only with a perfect, chilling 0.

A deep silence hung in the void, so absolute it seemed to devour sound itself—until Number 10 finally spoke, his voice a whisper yet carrying across the emptiness.

"Sir," he said, addressing the one with the 0 mask, "a strange entity has emerged. We don’t know its origin. Its energy signature is... wrong. It doesn’t follow the laws of the universe. It’s something that should not exist—something that cannot be created... yet it is here. And only three entities are even theoretically capable of such a creation—and for them, it is nearly impossible."

A tense silence followed, broken only by a cold laugh from Number 4.

"So what?" he sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. "It’s from a lower dimension. I’ll kill it myself—it won’t cause any disruption, and that King will never even notice."

A sharp, brittle crack resounded as the figure marked 0 slammed a hand on the table, the sound echoing like a thunderclap.

"Quiet, you fool," Number 0 said, voice impossibly calm yet carrying the weight of a thousand storms. "That King knows everything. You think you can act without consequence? Things are already slipping beyond our control."

The air grew heavier, shadows crawling across the chamber as if reacting to his words.

"No," Number 0 continued, voice like glacial steel. "We will not interfere directly. The King is watching. We can only observe. When that human enters the Tower... only then will we have our answer."

Silence reclaimed the dark space, deeper than before. Unseen eyes watched from the void, as ancient and vast as the universe itself. And somewhere far below, on a chaotic new world, fate continued to move.