200. Second Only to One, Above Ten Thousand (一人之下 萬人之上) - (2)
200. Second Only to One, Above Ten Thousand (一人之下 萬人之上) - (2)
***
The space that appeared after entering the middle path could no longer be called a cave.
Just as the choice had stated it would change into a grand banquet hall, the space now before her was vast enough to evoke a great Colosseum arena.
No, it was even larger than that.
A space that could easily hold thousands, with decorations placed throughout as if to display Eastern beauty, each one luxurious and beautiful, while the night sky of early dawn with a full moon softly illuminated the space.
The dimly shining moonlight was so beautiful that, were it not for the situation, she could have simply fallen into admiration.
And at the far end. The opponent, visible as a single dot, existed at an impossibly distant point.
"Come forward."
Suddenly, a beautiful voice came through, as if whispering directly into her ear.
Thud.
At that, Serin stopped walking in an instant.
'From this distance?'
The figure visible far away was so distant that even their appearance and clothing could not be distinguished.
Then, as a faint glimpse of movement appeared in the distance.
"...!"
Serin's eyes flew wide open and she kicked off the ground in a single motion.
Thwack!
Having hurled herself sharply to the side, Serin could now see the form of a woman who had appeared nearby before she knew it.
Long black hair that seemed to hold the darkness of pitch-black night hung down, veiling a slender body, and the face was such that even Serin could not help but admire it. A pinnacle of beauty that could hardly be expressed even with the word "sculpted." The black silk-like garment draped over her seemed only to enhance her beauty further.
Daji, having revealed herself not far away, covered her mouth with her hand and laughed softly at the sight of Serin having thrown herself aside.
"What a cute child."
Only when Daji spoke did Serin come back to her senses.
'When on earth.'
How she had moved, how she had closed the distance from so far away in an instant—she had perceived none of it.
Her body had merely reacted on instinct the moment she saw signs of movement in the distance.
—Ding!
A sudden notification rang out, and as if the world had transformed, all color drained from it.
The world, dyed entirely in gray as if colorless, seemed to have stopped in place.
The moment Serin felt doubt at the anomaly, a notification appeared in her vision.
*
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【Daji】
【Title: Second Only to One, Above Ten Thousand (一人之下 萬人之上)】
【Grade: S+】
【Class: Dancer】
【Category: Great Hero】
*Owned Traits.
- Great Hero
(A being granted "individuality" by saving countless existences in the past. In word and deed, she gains inherent "legitimacy.")
- Phoenix Strike
(A being who has reached a realm not easily attained receives an adjustment to their very presence. Those whose existence does not match her standing suffer a 30% stat penalty when facing her.)
- Ten Thousand Streams Return to the Source
(The end of all flows returns to one. Through dance, she can counter any form of attack.)
- Grandmaster
(The founder and perfecter of the Dancer Class. Damage of all skills is permanently increased by 40%.)
- Nation-Toppling Beauty
(Unrivaled beauty can itself hold power. When fighting the opposite sex, gains 100% bonus damage and inflicts the "Charm" status effect at regular intervals. Against the same sex, all effects are reduced to 30%.)
*Additional Traits.
- Troll Blood (Regeneration Adjustment)
- Resurrection of the Dead (Revives once more with 30% of max HP)
『Due to the special nature of the Cave of Trials, the number of owned traits is limited to 5.』
————
*
—After 10 seconds, time will return to normal.
Unlike the previous trials, she had not appeared slowly, so it seemed they were giving her time to check the status window. Serin carefully examined Daji's hologram before her eyes.
And after looking it over once, she could only let out a hollow laugh.
'Each and every trait is beyond broken.'
She had expected it to be difficult given the reward, but the traits were absurd even before they exchanged blows.
Honestly, the word "broken" felt insufficient—Daji the Dancer possessed overwhelming traits.
And even with those ridiculous traits, she was in a "restricted state"... just how high was the difficulty set?
As Serin examined the traits, eight seconds passed.
An anomaly occurred.
Within the colorless world, Daji began to slowly regain her own color.
The instant Serin's gaze flicked toward Daji, Daji noticed it and parted her crimson lips.
"This one believes she has waited long enough. Do you still require more?"
At Daji's appearance, as if she knew every thought and action Serin was taking, Serin blinked blankly.
—Ding!
The moment Serin looked at Daji in surprise, the world began to regain its original color, radiating beauty once more.
But Daji, who had regained her freedom earlier, looked at Serin and spoke calmly.
"You do not seem to need more time, so I shall ask. What is your name?"
At Daji's manner of speaking as if she had forgotten this situation was a trial, Serin slowly parted her lips.
"...Rin."
"Rin. A rather beautiful name."
Having said that, Daji swept back her pitch-black hair once and then walked toward Serin without hesitation.
Unlike her first action of closing an enormous distance in an instant, now her steps were ordinary.
But even those leisurely steps carried a certain presence, and Serin could not take her eyes off her for a single moment.
Her grip on the Crescent-Moon Weight naturally tightened, but Serin made no move to act again.
She could not be overwhelmed by her presence.
When Daji had instantly closed the distance at the start, Serin's movement had effectively been a first defeat.
So Serin had no intention of repeating it.
Swish, swish.
Only the rustle of the luxurious silk clothing draped over Daji's slender body echoed through the silent space.
At a distance where an outstretched hand could reach, Daji slowly came to a stop.
"A Dancer who wields a Crescent-Moon Weight with such fair beauty... this one's long wait has indeed been worthwhile."
Daji smiled faintly, casting her gaze over Serin as if appraising her from up close.
In that moment, Serin's eyes were helplessly drawn to her.
Just a small smile. And yet, the instant she saw it, the word "coquettish" sprang to mind—her gaze was stolen away.
Daji, wearing a bewitching smile that seemed as if it could enchant the entire world, suddenly raised her snow-white hand.
Whoosh!
At that, Serin immediately moved to raise her Crescent-Moon Weight, but Daji shook her head.
"You shall wait a moment."
————!!!
In an instant, a massive blood-red aura erupted from Daji's form as if exploding outward, dyeing her entire body red.
"...!"
At the manifestation of that overwhelming presence, Serin was seized by a powerful instinctive urge to swing her Crescent-Moon Weight and fight back, but the moment she met Daji's brilliantly shining crimson gaze, she had no choice but to stop.
In those eyes, there was not a speck of hostility or killing intent.
'What is she thinking?'
There seemed to be no hostile will in the figure before her, so Serin barely suppressed the impulse.
"Troll Blood and Resurrection of the Dead. Such lowly and filthy abilities are unnecessary for this one."
With her entire body dyed in crimson blood, Daji clenched her raised hand in the empty air.
Then the surging blood-red energies began to gather into her hand.
KZZZZZZZT!!
The sound of something violently resisting rang out for a moment, and then a notification sounded.
Ding!
—The traits "Troll Blood" and "Resurrection of the Dead" are removed from Daji!
At the hologram adorning one side of her vision, Serin stared at Daji with incomprehension.
A being that had appeared in the Cave of Trials removing a beneficial buff from herself—she was seeing it with her own two eyes, but it was an unbelievable sight.
It was no different from betraying the system.
"Pfft... why so startled?"
As if the crimson hue that had covered her body were only a momentary illusion, Daji returned to her snow-white complexion and laughed softly.
"Why on earth did you do that?"
As Serin stared at Daji with utterly uncomprehending eyes, Daji looked back at Serin as if she were the strange one.
"Why did I do that? Did you think this one would wish to receive such filthy aid while facing you, a Dancer?"
"You removed the traits because I'm also a Dancer?"
As Serin hardened her expression coldly and asked again, Daji looked at her with interest.
For a moment, she gazed at Serin's snow-white silver hair and blue eyes with her brilliantly shining crimson eyes, as if taking them in. Then she curled the corner of her lips upward.
"Rin. You say truly amusing things."
As Daji spoke and gently clenched the empty air, a Crescent-Moon Weight appeared in her hand as if it had been there all along.
A Crescent-Moon Weight of unusual form, with a white cord and a blade of the same pure white.
"Was it not you, Rin, who made the choice in anticipation of a duel with this one?"
Daji, lightly gesturing as if caressing the white blade of the Crescent-Moon Weight, spoke as if she could see through even the system itself.
Serin stared at Daji blankly.
She could not guess what Daji was trying to say.
'...It feels like she's alive.'
No matter how much the description mentioned individuality, the sight of an opponent betraying the system was utterly unreal.
"And just as you can see this one's abilities, this one can also see you."
Swoosh!!
Daji tossed the Crescent-Moon Weight into the air with a light motion and twisted her beautiful face into a deep scowl.
"This one... does not like this situation itself, in which you are made to face this one with those shabby items you wear."
Along with Daji's voice, now fierce unlike before.
Flash!!
A massive light burst forth from the white Crescent-Moon Weight that had risen high into the air.
Ding!
*
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Mythic-Grade Item. Temporarily acquired "Moonlight."
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*