Infinite Duel Arena (2)
It wasn't the familiar circular arena. The shape was similar, but the scale was overwhelmingly larger. And like the waiting rooms divided by factions in the captain battles, the smooth outer walls were lined with iron bars. Hundreds of them, no less.
You have entered the 8th Floor Infinite Duel Arena.
After one duel ends, approach the iron bars to challenge.
You can promote after a total of three victories.
The Infinite Duel Arena. A trial with a completely different system from the captain battles.
Boom!Whoosh!
Yun-seok, who had been forewarned by Elle, didn't panic and turned his gaze toward the source of the noise. In the center of the sun-drenched arena, a man and woman were locked in a fierce battle.
"Eek!"
"You think that'll work? I already know all your tricks, you bitch!"
A woman wielding a shortsword as her main weapon against a man using martial arts. The duel was already fully heated and nearing its end.
It'll be over soon.
Sure enough, just as Yun-seok thought that inwardly, the duel concluded moments later. As he had predicted, it was the martial artist's victory.
The man nimbly dodged the twin daggers flying at him like daggers and delivered a decisive blow to the woman's exposed chin.
However…
"Just one more win…"
The man had no time to savor his victory. He simply endured the throbbing pain and caught his breath. The challengers in the iron bars eyed him like hyenas spotting prey.
The duel has ended.
You can challenge.
A new set of iron bars opened almost simultaneously with the messages. Grumbles erupted from various spots.
"Damn, failed again?"
"Fucking luck-based system!"
On the other hand, the challenger who seized the opportunity walked lightly.
"It's always like this here. Don't complain."
With those words, the duel began. The exhausted man couldn't withstand even a few exchanges and easily yielded his neck. Unlike the fierce battle just moments ago, it was a truly hollow and unsatisfying victory.
The duel has ended.
You can challenge.
Perhaps because he had won without any serious injuries? Unlike before, the challengers didn't rush forward.
"Got one coin at least… Now even if I lose, I'm even. Anyone wanna come quick?"
After a brief moment of challengers eyeing each other. With a slight delay, the iron bars opened again.
Clank!
Unlike before, a fierce fight between challengers in perfect condition. Soon, winner and loser were decided, but it was a pyrrhic victory for the winner as well. In the end, the same cycle repeated from the start.
Yun-seok observed without participating in the duels.
Watching is pretty fun too.
Separate from grasping the duel arena's system, watching other challengers fight was immensely interesting.
I didn't know that skill could be used like that?
Their abilities, skills, and fighting styles were all different. Even the same skill varied in power depending on combinations.
Mission challengers are definitely on another level…
Not quite one against a hundred, but they could handle ten alone without issue? Gauging their levels, the average here far exceeded those from the escort mission. No wonder Pahur, who was on the 6th floor back then, confidently claimed to be top-tier on Earth.
But as time passed, a question arose.
That said, how did they make it past the 7th floor with that skill?
Yun-seok recalled Namgoong Cheol from the 7th floor. Then glanced at the challengers battling in the arena center. Honestly, comparing them was an insult—the gap was that vast.
Well, you'd have to fight to know for sure… But even if a dozen of them ganged up, he doubted they'd beat Namgoong Cheol.
Was Namgoong Cheol one of the stronger administrators?
He didn't seem that strong since Elle's barrier at the auction made him flail helplessly… But it wasn't entirely implausible. Games have early-game standouts and late-game growers.
True, not all administrators start strong…
With that assumption, Yun-seok put the matter to rest. Still, watching same-floor duel challengers fight made one thing crystal clear.
Not to brag, but… he was strong. To the point where finding a peer was tough.
Honestly, against the current challengers brawling here, he could handle a hundred at once effortlessly.
…Don't get cocky.
Whenever his mindset loosened, Yun-seok recalled his self-assessment dividing challenger aptitude and skill into grades. Cheonma was SSS-rank, and Steel King—who gave him his first loss—was SS-rank per the auctioneer. The Tower rated him S-rank, upgraded from initial F.
My rivals aren't these people.
If he met Cheonma or Steel King again, Yun-seok could confidently say he'd grown incomparable to before. But they'd have too.
…How strong have they become?
He didn't know. Couldn't know. So he whipped himself to avoid complacency and work harder. Beyond those two, higher floors would teem with such monsters, competing inevitably. Even now, a bit prematurely.
"Kuhahaha!"
A challenger in the arena laughed arrogantly. He'd just crushed a head in one blow for two straight wins, no exchanges needed.
"All small fry! Is there no one brave enough to challenge me?"
Despite provoking while scanning around, no iron bars opened. They even backed away, fearing a challenge prompt. No one wanted to fight him.
Understandable. Though not at full power, Yun-seok could tell: this challenger's level far exceeded 8th-floor norms, like his own.
My hunch was right.
Absence of visible monsters doesn't mean none exist. Why so rare? Simple—they'd already ascended. But all roads lead to Rome; he'd encounter them countless times climbing up. Then he might become just another challenger.
Thus…
Step. Step.
Yun-seok approached the bars. He'd been waiting for such prey. Small fry just whet the appetite without satisfying.
* * *
Clank!
The bars closed the moment he entered the arena. Glancing back, a new challenger entered his former waiting room—the martial artist who'd won twice before losing on his first visit. Makes sense; relentless challengers like him kept the Infinite Duel Arena running nonstop.
"…"
Yun-seok soon ignored it all, focusing entirely on his opponent.
You have encountered an enemy that is neither human nor beastkin.
Agility +1 temporarily.
His opponent's race was demon. But among demons he'd seen—including Blood Pact's original owner—this one had the largest horns. Of course, no knowing if horns correlated to power.
You have encountered evil.
Until judgment ends, all stats +1, Strength +1, Agility +1, and holy attribute granted.
The effect of Judgment Sword, grown further from slaying evils in mission trials. With this advantage, losing would be hard even if he tried…
But no room for carelessness.
His opponent thought differently, though.
"Kuhahaha! That's why this place is fun!"
The demon laughed loudly at Yun-seok. Were all demons like this? Not enough samples for stats, but every demon he'd met was arrogant. And talkative.
"Brave human swordsman. What's your name…!"
Yun-seok didn't answer. Instead, he infused Blood Demon Qi and launched it. Not ambushing mid-conversation was self-satisfaction, not duty.
BOOM!
A fairly swift strike, but the opponent wasn't pushover.
"Force Shield!"
The demon deployed a barrier, effortlessly blocking Yun-seok's Blood Demon Qi harmlessly. No blood spilled, but… he looked furious at his words being cut off.
"Grit… Don't think you'll die easy."
The 2nd-floor demon said something similar… Coincidence? Anyway, Yun-seok widened the distance.
Nothing like 'Calamity' from the mission, but first proper foe since 7th-floor Namgoong Cheol.
Probe first…
Returning to basics, Yun-seok started reading his patterns. His first taunt worked well—the demon unleashed without restraint.
"Light of Greed!"
A sphere formed over the demon's hand, exploding like a flashbang, shooting light everywhere. His eyes weren't weak enough to blind; vision fine.
But…
Due to unique skill Light of Greed, ownership of unique skill Sword Strike Enhancement transfers for 10 minutes.
What the hell? Yun-seok tested a slash. But the Blood Demon Qi on his sword didn't arc through air toward the enemy like before.
He checked the system message again. No silence effect mentioned.
Ownership transfer…?
Did it mean what he thought? As Yun-seok scanned the demon for answers.
Suddenly, the demon swung at empty air. A crescent green energy shot out.
Undoubtedly… Sword Strike Enhancement with poison attribute.
"Kuhahaha! What's with that dumbstruck face? Amazed by my power? Of course! With trash like that unique skill, who wouldn't be!"
Evidently proud, the demon's voice boomed louder.
"…"
Yun-seok didn't reply. Sword Strike Enhancement was just one of his many unique skills… No need to tell the enemy.
Due to unique skill Light of Greed, ownership of unique skill Sword Strike Enhancement transfers for 10 minutes.
If Blood Demon Divine Art got stolen by that skill, he'd lose over half his power. Yun-seok needed countermeasures fast.
Shaman's Law prevents use of domain unique skill Light of Greed.
Shaman's Law, always creating breakthroughs actively. But bad matchup this time.
Outsider nullifies Shaman's Law.
Outsider. One of his contracted manager's authorities? Unknown exact effect, but blocking Shaman's Law mattered.
Prolonged fight could be risky?
Then quickest end was best. Yun-seok lunged to close distance instantly.
But…
"Force Shield!"
Boisterous talk, sly defense. AP heavy on shields? Incredibly sturdy.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The barrier that blocked his initial Blood Demon Qi exceeded imagination.
"Kuhahaha! You're struggling!"
Mockery ignored. Yun-seok relentlessly slashed the translucent barrier around the demon.
No scratches yet, but undeterred, again and again.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Such skills consume mana proportional to impact—Yun-seok knew. Mana finite; it'll break eventually.
Indeed, mana draining rapidly, demon flinched slightly.
But…
"…?"
Another light burst.
Due to unique skill Light of Greed, ownership of a certain amount of Mana stat transfers for 10 minutes.
Not just skills? His Blood Demon Qi-converted mana drained en masse. About half his current reserves.
"Kuhahaha! Even the world wishes my victory!"
Empowered demon grew haughtier. But one thing clear: stolen randomly, not chosen.
Yun-seok calmly cataloged.
Cooldown about 1 minute?
Not certain—just measured time to next burst. Must have cooldown; negligible margin.
Stolen lasts 10 min, usable every 1 min…
Max 10 skills/stats stealable. How to counter?
Time to find out.
While hypothesizing, he kept striking. And at the one-minute mark, as demon opened mouth.
"Light of Greed."
Yun-seok closed eyes immediately. No light seen.
But futile.
Didn't expect instant success on first try.
But…
Due to unique skill Light of Greed, ownership of unique skill Blood Demon Divine Art transfers for 10 minutes.
Was the duel arena's god aiding the demon? His worst fear realized.
"Kuhahaha! What is this power?! What the hell is this absurd strength?!"
Blood Demon Qi surged wildly from the demon's body as he screamed with mad eyes. Like a drugged maniac.