Hwasan Sect Arena (2)
“Waaaaaaaaah!”
A massive roar shook his eardrums. Choi Yun-seok blankly opened his eyes and looked around. This wasn't the familiar circular arena in the center. He was standing on a vast square stone platform.
What the hell...?
He'd heard from Eshton. The 10th floor trial wasn't a duel between challengers. But that was all the info he had. The few duelists who'd reached the 10th floor and beyond never shared details with rivals.
So he'd figured it'd be something like the hydra on the 5th floor or his cloned self on the 9th—some kind of enemy like that. But...
Why go to the trouble of setting it up like this?
Yun-seok turned his gaze to the outer spectator seats. Thousands of people sat there, dressed like extras from a historical drama. Just like the Murim challengers.
His brow furrowed. Even if this was a recreation of Murim as expected, it wasn't that surprising. Probably just a fragment of life some manager had sent over. But why?
That question lingered in his mind.
“I am Jeong Cheon of the Plum Blossom Seven Swords.”
A man stepped onto the arena and cupped his fists in greeting. Was this his duel opponent? Just as Yun-seok reached for his sword,
All skills are sealed.
All equipment effects are sealed.
Manager authorities are sealed.
Stats are fixed at C-rank.
The world turned black and white, then froze solid. It was absurd. They'd stripped his coins so one mistake meant death, and now they sealed his skills and stats? What the hell was the point?
Then,
Please select a skill to synchronize.
A list of selectable skills appeared. Synchronization, huh. They were all skills Yun-seok owned. No need to hesitate—he picked one.
Unique skill Blood Demon Divine Art has been synchronized.
Rank fixed at C.
It dropped from B-rank, but it was still the strongest skill he had, no question.
Countdown begins.
Color returned to the world. A crushing fatigue swept through his body.
3.
His Magic rank locked at C. Including Blood Demon Divine Art's boosts, it was B- equivalent.
...Was the gap this big?
His Middle Dantian sealed shut, draining Dragon Soaring Qi and massive Blood Demon Qi. Felt like a thirtieth—or less—of his normal reserves.
2.
His body sagged like waterlogged cotton. But he had to adapt fast.
1.
The duel was about to start.
The system announced the duel. Jeong Cheon of the Plum Blossom Seven Swords opened his mouth, maybe to say something. No curiosity stirred. To Yun-seok, it was just an opening.
Thud!
He drew and charged instantly. Stats nerfed, so no near-teleport speed from a normal eye. But it felt fast enough—Jeong Cheon desperately raised his sword to block.
Clang!
The swords clashed. Not an explosion, but that metallic ring—how long since he'd heard it? It hit home: he was really weakened.
“You practice that vile demonic art, just as rumored!”
Jeong Cheon shouted something. This Murim-themed arena had backstory mixed in. Yun-seok didn't care. Not the point.
Our base stats seem even.
Sudden C-rank lock had worried him. But opponent matched it. Good.
...Makes it too easy.
For other challengers, maybe not. But for Yun-seok? Piece of cake. Blood Demon Divine Art alone boosted all stats +2.
Whoosh!
He swung his Blood Demon Qi-infused sword, pressing Jeong Cheon. No authority to suppress side effects—its domineering momentum overflowed wildly.
Jeong Cheon, on the defensive, yelled desperately.
“Plum Blossom Falling Like Rain!”
Not a command. Style name for flair? Murim folk—except Cheonma—loved that habit.
Swoooosh! Swish!
Magenta sword qi, like Elle's hair, bloomed in gorgeous strands toward him. Sword insight sharpened from endless training— he saw the technique's essence instantly: Illusion and Swiftness.
Hide daggers in flash, take the throat quick...
Good intent, wrong foe. Yun-seok pierced real from fake at a glance.
His sword thrust straight. Simple. But Jeong Cheon's face darkened.
How? It was written on his face.
'Cause it's obvious.
Swords clashed again—no grind. Yun-seok flowed the force aside with Sticky technique. Jeong Cheon's stance crumbled.
Puke!
Yun-seok stabbed his throat with the free sword.
Thud.
Jeong Cheon knelt, blood gushing from the hole. Couldn't accept death? He died with eyes wide open.
What's the point of a trial like this?
Even in victory, Yun-seok felt off. Hydra, boss fights, endless duels, clones... Tower always threw variety for new lessons. But what from fights like this? Humility? Whatever—he'd learn soon.
Stats fixed at C+ rank.
Please select an additional skill to synchronize.
Seemed the duels... were just starting.
* * *
Unique skill Predation has been synchronized.
Selection done, color returned. Time flowed again. But the stands stayed dead silent, like time had frozen there.
They cheered before—now rooting for the other side?
Who knew. Why this setup for Duel trial? Just fight sequentially in the round arena.
As doubts swirled, the next opponent mounted the stage. Buddy of the dead guy? His cold eyes burned with rage.
“You should know—you've lost your last chance to leave alive.”
Countdown began with those words. Yun-seok sized him up. Same outfit, sword. But tassels on hilt: three before, now four red ones.
Some rank marker? His sword grip radiated far superior energy.
Figures—they buff stats and free another skill for a reason.
First was a joke. So second skill: Predation—useless in combat. Overreach? Too late now.
Restrictions lifted—Yun-seok closed distance. Opponent, vengeance-driven, did the same.
Thud.
Gap shrank fast. Plum blossom scent thickened—like blood reek from Blood Demon Qi, a qi trait. First foe too weak to emit it.
“......”
20 paces. 15. 10...
Swords undrawn, they entered striking range. Then—petals swirled. Or seemed to, to Yun-seok.
“......?”
No style name this time. One foot off-ground, he thrust flawlessly. Magenta qi split into thousands, surging at Yun-seok.
Not illusory like Plum Blossom Falling Like Rain—every strand real.
Sword qi like this too, huh.
First was technique-based; this rooted in qi mastery. Yun-seok's counter: simple.
But weak individually.
Flashy shell, hollow core—too many compromises. Yun-seok poured more Blood Demon Qi, swelling his blade. Slashed horizontally at the barrage.
Overfilled domineering qi swept them away. Not all in one swing, but...
Just tank the rest.
He traced trajectories, wrapping Blood Demon Qi over hit zones. Qi-based body armor.
“......!”
Ace move? Face fell—he hadn't expected easy block. Fled distance. But Yun-seok, duel master, wouldn't allow it.
Puke!
Gap closed—sword knocked aside, thrust into exposed heart.
Unique skill Predation activated.
Randomly acquired one of opponent's skills.
Acquired Mana Reinforcement (Rank C+).
Randomly looted one of opponent's equipment.
Looted Purple Tassel Sword (Rank C+).
Absorbed portion of opponent's highest stat.
Absorbed Magic stat.
Stats fixed at B- rank.
Please select an additional skill to synchronize.
Point unknown... but duels continued.
* * *
Third duel ended—arena air thickened with malice. Hostile glares like they'd swarm any second. Yun-seok ignored. Not a mission; pure 1v1 trial—no mass attack.
And none came.
“......”
Third foe named himself not, nor raged. Just stared calmly.
If he'd come first, might've been a fight...
Decent level. But post-second duel, Dragon Soaring Qi freed—Yun-seok outclassed.
Now I get what the Tower's testing.
Challenger's skill, potential. Mental fortitude to shine amid sealed stats/skills and thousands' malice.
That the core, probably.
Slash.
33 exchanges. Yun-seok severed the opening throat mercilessly.
Tower recreations? Rewards same sans rank: Mana Reinforcement (Rank B-), Purple Tassel Sword (Rank B-). Magic absorbed again. But AP too.
1,000,000 AP granted as reward.
Duels too casual for tension. Felt like free 1M AP.
Done now?
Wondered why no return message. Then—an elder climbed onstage. Leisurely gait, steady stride.
Reminds me of Lady Cheonma.
White hair past prime. Loose robes hid nothing—broad shoulders, straight back radiated unyielding might. Yet no energy sensed, like facing a civilian.
“You've won the promised three duels. To think you'd hide your skill from this old man's eyes.”
Seemed duels over. No clue how to reply—Yun-seok stayed silent.
Misread? “No need to fear. Hwasan honors promises. None will touch you till you leave today—future unknown.”
As expected: execution stage concept. No idea the crime or three-win pardon. Tone screamed pursuit post-exit, but...
Whatever manager's life it is, not my worry.
Then the elder smiled slyly.
“But we have face too. Care to cross swords with this old man?”
You may challenge a new enemy.
Decline to end duel and move to 11th floor waiting room.
Take or leave. Hidden boss vibe. First time—Yun-seok pondered. Elder baited.
“Namgoong Cheol, accept and I'll reveal the Cheonma Cave you've sought.”
“Namgoong Cheol...?”
“Ah, or Heavenly Sword God, as you claim in the martial world?”
Elder sneered.
Real Namgoong Cheol?
Epithet killed doppelganger odds. Inexplicable chuckle. Just wondered whose life—turns out Heavenly Martial Artist Namgoong Cheol.
Strange fate. Yun-seok nodded.
“Fine. Let's do it.”
Bigger win reward likely. Tower wouldn't pit unbeatable foe.
He'd grown challenging always. Same here.
But...
Stats fixed at S+ rank.
Sealed equipment effects restored.
All sealed skills usable.
All sealed authorities usable.
Spec boost beyond original. Elder too strong without buffs.
Who was he?
“Ah, first face-to-face—no names yet.” Elder lightly raised sword.
“I am Lee Hyun-hak, Sect Leader of Hwasan Sect, Sword God.”
Purple momentum stormed everywhere like a tempest...
Far from light.