The duel was coming to an end with just a single match remaining, before they started Ji-ho was escorted to a small vault inside the mansion. His heart pounding in his chest. The air inside was thick with the scent of polished steel and aged wood. Weapons of all kinds lined the walls, blades, spears, hammers, even exotic weapons he had never seen before.
A single lantern hanging from the ceiling, casting shadows, making the weapons appear almost alive. He rubbed the back of his head, suddenly feeling the weight of the moment. He avoided using mana to stay unnoticed, but at the same time, he couldn't use it even if he tried.
So he had pick the right weapon. He was only going to rely on his own strength and speed. He exhaled slowly and stepped forward, his eyes scanning the racks.
The vault keeper, a middle-aged man with a scar running across his cheek, watched him closely. "D-grade weapons only," he reminded Ji-ho. "Given the level of the duel, even if you can't use mana, we can't have you using anything too powerful." Ji-ho nodded absent mindedly, his fingers trailing over the hilts of different swords.
Then, his eyes landed on something, two swords with a faint blue glow. Something about them called out to him. He reached out and wrapped his fingers around the hilt of one, feeling a strange warmth pulse through his hand. "Oh, that one?" The vault keeper's voice broke through his thoughts.
"Those are made from Shadebound Arms Crystals. They channel mana and emit energy for a limited time before shattering."
Ji-ho tightened his grip on the sword, lifting it from its resting place. He gave it a slow swing, feeling the balance, the way it moved in his hand. It felt... right. Like it was meant for him.
But then reality set in. "Wait." The man handed him another sword, a simple steel sword. "You'll also need a backup. This one has no mana, just a regular sword, those blue ones will break but not this one." He placed a hand on Ji-ho's shoulder, his gaze firm. "Don't over-push yourself lad. If it gets too hard, rely on your teammate… or forfeit."
Ji-ho tightened his grip on the swords. "Alright. I'll keep that in mind." With the weapons secured, he stepped out to meet Lee Do-hyun. The weight of the three swords on his back felt heavier than expected, but in a way, it was reassuring.
The announcer's voice rang through the arena. "Next match! Baek Jae-hyun versus Seo Ji-ho and Lee Do-hyun!" The arena buzzed with murmurs as the fighters' names were announced. Some gasped in recognition, others in disbelief. "Wait, the famous model is actually going to fight?" A na From the crowd whispered. "Who's the white-haired guy? I heard he has no powers! Maybe he's just another model," another muttered.
Ji-ho ignored the noise, his sharp eyes scanning the arena before turning to Do-hyun. "What exactly are your abilities?" he asked in a low voice. Do-hyun hesitated before answering. Ji-ho simply nodded. "Got it." He unsheathed his steel sword, its surface gleaming under the arena lights. "Let's do our best."
Across the battlefield, Jae-hyun grinned, his twin daggers catching the sunlight. "Shall we begin?" His stance was odd, legs spread low, arms slightly raised, muscles coiled tight. For a split second, it looked awkward. Then boom. Jae-hyun sprang forward like a bullet. Ji-ho barely had time to react before twin blades slashed toward him.
He swung his sword, steel clashing against steel, sparks flying from every impact. Each strike was precise, relentless. Jae-hyun moved like a phantom, they were almost matching on speed. Ji-ho gritted his teeth, trying not to get overwhelmed.
Do-hyun, frozen at the back, watching in shock. He's too fast... Jae-hyun suddenly flipped backward, kicking up a dust cloud. "Not bad, pretty boy," he taunted. Then he was gone. "Where did he go?!" Ji-ho shouted, scanning the area. Do-hyun stayed silent, eyes darting around."Stay on guard!" Ji-ho barked. A sharp whistle cut through the air.
Then, "Argh!" Do-hyun cried out as a blade impaled his left leg. He collapsed, blood soaking the ground. Ji-ho's grip tightened on his sword. "From the shadows..." he muttered. "Correct!" Jae-hyun's delighted voice rang out from nowhere. Ji-ho leaped into the air, drawing his mana-infused blade mid-flight. With a swift swing, he sent a shockwave through the ground. The earth cracked apart, dust and debris exploding into the air. But when it cleared nothing. "Damn it," Ji-ho cursed.
A whisper of movement, another attack!
Ji-ho turned just in time to block, but Jae-hyun's dagger still grazed his side. Pain flared through his ribs. Ji-ho countered with a powerful slash, but Jae-hyun melted into the shadows once more. From the stands, Ye-rin clenched her fists. "This is bad..." she muttered. Seo-jun watched from the arena's ground level, he's face unreadable. His eyes fixed on Ji-ho.
Do-hyun tried standing despite the pain, his hands shaking. He had never felt so outmatched. Even as an E6, no one had ever mocked him. He was rich, handsome. A world-famous model. Yet now, he was nothing. Ji-ho suddenly caught Jae-hyun's wrist mid-strike. His lips curled into a grin. "You sneaky little bastard!" He drove his fist into Jae-hyun's face. The impact sent Jae-hyun flying, his body rolling across the ground. From the stands, Geon-woo chuckled. "Now this is getting interesting."
Jae-hyun wiped the blood from his mouth, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Not bad."
Ji-ho turned to Do-hyun, kneeling beside him. "We're fighting a shadow user." "That's pretty obvious now," Do-hyun muttered bitterly. Ji-ho studied him. "Your powers might actually be useful after all. But you'll have to trust me." Do-hyun scowled. He still resented Ji-ho. But losing in front of everyone who adored and worshipped him like a god was worse. "Fine. Just this once,but stop saying it like it's a death match."
Jae-hyun narrowed his eyes. What are they whispering about? He lunged forward.
Ji-ho flung his sword, sending out mana bursts in all directions. Jae-hyun dodged, but the moment he did, Ji-ho blasted the area with raw force. The shockwave cracked the ground. The crowd murmured in shock.
"What was the Han Geon-woo nim, thinking? Making a model and a powerless kid fight against an E4 rookie soldier?" Jae-hyun smirked. "Let's end this." "Now!" Ji-ho yelled.
Do-hyun raised his hand, and the entire arena was bathed in a bright light.
"Shit!" Jae-hyun cursed, instinctively shifting back. Ji-ho charged, his sword aimed straight for Jae-hyun's chest. But Jae-hyun made a split-second decision. "The model goes first!" He lunged at Do-hyun. Ji-ho intercepted, steel clashing against daggers.
The fight blurred into a frenzy of movement. Ji-ho's speed was overwhelming, but Jae-hyun's skill kept him in the fight.
"How is a non-ranked this strong?!" Jae-hyun growled. "Hurry up!" Do-hyun called, his voice strained. "I never knew I could do something like this, let alone keep it up!"
Jae-hyun grinned. "Then let's see who lasts longer, white hair." Ji-ho sidestepped and landed a brutal hit to Jae-hyun's left arm, making him lose his grip on his dagger. Ji-ho saw an opening. He lunged for the finishing blow
Then, the light dimmed. In that split second, Jae-hyun vanished into the shadows. "You're an interesting guy, white hair," Jae-hyun's voice echoed. "But victory is mine." Ji-ho backed up, whispering to Do-hyun. "Still got any energy left?" Do-hyun, breathing hard, smirked. "What do you think?" Ji-ho grinned. "Then get ready." Jae-hyun struck from below, his dagger slicing into Ji-ho's side. Ji-ho staggered but didn't fall. Ye-rin gasped from the stands, gripping her dress tightly.
Ji-ho took another hit, a jab to the chin. He crashed onto the ground.
The crowd fell silent. Jae-hyun loomed over him. "You fought well. Maybe I won't underestimate non-ascendants from now on." He raised his dagger for the finishing blow. Ji-ho smirked. "You really shouldn't."
"What?!" "Now!" Ji-ho shouted. Do-hyun, still on the floor, lifted his hand. A Bright light erupted once more. Jae-hyun's pupils shrank. He tried to retreat back into the shadows. But the light was everywhere. There was no shadow left to slip into. "Shit!" Jae-hyun cursed. Ji-ho moved, too Fast. His fist slammed into Jae-hyun's stomach with all his might. Jae-hyun's breath left him in a painful gasp. He stumbled back. Then he collapsed.
The arena was silent for a heartbeat.
Then, "White blade! White blade! White blade!" The crowd roared, chanting Ji-ho's nickname. Ye-rin wiped away the tear she didn't realize had fallen. When Ji-ho looked her way, she quickly flipped her hair, acting unimpressed. Ji-ho chuckled. "Guess I can't please everyone." He turned to Do-hyun, offering a hand. "Come on." Do-hyun grabbed it reluctantly, "Don't think I owe you anything." Ji-ho grinned, "that's fine by me."
The announcer declared the winners, and the medics rushed in to carry Jae-hyun and Do-hyun to the mansion. Ji-ho tried to argue that he was fine, but before he could utter another word he collapsed.