Volume 2: Rise of the Vessel
Chapter 19: The Final Duel
Lee Hwan's breath was ragged, his body soaked in sweat and blood. The arena was littered with unconscious players, some groaning, others completely knocked out. The system notification flickered before his blurry vision:
[Players Defeated: 99/100]
[Time Left: 2 Hours 03 Minutes]
[Warning: Stamina Critically Low]
He dropped to one knee, panting heavily. "Just… one more," he muttered. "One more, and it's over."
But before he could gather his strength, a sharp whistle sliced through the air.
Whoosh!
A dagger — sleek, jet-black, and crackling with wind energy — flew directly toward his chest.
Lee Hwan's instincts screamed. With sheer force of will, he twisted his torso mid-kneel, the blade grazing past his side and embedding itself into the ground behind him.
From the shadows, a figure emerged — cloaked in light armor, daggers in both hands. His steps were almost silent. His eyes were cold and calculating.
"Aren't you a bit too tired, Lee Hwan?" the man asked mockingly. "You've already defeated 99. Just give up here, and I'll let you live."
Lee gritted his teeth and stood, swaying slightly. "You're the last one… then come."
Ding!
[Warning: Stamina < 10%]
[Skill Limitations Active]
The man dashed forward like lightning — his speed far beyond what Lee had expected. He vanished and reappeared at Lee's side with his dagger aiming for the neck.
Clang!
Lee managed to parry with his forearm guard, but the impact sent him stumbling.
The assassin didn't stop. Like a ghost, he launched a flurry of stabs and slashes, pushing Lee to the very brink. His body screamed in pain, his vision darkened.
"I won't fall…" Lee whispered.
In that moment, Dragon Aura flared, coating his body with shimmering red energy. His right eye turned golden — Eye of the Dragon locked onto the assassin's pattern.
"Reflection — Shadow Step!"
A sudden burst of afterimages filled the battlefield — eighteen in total. The assassin paused for a split second, confused.
Lee used that chance.
He launched forward with every ounce of strength left in his body. His punch didn't come from his arm — it came from his will, his dragon blood, and his resolve.
Boom!
The punch landed squarely in the assassin's chest, sending him flying across the arena.
The man groaned, unconscious.
Ding!
[Player Defeated: 100/100]
[Trial Complete]
[You have earned: +25 Attribute Points]
[Flame Burst has leveled up: Lv. 6]
[Access to 7th Floor Unlocked]
[Current Level: 75]
Lee collapsed to one knee again, not in defeat — but in triumph.
He looked up at the sky above the 6th Floor arena, panting.
"Done… I did it."