A purple light covered his body and pulled him up from beneath the stone floor. When he opened his eyes... he found himself in the middle of a stone arena.
Fade was standing in the center of the arena. The Shadow Chain was lightly vibrating on his wrist, preparing itself for battle. Just moments ago, in this coliseum that had sprung from nothing, it was not just stone and dust that filled the air; the silent whisper of death was there too.
The door directly across opened slowly.
The creature that emerged from within was not a gigantic monster. More like... an experiment. A figure with light armor pieces, pale skin, and eyes staring blankly ahead.
[Opponent Determined: Forgotten Rookie]
Level: 2
Attack: Low
Attributes: [Basic Sword Swing], [Weak Reflex]
Fade took a deep breath.
"This is a test... they want to test me."
The Forgotten rookie rushed at him with a strange grunt. It was a clumsy and easily readable attack. Fade stepped aside, swinging the chain.
ZINNNG! The chain got tangled around the opponent's leg and.
[Forgotten Novice -12 HP]
[Critical Hit]
The enemy staggered but remained standing. This time, Fade swung the chain from top to bottom. When the final blow struck his neck, the enemy collapsed.
[Opponent KILLED]
+25 Experience Points
Fade took a deep breath. His heart was racing, but his body wasn't tired.
[1st ROUND COMPLETED]
All Stats Renewed
Reward Earned: 2 Stat Points | 1 Skill Point | Simple Healing Potion x1
A faintly glowing magical light rose from the arena floor. Fade's wounds were closing, his muscles were relaxing. It was as if he was being reborn.
Fade closed his eyes and spoke to his inner voice:
"Felt better but this is just the beginning." The real test is starting now.
Fade, after the first round, took a deep breath and collapsed onto the ground. The magical ring located in the center of the arena had healed him again, but there were burning questions in his mind.
What kind of test is this? Who is watching me? And the real question... why me?
The ground trembled once more. This time, a wider, more magnificent door opened. The opponent coming out from inside was not as clumsy as before.
He was walking with an old but sturdy armor on his shoulder and a broad axe in his hand.
[Opponent Determined: Colosseum Guardian - Rookie Warrior]
Level: 4
Attack: Medium
Features: [Heavy Strike], [Shield Bash], [Stubborn]
Weakness: Vulnerable to fast attacks
Fade squinted his eyes. The opponent's movements were more controlled compared to the previous creature. This was a warrior. He was programmed not to die, but to win.
"Heavy but strong." I need to keep the chain away.
The opponent suddenly lunged forward. Fade jumped to the side, swinging the Shadow Chain.
ZINC—CRACK!
The chain was knocked sideways by the shield strike. The opponent swung the axe right at him, but Fade rolled away to escape.
[Health: -18 HP]
[Health: 92 / 110]
"Not slow..." careful."
Fade activated the Quick Strike ability. Three quick slashes… one to the arm armor, one to the hip, one to the air!
[Novice Warrior -10 HP]
[Armor blocked]
[Stubborn passive active: Damage taken reduced by 20%]
The opponent staggered but didn't fall. He pushed Fade back with his shield. Fade, cornered in the arena, paused for a moment.
"If I use the contract now... what if the next opponent is stronger?"
Fade thought it was unnecessary to waste the contract here, as it should be used against a stronger enemy. But the opponent's axe blow didn't give him a chance to think. The Shadow Chain wrapped around the axe's handle, and Fade pulled quickly. The weapon fell to the ground!
[Disarmament Successful]
Fade circled behind and wrapped the chain around the opponent's neck and tightened it. The opponent knelt down... his eyes were still filled with stubborn anger, but he could no longer move.
[Opponent KILLED]
+85 Experience Points
The ground shine once again. Fade's body was renewed.
[2nd ROUND COMPLETED]
All Stats Renewed
Award Won:
• 3 Stat Points
• 2 Skill Points
• [Qualified Shield Piece]
• [Basic Passive Skill Book: "Warrior Instinct"] – (Not yet used)
Fade looked at the shield piece and the skill book.
"This coliseum is not just a test... it teaches me to fight and to be a warrior."
Fade stepped into the blue circle that reappeared in the center of the arena, savoring the sweet victory of surviving the second round. As the light enveloped his body, system windows began to appear one by one before his eyes.
[STAT WINDOW]
Level: 5
Experience: 110 / 1200
Health: 125
Power: 16
Agility: 20
Intelligence: 8
Defense: 6
Skill Score: 6
Stat Score: 5
Fade took a deep breath.
"Each round will be harder." Strength and agility must be balanced. But maybe for the first time, I should also give points for intelligence?
He distributed +2 Strength, +2 Agility, +1 Intelligence.
[CURRENT STATS]
Power: 18
Agility: 22
Intelligence: 9
Stat Score: 0
Skill Score: 6
Even giving only 1 point to Intelligence, he felt his mind refreshed.
For a moment, Fade looked at the new items in his hand.
[Basic Passive Skill Book: "Warrior's Intuition"]
It provides the chance to predict enemy attacks in advance during the war.
It requires 1 Skill Point to activate.
[Qualified Shield Piece]
An incomplete piece of equipment. If three pieces are found in the Colosseum, a "Shadow Guardian Shield" can be created.
Fade opened the "Warrior's Instinct" skill book and learned the skill.
[Passive Skill Acquired: Warrior Instinct]
Skill Score: 3
"This passive... can make a difference one day."
He touched the tip of his sword to the ground. The Shadow Chain was wrapped around his waist, ready and waiting. Suddenly, the third door from the arena floor began to open slowly. The footsteps echoing from inside were more orderly, more professional this time.
Fade lowered his eyes and looked towards the door.
Third round... It's no longer a game. Real warriors are coming.
When Fade's eyes began to see the silhouette coming from the third door, his instincts immediately went on alert. This was not a rookie... this was a master who had gone through the war, but no longer existed.
[Opponent Determined: The Shadow of the Lost Master]
Level: 6
Attack: Medium-High
Features:
• [Reflective Sword Style] – Reflects 30% of incoming attacks.
• [Silent Step] – The first attack is always a surprise.
• [Indestructible Form] – Immunity to critical damage.
Fade's eyes darkened for a moment.
"This... is another level."
The opponent moved forward slowly. No sound of armor, no breath... Like a shadow.
He suddenly disappeared from sight.
Fade instinctively recoiled but was too late. A pain exploded in his shoulder.
[Health: -22 HP]
[Health: 103 / 125]
"Silent Step... surprise attack." "This arena sets a different rule every round."
Fade swung the chain, but the opponent had already moved. Every hit forced Fade to be cautious. Every mistake was costly.
ZINC—CLASH!
The Shadow Chain wrapped around the opponent's body, but the Lost Master dodged the chain with a twist.
[Reflective Sword Style: -6 HP reflected back]
[Health: 97 / 125]
Fade took a step back. He gathered the chain and spun it around him. He had started to decipher his opponent's rhythm.
"I have a passive... Intuitive reactions. I have to read it.
Fade, thanks to "Warrior's Instinct," sensed the opponent's next move and swung the chain to the ground. The enemy stumbled.
Luck had balanced up.
This time, Fade activated the Quick Strike ability. Three quick strikes, one to the face, one to the knee, one to the chest.
[The Shadow of the Lost Master -18 HP]
[Indestructible Form: Critical canceled]
[Reflective Sword: -5 HP reflected back]
Fade's health was dropping, but this time the enemy was also starting to pale. With each step, his image was getting distorted, breaking apart.
"One side is isn't real..." maybe it was just a piece of a memory."
In the final blow, Fade spun the chain and wrapped it around the opponent's neck. Before the shadow disappeared, he heard a whisper:
"Don't share the same fate as me..."
Fade felt like a shiver went down his spine...
[Opponent KILLED]
+145 Experience Points
[3rd ROUND COMPLETED]
All Stats Renewed
Award Won:
• 4 Stat Points
• 2 Skill Points
• [Qualified Shield Piece] (2/3)
• [Skill: Unreflectable Move] – Ensures the first attack cannot be reflected. (Passive)
Fade knelt on his knees. The darkness enveloped him again. As he breathed, his mind began to work.
"This round was different." This is not just war... this was a warning."
The floor shined, As the door slowly rose for the fourth round, Fade lifted his head:
"Whoever I become... I am no longer the same person."