The sounds of battle echoed from the main courtyard of the citadel. The roars of corrupted knight spirits mingled with the sound of an axe cleaving metal and the explosions of magic. Borg's party was there, fighting loudly and brutally.
Yanaki stood at a crossroads, weighing her options.
Follow them? That was the easiest path in terms of navigation. Where there was the sound of slaughter, there was a path that had been partially "cleared." But it also meant confronting a party that had already shown hostility, in a situation where they might be frustrated from a difficult fight. A three-way brawl would be a disaster.
No. Yanaki shook her head. Her party's strength wasn't in direct confrontation. Their power lay in their flexibility, in their unexpected solutions. To follow another's path was to give up her greatest advantage.
"We won't follow them," she said to her two companions. "We'll find our own way."
They chose a side corridor, a smaller, quieter passage that led deeper into the fortress. This path showed no signs of a recent battle. It was submerged in silence, a silence that was even more unnerving than the roars.
The corridor led them to a vast area that looked like a barracks. Rows of stone beds were neatly arranged, iron lockers were rusted shut, and tattered banners bearing the kingdom's crest still hung on the walls. A thick layer of dust covered everything.
But the place was not empty.
Scattered throughout the barracks were ethereal figures in light armor. They weren't growling or charging. Instead, they were repeating movements—swinging swords, thrusting spears into the air—mechanically. They were training, even after death.
[Sparring Phantom]
Level: 15
Status: Neutral (Obsessed with training).
Description: The soul of a knight who died while training. Will challenge any armed individual who enters its awareness to a duel. Refusing a duel is considered an insult and will provoke an attack.
A completely different kind of challenge. They couldn't just walk past, but they also couldn't attack indiscriminately.
As Yanaki's party entered, the nearest Sparring Phantom stopped. It turned towards them, the spectral blade in its hand pointing directly at Sylva, the only one in the party with a warrior's physique. A silent challenge.
Yanaki understood. This was a test of honor.
"Sylva, go ahead," she commanded. "But do not destroy. Give him a worthy fight."
Sylva nodded, stepping into the center of the training ground. The phantom knight also took a defensive stance. A duel began.
The phantom moved with agility, its swordsmanship incredibly skilled, each slash aimed at the weak points in Sylva's body. But Sylva was no ordinary opponent. It was slow, but extremely durable.
CLANG! The spectral sword slashed against the [Tree God's Shield] but only left a faint shimmer. The phantom retreated, preparing for a thrust, but at that exact moment, small vines suddenly shot out from Sylva's arm. The [Countering Vines] skill had activated, causing the knight to falter for a split second.
The battle became a battle of attrition. On one side was skill and speed; on the other, tenacity and a nearly absolute defense. Gradually, the phantom knight's energy was worn down by Sylva's counter-attacks and wooden fists.
Finally, after a perfect block, Sylva swung its arm and punched the phantom square in the chest, making it stagger backward.
The duel was over.
The phantom knight didn't vanish with an angry shriek. It lowered its sword, looked at Sylva, then at Yanaki. A slight nod, the acknowledgement of a warrior for a worthy opponent. "A good fight," a whisper echoed in the air. Then, the spirit smiled peacefully and slowly dissolved into light.
[You have completed an Honorable Duel.]
[You have received 200 EXP.]
[You have obtained item: [Broken Knight's Crest] x1.]
Yanaki had figured out the rules of this place. They had to fight in the way of the knights.
They continued forward, and Sylva had to perform two more duels. Each fight was a test of endurance, but her Protector completed his duty flawlessly.
At last, they had passed through the barracks. The path ahead led to an area with more ornate architecture, perhaps a command sector or an armory. The sounds of Borg's party fighting were now very distant, almost inaudible. They had succeeded in taking their own path.
But blocking the entrance to the next area was another spirit. This one was larger, its armor more complete and ornate. Instead of a standard sword, it held a greatsword that emitted a faint glow.
[Phantom Captain]
Level: 19
Status: Neutral (Guarding the command sector).
It looked directly at them, and the challenge it issued carried a much stronger pressure.
The silent path Yanaki had chosen was gradually becoming more severe. To proceed, they had to overcome a series of honorable duels of increasing difficulty.