They appeared inside Arden's Dimension.
It was a vast, empty space—like a training arena: a bright, horizonless plain, with clean air and a soft echo following every sound.
Akito stepped between the two Guardians.
"I'll be the referee. You can go all out. Begin on my signal."
Arden and Targus simultaneously stepped back, assuming their battle stances.
Akito opened his system and switched to the Guardians tab:
[Guardian No.1]
Name: Arden
Level: 100
Rank: C
Role: Fighter
Height: 194 cm
Weight: 76 kg
Age: Unknown
Skills: Fox's Trickery (Max), Fang of Deceit (Lv.2), Essence Theft (Lv.2)
[Guardian No.2]
Name: Targus
Level: 100
Rank: C
Role: Tank
Height: 224 cm
Weight: 148 kg
Age: 1500+
Skills: Brunhilde's Shield (Lv.1), Thunder Anchor (Lv.1), Blood of Jotun (Lv.1)
"Arden has the advantage in skill levels.
Targus in raw strength and size.
Speed and tactics vs. fury and armor…
This is gonna be interesting." — Akito thought.
He raised his hand.
"Fight!"
Arden charged first. A quick dash—and his fist flew toward Targus. But the strike was blocked by a translucent energy shield.
Targus didn't even flinch.
"Too weak, little fox," he grunted.
The Viking stepped forward and threw a punch. Arden raised his guard, but the impact still sent him flying several meters—leaving a trail across the dimensional floor.
"What power…?" flashed through Arden's mind as he got up.
But Targus was already upon him.
He raised both arms and slammed them down with full force. Arden rolled aside just in time—yet the impact cracked the very floor of the Dimension.
"I can't beat him head-on… Strength won't work. I'll bet everything on endurance."
Skill [Essence Theft] activated. Defense +25%.
They clashed again. Two fists—two forces of nature.
But at the last second, Arden swerved, and Targus's punch sliced through air.
Arden went for a counterattack… but Targus grabbed his arm and hurled him like a ragdoll.
"Ready to give up, little fox?" the Viking smirked.
But Arden only grinned wider.
"That was my plan. I wanted you to grab me."
Skill [Fang of Deceit] activated.
"I pulled my punch on purpose. I wanted you to think I missed… and you took the bait."
In that instant, Arden zipped to the side—and spotted it: an old scar on Targus's right side. Deep. Vulnerable.
He struck it directly.
Targus slowly turned his head. His eyes turned serious.
"Alright… No more games."
A massive hammer appeared in his hands, engraved with glowing blue runes.
Skill [Blood of Jotun] activated.
Targus's body lit up with icy blue energy. His hair flared upward like burning frost.
Arden leapt back—but Targus had already vanished.
One strike. Brutal. Clean.
The air trembled. Even Akito's hair lifted from the shockwave.
The hammer slammed into Arden—launching him through his own Dimension. The space cracked… and shattered.
Reality collapsed.
They all reappeared in the apartment.
"STOP! That's enough!" Akito shouted. "Targus wins!"
Targus dismissed his hammer. The aura faded. He returned to normal and walked over to Arden, who was still on the floor.
"Hey, fox. You alive?"
After a few seconds, Arden slowly opened his eyes, staring up at the ceiling. He couldn't believe it.
"You okay?" Akito asked.
Arden didn't reply—just turned his head away.
"I like you, little fox," Targus laughed. "So, Jarl? Let's go eat already."
Akito nodded. They headed to the kitchen.
"Arden, you coming?"
"No. I'm not hungry," he replied softly, staying behind.
"You said you liked meat," Akito called, pulling out some groceries. "I got you a couple kilos."
He rinsed the meat, sliced it up, and tossed it into a hot pan.
Meanwhile, Targus was curiously inspecting the kettle.
"It boils water. Just wait for the click… There. Now you can pour the noodles."
Minutes later, they were sitting at the table, happily devouring their meal.
"Jarl, I saw your mode when you fought the wolf," Targus said. "You wanna spar next?"
"Maybe another time," Akito replied calmly.
After dinner, Akito opened his status tab:
[Player Profile: Akito]
• Attack: 260
• HP: 400
• Mana: 6214 / 7500
• Age: 18
• Height: 182 cm
• Weight: 78 kg
Skills:
Iron Will (Lv.3), Victor (Lv.1), Eye of Truth (Lv.1), Relentless (Lv.1)
Attributes:
Strength: 10 / ∞ [+]
Speed: 10 / ∞ [+]
Endurance: 6 / ∞ [+]
Health: 15 / ∞ [+]
Energy: 15 / ∞ [+]
Bonus Points: 30
"I totally forgot about the points…" he muttered. "Time to spend 'em."
[+20 Speed] → Speed increased
[+5 Strength] → Attack: 260 → 360
[+5 Endurance] → Endurance increased
He returned to his room—but Arden was gone.
"Where's the fox?" Targus asked, stepping in behind him.
"Probably went back to his Dimension," Akito replied.
Suddenly, a new system prompt appeared:
[New Quest Received!]
Target: Graknar, King of Death (0/1)
Time Limit: 6 hours
[Start] [Later]
Akito looked at Targus.
"Ready for another fight?"
The Viking grinned.
"Always, Jarl."
Meanwhile, in Arden's Dimension…
The void was silent. Still. Time itself felt frozen.
Arden stood alone—in a combat stance—repeating dodges, punches, dashes… over and over.
Each move was accompanied by short, sharp breaths. Like a fighter training in desperation.
Fragments of thought echoed through his mind:
"He was behind me in an instant…"
"And I couldn't stop him."
"A walking monster. I thought I was faster. Thought I was smarter."
"But he kept up even without his mode."
"And with it… he destroyed me."
He stopped. Breathing heavily. Clenched his fists.
"I… don't want to be weaker."
He knew it. Without quests with Akito, he couldn't level up.
The system didn't give XP for Guardians alone. He was tied to the Player.
"But I'll find a way.
Even if I have to train 'til I collapse.
I won't lose again."
He raised his hands. Took the stance once more.
And for the first time in a long while—
the emptiness of his Dimension reflected the shape… of resolve.
Message from the Author:
So, now that you've seen them clash…
Who do you like more — Targus or Arden?
And do you think Arden will ever be able to defeat the giant?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Your feedback gives me strength to keep writing
More epic moments coming soon!