They stood at the center of Arden's dimension. Six of them — each with burning eyes, ready to give their all.
The air was thick with tension.
This wasn't just a fight — it was a trial to prove who deserved the Special Challenge.
Akito stepped forward and summoned the panel:
[Guardian No. 1]
Name: Arden
Level: 250 | Rank: S | Role: Fighter
Height: 194 cm | Weight: 76 kg | Age: Unknown
Skills: Fox's Cunning (Max) | Fang of Deceit (Lv.5) | Lapet's Pulse (Lv.4)
[Guardian No. 2]
Name: Targus
Level: 250 | Rank: S | Role: Tank
Height: 224 cm | Weight: 148 kg | Age: 1500+
Skills: Brunhilda's Shield (Lv.4) | Thunder Anchor (Lv.4) | Jotun's Blood (Lv.4)
[Guardian No. 3]
Name: Elian
Level: 250 | Rank: S | Role: Support
Height: 187 cm | Weight: 70 kg | Age: 5000+
Skills: Phantom Veil (Max) | Forest Crossbow (Lv.3) | Call of the Tree (Lv.1)
[Guardian No. 4]
Name: Kenshi
Level: 250 | Rank: S | Role: Assassin
Height: 179 cm | Weight: 78 kg | Age: 420+
Skills: Seishin no Dojo – Duel of Spirits (Max) | Hakuyonsho Rendan – 144-Strike Combo (Lv.2) | Yami no Kiri – Mist of Darkness (Lv.2)
[Guardian No. 5]
Name: Aurelía
Level: 250 | Rank: S | Role: Mage
Height: 168 cm | Weight: 53 kg | Age: 7000+
Skills: Starfall Retribution (Lv.2) | Astral Limit (Lv.2) | Celestial Guard (Lv.2)
[Guardian No. 6]
Name: Kasumi
Level: 250 | Rank: S | Role: Suppressor
Height: 163 cm | Weight: 60 kg | Age: 2300+
Skills: Sky's Cry (Lv.1) | Wings of Storm (Lv.1) | Cage of Wind (Lv.1)
"They're all S-Rank, so let's draw lots," Akito said. "Elian, write everyone's name on slips of paper, mix them, and I'll pick."
He pulled the first pair.
"First match… Kenshi vs. Elian."
"Heh, a walk in the park. I'm basically in the semifinals already," Kenshi smirked, unsheathing his twin katanas.
"I cannot disappoint Young Master," Elian thought, eyes deadly serious.
"Second match — Arden vs. Targus."
"This'll be fun, Foxy," rumbled the giant.
"That leaves Aurelía and Kasumi," Akito added. "Nice… pure power vs pure control."
"The rules are simple," he continued. "No killing. Fight until defeat or surrender. First match — Kenshi vs. Elian. Get ready!"
They took their positions.
Kenshi raised his blades.
Elian tensed, ready to activate Call of the Tree.
"Fight!" came the signal — and Arden's dimension trembled with energy.
Kenshi dashed forward like a shadow, but Elian didn't flinch —
[Skill Activated: Call of the Tree]
An emerald glow surged in front of him — and from it emerged a towering Ancient Guardian, an armored elf with bark-like plating and timeless wisdom in his eyes.
He raised an arm just in time to block Kenshi's first strike.
In the same breath, the Guardian countered with a crushing punch, forcing the samurai to leap back.
"I thought I'd finish you off quickly, Pale Elf…" Kenshi growled. "But looks like you're not that simple."
[Skill Activated: Yami no Kiri – Mist of Darkness]
Dark flames coiled around his legs, his steps becoming silent as a predator's.
He vanished from view —
— and reappeared behind Elian.
His katana sliced through the air — but Elian spun and blocked in time.
It only took one moment. Kenshi twirled, preparing a flurry of strikes —
—but the Guardian kicked forward with brute strength. Kenshi evaded, sliding along the ground, then countered with a twin strike to the legs.
The Guardian dropped to one knee — but didn't fade.
"This is your end!" Kenshi roared, launching into the air, blade aimed for Elian's neck.
But his instincts screamed.
He spotted an arrow flying at him at blistering speed. He deflected it —
—but the impact was so intense it knocked him back.
"Damn it…" he spat, landing on his feet. "You're a real pain, Pale One…"
Elian's face remained expressionless.
But inside, he was counting — frantically:
Less than three minutes left. If I don't end this soon, the Guardian will vanish… and I'm done for…
The Guardian retreated, glowing with threads of green energy — healing.
He waited, tense and ready.
"Alright, Pale One…" Kenshi muttered, narrowing his eyes.
"No more games."
[Skill Activated: Seishin no Dojo – Duel of Spirits]
In an instant, everything vanished.
Sound. Color. Even the dimension.
Only the echo of breath and endless void remained.
Here — Kenshi was king.
He closed the distance —
—and as he neared Elian, activated his next move:
[Hakuyonsho Rendan – 144-Strike Combo]
A hurricane of blows crashed down —
—but his blades passed through like mist.
Elian smiled calmly.
"I knew you'd do that."
As soon as the Duel of Spirits began —
—Elian had already activated Phantom Veil.
He vanished before the combo began.
While Kenshi slashed through nothing, Elian remained silent… planning his next move.
When the flurry ended and Kenshi prepared to withdraw —
—he noticed his footsteps were audible again. The skill had ended.
Elian heard a faint shift. A movement.
Without hesitation, he pulled out his Forest Crossbow and fired a volley.
Kenshi deflected each bolt, darting to the side.
But after the last shot — he turned sharply—
"Where is he?"
Too late.
Elian had followed the last arrow's path, leapt above, and—
—punched Kenshi clean in the face midair.
The mist dispersed.
They were back in Arden's dimension.
Kenshi flew back —
—only to crash forehead-first into the Guardian's fist.
He was launched sideways and slammed into the ground.
"No way…" Akito whispered in disbelief. "Is Elian actually beating Kenshi?"
"Go, Elf!" Aurelía shouted.
"Prove you're worthy," Arden added with a proud grin.
"I must win… so Young Master can be proud of me…" Elian whispered, staring at where Kenshi had landed.
But… Kenshi wasn't there.
He was already rushing in from the side —
—a blinding dash.
The Guardian tried to intercept —
—but Kenshi dodged the blow, spun mid-air, and threw his katana like a spear.
Elian barely activated his Forest Crossbow — but the blade knocked it away.
He was sent flying.
Kenshi's eyes gleamed — the same as when he slipped into that cold, ruthless trance.
Lifeless. Void. Pure killer instinct.
The Guardian collapsed. Skewered.
Now, Kenshi advanced on Elian. Fast. Silent.
"Damn… I can't activate Veil in time. The Guardian's gone… It's over… I'm sorry… Young Master…"
Elian clutched his chest and exhaled softly:
"I surrender…"
But Kenshi didn't stop.
The strike was already in motion.
Elian raised his hands:
"STOP, YOU IDI*T! I SAID I SURRENDER!!"
[Noxveil]
Hey there, reader!
If you've made it this far, thank you so much. I'm writing this story in Russian and translating it into English — so I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Even one small comment gives me huge motivation 💬💙
Let me know who your favorite character is so far!