The pressure inside the boss domain did not ease even for a moment, it only grew heavier with every second they stood there, like an invisible force pressing down on their bodies, their breath, even their thoughts, and yet neither Lee Hyun nor Min Seoah stepped back, because both of them already understood that there was no retreat left in this place, only a path forward filled with danger and death.
Lee Hyun's eyes lowered slightly as he called out his system, the faint blue interface appearing before him even in the middle of this suffocating atmosphere, and without wasting a second, he focused on his current state, because before facing something like this, he needed to know exactly where he stood.
Name: Lee Hyun
Talent: SSS Rank – Heavenly Demon's Blessings
Technique: S Rank – Dragon Blade Dance (Growth Type)
Level: 20
Strength: 108
Physique: 104
Agility: 101
Stamina: 120
Vitality: 112
Mana Qi (Mana+Spirit): 95
Intelligence: 99
Luck: 80
Free Attribute Points: 60
Bloodline: Abyssal Heavenly Sovereign (Awakened)
Magic: Tier 1 – Basic Elements
Sword Power: Unknown
Demonic Power: Active
Cultivation: Mortal Peak
Summoning Contract: Not Awakened
Blessings: Heavenly God Accord, Demonic Abyss Authority
His gaze stayed on the numbers for only a brief moment, but his mind processed everything instantly, and the conclusion was simple, even after everything he had gone through, even after leveling up rapidly, even after gaining powerful skills, it still wasn't enough to fight something like that head-on without pushing himself further.
Without hesitation, he moved the points, not randomly but with clear intent, every single one flowing into his core physical attributes, the ones that would determine whether he could survive even a single mistake in the upcoming fight, strength, agility, stamina, physique, vitality, everything that could make his body endure what was about to come.
The system flickered as the numbers changed, and a surge of power ran through him like a violent current.
Name: Lee Hyun
Level: 20
Strength: 128
Physique: 124
Agility: 121
Stamina: 130
Vitality: 122
Mana Qi: 95
Intelligence: 99
Luck: 80
He closed the system, his fingers tightening around the Demon's Sword as his body adjusted to the sudden increase in power, muscles tightening, breath stabilizing, senses sharpening, and for a moment, everything around him felt clearer, slower, more defined. He stepped forward without hesitation, his voice calm but firm.
"Let's go."
Min Seoah didn't reply, she simply walked beside him, her presence steady, her aura cold and controlled, and together they stepped into the heart of the boss domain, where the air itself seemed to freeze around them, a chilling sensation crawling through their bodies, deeper than just cold, something unnatural, something that made even their instincts warn them to stop, but they didn't.
The massive figure ahead of them shifted, the Abyssal Goblin King slowly lifting its weapon as its crimson eyes locked onto them, and then it spoke, its voice deep and distorted yet clear enough to send a strange chill down their spines.
"Finally."
A low chuckle followed, heavy and mocking.
"The hunters arrive."
Min Seoah's grip tightened slightly.
"It talks…"
Lee Hyun didn't take his eyes off it.
"Which means it thinks."
The Goblin King's lips twisted into something like a smile.
"It is quite entertaining… watching hunters become prey."
The moment those words settled, the ground beneath them cracked as the monster moved, not fast in appearance but overwhelming in presence, its weapon coming down like a falling mountain, and both of them reacted instantly, splitting apart as the impact shattered the ground, shockwaves spreading violently in every direction.
Lee Hyun moved with Phantom Step, reappearing at its flank as his sword struck, but the moment steel met its body, he understood the gap, the resistance was immense, like striking solid iron, and before he could adjust, the monster's counter came, fast, precise, forcing him to retreat immediately.
Min Seoah followed with frost, her power spreading across the ground, freezing parts of its movement, her blade cutting through the frozen sections, but even that only slowed it for a moment before the ice shattered under its raw strength.
They attacked together, again and again, combining speed and control, demonic energy and frost, but the result didn't change, every strike was blocked, every opening was closed, every move they made felt like it was already seen through.
The pressure kept increasing, the difference in level turning into something real, something crushing, and slowly, the fight began to tilt against them.
Lee Hyun attacked again, forcing all his power into a single strike aimed at its chest, but the Goblin King reacted instantly, its weapon moving faster than before, the impact sending him flying across the battlefield, his body crashing hard as blood spilled from his mouth.
Min Seoah turned in that moment, concern flashing across her face, but that single distraction was enough for the boss to strike again, forcing her back with overwhelming force.
Lee Hyun forced himself up despite the pain, his vision shaking slightly, but when he saw her being pushed back, something in him snapped into focus, and without hesitation, he moved again.
He intercepted the next attack meant for her, taking the impact directly, his body trembling as the force tore through him, but he held just long enough to push her away.
"Go."
Her eyes widened.
"What—"
"I'll hold it."
His voice was sharp despite the blood on his lips.
"You survive."
She shook her head immediately.
"No!"
"Master will come… you just stay alive."
"I'm not leaving!"
For a brief moment, their eyes met, and then Lee Hyun made the decision for her, his leg moving in a sudden motion, kicking her back with enough force to send her out of range.
"Stay alive."
He turned back toward the monster without hesitation, his movements shifting completely, no longer controlled or measured, but aggressive, reckless, pushing every bit of strength he had left.
His sword glowed crimson as he attacked again and again, forcing the Goblin King to respond, drawing its attention fully onto himself. The monster watched him with amusement, its laughter echoing through the domain.
"Pathetic."
Its weapon moved. And this time, Lee Hyun couldn't dodge. The massive blade pierced through his body, clean and brutal, blood spilling as his movements stopped instantly. Time slowed. Everything froze in that moment.
Min Seoah saw it.
"…No…"
Her voice trembled.
"…No…"
Tears fell from her eyes, and something deep within her shattered completely, not just fear, not just anger, but something far deeper, something that had been sealed, suppressed, controlled, and in that moment of loss, it broke free.
A surge of power erupted from her body, cold beyond anything that existed in that space, her aura transforming, her presence changing completely as frost spread across everything in an instant.
Her eyes turned icy blue. Hair flowed like frozen light. Her very existence shifted. In a single step, she appeared before Lee Hyun, pulling him out from the weapon's path, her hands glowing as she poured her power into him, stabilizing his condition, forcing life back into his fading body.
His eyes slowly opened, blurry at first, but then focused on her face, on the tears that hadn't stopped.
"Don't cry…"
His voice was weak, but steady.
"…Look ahead…"
She turned slowly. Her expression had changed completely. The world itself froze everything. The ground, the air, even the monster's movement slowed under the sudden drop in temperature.
A domain formed, a world of absolute frost, and within it, she moved like something beyond human, her blade cutting through space, freezing and shattering everything it touched.
The Goblin King staggered for the first time, cracks forming across its body as frost consumed it, its movements slowing, its presence shaking under her sudden overwhelming power.
For the first time, it felt pressure. But it didn't stop. Dark energy erupted from its body, violent and overwhelming, pushing back against the frost, breaking through her domain's control, and the battle shifted again, frost against abyss, control against brute force.
Min Seoah pushed forward relentlessly, her attacks landing, her power overwhelming, but her body couldn't sustain it, the strain building rapidly, her movements slowing, her breath breaking, the domain flickering as cracks formed within it.
And then it collapsed. Her body trembled as she struggled to stand, her strength fading, her knees almost giving in as the frost around her began to disappear. The Goblin King laughed, loud and cruel, stepping forward slowly, its presence once again dominating the battlefield.
"An ant… will always remain an ant."
Its voice echoed.
"No matter how much power you gain."
Min Seoah lifted her head, her body shaking, her strength nearly gone, but her eyes still burning with defiance as she looked toward Lee Hyun, and then back at the monster, her body on the verge of collapse, but her will refusing to break.
---
To be continued..