The moment Nolan released the power of his First Form, the entire arena changed.
A violent surge of energy erupted from his body, spreading like a storm that swallowed the battlefield. Silver armor materialized piece by piece, covering his body until he looked like a legendary warlord from ancient times. The armor shone brilliantly under the arena lights, engraved with glowing runes of lightning that floated behind him in a slow circular rotation.
The runes crackled with electricity.
Lightning danced in the air.
Then Nolan slammed the base of his spear onto the arena floor.
BOOM!
The ground trembled violently.
Cracks spread across the arena like spiderwebs.
From across the battlefield, Rey narrowed his eyes the moment he felt the overwhelming aura.
The pressure was suffocating.
"So this is his First Form…"
Without hesitation, Rey released the full extent of his power. Mana surged through his veins like raging rivers as he summoned his weapon.
The Basilisk Sword appeared in his grasp.
Its dark blade shimmered faintly with ancient energy.
Rey inhaled slowly before launching forward.
With a single powerful swing, he slashed with everything he had.
The blade tore through the air, creating a massive wind blade that roared across the arena like a hurricane. The ground shattered under the pressure of the strike as fragments of stone exploded outward.
The devastating slash shot straight toward Nolan.
The spectators held their breath.
Yet Nolan merely lifted his spear.
With a single casual swing—
CLANG!
The wind slash shattered instantly, dispersing like mist.
It was as if the attack had never existed.
Rey's eyes widened.
"Impossible…"
Inside his mind, he muttered in disbelief.
"That attack contained nearly all of my power. I even held back the output slightly so I wouldn't destroy the arena… but he blocked it without even using a defensive skill."
Nolan slowly lowered his spear.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Duke…"
His voice carried calmly across the arena.
"Is that really the extent of your strength?"
Lightning crackled softly around his armor.
"I've only just started warming up."
Rey clicked his tongue.
"Damn old man…"
Inside his mind he cursed.
"He's already reached an advanced stage. His raw strength alone is already beyond my current limits."
Before Rey could react—
Nolan disappeared.
In the next instant—
CRACK!
Lightning flashed behind Rey.
Nolan had already appeared directly behind him.
Rey barely had time to turn his head before Nolan's spear began to glow with violent lightning.
"Lightning Burst."
The spear thrust forward.
BOOM!
The lightning-covered strike slammed directly into Rey.
The explosion was deafening.
Dust and shattered debris erupted across the battlefield as arcs of lightning spread wildly across the arena floor.
The entire arena vanished beneath clouds of smoke and electricity.
In the spectator stands, Alex leaned forward nervously.
Sweat formed on his forehead.
"Rey…"
He clenched his fists.
"Why won't you just surrender?"
His voice trembled slightly.
"Nolan's power is on a completely different level."
The lightning slowly faded.
The dust began to settle.
Then suddenly—
A deafening roar echoed throughout the arena.
ROOOOOAAARRRR!!
The sound was so powerful that many spectators instinctively covered their ears.
Everyone's eyes widened in shock.
Inside the fading dust cloud, a massive silhouette slowly emerged.
Two glowing eyes stared directly at Nolan.
A colossal reptilian creature stepped forward, its enormous body covered in dark scales that shimmered faintly under the arena lights. Its presence alone radiated ancient authority.
Behind it stood Rey.
The creature lowered its head and let out another thunderous roar.
It was the Spirit Beast Rey had summoned.
Name: Adult Basilisk
Type: Ancient Spirit (Ancient Basilisk)
Level: 81
Stats:
HP – 18,542
STR – 2,547
AGI – 2,216
SPD – 1,954
INT – 2,369
END – 2,904
MP – 2,800
Skills
Passive – Strength increases by 100% when facing enemies of higher level.
Unique Passive – Soul Eater
Every basic attack devours 1% of the target's soul energy.
Unique Skill – Toxic Breath
Releases deadly poison while allowing control over poisonous gas or liquid within a 10 meter radius.
The basilisk moved first.
Its gigantic tail swept across the battlefield with terrifying force.
BOOOOM!
Nolan was sent sliding backward several meters across the arena floor.
Gasps erupted from the spectators.
The basilisk's passive ability had already activated.
Because Nolan's level exceeded the spirit beast's level, the basilisk's Strength stat had doubled instantly.
Rey stared in disbelief.
"These stats are insane…"
He glanced at Nolan.
"Even with my strength amplified thirty times, I couldn't push Nolan back even an inch… but this basilisk just forced him back with a single strike."
Suddenly a mechanical voice echoed inside Rey's mind.
System Verification Initiated.
Spirits possess greater raw power compared to dungeon monsters and humans.
They excel in both strength and durability.
However, controlling a Spirit requires an enormous price.
System recommendation: Host should manage Spirit Beast usage carefully.
Rey exhaled slowly.
"So that's how it works…"
Then his expression hardened.
"But I only have thirty seconds before this spirit disappears."
Across the arena, Nolan slowly straightened himself.
Dust fell from his silver armor.
For a brief moment, the arena fell silent.
Then Nolan smiled.
"A Spirit Beast… interesting."
He spun his spear once.
Lightning surged violently around him.
"Then allow me to respond properly."
Nolan raised his spear toward the sky.
A massive surge of divine energy gathered around him.
"Unique Skill—"
His voice echoed with absolute authority.
"Judgement Punisher."
The sky above the arena darkened slightly as countless arcs of golden lightning gathered around Nolan's spear.
A terrifying pressure descended upon the battlefield.
Skill: Judgement Punisher
Type: Active Skill
Category: Divine / Punishment
Rank: EX
Mana Cost: 280 MP
Cooldown: 90 Seconds
Skill Effects
Base Damage:
250% Physical + Magic Damage
Judgement Strike:
The attack locks onto the target and is nearly impossible to evade.
Punishment Shock:
Releases a destructive energy wave that deals 180% AoE damage within a 6 meter radius.
Special Effect – Execution
If the target's HP falls below 25%:
Damage increases by +200%
There is a 15% chance of instant execution.
Passive Trait – Authority of Judgement
Damage against Boss and Elite enemies increases by 40%.
Ignores 30% of the enemy's Defense.
Golden lightning surged violently as Nolan prepared the attack.
The energy gathered above him like a divine hammer ready to descend.
Rey immediately sensed the terrifying danger.
"This skill…"
His instincts screamed.
"If that hits directly, even the basilisk might not survive."
The basilisk roared again, spreading its massive wings as poisonous mist began leaking from its mouth.
The entire arena began filling with toxic gas.
Green venomous mist slowly spread across the battlefield.
Rey tightened his grip on the Basilisk Sword.
"Thirty seconds…"
His gaze hardened.
"I just need thirty seconds."
Lightning crackled violently in Nolan's hand.
The spear pointed downward.
"Judgement…"
The divine energy condensed into a blazing pillar of light.
"...Punisher."
Rey gritted his teeth as the crushing force of Nolan's attack descended upon him.
The overwhelming energy of Judgement Punisher slammed directly into his defensive skill.
A translucent barrier shimmered around Rey's body—his Absolute Veil—but the moment the divine strike collided with it, violent cracks spread across the surface of the shield.
BOOM!
The arena trembled under the impact.
Absolute Veil absorbed part of the damage, but the sheer magnitude of Nolan's skill was far beyond what the barrier could completely neutralize. The remaining force pressed down relentlessly, pushing Rey backward across the shattered ground.
Stone fragments scraped beneath his boots as he struggled to hold his position.
Lightning flashed violently around him while the divine energy continued to bear down like an unstoppable force.
Nolan watched calmly from the center of the attack.
His silver armor shimmered beneath the crackling storm of energy.
Then he spoke in a steady voice.
"Duke…"
His spear remained pointed toward Rey as the divine energy continued to surge.
"This skill cannot be deactivated as long as the enemy's HP remains above thirty-five percent."
Rey's eyes narrowed.
"So it's a continuous attack…"
The pressure increased again, forcing Rey to brace himself even harder.
Inside the storm of lightning, he quickly turned his attention toward the Spirit Beast he had summoned earlier.
"Basilisk!" Rey shouted.
"Attack him now!"
The enormous serpent-like creature growled, its massive body coiling as poisonous mist continued to spread across the battlefield.
But then something strange happened.
The basilisk suddenly stopped moving.
Its glowing eyes flickered uncertainly.
For a brief moment, it looked at Rey as if struggling with something.
Then—
Its body began to fade.
The massive Spirit Beast slowly dissolved into particles of light before disappearing completely.
Rey stared in disbelief.
"What?!"
His voice carried frustration and shock.
The basilisk had cancelled its own summon.
Rey clenched his teeth.
"Useless…"
His voice dropped into a low growl.
"Why am I constantly being pressured by these troublesome skills?"
He glared at the spot where the spirit beast had vanished.
"Even the spirit beast cancelled its own summoning…"
At that moment—
A familiar mechanical sound echoed inside his mind.
Ding. Dong.
Rey froze.
Then the cold voice of the system spoke.
System Notification:
Will Stall has been updated.
The stall now contains skills that can be purchased using Honor Coins.
Rey blinked in surprise.
"Honor Coins?"
He quickly opened the system interface.
A transparent screen appeared before his eyes even as Nolan's attack continued pressing against him.
Within the system menu, a new section had appeared.
[Will Stall]
Inside it were several skill options displayed in neat rows.
Each skill had a price attached.
Rey frowned slightly.
"Honor Coins… when did I get those?"
He quickly checked his balance.
His eyes widened.
Honor Coins: 100
"So I already have one hundred?"
The pressure from Nolan's attack intensified again, forcing Rey to focus.
There was no time to ask the system for explanations.
He quickly scrolled through the available skills.
Several powerful abilities appeared before him.
But one particular skill caught his attention almost immediately.
Its cost was 80 Honor Coins.
Rey read the description quickly.
Skill: Retribution Guard
Type: Active Defensive Skill
Rank: Unique
Mana Cost: 240 MP
Cooldown: 80 seconds
Description:
The user creates a defensive energy layer capable of analyzing and automatically countering enemy attacks. Any attack that strikes the barrier will be weakened, and part of its power will be reflected back toward the attacker.
Skill Effects
Counter Barrier
• Reduces 85% of incoming damage
• Attacks striking the barrier are reflected back with 320% damage
Adaptive Defense
If the incoming attack exceeds 500% of the user's Attack Power:
• Damage reduction increases to 92%
• Counter damage increases to 450%
Reactive Strike
After successfully blocking an attack:
• User gains +30% Attack Speed for 5 seconds
• The next attack deals +200% Damage
Rey's eyes sharpened.
Inside his mind, he muttered quietly.
"With this skill… I can withstand almost any attack from my enemies."
There was no hesitation.
"Purchase."
The system responded instantly.
Honor Coins deducted: 80
Skill Acquired — Retribution Guard
A surge of knowledge flooded into Rey's mind.
He immediately activated the skill.
"Retribution Guard!"
In an instant, a strange defensive layer appeared in front of him.
Unlike normal barriers, this shield looked like fractured glass, countless cracks spreading across its surface like a shattered mirror suspended in the air.
The divine energy of Judgement Punisher collided directly with the barrier.
For a moment—
Everything stopped.
The attack froze in place as if time itself had paused.
Then the barrier reacted.
The cracks across the surface glowed intensely.
The entire shield vibrated violently as it analyzed the incoming attack.
Then—
CRASH!
The energy reversed direction.
The divine strike was reflected back toward Nolan with terrifying force.
And not just reflected—
It returned with 320% amplified power.
The massive blast shot across the arena like a destructive beam of lightning.
Nolan's eyes widened slightly.
Before he could react—
BOOOOM!
The reflected attack struck him directly.
The explosion echoed throughout the entire arena.
Lightning scattered wildly as the impact forced Nolan several steps backward.
A thin line of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Gasps erupted among the spectators.
Even Nolan looked momentarily surprised.
He slowly wiped the blood from his lips.
Then he laughed softly.
"Duke Ace…"
His voice carried genuine admiration.
"You are truly impressive."
Lightning sparks flickered across his armor.
"But everything will end with my final attack."
The silver armor covering Nolan's body had begun to crack.
A large fracture spread across the chest plate where the reflected strike had hit him.
Yet his aura only grew more terrifying.
Nolan slowly straightened his body.
Then he spoke calmly.
"Ultimate Skill…"
His eyes glowed with fierce determination.
"Release."
BOOOOOOM!
A monstrous aura exploded from Nolan's body.
The pressure was so overwhelming that the entire arena shook violently.
The air itself seemed to collapse beneath the force.
In the spectator stands—
Willson suddenly dropped to one knee.
Drax collapsed beside him, struggling to breathe.
"This aura…!"
Many of the spectators were forced to sit down as the pressure crushed them.
Nina fell to the ground, her eyes filled with fear.
"This… this power…"
Even King Carlos was visibly shaken.
Sweat appeared across his forehead as he stood up from his throne.
"Nolan!"
His voice echoed loudly.
"Are you trying to destroy the palace?!"
The sky above the arena darkened unnaturally.
In the stands, Alex and Floryn stepped forward together.
Both of them released their own power, creating a protective field to resist Nolan's overwhelming aura.
Meanwhile, Luna and Emily raised their hands.
Their mana intertwined as they created a massive barrier around the arena.
"Hold it!"
Emily shouted.
"Combine your mana!"
Luna nodded.
A powerful protective shield formed above the battlefield.
Back in the arena—
Nolan floated slowly into the air.
Lightning swirled violently around him.
He looked down at Rey with a serious expression.
"Duke Ace."
His voice was calm but filled with respect.
"You are the third person who has forced me to use this skill in a real battle."
He slowly raised his hand.
Then he threw his spear into the sky.
The spear spun rapidly in the air.
The lightning runes behind Nolan began rotating at incredible speed.
Outside the palace—
The skies above the Kingdom of Christope suddenly turned dark.
Thunderclouds gathered violently.
Lightning bolts began striking the earth.
Far away, on a vast plain—
A lone figure looked toward the darkened sky.
His clothes were torn.
His body was covered in scars.
Most shocking of all—
His left arm was missing.
The man narrowed his eyes toward the distant kingdom.
"Nolan…"
His voice was low.
"What kind of enemy has forced you to release that power?"
He slowly grabbed the empty sleeve where his arm used to be.
Then his body dissolved into shadow.
In an instant—
He disappeared.
Back inside the arena—
Nolan hovered high above the battlefield.
Lightning gathered around him like a storm preparing to unleash destruction.
He looked directly at Rey.
Then he spoke a single phrase.
"Thunder Dragon Judgement." ⚡
High above the arena, Nolan's voice echoed like a decree from the heavens.
The storm gathering above the palace responded instantly.
Lightning twisted through the dark clouds as an immense magical formation spread across the sky. The air trembled violently as if the world itself was being forced to bow before the power being summoned.
Ultimate Skill: Thunder Dragon Judgement
Type: AoE / Zone
Category: Lightning / Destruction
Rank: Ultimate
Mana Cost: 985 MP
Cooldown: 180 seconds (Limited to once per day)
Description:
The user summons overwhelming lightning from the heavens, forming a colossal Thunder Dragon. The dragon descends upon the battlefield before releasing a catastrophic burst of lightning that devastates the surrounding area.
Skill Effects
Lightning Dragon Descent
• Summons a massive Thunder Dragon that attacks the targeted area.
• Deals 250% Magic Damage to all enemies within a 12-meter radius.
Dragon Lightning Burst
After the dragon strikes the ground:
• A spreading lightning shockwave deals 80% additional Lightning Damage to all enemies in the area.
Thunder Domination
While the skill remains active:
• Enemy Physical Defense −65%
• Enemy Magic Defense −65%
• Debuff lasts 8 seconds
Special Effect
Lightning Paralysis
Enemies struck by the attack have:
• 35% chance to suffer Paralysis for 2 seconds
Outside the palace, the sky suddenly erupted with a terrifying roar of thunder.
The clouds churned violently like a living storm.
Across Beginner City, countless adventurers stopped what they were doing and looked up toward the sky in shock.
"What the hell is that?!"
"That lightning… it's coming from the royal palace!"
"Is someone fighting a boss monster there?!"
The storm only grew worse.
Thunder roared like the cry of a beast awakening from the heavens.
Inside the Arden Family residence, an elderly man suddenly winced.
The Grand Elder of the family slowly clenched his fingers as pain surged through the joints of his hands and legs.
"Ah…"
He turned toward the window, sensing the terrifying energy gathering in the distance.
His gaze sharpened the moment he saw the dark storm forming above the royal palace.
"That useless fool…"
His voice carried irritation.
"He's using his full power."
The old man narrowed his eyes.
"What kind of enemy forced him to go this far?"
A moment passed.
Then his expression suddenly changed.
"…Wait."
His eyes widened slightly.
"That direction… isn't that the palace?"
Back above the battlefield, the dark clouds suddenly split apart.
From within the storm, a colossal figure slowly revealed itself.
A gigantic dragon made entirely of lightning emerged from the clouds.
Its body stretched across the sky like a living thunderstorm. Lightning surged across its scales while its eyes burned with destructive energy.
The dragon roared.
The sound shook the entire kingdom.
The pressure alone was enough to make even veteran warriors tremble.
Inside the arena, Nolan raised one hand.
Lightning gathered around him as his magic surged violently.
With a single burst of energy—
BOOM!
The roof of the arena shattered instantly.
Stone and metal exploded outward as the entire ceiling was torn apart, exposing the battlefield directly to the storm above.
Everyone inside the arena froze in shock as they saw the true manifestation of Nolan's power.
A dragon of pure lightning circling the heavens.
Nina's face turned pale.
Her voice trembled as she spoke.
"This… this is my father's full power…"
Her eyes remained fixed on the monstrous dragon above.
"Anyone who takes that attack head-on will either die… or suffer fatal injuries."
King Carlos stood up from his throne with visible frustration.
His fists clenched tightly.
"Nolan!"
His voice echoed angrily through the arena.
"This was supposed to be a friendly training match!"
He pointed toward the sky.
"Are you trying to destroy my palace?!"
But Nolan seemed completely focused on his opponent.
Below him—
Rey stared upward.
The lightning dragon in the sky radiated an overwhelming pressure that made even Rey's breathing heavier.
His hands trembled slightly.
For the first time in a long while, Rey felt genuine fear.
"That thing…"
Lightning illuminated the arena again as the dragon's gaze locked onto him.
"If that hits me directly…"
Before Rey could finish his thought, the system's voice appeared inside his mind.
System Warning.
Extreme danger detected ahead.
Rey's expression tightened.
The system continued.
Skill 'Retribution Guard' is insufficient to withstand the incoming attack.
Using only 'Absolute Veil' will result in fatal injuries.
Rey fell silent.
The storm above continued growing stronger.
Finally, he asked quietly.
"…System."
His voice was calm but serious.
"Is there any other way?"
A short pause followed.
Then the system responded.
Verification complete.
Host may counter the attack by utilizing the weapon: Spear of Dragon Slayer.
Rey's eyes widened slightly.
By channeling the host's entire power into the spear and launching a counterattack, it is possible to intercept the Thunder Dragon's strike.
However, the system added another line.
Host will still suffer partial impact from the collision.
A new interface appeared before Rey.
A single warning message displayed clearly on the screen.
System Decision Prompt
Using the Spear of Dragon Slayer with full power will cause the Host's level to decrease by 5 levels.
However, if the Host successfully overcomes the attack:
A Legendary-Tier Reward Package will be granted.
< YES > < NO >
Rey stared at the screen.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
The dragon above continued roaring as lightning surged through the sky.
The attack was almost ready.
Rey slowly took a deep breath.
"…Five levels."
He exhaled quietly.
Then he looked back up toward the sky where Nolan's thunder dragon waited.
"…Fine."
Without hesitation—
He selected YES.
At that very moment—
A powerful surge of energy erupted behind him.
Flames exploded into existence as a weapon materialized from thin air.
The Spear of Dragon Slayer appeared.
Its crimson blade burned with intense fire, releasing waves of heat that clashed violently with the surrounding lightning.
Rey reached behind him and grabbed the spear.
The moment his hand touched the weapon—
Flames surged along the shaft.
Rey stepped forward slowly.
His entire body began channeling mana toward the spear.
Every drop of power he possessed flowed into the weapon.
Across the arena, Nolan watched quietly.
Then he smiled.
"So you're preparing to resist it…"
His eyes shone with excitement.
Lightning surged around him as he raised his hand.
"Then let us see whose power will prevail."
He pointed toward Rey.
"Dragon Thunder… Strike!"
The thunder dragon in the sky roared.
The sound echoed across the entire kingdom.
Citizens near the palace looked up in terror as the gigantic lightning dragon began descending from the heavens.
Back in the arena—
Rey planted his feet firmly on the ground.
He gripped the Spear of Dragon Slayer tightly.
Every ounce of his strength poured into the weapon.
Flames wrapped around the spear as his mana surged violently.
Rey roared.
"Dragon Slayer—!"
The spear glowed brighter than ever before.
"Thunder Heaven Breaker!!"
With a powerful motion—
Rey launched the spear toward the descending dragon.
The weapon shot forward like a blazing comet, piercing through the storm clouds and tearing through the darkness.
At the same moment—
Nolan's thunder dragon descended with catastrophic power.
Lightning roared like the end of the world.
Then—
The two attacks collided.
BOOOOOOOOM!!!
The explosion shook the entire region.
A shockwave spread outward from the collision point, causing the ground within a one-kilometer radius to tremble violently.
Buildings rattled.
Windows shattered.
Outside the palace, countless civilians panicked.
"Run!"
"That dragon is falling!"
People scattered in every direction, fleeing in fear as the sky above burned with lightning and fire.
Inside the arena, King Carlos stared at the clash in disbelief.
His eyes widened slightly.
"Nolan's power… is being resisted?"
His gaze shifted toward Rey.
"Duke Ace…"
A faint smile appeared on the king's face.
"…you truly are no ordinary man."
Far below the explosion—
Rey remained standing with his arm still extended.
His eyes were fixed on the spear flying toward the thunder dragon.
His voice came out in a quiet whisper.
"…Please."
His gaze did not waver.
"I hope my attack is enough to stop it."