The battle arena had fallen into a suffocating silence.
Clan Origin, led by Tristan, stood locked in a deadly confrontation against Clan Aegis under Gwen Arden's command. The tension in the air was so thick it felt as though even breathing had become difficult.
At the center of it all stood Dyrus.
In his hand was the Piercing Scythe, a Legendary Tier artifact, Level 3. The ancient weapon radiated an overwhelming aura that spread across the battlefield like a storm. Its presence alone was enough to make the weak tremble.
Gwen felt it first.
A sudden chill crawled down her spine as fear gripped her heart. She had no idea what kind of artifact Dyrus was holding, but every instinct in her body screamed danger. For a moment, she could only stand there in silence.
Beside her, one of her clan members dropped to his knees, gasping for breath as the scythe's pressure crushed his spirit.
Even Bojack and Bovack, the twin brothers known for their terrifying combat strength, felt their confidence waver. Yet they quickly steadied their breathing and suppressed the fear inside them.
They exchanged a glance.
Without needing words, both brothers understood the same truth.
Dyrus had become the greatest threat on the battlefield.
He had to be eliminated immediately.
Meanwhile, Tristan lay collapsed on the ground, blood flowing heavily from multiple wounds. His vision blurred, and his breathing was shallow. Yet a faint warmth spread through his chest.
The necklace Eris had given him was activating.
Item Name: Serenity Loop Necklace
Tier: Common
Base Stats:
• +50 Mana
• +20 HP
• +10% Magic Defense
Passive – Tranquil Recovery
If the user receives no damage:
• Restores 2% HP every 5 seconds
• Restores 2% Mana every 10 seconds
If damage is taken, all effects stop instantly and reactivate after 5 seconds without damage.
Tristan felt energy slowly returning to his body. Though the healing was not fast, it was enough to keep him conscious.
Then he sensed it.
A monstrous aura entering his awareness.
His eyes widened as he turned toward Dyrus.
That power...
Inside his heart, Tristan muttered in disbelief.
"Dyrus... you hid this well. That artifact is far beyond anything Rey possesses."
Before he could think further, a loud voice thundered from the Arden family seating area.
"GWEN! Do not fear!"
The one who shouted was Helberg, one of the elders of the Arden family. His old eyes were locked onto the Piercing Scythe, trembling with both shock and greed.
He recognized it.
Inside his thoughts, waves of disbelief surged.
Piercing Scythe... I never imagined this ancient artifact would appear here. The entire Regalith family line was destroyed long ago. Where did this brat obtain it?
His gaze darkened.
No matter. That weapon will belong to the Arden family.
Helberg raised his voice again.
"Gwen! He cannot activate that artifact! Such relics demand special conditions. In his current state, he cannot unleash its power!"
Hearing this, Gwen's fear quickly faded.
A cruel smile formed on her lips.
Then she laughed.
"Hahaha! So that's it! You brought out a terrifying weapon, yet you can't even use it properly."
Bojack and Bovack also grinned after hearing Helberg's explanation.
Their confidence returned instantly.
The twins stepped forward together, gathering mana into their fists as violent winds spiraled around them.
Then they roared in unison.
"VORTEX BURST!"
Two torrents of destructive force fused into one and blasted toward Dyrus.
The arena shook violently.
Dust exploded into the air.
Cracks spread across the stone floor.
The audience erupted in cheers, convinced the twins had ended the match.
But only for a second.
Because the next moment—
The cheers died.
Silence swallowed the arena once more.
As the dust cleared, every spectator froze in horror.
Helberg rose from his seat so abruptly that his chair toppled backward.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
Standing within the ruined crater...
Was Dyrus.
Unmoved.
Unbroken.
And then came the screams.
Bojack and Bovack staggered backward at the same time, clutching their bodies as blood sprayed through the air. Deep slashes had torn across their chests and arms.
Neither of them had even seen it happen.
When their attack landed, Dyrus had moved with impossible speed and delivered a single sweeping strike from the Piercing Scythe, severing the momentum of both brothers in an instant.
The twins collapsed to one knee, groaning in agony.
Gwen's face turned pale.
Her hands trembled.
"No... impossible..."
Even Rey and the rest of Clan Origin stood speechless.
Rey had always known Dyrus was strong.
But this...
This was beyond anything he had imagined.
Slowly, Rey activated his special ability.
Invisible Sight.
His pupils shimmered faintly as hidden information appeared before him.
Then Rey's expression changed.
Shock.
Disbelief.
Concern.
Name: Dyrus
Level: 78
Race: Human
Role: Assassin / Warrior
Title: Heir of the Noble House Regalith
Stats:
• HP – 7,850 × (45%)
• STR – 180 × (55%)
• AGI – 205 × (65%)
• SPD – 275 × (70%)
• INT – 305 × (89%)
• END – 185 × (65%)
• MP – 200 × (30%)
Bloodline Ability: Regalith Bloodline – Limit Breaker
Allows the user to wield artifacts or items beyond their required level.
Limit Breaker – Active
Users below Level 100 may draw out 30% of any item or artifact's power for 60 seconds.
Rey narrowed his eyes as he continued observing Dyrus through Invisible Sight.
"Dyrus Regalith..." he muttered under his breath. "A hybrid role...?"
Only now, after activating his bloodline power, had Dyrus's true title appeared.
Rey's expression darkened.
"He possesses an innate power far greater than I expected."
Before anyone could react, Dyrus moved.
His body blurred like a streak of lightning as he rushed straight toward the twin brothers, Bojack and Bovack. In the next instant, he raised the Piercing Scythe and brought it down with terrifying force.
The twins felt death approaching.
Instinctively, they shouted together and combined their strength, summoning a massive energy shield in front of them.
The scythe struck.
A deafening impact exploded through the arena.
Cracks spread across the barrier—
Then it shattered instantly into countless fragments.
But Dyrus did not stop there.
The ancient weapon suddenly glowed with crimson light as he activated a skill.
"Explosion Wave."
The Piercing Scythe resonated violently. Dyrus had infused his own skill directly into the ancient artifact, causing its hidden ability to awaken.
From that moment on, every strike from the scythe would deal an additional 60% True Damage, followed by a violent explosion like a miniature bomb.
Bovack was the first target.
He had no time to cast another skill. Roaring in desperation, he raised both arms and relied purely on his physical strength to block the attack.
The scythe descended.
A burst of light erupted.
Bovack's Epic-tier armor shattered like fragile glass. Metal pieces flew in every direction. Blood sprayed across the arena as a deep slash tore through his chest and shoulder.
He screamed and collapsed backward.
Seeing his younger brother nearly crippled, Bojack's eyes turned red with fury.
"DYRUS!"
For the first time, he drew out the greatsword he had kept hidden until now. The heavy blade radiated savage energy as he activated a common warrior skill possessed by many frontline fighters.
"BERSERKER!"
His muscles swelled. Veins bulged across his arms. His aura exploded violently as rage consumed his mind.
At the same moment, Dyrus kicked the heavily wounded Bovack with brutal force, sending him flying out of the arena.
With that, Clan Aegis had only three members remaining.
Bojack charged like a mad beast, his killing intent overflowing.
He had no intention of winning anymore.
He wanted Dyrus dead.
But Dyrus only looked at him calmly.
Then, to everyone's disbelief, he spoke one word.
"Berserker."
A crimson aura burst from Dyrus as well.
His strength rose sharply.
The spectators gasped.
Gwen froze in place.
"Hybrid role..." she whispered, her face pale. "Impossible..."
An assassin-warrior hybrid was already rare enough.
But one who could perfectly use warrior enhancement skills while wielding an assassin's speed was something monstrous.
Bojack roared and swung his greatsword downward.
Dyrus answered with the Piercing Scythe.
Their weapons collided.
The impact split the stone floor beneath them and sent shockwaves across the arena.
Yet Bojack's weapon was no match for the ancient artifact—especially now that it was enhanced by Dyrus's own skill.
Cracks spread through the greatsword.
Then it broke apart.
Bojack's eyes widened in horror as the finest weapon he owned shattered into pieces before him.
His confidence collapsed with it.
Dyrus did not waste the opening.
With precise control, he spun the scythe in a clean arc, slashing Bojack across the body before driving a kick into his chest.
Bojack was blasted out of the arena like a ragdoll.
The crowd erupted into chaos.
Both feared twin brothers had been defeated.
The remaining support-role member of Clan Aegis trembled uncontrollably.
"I need to run..." he thought in panic. "But before that... I must drag one or two members of Clan Origin down with me..."
Dyrus slowly turned his head toward Gwen.
His eyes were sharp as blades.
"You're next."
But inside his mind, he calculated coldly.
Twenty-five seconds left. I need to finish this quickly.
Gwen forced herself to smile.
"Don't think that having a powerful artifact makes you invincible."
She raised her hand.
A burst of golden light flashed—
And a Legendary Tier Artifact (Level 1) appeared.
The moment it was revealed, Zeldric stood up in shock.
"Gwen... you possess an artifact? Why didn't you—"
"Enough."
Levy's voice cut through the air like steel.
The pressure behind that single word was so intense that Zeldric immediately stiffened in fear.
Levy glared at him.
"It was given by the family head. Control yourself."
Zeldric lowered his head at once.
"My apologies, Young Master."
Levy kept his gaze on the arena, expression grim.
"Gwen... the level gap between you and him is significant. You must win."
His aura leaked slightly.
"Because if you fail..."
He did not finish the sentence.
He didn't need to.
The terrifying pressure alone made Gwen tremble. Even Zeldric and Mercury turned pale just from standing nearby.
Gwen clenched her teeth.
The Young Master has made it clear... I must win.
I am Level 91. He is only Level 78.
I still have the advantage.
What the younger generation did not know was the truth of Dyrus's identity.
He was a noble descendant of the fallen Regalith Family.
Those who understood the significance of that name—King Carlos, Raven, Edric, and Helberg—were all deeply shaken.
The Regalith bloodline was believed extinct.
Yet the evidence stood before them.
Only someone of Regalith lineage could forcefully awaken and wield that ancient artifact despite such a massive level difference.
Then suddenly—
A voice thundered across the arena.
Its aura was so immense that the duel between Gwen and Dyrus halted instantly.
"I never expected the noble House Regalith to still have an heir walking this world."
King Carlos's face stiffened.
Edric's expression darkened.
Nolan, who sensed the speaker's presence, rose to his feet with a rare seriousness.
His voice exploded through the arena.
"Loid Arden! You have no right to interfere during a match!"
As Nolan released his aura, the entire arena shook violently.
Rey felt the clash of presences and immediately moved.
Without hesitation, he left the Clan Origin seating area and rushed outside the tent.
"What happened to the Regalith Family..." Rey muttered. "For Loid Arden himself to appear..."
Then laughter echoed from above.
"Hahahaha... Nolan, do not be so impulsive. I merely came to watch the competition of the younger generation."
The sky suddenly tore open.
A massive magic teleportation rift formed overhead.
From within it descended a terrifying figure.
Loid Arden.
He wore black-and-gold armor that radiated authority and menace. Beneath him was a gigantic dragon whose wings blotted out the sunlight.
Its presence alone made countless spectators collapse in fear.
Rey stared upward in shock.
"Teleportation magic...?"
Immediately, he activated Invisible Sight toward the dragon.
Name: Wind Dragon
Level: 136
Race: Dragon
Title: —
Stats:
• HP – 13,850
• STR – 1,050
• AGI – 1,167
• SPD – 1,280
• INT – 1,050
• END – 989
• MP – 1,236
As Loid Arden descended from the sky atop the enormous Wind Dragon, his sharp gaze swept across the battlefield.
Then his eyes landed on Rey.
A slow grin spread across his face.
"Well... well... well..." Loid said mockingly. "Look who is standing here. Duke Ace. So, we finally meet face to face."
The atmosphere instantly turned heavy.
Without warning, Loid released a wave of pressure toward Rey—a silent attack formed purely from overwhelming aura.
Gasps rang out across the arena.
Yet Rey did not move.
A faint surge of energy rose around him, meeting Loid's oppressive force head-on. The invisible collision sent violent ripples through the air.
To everyone's shock, Rey remained standing calmly.
Levy Arden abruptly rose from his seat, eyes burning with excitement.
"He blocked Father's aura..." Levy muttered. "Duke Ace... you are the man I wish to defeat."
Nearby, Guinivere watched the confrontation with an amused smile. But her attention soon drifted toward the center of the arena—toward Dyrus and the ancient weapon in his hand.
Her eyes gleamed greedily.
"That artifact..." she whispered. "It will become mine."
Loid soon landed beside the Arden family seating area. The Wind Dragon folded its wings behind him like a living fortress.
Helberg hurried to his feet and bowed deeply.
"Family Head, you have arrived. Please, take my seat."
Without hesitation, Helberg ordered Vincent to stand, instructed Zeldric to move into Vincent's previous place, then seated himself beside Mercury after rearranging everyone according to rank.
Zeldric obeyed without complaint.
The presence of Loid Arden alone was enough to silence any pride.
Helberg leaned forward respectfully.
"My lord, that artifact—"
Before he could finish, Loid raised a hand.
His tone became cold and absolute.
"The Arden family will obtain it. No matter the cost."
Guinivere laughed softly.
"Father, then let it be mine. That artifact suits my role perfectly."
Loid did not respond.
Levy, however, was startled.
For decades, his younger sister had never directly asked Loid for anything. Yet now, after seeing the ancient artifact, she openly requested it.
So even she desires it this much... Levy thought.
My own role does not match such a weapon... but what exactly is that scythe worth?
Loid noticed the question in Levy's eyes.
"You were still a child back then, my son," he said slowly. "That incident happened a very long time ago."
Levy, now thirty-five years old, frowned in confusion.
"What do you mean, Father? Can you tell me?"
Loid laughed.
"Hahaha... I can tell you the history of the Regalith family."
His expression sharpened.
"But it would take time, and we have more important matters at hand."
Levy straightened.
"Do not worry, Father. I already ordered Gwen to fight with her full strength."
Loid nodded once.
"Good."
Not far away, Rey watched everything with growing unease.
Something about Loid's arrival felt wrong.
He activated a hidden communication device and spoke quietly.
"Alex... we have a problem."
A moment later, Alex stepped out from the Clan Origin side. The two began speaking through a private communication tool that could not be detected by magic.
Alex then contacted Tristan through the same device.
"Tristan, are you alright? Rey and I discussed it—you need to end this match quickly."
Tristan, still recovering, answered calmly.
"Don't worry. I was only resting for a moment. But I still don't understand why they called Dyrus by the Regalith family name."
Alex replied at once.
"Don't concern yourself with that now. Princess Elizabeth is on her way to Clan Origin's tent. I believe she will explain everything."
Before Tristan could respond, the battlefield erupted with a violent surge of magic.
Everyone turned.
Gwen Arden had raised her artifact.
Its power was resonating with her mana.
Golden and violet light spiraled around her body as the staff in her hand awakened fully.
Item Name: Staff of Eternal Lethargy
Tier: Legendary (Level 1)
Role: Mage
Level Requirement: 80
Stats:
• +180 Magic Power
• +300 Mana
• +15% Cooldown Reduction
• +10% Mana Regen
Unique Passive – Chrono Bind
Magic attacks or skills will:
• Increase Magic Damage by 65%
• Inflict 45% Slow for 5 seconds
Unique Active – Arcane Overflow
Activates after Chrono Bind hits an enemy:
• Mana Regen +70%
• Cooldown Reduction +60% (normal skills only)
Cooldown: 25 seconds
Duration: 6 seconds
Ultimate Effect – Time Collapse
After all normal skills are used successfully:
• Ultimate Skill Cooldown Reduction 70%
Cooldown: 25 seconds
Though terrifyingly strong, the staff was not limitless.
Chrono Bind could only lock onto one target every three seconds. Repeated exposure reduced its slowing effect as enemies adapted.
Arcane Overflow only enhanced magic skills for a short time. Mana regeneration, while immense, was still finite.
Time Collapse required every normal skill to land successfully—one mistake would cancel the chain.
Even ultimate cooldown reduction had a minimum limit.
The world itself seemed to reject excessive imbalance.
Rey used Invisible Sight to analyze the artifact.
The moment he saw the stats, his face changed.
He immediately spoke through the communicator.
"Tristan! You need to help Dyrus now! If he faces Gwen alone, he'll lose instantly!"
Inside, Rey clenched his jaw.
Dyrus's level is still too low... Even with his noble bloodline, Limit Breaker won't last much longer.
On the battlefield, Gwen smiled confidently.
"You relied on brute force until now. Let me show you what true power looks like."
She lifted her staff high.
"Supernova!"
A blazing sphere of compressed mana formed above her head before launching toward Dyrus like a falling star.
Its pressure dwarfed any attack she had used earlier.
The air distorted.
The arena walls trembled.
Even spectators in the upper stands felt the heat and backed away in fear.
Dyrus narrowed his eyes.
He knew retreat was impossible.
With the last of his strength, he gripped the Piercing Scythe and charged forward.
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, focusing everything into a single strike.
Then he swung.
The scythe met the incoming star.
BOOM!
A catastrophic explosion erupted.
Blinding light swallowed the arena.
Stone shattered.
Shockwaves tore across the stands.
For a moment, it looked as though the entire battlefield would be destroyed.
Rey stepped forward instinctively.
Alex's fists tightened.
Both were visibly anxious.
Then laughter echoed through the smoke.
"Hahahahaha! Clan Origin has already lost the first match!"
It was Gwen Arden's voice.
The crowd stirred.
Then another voice answered weakly.
"You... still... cannot defeat us."
It was Dyrus.
Gwen's smile froze.
The smoke slowly parted.
What she saw made her eyes widen in disbelief.
Dyrus was still standing.
Barely.
His body swayed violently, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. His breathing was ragged, and one knee nearly buckled beneath him.
Yet he had survived.
But what shocked her even more...
Was the figure standing beside him.
Tristan.
He stood upright and unshaken, directly in front of Dyrus.
There was not a single wound on his body.
No burns.
No blood.
No sign that Gwen's devastating Supernova had touched him at all.
The arena fell silent.
Even Loid Arden narrowed his eyes.
Tristan slowly turned his head toward Dyrus.
His voice was calm.
"You did well."
The words were simple, but filled with respect.
The moment he heard them, Dyrus's body finally gave out.
He dropped to one knee and coughed blood onto the cracked stone floor.
His sixty-second borrowed power had ended.
Tristan stepped forward.
The healing from the Serenity Loop Necklace had restored enough strength to move, and now the darkness in his expression made even Gwen unconsciously step back.
He looked directly at her.
His gaze was cold.
His aura was steady.
The playful Tristan from earlier was gone.
What stood before Gwen now was a warrior who had seen his allies bleed and his enemies overstep.
Tristan raised his weapon slowly.
His voice rang through the ruined arena.
"Now..."
He took another step.
"It's my turn to get serius."
A chill spread through the battlefield.
For the first time since revealing her artifact—
Gwen Arden felt fear.