Midnight struck over Eldeview.
The World Tree's vast branches shimmered under moonlight, and the entire castle seemed to hold its breath.
Then—
the duel began.
A shockwave erupted the moment the elf knight stepped forward.
Stone cracked outward in a perfect circle.
Roots trembled.
Lanterns flickered.
The royal guard didn't hesitate.
He charged.
Jhonathan met him head-on.
No evasion.
No setup.
Just raw contact.
A single punch landed.
Clean.
Heavy.
Final.
The knight staggered, coughing out breath.
Then smirked through the pain.
"…I already knew that ability."
A pause.
"…It gives you a perfect victory condition."
Jhonathan didn't respond.
He continued pressing forward.
Each strike carried overwhelming weight—less like technique, more like divine enforcement.
The knight suddenly retaliated.
A massive energy shockwave exploded outward, launching Jhonathan across the courtyard.
He slid back, boots carving lines into stone.
Then stopped.
"…Another multi-ability user…"
Jhonathan narrowed his eyes.
Without hesitation—
he threw his sword forward.
It spun once through the air.
"…This is a real duel."
The knight rushed again.
Blade raised.
Intent locked.
Benevolent Blade – True Slash.
The moment their weapons met—
the knight's blade split clean in half.
Silence.
Then Jhonathan stepped in.
A single kick.
Straight to the stomach.
The knight coughed violently.
Eyes widening.
"…Also—"
He smiled weakly.
"…ALL OF MY HITS COUNT AS CRITICAL ATTACKS!!!"
A pause.
The statement hung in the air like a broken law of reality.
Then—
he collapsed backward.
Fainted from sheer psychological overload.
Silence returned to the courtyard.
A distant voice echoed faintly from the World Tree above—
as if something was watching and laughing quietly.
JHONATHAN IS THE WINNER.