When the explosion of light and darkness cleared, I found myself on one knee, unable to move a single muscle. The hill of swords around us had reverted to the Sakura blossom garden. Likewise, my Nightsky Blade had reverted to its normal state, the blood and shadow magic completely drained. This was my limit.
[Status: Critical]
[Party HP]
[Noctus: 3/170 ]
[Tirion:11/375]
[Lysa: 25/160]
[Estella: 21/150]
[Noctus MP: 0/150]
[Warning: Combat ability severely impaired]
[Effect: Magical Burnout - Unable to cast spells]
[Effect: Physical Exhaustion - Movement speed reduced by 80%]
I stared at the status notifications floating in my vision, trying to process what had just happened. Every party member was barely hanging on – Tirion with 11 HP, Estella at 21, Lysa at 25, and me... I was one paper cut away from a game over.
"Is... is everyone still alive?" Lysa's voice came from somewhere behind me, exhausted but concerned.
"I believe we're all technically breathing." I replied. I tried to turn to look at them, but my body had other ideas. The combination of Magical Burnout and Physical Exhaustion meant even blinking felt like a major achievement.
But then, as the smoke cleared, I saw it through my blurred vision. A figure rising from the smoke and debris. The blademaster was still standing. His yukata hung in tatters, blood dripping from a dozen wounds, but he was standing.
No. No, no, no.
I tried to lift the Nightsky Blade, but my arms wouldn't respond. The sword felt like it weighed tons. Behind me, I could hear my companions struggling to move, their ragged breathing telling me they had nothing left to give either.
I watched in helpless horror as the blademaster took one shaky step forward, then another. Each movement seemed to cost him tremendous effort, but he was still moving. Still coming. And we were completely defenseless.
Damn it. Was this it?
I had given it my all and had nothing left to give.
When he finally reached me, he stood silent for a moment, studying me with eyes that had seen centuries of combat. Time seemed to slow as he raised his sword high, both hands gripping the hilt. I stared at him defiantly, refusing to look away. I could see it. My own reflection in its polished surface – exhausted, bloodied, but somehow still defiant.
Then, with all his remaining might, he thrust his blade downward. In that moment, a thousand thoughts raced through my mind – regrets about not grinding more levels, satisfaction at proving I could be a real knight, worry about my companions.
“Congratulations.”
Swish
The blade landed inches from my face, driven deep into the ground beside me. The ground cracked from the impact, spider-web fissures spreading outward.
"You have passed the trial."
Then his legs gave out and he collapsed backwards. As he fell, I caught a glimpse of something on his face that I never expected to see – a smile.
[Victory achieved]
[Legendary opponent defeated]
[Level up x2]
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[Lysa]
[ Level : 11
HP: 25/180 (+20)
MP : 0/55 (+10)
ATK : 15 (+1)
M.ATK : 36 (+4)
R.ATK:16 (+0)
DEF: 16 (+1)
M.DEF: 27 (+2)
]
[Tirion ]
[Level: 12
HP: 11/425 (+50)
MP : 11/12 (+1)
ATK : 26 (+4)
M.ATK : 6 (+1)
R.ATK:11 (+2)
DEF: 54 (+6)
M.DEF: 27 (+2)]
[Estella]
[Level 8
HP: 21/170 (+20)
MP : 13/24 (+3)
ATK : 15 (+1)
M.ATK : 15 (+1)
R.ATK: 40 (+7)
DEF: 18 (+2)
M.DEF: 18 (+3)]
[Noctus]
[Level 10
HP: 3/195 (+20)
MP : 0/170 (+20)
ATK : 17 (+2)
M.ATK : 110 (+10)
R.ATK:21 (+2)
DEF: 18 (+2)
M.DEF: 72 (+6)]
"The path to the king lies ahead," the blademaster managed to mutter with each word seemingly costing him more effort. His voice that was once so commanding now carried a hint of wariness. "In his tomb... the king awaits."
Through my exhaustion, I noticed the Sakura petals gently fall upon the warrior as though thanking him for all his effort.
"Go..." His eyes began to close and peaceful expression settled on his face. "And I may finally take my rest."
We struggled to our feet, each of us leaning on another for support. But before we could take a single step, the blademaster's eyes snapped open one last time.
"Take my blade," he said, his voice suddenly clear. "You have proven yourself worthy of the king's legacy." His hand reached out toward his sword that was still embedded in the ground beside me. "Everything I have... everything I am... is his. Has always been his."
[Item Obtained: Blade of the Blademaster]
[Quality:Epic]
I held both blades before me, one in each hand. The Nightsky Blade, my faithful companion since the beginning. Beside it, the Blademaster's sword was like a sister. It was similar, yet different. Like a younger version of the Nightsky blade. The two hummed in unison, as though happy to be reunited after ages apart.
With that, the blademaster's form began to fade, his body dissolving into countless motes of light that drifted upward like embers from a dying fire. Each particle seemed to dance with the falling sakura petals, twisting and swirling among the pink petals. The warrior who had commanded such overwhelming power now departed with the gentle grace of scattering blossoms.
I stood there for a long moment, my hand still gripping his blade, observing a silence for the fallen warrior. In that stillness, I could almost imagine the echoes of ancient battles, of oaths sworn and kept through centuries of faithful service.
Behind me, I heard my companions shift slightly, maintaining their own respectful silence. Even Estella's usual energy was subdued, her presence a quiet support as we witnessed the passing of a legendary warrior.
In the end, all that remained was the continuous fall of sakura petals, now carrying the last traces of golden light as they drifted to the ground. The battlefield that had moments ago been scarred by our desperate combat was slowly being covered in a blanket of pink and gold, as if nature itself was laying the blademaster to rest.
The next area was a long corridor that stretched into shadow. Its length was impressive even by the Undercity's grand standards. Rows of guard statues lined the walls, forming an honor guard in the path towards the king. Their stone eyes seemed to track our movement, judging whether we were truly worthy to proceed.
As we crossed the corridor, the torches by the wall came to life with an unnatural blue flame.
At the corridor's end, three statues commanded attention. They stood in a perfect triangle, each facing slightly inward as if still performing their duty even in stone form. The Archivist of the trial of knowledge was engrossed in a stone book. The Keeper of the trial of vision looked up into the sky. And the Blademaster of the trial of power was captured in mid-stance, his stone blade pointing towards the path ahead.
The blade at my hip hummed faintly as we passed between them as if acknowledging its former master's likeness. The three statues seemed to form a gateway, their positioning forming an arch that led us into the next chamber.
The room beyond stole my breath.
There, stood a majestic statue that made my heart skip a beat. The raven-haired knight from my visions, rendered in stone with such precision that he might have stepped out of my dreams. His face carried a gentle smile, so different from the usual stern expressions of memorial statues.
My eyes were drawn to a plaque at the statue's base. The metal was surprisingly clean, untarnished by time despite its age. The inscription read:
"Here lies Enders Nox Dawnbringer, First King of the Undercity, Who dared to dream of balance. When the world knew only extremes."
My fingers traced the letters of his name. Enders, so that was the first king’s name. The man who had built an entire civilization beneath the earth. Who fought to bring balance back to the light.
"Enders Nox Dawnbringer," Lysa read softly. She reached toward the plaque but stopped short of touching it. "The histories I studied never mentioned his full name. Just 'The First King' or sometimes 'The Night King.' I wonder why. Why was his name removed from history?"
“Perhaps the God of Light wanted to delete his rival from the history books?” Estella conjectured.
“The God of Light has no jurisdiction in the Undercity though. No. It must be something else.”
"Well," I said, managing a slight grin despite my exhaustion, "Only one way to find out. We've come this far. Would be rude to keep his majesty waiting, wouldn't it?"
But before we could continue, a bright light flashed.
