Numerous chains came at me like waves. Instantly, I grabbed the sword with my left hand and carefully observed the chains. At that moment, I focused entirely on my surroundings. The buzzing sound, the floating debris in the air, the chains coming at me like waves, the person behind those chains wearing silver armour, the massive Colosseum around me, the green background—I focused on everything using all my senses: hearing, sight, and smell. Suddenly, I felt as if the entire environment had slowed down.
Since I was a child, my grandfather had always emphasized training my focus over swordsmanship or magic skills. I hated practising focus because it was so boring. However, every time I complained, my grandfather would say that the ability to analyze one's surroundings in a split second increases survival rates more than any sword technique or magic. "Grandpa, I finally understand your foresight," I thought. Now, it seems I've improved even more than when I was alive. I don't even know if I'm lucky or unlucky anymore. Then, I leapt toward the chains with all my strength. As I got closer, the sharp tip of the chain nearly touched my eye. In slow motion, I slashed at each chain one by one.
"Clang..."
The chains that had troubled me earlier now seemed as easy to cut through as slicing butter with a knife. In an instant, countless broken chains scattered around me, falling slowly to the ground. My vision, which had been filled with chains, gradually cleared, and I saw the person behind them. Like everything else, his movements were slow. With a swift, wind-like slash, I cut at him.
"Swish..."
Blood flowed from his cheek, and as I saw the look of surprise on his face, I moved behind him. Without hesitation, I thrust my sword toward his heart from behind.
"Urgh..."
In pain, he staggered backwards and collapsed to the ground.
"Alright, old man... Since I've stabbed your heart, you'll die soon. So, before you die, it'd be good to tell me everything you know..."
I pointed my sword at him and spoke. In my mind, I thought, "Hurry up and say it before you die." At that moment...
"...You have a potential, kid... But do you really think you've killed me?"
I heard his voice from behind me. I turned around and saw the man I had just stabbed standing with no wound, looking at me.
"Huh... So, earlier..."
I realized something was wrong and turned back to the man on the ground, only to see him transform into chains. The chains rushed toward me at incredible speed. By the time I realized it, it was too late. I tried to dodge, but...
"Swish..."
Blood flowed from my right arm.
"You managed to avoid the trap... Not bad, kid. Many have died in that trap..."
I looked at him, and he seemed to be analyzing me, one hand behind his back, staring at me. Then, he smiled slightly.
"Not bad, kid. Since you dodged my trap, I'll tell you a few things you might want to know... First, this isn't a place where the dead come. Second, you didn't die and come here—only your soul arrived. If you die here, you'll die in the real world too... Lastly, and most importantly information I will tell you because I'm interested in your potential. There are no limits here..."
The information he gave me made me feel a sense of relief. "So, I'm not really dead... That means I'll see Grandpa again..." I felt happy at the thought of reuniting with my grandfather. But then, I remembered another crucial point: if I die here, I'll die in the real world too. It felt like the weight of the world was crushing me. However, I didn't understand the last part.
"Um... I don't get it. What do you mean there are no limits here?"
He looked at me impatiently.
"Huh... You still don't understand? Fine... I'll explain again. There are no limits here. What I mean is that you can achieve what you desire. You've already noticed, haven't you? Your ability to focus here is beyond what you had in the real world. Your speed earlier—that happened because you thought of it, and it became real here..."
As he explained, I finally understood. What I desire... What I want to become... Suddenly, a memory I had long forgotten resurfaced. When I was young, I once saw my grandfather practising swordsmanship outside. His movements, his posture—everything was perfect. His swordsmanship was so beautiful it took my breath away. At that moment, a dream came to me. I wanted to become a knight like him... A knight in shining armour.
Suddenly, light emanated from my body. The leather armour I was wearing gradually transformed into a mix of white and silver armour. The sword in my hand also changed into a golden blade with a white edge.
"Huh... This kid's not so dull after all... So, this is the form you desire..."
I pointed my sword at him and asked, "Your name...?"
"...Luthan."
Thinking I needed to finish this quickly and return to my grandfather, I swiftly charged at Luthan with my sword.
"Clang..."
My sword strike was blocked by a chain that appeared out of nowhere. At the same time, chains emerged from the ground near my feet, threatening to trap me. I quickly cut through them. But then, a powerful uppercut came from below, sending me flying into the air. While airborne, I kicked Luthan with my right foot. As my kick connected, I twisted my body and slashed at his neck with my sword. Another chain appeared to block my strike. Suddenly, the chain wrapped around my sword and flung me toward a wall. Before I could recover, Luthan was already in front of me, surrounded by chains.
"Ah... Fuck."
I kicked off the wall, jumped and dodged his attack, landing behind him. Without hesitation, I unleashed a barrage of sword strikes, forcing him against the wall. As I slashed, my sword began to glow, and my strikes became noticeably stronger. One of my strikes managed to cut through the chains and graze Luthan's chest.
"Ugh..."
At that moment, the chains formed a circular barrier around Luthan, protecting him. Chains also emerged from the ground behind me, forcing me to defend. While I was busy with the chains, Luthan retreated to a safe distance.
"Tch... He got away..."
I glared at Luthan.
"...So, this is your full power? Impressive. You've cornered me with a good strategy... I acknowledge you. That's why I'll fight you with my full power too... If you can last 5 minutes, I'll consider it your victory..."
Instantly, Luthan's silver armour darkened, turning into black armour. His eyes turned red, and a black sword appeared in his hand out of nowhere. Luthan looked like a red moon on a dark night. The transformation shocked me, and my instincts screamed danger. I gripped my sword tightly with both hands and stared at him. But then, I realized I couldn't move. Looking down, I saw chains wrapping around me, binding me tightly.
"You didn't even notice this, did you? You're really naive... Well, now it's time to send you to the real afterlife..."
With an incredibly fast slash, Luthan aimed for my neck. Blood sprayed everywhere, staining the ground.
"It was interesting... But that's it... Rest in peace, kid..."
Luthan looked at the young man, now bound and lifeless. At that moment, a sword grazed his cheek and embedded itself into the wall behind him.
1 Minute Earlier
I used all my strength to move my neck slightly, avoiding the fatal blow. Instead of killing me, the sword only grazed me. With the last of my strength, I threw my sword at Luthan. However, bound by the chains, my aim was off, and the sword only grazed his cheek.
"...Huh... You're still not dead kid... You just keep surprising me..."