The pixels of The_Red_Lizard faded into the digital ether, leaving Kael standing alone in the center of the simulated arena.
The victory fanfare was still playing—a triumphant orchestral loop that was starting to get annoying—and the golden text [WINNER] hovered obnoxiously over his head.
Kael ignored it.
He stood amidst the slowly repairing geometry of the coliseum, feeling the phantom ache in his virtual limbs. The System began to auto-repair his avatar, the cracks in his golden armor sealing up with satisfying metallic clicks, his health bar refilling from that terrifying 2% back to a robust green.
As the adrenaline faded, a cold, objective realization settled over him.
Honestly, Kael knew just how strong he was.
It wasn't arrogance. It was data.
With his 13% Sword Mastery and the understanding of his Intent, he had crossed a threshold.
