After receiving 35 Exp from defeating his opponent, Raze began to smirk as he imagined how much easier it would be to level up.
He hadn't leveled up in a while, but now? It solved his current problem of getting stronger. In just a matter of time, he'd be able to level up.
Without wasting any more time, Raze queued for another match. He kept his level set at level 1 so that he could keep going up against easy opponents.
Almost instantly, an opponent had been found.
Raze appeared in another arena similar to the first.
As soon as the countdown ended, Raze burst forward, not giving his opponent any time to react.
He swung his hands through the air multiple times while circling his opponent, sending out barrages of Piercing Slashes.
The opponent had a transformation awakening. He transformed his arms into thick, muscular, wolf-like arms.
The opponent went to swing and block the slashes, focusing more on the attacks rather than Raze himself.
Raze saw an opening and sent out two more slashes toward his back.
The slashes landed, sending the opponent staggering forward—right into the remaining slashes.
[Winner: SlayerVeil]
Before the opponent vanished from the arena, Raze heard him mutter,
"What awakening is that?"
Then he vanished.
Raze didn't think much about it as his system chimed again.
[35 Exp earned]
[220 / 800 Exp]
After that, Raze didn't slow down.
Match after match, he queued again the moment the arena dissolved.
Some opponents relied on awakenings. Others tried brute force. A few played cautiously.
None of it mattered.
Piercing Slash carved through defenses.
Feints created openings. Mistakes ended fights.
The system kept chiming.
[35 EXP earned.]
[35 EXP earned.]
[35 EXP earned.]
By the time Raze finally took a little break, the system appeared in front of him.
[780 / 800 Exp]
"I'm so close… just one more win and I'll be able to level up," Raze muttered.
He swiped his hand to the side and the game screen appeared in front of him.
For his last match, he wanted it to be harder.
After fighting so many level ones, it was starting to get repetitive.
He hesitated for a bit, then decided to go with it anyway.
[Level: 3 has been selected]
[Searching for an opponent…]
[Opponent found]
This time, when Raze entered the arena, he could see his opponent wearing a heroic-themed outfit. It looked like it came straight out of some kind of heroic anime.
That sparked Raze's curiosity, and he decided to use Inspect.
[Inspect: Failed]
[Cannot activate skill in virtual reality]
That alone told Raze everything he needed to know.
As the countdown began, Raze noticed a sword resting behind his opponent.
"3… 2… 1…"
"Go!"
Immediately, the opponent declared his username like he was some sort of hero.
"I am Spatial Closer, and today you shall be defeated!"
Raze stood stunned for a moment. He hadn't expected that.
Spatial Closer pulled out his sword and charged forward.
Raze immediately sent out a Piercing Slash.
The opponent slashed through it without much trouble.
'That sword… is it a beast weapon?' Raze wondered.
Before the opponent could get close, Raze ran to the side but suddenly, his movements slowed. It took far more effort to move.
'Why am I moving slower?'
'Is this his awakening?'
"You look like a martial assassin," Spatial said. "Too bad you won't be able to move at your full speed," he laughed.
Raze felt a subtle frustration building inside him. He hated how slow he felt.
He released another Piercing Slash.
The moment it left his hand, the slash slowed—then burst into particles before moving even an inch.
Raze gritted his teeth and leapt backward, away from his opponent.
Here, he could finally move without resistance.
Spatial Closer charged again, closing the distance.
'If my slashes won't work, then it's time to get physical,' Raze thought.
He ran forward, meeting Spatial in the middle.
Spatial swung his sword to the right. Raze sidestepped left and stepped in closer, reaching for the opponent's clothes to pull him in.
His movements slowed again.
That hesitation was enough.
The sword stabbed into Raze's stomach, then twisted.
[Critical Hit]
Half of Raze's HP vanished.
This was the first time he'd been hit.
"Gotcha," Spatial said.
Raze tried to leap back, but Spatial followed.
'I keep getting slowed down!'
'What is his ability?'
'Is it something about controlling the space I'm in?'
Spatial's sword rose toward Raze's neck.
Raze barely ducked and rolled aside.
He swung out two more Piercing Slashes.
They burst apart instantly.
"Damn it!" Raze blurted out.
Spatial Closer smirked. "Having trouble dealing with my awakening? The answer's in my username."
Raze raised an eyebrow. When he looked again, his eyes widened.
'Of course… the answer was there all along.'
'He's controlling a small area, making it harder to move inside it.'
Spatial lunged forward, expecting Raze to retreat.
Raze didn't.
He pushed forward instead. His movements slowed again, and his stamina began dropping fast.
'This is risky… but I'll beat him hand to hand.'
Spatial swung again, expecting Raze to dodge.
Raze swung his hand three times.
Three Piercing Slashes moved out, slowed, and merged into one.
At the right moment, the attack deflected the sword, creating an opening.
Raze knocked the sword from Spatial's grip and slammed a punch into his stomach.
"This one's payback," Raze muttered.
Spatial staggered back. Before he could recover, Raze grabbed the fallen sword and lunged forward.
The blade stabbed into Spatial's stomach, twisting hard.
"M-my sword!" Spatial screamed.
Raze yanked it free and swung at his neck.
The blade cut cleanly.
[Opponent defeated]
[35 Exp has been awarded]
[815 / 800 Exp]
[Congratulations!]
[You are now Level 5.]
[New skill acquired.]
[Stat Points Awarded: 3]