The sound of a single drop of sweat hitting the marble floor... Drip...
In that fraction of a second, the frozen world exploded into motion!
BOOOOOM!!!!!!!
The marble floor beneath their feet shattered into spiderwebs simultaneously. Two blurred figures lunged at each other at speeds invisible to the naked eye, generating a deafening sonic boom that reverberated through the arena.
CLANG!!!
Murphy's 'Dark Fang' swept horizontally with every ounce of his strength, aiming to bisect his opponent.
But the blade did not bite into flesh... The pale boy raised his shin to check the blade with a high kick!
The sound was not of breaking bone, but of steel clashing against steel. Orange sparks sprayed wildly from the point of impact.
"Hah!"
The boy let out a short laugh, using the recoil of the clash to execute a front flip mid-air, vaulting over Murphy's head.
While suspended upside down directly above Murphy... he brought his heel crashing down in a devastating Axe Kick, aiming to split his skull!
"Tch!"
Murphy reacted instantly. He knew he couldn't block it. Instead, he threw himself into a desperate forward roll across the ground.
BOOM!!
The boy's heel smashed into the marble, creating a deep crater where Murphy's head had been a split second ago. Stone fragments flew like shrapnel, grazing Murphy's face and drawing blood.
Murphy didn't let the momentum die. He planted his hand on the floor and sprung back to his feet, thrusting his sword in a counterattack immediately.
"Hraaagh!"
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The blade tip targeted vital points—neck, heart, and ribs—at blinding speed.
But the boy evaded with formless fluidity...
A shift of the left shoulder dodged the first thrust... A twist of the waist evaded the second... And on the third strike, he slapped the flat of the blade with his bare palm to deflect the trajectory.
Clang!
Murphy's sword was knocked into the ground.
Seizing the opening, the boy closed the distance instantly, breathing down his neck!
"Guard is down."
Thud!
A right fist, fast as a striking viper, drilled perfectly into Murphy's solar plexus.
"Guh!!"
Murphy doubled over like a shrimp, gasping for air. But his fighter's instinct kicked in—he launched a desperate Headbutt straight at the boy's face!
Thud!
The boy tilted his head just in time, causing Murphy's forehead to collide with his shoulder instead.
Both fighters sprung apart, sliding across the floor in opposite directions to reset their stances.
Murphy gasped for air, clutching his throbbing stomach.
The boy stood dusting off his shoulder, the smile on his face widening.
"Excellent... Truly excellent!"
His golden eyes burned with pure excitement.
"How long has it been since I faced someone who could react to me like this?... Come on then, let's continue!"
The pale boy grinned widely, shifting his stance, eager to begin the second round of combat.
"Wait..."
Murphy, gasping for air, raised his right hand to stop him. Fresh blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"You... you said it yourself, didn't you?"
The boy froze, raising an eyebrow in confusion. "Hmm? Said what?"
Murphy pointed a shaking finger at the boy's left shoulder.
"Your rule... If I touch you... even once... I win."
Murphy smirked, even as his vision blurred.
"Just now... my head... hit your shoulder... dead on."
The boy stood stunned.
He slowly lowered his guard and raised a hand to touch his left shoulder... right where Murphy's hard forehead had impacted moments ago.
A faint sting remained... He had completely forgotten about the condition in the thrill of the fight.
Silence blanketed the arena for a moment.
Murphy held his breath, waiting for the verdict.
Suddenly...
"Hahahaha!"
The boy burst into raucous laughter that echoed through the sanctuary.
"You're right! You really did hit me! You cunning little human!"
Snap! (The sound of a finger snap)
Shimmer...
The curtain of golden light surrounding them, the "Wheel of Judgment," shattered into glittering particles of light and vanished into thin air.
The crushing pressure dissipated completely, leaving only a small boy standing there, smiling in a good mood.
"A rule is a rule... I lost."
He shrugged and walked closer to Murphy, staring deep into the young man's eyes.
"I am truly impressed, Murphy..."
The boy spoke with a changed tone, filled with genuine admiration.
"You possess not only great physical power... but your 'Willpower' to refuse despair, and your 'Wits' to overcome the impossible... are truly excellent."
He gave Murphy a thumbs-up, acknowledging him as a warrior, not just another insect.
"Be proud, human who bested me."
He stepped aside, gesturing toward the altar behind him.
"Go ahead... The prize you risked your life for awaits you."
Philip, who had been watching from outside the barrier, rushed in to support Murphy immediately.
"Murphy! You did it!"
Murphy nodded slightly. He glanced at the mysterious boy one last time before turning his back and heading toward the altar to finally put an end to all this.