//** Continuation of chapter 22. (From 22.2) **//

“I see why Gerald said that there you can rest now for as long as you want.”

Arata looked at the message before him. He had a choice go to the second stage or not. Because it was a choice he had to make right away. He could wait with an answer for as long as he wanted he could use this time as resting time. Still he was already resting for 25 minutes now and he wasn’t really tired after first stage as he got didn’t have to fight against its hardest part.

“I am probably already way behind the rest. Not that we are racing this time so there is no need to rush. Still there is also no need to delay.”

[Yes]

[You have leveled up, Current level 100]

[Pain reduce system changed to 40%]

[You are no longer able to see your health, mana and stamina bars.]

[All skills level up.]

[Stats increase upon leveling reduced.]

[Experience required for next level greatly increased.]

“That’s a too many windows at the same time for my taste.”

Arata looked over them quickly but he already heard about all of them from Gerald so he didn’t found them surprising.

The metal bars from the left gate started to rise up. The left gate was biggest of all and was 4 meters long. While it was going up Arata got another message.

[Trial of adventurer, stage two.

You had a choice between the peace and the storm and you choose the storm…]

“Hope I won’t regret it.”

Gerald did mention that this part won’t be a walk in the park and should be few times harder than their guild test, in which Arata failed miserably. Still Arata didn’t take it too serious and as always was positive about his winning chances.

[…I don’t know why you made this choice but you will get what you wanted…]

“Maybe it’s won’t be that bad. Loki said that he didn’t pass it but he did manage to pass similar challenge at 200th level so it can just mean that during his play from 100 to 199th level he simply become better and previously he wasn’t that good. Well that is how normal people would play this game like.”

Arata had some reasons to think like that. Becoming better with time was a normal progression of people who didn’t had 5 years of training before them.

“Ah, even I do think that I am not normal.”

[… Similar to previous stage you will have to fight against waves of enemies that will come at you. This time there are six waves and each of them brings only one enemy…]

“Only one enemy it may sound nice but when I know what is coming I can’t be happy about that.”

[…Defeat all of them or die trying. Last wave will begin only if should you manage to clear all others. Let the battle begins.]

[Wave one: Argah Stonegrad.]

In precious stage Arata could imagine what his enemies will be as the notes said eagles, orcs or bunnies. Thanks to that he could prepare himself before he even saw the enemies. This time however he simply got a name, which didn’t tell him much. All he could do was to wait, although he didn’t need to wait for too long.

The earth began to tremble and a sound as if someone was hitting with large hammer on the ground started coming out from the left gate.

“I should have chosen the peace.”

Those were Arata’s thoughts when he saw the creature that appeared before him. It was a humanoid creature with at least three times of Arata’s height. His body was in color of gray as his body was that of the stone. He had four hands, two at each of the side. Both pair was holding large stone swords which nearly touched the top of the gates.

Arata start running, forward. He didn’t plan to slack off this time.

The stone boss spotted him and attacked with right sword at the ground. Even if his weapon was large it would be hard for him to strike at fast moving target on the ground. Arata dodged easily first and second strike and was finally getting close to hit. The target was stone boss’s legs. The moment Arata got closed, boss stand harder on one leg, the earth once again trembled then with second leg the boss he kicked at Arata. Arata swiftly move out of the way by half meter and counterattacked at the leg but when he hit, his sword’s bounced out from the stone. Arata followed it up with another two strikes at the same leg but the effect remained the same.

The stone boss tried to crush Arata under his feet. To answer that Arata was moving from one leg to another and attacked at them with his swords. Having experience against creatures whose leg was much bigger, Arata had no problem maneuvering under stone boss feet. Adding to that, while Arata was under him, the boss didn’t even once attacked with his swords.

[Wave two: Saren Locres]

“The tempo didn’t slow down it seems.”

Even though it was stage two, time between the waves did not change.

[Stream of night.]

Arata made 12x strike combo at stone boss leg but it didn’t bring much more results that previous attacks. The leg moved back and another kick attack was coming.

“Guess I can’t burn down with dps boss monster at my own.”

Arata wanted to move to the other leg but then out. He felt something stopped his left feet. When he looked at it, a numberous green creeper started to come out from the ground. Their thickness was that of Arata’s rope. From feet they started to bind around his leg. Seeing it Arata didn’t try to separate from it with strength. He quickly cut it off with sword at the roots. But because he stopped he had no more time to run.

[Black dash]

It looked as if the stone feet crushed him but instead it passed through him and moment later Arata was five meters away from there.

“It looks like the other one is not wasting time.

It was natural for Arata to think that this was the work of the second boss, although he still couldn’t see him.

When Arata look back at stone boss he saw exactly what he expect which was gigantic stone sword coming at him. Arata moved to the left with his usual dodge but when he did that he trip and landed on the ground. Creepers exploded from the ground around him and started to bind him and they successfully managed to do that the moment Arata touched the ground.

First gigantic sword landed just behind his feet but stone boss had two of them and second one was already coming.

[Black dash]

Arata quickly used his spell to release himself from the creeps. He rolled on the ground before standing up to avoid the sword. Then he started to run to the other side of Arena. Away from the gates to where an old pillar was fall down.

“That should convince him to walk out.”

Because it looked like the second boss was someone who preferred to use his tricks from a distance Arata had to move away from the gates in which he couldn’t see anything.

While he started to run stone boss followed right away. As he was jumping from one leg to another the earth trembled. Arata kept looking in the way of the gate.

From the darkness a posture came out. It was an elf in dark green-brown robe and wooden staff in hand. It was worth to notice that his carnation was quite dark and he had long purple hairs. He was walking slowly. He didn’t feel like running after Arata.

[Wave 3: King of the jungle.]

This time new boss did not wait. Two seconds after message of his arrival, he already rushed out from the darkness. On his four feet he was quickly moving to Arata’s position he already passed by the elf. It was a large lion, his size was about the same as the white wolf that Arata once fought against which was two times bigger than wolfs, panthers or tigers from stage one.

Arata stopped running seeing that he has all enemies in the open. He once again faced against stone boss. Arata sheathed back his red sword. The two handed sword came at his position Arata moved back just out of the attack range. When the sword hit the ground, Arata started run straight on the top of the sword. Before Arata could reach the stone boss arm however, boss picked up his weapon with force which sent Arata flying. In that moment with his free hand Arata released his Rope and caught with it stone boss head. While holding it tight he stopped the momentum that send him backward and landed at Boss back. With a speed Arata had he thrusted forward with his black sword at stone boss back. With the impact for the first time the sword went right into it and stuck into it.

Feeling the enemy at his back the stone boss decided to wipe Arata out on black Arena’s walls, which were quite close to them. Arata let go of the rope, quickly unsheathed the red sword and struck with in into the place where the sword went into. Although there was no impact in it, the strike easily crushed the stone and Arata managed to get out both swords and jump down before ‘meeting the wall’.

[Wave 4: Meres Drist]

Arata landed on the ground near the wall. The moment he did that however the large beast jumped at him with the paws. Both of them hit Arata into the chest and pushed him back to the wall. Upon hitting the wall, from it a creeps came out and bind Arata around the neck and then it was straggling him. At the same the king of the jungle was keep pushing at Arata with his claw.

[Black dash]

Arata escaped from certain death with his ever so overpowered skill.

“That was close.”

Arata had now eight small holes in his chest in places that the lion’s claws just were. Strangely though apart from that his equipment, and he were still in one piece.

Arata started to run once again. This time however his target was elf in green robes.

From behind the lion and the stone boss were already on their way following him. While running, Arata also saw a forth boss. He was a man in blue clothes. The lines of blue cloth were dancing around his legs while he was running. He had one hand stretched out away from his body and in it a large fireball which was two times size of his head. He was quite away from Arata but Arata wasn’t going to neglect that guy and kept watching him with the corner of his eye. Suddenly that man jumped up in a distance. It was a simple jump which would seem like without a reason but Arata saw through it.

[Sword enchant: fire]

Arata started slashing upward with red sword. In a flash a large fireball and mage behind it appeared and in a flash that fireball was slashed in half. With black sword Arata stroked at the mages hand with which he attacked. But Arata’s attack was stopped as a wall of mud appeared in his way. It didn’t stop completely the strike but slowed down enough for the mage to crouch down. The remaining mud that was used for the wall was pushed forward by mage and it hit Arata. It didn’t do much but when Arata tried to attack at the mage for a second time he moved away and was a distance of two meters already.

Lion jumped from behind at Arata. Arata spinned on left feet to the left counterattacking at the same time, he landed two strikes heavy at the lion. The blood started to come out fast.

“In this I am expert already.”

Yes Arata had good training how to fight against beast like that and make every hit count.

[Wave 5: Eye of destruction]

Still Arata had no chance to celebrate as he had to dodge incoming stone sword. Then he saw a lightning bolt and fire lance coming his way. They were separately casted by the elf and the mage.

[Sword enchant: Lighting]

Arata casted lighting enchantment only on his red sword. On black one he still had fire enchantment. He cut both of the spells.

“Finally I got some momentum, waaa…”

Arata bended behind as he saw purple ray of light quickly coming his way. Right before his eyes he saw some kind of laser. That didn’t stop right until it hit the wall several meters away.

“Another long range.”

While still bended Arata saw a large stone sword coming his way as well as the lion from the right.

“I need a miracle not to die here.”

[Black dash]

Miracle or overpowered skill. Arata went through the lion making additional damage.

[Sword enchant: Darkness]

[Sword enchant: Earth]

Arata had to get rid of two other spells that were coming his way. When he did that he could feel creeps once again were binding his foot. Another lesser was also coming. And also stone sword over from the top.

“I am getting out of here.”

[Black dash.]

Arata black dashed five meters away from there to the place where fallen pillar was.

[Leap]

He jumped at the top of it and started running for the tribunes, while still looking at his enemies. From the darkness he could see the last boss came out. It was a flying eye in size of basketball ball. It started casting another laser.

Arata kept running up on the pillar. The laser that has been shot missed him by about two meters. It was not even close.

Before Arata reached the tribunes he saw a flash on his path. A mage boss appeared at the end of the pillar. Stream of water exploded from his hands and with great speed started coming at Arata.]

[Sword enchant: water]

Arata split it in half but that didn’t do much as attack was not ending. The water slowed Arata from advancing.

“If I don’t get there it will be bad.”

Although slowed, Arata kept pressing forward against the water. He was nearly in the required space.

Then a rain started to pour over Arata’s head. Even though there was no sky in this cave the dark clouds were floating over his head.

“What again?”

[Sword enchant: lighting]

Although Arata expected thunders coming at him right away that didn’t happen. Stream of the mage also started to lose on over. Arata was now one meter before the mage. Also should he want he could jump down to the tribunes still it was good opportunity because there was no other bosses here yet. That was what Arata thought at least.

-rawr!

Just as he was about to strike at the mage the lion jumped at him from behind. Arata managed to block his jaw with left sword but both Arata and the lion fall down to the tribunes of Arena. Arata crushed into it but lion easily landed on four feet. Second later he started crushing Arata with his paws. Arata hold back his jaw with red sword. Then instead of trying to defend against the paws he left it to his armor and started striking at Lion from the ground. While Lion’s paws had a hard time with destroying Arata’s armor, black sword Kuroi entered easily into Lion’s fur.

Arata decide that if he doesn’t dwindle down enemy number by a little he won’t be able to continue it and will die at some point.

“I will have to believe in those items.”

Arata’s new equipment was not something that someone on level 99 could get his hands on. During the fight he already felt its great influence.

Since his beginning in EOA, Arata mostly prioritized defense rather than attacking but now he went into clear dps race. Maybe because he no longer saw his HP bar going down, he believed in his body and ability to survive. Arata did not see what other bosses were doing right now but he hopped that they stay out of this. After all they would have to strike at both him and the lion now. Also the only one who would be able to do that was the mage.

Lion’s attacks started to slow down with each of Arata’s strike as Arata started to aim at his front legs and already cut down its muscles.

Arata felt that Lion’s push at red sword nearly disappeared. There were also no more attacks. Arata managed to push back the lion of him with his leg. Then he saw the mage that was still standing at the pillar.

The mage boss was holding his hands high. In them there was large electric ball which was getting bigger and bigger. The energy from it was coming both from the mage and thunder cloud that elf created earlier.

“I am not trying to cut this one.”

Arata did not believe that he can nullify something like that with his sword enchanter skills.

After Arata pushed down the lion, the mage realized that there is no more time to generate power and started to prepare to fire it out. Still because it was some grand spell he couldn’t do it instantly. Arata used this time and get back on his feet. Only now he felt in how poor condition his body is right now. The dps shutdown with the lion cost him a lot. On his chest he had numberous of wounds and the armor in which he believed was completely ragged at the front.

“Going into dps race with boss might have not the best idea.”

Still because of that one of the bosses was nearly gone and with attack that will soon arrive here there, he could be already considered dead.

Mage fired out the ball of lighting energy, the remaining of the cloud still followed it.

There was a meter high small obstacle on the left of Arata. To dodge incoming attack Arata quickly went over it to the other side. There was one problem however. The obstacle lead right back to the arena’s grounds and Arata just jumped down from tribunes down there.

The energy bolt exploded in a place where Arata once, it didn’t reach Arata as he all the way down already as he was about to.

‘crush’

Well, even though Arata hit the ground really hard and right now he wouldn’t want to see his HP, it was still better than getting hit by that energy ball or the laser that was fired out by flying eye the moment Arata tried to jump over obstacle.

The stone boss was about three meters away from Arata while the flying eye was flying at the height of nearly four meters, just like walls of the arena. The mage should still be on the tribunes and the elf was staying in a distance. Their next attack would begin any second, it didn’t look good. Also, right now Arata was in condition which didn’t actually allow him to stand up freely.

“It’s time to use it.”

[Potion of prohibited heroism

In times where you can’t afford to lose, where everything depends on your survival and you have to stand back and fight no matter the cost. Victory or death are those the only two choices? No, there is always the third one and that is victory and death.

Effect: Returns your health to maximum.

Your spells cost is reduced to 10% of normal cost.

After 30 minutes most of your body functions will be off and

pain will hunt you for week days. When that time arrives you

will think that dying was a better option.]

Arata quickly drank the flask without second though. The moment he went into dps race against the lion, he knew that he will have to use it soon after it. Arata didn’t want to use this potion as its description at the end was not appealing. Still all he needed to do, was get done with everything in 30 minutes and log out before the effect take its tool then no matter what don’t log back till a week passes in a game time.

Potion of prohibited heroism was the secret weapon that Gerald prepared for everyone from Refrain’s guild for the 100 level barrier. He advised to use it at last resort and as late as possible but Arata didn’t know how long he will survive only by using black dash to escape the near death situations. Also he didn’t want to use too much stamina and mana before he use that potion. He had no way of regenerating it but now that it was lowered he could do a lot.

“Now then.”

[Lighting speed activated.]

Arata rushed out with double speed. Lighting speed ability increased his speed for a short time but when using a lot of stamina the effect could be extended. Right now the cost was so small that it practically didn’t eat any of Arata’s stamina.

A purple lesser was fired down from the sky but if eye couldn’t hit Arata before, it definitely couldn’t do it now. Even though the range of its attack was great because it was only going in straight line it was easy to dodge.

Arata maneuvered between stone boss feet, and landed two strikes at each leg. The speed at which he came under the boss was so great that giant didn’t even try to hit with his swords. Still the stone giant was not his target now. Arata was going for the elf.

The elf started to cast some spell but Arata didn’t plan to find out what that spell was.

[Sword enchant: Wind]

[Sword slash]

The elf was cut in half in moments of seconds.

“If only I could use this spell more often. Life would be so easy.”

Sword slash, Arata’s strongest technique and at the same time most costly one. It ate all of his mana. In normal circumstances he wouldn’t use it and save it for unexpected or as the last resort, but because now it coasted only 10% of mana, Arata could afford to use it 9 times. That fact was the greatest bonus that Arata got from the potion.

Arata started to magical flashes around him. The mage boss was keep teleporting around him and was sending small spells at Arata from different direction. There was also another cast of laser coming from the sky.

“If he keeps teleporting like that it will be hard to catch him, still he shouldn’t be able to keep it for too long. In the meantime I take care of that guy.”

[Sword enchant: Fire]

[Sword enchant: Ice]

[Sword enchant: Lighting]

[Sword enchant: Light]

[Sword enchant: Fire]

While getting away from the place where all attack was coming from Arata had to cut some spells in half.

[Leap]

Arata jumped three meters up and landed on stone boss chest. There he caught the rope that was still hanging around boss’ neck. He was holding it with one hand and with second using the red sword Arata kept striking at the boss chest.

“Now, what you are going to do?”

Stone boss let go of one of his giant swords and stroked with palm of his hand at Arata.

[Leap]

Arata jumped up avoiding it and landed on stone boss head. Because Arata hold his rope he managed to control his body in the air.

[Sword enchant: ice]

[Sword slash]

[Sword slash]

Using two swords two arcs of blue energy were released into the air. The were combined together in one attack in shape of the cross its target was the eye flying two meters away from where Arata was at the moment. Which was stone boss’s head.

When flying eye saw that it’s tried to counter the attack with its laser but Arata’s cross sword slash attack had the power of two spells that cost full mana. It was not something that could be easily stopped.

The eye got slashed into four parts. All parts froze and started to fall down from the sky.

From the top Arata could see that the mage started casting some other grand spell. A dark energy was gathering in his hands. Arata decided to let him do as he pleases and focused on the stone boss.

“It’s finally the time to finish you.”

Stone boss was the first out of the five that appeared.

Arata jumped down at stone boss shoulder as another a strike was coming at the top of the head. The stone boss had a lot of the problems while having Arata on its body. He didn’t know how to deal with it. I the end he hit himself in the forehead. Still that wasn’t his downfall.

[Stream of night]

[Stream of night]

[Stream of night]

[Stream of night]

Arata executed 48 strikes combo at stone boss head. The stone started to crumble at 20th strike and by 48th strike it was completely gone. Then as suspected without its head stone boss body started to fall dead to the ground.

Arata caught the rope that no longer was binding neck as he had no neck. Before the body crushed into the ground Arata jumped off it and landed on the ground.

“I really should have started like this.”

The five bosses from stage two were giving Arata a hard ride. He nearly died many time but now there was only one guy left.

Arata start running at the mage boss. He no longer had lighting speed activated. Mage looked like he was ready for the strike. He had a ball of darkness emanating purple sparks from it in his hands.

“This may be the only occasion to do it.”

[Sword enchant: Light]

Arata was going to go head to head against mage spell.

Three meters range. The mage fired out his spell. Arata readied his sword and stroke at the ball. Right before the swords encounter with the black ball both swords started to emanate white light for it. They shined only for two seconds but those seconds when they encountered with dark energy. When that happened mage spell was broken.

What just happened, reminded Arata of the times when he used basic magic to enchant his swords. Still the light was a little bit different than from that times and the way to bring it out was a simple sword enchant.

Although Arata stop after crushing with mage spell, he didn’t forget to finish what he started. He rushed forward for a mage who looked like he was out of juice, especially, after his teleport combo which he made earlier.

The mage no longer had a spirit to fight, with ease Arata cut of his head.

[Your base mana and stamina increased by 5%]

[Wave six in 5 minutes]

With the messages that Arata received he didn’t need to check if any of the bosses was still alive.

“Finally I did it. Hip, hip hurray for overpowered potion. With its effect still on the last wave should be easy.”

Arata sit on the ground to rest a little and started to relax. After all in wave six he only had to defeat one ghost of the player.

“No matter how good that player might be, it will be hard for him to be more difficult from what I just passed.”

It would be hard for one player to be better than five bosses combined. Still the one that would come out would be someone that also managed to defeat those five bosses in his times.

“Gerald said that the biggest problem at last wave is that you are not in good condition to fight but that doesn’t apply to me right now.”

Right now Arata was in pretty good condition so to say. Also he still could fire out few sword slashes which could bring him instant victory.

“Muahahahaha, I am beating the crap out of this challenge.”

Arata already forgot how he nearly died there few times and that he didn’t have to fight against the boss at the end of stage one.

Five minutes went quickly.

[Wave 6: Adventurer of the past.]

“I had enough of fighting for today so I will just finish it quickly.”

Arata get back on his feet and faced in direction of the gates. Finally the last gate the one on the middle started to open. Someone started to walk out from the darkness. The figure that walked out was definitely not someone whom Arata would expect to see there.

-Yuki?

Last part of 100th level barrier was fight against copy of player that already passed that challenge. That also included people who passed it like ten minutes ago.

If that was real Yuki then the answer would be something along the lines ‘Onichan?’. He grabbing the hilt of the sword at her back right away said more than enough that it was not the real her.

Only hilt was visible of her white katana as the sheath was covered by black cloak with white mark of Refrain on it.

When Arata looked in Yuki’s eyes, chill of cold run over his back. It was not because she had a scary look in them though. It’s just that Yuki’s eyes were somewhat different than usual. If Arata had to describe it he would say that they were more blue than usual.

“Looks like, this won’t be like the last time.”

Arata once won against Yuki in their small duel but it was in the past and Arata knew that this time, it definitely won’t be any similar to that fight.

Arata unsheathed both of his swords and prepared. But then even though he didn’t even try to blink, right before his eyes Yuki disappeared. In a place she was a second ago there was some barely visible blue mist, the air in that palace was much colder.

Arata looked right behind him. First he saw a white crystal which then exploded with ice and white blade came out from it. Arata tried to move away from attack but he had no time. He just barely turned his head to the left. The sword went right through right side of his cheek. That was the minimum to what Arata turn this attack into.

Arata pushed back the white sword with his black one. Still the blood did not start to flow out from the wound on his check as it became completely frozen.

The white crystal transformed into body of Yuki. The white sword was in her hands.

“Deadly like always.”

Without delay Arata attacked with red sword at her. Yuki dodged it with grace while keep pressing at black sword.

Upon the second attack Yuki flashed in white for a second then out of nowhere her sword parried it out.

“How?”

Arata did not know what happened but then the impact of cold reached him. His right hand become completely frozen in position of the block, he barley could move it.

“Not good.”

[Black dash]

Arata wanted to get away from Yuki and think up something. Because he was using black dash for it he might as well do some damage but that decision cost him.

He did not go through but instead his attack was blocked like any other.

While Red and white sword were bouncing out of each other, the air was getting colder and colder. While Yuki’s copy was not bothered by it at all, for Arata it was getting harder and harder. Now not only his hand was going to be frozen.

“Time to reserve the situation.”

Arata made a quick step back which allowed getting away from Yuki’s sword without paring it.

[Sword enchant: Fire]

[Sword slash]

Arata released an arc of fire which was pointed not at Yuki’s copy but at his own hand. Well not exactly his own hand but next to it.

Those attacks also hold back Yuki from her never ending offensive.

The ice on Arata’s hand melted and with his freed hand now.

[Sword slash]

Arata send an arc of fire at Yuki. Seeing it Yuki instantly disappeared from the spot she was standing in.

[Sword slash]

With a spin on the foot Arata send another arc of fire behind him. It flight right into the place where Yuki appeared form her white crystal.

“Got you.”

When Arata saw that it went right into her, he already felt the victory because sword slash damage output was enormous and pretty much everything died from it in one hit. Still this time it was not the case.

Yuki exploded with silver-blue ice around her which turned into Armor. Also her sword started to release large amounts of energy. And also at the same time a small snow storm started whirl around her.

With this combination Yuki stopped Arata’s unlimited attack. The arc of fire was crushing with her sword for five seconds and was pushing her back but in the end it changed into an ice sculpture.

“You got to be kidding me.”

Arata did not believe his eyes. His everything eating mana spell was stopped. What was worse was that all effects that Yuki summoned did not end there. Although much of it melted there were still some pieces of ice armor around her body and the ice storm around her, was only getting stronger with time.

“It’s like right inside the mountains.”

Arata had an opportunity to go right into middle of the high mountains. It didn’t include only his little trip with Kotori when they were doing their class quests but in real as well. Still right now he was going back to the time where he was fighting against the Yeti boss. It was because the air that was cumulating around Yuki’s sword looked somewhat similar to the air that Yeti breathed from his month every 10 % of his life. Arata had hard time dodging it and many times he was turned into ice. Still because he had ring of frost that gave a lot of frost resistance the effect would disappeared in two seconds.

“That will help.”

Arata saw that Yuki is now fully ready for the battle. She slowly started walk in his direction and the snow storm with her. Arata turned on foot and started to run in opposite direction of her. It was a strategic retreat.

It turned out that Yuki’s spell didn’t limit her ability to move as she quickly started running after him. The distance was quite large however so she would not catch up to him.

While running Arata operated his inventory and equipped the ‘ring of frost’ but even after he equipped it, he didn’t plan to stop running just yet. It was not the right time to fight. After all Yuki just activated few large spells. They even managed to withstand Arata’s sword slash. Should Arata go back to fight now, he might die in that fight regardless of his frost resist the moment he enters the storm.

“In normal fight we were about even but when spells are added, I am on much worse standing.”

Arata calmly analyzed the situation, he needed to bring the fight into situation where he will have the advantage. The point in which Arata had biggest advantage over Yuki was his gaming experience. When Yuki was a newcomer who only knew how to fight and got lucky with her class, Arata was a player, who was best dps of the best guild of most popular MMO in the past.

Equipping frost ring was first step, now Arata was running around the within black arena with Yuki going after him. The situation continued for about 3 minutes but then Arata saw what he was waiting for. The ice armor of Yuki’s copy scattered into pieces first, and then few moments later the white katana stopped to release Yeti’s breath like aura.

“There is still the ice storm but I don’t have that much time left.”

Arata decided that the time to strike is now. The challenge didn’t have any time limit to it. It would end when one side dead. But there was a time limit for Arata. Since Arata drunk the potion of prohibited heroism, he had only 30 minutes left since then. He had less than half of that time.

“I will finish it fast, I just need to hit with it.”

[Sword enchant: wind]

Arata entered the ice storm and right away slashed with both of his sword at Yuki. She defended it with her sword then counterattacked. Arata completely ignored that and kept pressing with his attacks. Both of them got hit but none of them spilled blood the wounds would freeze right away. Seeing that Arata went into somewhat berserk mode and Yuki switched to defense just like Arata wanted.

“Even though it’s just a copy, the characteristics are the same.”

Knowing Yuki’s character he knew that she wouldn’t go into dps race with him. Still, Yuki still had some way of attack which Arata did not expect. Within the snow storm ice needle started to appear. They were circling around and sometimes hit Arata on the sides. They even managed to rip through his black cloak and armor.

Strike from the left, right, downward, upward. Even if Arata used two swords Yuki could defend against those with fast movements. Upon reflecting every attack she also could push back Arata’s sword as she used two hands and Arata only one. Still that was how battle between two sword style and one sword style would look like.

“Just a little more, faster, faster.”

Even though in ice storm, Arata’s body was on fire, he was no stopping with an assault. Even though he was the one that kept taking damage from ice storm it didn’t look like Yuki had an advantage. More like, she was struggling now and breathed heavy. Spells that were kept up for long period of time, would drain ones strength by a lot, not only their mana. In the first place, casting spells in EOA was not something one could do right away. You needed an impulse in your head for it. Not like with, basic magic, where you had to image it perfectly but still you needed to find a way to use it. For example, speaking inside your mind the name of the spell was one way to do it. Every way, would take a tool on your mind and consecration. Keeping up spells was even harder.

For the record Arata’s way was like if he had numberous bottoms inside his head and artificial hand that would click them. For him even since the beginning of the game using spells was the most natural thing to do.

Suddenly it happened. An opening in defense after Yuki’s parry was without the force. Just that single opening and Arata struck her in left side of the belly.

“Sorry.”

Even though it was just a copy the image before him was the same. What he was seeing was his cute little guildmate that would call him ‘Onichan’ with a great wound that he made.

“Sorry.”

Arata closed his eyes and.

[Sword slash]

The arc of wind cut Yuki’s body in half. Arata couldn’t afford to be sentimental right now but even though it was just a copy it’s still hurt him. Because he didn’t want to look at it, he closed his eyes but even in his mind he still saw it.

“Sorry.”

Although he didn’t see it, he heard as the white sword falling to the ground as well as other two sounds. The ice storm also ended which was a blessing for Arata because he didn’t have to confirm if Yuki is dead or not. Arata turned around and promised himself not to look behind.

[Trial of Adventurer stage two completed]

The middle gate from which Yuki came from was no longer in dark mist. Instead now it was shining with yellow light.

“I guess its end now and that is the way out.”

Arata wanted to get away from the scene behind him as fast as possible, so he quickly ran toward the light. When he entered it he was no longer in the black arena.

-I didn’t expect another visitor so soon.

Arata appeared in a place that looked a little like a library. Well there were a lot of books in there at least. He was welcomed by an old man who was sitting behind the desk. He had a gray beard and wore glasses. He was also wearing gray shirt with long brown winter coat on it even through it was sunny and warm inside.

-and who did I visit?

Arata answered as he really had no idea what was going on. Gerald told him that he will just receive the reward and be sent somewhere but there was nothing like treasure chest in sight.

“Don’t tell me I was already sent somewhere and didn’t get the reward.”

That was a possibility but the receptionist words calmed him down.

-number: 304, name: Arata. Profession: Twilight Swordsman, Sword Enchanter. Guild: Refrain. Ah, not only there were four of them but they are all from the same guild and two of them even have dual class. New guild with members like that, it’s also needs to be registered.

-what do you mean four?

-hmm…

The man looked stopped writing in some book and looked at him.

-unfortunately all informations that are here are classified, its personal data. Wait till I finish. This place is outside of space and time you won’t waste here any of second of your time.

-hey, explain to me what are you doing?

The man ignored him and went back to writing.

“I still can fire out one sword slash.”

Arata considered using it but the receptionist ended it quite fast.

-now, now are you ready?

-ready for what?

-can’t you read, look over there.

Arata looked at the wall to the left. The books on shelves created some kind of message.

-every adventurer who fully passes trial of adventurer is recorded in ‘those who fully passed trial of adventurer record’…

The first part explained what receptionist just did. The name of that record was especially interesting. Arata didn’t comment on that as he didn’t expect an answer. He read the second part.

-you are also here to choose the reward.

-ha, so you can read! It wasn’t that hard, was it? So many times people ask stupid questions even if the answer lay right before them.

-then less stupid question, what my number meant in your records and how do you have informations about me?

-that’s two questions. To second one I already answered and I won’t repeat myself. As for first one, it’s a simple ID number that I give to each person that was recorded there…

“That means that everyone who passed the trial was also given one. Then do my number 304 means that there were 303 other people who passed it?”

Arata didn’t ask because he didn’t expect the answer. The man continued.

-now let’s see what you got to choose from.

The man stood up from his chair went around the desk and press some kind of bottom on the left side of it. Three drawers opened. Arata looked inside.

“Class change, Stat increase, Skill upgrade.”

-those are the rewards I can choose from?

-yes, Sherlock…

To his stupid question Arata got a stupid answer. Although Arata could tell from the headings what each reward would give, it was only more or less he didn’t exactly know how it worked. To his surprise the receptionist started explaining.

-class change just as it says. It allows you to change your class to other. Class has to be of the same type you have so the strings of fate are not changed too much. Still you can’t change into any class but to one from the poll of ten. In the past you could change into any class up to rank 3 but because it took people way too long to decide, I change it into one of random ten. So are you interested in changing your class? If no, I won’t waste my breath to continue explaining the details.

-I am happy with my classes. Explain the other ones but do it quickly as I don’t have much time left.

-as I said this place is outside of space and time. Not even 1 second passed for you, you have time. Listen to what I say! I hate repeating myself!

-but you repeated yourself just now.

-just to get rid of you quicker…

“With this I don’t have to worry about potion effect.”

When he left the arena Arata had about five minutes left, if what man said was right which was in this place any timers are not moved then it was more than enough. He used different words that timers but that was how Arata pictured it. After all, the game shouldn’t be able to stop the time.

-the second as you may suspect increases your stats. The amount is 100 to one stat of your choice. Adventurer should know what stats are so I don’t have to explain that to you. And lastly, skill upgrade. Usually people mistake this one for leveling up their skill but that’s not it. What you can get is not level up on your skill but alerting its condition a little. Like increases damage output or range of attacks skills. Also speed of movement abilities or their range. Sometimes you can completely change the structure of your spell and it would be become something completely different, still the basis must be the same. As for universal upgrades that work on every spell there is coldown reduce if there is a coldown or simple cost reduce.

-you said cost reduce?

-you really playing on my nerves do you.

-no, no, I am not trying to make you repeat yourself but I am quite interested in cost reduce of spell.

After experiencing sword slash feast that Arata could pull off with the potion he would welcome a cost reduce for that skill. If he could use it twice instead of just once he would be able to do so much more.

-details about this one? It’s simple if your spell cost you 5% of mana or stamina it will now cost you 1%.

-then if it’s cost 100% of mana then it will cost 20%?

-not only can you read but also count you amazed me…

The receptionist wasn’t amazed but rather said that with sarcasm.

-so do you want it?

He asked expecting negative answer. He didn’t expect Arata’s reaction.

-YES!

Arata shouted to his ear.

-I didn’t expect it it’s an unusual request but it’s your choice. So which spell do you want to change??

-sword slash change its cost to 20%.

The receptionist took out the card from the third drawer and went behind the desk.

-choice of reward: Skill upgrade. Details: mana reduce for sword slash skill from sword enchanter tree.

He took out something that looked like rubber stamp and with it he hit at the book. The moment it hit, Arata was no longer inside the library.

-who are you!

-where did you came from!?

-is he an enemy?

-that doesn’t matter kill him! We can’t have any disturbances right now!

Before Arata even know what just happened he was welcomed by shouts. Thanks to Gerald’s previous information, Arata had an idea as to what happened.

“Really there should be some notification about that.”

Arata was just brutally send somewhere by the receptionist who didn’t say anything and now out of sudden.

-hmm?

Arata looked around and spotted four men running at him with weapons.

“At least it’s not a dragon lair.”

[Sword slash]

[Sword slash]

[Sword slash]

[Sword slash]

Yes, Arata had enough of fighting for today. The four men were cut in half in second. He could use four sword slash because right now the cost was both reduced from the potion and from his reward.

“Yep, it’s work.”

Arata also did that because he wanted to test it. He could look inside the spell book but this way it was way much entertaining.

“Now where am I?”

Arata once again looked around. He was in some kind of cave but it looked like it wasn’t too deep underground as he could see the exit few meters to the right and the light coming through there. There also were two other entrances which to Arata seemed like a way deeper underground. There were a lot of bodies lying around here.

“Looks like some bandit’s hideout. Lucky I got close to the entrance or rather really lucky that it isn’t dragon lair.”

Arata took quite seriously vision as where he can end up after the challenge.

“After all this I won’t die today, yupi!”

Arata celebrated his victory. He didn’t think it will end up like this but it did.

“All that was left was to leave this cave and log out.”

Because he didn’t want to logout here as he would once again had to fight against bandits who as Arata thought would respawn by the time he log back he decided to walk out from there and then log out.

-help! I am here!

But just as he was about to do it he heard a shout coming from somewhere.

“Did I hear right?”

Arata looked behind and spotted a cabin.

“I don’t have time but if it’s some quest that I can grab, I better get it.”

Bandits kidnapped the daughter of miller and held her captive. Arata already had a scenario in his head.

Because the cabin was closed on padlock, he slashed it open. Inside it there was a girl with long curly light hairs. She wasn’t wearing something that a miller’s daughter would wear but rather someone experienced with magic. Nevertheless Arata’s scenario was not change. Miller’s daughters also can be magicians after all. But when he expected words of thanks he rather got a question.

-who are you?

The girl asked.

“To get the quest I need to play it right.”

-your rescuer.

-but you don’t look like knight or prince.

-ah its class quest then, never mind, sorry for interference.

“I would probably need a class of knight or prince. I wonder what the characteristic of prince class are.”

Arata thought to himself but then the girl asked.

-what are you talking about?

-listen I only have few minutes left so just wait for someone with right class for your quest. See you.

Arata tried to cut the talk but then he was met with laughter.

-haha, wait, do you think I am NPC?

“That is a strange reply?”

-wait you are not!

-ah this look on your face! Hahaha.

And now she was laughing at him.

-wait, wait, wait! There were four bandits here whom I just killed and now I rescued someone trap by them. How can it be any other than a quest and how can you be anyone other than a miller’s daughter.

Arata tried to explain his reasoning. Mostly because the girl was laughing at him.

-haha, it does really look like a quest, doesn’t it? Well, that’s how it was supposed to look I guess. But there aren’t any quests here or any miller’s daughter but only I. Also about those bandits you mentioned, those also were players.

-did I just mistake players with bandits as some blue headed newbie… no never mind.

Arata talked his thoughts out loudly.

-hahaha, you are strange.

The girl laughed at him again.

-you are not the first one who is telling me that.

-with hairs like that it’s given, although they suit you.

-is it a complement or you are saying I am strange in general?

-probably both.

-eh

-you look cool with them so don’t mind. Anyway my name is Yume.

-yes, mine Arata. Sorry to cut it short but I need to log out in minute so I don’t have much time for a chit chat.

-eh it’s a pity, well I won’t stop you if you are in hurry. Still if you ever want to talk with me you can easily find me in elven district coffee shop ‘Just a minute’.

-I don’t know what elven district you are talking about.

-the one in Karma.

-Karma?

Arata answered.

-wait, don’t tell me you don’t know what Karma is?

Yume asked surprised.

-as far as I remember it’s, when you do bad things, bad things happens to you and when you do good things, good things happens to you. Something like that.

-hahaha.

The girl once again laughed at his comment. Still Arata really didn’t have time for a chit chat.

-I really out of time so should we meet again you can tell me about it, bye.

Arata turned around and started to run for the exit. Yume shouted.

-Karma is the name of closest city in this region!

-thanks!

Arata shouted back without looking. He quickly arrived at the entrance, through it he saw that the cave was inside some forest.

Forest like any other although it was in colors of red, yellow and brown as if the fall has come to this region. In that forest Arata spotted a figure in brown cloak quickly running through the trees.

Arata stopped at the entrance to the cave. In that moment it looked like the black figure has spotted him. Arata could easily say that because when that happened, two small hands went out in the open and they were holding two ruby swords. In general the figure was quite small, barley higher from Yuki who was 12 years old kid.

“It’s not because of me, is it?”

Arata for a second considered if the figure really took out it’s sword to attack him but he had nothing to do with that figure. Still the more he waited the more it looked like the figure is rushing to attack him so Arata took out his swords.

“Better get ready.”

Arata forgot about everything and prepared for another battle. Today his instincts were telling him that everything wants to kill him. He fought for far too long today already.

They were not four meters apart from each other. Arata had the timing for attack already prepared but then the brown figure speed up by at least twice amount in last few steps.

“Here”

The attack was a rocked with one sword pointed forward. With surprise in speed the last meters it was bound to hit. Still Arata parried it away to the top. After countless battles his body right now would not fall for surprises anymore and there would be not a second of delay in his reactions. His eyes could perfectly read the opponent movements.

The opponent attacked with other sword from the left. Arata parried it with his free sword. Then he attacked with other. Opponent easily dodged that by moving left then thrusted forward with right sword. Arata twisted his body so the strike went right before his belly. With his forward hand he tried to attack at opponent’s front sword.

“With this it will be… What?”

With that attack Arata was sure that he will knock away one of opponent weapon. It was one of his moves that he learned from grandfather which would work against anyone who saw it for the first time and didn’t know the counter. Arata wanted to end it fast. But this time, the opponent had a perfect counter. It was as if the brown figure saw that attack many times and defended against it many times. It was a perfect counter that Arata would use in case someone else used that technique against him. The counter was thought to him by his grandfather.

To counter, instead of moving back the hand. One had to move the whole body forward and twist the arm to avoid the strike. After that one would have a perfect opportunity to strike right at opponent shoulder. That was exactly what the brown figure did a second later.

“As if I let you.”

This time before even brown figure started the attack Arata moved his sword up to block it. It was not that he saw through the opponent, it was rather that he expected the worst and tried to prevent that. The strike was coming but Arata guard was going to be set before it come. But in a moment when Arata’s black sword was going to pass by his shoulder in height it happened.

The vision of Arata blurred. Movement of his hand stopped. The knees supporting his body started to bend.

The ruby sword of brown cloak figure hit at Arata’s shoulder. Its barley spilt the blood because Arata’s black coat had extra layer on shoulders. Still after that blow Arata started to fall.

The brown figure surprised to what happened stopped just for a second. But that didn’t last long as before Arata fall to the ground his head was cut off from his body.

Soon enough the darkness clouded his vision and the following message that he didn’t see for so long appeared.

[You have died.]

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