In the center of the arena, six people faced off. These were the participants of Match 62.

Madokwang stepped forward, casually resting his sword on his shoulder.

His stride was bold, exuding open confidence.

"So, it’s come to this."

His voice echoed through each waiting room. As in every match before, Madokwang spoke a few casual words—taunts.

"If you’d just come to my room and begged, I might’ve spared you."

As he scratched himself in an unsavory manner, his casual words sounded like vulgar, lewd insinuations.

“…”

Eun Seoryeong blatantly ignored him. She didn’t feel his words were worth a response.

In fact, she was struggling to hold back. Her hands itched to run up to Madokwang and drive a sword through his heart.

"It’s a shame I have to let those breasts and hips go."

Madokwang’s gaze traveled over Eun Seoryeong. He spoke with such certainty in his voice, confident in his victory, that Baeksong frowned.

"Aren’t you being a bit too arrogant?"

"Arrogant? I’m simply stating the facts."

Madokwang’s lips curled into a twisted smile as he sneered at Baeksong.

"Do you really think you can beat us? Especially with that Earthling on your team?"

Baeksong glanced back. The Error Player quietly listened to Madokwang’s taunts without reaction. Was he unfazed? With the Error Player staying silent, Baeksong found it awkward to intervene on his behalf.

‘…Why does that guy think he can beat Oh Daehyup anyway?’

Knowing the Error Player’s true identity, Baeksong couldn’t understand Madokwang’s confidence.

‘…Maybe he doesn’t know that Oh Daehyup is a Black Dragon?’

If that was the case, it would make sense.

"Let’s cut the chatter here!"

Blinky interjected, stopping the players.

"Decide on your first fighter!"

They wouldn’t all fight at once. One fighter from each team would step up, engaging in a one-on-one duel. If the lead fighter lost, the second fighter would step up, and if they lost, the captain would take over.

If the captain lost, the team would be eliminated and face death.

"Lead fighters, step forward!"

Eun Seoryeong’s team had already decided on their order.

"Baeksong Dojang, don’t push yourself too hard. If things get difficult, just pass it to me."

Eun Seoryeong patted Baeksong on the shoulder as he prepared to go first, offering him encouragement. In truth, she was subtly advising him to pull back if it got too tough.

Baeksong took her words to mean that he should give his all without worrying about what came next.

The other two members of the team moved back to the edge of the arena.

The lead fighter on the opposing team was also decided. It was Ak Ilsan, the Bloody Axe.

He dragged a large axe as he stepped forward. Even at a glance, he was an intimidating figure.

"Alright! Let’s get started, everyone place your bets!"

Since most people expected Madokwang’s team to win, the odds were low.

"Let’s begin!"

With Blinky’s shout, the match started.

"Haahp!"

Ak Ilsan lunged at Baeksong, swinging his axe down with a powerful force, sending a fierce wind in its wake.

Baeksong deftly deflected the axe and then unleashed a technique from the Seven Plum Blossom Sword Style.

Plum Blossom Bee. The sword, enveloped in a faint pink aura, shot toward Ak Ilsan’s shoulder.

"Ugh!"

Ak Ilsan quickly pulled back his shoulder, barely avoiding a direct hit, though the lingering aura slashed across his shoulder.

Blood sprayed.

"Is the nickname ‘Bloody Axe’ because your clothes get soaked in your own blood?"

Baeksong taunted Ak Ilsan openly as he continued his assault.

The pink aura traced a line with each slash, creating plum blossoms in its wake, which left the Error Player watching in awe.

‘…Just swinging a sword. How is this even possible?’

Petals don’t scatter from bare ground. Unless someone scattered them, that is.

So, this wasn’t reality but an illusion. With a bit of focus, he could make out the distinction.

‘…Good thing I heard about this.’

Kim Min-seong had informed him that Hwasan’s techniques were called phantom swordsmanship.

If the Error Player hadn’t known this, he would’ve been completely baffled by what was happening.

Pink petals. The plum blossoms tore and slashed Ak Ilsan like blades.

"Argh!"

Ak Ilsan couldn’t block every petal. Shielding his face with his thick arms and swinging his axe wildly was all he could do.

【1】

His health plummeted and eventually, he collapsed.

"Next!"

Madokwang’s confidence took a hit as his teammate failed to defeat Baeksong. The next fighter from his side also lost without much resistance.

Madokwang clicked his tongue as he watched them fall.

"Useless trash."

That’s all second-rates were, after all. He hadn’t expected much.

Even so, he hadn’t lost confidence. Instead, he laughed maniacally as he summoned his killing intent.

"I’ll kill you all."

Madokwang gripped his sword, lowered his stance, and charged forward.

Flashing Blade Demon. His nickname wasn’t just something he earned from gambling.

"…!"

His sword flashed as he slashed across Baeksong’s chest. His robes were torn, and blood splattered.

‘…I couldn’t even see it.’

Realizing the gap in their abilities, Baeksong retreated with a grim expression.

‘To help, even if only a little…’

In the duel, death was prevented by the Soul System. As long as one’s defeat wasn’t absolute, injuries would heal, regardless of severity.

Baeksong gathered his courage. He extended his sword, hoping to chip away at Madokwang’s health.

But he couldn’t land a hit.

"Keh heh."

Madokwang sneered, slicing away at Baeksong’s robes with near-perfect precision. It was a technique close to godlike mastery.

Baeksong was torn between grabbing his fallen clothing and wielding his sword. His mind was in chaos.

At that moment, Eun Seoryeong called out.

"Baeksong Dojang, that’s enough. Step back."

Eun Seoryeong leaped forward. Baeksong was now disqualified from fighting.

"Oh? When the next fighter steps in, the previous one automatically loses. Baeksong, please leave the arena."

Baeksong stepped back, feeling a mix of gratitude and guilt for Eun Seoryeong’s intervention.

Contrary to Baeksong’s self-reproach, Eun Seoryeong, who had been waiting anxiously, was relieved. She had worried Baeksong might win too soon.

"Shall we continue?"

"Go ahead!"

Eun Seoryeong pointed her sword.

"Coming at me directly, huh?"

Ignoring Madokwang’s question, Eun Seoryeong launched herself forward.

Sun-Shooting Sword Technique. Huye Shoots the Sun.

Like the arrow Huye shot toward the sun. Moving faster than light, she thrust her sword at Madokwang’s heart.

Pssht! "Ugh!"

In a split second, he rolled to the side, barely avoiding instant death.

Though he lost a chunk of flesh from his shoulder, he survived.

Sighs of relief escaped from the waiting rooms. The Murim fighters, familiar with Eun Seoryeong’s skill, exhaled in relief.

"This won’t be easy."

Madokwang stood up, grimacing as he realized how dire the situation was.

Eun Seoryeong resumed her stance.

"Flashing Blade Princess? No, Mad Dog of Jeomchang. Do you only know that Sun-Shooting technique?"

"It’s the only one I need. Besides, it’s a bit difficult to master."

Eun Seoryeong grinned, her normally calm expression taking on a ghostly, fierce quality.

"That title, ‘Princess,’ seems wasted on you."

"I never asked for a fancy title. It’s just what the martial world calls me."

"…"

"Personally, I prefer Mad Dog of Jeomchang."

A more fitting title for someone who charges into danger like a rabid dog. Losing an arm had only made her Sun-Shooting technique even more grotesque. The nickname “Flashing Blade Princess” no longer suited her.

Eun Seoryeong charged again. A rapid, invisible thrust.

Blocking was impossible. Even dodging was becoming difficult.

Cornered like a trapped rat. Just when it looked like desperation from an outsider’s perspective—

Madokwang used his artifact. At the exact moment when Eun Seoryeong’s technique hit his right shoulder.

[Thorn Armor][D] Category: Artifact Stats ▼ 【Health: +5】 【Durability: 1/3】 Option ▼ 【Thorns Lv.3】 Reflects 30% of damage received from an opponent's attack.

Eun Seoryeong’s eyes widened. She hadn’t realized until too late that Madokwang hadn’t tried to dodge.

“Damn…!”

Her sword failed to pierce his shoulder. The artifact’s effect reflected her damage back at her.

"Kyah!"

Overwhelmed by the sharp pain radiating from her shoulder, Eun Seoryeong dropped her sword.

Madokwang seized the moment. He pounced on her as eagerly as he’d grope a woman.

He lunged forward, charging at Eun Seoryeong with the swiftness that earned him the nickname Flashing Blade Demon.

Pssshk!

Completely unguarded and without her sword, Eun Seoryeong took the blow. Her expression twisted in pain.

She checked her health.

【1】

If it weren’t for the Soul System preventing death during the match, Eun Seoryeong would have truly died. A chill ran down her spine.

"Heh, finally realizing the situation?"

Madokwang withdrew his blade and laughed, looking down at the now kneeling Eun Seoryeong.

‘Seems like you’re realizing now that you could actually die here.’

[The durability of Thorn Armor has reached 0.] [Thorn Armor has been destroyed.]

Though he lost his artifact, Madokwang didn’t mind. He had taken down Eun Seoryeong.

Without her, he could easily eliminate the rest of the opposing team, even if it included an Earthling. Even in his worn-down state, he didn’t consider an Earthling a threat.

Madokwang twirled his sword and tapped her chest with the tip.

"If you’re going to die anyway, why not give me a look at what you won’t need anymore?"

"Shut up."

Eun Seoryeong brushed off his attempt to strip her with the sword and managed to stand back, retreating with difficulty.

“…Oh Daehyup.”

With an apologetic look, Eun Seoryeong bowed her head slightly. For all her confidence, the result had been humiliating.

“…”

Without saying a word, the Error Player stepped forward and faced Madokwang.

Madokwang looked him up and down, his gaze appraising.

An Earthling. A guy who looked physically fit but otherwise unimpressive.

A crooked smile formed on Madokwang’s face. The thought of killing him amused him.

"Got any last words? Your team’s only hope, Eun Seoryeong, just lost miserably."

From the team’s chosen lineup, Madokwang could gauge their strategy.

They had started with Baeksong, a skilled fighter, to assess Madokwang’s team. Then, Eun Seoryeong, their best fighter, would handle the rest and secure victory.

‘The Earthling is just decoration. A burden they hoped would never have to fight.’

For Eun Seoryeong’s team, sending in the Earthling meant things had reached a dire point. Death loomed near.

‘And I’m the one holding the sword.’

With a smirk, Madokwang lunged at the Error Player.

Flashing Blade Demon. Not as fast as light, but quick enough to be hard to follow.

The Error Player settled into an awkward stance. It left plenty of openings.

Madokwang's sword slashed like lightning.

Clang!

Their swords clashed, sparking fiercely.

Madokwang clearly held the advantage in strength. After a single clash, he could easily overpower him.

“…?”

But something didn’t add up. Madokwang stepped back and scrutinized the Error Player.

‘…How did he keep up?’

Madokwang was a first-rate warrior. Although not at the peak, he was skilled enough to command respect in the martial world.

Ordinary opponents would have fallen to a single strike from him. The same should apply to an Earthling.

But how? How had the Error Player matched him?

‘It must’ve been a fluke.’

It was easier to assume it was luck rather than entertain the absurd idea that an Earthling kept pace with him.

Madokwang steadied his sword stance again.

Thud!

He sprang forward, his sword twisting like a snake, aiming for the Error Player’s neck.

In a brief moment, he glanced at Baeksong and Eun Seoryeong, recovering in the distance.

‘…Why aren’t they worried?’

Were they not afraid of death? If this Earthling lost, they would perish.

Clang!

A harsh clang snapped Madokwang back to focus. The Error Player had deflected the blade to protect his neck.

"Agility 30 is sufficient. First-rate warriors typically have 30 strength, agility, and endurance, right?"

“…What did you say?”

A chilling killing intent radiated from the Error Player, and an instinctual fear made Madokwang take a step back. Something warned him.

‘I… I’ll die!’

Madokwang quickly retracted his blade and leaped backward.

“Hah, hah.”

He took deep, shuddering breaths.

"Why?"

He couldn’t understand the sensation he’d just experienced.

Grinding his teeth, Madokwang was furious. The thought of feeling fear toward a mere Earthling enraged him.

"Arrgh!"

He shouted to shake off his fear. His trembling legs steadied, preparing to charge in again.

"You bastard!"

The martial arts world’s unorthodox fighters curse for one simple reason:

Out of desperation to win. With eyes wide open, Madokwang swung his sword at the Error Player. Not even using a formal technique, just a wild horizontal slash.

"Oh!"

The Error Player let out a small exclamation. It was the kind of reaction you’d see from a student using basic English to communicate with a foreigner for the first time.

Clang! Clang!

Despite his innocent reaction, the Error Player blocked every one of Madokwang’s strikes.

"D-damn it!"

Growing desperate, fear started to creep up on Madokwang.

Speed is paramount for a swordsman who specializes in swift strikes. If they’re slower than their opponent, they might as well be dead.

‘I still have the advantage in strength.’

Even if he was slower, his strength was superior. That much was clear.

‘…But what does it matter?’

Doubt. Doubt in himself. The beginnings of inner demons.

“Grr!”

Madokwang shook his head, barely suppressing the fear.

He couldn’t let an Earthling get to him. That would be a disgrace.

"This is getting dull."

The Error Player spoke in a calm tone, showing no signs of fatigue. They had already exchanged numerous blows.

"Y-you!"

Anger. It was now a matter of pride. The humiliation of being publicly humiliated by an Earthling—he couldn’t just let it slide.

“Arghhhh!”

Innate True Qi.

‘I won’t die here.’

The Error Player wasn’t the only one who had thought of using the Tower of Struggle and Soul System to their advantage. Madokwang, too, had found a way.

Not dying here meant he could use all his true qi and recover later.

A crimson aura surrounded Madokwang’s blade, dripping like blood.

With a childlike curiosity, the Error Player asked,

"What’s that?"

"You won’t live long enough to find out!"

Madokwang dismissed his question and stomped forward.

Boom!

The ground dented. The raw force was unlike anything the Error Player had seen.

"Die!"

Madokwang thrust his sword forward.

Instant Kill Blade Technique. Instant Kill Slash.