Ye Tian's finger hovered above the trade offers list. Dozens of rare ores, skill scrolls, and blueprint bundles flashed before him like an endless river of temptation.
But one particular offer caught his eye.
[Offer: Flame Attribute Scroll (Rare)]
[Effect: Permanently grants flame attribute to any weapon, increasing attack power and adding burn damage.]
[Offered by: Akira Hoshino (Region 6723Z56)]
[Requested Item: M4A1 Assault Rifle]
Ye Tian leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "A flame attribute scroll... in the hands of ordinary players, it's just an enhancement. But if combined with my command system…"
His mind raced with possibilities. Infusing a modern weapon with flame attributes could create an entirely new class of weapon — a living nightmare for beasts and humans alike.
Liu Yulan glanced at the interface, shocked. "Isn't that a bit too… weak for a gun trade?"
Ye Tian only chuckled. "To others, yes. But to me, this is worth more than all the ores they offered."
[Confirm Trade?] [Yes] / [No]
Ye Tian pressed [Yes] without hesitation.
[Trade Successful!]
[Received: Flame Attribute Scroll (Rare)] [You have lost: M4A1 Assault Rifle]
A flash of light appeared before him as the scroll materialized. It radiated a gentle orange glow, as if flickering with a living flame.
"Now then… let's modify you," Ye Tian murmured.
> /modify scroll.attribute "Flame" → "Hellfire"
> /enhance scroll.effect "Attack Power +100%" "Burn Damage +500%" "Area Flame Shockwave"
[Command Points consumed: 150] [Remaining CP: 50]
The scroll pulsed violently, the orange light deepening into a vicious crimson glow. Even Liu Yulan felt her skin prickle with heat.
"You— You turned a normal flame scroll into a literal hell weapon…" she stammered.
Ye Tian laughed softly, his eyes burning with ambition.
Just as Ye Tian prepared to test the new enhancement, a sudden loud system chime rang out.
[Cross-Region Duel Challenge!] [Challenger: Akira Hoshino (Region 6723Z56)]
[Condition: Winner takes all. If defeated, all your possessions will belong to the challenger. Refusal will result in public shame and system penalties.]
Liu Yulan paled. "Akira… the one who traded the scroll! He tricked you!"
Ye Tian narrowed his eyes. "So he planned it all along. Smart, but not smart enough."
[Duel Countdown: 5 minutes]
[Battlefield: Frozen Arena, neutral ground.]
---
Ye Tian checked his stats calmly. His newly created Hellfire scroll hovered above his palm, awaiting binding to a weapon.
Liu Yulan grabbed his sleeve. "What if… what if you lose? They'll kill you! And… and me…"
He turned and placed a hand on her head gently. "I won't lose. You're under my protection."
As the final seconds ticked down, they were forcibly teleported into a massive circular arena of black ice and jagged frost pillars. The bitter cold stabbed like knives against the skin.
Across from Ye Tian stood Akira Hoshino — a tall, lean man clad in dark armor woven from beast scales and metal scraps. Behind him stood a few subordinates, their eyes filled with malicious glee.
Akira smirked. "Thanks for the rifle. But you're too naive, Ye Tian. You think you can dominate the world with tricks and cheats? Now you'll pay the price."
Ye Tian didn't answer immediately. He simply drew his iron spear, gripping the new Hellfire scroll in his other hand.
> /bind weapon.spear "Hellfire"
The spear erupted in roaring crimson flames. The temperature rose instantly, the ice beneath his feet sizzling into mist.
Akira's eyes widened in shock. "What—! You modified it even further?!"
Ye Tian's voice echoed, calm but carrying a terrifying authority. "You wanted to see my strength. Here it is."
The battle began explosively. Akira charged first, his blade crackling with lightning attributes, slicing toward Ye Tian's neck with shocking speed.
CLANG—!
The flaming spear blocked the strike, sparks and embers bursting like fireworks. Akira twisted, aiming a knee toward Ye Tian's ribs.
Ye Tian spun back and swept his spear horizontally, a flaming arc slicing the air. Akira leapt backward just in time, but the shockwave seared through his armor, burning his side.
"Impossible… how can fire cut through reinforced lightning armor?!" Akira howled.
Ye Tian advanced step by step, his flames growing fiercer, each swing shaking the entire arena.
Akira's subordinates tried to intervene, throwing ice javelins and charging with frost swords — but Ye Tian only smirked.
> /activate "Hellfire Shockwave"
A devastating blast of fire exploded outward in all directions. The attackers screamed, rolling on the ground, armor melting and ice vaporizing instantly.
---
Akira fell to his knees, gasping. His blade trembled in his hand, scorched and nearly shattered.
"You… monster… How did you…?!"
Ye Tian raised the tip of his spear to Akira's throat. The flames flickered dangerously close to burning his skin.
"Because," Ye Tian said softly, his gaze like an abyss, "I am the only one who writes my commands in this world."
[Duel Result: Victory!]
[Rewards: Frost Coins +500, Region Prestige +10, All enemy possessions seized.]
[Title Gained: Duel King — increases intimidation against other players, grants aura of fear.]
As Ye Tian stood tall, the frozen arena began to dissolve around him. Akira and his subordinates' bodies were turned into shimmering particles, forcibly logged out and stripped of all possessions.
Back in their base, Liu Yulan ran up and hugged him tightly, shaking.
Ye Tian only patted her head, his flaming spear still crackling beside him.
[System Notification]
[New Base Facilities unlocked: Weapon Forge, Defensive Wall (Level 1), Storage Room.]
[Upgrade requirements displayed.]
Ye Tian glanced at the interface calmly, ignoring the frantic storm erupting in the global chat, where his victory was now the top trending topic.
"Come at me, all of you. The real game has only just begun."