The spear struck like thunder.
Kael barely managed to roll aside as the obsidian weapon buried itself into the earth where he had stood. Stone shattered. Dust erupted. And behind the smoke stood the dark figure, his glowing red eyes locked onto Kael like a predator savoring its prey.
[Warning: Opponent's Power exceeds safe combat range. Escape Recommended.]
[Override Available: Temporary Skill Boost – Cost: Vitality Reduction]
[Use Now? Y/N]
Kael's breath came fast, his heart hammering against his ribs. He had fought monsters—but this was something else. A true warrior. A corrupted swordsman—or no, a Dreadlancer, born of shadow and hellfire.
"Escape…?" Kael muttered, tasting blood in his mouth. "No. If I run now, I'll never stop running."
[Override Accepted – Activating Boost]
Pain lanced through his spine as golden light flared across his veins. His vision blurred, but when it returned, he could feel the change. His muscles coiled tighter. His sword hummed louder.
The Dreadlancer moved first.
A blur of black mist and steel, his spear danced like lightning, carving through the air. Kael blocked, parried, twisted—but even one glancing blow sent him flying back into a broken pillar.
"Too fast," he coughed. "Too strong…"
[Analyzing opponent… Weak point detected: Back left shoulder. Armor fracture from prior battle.]
Kael narrowed his eyes. "Got it."
He surged forward—faster than he thought possible—leaping onto broken debris to gain elevation. His sword slashed down in a glowing arc of light.
Steel met spear.
They clashed mid-air, sparks and dark mist flying. Kael gritted his teeth and shifted—his foot landed on the Dreadlancer's thigh just long enough to push off, flipping behind him.
The Dreadlancer turned—too slow.
Kael drove his blade into the cracked shoulder.
A howl erupted. Dark mist sprayed outward as the demon-wrapped warrior staggered.
[Critical Strike – -340 HP]
Kael didn't stop. With a roar, he followed up with a second slash, this time across the chest. His sword gleamed as it sliced through cursed armor like paper.
[Skill Triggered: Swordpath – Heaven's Arc Lv.1: Deal 150% damage with next swing.]
Kael struck true.
The Dreadlancer fell, impaled into the ruined floor. His form twitched… then dissolved into shadow.
[Victory: +800 XP]
[Item Acquired: Abyssal Spear Shard]
[System Upgrade Unlocked – Choose Path Branch: Martial Ascendant / Magicborn Adept]
Kael collapsed to one knee, breathing hard. The system screen hovered, waiting for his decision.
Martial Ascendant. The path of the blade, strength, body, and speed.
Magicborn Adept. The path of elemental control, spellcraft, and arcane devastation.
He hesitated.
"…Why not both?"
Suddenly, the interface flickered.
[Hidden Trait Detected: Dual Soul Core]
[New Path Unlocked: Hybrid Class – Arcanoblade Initiate]
[You are the first to unlock this path.]
Kael stared at the glowing panel. "First…? Then I'm not the only one with the System?"
A soft light flickered in the sky above. Not crimson like the Rift—but white. Pure. Divine.
From the clouds descended wings. Six of them.
An angel.
Her voice echoed through the heavens.
"System-Bearer… You are not alone. But you are the only one who can stop what's coming."