The moment Justin stepped through the exit portal, the world around him changed again.
Gone were the ruins of Floor One.
Gone was the bloodstained battlefield and the echo of Gutrend's dying roar.
In its place stood a vast obsidian hall—silent, sleek, and filled with blades.
Dozens—no, hundreds—lined the walls. Short swords, spears, axes, strange double-edged daggers. Some hovered midair, suspended by invisible force. Others were embedded in stone, glowing faintly like relics from a lost era.
Justin stood still, eyes scanning everything.
"Welcome to Floor Two," Hakuda's voice chimed softly.
"Designation: Trial of Choice. Objective: Claim your path."
"Path?" he muttered.
"This floor doesn't test your strength. It tests your instinct. Every weapon holds a skill. Every skill shapes your class progression."
"And what if I don't want a class?"
"Too late, Assassin. You already made one."
Behind him, Matilda stepped through the portal and gasped. "What is this place…?"
"Pick your poison," Justin said.
[System Message]
Ascension Protocol Initiates Weapon Binding
Choose ONE Artifact Weapon from the Chamber
Once chosen, all others are sealed to you
Warning: The weapon shapes your future skills, affinities, and transformations
Justin slowly moved through the hall, eyes skimming the plaques beneath each weapon.
Bloodfang Spear – Bleed stacking, rage builds per wound inflicted
Specter Blades – Dual curved daggers, stealth boost, teleport slash
Bonecarver Scythe – Area control, soul drain per kill
Whisper Fang Katars – Speed-based, combo strikes, ghoststep
He stopped in front of a blade unlike the others.
It wasn't flashy. It was thin, black, almost invisible in the low light. Its name was etched not in gold, but red.
[Name: Silent Crescent]
Type: Daisho Blade
Skill Imprint: Deathline Slash – Strike through multiple enemies in a blink
Bonus Trait: Shadow Trace – Afterimage echoes your last attack 1s later
Weapon Class: Assassin-Unique
Grade: C
Binding: Permanent
Justin reached for it.
The moment his fingers touched the hilt, the world shuddered.
Dark energy surged into his arm, wrapping around his forearm like a living tattoo. The blade dissolved into black particles—then reformed as part of him. A symbol—two crescent daggers wrapped in a loop—branded itself into the back of his hand.
[Silent Crescent Acquired]
Skill: Deathline Slash (Cooldown: 15s)
Trait: Shadow Trace (Passive)
Speed +15
Critical Window Increased
Assassin Evolution Path Chosen
Behind him, Matilda chose hers.
The Chain Widow, a whip-dagger that split midair into four linked blades. It hissed as it bonded to her wrist.
"Guess we're officially freaks," she said, twisting the chain.
"Speak for yourself," Justin replied. "I was always like this."
Just then, the floor rumbled.
The chamber darkened. Lights flickered. A low chime echoed again.
[Warning: Player-Killer Event Active]
Location: Floor Two – Blade Chamber
Trigger: Weapon Binding Completed
Aggressive Players Have Been Released
The eastern door slammed open.
From the shadows stepped three figures—clearly human. Clearly players. But not friendly.
Their armor was jagged. Their faces masked. Each held a glowing weapon—claimed just moments ago.
The leader grinned behind his spiked helm.
"Look what we have here," he growled. "Two soft-spawns. Holding rare gear. That means loot."
"PVP?" Matilda muttered. "Already?"
Justin stepped forward, blade resting lightly in his hand.
"I've killed monsters."
He shifted into stance, one leg sliding behind the other.
"Killing people won't be harder."
(To Be Continued....)