The air inside the Blade Chamber thickened as the three killers stepped forward.
Justin didn't move.
Neither did Matilda.
There was a standoff kind of stillness in the room now—like the game itself was holding its breath.
Then the leader of the attackers laughed—a cruel, guttural sound that echoed off the walls.
"You two think you're special? You got lucky clearing Floor One. Real players kill to climb."
"Funny," Justin said softly, flicking his blade once. "I was just thinking the same about you."
That did it.
The largest of the trio—an axe-wielder with a mohawk and glowing red gauntlets—charged.
"You're first, rat!"
Justin didn't wait for impact.
He disappeared.
[Shadow Step: Activated]
One blink—and he was behind the attacker.
"Too slow."
His blade flashed.
[Deathline Slash – Activated]
A black line carved the air, nearly invisible.
The axe-wielder stumbled.
Then three identical slashes appeared a second later—trailing afterimages, slicing through the player's side, hip, and exposed back.
[Critical Hit – 139]
[Shadow Trace Activated – Additional Damage: 92]
The attacker cried out, stumbling to one knee, blood splashing across the floor.
Matilda was already in motion.
Her chain blade unraveled with a whistle, spinning in wide arcs as she danced between the two remaining players. One raised a curved longsword to block, but the chain split mid-air—four hooked tips latching to his leg and dragging him down.
"You wanna dance?" she hissed. "Let's see your footwork."
Her blade bit down—twice—before she flipped and slammed it into his throat.
[Fatal Strike – Player Eliminated]
A red pulse shimmered as the body de-rezzed into glowing fragments, coins spilling in its place.
"One down," she said, panting. "How's your side?"
Justin kicked the kneeling axe-wielder's weapon away and pressed his blade to the man's throat.
"You're done."
"W-Wait—" the mohawked player begged. "Don't kill me! I'll drop my gear. Everything. Just let me respawn!"
Justin stared at him, unmoving.
"You knew the rules."
"Please—!"
"This world doesn't do mercy."
[Critical Execution – Player Eliminated]
The last killer—clearly their mage—backed away, trembling.
"I—I didn't sign up for this! I was just— They told me—!"
Matilda's chain snapped toward his staff.
Justin was already moving.
He pinned the mage against the wall, blade at his neck.
"Who sent you?"
"No one! I swear—We just heard there was a rare drop on this floor. That's it!"
Justin didn't blink.
"You sure?"
"YES!"
Matilda stepped closer, arms crossed, eyes sharp. "He's lying."
The mage whimpered. "We're not the only ones. Floor Two's crawling with PvP guilds. Some of them aren't even players. They're... pros."
Justin's eyes narrowed. "Pro assassins?"
"Hired by rich players in the real world. Contracts. If you've got the money, you can send someone in to kill competitors before they rise."
A long silence followed.
Matilda's jaw tightened. "So that's what this is. A death game with sponsors."
Justin stared at the mage for a moment longer.
Then pulled back.
"Go."
"W-What?"
"I said go. Before I change my mind."
The mage didn't wait. He bolted for the far end of the chamber, slipping through a half-cracked door.
Silence.
Then:
"That was merciful," Matilda said quietly.
"No," Justin replied. "It was strategic. He's scared now. He'll spread the word."
"About what?"
Justin turned, sheathing his blade.
"That the Lethal Assassin isn't someone you mess with."
[System Notification]
Player Reputation: Increased – Infamy Gained
Your name now appears on Floor Two's Player-Kill Watchlist
[Warning: Bounty placed on your head – 500 Gold]
New Achievement: Assassin's Mark (Rare)
> +3 Agility
> +1 Critical Chance
> Title Bonus: Hidden steps make less sound when within 10 meters of enemies
Matilda checked her own notifications. "So now we're targets."
"We were always targets," Justin replied. "Now they'll just come faster."
"You always this calm after killing people?"
He looked at her, eyes shadowed but steady.
"Only when it's necessary."
She nodded slowly. "Alright. Assassin and Ballerina, then. I've had worse partners."
He smirked faintly. "Let's not make it permanent. Partnerships don't end well in worlds like this."
"Then we survive long enough to prove that wrong."
(To Be Continued ....)