Somewhere in the Pathway Realm, deep within the Poisoned Valley, two figures stood facing each other—glares sharp enough to draw blood.
"So why steal my kill?" Ren asked, taking a cautious step back.
"Relax," the handsome man replied with a lazy grin. "Name's Lin. You know what they say about you?"
"No," Ren said calmly, even as his left hand slowly slid behind his back, resting against the beast carcass strapped there.
"They say you're a smart one." Lin tilted his head. " But they also say you're a waste."
Ren didn't respond.
"But you know what I think?" Lin continued, smiling as if chatting with a friend. "I think you're going to die today. No matter what."
Ren's eyes narrowed.
"And don't take me for a fool," Lin added lightly.
"Me?" Ren asked, unease creeping into his chest. "Why would I do that?"
"You think I don't see what you're doing with your hand?" Lin chuckled. "Go on. I'm waiting. I'd really like to see how strong you'll be when you're done."
He paused, then sighed almost wistfully.
"You really are lucky, though."
As his words fell, two yellow katanas materialized in his hands, perfectly balanced, perfectly fitted.
Such luck.
Ren's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
First you steal my kill…
Now you're flaunting my reward?
No. He couldn't let this slide. Never.
Clenching his teeth, Ren pressed his palm against the dung beetle's corpse and activated his ability.
The body withered instantly.
[10 Primitive Points Gained]
[Stats Updated]
Strength: 28
Speed: 28
Defense: 28
Energy: 28
"Done already?" Lin said casually. "Good. Let's get back to business."
He activated his class.
Stone crawled across his skin, hardening, spreading, until his entire body looked like living rock.
"If you don't mind," Ren said, bending one leg and lowering his stance, "I'd like to know who ordered the kill."
"Who cares?" Lin replied.
The transformation finished.
He vanished in a burst of speed.
Katanas angled low, Lin appeared at Ren's side and slashed upward with the left blade.
Ren ducked under the strike, the wind of the blade grazing his hair, and drove his fist straight into Lin's chin.
Stone cracked.
Lin was launched into the air.
Ren leapt after him, twisting mid-air as he drove a punch toward Lin's chest.
The blow never landed.
Lin crossed both katanas over his chest, steel meeting fist with a deafening crack. The impact blasted Lin higher into the air, stone fragments scattering from his arms.
He spun smoothly, using the momentum to bleed off the force, and landed on his feet as if nothing had happened.
"What the hell…?" Ren muttered, clutching his fist, teeth clenched. What is this guy made of?
Lin spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground and grinned.
"Damn. That actually hurt." He rolled his neck once. "Alright. Let's make it a draw."
Lin stabbed the katanas on the ground and. He Moved.
Before Ren could react, Lin appeared in front of him and smashed a fist into his face.
Pain exploded.
Before Ren's body could even lift off the ground, Lin grabbed his arm, yanked him back down, and spun—hurling him like a ragdoll.
Ren flew through the air and slammed into a nearby tree.
The trunk shattered.
A crater bloomed outward as Ren crashed to the ground.
Groaning, he tore himself free from the shattered tree trunk, retracting his helmet as he spat blood to the side.
"And here I thought he was all talk."
"Tch… I really do need to touch him in other to survive this," Ren muttered.
"All right, friend," Lin said casually, stretching his arms. "Phase two."
The katanas vanished from the ground then reappeared in his hands.
He lunged.
Ren sidestepped—
—but the flat of the blade smashed across his face with explosive force.
Crack!
Ren's head snapped sideways, blood spraying from his mouth.
Before he could suck in air, the flat of the sword drove into his stomach.
Agony detonated through his core. His body folded, breath ripped from his lungs.
Ren coughed blood, vision shaking—
—but Lin wasn't finished.
The blade slammed down across Ren's back, lightning shooting through his spine as he was hurled into the ground.
He hit hard.
The world spun, dark creeping in at the edges.
Lin stepped down, planting his foot on Ren's shoulder, pinning him in place.
"Now," Lin said calmly, "what do you have to say in your final moments?"
Ren bared his teeth.
He pushed up with everything he had, ripping his left hand off the ground and slashing upward—
—but he missed.
Lin was already several meters away, grinning.
"Yes," Lin said. "That's the spirit."
Ren staggered to his feet and charged, slashing wildly.
Lin ducked and countered, smashing a bare fist into Ren's face.
Ren went tumbling sideways.
He rolled, skidded, and barely managed to regain his footing.
Under his breath, Ren whispered,
"Mission accomplished."
A translucent screen flickered into existence before his eyes.
Ding!
[Class Copied]
[Class Details]
Class: Transformer.
Name: Earthmancer.
Ability: Stone Skin.
"Huh?" Lin frowned. "What did you say?"
Ren straightened, rematerializing his face armor.
"Got you."
[Copied Class Activated]
Stone crawled beneath the armor, hardening, spreading—until Ren's body felt like living rock.
Lin charged, fist clenched.
The transformation finished.
Ren felt heavier. Stronger. Faster.
He grinned and braced.
Lin thrust a katana toward Ren's ribs—
—but Ren sidestepped and caught Lin's wrist.
"What—?"
Ren twisted, smashing his forehead into Lin's face.
The impact snapped Lin's head back.
Ren followed up instantly, driving his fist into Lin's side, forcing his body to curve.
Pivoting on his heel, Ren spun and hurled Lin into the air.
Ahh Ren shouted as he ran after Lin and jumped balled his fist he slammed them on Lin's stomach sending him crashing down towards the ground.
Landing after Lin Ren held his head and ran dragging Lin on the ground.
Lin's head dug the earth sending grass scattering towards the side as Ren ran dragging him. Reaching a tree Ren pulled him out and slammed him against the tree
Mimicking Lin's tone Ren said while smiking. "Now what do you have to say in your final moments?"
"Aaah!" Ren roared as he chased after Lin.
He leapt, balled his fists together, and slammed them into Lin's stomach.
The impact drove Lin straight into the ground.
Ren landed a heartbeat later, seized Lin by the neck, and ran—dragging him across the earth.
Lin's head plowed through soil and grass, dirt and roots scattering as Ren charged forward.
Reaching a tree, Ren wrenched him up and smashed him against the trunk.
The bark cracked.
Mimicking Lin's earlier tone, Ren smirked.
"Now what do you have to say in your final moments?"
"Aww—come on, man," Lin said weakly, blood dripping from his lip. "Chill."
Ren's fingers tightened around Lin's throat.
"Last chance," Ren said coldly. "Who sent you?"
Instead of answering, Lin suddenly spoke toward the empty air.
"Don't you guys think this is enough?"
Ren's eyes narrowed.
"Death it is, then."
He stretched out his free hand.
Claws burst forth.
"Wait."
A voice rang out.
Ren's hand froze mid-strike.
He looked up slowly, a sharp grin spreading across his face.
"You finally have the guts to show your face, huh?"