NOVEL WEB Chapter 52: Second Chance?
Initially, Ethan set out to follow the fragments to obtain the Element Spark. It was supposed to be fairly trivial. He had to find the monster, kill it, and obtain the element he needed.
The Thunder of Four Howls was a turning point for Ethan, where he realized who his target was — the Lost Knight.
But did he stand a chance against a Special Tier Creature?
To defeat an enemy of that level, he had to be at the edge of the First Circle, a Carrier who was just one step away from reaching the same level as the Ceremony Master, who was a Second Rank Carrier.
Obviously, that was not the case.
Moreover, the Lost Knight himself did not give the impression of a fearsome monster eager to kill and devour people like the Walking Crypt or the Crooked Growon.
He was an arbiter who set the rules and gave others a chance to prove themselves.
No one thought they could defeat the Lost Knight.
The Walking Crypt was nothing compared to the Lost Knight. It wasn't just that he obeyed the Lost Knight. The difference in strength between them was too great.
If Ethan, Sera, and the others, with Loena's help, could barely defeat the Walking Crypt, the Lost Knight could do it with two swings of his sword.
So, Ethan couldn't consider defeating the Lost Knight. He wasn't even sure he should fight him.
"Hmm, maybe it's even better this way, right?" Ethan pondered. "If the task of the finalists was to defeat the Lost Knight, we would all be dead by now."
When the Lost Knight awoke, he was surprised to see the final lineup of participants. There were fewer swordsmen than usual, yet more survivors.
For the same reason, only Klaus and Loena knew what to do, because the Lost Knight was the one who could resolve their conflict once and for all.
'I don't know what happened between Klaus and Loena, but I feel like Klaus is angry with her. They both mentioned some master. I'll have to ask him about it later.'
Then, Ethan smiled bitterly.
'Hah, if I get out of here alive, that is. So far, I have no idea how to do that.'
Cling.
Klaus and Loena pulled out the bells, preparing to ring them.
Before doing so, they looked at the Lost Knight, seeking his confirmation.
"Go on." The Lost Knight nodded. "You are not the first swordsmen to come here to resolve your long-standing conflict. Anyone would notice the anger, disappointment, and hope in your eyes."
With permission granted, Klaus and Loena rang the bells.
Then, they exclaimed simultaneously:
"I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL!"
The bells emitted blue pulses as the crystals inside shattered into glittering dust.
At the same moment, light burst from the ground, surrounding Klaus and Loena and gradually expanding, forcing the others to step aside.
A simple arena divided the group. Klaus and Loena found themselves inside, as did the Lost Knight, while Ethan, Aime, Sera, and Kael remained outside.
They could use their bells, but later, for another matter. Now, all they could do was watch how events played out.
'I see.' Ethan glanced at the dust at Klaus's feet. 'The bells aren't just a pass to the final stage, they're also a guarantee that the Lost Knight will accept one of the two demands.'
After that, he looked at Loena.
'The description mentioned a reward. Does that mean that if she wins, she'll get what was meant for Klaus? But... if the reward requires fighting the Lost Knight, does that mean she doesn't have to defeat him?'
Ethan tried to figure out the rules set by the Lost Knight. It was his only way to get the Element Spark and stay alive.
The situation was confusing, but the battle between Klaus and Loena would give him answers.
"Before you begin."
The Lost Knight waved his hand.
"May I ask if you are counting on a deadly outcome? You don't have to answer if you don't want to. Hah, let's keep the suspense going."
Klaus drew his sword, ready for battle.
"No! I just want her to understand what a mistake she made. She... She humiliated a master! He didn't deserve that after everything he did for us!"
In response, Loena prepared for battle as well, but she said nothing. Only coldness lingered in her eyes.
"What?" Klaus frowned. "Even now, you will remain silent?!"
"Hmm." The Lost Knight hummed. "You know the rules. Begin."
Without hesitation, Klaus and Loena sprang forward.
Under the gaze of the others, their swords clashed as a cascade of sparks flew before Loena's calm, blue eyes, as deep as Klaus's, but much colder.
They did not use their abilities, but the gears in their Constructs whirred without stopping.
It was a rule they had silently agreed upon: energy, no abilities, and pure fencing skill.
Neither Klaus nor Loena wanted to defeat each other through superior abilities or, even more so, by using external sources of power such as Artifacts and Products, except their swords.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
With each clash, the tension grew.
Klaus and Loena held nothing back, fighting at their peak. They blocked each other's every thrust, attacked as soon as a gap appeared, and parried attacks.
Naturally, everyone wanted Klaus to win, even Sera and Kael. They hadn't been allies for long, but it was more than they had with Loena.
'This is bad.'
Ethan came to a silent conclusion as he watched Klaus take a step back in several skirmishes.
'Their speed is the same, but she makes fewer mistakes. Her attacks are more accurate, dangerous, and rational in terms of distance.'
As if mirroring Ethan's thoughts, Loena lunged forward, getting too close.
Klaus's eyes widened in fear.
'NO!'
Slash!
Blood gushed from Klaus's chest, flooding the cold, moonlit ground at Loena's feet. The crimson drops ran down her blade as she stepped forward and aimed her sword directly at Klaus, forcing him to stay on the ground.
The winner was obvious.
"What are you going to do?"
The Lost Knight's voice rang out.
Loena turned, thinking the question was directed at her, but her eyes widened when she realized that the Lost Knight was not looking at her, but at Ethan.
The Lost Knight lifted his chin, as if a smirk was hidden behind his helmet.
"Of all the people here, you are the only one who has the power to change things, aren't you?"