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Two weeks had passed since The Last Judgment began. The world, once orderly, had descended into a pit of chaos—fear and death became its rhythm. Cities crumbled, alliances formed and shattered in moments, and trust was as rare as the sun in an eternal storm.
Geon sat on a creaky wooden chair, chewing on a chunk of stale bread. Beside him, a half-empty bottle of water rested on the edge of the table, threatening to tip over. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to fuel the day ahead.
“Bland,” he muttered, swallowing the last bite and chasing it down with water. “But it’ll do.”
Stretching his arms overhead, he stood, his muscles taut from countless battles. His shadow, an ever-present companion, swirled at his feet, twisting and writhing like smoke caught in a breeze.
“You seem in high spirits today,” the shadow remarked, its voice tinged with amusement.
Geon cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the remnants of sleep. “Why wouldn’t I be? Another day, another chance to put someone six feet under.”
The shadow chuckled darkly, its form expanding briefly before coiling back at Geon’s feet. “And what’s the plan? More hunting, or are we just going to wander until something interesting happens?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” Geon replied. “Something always turns up.”
As if summoned by his words, a shimmering light enveloped the room. Geon froze, his instincts sharpening as a system notification materialized before him.
⚠️Notice⚠️
You are selected for The Arena.
Selected Players: 1000
Reward: Forbidden Box (Rarity: Legendary)
Geon’s eyes narrowed as he read the message, his mind racing. “The Arena?” he muttered, scratching his head. “I don’t even get a choice, huh?”
“Not this time,” the shadow confirmed, its tone laced with anticipation. It circled him like a predator, eager and restless. “But look at the reward... legendary. You’d be foolish not to fight for it.”
“Legendary or not,” Geon said, scanning the details again, “what exactly is this Arena? And why does it say 1,000 players?”
The shadow stilled, its movements ceasing as if out of reverence for the topic. “It’s exactly what it sounds like—a grand battlefield where every participant fights to the death. Only one will leave alive. Think of it as a purge, but with a shiny prize at the end.”
A grin spread across Geon’s face, his bloodlust surfacing. “Then it’s decided. Today’s going to be fun.”
The shadow mirrored his excitement, swirling faster as a new notification appeared.
⚠️Notice⚠️
Player selection complete. Transporting Players to The Arena...
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The air shifted. In an instant, Geon found himself standing in a snow-laden landscape, the cold biting at his skin. Towering walls enclosed the area, their icy surfaces glinting under a pale, overcast sky. The terrain was vast, a mix of dense forest, frozen rivers, and open tundras—a perfect hunting ground.
“Big,” Geon remarked, his breath misting in the air. “And completely closed off. It’s just one giant playground for carnage.”
“Nervous?” the shadow teased.
Geon’s grin widened, his crimson eyes gleaming with unrestrained hunger. “Not even close. I’m grateful. Let the slaughter begin.”
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⚠️Notice⚠️
Welcome to The Arena.
Kill or be killed. Good luck.
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The message vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving Geon to face the task ahead. Manifesting his Shadow into a sword, he stepped toward the edge of the forest.
The silence was oppressive, broken only by the crunch of snow underfoot. Every step felt deliberate, every breath measured. His senses sharpened, searching for movement among the trees. Then, the first sign of life emerged—a player clad in heavy furs, wielding dual hatchets.
Enemy Identified
Frostcleaver [LVL 62] Class Global Rank Kills Berserker
#377502 82
Frostcleaver spotted him, a wicked smile splitting his frost-bitten face. “Looks like fresh meat wandered into my domain,” he growled, his voice thick with arrogance.
Geon didn’t respond. Instead, he darted forward, his shadow surging ahead like a viper. Frostcleaver swung his hatchets, their edges glowing with icy enchantments, but Geon was faster.
The first exchange was brutal. Frostcleaver’s strength was undeniable, each swing of his hatchets carving deep grooves into the frozen earth. But Geon’s agility and shadow manipulation kept him one step ahead. With a feint and a counterstrike, Geon’s blade found its mark, slashing across the berserker’s chest.
Frostcleaver staggered, blood staining the snow beneath him. “You… bastard!” he roared, charging recklessly.
Geon sidestepped, his shadow tendrils lashing out to trip the berserker. As Frostcleaver fell to his knees, Geon delivered the final blow, his dagger plunging into the man’s throat.
Enemy Defeated
Frostcleaver [LVL 62]
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⚠️Notice⚠️
999 Players remaining.
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“First blood,” Geon muttered, wiping his blade clean. The shadow chuckled approvingly. “And so it begins.”
For hours, the battlefield was a blur of chaos. Geon moved like a specter through the forest, ambushing players with ruthless efficiency. Each encounter pushed him further, sharpening his instincts and honing his abilities. The Interface updated constantly, a grim reminder of the stakes.
⚠️Notice⚠️
750 Players remaining.
⚠️Notice⚠️
537 Players remaining.
⚠️Notice⚠️
219 Players remaining.
By the time the count reached double digits, Geon had leveled up significantly, his shadow abilities becoming second nature. He felt the power coursing through him, each kill a step closer to dominance.
Level Up!
Level Up!
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
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Player Profile: Demon Geon
Class Global Rank Level Kill Count Demon #300244 65 78
Health
4900/6500
Stamina
1500/3400
Energy
1700/2900
Distribute Stat Points (0)
Power
300
Strength, affecting the damage of physical attacks.
Defense
150
Resistance, reducing the impact of incoming attacks.
Stamina
200
Endurance, dictating how long the player could fight or move before exhaustion set in.
Agility
200
Speed, improving reflexes and movement.
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After Geon replenished his Health, Stamina and Energy, the last notification he will possibly see popped up.
⚠️Notice⚠️
2 Players remaining.
"Seems like its the finale, let's wrap this up." Geon exclaimed in full confidence.
But the Arena wasn’t done testing him yet. As Geon stepped into a clearing, he was met with a sight that stopped him in his tracks—a hulking figure clad in blackened steel, a massive warhammer resting on their shoulder.
Enemy Identified
Ironbreaker Mark [LVL 70] Class Global Rank Kills Juggernaut
#240116 144
The Juggernaut’s voice boomed across the clearing. “You’ve made it far, but this is where your story ends.”
Geon’s grip tightened on his Shadow Sword, his shadow swirling with anticipation. “We’ll see about that.”
Ironbreaker wasted no time, charging with the force of a freight train. The ground trembled beneath his steps, the sheer weight of his presence suffocating. Geon dodged the initial swing, the warhammer crashing into the ground with enough force to create a crater.
The battle was intense. Ironbreaker’s strength was monstrous, his attacks capable of leveling trees and sending shockwaves through the air. But Geon was relentless, using his agility and shadow manipulation to evade and counter. Tendrils lashed out, seeking to bind the Juggernaut, but he shattered them with brute force.
As the fight dragged on, Geon’s stamina waned. He knew he couldn’t afford a prolonged battle. Channeling the last of his energy, he activated Dark Temper, his Shadow Sword now stronger than ever. With a burst of speed, he closed the distance, dodging Ironbreaker’s final swing and driving his blade into the Juggernaut’s chest.
Ironbreaker staggered, his warhammer slipping from his grasp. “Impossible…” he gasped, falling to his knees.
Geon stood over him, his breathing ragged. “Nothing’s impossible,” he said, plunging the blade deeper.
The Juggernaut collapsed, his body dissolving into particles.
Enemy Defeated
Juggernaut Mark [LVL 70]
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⚠️Notice⚠️
1 Player remaining.
You are the last player standing. Congratulations.
Granting reward...
💡Item(s) Acquired!
Forbidden Box
Rarity: Legendary
Redeem for a random item.
As the Arena faded, Geon found himself back in the real world, the shadow swirling around him triumphantly. “You’ve surpassed expectations,” it said, its tone dripping with satisfaction. “But this is just the beginning.”
Geon smirked, holding the Forbidden Box in his hands. “Let’s see what’s inside.”