Their swords locked in a struggle of power, Zuol-Ki and Jeok-Myung remained in a deadly dance, neither giving an inch. Each of them was trying to anticipate the other's movements, each trying to gain the upper hand. The fight was far from over. But just as Zuol-Ki was gathering his strength for another round of attacks, an abrupt force whistled through the air, pushing them apart.

Zuol-Ki stumbled back, barely maintaining his footing. He looked around, confusion clouding his eyes. The force hadn't come from Jeok-Myung; it was external, a sudden intrusion that had disrupted their duel.

And then he saw him.

A man of formidable stature stood a few feet away from them, draped in a robe that seemed to shimmer under the pale moonlight. His eyes were hidden under a wide-brimmed hat, but even without seeing them, Zuol-Ki could feel the weight of his gaze.

The newcomer raised a hand, a motion that held both power and authority. An unmistakable aura of strength and wisdom emanated from him, making even the tumultuous battlefield fall into an uneasy silence.

"Enough," his voice echoed, deep and resonant.

Both Zuol-Ki and Jeok-Myung stiffened at the command. The man's voice was calm but firm, leaving no room for argument.

Jeok-Myung lowered his sword, bowing slightly towards the man. "Master," he greeted, his tone solemn.

Zuol-Ki eyed the interaction with a growing suspicion. This was the man Jeok-Myung called 'Master'? The one he'd mentioned earlier at the outpost? Why was he here now, in the midst of their fight?

The questions swirled in Zuol-Ki's mind as he gripped his sword tighter, his gaze shifting warily between the two men. He had no idea who this man was, but he knew he was dangerous.

As he continued to watch the exchange, a feeling of dread washed over him. He was not just facing his past killer now; he was dealing with an unseen force, an entity he had no knowledge of. The sense of danger was palpable.

His eyes darted to the system screen hovering in his peripheral vision. No new choices had been given yet. He was, for now, left to his own devices in this escalating situation.

"Master?" Zuol-Ki muttered under his breath. "A master from an opposing sect? A traitor, then."

The mysterious old man's laughter echoed around the battlefield, creating an eerie melody that clashed with the dying hums of the battle cries. It was an uncanny juxtaposition that set Zuol-Ki's nerves on edge.

"What brings you to our battlefield, Elder Han?" Jeok-Myung asked, his tone laced with wariness and respect. There was a certain edge to his voice that hadn't been there before, a mixture of caution and reverence that made Zuol-Ki's hackles rise.

Elder Han, the mysterious man, smirked. "Why, I merely came to admire the moon," he said, the mirth in his voice belying the dangerous glint in his eyes. "It seems, however, I've stumbled upon an even more interesting spectacle."

"And what spectacle might that be?" Jeok-Myung questioned, his hand gripping his sword tighter.

"Why, two brothers, crossing swords over a mere flower. It's almost poetic, wouldn't you agree?" Elder Han's eyes flickered over to Zuol-Ki, a spark of interest lighting up his features.

Zuol-Ki held his gaze, his own suspicion mirrored in Elder Han's curious gaze.

"Elder Han, your interest in our personal affairs is as amusing as it is uninvited," Zuol-Ki retorted. His grip on his sword tightened, his mind racing as he tried to understand the situation unfolding before him.

Elder Han chuckled again, the sound reverberating through the night air. "Ah, the boldness of youth. I remember it well." His gaze shifted back to Jeok-Myung. "Are you going to let your young friend here talk to me in such a manner?"

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Jeok-Myung remained silent, his gaze flickering between Elder Han and Zuol-Ki.

Suddenly, realization dawned upon Zuol-Ki. This wasn't a mere chance encounter; this was a planned betrayal. But who was the traitor here? Was it Jeok-Myung or Elder Han? Or was it perhaps both of them?

As the air grew taut with anticipation, Zuol-Ki's senses sharpened. He could feel Jeok-Myung's pulsating energy emanating from his being. His every muscle was coiled like a spring, ready to launch at him.

Suddenly, Jeok-Myung lunged forward, his sword slashing through the air, aiming for Zuol-Ki's heart.

Zuol-Ki's heart pounded in his chest as adrenaline coursed through his veins. Time seemed to slow down, and then—almost as if waiting for this very moment—the system screen popped up before his eyes.

"[Please select an option:]"

▶ [Eat The Mysterious Flower]

▶ [Defend against Jeok-Myung's attack.]

▶ [Cut Your Arm, And Beg For Mercy]

Time seemed to freeze, a countdown initiated at the corner of the screen. *14...13...12...* His mind raced to evaluate the options. Each held its own peril and promise, none of them making any sense.

His gaze flickered to the flower tucked in his robe. Eat the flower? It was a ludicrous suggestion. Flowers were not known for their defensive properties, at least not in his world.

Defend? He could certainly attempt it, but against Jeok-Myung's superior skills, it would be a hard task. His chance of survival was slim, especially considering the impending betrayal.

The last choice was even more absurd. Cut his arm and beg for mercy? He could practically hear Elder Han's mocking laughter. However, it did carry a certain element of surprise, and maybe, just maybe, it would buy him some time.

As the countdown approached its end, Zuol-Ki gritted his teeth and made his choice.

His heart pounded like a war drum in his chest as the countdown raced towards its end. *3... 2... 1...*

Zuol-Ki chose the first option

▶ [Eat The Mysterious Flower]

His hand darted to his robe, pulling out the mysterious flower and bringing it to his mouth. The seconds stretched into eternity as Jeok-Myung's sword came whistling through the air. With a final gulp, he forced the flower down his throat, the peculiar taste hitting his taste buds—sweet yet slightly bitter, unlike anything he had ever tasted before.

Suddenly, an excruciating pain ripped through him, a scream tearing itself from his throat. It felt like a storm was brewing inside him, ready to rip him apart. His vision blurred, and his body trembled. The world around him faded into nothingness, leaving only the pain behind.

But then, just as quickly as it had begun, the pain subsided. Zuol-Ki blinked, finding himself still standing, Jeok-Myung's sword inches away from his heart. Only now, there was a semi-transparent barrier surrounding him, the sword barely scratching its surface. The look of bewilderment on Jeok-Myung's face was priceless. He stumbled backward, taken aback by the unexpected turn of events.

"Well, well, it seems the little rat has some tricks up his sleeve," the old man drawled, an amused glint in his eyes. "Interesting. I've seen that flower before. Rare, very rare. You might just live through this day, boy."

Zuol-Ki's heart was still thundering in his chest, but a sense of calm had washed over him. His mind was clear, and for the first time since this fiasco began, he felt hope. He was still alive, and as long as he had breath in his lungs, he wouldn't go down without a fight.

"But sadly not today with me around," the old man chuckled ominously. His laughter echoed throughout the courtyard, a chilling soundtrack to the scene unfolding. Zuol-Ki watched in horror as he effortlessly raised a finger, directing it towards him.

There was a moment of absolute silence. Then, without warning, an invisible force surged towards him. There was no time to react. No time to move. No time to even think. All he could do was stare wide-eyed as the force hit him head-on.

An intense pain shot through Zuol-Ki's body as he was sent flying backward. The last thing he saw was the sky fading to black, and then, nothingness.

**[Beta Simulation Has Ended]**

**[Starting The Completed System]**

**[Update: As Of Now, You Posses One Life Coin]**

Slowly, Zuol-Ki opened his eyes, finding himself back in the familiar room. The ache in his body was gone, replaced by the familiar feeling of lethargy. He let out a sigh, a mix of relief and frustration. Everything... had it all been a dream?

Just as he was contemplating, the door creaked open, revealing the familiar face of his old friend, Jeok-Myung.

"Zuol-Ki," he greeted, walking over to his side. "I thought I lost you there for a moment."

The eerie familiarity of the situation sent a shiver down his spine. Déjà vu, he thought, the irony not lost on him. This was where it all began. And yet, everything was different now.

He was different.