The Second Strategist's gaze was cold and piercing as it locked onto Zuol-Ki. Gone was the jovial aura that previously enveloped him. Elder Han, on the other hand, sat back nonchalantly, an amused smirk playing on his lips.
"Your audacity knows no bounds, Zuol-Ki," the Second Strategist said in a soft, threatening tone. "Remember, the bravest warriors can also fall abruptly."
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Retract your words and apologize]
▶ [Stand your ground]
▶ [Tease them for their amusing reaction]
Zuol-Ki picked the third option without a moment's hesitation.
▶ [Tease them for their amusing reaction]
A mischievous smile tugged at his lips as he said, "You two sure are a sight to see. Getting all worked up over a simple flower."
A slow rhythm resonated in the room as Elder Han drummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair. "A touch of audacity mixed with stupidity, it seems," he mused. "I've heard about the Phoenix Flower, but I've never had the pleasure to see one. It's said to possess extraordinary healing properties, even rumored to bestow immortality."
Zuol-Ki burst out laughing. "That sounds like just the thing for an old-timer looking to extend his stay in this world, wouldn't you agree, sir?"
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Continue with the teasing]
▶ [Change the subject]
▶ [Directly accuse them of their hidden intentions]
Feeling a sense of anticipation building up inside him, Zuol-Ki decided to stick with the first option. ▶ [Continue with the teasing]
There was something intriguing about stirring the hornet's nest, about pushing the boundaries to see just how much he could provoke them.
"All these years, and I've always wondered," Zuol-Ki continued, "how do you old-timers spend your time? Tea? Chess? Bickering over flowers?" His words hung in the air as his laughter filled the room. He didn't fail to notice how the Second Strategist's eyes narrowed or how Elder Han's smirk didn't reach his eyes.
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Apologize and change the subject]
▶ [Press on with your line of questioning]
▶ [Point out their betrayal]
Zuol-Ki chose the second option. ▶ [Press on with your line of questioning]
His smile faded slightly, and his tone became serious. "So, are you planning to use the Phoenix Flower to win the war? Or is it all for a selfish desire to cheat death?"
The room fell silent. The Second Strategist looked taken aback, and Elder Han seemed impressed. There was a hint of cold amusement in his voice as he responded, "I'd be careful, young one. Not every question needs an answer, and not every answer is one you'll be prepared to handle."
With a grin that sent shivers down Zuol-Ki's spine, Elder Han responded, "Your tenacity is commendable, young one. But let me tell you something... since you've seen me and the Second Strategist together, well, that paints an unfortunate target on your back. Two opposing sects, joined in clandestine conversation? It's not exactly information we can allow to spread."
An unsettling hush settled in the room as Elder Han's eyes narrowed, his gaze never leaving Zuol-Ki. His words were menacing and precise, yet the young warrior couldn't help but challenge the situation. He had to see how far this mad game would take him.
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Plead for mercy]
▶ [Persist with your questioning]
▶ [Cut off your right arm and offer it to Elder Han]
In the face of a seemingly insurmountable situation, Zuol-Ki found himself gravitating towards the most absurd option. He was too deep into this chaos. Pleading for mercy? That was akin to throwing away his dignity, and there was no guarantee of survival. Persisting with his questioning would only provoke them further. The thought of challenging Elder Han to a duel was ludicrous. That left him with the final option. It was crazy, but he had seen stranger things happen since this system took hold of his fate.
With a deep breath, he reached out to select his choice, ▶ [Cut off your right arm and offer it to Elder Han]
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As he made the selection, Elder Han chuckled, a cold, ominous sound. "Zuol-Ki, my boy, you have guts. More than my own disciple, Jeok-Myung, who you so ruthlessly killed. I wonder, what makes you think you'll fare better than him?"
Zuol-Ki swallowed, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the cold sweat trickling down his forehead. Elder Han's question hung in the air between them like an impending storm. A part of him wondered whether he should run away, but another part told him to stay and face the music. After all, this was his choice. The system had simply offered him options.
"Well, I suppose..." Zuol-Ki began, his voice hoarse. His hand hovered over the ethereal interface, his fingers trembling. "I suppose that there's no harm in trying, is there?"
Suddenly, an icy chill pierced the air, and Elder Han's cold laughter echoed ominously around them. "Very well, Zuol-Ki. Let's see just how far your courage will get you."
Before Zuol-Ki could respond, another screen materialized before his eyes. The options seemed even more grim than before.
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Perform the amputation yourself]
▶ [Ask Elder Han to do it for you]
▶ [Change your mind and attack Elder Han]
His choices, if they could even be called that, were as grim as death. Yet Zuol-Ki couldn't help but feel an odd sense of exhilaration. This was his story, after all, no matter how it ended.
"I won't beg for mercy or run away," Zuol-Ki muttered to himself, his gaze steely as he stared down Elder Han. "Let's do this." With that, he reached out, his fingers brushing over the first option.
▶ [Perform the amputation yourself]
With a newfound sense of resolve, Zuol-Ki steeled himself, his grip tightening around the hilt of his blade. He felt a strange calmness wash over him, a stark contrast to the chaotic whirlwind of emotions he'd been experiencing just moments ago.
"Very well, Zuol-Ki. I admire your determination," Elder Han said, his icy eyes observing Zuol-Ki with something akin to respect. "I hope you realize the gravity of the choice you've made."
With a grim nod, Zuol-Ki positioned his blade at his right arm. He steeled himself against the pain he knew was coming, his teeth gritted.
Elder Han watched in silence as Zuol-Ki began the grim task, his cold gaze devoid of any emotion. It was as if he were observing a fascinating experiment, curious about the result but detached from its implications.
As the blade cut through his skin, Zuol-Ki couldn't help but let out a guttural scream of pain, his knees buckling underneath him. The world swayed around him, and for a moment, he feared he might black out.
Suddenly, a familiar screen materialized before his eyes.
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Give up and pass out]
▶ [Persevere and complete the amputation]
▶ [Ask Elder Han for help]
Panting heavily, Zuol-Ki squinted at the options presented before him. His vision blurred by pain and exhaustion, he reached out, touching the middle option.
▶ [Persevere and complete the amputation]
he murmured. After all, there was no turning back now.
Zuol-Ki's world was pain, his mind overwhelmed by the agonizing sensation of his arm being severed. But as he finished the gruesome task, an unexpected calmness washed over him. His right arm was gone, lying on the ground next to him in a pool of his own blood. The sight was surreal, like he was looking at someone else's arm.
"You have shown bravery that is rarely seen, Zuol-Ki," Elder Han finally spoke, his tone carrying a hint of surprise. "As such, I will honor our agreement. I will bestow upon you the Han sect's secret art—Misty Steps of 1000."
[Processing...]
[The Han sect's secret art—Misty Steps of 1000 Acquired!]
[The Han sect's secret art—Misty Steps of 1000 Has Been Added To Your Martial Arts Inventory]
A rush of energy coursed through Zuol-Ki's body, his mind filling with images of a complex series of movements. The secret art. He could feel it within him, a part of him now.
"However, do not think this makes us allies, Zuol-Ki," Elder Han continued, his tone cold. "You are still an enemy of my sect. And for that..."
In a swift motion, Elder Han moved closer. Too close. Before Zuol-Ki could react, he felt something cold wrap around his neck. He had no time to react. No time to even call forth the system screen. He simply fell, his world turning black once more.
Then, there was nothing. No pain. No thoughts. Only darkness.
After a long, silent moment, a message appeared before Zuol-Ki's fading consciousness.
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Restart from beginning]
▶ [Continue]
▶ [Restart from save point]
But the countdown started. 15...14...13... It was too late. Zuol-Ki's consciousness faded into the abyss, the countdown continuing without him.
Zuol-Ki's awareness flickered in the dark void, drawn to the three glowing options before him. He reached out to the option to restart from his last save point, hoping to undo the fatal mistake he made.
▶ [Restart from save point]
But an error message flashed across the screen. [Error! No Save Points Found.]
"Ah, fuck," he grumbled, reaching out to select ▶ [Continue]
But another error message flashed across the screen. [Error! Can't Continue During The Battle]
He huffed in frustration, staring at the options. "Really? You're making me start all over again for the fourth time?!"
With no other option, he selected 'Restart from beginning'. And just like that, the familiar darkness consumed him, then he found himself where he started.
Then, a new screen appeared.
[Update Has Been Completed]
[Integrating Coins....]
[6 Coins Have Been Integrated]
[One Coin Has Been Spent As A Life Coin.]
"A life coin, huh?" He mused out loud, looking around the familiar surroundings. "Coins, huh? And something called a 'life coin' that apparently buys me a new life," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. He stared at the phrase '6 coins' on the screen, frowning. "So, those are normal coins, not 'life coins'? Then what the hell are they good for?"
His words lingered in the air, unanswered. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. "Wait, is there a shop or something in this damned system where I can spend these coins?"
No sooner had the words left his lips than a new screen materialized before his eyes, filled with various items listed for purchase. A shop, it seemed, did exist.
"Well, shit. Talk about service," he remarked, his tone dripping with irony.