His body reacted first. There was no other way to describe it; he couldnt spare a second to scream or even think. Seo Jun-hos body hit the ground.

Slash! Kiss sword hit the ground as Seo Jun-ho stood up. He activated Booster again.

I wont miss this time! He kicked off the ground, Black Dragon Fang aimed at Kiss face.

But Kis was an experienced knight. He dodged the attack, tilting his body ever so slightly before digging his knee into Seo Jun-hos stomach.

Guh! His body raised into the air from the force of the strike, and Kis grabbed him by the neck and smashed his head into the ground.

Keok! Blood spewed out from Seo Jun-hos mouth as he coughed. But he couldnt afford to lose focus. Hes coming again!

As his eyes flew open, Kiss steel boots looked like mountains before him. Seo Jun-ho quickly rolled his body and narrowly dodged. Crunch! The ground shattered into pieces.

If he had been even a moment late, that would have been his head.

Dammit

Kis didnt give him a moment to rest. He prepared his next strike.

I cant be the only one who keeps getting attacked!

Seo Jun-ho rolled off the ground and placed his hand down. Crackle! A giant ice fang sprouted toward Kis.

!! He quickly drew his sword to block, but he couldnt handle the force. He flew into the air and disappeared into the mist once again.

Are you alright?

Phew, somehow When he finally thought hed have a moment to breathe, a sword pierced through the mist.

Give me a break! he complained, quickly blocking.

Claaang! Their blades clashed, but Seo Jun-ho was the one who pushed the other forward.

From this distance It would be impossible to dodge. Seo Jun-ho stepped closer and elbowed Kis in the chin.

Crunch! The strike was so powerful that it dented his helmet. For the first time in the entire battle, he staggered.

Seo Jun-ho wouldnt let this chance slip by. He grabbed Kiss helmet and kneed him in the face. He heard his nose break as blood pooled to the ground.

Contractor! Be careful!

He didnt hear her warning until it was too late. The world spun. Huh?

He only realized what had happened when he felt the pain in his legs. Even as he was being beaten, Kis had kicked him. As his back hit the ground, Kiss sword came down like lightning.

Crackle! He quickly created a shield out of ice to block, but the sword cut through it like butter. Kis had aimed for his heart, but Seo Jun-hos shield had redirected his sword to his shoulder. He screamed.

Contractor!

Panicked, the Frost Queen quickly created twenty ice arrows and flung them at Kis.

He dashed back and calmly cut through each one.

The Frost Queen fluttered over to Seo Jun-ho. Are you alright?

Keuk Thanks to you. He safely managed to stand and looked down at his left shoulder. He was bleeding a lot, but he didnt freeze the wound. Freezing it would be suicide. He needed to use both of his armseven if he bled to death. Even if he died and came back to life with one arm, hed never be able to defeat Kis.

Phew

The distance between them was barely one meter; they could almost feel the other breathe. They stared each other down, trying to catch their breaths.

Just once If I can just land one good attack, I think I can do it. He considered intentionally creating an opening, but he quickly shook his head. At his level, its too dangerous. There was a 100% chance that Kiss strike would be lethal.

Kis took two steps back and disappeared into the mist. As Seo Jun-ho watched, he cloaked his own body in darkness.

Night Walking.

The two of them concealed their traces and silenced their breaths. Silence fell over the long hall. The only sound was the whoosh of the blizzard outside, heard through the crevice of a window.

Contractor, can you not ambush him in this state? Like the way you did in the Cave of Trials.

He shook his head. I cant. Its hard to hide my traces from someone as strong as him. If his comrades in the Cave of Trials hadnt been mere illusions, they wouldve sensed him too. Night Walking was most effective against less experienced opponents.

Ah, that is unfortunate. You only have 24 seconds left for Booster as well.

At her warning, Seo Jun-ho grit his teeth and released Booster. Heat rippled off his body, and his head pounded like a migraine. He leaned against the wall and dug through his inventory for a potion, pouring it over his wound before drinking the rest of it down.

Phew Of course, potions werent all-powerful. He didnt feel any instant changes either. He quickly inspected his body.

Its the worst possible situation. After using Booster consecutively, his body was extremely worn out. The burning sensation in his head wasnt a good sign either; it meant that his judgment would falter. Lets calm down. If I cant think straight, I wont be able to do anything at all.

He caught his breath and calmed himself before he started to analyze the situation. The problem is the fucking mist. I cant ever make the first move.

Kis was superior in terms of skill, strength, speed, and everything else. But the battle only ever started when Kis ambushed him.

This is bad Ive been playing right into the palm of his hand. There was only one way to win.

Ill turn the tables right back at him.

Seo Jun-ho removed Black Armor and wrapped his shoulder. Despite the pain, his eyes shone with the ferocity of a hunter.

* * *

Kis slowly walked through the mist, looking for the player he had crossed swords with.

Hes hiding his traces from me Impressive. It was a remarkable stealth technique, but thats all it was. Im starting to sense his magic. That meant he was getting closer. Kis raised his sword and prepared himself to ambush the player again.

I caught you. He swung his sword at the large mass of magic in front of him, cutting straight through his opponents neck.

? Kiss face fell. He felt something off. It was too easy. His opponent hadnt even reacted. Kis grabbed him and checked his face.

I was tricked. The shadow dummy dissipated with a hissing noise, as if it were laughing. At that moment, he felt a powerful wave of magic behind him.

! Kis whipped around.

Its too late.

Seo Jun-ho unleashed the Frost energy. The ground froze over in an instant, trapping Kiss ankles.

This is nothing Kis tried to pull his legs from the ice, but it kept freezing in from all directions.

You didnt know, did you?

Mist was simply a condensed mass of water vapor. Thus, it would become ice if the temperature was lowered.

! Kis finally realized what Seo Jun-ho was doing, but it was too late when he raised his sword. He had been too focused on escaping the ice.

I already told you. Its too late.

Crackle! The entire hall froze over. The black mist fell to the ground in hailstones.

He took a deep breath. Seo Jun-ho raised his sword and walked over to Kis, who was trapped in the ice. The sword pierced through the thick ice and through his heart.

Its finally over He finally relaxed.

Crash! Kiss broke through the ice and kneed him in the stomach.

Guh!Seo Jun-ho flew back, rolling on the red carpet that was covered in hailstones. Kis followed him like a flash of lightning, drawing his sword.

Clang! Sparks flew as their blades met. Seo Jun-ho had managed to take out a greatsword and block him, but Kis was too strong. Seo Jun-hos arm started to give out, and Kiss sword got closer and closer, pressing onto him like a mountain.

How How is this possible?! He couldnt believe it. Black Dragon Fang was stuck through his heart. He shouldnt be able to move, let alone attack with superhuman strength.

Just what is he fighting so hard for? As his head started to fill with questions, Kiss strength finally started to fade.

Cough! Cough! His sword clattered to the ground as he vomited black blood. He fell to his knees and fell over to his side.

Seo Jun-ho unconsciously touched his temple. It stung every time he touched it. If he had been a tenth, no, a hundredth of a second late, Kiss sword would have cut through his head.

I really almost kicked the bucket this time Just as he let out a sigh of relief, his vision darkened. Hot blood had started to drip down from the crown of his head.

Contractor, are you alright?

Yeah, well Once I get seen by a healer, it wont even leave a scar, he said as he took out a fresh potion and poured it over his head.

Thats good to hear. Relieved, the Frost Queen now looked over to her knight. Kis Bremen was leaned up against the ice dummy, staring at the ceiling. His consciousness was fading.

I failed. Warm tears spilled down from his eyes, but it wasnt because he was afraid of death. Im sorry.

It was because he had failed to protect the monarch hed sworn his loyalty to, because he had lost the last chance to make right of his regrets.

Your Majesty He looked up at the ceiling, hand outstretched.

Hes looking for you. Wouldnt it be good to show yourself, at least?

I do not deserve to do that. She smiled bitterly as she shook her head. A monarch must protect their people. The knights of the Winter Castle are citizens of Niflheim before they are my knights. And I failed to protect them.

Whats with that Seo Jun-ho couldnt understand her. She saw his expression and laughed weakly.

Remember this: the righteousness of the weak is nothing but a shout in the silence.

Shed learned this painful lesson in the war. That was all.