Newton woke up slowly.
Pain came first.
His ribs hurt. His back burned. His side felt tight.
"…ah…"
He tried to move.
Bad idea.
Pain shot through his body.
He stopped.
Breathing slowly.
"In… out…"
"…I made it back…"
"Finally, you're awake."
Fisher's voice.
Newton turned his head slightly.
Fisher was sitting on the floor, back against the wall, looking tired.
"You scared me, man," Fisher said. "You just appeared and dropped like a dead body."
Newton blinked.
"…how long?"
"Few hours," Fisher said. "Li'la came to heal you a bit. You're lucky."
Newton stayed quiet.
Then slowly sat up.
Still hurt.
But better.
"…Thanks."
Fisher smiled a little. "You actually said thank you. I'm shocked."
Newton ignored that.
"Where's Lilly?"
"Asleep. Safe," Fisher said, pointing to the bed.
Newton looked.
She was there.
Breathing peacefully.
His chest loosened.
Just a little.
"…good."
Then—
[Hidden Trial Reward Delivered]
A small flash of light appeared in the room.
Three items dropped gently onto the floor.
Newton frowned.
"…so this is it…"
Fisher stood up. "Loot?"
Newton didn't answer.
He walked over.
Picked up the first item.
🗡️ Blood Fang
A black sword.
Simple.
Not too long.
But—
It felt… warm.
Like it was alive.
Newton held it tighter.
For a second—
He felt something.
A faint pull.
Like the sword was… looking back at him.
"…you're strange…
The blade gave a soft, almost invisible pulse.
Fisher stepped closer. "That's not normal."
"I know."
Newton swung it lightly.
Smooth.
Too smooth.
Like it already knew how he moves.
[Weapon Bound: Blood Fang]
[Effect: Gains strength from blood]
Newton said nothing.
But he understood.
This sword would grow.
With him.
He picked up the second item.
💍 Storage Ring
Simple ring.
He wore it.
[Storage Opened]
A small space appeared in his mind.
Empty.
"…useful."
Third item.
🛡️ Hidden Armor
It disappeared the moment he touched it.
[Armor Equipped]
[Defense Increased]
Fisher blinked. "Wait… where did it go?"
Newton stood still.
"…equipped."
Fisher stared. "That's broken."
Newton didn't disagree.
Then—
[Skill Gained: Quick Step]
Newton tested it.
Just a small movement—
He moved.
Fast.
Not teleport.
But fast enough to surprise.
Fisher's eyes widened. "Okay… now that's useful."
Newton nodded.
"This one… I can use."
🌆 Outside – Common Area
Later.
Newton stepped out.
Sword at his side.
Fisher behind him.
People noticed.
They always did now.
Beth was there.
Leaning like always.
She looked at the sword first.
Then at him.
"…new toy?"
Newton didn't answer.
Kramel walked over.
His axe now looked different too.
Bigger.
Heavier.
"So," Kramel said, cracking his neck. "You got loot too."
Newton looked at the axe.
"…you too."
Kramel smirked. "Yeah. Mine hits harder now."
Tera and Vey were nearby.
Each holding short blades.
More confident now.
Even Juno had something new.
A small curved dagger.
Still smiling.
Everyone was growing.
Then—
[🔔Announcement🔔]
[Duel Room Now Active⚔️]
[Players may test strength safely]
Beth smiled.
"Perfect timing."
She looked at Newton.
"Let's see it."
Newton didn't move.
"I'm not interested."
Kramel laughed. "Scared?"
Newton looked at him.
Calm.
"…no."
Then he turned.
And walked toward the Duel Room.
Fisher sighed. "Here we go…"
⚔️ Duel Room
A clean, open space.
No walls.
White floor.
System-controlled.
[No death allowed]
Kramel stepped forward.
Axe resting on his shoulder.
"Let's go."
Newton stepped in.
Slow.
Calm.
He held Blood Fang.
For a second—
The sword pulsed again.
Newton felt it.
"…stay quiet…"
The sword calmed.
[Duel Start🔥]
Kramel moved first.
Fast for his size.
He swung.
Newton stepped.
Quick Step
The axe missed.
Barely.
Newton countered.
Simple.
Clean.
Basic Sword.
The blade hit Kramel's side.
Kramel grunted.
"…fast…"
He swung again.
Stronger.
Newton blocked.
CLANG.
The force pushed him back.
His arms shook.
"Still stronger…" Newton thought.
Kramel rushed.
Trying to overwhelm.
Newton moved again.
Step.
Dodge.
Cut.
Step.
He wasn't overpowering.
He was reading.
Kramel got frustrated.
"Stop running!"
He slammed the ground.
Stomp
The floor shook.
Newton lost balance for a second.
Kramel took that chance.
Swung hard—
Newton reacted late—
The axe hit.
"UGH—!"
He flew back.
Hit the ground.
Hard.
Pain.
Real pain.
"…still hurts…"
He stood again.
Slow.
Breathing heavy.
Fisher shouted, "You can stop, you know!"
Newton shook his head.
"…not yet…"
Kramel charged again.
This time—
Newton didn't step back.
He moved forward.
Quick Step
Inside the swing.
Too close.
Kramel couldn't adjust.
Newton turned—
And cut.
Clean.
Across the chest.
Kramel froze.
[Duel End]
Silence.
Kramel stepped back.
Breathing heavy.
Then laughed.
"…not bad…"
Newton said nothing.
Beth smiled slowly.
"Yeah… he's getting dangerous…"
Newton turned.
Walked out.
Not proud.
Not smiling.
Just thinking.
"I'm still not strong enough…"
Because next time—
It might not be a duel.