Corinth, in the aftermath of Zayn's battle, resembled a body exhausted by conflict. Cracked walls and squares smelling of dust and iron defined the landscape. Yet, Corinth remained standing, as if refusing to break despite the scars of war lining its streets.
Throughout the city, Lina worked in silence, tending to the wounded and restoring order. Meanwhile, Ray and Zayn oversaw the perimeter. Every movement and glance was charged with caution and anticipation.
Novarion had vanished into the System Chamber, a place where time was known only to him. In that vast void, bathed in a dim blue glow, the sound of his breathing echoed. Within those walls, time behaved differently—one hour in the outside world was a full day inside. Every repeated motion demanded absolute focus, as if each minute were restructuring his very core.
He emerged after two real-world hours, his eyes gleaming with a new wisdom, like someone who had seen what no one else could. "Strength alone isn't enough," he murmured. "I must understand the System itself."
Outside, the sun dipped toward the horizon. The city prepared for another night of vigil. Zayn stationed himself at the eastern wall, eyes scanning the horizon, while Ray remained in the main square, watching the guards. Their nerves were frayed, yet they appeared calm, as if everything were under control.
A scout arrived, panting heavily. "Coming from the south... a massive man carrying a hammer the size of a gate!"
Ray lifted his head, looked at Zayn, and said in a sharp tone: "Harkan."
Zayn's focus was absolute—calculating the enemy's path and speed even before his arrival. He didn't smile or show tension, but his eyes told a story of both anxiety and readiness.
Harkan arrived, his footsteps heavy enough to make the earth shudder like thunder. He stood before them, a confident smirk etched across his scarred face. "I heard one of you defeated Kalykis... laughable. It seems I must clean up where others failed."
Ray stepped forward with steady strides, his voice calm yet charged. "Kalykis fought recklessly. You are different... I see something in you that resembles a beast."
Harkan grinned maliciously. "The problem is, I enjoy being one."
Their eyes met, an agreement understood without words. Every second was filled with silent challenge.
The battle began.
The air in the square turned into a gale the moment Harkan's hammer swung. The ground cracked, and dust rose in a thick cloud. Ray retreated with grace, parrying the next blow with his axe. Sparks flew, and the earth trembled, but the visual focus remained on the expressions of their faces—the details of their gazes, the internal emotions of each warrior.
Harkan pressed with all his might, pushing Ray back inch by inch. "Is this all you have?" Harkan jeered.
Ray answered calmly, "I haven't even started yet."
He spun his body with blinding speed, swinging his axe horizontally. The air split, and Harkan was forced back half a step, his eyes scanning his opponent like a fox.
The clash continued—hammer against axe. Dust occasionally obscured their vision, but every time they caught their breath, Novarion was watching from afar, his eyes catching every shift in performance.
Ray began to feel the weight of the blows. His breathing grew heavy, and the pressure on his arms intensified. But suddenly, he felt a strange energy surging within him. His body felt lighter and stronger for no reason he could comprehend.
At that moment, inside Novarion's mind, the cold voice of the System echoed:
[System: A team member has surpassed his limits. Strength +60%, Defense +30%, Speed +30%. Full Mana restored.]
Novarion looked at Ray, his eyes shimmering. He whispered to himself, "The System reacts to those fighting by my side, but it only reveals itself to me."
Ray returned to the fray with renewed vigor, his eyes burning with an inexplicable resolve. He moved with agility and speed, his strikes landing relentlessly. Harkan was forced to retreat, panting.
"This is... impressive," Harkan said, pained but still standing. He raised his broken hammer. "But I do not fall easily!"
He struck the ground with fury; rocks exploded around him, and dust billowed in all directions. The final collision roared like a thunderclap. Then, silence.
As the dust cleared, Harkan was on his knees, his hammer shattered in two.
"Tell... the Leader... I tried," he whispered hoarsely before falling motionless.
Novarion approached from the distance, looking at the scene in silence. "He was strong enough to be remembered," he said.
Ray, catching his breath, replied, "But not enough to remain."
To be continued...