The circular arena floor shimmered with silver runes as two platforms rose from below. Eron stood on one, arms folded, flanked by elemental torches crackling with anticipation.
Across from him stood Cassian Drexhart—tall, clad in silver-trimmed duelist armor, his black cape fluttering behind him. A long sword rested at his hip, already humming with mana.
The crowd filled every tier of the towering arena, all eyes locked onto the two combatants.
Cassian smirked as he stepped forward, twirling his blade with elegance.
"You arrive on a flying beast like some overcompensating fool… yet you're barely registered in our rankings. Tell me, commoner—what illusion has tricked you into thinking you belong here?"
Eron didn't reply.
He simply walked toward the center of the field, the quiet tapping of his boots echoing through the charged silence.
Cassian narrowed his eyes. "Not even the dignity to respond? How typical of those who only know brute force."
System Announcement
[Match Protocol: One-on-OneNo Summons, No Support.Begin when both are ready.]
Eron took a slow breath.
"I don't need words.""I need a blade."
He raised his hand, and his Create skill flared to life.
[System – Create Skill Activated]Name: BankaiType: Weapon Skill | Energy ReleaseWeapon Created: Midnight Reaper – Katana
Description:"Bankai" is a complete release form of a spiritual weapon. Upon activation, the user's weapon evolves into its awakened state, increasing attack speed, damage output, and spiritual pressure by 500%. The katana forged is synchronized to the user's soul resonance.
Passive Effect: Suppresses weaker enemies through spiritual weight.Active Effect: Bankai Form — Envelops user in spectral energy, adding wave-cleaving aftershock to every swing.Cooldown: 8 hoursMana Cost: 100
[Skill Created – Automatically Upgraded to MAX]
A sudden storm of violet-black energy burst from Eron's frame. Requiem Edge vanished in a shimmer—and in its place formed a jet-black katana, glowing with silver kanji etched along the blade's length.
The air turned heavier.
Even the elite mages in the audience flinched as the spiritual pressure crashed down like a divine hand.
Cassian staggered slightly. "W-what the hell is that…"
Referee Signal: "Begin!"
Cassian shot forward with a flash step, unleashing a three-strike combo, aimed for Eron's shoulder, torso, and hip.
CLANG. CLANG. SCHT—
But none of the strikes landed clean.
Eron moved like water—graceful, deliberate, unstoppable.
One parry. One pivot.
And then… one slash.
Eron whispered, "Bankai—Midnight Reaper: Phantom Slash."
With a single swing, a wave of cutting energy—a black arc laced with ghostly fire—ripped through the arena air, crashing into Cassian's mana shield and sending the noble flying across the field.
Cassian rolled across the floor, coughing, his shoulder armor shattered.
The crowd erupted—part awe, part terror.
"Was that a sword skill?!""No… That was something else entirely!""He's not just strong—he's evolved."
Bleeding and furious, Cassian forced himself upright, his sword shaking in his hand.
"You—peasant! I will not lose to a faker wielding parlor tricks!"
Eron raised his katana once more, his golden eyes glowing.
"Then come, noble.""Let me show you how a Warlord ends illusions."