The skies above the 43rd Floor of the Tower burned crimson, as if stained by the blood of those who dared challenge fate.
Hajun Ardyn stood alone atop the hill of fractured bones and scorched earth. The remains of the corrupted dungeon boss, a chimera of steel and darkness, lay shattered behind him. His chest heaved slightly, not from exhaustion—but from restraint. He had held back. He had to.
"This isn't enough," he muttered, cracking his knuckles. "If I had used that, it would've collapsed the entire layer…"
[Skill Copied: Hellfire Lance – Rank A]
[Skill Evolution Pending – Compatibility with "Ardyn Core" detected.]
He ignored the system prompt for now. The battlefield was silent—but his mind wasn't.
Winter, who had fought in the shadows, emerged from the smoke, her silver hair matted with ash. "You're overexerting," she said, voice cold but concerned. "That boss should've taken at least four parties."
"And yet it didn't," Hajun said with a smirk, wiping blood from his cheek. "Tell me—what do you really think of me now, Winter?"
She paused. "I think you're still holding back. And I think you're afraid of what'll happen when you stop."
He chuckled. "Afraid? No. I can't afford to lose control. Not yet. Not until I rip the godhood from her hands."
Winter's gaze darkened at the mention of Justine. "There's something you need to hear. Word came from the Crimson Circle... Justine has appeared publicly. For the first time in ten years."
Hajun's expression twisted.
"Where?" he asked, eyes narrowing.
"The 50th Floor. She blessed a noble family's heir. Thousands saw it."
So she's moving now too. Justine—the traitorous disciple he once raised, the god now playing saint.
Winter continued, "If she's revealing herself now… it means she's not afraid of you."
"No," Hajun muttered. "It means she wants me to come. She wants a confrontation."
He looked down at his right hand. The veins were glowing faintly blue—the mark of the Ardyn Core awakening further.
[Warning: Overclock Threshold Nearing – Activation Will Unlock Forbidden Skill Tier.]
"Good," he whispered. "Then let's give her a reason to regret ever ascending."
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