<Third point of view>
After watching Dolia disintegrate into dust, Eugene remained there clenching his fists with a deep, heartbreaking feeling.
Their relationship was really strange, from teacher to student to enemy. By this time Eugene was completely physically and mentally exhausted, making his body sway and fall to the ground near where Dolia had decomposed into dust.
"At least this mission is over. And I've ended this relationship" Eugene muttered as he began to control his energy again so that his body's healing factor would happen faster.
In the silence of the night, the red eyes of a black dove stared at Eugene, and soon an unknown person appeared.
"Waah~... Excellent battle marks, it's fitting that you're called by him as a target to watch out for"
"Who?" Eugene's head moved stiffly as he turned towards the man dressed in a white formal suit and black tie under his shirt.
Eugene's eyes widened as he saw the man in the white suit and black tie approaching him. He noticed the intricate pattern on the tie and the well-designed design of the suit, giving the man a sense of sophistication and power.
The man in the white formal suit and black tie had piercing blue eyes that seemed to stare into Eugene, his face chiseled and sharp.
The man stood tall, his white suit perfectly ironed and contrasting with his black hair and piercing blue eyes. His black tie stood out against the white fabric and his shiny black shoes shone in the moonlight.
"Hmmm... You asked about me?" The words dripped from her lips like honey, smooth and alluring, but with a sharp edge that hinted at danger. He posture exuded confidence and authority, he eyes were a piercing blue that seemed to pierce right through Eugene, and he appearance exuded sophistication and power.
"If I were him, then I would answer that I am a" He leaned forward slightly. "Challenger." The word rolled off his tongue with pride and determination, as if defining his entire being.
Eugene's mind raced as he tried to understand the true meaning of the word "Penatang". Suddenly, he came to a realization. He remembered the reports and stories that referred to those who successfully conquered the 12 Arcane Towers as "Challengers". The title was reserved for a select few, and now Eugene understood the weight and honor that came with it.
"So, what are you doing in a place like this?" Eugene said sharply, although his body was weak and fragile he still did not want to show his weakness to his opponent.
<Eugene Pov>
Challenger? A nickname for someone who has successfully conquered 12 Arcane Towers? So this guy really is a Challenger.
I recalled the report on the Challengers that he had read. They were a group of people who were seen as legends in the Tower Arcane world. Each tower has its own secrets and challenges.
It is said that the difficulty of climbing the towers is very difficult even for someone who comes from a supernatural society. But reports of those who managed to conquer towers that were hell mode difficulty if in a game setting, most of them were human.
"So, what are you doing in a place like this?" I asked sharply, even though his body was weak and fragile he still didn't want to show his weakness to her opponent.
The man in the white coat just smiled as he looked at my injured body. "I was just looking around. But it looks like I came just in time to see your fight with Dolia."
I didn't like this man's casual attitude, he was still suspicious, did this man have a relationship with Dolia? Was he just taking advantage of the situation to attack me?
"So what's your name?" I asked again as the other two members of his group began to approach them.
The man in the white coat smiled softly before replying, "I'm Paulus, that's all I can tell you". The man in the white coat stood with his hands folded in front of him, his lips curved into a small, gentle smile. His eyes were a piercing blue, scanning his surroundings with a quiet intensity.
There was something strange about this man, I wondered if this person was really a Contender or if he had some other motive for coming to this place. Still, he would not let a stranger interfere with my fight with Dolia.
"Alright Paulus, what's your problem?" I asked while clenching his bloodied fist.
Paul's blue eyes moved towards my hand that was still covered in blood, and it made the corners of his mouth smile suspiciously. "Nothing!... I just came here to watch"
Paul shifted a little closer to me who could not move freely, making me feel uncomfortable. However, I persisted with the confident demeanor that confronted the man.
"I can't believe you just came to see," I said sharply. "Do you have any relationship with Dolia?"
His head continued to sway like leaves in the wind, but there was still a calm smile on his face as he looked at me. "Nothing to do," he said, but the words sounded like the dangerous seduction of a snake.
'This type of person, I never like,' I thought, growing wary of him. But at the same time, this might be my first time meeting someone like him. Should I give him a chance? Paulus... Why is his name the same as the 12 disciples in the Bible?
"And that's enough, it was an interesting spectacle anyway. Besides, since this is my first meeting with you, let's make it more festive!" He said suddenly, standing up with his arms outstretched as if giving a code.
And sure enough, I saw something on the surface of the sea that appeared. Like in the scene where a monster emerges from the sea, with a sharp back and an iguana-like appearance.
'I should have brought a friend with me' It was too late to regret, I knew that this type of person like Paul was the type to mislead in words. He was a big liar, who had actually targeted me in this condition.
Paulus walked away and I stared at his back with an incredulous look. "Well, it's not that I'm bad or a coward. It's just that this is called uprooting a tree seedling that will later bear us" Then the magic light suddenly engulfed his body leaving me alone against this iguana monster.
The monster's head alone was the size of a destructive-class battleship and at that moment he took a breath to spit out a breath of energy that would annihilate me.
'Come on, I've come this far let's work with my body!' Even though I forced it, there was no satisfactory response. And I think at the sight of that huge energy that had accumulated, my body instantly went limp and my skin quickly lost its color.
Just as I was about to feel hopeless, suddenly from the direction of the distance, to be precise, a hill about 10 km away from where I was, a bright light appeared, suddenly an arrow shot right at the head of the sea monster and exploded along with the energy that had accumulated in its mouth....
"Hah! Thanks you came on time." Glancing towards the arrow shot from 10 km away, stood a young woman with shoulder-length blonde hair watching with concentration. Green eyes looked intently at the target hidden behind the trees. The headband with the metal plate on her head did not falter in the gusts of wind, showing the calmness and focus she possessed.
In a short pink kimono that extends to mid-thigh, she stands tall and graceful. The obi combined with the white cloth gives an alluring traditional feel, while the additional pieces of armor on her right arm, waist, and left shoulder provide additional protection without compromising the grace of her movements. The metal plate on his left chest shines brightly in the sunlight, reflecting the determination and decisiveness that lies within him.
With an arrow already embedded in her bow, the woman drew the weapon with great force. Her strong fingers held the bow steady, ready to release the arrow with deadly precision. Her breathing was regular, though tense, as she took careful aim at her target.
"Himiko!!!" I said happily because my friend was already here.
<---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >
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