The ancient road stretched into the darkness.
Sam walked forward alone.
The blue flames floating above the stone path slowly followed him, lighting his way.
Several minutes later...
The road ended.
A massive circular arena appeared before him.
Its floor was carved from black stone.
Thousands of deep scars covered its surface.
Some were thin as threads.
Others split the arena in half.
It was a battlefield that had witnessed countless duels.
Sam slowly stepped inside.
BOOM!
The entrance behind him sealed shut.
A golden screen appeared.
---
Second Trial
The Guardian of Blades
Objective: Defeat the Second Guardian.
Restrictions: None.
---
A deep laugh echoed across the arena.
"Hahaha!"
"It's been a long time since someone reached this place."
A giant warrior stepped from the shadows.
He stood nearly nine feet tall.
Ancient silver armor covered his body.
A massive two-handed sword rested across his shoulder.
Unlike the First Guardian...
His blue soul flames burned fiercely.
His fighting spirit filled the arena.
He grinned as he looked at Sam.
"So..."
"You're the young Necromancer His Majesty has taken an interest in."
Sam smiled.
"I guess word travels fast."
The giant laughed again.
"It does."
He planted his sword into the arena.
BOOM!
"I'm Garron."
"First Sword General of the Ancient Necropolis."
"I trained every Royal Knight that ever served the Eternal King."
He pointed the enormous blade toward Sam.
"Show me your strength."
Inside Sam's mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Hostile target confirmed.
Estimated Level: Unknown.
Sam slowly drew his sword.
His shadow twisted around his feet.
"Let's begin."
The instant those words left his mouth...
Garron disappeared.
Sam's eyes widened.
"So fast—"
CLANG!
He barely raised his sword in time.
The impact sent him sliding backward across the arena.
Stone shattered beneath his boots.
Garron smiled.
"Good."
"You reacted."
"But reacting..."
He vanished again.
"...isn't enough!"
Sam's body melted into darkness.
Shadow Step!
BOOM!
Garron's blade slammed into the place where Sam had been standing.
A crater exploded across the arena floor.
Sam reappeared behind him.
"Vertical Instant Slash!"
A crescent of blue energy tore toward Garron's back.
The giant turned with astonishing speed.
CLANG!
His greatsword blocked the attack.
A shockwave burst outward.
The surrounding stone pillars cracked.
Garron laughed.
"Excellent!"
"Again!"
Sam didn't hesitate.
"Fire Missiles!"
Six blazing spheres of fire shot through the air.
Garron swung his sword.
One slash.
Two.
Three.
Every fireball exploded before reaching him.
Smoke covered the arena.
Garron frowned.
"Trying to hide?"
A voice answered from behind him.
"No."
"Attack Chain."
Sam burst from the smoke.
His movements flowed together without pause.
A slash.
A thrust.
A kick.
Another slash.
Every strike linked seamlessly into the next.
Garron blocked each one, but his grin grew wider.
"Wonderful!"
"You're not fighting like a Necromancer."
"You're fighting like a Commander!"
The two blades collided again.
BOOOOOOM!
The entire arena shook.
Both men leaped backward.
Sam's breathing remained steady.
Garron rested his greatsword on his shoulder.
"I understand now."
"The Eternal King wasn't interested in your class."
"He was interested in you."
His soul flames blazed brighter.
"Now..."
"Show me everything."
The arena trembled as Garron raised his sword with both hands.
Mana flooded into the ancient blade.
Even the air began to distort.
Inside Sam's mind...
Rex's voice became urgent.
Commander...
High-level combat skill detected.
Recommendation...
Do not hold back.
Sam smiled.
"I wasn't planning to."
Dark shadows erupted around his feet.
The duel had only just begun.