A battlefield where players from a world devoid of the Trial of the Gods gather.
There are many types of battlefields. Some are simple one-on-one duels, others are chaotic free-for-alls involving many participants. Some have unique gimmicks or resemble dungeon raids—there is a wide variety of battlefield formats.
And the most distinctive feature of every battlefield is this:
[You can place bets with Coins.]
The Lords of the Stars send their Vowed Ones here and place bets with their Coins.They wager on everything—from simple victory or defeat, to how long it takes to win, or whether someone can win under specific, difficult conditions.
Needless to say, the rewards for winning are significant.
[A considerable amount of Coins will be awarded as a prize! You shall also receive Star Points! And the right to use the Star Stormer!]
Kakasha explained in a resonant voice.
The Lords enjoy the Battlefield of the Stars as a form of noble entertainment.Of course, the Vowed Ones do not share this sentiment. After all, they're thrown into the arena like gladiators—who would enjoy that?
"Whether you like it or not, eventually everyone ends up doing it."
The Battlefield of the Stars continues to evolve over time.Right now, it may serve only as a pastime for the Star Lords, but eventually, it will become something as important as the Trial of the Gods.
That day is still far off… but it will come.
[War! I smell the scent of war!]
"I'm sure you do."
Han Yuseong ignored the excited Kakasha and looked straight ahead.In the empty lot in Seoul, he could see a massive portal standing tall—the portal to the Battlefield of the Stars.
"Damn it, I don't even want to do this, so why..."
"What can you do? If a Star Lord tells you to go, you go. No choice in the matter."
"What was this event again? Isn't it about time for it to end?"
"Wasn't it a duel tournament or something? I think that's what it was."
Near the portal stood a crowd of players.Han Yuseong walked past them and stopped right in front of the massive portal.
"It's a pain, but since it's the first time, I guess I'll just have to go in through the portal."
Muttering to himself, Han Yuseong stepped into the portal.A brilliant white light flooded his vision.
FWOOSH!
When the light faded, Han Yuseong found himself in an unfamiliar place.
A vast, white space.The ceiling and walls were made of a transparent metal, almost like glass.Beyond them stretched an endless expanse of space.
[Welcome to the Battlefield of the Stars.][This is the gathering place for Vowed Ones from many worlds. Various battlefields are prepared here for the Vowed—fight for your Lords, for Coins, and for rewards.][☆ A special event is currently underway! ☆]
This was the lobby of the Battlefield of the Stars.
Han Yuseong looked around.Countless semi-transparent figures floated throughout the space.Some resembled humans, others had monstrous shapes, and some appeared to be members of non-human races.They were Vowed Ones—not from Earth, but from other worlds.
In the lobby, their appearances remained hazy and translucent,but once they entered the battlefield, their true forms would surely be revealed.
"Please wait a moment."
Among them, there was one figure that wasn't translucent.It had the form of a human doll.Dressed in formal attire, the doll bowed its head, then approached Han Yuseong with smooth, graceful movements.
"Player Han Yuseong, welcome to the Battlefield of the Stars.As a first-time visitor, you are entitled to receive a special gift."
The doll held something out to Han Yuseong—a small gem.As soon as he took it, the gem melted like cotton candy and was absorbed into his body.
[You have absorbed the Star Gem.][Calculating rank... Your rank is: BRONZE.][You can now enter the Battlefield of the Stars without using the portal. However, some restrictions apply.]
A message explained the details.You could only use this ability from safe zones—not during combat, and not shortly after battles had ended.
"Bronze rank… It's been a while since I saw that one."
Han Yuseong smirked bitterly.The ranks started from Bronze, with Challenger being the highest.The rank determined which battlefields and events one could participate in.Naturally, the rewards varied accordingly as well.
The doll lifted its head.
"Now then, which battlefield would you like to participate in?"
"What's the current event?"
"Ah, the event? I'll bring it up for you right away."
A message appeared in front of Han Yuseong's eyes.It looked like a flashy pop-up ad straight from the internet.
[☆ A special event is currently underway! ☆][☆ Prove your strength in the Duel Tournament! ☆][☆ The more you win, the greater the rewards! ☆][☆ Bet up to 1,000 Coins! Earn up to 15x returns! ☆][☆ Earn bonus Star Points as well! ☆]
Shimmering stars on either side moved with lively animation.In the Battlefield of the Stars, these so-called
And there's one key feature that sets events apart:
—Non-Vowed players can also participate.
That was the key.
Han Yuseong didn't have much experience with the Battlefield of the Stars.There was a long stretch of time when he didn't have a contract with any Star Lord.
But when it came to events, he had joined quite a few.He knew very well just how valuable the rewards could be.
"A Duel Tournament, huh... Tch, that one's a bit tricky."
The most important thing was having the skill to defeat your opponent.
Next was stamina.Since rest time wasn't provided, you needed a way to recover depleted stamina and mana on your own.Fortunately, Han Yuseong had just the means to do that.
"No reason not to join."
[Will you participate? Are you participating? Yes—you are participating!]
"I'll join the Duel Tournament. Kakasha, place the bet."
[Ohhh, ohhh. It's been a while since I last placed a bet!]
Hearing that, the doll bowed and displayed a new panel.Before coming here, Han Yuseong had given Kakasha 1,000 Coins in advance—Coins earned from handling other players and selling off loot and leftover items.
Thanks to that, he had more than enough to bet.
[Your name has been added to the participant list of the Duel Tournament.][Your Star Lord has placed a bet of 1,000 Coins.][Star Points will be awarded based on the tournament results. You may set Restrictions to earn additional Star Points.][Would you like to set Restrictions now?]
In the Battlefield of the Stars, there is a system called
To put it simply: self-imposed penalties.By placing penalties on yourself, you could earn more Star Points.
But for Han Yuseong, there was no need to overcomplicate it with multiple conditions.
"I'll stake my life."
[Restriction set: If you lose the Duel Tournament, you will die.In return, you will receive the highest possible multiplier for Star Points.]
That one life was enough.
In Duel Tournaments—PvP-style battles between Vowed Ones—losing didn't normally result in death.You'd simply return to the lobby.But if you applied a Life-Forfeit Restriction, then defeat meant true death.
[Are you certain about this?]
"Doesn't matter. It's not like I plan on losing."
[Now that's the kind of answer I like to hear.]
Kakasha chirped happily, voice full of amusement.Once Han Yuseong finalized his settings, the doll bowed its head.
"All preparations are complete. The Duel Tournament will now begin.Player Han Yuseong, we wish you great success."
With that final statement, Han Yuseong's vision went dark.He blinked, and when he opened his eyes again, he was in a waiting room—a foreign space crowded with Vowed Ones from many different worlds.
Their faces were marked with tension.
"Huff... huff... I have to do well this time…""If I fail again, my Star Lord will... I have to win. No matter what.""Why does it have to be a Duel Tournament?! I'm a mage, damn it!"
Star Lords bet Coins on the victories of their Vowed Ones.If the Vowed One failed, the Star Lord would lose the wagered amount.Granted, it wasn't usually a huge sum...
But the important part was losing at all.
A Star Lord disappointed by failure would never forget it.And for Vowed Ones, disappointment was more devastating than death.
[Should you fail, I too will be disappointed.]
"No need to be disappointed. I'll be dead anyway."
[Which is exactly why you must return in victory. I'll be watching.]
"You don't have to say it. I already plan to win."
Han Yuseong glanced at the system window floating in midair—a panel displaying all the relevant details about the Duel Tournament.
[Duel Tournament (Bronze Tier: Lv.10–Lv.60)][Up to 15 consecutive duels will be held. Win each match to advance—opponents grow stronger with every stage.]
[With each victory, your rewards increase. If you forfeit, you may leave with half of your accumulated rewards.][However, if you are defeated, you will receive no rewards.]
The rules were brutally simple:Fight and win.With each victory, the rewards grow.It was the perfect kind of event for Han Yuseong.
[The Duel Tournament will begin shortly!][All participants, prepare for combat.]
And then came the blinding light.
A brilliant glow enveloped Han Yuseong and the other players.When he opened his eyes again, he saw iron bars in front of him—and beyond them, the arena-like battlefield.
[Only equipped gear may be used. All other items are restricted.][Participant profile will now be revealed. Do you consent?]
"Decline. I won't reveal my face or name."
Now wasn't the time to reveal himself.
Han Yuseong adjusted his gloves as he eyed his opponent—a man with an imposing, heavily built frame, clearly a warrior-type fighter.
[Your request has been accepted.][Enter the battlefield.]
Clang!
As the iron gate opened, Han Yuseong slowly stepped into the battlefield.He glanced around—countless eyes were fixed on the arena from all directions.
Whose eyes they were didn't even need to be said.
"The Star Lords."
To them, this Duel Tournament was just another form of entertainment.He didn't care. He already knew that—and still chose to enter, all for the sake of earning Coins.
Han Yuseong turned his gaze toward the man walking out from the opposite side.
"Heh. I was wondering who I'd face first—and it's some dainty little thing like you?"
A man with a scar-riddled body,his head shaved clean, and a large battle axe in hand.Clearly a warrior-type, and judging by his attitude, he saw Han Yuseong as an easy target.
[Opening Match Begins!][Lv.10 Unnamed Warrior VS Lv.30 Nak Gwang-gyu]
"Kahahah! Level 10? This is gonna be easy!"
And to be fair, he wasn't wrong.
A Level 30 versus a Level 10—no one would bet on the latter.
Convinced that this would be a quick win, Nak Gwang-gyu grinned and hefted his axe.A countdown timer appeared before both of their eyes.
[5, 4, 3, 2…]
"Hey. If you want to surrender, now's your chance.You're level 10, right? Probably got dragged here by your Star Lord.Just give up already."
The timer moved.Nam Gyugwang appeared relaxed. He looked as if he were certain of his victory—confident that he couldn't possibly lose.That was how absolute the difference in their levels was.But—what did that even matter?
[O.][The battle begins...]
"This is the last moment...!"
The sound exploded.Han Yuseong stomped the ground. The wind surged up and wrapped around his legs.He felt a speed even he couldn't control—and he let it loose.
WHOOOOM!
"...What was that? H-Huh?!"
A fierce wind roared.In an instant, that wind rushed right up to Nam Gyugwang's nose. And before he could even react, a fist wrapped in a storm of blood was launched at him.
CRAAACK!
"Ugh…!"
The bloodstorm-sheathed fist struck Nam Gyugwang's jaw.There was the sound of shattering bones bursting out with impact.His brain rattled, and Nam Gyugwang staggered. Han Yuseong wrapped his arm around the back of the man's neck.
And then, pulling his face in with brutal force—
CRACK!
Nam Gyugwang's face was slammed into the ground without mercy.A heavy impact—and with it, a surge of electricity exploded, sweeping across his entire body.His whole body convulsed, smoke rising from him as he collapsed.
"Ugh… H-Hurgh…"
Han Yuseong stomped hard on Nam Gyugwang's head.That was the end of it.
[The victor of the opening match has been decided! Lv.10 Nameless Warrior!][You are currently ranked 1st. The battle continues.]
Nam Gyugwang's defeated body turned into light and vanished.He was probably returning to the lobby.As Han Yuseong watched the Blood Soul Rose absorb the blood, he felt the weight of gazes falling upon him.The eyes of the Lords.
"Bring it on."
Han Yuseong wiped the blood from his face.A smile rose to his lips—the ferocious grin of a raging beast.