There's a saying used to describe beings like summoners and necromancers:
"A one-man army."It was a title given to those who could summon countless minions and wield the power of an entire army on their own.After all, there's little an individual can do in the face of overwhelming numbers.
"That's even more true if the opponent is a warrior."
Summoners and warriors are almost polar opposites.Warriors lack wide-area attack skills.They have no means to wipe out the masses of summoned creatures, so they must face the endless waves alone with nothing but their own body.Eventually, they exhaust all their strength and meet their death.That was the typical dynamic between a summoner and a warrior.
"That's how it should be. It has to be...!"
A fierce battle is raging.The battlefield is swarming with more than forty summoned creatures.Standing against them is a single warrior.
Crack!Crunch, BOOM!
The numbers are overwhelming.It's impossible for a lone warrior to fight against over forty summoned monsters.Especially if they've already been through fourteen battles beforehand—there's no need to even say it.
Everyone thought the same thing—
"What is this…? This is absurd…!"
Han Yuseong shattered all their expectations.Countless summoned creatures surrounded him, launching their attacks all at once.In any normal situation, it would be natural to crumble under the sheer force of numbers.But—
–BOOOOOM!–GRAAAHH…!
It wasn't Han Yuseong who fell—it was the summoned beasts.The moment they all pounced on him at once, a compressed storm of blood exploded outward.The unleashed storm twisted into a razor-sharp vortex that tore the summons to shreds.
"He's not being overwhelmed by these numbers?!"
Luke Mel was stunned.Blood covered the entire battlefield—But none of it belonged to Han Yuseong.It was all from the summoned beasts.
Yuseong walked down a path made of their blood—his own path—Cleaving through anything that stood in his way, without the slightest hesitation.
"This doesn't make sense… How can a level 10 have this kind of power?!"
He was slaughtering Luke Mel's summons—each of which was summoned by a level 60 player.At this rate, he wasn't just on par—he might even be stronger.
A level 10 player… wielding power that rivaled his own?
Whether it was supposed to be possible didn't even matter anymore.
"Is that all you've got?""…Damn it…!"
Because it was already unfolding before their very eyes.There were two reasons why this was possible. One was the buff granted by the God of Combat.The other—was the unique nature of the Bloodstorm Fist Art.
"A martial art especially effective when facing multiple enemies."
That was the essence of the Bloodstorm Fist Art.Each time a technique was unleashed, it summoned a bloodstorm as sharp as blades—And the more enemies there were, the more powerful it became.
[You have absorbed sufficient blood.][Bloodstorm Fist Art has been enhanced to its maximum potential.]
On top of that came the art's special effect:The more blood it absorbed, the stronger its attacks became.A fully empowered Bloodstorm was now literally tearing the summoned creatures to pieces.
These summons… could not stop Han Yuseong.
"If that guy were just a normal summoner, this would've been over already."
But what if he wasn't a normal summoner?Then he was bound to have a trump card.A special summon—Capable summoners always keep one powerful creature in reserve to turn the tide in desperate situations.
But it didn't matter.
"If he does have a last-resort summon, I'll just use that as my opportunity."
What use was a trump card when your opponent already anticipated it?Once expected, it lost the right to be called a true reversal.
Han Yuseong pressed forward along his blood-soaked path, eyes locked on Luke Mel's movements.
A bead of sweat rolled down Luke Mel's face.
"No… not like this…!"
He muttered nervously.The distance between them was shrinking.His summoned creatures could no longer stop Han Yuseong.At this rate, Han Yuseong would soon be within striking range.
Something had to be done—anything.Some way to stop that monster, no matter what.
"Awaken!"
He had to use his trump card.Magical energy surged around Luke Mel in a whirlwind.That mana began to form into a massive shape—The most powerful summon in his arsenal.
It consumed an enormous amount of mana, which was why he had tried to conserve it as long as possible.But now—
"I have to use it now!If not, I'll fall right here."
It was a desperate move born of instinct—and the decision itself was the right one.There was just one problem.
CRAAACK!
"Wh-What?!"
Han Yuseong had predicted his move.A violent gust of wind tore through the battlefield.
Han Yuseong had used Stormstep,and in an instant, he had closed the distance—reaching a point directly in front of Luke Mel.
Han Yuseong now stood right in front of the creature Luke Mel was attempting to summon.
"There's a moment when a summoned beast is at its most vulnerable."
It's right as the summoning is about to be completed.The more powerful the summon, the longer it takes to bring forth.And just as the summoning ends—when the creature begins to manifest and prepare to act—
That is when it's most exposed.
Han Yuseong activated his physical enhancement and the Ring of Powerstrike.
–KRRRRRK…!BOOOOM!
A massive bird-shaped summon began to materialize.Right in front of it, Han Yuseong stomped hard on the ground—then used a feint to mislead the creature's line of sight.In that instant, he unleashed his finishing move.
Bloodfang Demon Breaker tore through the air.
KRAAAASH!
His fist landed straight on the summon's heart.At that very moment, Dragonfangs manifested and tore into the creature's body,followed by a shockwave so powerful it smashed the heart with relentless force.
It disrupted the summoning entirely.
SZZZZZZZZZT…!
"N-No way!"
The massive bird dissolved back into raw mana, vanishing into the air.The Bloodfang Demon Breaker had caused the summoning to fail.Luke Mel could only stare in stunned disbelief at the now-absent form of his ultimate summon.
Once again, the wind howled violently.
"You're telling me… you're level 10?"
Luke Mel let out a hollow laugh as the storm closed in around him.A bloodstained fist was headed his way.
"Unless something's gone terribly wrong with the system…"
CRAAACK!
A fist wrapped in a storm of blood slammed into Luke Mel's face.It was a blow no summoner could endure.His body was lifted into the air, flung backward—and slammed into the wall before crumpling to the ground in defeat.
"It's over."
Han Yuseong casually flicked the blood from his hand.He felt no particular emotion.Fifteen consecutive wins in ranked duels—he'd done it before.There was no thrill left in it.
He was waiting for only one thing.
[A new record! The first to achieve 15 consecutive wins in Bronze ranked duels!][Lv.10 Nameless Warrior! His feat shall be inscribed into the Battlefield of Stars, remembered until the last star fades!][In honor of his achievement, fitting rewards will be granted!]
Rewards.
With a pop, like fireworks bursting in midair, radiant beams of light began to rain down from the sky.Han Yuseong simply watched the scene in silence.
"Hah… now that's worth spending Star Points on…"
While witnessing that dazzling, almost dreamlike spectacle—Han Yuseong's thoughts were far removed from it.
Fifteen consecutive victories.A feat no one had ever achieved.And it wasn't done by some high-level elite—It was accomplished by a Level 10 player.
[Even seeing it with my own eyes… I still can't believe it.][At this level… he must have some kind of special innate ability…][Can we find out who he is? We should ask the Administrators.][You really think they'll just tell us?]
The Lords were in an uproar.Some speculated about the ability Han Yuseong possessed.Others tried to uncover his identity.A few even sought to make him their Vowed Champion.
But it was all in vain.
[The player in question has refused to reveal their identity. Unless they disclose it themselves, we cannot provide that information.]
The Administrators had blocked them.In the Battlefield of Stars, Administrators were the ones who governed everything.They organized and oversaw the battlefields, maintained balance, and ran special events.
[Then at least answer this—does he serve under a Lord?][We cannot answer that either.][So stubborn! You don't give us anything!]
The Administrators flatly refused to answer any of the Lords' inquiries.
The Lords clicked their tongues and left the scene.They knew all too well how rigid those Administrators were.Once they decided not to answer, they never would—no matter what.
[That combat strength was absurd. If he's this strong at level 10, I can't even imagine where he'll end up as he grows.][Wind and fists… hmm. That feels like someone from the martial sects. Should we start looking among their Vowed Champions?][I have other business to attend to. I'll take my leave.]
The Lords began moving swiftly.All in pursuit of discovering the identity of the Nameless Warrior.Of course, they wouldn't find him.And even if they did, it wouldn't matter.
Meanwhile, the very person they sought—Han Yuseong—was…
[I witnessed your battle with my own eyes! It was a glorious clash, burning with the fury of war! I am truly satisfied!]"This one talks way more than I expected…"[Such an incredible achievement deserves no end of praise!]
...listening with a tired expression to Kakasha's endless compliments in the battlefield lobby.She had been chattering non-stop ever since the duel ended, clearly impressed by the match.
[Fufu~ To think that the first person to reach 15 consecutive wins is my Vowed Champion! I can't wait to see what kind of reward you'll receive. I'm truly excited~]
Kakasha murmured with gleeful pride, almost like a noble taking credit.Han Yuseong ignored her voice, waiting instead for the real message he cared about.
He didn't have to wait long.
[Congratulations on your victory, Nameless Warrior—Han Yuseong.][You will now receive a reward worthy of your astounding achievement.]
A mechanical click echoed, like something unlocking from deep within.
[You've achieved 15 consecutive wins. You've earned 15 times the reward.][The Warlord of War has obtained 15,000 coins.][Star points are being calculated...]
15 times 1,000 coins.They earned 15,000 coins in one go. That amount is significant enough that even the Lords of the Stars can't ignore it. And they earned it all at once.Maybe that's why.
[Wahoo! Coins! Coins, my friend! 15,000 coins in one haul! Isn't this what they call a total turnaround in life?]
You could sense Kakasha was especially excited.But the rewards weren't over yet.
[You have earned 10,000 Star Points as a reward for the win streak.][Due to a special effect, the Star Point multiplier has increased by 5x.][You have gained a total of 50,000 Star Points!]
An enormous Star Point reward, too.Star Points are a currency that can only be earned on the battlefield of the Star Lords.This currency is typically used for purchasing goods.
[You are granted permission to use the Star Store (Bronze).][Would you like to unlock it?]
Now, the products of the Star Store.There was no reason to hesitate. Hanyuseong answered that he would unlock it.And he waited for a new message to appear.
[You have overcome a nearly impossible trial.]
[You have satisfied the activation condition for the unique ability, 'War God'.][The quality of the items registered in the Star Store has increased by one level!][There is now a low probability that a 'special item' will be added!]
Thanks to the effect of the War God ability, the rewards are even more plentiful.One of those effects is this: when you're granted access to a shop as a "reward," the ability upgrades the quality of the items available in that shop.Right now, Hanyuseong has access to the Bronze tier of the Star Store.But now, he's been granted access to the next level—Silver.It's considered part of the reward for overcoming the ordeal of the win streak.In his past life, this effect had brought him a lot of benefits.
"If I'm lucky, I might get a decent item."
With the item tier raised by one level, the chances were good.And then, as the Star Store opened, a massive system window appeared before him, listing an array of various items.Hanyuseong quickly scanned the list of items.
"Huh? That's..."
At that moment, Hanyuseong's eyes locked onto a particular item.An item that absolutely shouldn't be in the Star Store at this stage.
[Orb of Command (Legendary)]
* A "class advancement item" infused with powerful energy.
* When the user overcomes a trial that appears at a certain level, the item regains its true power and grants the user an opportunity for class advancement.
A class advancement item: the Orb of Command.Hanyuseong knew exactly what class it could lead to.There was no way he wouldn't.
"… Wuhon?"
It was a class he could never forget—the one he had vaguely grasped in his previous life.