The Grand Duelist

With Abyssal Flame Master's experience and knowledge with the game. He couldn't find a proper answer as to why his enemy was still alive apart from the game being bugged.

But Abyssal Flame Master believed that what he said was unrealistic.

It has to be known that the world of Victory was managed by the Supercomputer Noah. Its wisdom and knowledge far surpassed human beings and it possessed incredible skills when it came to debugging.

Something that a mere mortal like him couldn't understand.

But apart from the game being bugged. Was there really a proper reason as to why his quest still hasn't ended? Could it be that there's another condition for quest completion apart from killing this weak newbie?

Abyssal Flame Master thought for a moment, but the answer to his question soon revealed itself.

In the end, the quest was still ongoing.

Why?

Because for some reason...

Joseph was alive.

How?

Joseph stood up. His upper body stark-naked, and revealed to the world.

Upon seeing this, Abyssal Flame Master finally acquired the answer that he wanted.

It was true that Joseph was alive.

But how?

How did he survive a Fireball at that range?

Well, it was because...

[You discarded your Armor(Upper Body)]

[Ownership of the item will remain for five minutes until the item is retrieved.]

[The item suffered tremendous damage. Its durability is lost and the item is likewise lost forever.]

... Before the Fireball struck Joseph.

He discarded his clothe and threw it in the direction of the Fireball.

Fireball was a non-targeted spell that flew out as a projectile. Even though it possessed tremendous strength. It had a fatal weakness.

That weakness was the fact that almost anything could stop it for as long as it previously belonged to a player.

Meaning...

Discarded items that came from a player could block the Fireball. This weakness of the Fireball was famously taken advantage of by Ninjas who used their Shuriken on blocking incoming Fireballs sent by their enemies.

Such weakness was common sense for experienced players. But Joseph was undoubtedly a new player.

What was going on?

Abyssal Flame Master had to take another good look at his enemy.

"As expected of the Madman of the Festival of Battles. Even though he doesn't have sufficient experience when it comes to fighting against other high-leveled players. His fight with the NPCs at that Festival became his strength which made him survive my Fireball..." He thought to himself.

"So, you also know about that trick? In that case, what will happen if I use a skill that is recognized as having no weaknesses?" Abyssal Flame Master grinned at Joseph and he opened his arms wide. Dark energy surrounded his body and it became a signal for Joseph as he rushed at his enemy.

"My enemy is a Magician! No matter what, I must not let him chant!" This was the plan that Joseph ultimately decided on using. This plan was too risky, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

The current Joseph was too weak. It was impossible for him to play safe since his enemy could defeat him with just a few high-leveled spells.

But High-leveled spells were notorious for having long cast times. So, a Magician required protection whenever they prepared their spells.

Such weakness was something that Joseph could take advantage of.

Clang!

His sword clashed against his enemy's wooden staff and a dull sound rang out. Abyssal Flame Master raised his knee and kicked Joseph right at his stomach. Joseph sidestepped and dodged the kick, before unleashing [Thrust] at his enemy's torso.

[You suffered 24 damage!]

The Health Points of the two were similar since they were at the same level. A damage of 24 Health Points wasn't trivial for their characters that only had a thousand Health Points. Abyssal Flame Master used [Backward Leap] and tried widening his distance away from his enemy.

He refused to engage in close-quarter combat against the Madman of the Festival of Battles since he was a Magician.

Magicians were squishy targets and weak against any enemy that could close their distance to them.

Not only that, if a Magician wanted to reign supreme in a battle.

They must be given enough time so, that they could prepare their spells.

A Magician that couldn't cast his spells was worse than a Mercenary that didn't have his weapon.

After all, a Mercenary could use their fists in battle due to their strong fleshly-body.

But as for a Magician? Well, they shouldn't even bother.

A fatal weakness like that wasn't tolerated in the world of Victory.

But although that weakness wasn't removed...

The Supercomputer Noah compensated Magicians by giving them Movement Speed that was better than Mercenaries, but worse than Hunters.

Nevertheless, a Magician's true power could never appear if they couldn't even cast their spells.

That was the reason why Abyssal Flame Master made widening his distance away from his enemy his priority.

Unfortunately for him...

"What in the hell is wrong with this guy? He really wants to kill me..." Abyssal Flame Master inwardly cursed. Repeated usage of movement skills such as [Backward Leap], and [Frontal Leap] along with jumping and continuous running took a toll on his body.

Magicians had the worst Stamina among the Four Main Classes.

With the exception of walking, every movement within the world of Victory required the usage of Stamina.

It was evident that Abyssal Flame Master would run out of stamina first before Joseph did.

Fortunately, Abyssal Flame Master's experience didn't make him panic.

He turned around and faced Joseph before he ran out of Stamina and received Joseph's [Slash].

Clang!

A dull sound rang out once again and Abyssal Flame Master pushed Joseph away before casting another Fireball. This spell needed to be chanted, but the chant necessary for this spell was short.

An experienced Magician like Abyssal Flame Master could easily cast it whenever he wanted with great proficiency.

Joseph lowered his head and rolled forward. Abyssal Flame Master smashed his staff downwards in advance in preparation for Joseph's arrival beside him, but Joseph's body stopped mid-roll and he used [Thrust] while he was in the middle of rolling.

"Guah!" Abyssal Flame Master coughed a mouthful of blood.

"Such petty tricks!" He cried out in anger and sent another Fireball which Joseph dodged.

Afterward, what came down was another [Slash] from Joseph that Abyssal Flame Master blocked using his wooden staff.

Using the force behind Joseph's attack. He extended the range of his [Backward Leap] and he managed to widen the distance quite a bit as Joseph rushed at him once again.

But with just three steps. Joseph stopped his attacks. But it wasn't because he voluntarily stopped his attack. It was because he couldn't attack his enemy anymore.

Abyssal Flame Master wore a smile on his face as he said: "Your plan on exhausting my Stamina Bar has backfired on you... What do you feel? Are you angry?" He said in a teasing manner.

Joseph's expression looked pale and beaded sweat formed on his forehead.

Even though Magicians had the worst Stamina among the Four Main Classes. Their attacks didn't require the usage of Stamina.

In contrast, every Mercenary's attack consumed Stamina. Even though the consumption wasn't that ridiculous...

If attacks were used in repetition. They would stack up and bite you on the ass if you weren't careful.

And that's what happened to Joseph.

In his quest on reducing the Stamina of his opponent.

He forgot about the fact that he also had the Stamina Bar.

In the end, his plan backfired...

For a few seconds while his Stamina was in the process of recovery.

He couldn't do anything against Abyssal Flame Master.

And who was Abyssal Flame Master? He's a player recognized as an Apostle of the God of Darkness.

His experience when it came to battles against other players was unparalleled compared to Joseph that had little to none.

Abyssal Flame Master quickly took advantage of Joseph's circumstances and he hurriedly chanted a spell...

"Unod bukog, unod bukog..." Abyssal Flame Master mumbled to himself as indecipherable magical runes surrounded his body.

An indication that he was preparing a powerful spell.

'Right now, that bastard is recovering his stamina. Stamina recovery for new players should last for at least ten seconds, by then..."

"I would've already completed the preparation of this spell." Abyssal Flame Master felt confident.

But he couldn't help but feel uneasy when he saw the smile on Joseph's face.

'Why is he smiling? Does he really want to die that much? But if he died, wouldn't he lose the blessing of a God? His attitude doesn't make sense.' Abyssal Flame Master frowned.

But he soon shook his head as his spell's preparation neared its completion. Now, what remained was the injection of Mana in the magical runes that he prepared.

Yes, only the injection of Mana remained.

Wait...

The injection of Mana?

Where's my Mana?!

Abyssal Flame Master cried out loud when he realized that his Mana Bar that he expected to be halfway full was currently empty. Magicians required the help of Magical Runes that they could summon amidst their chanting.

Those Magical Runes were the reason why their class existed and to use Magic.

But the problem was even though their chanting could summon Magical Runes. They must inject Mana in those Magical Runes so that they could be used.

Now, even though Abyssal Flame Master's Magical Runes were completed. It lacked an incredibly important component. Since that component was missing.

The spell couldn't be completed and it promptly crumbled, wasting Abyssal Flame Master's efforts.

[You do not have enough Mana to complete the preparation of the spell!]

[The Magical Runes has crumbled and returned to ashes...]

[Casting of the spell failed due to insufficient Mana...]

"His plan wasn't to seal my movements by making me use all of my Stamina but to take my attention away from my Mana Bar so, that I wouldn't notice its disappearance?!"

These system notifications awakened Abyssal Flame Master from his stupor, and when he raised his head to stare at Joseph. He found that Joseph's figure looked much bigger and nearer than before.

"Ah!"

He screamed in fright.

What remained of his consciousness registered the incoming danger and he subconsciously raised his wooden staff in order to block Joseph's attack.

Unfortunately, it was futile...

His wooden staff that lost its enhancement from Mana, couldn't endure the strength of the sword within Joseph's hand and it crumbled into dust.

[Your Primary Weapon: Corporeal to Ash has been permanently destroyed!]

[Without a Primary Weapon as a medium. Spells cannot be used and they will be temporarily sealed until the appearance of a Primary Weapon.]

[You suffered 31 damage.]

Joseph saw the hopelessness and disbelief within his opponent's face yet, he didn't show mercy. His attacks remained relentless and fierce.

It was as if he wanted nothing but the death of Abyssal Flame Master.

'Everything that I have worked so hard for since the start of the game would be wasted here? That cannot be... I can't accept it... I can't... But...' Abyssal Flame Master's eyes widened in shock. His expression turned incomparably pale while his mouth opened agape.

He stared at Joseph and found that his enemy whom he considered as weak and comparable only to that of an ant now looked incredibly strong and big.

Since the start of the game, Abyssal Flame Master chose solitude in the hopes that he could achieve strength that could transform him into a one-man island. He was always diligent.

Every order that his superiors back when he was still recognized as a Believer of the God of Darkness, he obeyed them all without any regrets nor complaints.

Slowly, but certainly. He ascended the ranks and soon became an Apostle of the God of Darkness.

Just above him was the rank that he wanted from the start.

Becoming a Disciple of the God of Darkness.

Such a title meant that he would stand above everyone else, while just being under a few Gods.

Abyssal Flame Master didn't mind that.

He didn't mind the fact that he would be under the bidding of a god for he only wanted to prove himself towards that woman...

That's right, Abyssal Flame Master started his journey of getting stronger for the sake of getting revenge. He wanted revenge against that woman.

Against that woman who mercilessly tore his heart, body, and soul apart. All for the sake of her own selfish desires.

But today...

Everything was going to end?

Abyssal Flame Master didn't know why but he felt quite peaceful. He thought that he would be angry at Joseph and swear that he wouldn't be able to live under the same skies as him because of what Joseph did at him. But right now, Abyssal Flame Master felt peace.

He stared at Joseph with a small smile on his bloodied-face. His bloodshot eyes gleamed with a beckoning manner at Joseph as if he was saying that he wanted that sword to end his life as soon as possible.

Yes, he wanted everything to end as soon as possible.

When everything ended, he could finally find peace and get over his hatred towards that woman. He wouldn't feel remorseful that he failed on his efforts on proving himself to her.

At least...

He would find peace due to the fact that he tried his best.

Although his best was never enough...

"Perhaps... It is best for me to just forget about you, Lily..." He whispered.

"[Thrust]"

A single thrust pierced through Abyssal Flame Master's heart.

[Quest: Impress the God of Darkness has failed!]

[The God of Darkness, ??? deems you worthless and has stripped you of your title as an Apostle.]

[Your affinity towards the Church of Darkness has sunk to the lowest. Every believer of the Church of Darkness will turn violent whenever they see you and they will accuse you of being a coward and useless.]

[You lost the Dark Magician's Skill Tree]

[All stats and skill points acquired as a Dark Magician is permanently lost and can never be recovered.]

[You lost 5 levels.]

[You died.]

At the end of his life, Abyssal Flame Master saw all of these system notifications and a small smile of relief surfaced on his lips. However, before he could thoroughly embrace the sensation of death...

Another series of system notification appeared right in front of him along with a hoarse and grating voice that said...

"Poor child, discarded by the God of Darkness that you loved so much... It must hurt, right? You're too pitiful..."

[The 72nd Demon: Gelial has taken interest in your plight.]

"Since those shiny daddies up above the skies are becoming hasty, I guess this isn't so bad too..."

[The 72nd Demon: Gelial welcomes you in his arms.]

[The might of a Demon in your weakened state is too great for you to resist.]

[You cannot resist.]

Abyssal Flame Master would then become a great variable for Joseph in the far future.