Chapter 19: Shattered Resolve

Chapter 19: Shattered Resolve

I'd lost count. How many times had I faced him? Ten? Twenty? A hundred? The memories blurred together in an endless loop of defeat and frustration. Each time, the knight stood as an insurmountable wall, his silhouette a monolith of dominance. His physique mirrored my own, but his skill, technique, and footwork eclipsed mine by miles.

No matter what I tried, no matter how I adapted or grew stronger, he evolved in tandem, always a step ahead. Was this what it meant to be an apostle? To wield strength so profound, it rendered the efforts of others futile?

The cavern had become as familiar as the back of my hand, its damp, metallic scent almost nostalgic now. Each flickering torch, each jagged stone edge felt like an old acquaintance, ominous and indifferent. The air was thick, pressing against my skin as if the cave itself sought to crush me.

I exhaled deeply, steadying my trembling fingers. The translucent screen hovered before me:

[Retry available: Y/N]

My thumb hovered briefly over the option before pressing Y, just as I had done countless times before. The world folded inward, and in an instant, I stood once more in the cavern's oppressive darkness.

He was there, as always, standing in that same poised stance. But this time, something was different. His posture was looser, his presence less rigid. The faint clatter of his gauntlets as he clapped echoed through the chamber, each sound deliberate and sharp.

"Your resilience is… admirable," he said, his voice colder than the cave air, yet laced with an unfamiliar undertone. Was it respect? Pity?

"For one so weak to stand before me so many times…" he trailed off, shaking his head. "Now, once more, prove yourself."

He surged forward, his movements blindingly fast. But I had learned. My eyes, sharpened through endless battles, caught the gleam of his descending blade. With a desperate swipe, I deflected his strike and countered with a thrust aimed at his abdomen.

He twisted, effortlessly sidestepping my attack.

"You're still too slow," he mocked, his tone unusually biting. "Pitiful, really."

The side of his blade struck my temple, the impact sending a sharp jolt of pain through my skull. I stumbled but refused to fall. Summoning every ounce of my strength, I retaliated, swinging my blade in a wide arc. He barely moved, dodging with infuriating ease.

His gauntleted hand shot out, shoving my sword arm aside. Before I could react, a powerful kick slammed into my chest, sending me sprawling onto the cold, unforgiving ground.

I lay there, gasping, the weight of his presence pressing down on me like a physical force. My vision swam as I looked up at him, his soulless helmet staring back.

"Let's fight again when you're stronger," he said, his tone suddenly softer, almost contemplative. He raised his sword, pointing it to the roof of the cave.

"It was…" He paused, the silence stretching unbearably.

"…Enjoyable."

Before I could comprehend his words, he turned the blade inward, plunging it into his own abdomen.

The sound was sickening, the screech of metal against metal, the wet squelch of flesh torn apart. Blood poured from the wound, staining the ground in dark rivulets. His hands trembled briefly as he twisted the blade, the motion deliberate and final.

His massive frame toppled backward, the crash of his armor reverberating through the cavern. For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. I stared at his lifeless body, my thoughts a cacophony of confusion and disbelief. Why? Why end it this way?

And then, it shattered.

I was back in the Field of Blades. The endless expanse stretched before me, serene and mocking in its tranquility. A translucent screen flickered into existence, its words cold and devoid of emotion:

[Second Trial Completed]

[Details: In a fierce duel, against all odds you managed to slay the twenty-third apostle of ERROR.] 

[Progression: 1/1 foes defeated] 

[Reward: 23rd Apostle's Shield]

Victory. But it felt hollow. The countless hours, the endless defeats, all culminated in this, a foe who ended himself. My grip on the hilt of my sword tightened as I stared at the words on the screen.

He's dead now… isn't he?

My thoughts were interrupted as the reward section glowed. Hesitantly, I tapped the screen, and new text appeared:

[23rd Apostle's Shield] 

[Details: A shield wielded by the 23rd Apostle within the Field of Blades. Crafted from an ancient, unyielding metal. Sturdy yet impossibly light. Automatically restored upon return to the Field of Blades.]

I stared at the description, the faintest flicker of satisfaction stirring in me. A shield… something tangible, something real. But the weight of emptiness quickly returned, heavier than ever. My victories felt less like triumphs and more like fleeting breaks from an endless cycle of torment.

Was this all there was to victory? The hollow ache of unanswered questions and unfulfilled expectations?

I glanced at the corner of the screen.

[Third Trial available in: 23:57:37…]

The timer ticked down, indifferent to my turmoil. My chest felt heavy, the ache of the past trial lingering as a bitter reminder.

But I had no choice. No matter the cost, I had to push forward.

For what lay beyond this trial was far greater than the hollow victories or fleeting rewards.

And for that, I would fight.