17.The Final Victor, and a New Challenge

The stench of blood filled the arena.

Around her, the warriors of the Demonic Cult roared with excitement.

"Kill! Finish the last one off!"

"I can't believe the traitor is the last one standing…!"

Lee So-eun took a deep breath, gripping her dagger.

Lying before her was the massive body of a defeated opponent.

And in front of her stood her final challenger, sword drawn and eyes locked onto hers.

"So you're the last one left."

The man's gaze was filled with murderous intent.

But—

Lee So-eun remained calm, raising her sword.

"Let's finish this."

The two warriors rushed at each other with all their might.

Boom!

A tremendous shockwave erupted as their blades clashed.

The very air of the battlefield trembled from the sheer force of their collision.

Then—

Slash!

In the blink of an eye, Lee So-eun's blade found an opening.

Blood gushed from her opponent's wound as he fell to his knees.

The moment her final opponent collapsed—

The arena erupted in deafening cheers.

"Uwooooooo!"

"The traitor actually won!"

"She's the last one standing! I can't believe it!"

"That means she has the right to challenge anyone!"

From his seat, Wei Hyeok watched with amusement.

Slowly, he stood up and addressed the crowd.

"Good."

"Since you've survived to the very end, the right to challenge is now yours."

Lee So-eun steadied her breath.

Wei Hyeok's gaze sharpened as he spoke.

"Now, choose."

"Who will you challenge?"

An Unprecedented Decision

The crowd buzzed with excitement.

Most assumed she would choose to challenge one of the Cult's mid-tier executives—perhaps a 5th or 6th-ranked warrior.

That was the usual choice.

Even among the strongest, no one rushed to challenge the top.

That would be suicide.

Surely, Lee So-eun would do the same.

But—

She did not.

Instead, she calmly plunged her sword into the ground and declared:

"The one I challenge is…"

A tense silence fell over the arena.

Lee So-eun lifted her gaze—

And with unwavering determination, she spoke:

"The Third Seat of the Demonic Cult."

"I, Lee So-eun, challenge the Third Elder."

The Arena Falls Silent

For a brief eternity, no one spoke.

Then—

Chaos erupted.

"What…?!"

"Did she just say what I think she said?!"

"She's challenging the Third Elder? Is she insane?!"

"That's suicide! The Third Seat is one of the strongest in the entire Cult!"

Even Wei Hyeok was momentarily stunned.

Then—

He grinned.

"Hooh…?"

His curiosity was piqued.

"You're challenging the Third Elder?"

Lee So-eun's voice was steady.

"That's right."

"If I have the right to challenge, I will aim for the highest."

Laughter and mockery burst from the crowd.

"Hahaha! She's completely lost her mind!"

"She barely survived the arena, and now she thinks she can take on the Third Elder?"

"She won't last ten seconds!"

But—

One man had yet to speak.

The Third Elder himself.

Seated at the highest position in the arena,

He had been watching everything unfold.

Now, all eyes were on him.

Would he accept this absurd challenge?

Or would he crush her for her arrogance?

Slowly—

The Third Elder stood.

The Third Elder Descends

His movements were deliberate.

Step by step, he descended the stairs, his boots echoing in the silent arena.

Then, he stood before her.

"Lee So-eun… you dare to challenge me?"

His tone was neither angered nor amused.

Instead, it carried a strange curiosity.

His lips curled into a faint smile.

"How amusing."

His eyes glimmered with an unreadable emotion.

"Very well."

He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming.

"But… you're not foolish enough to fight me right now, are you?"

Lee So-eun met his gaze without flinching.

"No."

"I need time."

The crowd stirred.

Time?

The Third Elder raised an eyebrow.

"And why is that?"

Lee So-eun's voice was calm but resolute.

"Because I must perfect my swordsmanship."

The Countdown Begins

The Third Elder chuckled.

It was a low, amused sound.

"So you plan to stand before me with a 'perfected' technique?"

"Interesting."

He studied her for a long moment.

Then—

He smiled.

"Fine. I will allow it."

"You have time."

The crowd erupted again.

"What?! He's giving her time?!"

"There's no need! He could crush her right now!"

"What's the point? Even if she trains, she'll still lose!"

But the Third Elder ignored them.

Instead, he looked down at Lee So-eun and spoke:

"Train as much as you like."

"It won't change the outcome."

His smile was cruel.

"No matter how strong you become, the moment you stand before me, the result will be the same."

"You will die."

But—

Lee So-eun did not waver.

Her voice was steady.

"I know."

The Third Elder turned and began walking away.

But his final words lingered in the air.

"Train well, Lee So-eun."

"Because when you return, I will be waiting."

The Path to Victory

Even after the Third Elder left, the arena was in turmoil.

Some laughed.

Some scorned her.

Some were wary.

But Lee So-eun no longer cared.

She had made her choice.

Now, she had to win.

She turned away from the arena and walked toward the Cult's inner sanctum.

There—

She retrieved a book she had discovered some time ago.

"The Sky Opens with the Heavenly Seal (天符開天)"

She opened the pages.

Her eyes widened.

A New Sword Style – Seven Blades Dance

—The will of the swordsman merges with the blade.

—A single sword moves as if wielding seven.

—The blade fights in place of the master, becoming an extension of their will.

She remembered the mural she had seen—

An ancient depiction of seven swords moving as one.

"…This is the same concept."

She flipped the pages faster.

—The 'Heavenly Seal' technique allows the swordsman's will and energy to flow into the sword,

turning the blade into a living entity.

Ordinary warriors would dismiss it as fantasy.

But—

She knew it was possible.

Lee So-eun exhaled slowly.

"This is it."

She had only a few months.

To forge a technique unlike any other.

To defeat the Third Elder.

To survive.

And—

She would succeed.