Let's Play

The sun stood high overhead, pouring harsh light down onto the Floating Island. From all corners came muffled booms—echoes of skirmishes erupting and dying away.

Here and there, the motionless bodies of unconscious young Adventurers lay sprawled across the scorched terrain. Others stumbled on, their limbs bloody and torn, grimly pressing forward despite their injuries.

Many buildings lay in ruins, their walls cracked or reduced to rubble. Even swathes of the great forest had been reduced to blackened cinders by the fierce clashes.

High above the chaos, where Helbram, the faction masters, and the Elders floated in observation, every gaze was fixed on a single place:

The frontier where the city met the forest.

Where two boys now stood facing each other in the wreckage.

"I suspect this will be a great match," Helbram remarked, smiling faintly. "A duel between two gifted Adventurers—and Alchemists, no less."

The Elders and faction masters all nodded in agreement.

On Morris' face, a confident smile lingered. He was certain his personal student would emerge victorious. After all, he himself had taught Brien some of those deadly techniques. And Brien wasn't merely any ordinary 6th Level Scarlet Gold Rank—his combat power could rival that of a 7th Level Scarlet Gold Rank.

Noah and Marcus, however, watched Finn with silent caution.

To them, Finn's power was the most elusive of all. Even when Tiffanya and Hyon had combined their strength, they hadn't come close to forcing him to show his limits.

If anything, he had been holding back.

And now, as the two boys regarded each other across the battlefield, both wore a calm, almost pleased expression—like predators savoring the long-awaited moment to test their fangs.

"You're still calm," Brien sneered. "Even standing in front of me? You must have quite the inflated sense of your own strength."

His lip curled with disdain.

"You think you'll win just because you defeated Tiffanya and Hyon? Ridiculous. Look at what happened to them—"

He stretched out a hand to indicate the battered, unconscious figures nearby.

"They couldn't even scratch me."

Finn had noticed their bodies earlier but showed no reaction at all, as though it were simply a detail beneath his concern.

He lifted his gaze to Brien and spoke evenly.

"I have confidence in myself," he said. "Because I know I can defeat you. I don't need anyone's help. I already beat you once—and no matter what field we compete in, the result will be the same."

A flicker of irritation crossed Brien's face.

"You just got lucky before," he snapped. "This time, you won't have that luck to hide behind. There's a vast difference between alchemy…and actual combat."

Finn fell silent for a moment, studying him calmly. Then he smiled—a slow, mocking smile.

"I'll say it again," he said quietly. "No matter the battlefield…you'll never surpass me."

"You really do enjoy running your mouth," Brien snarled. He drew in a steadying breath. "But just fighting you head-on…it feels like a waste."

Finn's brows drew together slightly.

"…What do you mean?"

Brien's lips curved.

"Why don't we make this interesting? A wager," he said.

Finn tilted his head, regarding him without blinking.

"A wager?"

"That's right." Brien's grin widened.

"I want the formula of Advanced Scarlet Pill. With it, the Alchemist Association can produce the pill in quantity—to benefit the entire Sacred Dragon Kingdom."

Inwardly, Finn almost laughed.

How transparent.

He knew perfectly well that Brien's so-called noble intention was just a veneer—what the Alchemist Association truly wanted was a monopoly over the formula.

Still, with Helbram and the faction masters watching, it was a clever ploy.

Finn sighed, smiling faintly.

"And if I agree…what exactly do you intend to offer in exchange?"

He asked it casually—but there was steel in his voice.

The Advanced Scarlet Pill was no ordinary Rank 5 pill. Even most Rank 6 pills couldn't compare to its effects.

Brien fell silent, thinking. Then he spoke again:

"Since you're the owner of the formula…you'll receive half the profits from its sale. Moreover, you can request a favor—any single favor—from the Alchemist Association."

Finn burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?!" Brien snapped, his irritation rising.

Finn's eyes gleamed with amusement.

"I'm just wondering if you really have the authority to make promises on behalf of the Alchemist Association. You're just a member—you can't make decisions for them."

He paused.

"And besides—half isn't enough. Seventy-five percent."

The proposition drew a ripple of surprise from the onlookers, but no one interrupted.

It was true—even a single favor from the Alchemist Association was worth a great deal.

But the Advanced Scarlet Pill…

Its worth was beyond ordinary measurement.

Brien gave a dismissive shrug. He didn't care about the profits. All he wanted was to pry the secret from Finn's grasp.

"…Is that all?" he said lightly.

He lifted his head and raised his voice, calling to the sky above.

"Teacher! I know you're listening. What's your opinion of this wager?"

His voice rang across the battlefield, carrying clearly even to the ears of other nearby adventurers.

Morris's reply came almost at once:

"I agree to the terms," the old man called down, his tone bright. "But if Finn Doria wins, his request must be reasonable. As for the profits—seventy percent."

He sounded almost cheerful—but inwardly, he felt a ripple of unease.

If Brien lost, the Alchemist Association would suffer a humiliation they'd never live down.

And if he won…

It would be a favor for the entire kingdom.

Helbram remained silent, but in his eyes was the faint gleam of approval.

Finn inclined his head.

"Very well," he said calmly. "Since Association Master Morris and Lord Helbram both gave their consent, I'll accept. Seventy percent…and your favor. But in the end—it won't matter. You'll lose, just like last time."

Brien's expression twisted.

"…You really don't know when to shut up," he hissed.

And then he moved.

A surge of soulforce exploded from his legs, propelling him forward in a blur.

He closed the distance in a heartbeat, fist lashing toward Finn's face.

Finn's palm shot up, catching the punch effortlessly.

The impact cracked the ground beneath their feet, sending a gale of dust swirling around them.

Neither moved.

Neither flinched.

Finn's fingers tightened around Brien's fist. He twisted sharply—

—but Brien kicked off the ground, spinning in midair to bleed away the force, then landed lightly out of reach.

Finn's grip clamped down harder. With a sudden heave, he hurled Brien across the broken paving.

The youth's body smashed into the side of a building, which collapsed in a roar of pulverized stone.

Finn didn't wait.

He was already moving, closing in on the wreckage.

Leaping high, his foot wrapped in rippling blue energy, he brought his heel down in a crushing arc.

But Brien was fast—he flipped backward, the impact of Finn's kick obliterating the shattered floor.

A cloud of dust rose, and then Brien stepped calmly out, brushing debris from his shoulder.

"You caught me off guard," he admitted flatly. "I'll admit you have…a shred of ability."

Finn stopped, studying him in the settling haze.

He smiled faintly.

"I'll admit the same," he said. "A shred."

Brien's face darkened, rage prickling across his skin.

"…Hmph."

He lunged again, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks.

Finn blocked each one with effortless precision, matching every strike.

Frustration built in Brien's chest.

With a sharp exhale, he retreated several steps.

Clenching his fists, he sucked in a deep breath.

Red energy pooled at the back of his throat, and searing flames coiled around his boots.

A low snarl built in his chest as his aura surged higher—6th Level Scarlet Gold Rank soulforce pouring out in waves.

--

Overhead, even the observing faction masters looked surprised.

Only Morris was smiling broadly.

Helbram glanced his way, eyes thoughtful.

"You've invested a great deal in your student, Association Master Morris," he observed. "If I'm not mistaken…that technique is among your strongest, isn't it? The Fire Lion's Roar."

Morris inclined his head.

"It is the first skill of my Fire Lion Technique," he replied. "Though Brien has yet to perfect it."

--

Finn simply watched.

He didn't move to interrupt.

He didn't lift a hand to stop Brien from gathering power.

He only stand straight, calm and watchful.

Fire Lion Technique: First Skill—Fire Lion's Roar!

The air trembled as a deep, bestial roar rolled across the battlefield.

The ground cracked, fissures opening beneath Brien's feet.

Then, in a blazing torrent, he spewed a wave of crimson flame straight toward Finn.

Finn's eyes widened fractionally.

Then he smiled.

Impressive, he thought.

But not enough.

Blue energy wrapped his body in a flickering shell as the fire struck home.

BANG—!

The blast engulfed him, flames roaring in all directions.

Dust billowed outward in a suffocating wave.

But through it all, Finn remained upright, unshaken, his aura holding fast.

He raised one hand, made a slight gesture—

—and the roaring fire vanished as if snuffed out by an invisible wind.

"…Is that the best you can do?"

His voice was almost gentle.

Brien froze, eyes wide, lips parting in disbelief.

He couldn't comprehend it.

That technique should have been impossible for any 6th Level Scarlet Gold Rank to nullify outright—

Yet Finn had done it as though he were swatting away an ember.

All across the sky, silence reigned.

Then a flicker of shame passed over Morris's face.

This was the skill he was most proud of—and Finn had rendered it worthless.

"…Finn Doria!" Brien bellowed.

Fury boiling in his veins, he reached for his interspatial ring.

A massive axe appeared in his hand.

He gripped it in both fists and brought it down with a thunderous crash, carving a crater in the ruined earth.

Without hesitation, Finn called forth his Black Iron Sword.

[Black Iron Sword]

Armament Grade: Rare

Quality: High-Tier

Damage: 470

Their weapons clashed, shockwaves shattering the ground.

Again and again, Brien attacked, pouring all his strength into each strike—

—and each time, Finn parried without the slightest sign of strain.

Even though Brien's axe was of higher quality, he could gain no advantage.

High above, the observers watched tensely—

And at the edge of the ruined city, hidden in shadow, another boy had arrived.

Azur.

His presence cloaked, his gaze locked on the duel below.

CLANG—!

BANG—!

Steel rang on steel as the two continued to clash.

"I will not accept this," Brien snarled, sweat gleaming on his brow. "I refuse to lose to trash like you!"

His aura flared again, hotter and wilder.

His attacks grew faster, heavier—forcing Finn back a step.

And then—

Finn smiled.

"I told you," he said quietly, "that the result would never change."

His next parry was deceptively light—

—but the force behind it sent Brien skidding across the ground, slamming into a broken wall.

Slowly, Brien climbed to his feet, face dark with rage.

Once more, he raised his axe, his entire body wreathed in a cold, sinister aura.

Behind him, a vast, shadowy figure took form—its jagged teeth bared in a silent, murderous grin.

Twin red eyes locked onto Finn, promising death.

Finn's heart gave a single startled beat—

Then he grinned back.

"…You want to keep playing?" he said softly.

"Then let's play."