Read Novel Full Chapter 533: Challenge End [1]
Chapter 533: Challenge End [1]
Time in the trial space flowed quickly.
In the span of three hours, Michael cycled through all three roles. Hunter, Hunted, Freeman.
When he was a Hunter, he made sure his target never slipped away. He stalked the red dot with relentless precision, cutting through participants with a ruthless efficiency.
When he became the Hunted, however, he didn’t even consider fighting. Instead, he ran. For thirty minutes, his only goal was survival. And when the timer finally dissolved into light and the system rewarded him [+20 to all stats] twice since he was unlucky to have become an hunted twice in a row, Michael realized just how absurd the payoff for surviving as prey was. Twice the bonus of a Hunter.
By the end of the second cycle, his body thrummed with power. His stats were already high compared to most participants thanks to his level advantage and it only grew as the moments passed.
It was then Michael decided that no more passive running.
From this point on, no matter which role the system assigned him, Hunter, Hunted, or Freeman, he would hunt.
As Hunter, he’d complete his task.
As Freeman, he’d cull the predators.
And as Hunted... if pressed, he would strike back.
Still, he wasn’t arrogant.
The memory of Brian being dragged under by sheer numbers was fresh. It was a lesson carved into his mind.
The fog curled around Michael like a living shroud as he stepped into the clearing. Ahead, five figures fanned out with deliberate purpose—three knights and two archers.
It was a direct clash.
The knights moved first. Their boots pounded the stone, shields raised high, weapons braced for impact. At the same instant, the archers loosed. Twin arrows hissed through the haze, cutting the air in sharp arcs.
Michael’s spear flicked once. The first arrow shattered mid-flight.
His body twisted into a blur as Ghostwind Steps carried him forward.
He met the first knight head-on.
Steel slammed against bone. The knight’s shield caught his thrust, but Michael’s strength was nothing like it had been hours ago. The force of the blow rattled the knight’s stance, boots grinding against the floor. Michael pressed, spear vibrating as he pushed past the guard, only to have the second knight’s sword sweep in from the side.
Michael jerked his spear free and dropped low. The blade hissed above his head, sparks trailing where it clashed with the haft of his weapon. He kicked out sharply, his boot cracking against the knight’s shin and forcing him to stagger back.
"Now."
Michael burst forward. The third knight intercepted, spear braced like a wall. Michael’s eyes narrowed. He shifted Ghostwind Steps once more, vanishing to the left in a blur, reappearing at the knight’s flank. His bone spear thrust, catching the edge of the shield—only for the archer’s arrow to whistle past his ear, forcing him to twist off-line.
The two archers weren’t missing a beat. Every time he pressed, they shifted positions, firing in a staggered rhythm to cover their knights. Michael felt the pressure closing in.
Clang!
The first knight’s sword hammered against his spear, the impact vibrating through his arms. He slid backward a step, sparks skittering underfoot, then pivoted sharply as another arrow cut toward his chest. He spun his spear mid-swing—crack!—snapping the arrow in two before it could pierce deeper.
Their coordination wasn’t perfect, but the knights knew how to stall.
Michael frowned. He needed to break their rhythm.
He feinted toward the spear-wielding knight, drawing his shield up high, then abruptly shifted low. Ghostwind Steps whispered under his feet, accelerating him past the shield wall in a blur. His spear lunged—not at the knight, but straight at one of the archers behind them.
The archer’s eyes widened, too late.
Schhhk!
The bone spear drove clean through his chest. The youth’s scream was swallowed by the system’s cold light as his body disintegrated into golden motes, leaving only his bow clattering to the ground.
[Hunter Eliminated — +1 Attribute to All Stats]
Michael ripped his spear free, the glow of the fallen archer fading at his feet. His eyes flicked to the remaining four.
Michael’s eyes swept across the four left standing. Three knights still holding formation—spear, sword, and shield—and the lone archer who had already adjusted, string taut and arrow gleaming with mana. Their faces were grim.
The archer loosed instantly, the arrow a streak of silver through the fog. Michael’s Ghostwind Steps flared. His body blurred, his afterimage left behind as the arrow passed clean through it. He reappeared to the side, spear lashing out in the same motion.
The knight with the spear braced, shield snapping up. The impact cracked through the clearing like a thunderclap. Sparks flew where bone met iron. Michael twisted, sliding his spear upward, deflecting the knight’s weapon just enough to slip past the guard. His boot slammed into the knight’s chest, hurling him back two steps.
"Don’t falter!" one of the others barked, charging.
The sword-knight struck next, blade swinging in a wide arc meant to force Michael back. Instead of retreating, Michael stepped inside. His spear shaft rotated, catching the blade mid-swing. He shoved it upward, leaving the knight’s chest exposed.
The tip of Michael’s bone spear darted forward like a striking snake.
Clang!
The third knight—shield raised—barely intercepted, the impact sending a shudder through his arm.
Michael’s knee snapped upward, driving into the shield-knight’s gut. Air whooshed out in a choked gasp as the knight staggered back, leaving the sword-bearer vulnerable again. Michael twisted, spear spinning in a tight arc that clipped across the man’s helmet. Metal groaned as he stumbled, his stance broken.
The archer tried to capitalize. Another arrow hissed through the mist, its tip flaring red.
Michael didn’t even look. His spear blurred sideways. Crack! The arrow shattered into fragments that scattered harmlessly.
Michael’s eyes remained on the staggering swordsman.
He surged forward, Ghostwind Steps carrying him into striking range before the knight could recover. His spear thrust like lightning.
Schhhk!
The bone blade pierced through the knight’s chest plate with brutal precision. The man’s eyes widened, a muffled cry escaping before his body disintegrated into golden motes.
[Hunter Eliminated — +1 Attribute to All Stats]
Michael ripped the weapon free, spinning it into guard as the remaining two knights roared in unison.
They charged together, shield and spear leading the way.