Volume 2: Rise of the Vessel
Chapter 16: The Ranker Who Challenged the Dragon
The crowd surrounding the central arena had nearly doubled by the next morning. Word had spread like wildfire — a lone player was tearing through opponents like they were training dummies.
Lee Hwan stood silently at the center of the stone platform, his arms folded, his aura steady. Forty-seven victories. No injuries. No losses.
Then, from the edge of the crowd, the atmosphere shifted.
Footsteps echoed — calm, heavy, and confident.
A man stepped forward, his black coat trailing behind him like a shadow. His level shimmered above his head:
[Lv. 127] – Rayan, 8th Floor Ranker
Gasps spread through the crowd like a wave.
"That's Rayan!"
"A real ranker!"
"He cleared the 8th floor solo!"
"Why would he challenge Lee Hwan!?"
Rayan's cold blue eyes locked onto Lee's.
"You've made quite the name for yourself, Dragon Vessel."
Lee Hwan's eyes narrowed. "Here to test me… or collect the bounty?"
Rayan smiled faintly. "Both."
Ding!
[Special Duel Initiated – Rayan vs. Lee Hwan]
[Victory Condition: First to knock out or surrender]
[Interference Disabled – Arena Shield Activated]
The crowd was instantly pushed back by a transparent barrier. The arena now belonged only to them.
Rayan drew a curved black sword from his back, surrounded by a purple aura.
"I'll admit," Rayan said, "I didn't expect your stats to rival someone twenty levels above you. But I'll show you the difference between a vessel… and a conqueror."
Lee didn't respond.
Instead, he activated Dragon Aura (Lv. 4).
The arena trembled. The stone beneath him cracked slightly. Even Rayan's eyes flickered in surprise as a pressure like molten iron weighed down on his body.
Lee's voice was low. "Let's begin."
Rayan moved first — his blade slicing the air in a blur of shadow energy.
Lee sidestepped using Shadow Step (Lv. 3), his form splitting into eighteen mirror images for a heartbeat. Rayan's slash cut through only illusions.
Then came a burst of heat — Flame Burst (Lv. 5).
Rayan barely managed to raise his sword in time as an explosion of crimson fire erupted inches from his face, forcing him back.
"You've got real power," Rayan admitted, leaping high into the air.
"Let's test your defense!"
Dark spikes shot out from the shadows under his feet.
Lee lifted his palm. "Dragon Summon: Askar."
A roar tore through the arena. A massive red-scaled dragon materialized, its body coiled with aura. Level 66.
Before the spikes could reach Lee, Askar's wing swept across the field, destroying them mid-air.
Then Lee Hwan vanished.
He reappeared behind Rayan, fist glowing.
Impact!
Rayan crashed into the arena wall, coughing blood. He slid down slowly, eyes wide.
"You… your strength is already above mine…" he muttered. "At just Level 67…"
Lee approached, eyes calm.
"I told you," he said. "This isn't about level anymore."
Rayan raised a hand in surrender.
Ding!
[Victory – Lee Hwan]
[Total Players Defeated: 48/100]
As the barrier faded, silence filled the air.
Then…
The crowd erupted.
"HE BEAT A RANKER!"
"LEE HWAN DID IT!"
"That dragon was terrifying!"
"Is he really human!?"
Rayan sat back against the wall, breathing heavily but smiling.
"I'll be watching you, Dragon Vessel… Maybe you're more than just a vessel after all."
Lee Hwan didn't respond. He simply turned and walked toward the next challenger.
Because he knew — forty-one more remained.
And time was ticking.