So, he wants to take a gamble.

“…No way. I think just from his killing intent, I’d wet myself!”
“And you think Seth will just make him kneel? He’ll probably cripple him mid-fight.”

All eyes turned to Black—wondering if he’d accept.

Black raised a brow—lips curling into a playful smirk.

“Interesting.”

He slowly stood—under everyone’s gaze—strolling toward Seth.

His eyes locked onto the Overlord Spear.

A 6-star weapon—Vort family heirloom—the pinnacle of Dragonblood gear—a top-tier exclusive weapon for Knights!

Paired with the legendary spear technique—Overlord Spear Art!

Seth’s father rose to Duke and 7th Seat Round Table Knight using these two.

Hearing his father had acquired an even stronger spear—this one naturally passed to Seth.

Black didn’t expect Seth to bet so big for revenge.

Truly lived up to the “Rampant Wolf” title.

So—should he accept?

Black knew his gap with Seth was vast.

Even at Level 10—Seth’s combat experience, skills, equipment—all crushed him.

His only advantages? Dual-class status—and this red longsword—Crimson Soul Sword, Alice’s 5-star weapon.

Against Seth—battle-hardened, wielding the 6-star Overlord Spear?
Win chance: near zero.

If he won—he’d devastate Seth. Losing the Overlord Spear would cripple his power.

But if he lost—it wasn’t just kneeling.

With Seth’s nature? He might kill Black mid-fight, then claim “accidental loss of control.”

“What should I do?”

Facing such a gap—Black hesitated.

Like when he was a player—his hard-earned build vs. a pay-to-win rich kid in the national finals.

An unbridgeable gap!

Two peaks: one side—absolute skill. The other—absolute wealth.

Black couldn’t count how many times he used flash invincibility frames—
Only like that could he survive the enemy’s screen-filling ultimates.

They fought three hours straight—maps nearly destroyed.

Final result? Black won.

Barely. Only 10 HP left.

But now—this wasn’t a game.

Seth wasn’t data. Black wasn’t data. They were real people.

Cut by a blade? Blood. Pain.
Beheaded or heart pierced? Death.

One mistake—severe injury or death.
Not just losing HP.

After weighing it all—Black made his choice.

“I accept your challenge.”

When Black’s voice exploded across the silent deck—the atmosphere ignited.

Eyes varied:

Noble youths—thought Black overestimated himself, seeking death.
Noble girls—admired his courage, affection rising.
Dragoncleaver Guards—respected his boldness, worthy of royal guard.

Most? Just spectators. After all—this was a duel of massive disparity.

If Black won—they loved underdog triumphs.
If Black lost—they loved Seth impaling his heart.

Either way—maximum drama.

“Black!”

Alice’s fingernails dug into her palm—wanting to stop him.

But Black didn’t respond—just gave her a “don’t worry” gesture.

Watching the boy walk to the arena—her red gown fluttering in sea wind—like a flame doused by cold water.

The sharp aura from his earlier three-strike victory hadn’t faded—now stepping into a sure-loss gamble.

Sure loss? Really?

Now—Alice felt a strange sensation.

Since lending him the sword—Black wasn’t his usual cheeky self.
Instead—calm, like a master swordsman descending from the mountains.

“He’s mad… He could’ve refused.”

Elaina unconsciously clenched her skirt—pale gold hair over shoulders—face full of worry.

She only had one friend now. She didn’t want to be alone again…

Her silver lily hairpin trembling—Krystin watched Black grip the Crimson Soul Sword—face calm, always having mysterious faith in him.

“May the Creator God protect you.”

She drew a cross on her chest—ruby eyes shimmering.

Black raised the Crimson Soul Sword—pointing at the smug Seth.

This was a battle on an uneven scale.

Yet Black chose to face it.

He realized something.

Even if he wanted to let the plot unfold—some things couldn’t be avoided.

Like not provoking Seth—but being targeted anyway, relentlessly pursued.
Like ignoring Loyre’s odd behavior—causing a chain reaction.
Like Elaina—whom he could’ve ignored. A plot-irrelevant character.

Her death wouldn’t affect Black.

But could he really do that?

Black couldn’t. He wasn’t a heartless plot machine. Elaina wasn’t data—she was alive.

Like when Seth insulted his original body’s mother—he couldn’t stay silent.

Black decided: In this twisted world—he must seize initiative!

Not just drifting with the current.

Like now.

Seth was petty, vengeful. Even if he refused—Seth’s hatred wouldn’t vanish.

So why not use this duel to steal the Overlord Spear—cripple his strength?

A 6-star weapon in his hands? Major boost.

Of course—Black’s risk wasn’t just for that.

From defeating the Hellfire Rhino-Cat—he sensed it:
That wasn’t a normal Level 10 swordsman’s reflexes.

Normal bodies couldn’t keep up with consciousness—but his did.

It was a long-lost feeling—of a top-tier player.

With the system’s cheat—could he become a “player” again?

If he could enter that Flow State—his win chance soared.

So—he’d bet everything.