is a valid reason."

  "Why can't we team up then?"

  He glanced over to me.

  His gaze pierced through me, as if he was reading the inner thoughts of my soul. it was striking and frankly.

  It was terrifying.

  "What makes you unique from the others? Why shouldn't I kill you right here?"

  I contemplated on that answer, what does make me different compared to anybody else?

  If I couldn't answer that simple question, how would I be able to progress?

  "Because I—"

  I took a step closer.

  "—Also know the future of this world."

  I was a single step away from him, keeping direct eye contact with him for as long as possible.

  His gaze faltered slightly.

  I gambled on the potential that the man standing in front of me had played the game "Eternal Realm" before, he had to have played the game at some point as it lined up. How could he have wiped out the entirey of a settlement if he hadn't had some sort of knowledge about the world we're currently living in?

  Could have there been a chance that he hadn't played the game before?

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Yes, definitely.

  But it was the excitement, the rush from risking it all.

  It was the risk that allowed for me to bet it all.

  And I had gained a reward.

  I hoped.

  "Another player of "Eternal Realm".. how many of them have I stumbled upon?"

  "Right.. two."

  He said, glancing over to his blade.

  I took a step back in fear.

  "There were no survivors."

  The edge of the blade danced around my jaw with the tip grazing against the jawline, as if he was carving a sculpture.

  But I wasn't a sculpture!

  I backed slightly, retreating against the wall opposite him.

  "If you're not willing to talk then.."

  

  

  A trident manifested inside my hands, the blood stained my hands. I marvelled at the sharp material, and the look of the three prongs protruding from the main base.

  "The only option I have is to fight."

  I gazed across the room and met the cold stare from the man across the room.

  His eyes had widened initally but he had quickly reverted back to normal, as if he was keeping up a facade.

  

  Lord Shiva? The God of Destruction?

  Well not exactly destruction, he was more like the God of all Ends.

  All things had to come to an end to bring balance and renewal, the lifespan of a human, the lifespan of an animal or the lifespan of a star. All things would eventually come to an end.

  This was Lord Shiva's responsibility, his duty to bring all life or things to their end.

  He was always accompained by the , which even had their own significance. The first point represented creation, the second point represented preservation, and the third point represented destruction.

  This helped keep law and order, and are commonly thought to have resembled the common life of organisms.

  "Interesting, a blood weapon? Even this isn't implemented in the game."

  Right, I had forgotten.

  From what I know, as a gift, creator-nim had given me an ability no one else could receive.

  This was haemokinesis and it meant that even people who had played the game before wouldn't be able to predict the abilities I have in store.

  How perfect.

  "Maybe there's some things you haven't figured out."

  The corners of my mouth twisted, I was starting to feel the adrenaline pump throughout the body.

  A cold aura surrounded him, as he approached in a calm matter.

  Quickly, he charged towards me extending his two katanas.

  I blocked the first attack with the trident, watching as he rotated the katana on his right hand to the side of my body.

  I managed to dodge in time by twisting my body around him.

  I struck diagonally across his body, and met against his blade.

  The clashing of the weapons together created sparks that slightly burned my hand.

  Suddenly, he unleashed a powerful attack, overpowering me completely.

  What the—?

  I backed off and his foot met my stomach.

  I flung against the wall again, forming cracks behind me.

  Where did this strength come from—?

  Is it from his sponsor?

  "How unfortunate, I thought you'd be able to put up a better fight."

  He spoke soullessly, looking down at me.

  His blade was inches away from me, I was going to die.

  If I didn't do anything, I would die.

  "Min Seo."

  I stared up, squinting my eyes.

  He finally told me his name..

  I waited for this.

  A few more seconds and the edge of the blade would pierce my flesh.

  

  The 's three prongs burned brightly, a slight touch from it could burn you from the inside out with it's extreme heat.

  Reacting quickly, I had managed to knock one of his blades away from my face.

  He almost fell out of balance, managing to stay on his feet but fell back to keep a good enough distance.

  The blade on the floor began to disintegrate to the surprise of Min Seo.

  "How interesting."

  He spoke, analysising the trident I was wielding.

  

  Min Seo:

  Age: 21

  Height: 189cm

  Class: Berserker

  Sponsor: [Hidden]

  Art: [Hidden]

  What the—?

  Hidden? How are you able to hide your sponsor and art?

  I had slightly lowered and the prongs began to crumble the floor below me.

  I almost slipped underneath, pulling the trident up and rushing to the side of the room.

  The destructive nature of the clearly presented itself, every surface, every object, everything would be oblierated in it's path.

  Any obstacle would definitely evaporate in Lord Shiva's way, which is why it's weapon must obey the same law.

  "Seems you're not so used to the weapon."

  I glanced over.

  A murderous bloodlust consumed me, an ominous feeling enveloped me.

  This was exciting, the destructive element of this trident and given me a thrill I had never felt before.

  Destroying everything in my way?

  Haha!

  I began to laugh slightly, a tickling sting built up in my throat, forcing me to laugh even harder.

  He looked over at me confused but he seemed.. worried?

  I slowly approached, with a formless form.

  An unpredictable move, I gambled on the opportunity that he couldn't foresee my next action.

  Shiing!

  I ducked under his blade, quickly jumping in the air to strike above.

  "Way to leave yourself open, I'll give you a death mid-air."

  He spoke, aiming above.

  I predicted this.

  I weaved myself sideways slightly, striking at his blade all the way to his arm.

  His eyes widened, as the trident began to burn the blade away. Before it reached him, he shook me off, flinging me to the ground.

  I managed to only be injuried on my side, with a slight slit down my hip.

  If I didn't react to his attack above in time, I would have died.

  "Huh.. both blades are gone."

  He said, glancing at his hand.

  He should be defenseless.

  Suddenly, he grasped his hands together.. as if he was holding the hilt of a sword.

  Is this some secret technique—?

  Swiftly, he danced within my trident's range which I should have been able to swing in time..

  But—

  I was too slow.. he was incredibly fast!

  I couldn't predict his next move.

  I had to rely on instinct.

  I moved on impulse, extending to..

  An invisible sword?

  "How is that impossible?"

  He didn't pay me any mind, he continued to slash.

  

  Barely able to defend, he almost struck me three times.

  It was technique that striked three main points, the neck, and both shoulders with only one strike.

  I deflected the first two strikes, but the third pierced my left shoulder.

  Shit.

  I was bleeding pretty badily, but I couldn't think on it for too long because he'd was getting ready for his next relentless slaughter.

  

  He suddenly swung infront of him, I moved forward to slash—

  Instinctively , I shielded downward. A loud thud resonated, and I could see the specks of flame glint when the collided with the invisible weapon.

  These are all techniques from different swordsman, Sandanzuki was from Okita Sōji, whilst Tsubame Gaeshi was from Sasaki Kojirō.

  A blow of air alleviated my grip on the , and I firmly leaned back to firm my position.

  

  I watched in fear, he raised his hands up in the air.

  It looked like there were wings on each side of him.

  Perhaps this was my mind declaring my loss and his victory, if I was hallucinating him as an 'angel', I had definitely died.

  In every timeline, in every universe, there was not one where I could see myself win.

  Will my journey end here?

  No!

  It can't, it can't!