The system window hovered in front of Ekant like a death sentence.
〈You have encountered a monster〉
〈Undead King, Lich — Core Foundation Realm: Peak Level〉
The forest itself seemed to recoil.
The air turned cold— unnaturally so— as if life was being sucked out of every leaf, every blade of grass. Mana became heavy, viscous, difficult to breathe.
The Undead King stood silently.
He was tall— seven feet, perhaps more— his posture straight and regal, as if even death had failed to bend his spine. Jet-black armor covered his entire body, forged in archaic patterns that pulsed faintly with necromantic runes. Each plate looked ancient, scarred by countless battles, yet maintained with obsessive care.
Where a face should have been—
Only a skull.
Polished bone, etched with dark sigils, empty sockets burning with crimson flames that flickered like living hatred. Upon his skull rested a crown, not ornamental but authoritative, forged from blackened metal and embedded with dull red crystals that throbbed in rhythm with his aura.
In his grasp was a longsword nearly as tall as his body, its blade thin yet impossibly dense, the edge radiating cold death. Frost crawled along the ground where its tip touched the soil.
This was not merely a monster.
This was a ruler.
"…."
Ekant's throat went dry.
He remembered clearly— painfully clearly.
So far, the world had only discovered three realms: Tempering, Soul and Foundation.
And Foundation Realm: Peak was the summit.
Only one known NPC in the entire world had reached it —the ruler of the continent.
And now—
He was facing something equal to that existence.
'Two realms above me and Five full levels above.'
This was not a fight.
It was an execution.
His fingers tightened around the Sword of Life.
"So…" Ekant whispered, forcing calm into his voice,
"this is the final boss."
He swallowed.
"If I defeat it… the reward will be mine."
He knew he was lying to himself.
A 100% loss rate stared him in the face.
But survival— even for a few seconds— was still survival.
The Lich slowly tilted his skull upward, gazing at the sky rather than Ekant, as if sensing something unseen.
"Hm…" the Undead King spoke, his voice echoing like steel scraping stone.
"I am summoned to face a mere mortal now… are you—"
He stopped.
Because Ekant moved.
Not out of confidence.
Not out of courage.
But because hesitation meant instant death.
Ekant dashed forward, pouring everything into a single strike.
The Sword of Life flashed.
Clang—CRACK.
The blade struck the Lich's armor.
A fracture spread across the black plate.
The forest froze.
The Undead King staggered half a step back.
Then—he retreated.
Distance.
Instantly.
Ekant's eyes widened.
It cracked…
The Lich stared at the damaged armor, crimson flames flaring violently.
For the first time—
Fear.
He had forgotten his sword.
Forgotten his realm.
Forgotten his overwhelming advantage.
All he saw—
Was that sword.
"…Interesting," the Lich said slowly.
"A mere mortal wielding that blade… with such intent."
He finally looked properly at Ekant.
At his level.
At his realm.
Then laughed— a dry, hollow sound.
"What is your name, mortal?"
"NoName." Ekant answered immediately, keeping his distance.
He did not advance again.
He knew better now, Lich was aware of his existence.
The Lich's gaze flickered.
"…You have no name?"
"My name is NoName," Ekant repeated calmly.
"..." Silence followed
The crimson flames in the Lich's eyes wavered.
For a brief moment—
The Undead King was genuinely speechless.
He had no interest in prying.
"…I see," he finally said, voice lower.
"Then let us begin, NoName."
He raised his longsword, necrotic energy pouring from it like black smoke.
"The rules are simple."
"The one who survives— wins."
Ekant shifted his stance.
Beginner Swordmastery.
Breathing steady.
Eyes sharp.
'I do not need to win,' he told himself.
'I just need to survive.'
The forest held its breath.
And the game—
finally—
began.
The Undead King vanished.
In the very next instant, he appeared directly in front of Ekant, his massive longsword already descending.
Ekant did not even have time to react.
Clang—!
The Sword of Life moved on its own, barely intercepting the attack. The impact sent Ekant flying like a broken doll. The sheer force of the swing created a crescent-shaped arc that tore through trees behind him, splitting trunks apart as if they were paper.
Ekant crashed into the ground and slid several meters before finally stopping.
He forced himself upright.
Aside from a few shallow scratches, he was still alive.
'Damn it…
If it weren't for the Sword of Life, I'd already be dead.'
The Undead King stared at him, crimson flames flickering.
'He survived…
I expected him to die within three normal swings.'
Without warning, the Lich attacked again.
This time, he did not teleport.
He swung where Ekant stood.
A massive sword arc screamed toward him.
Ekant barely dodged, but the arc was too wide— too fast. He raised the Sword of Life to block.
The impact rattled his entire body.
He staggered back, arms numb.
Then Another swing which createdAnother arc.
This one grazed him, tearing artificial blood from both hands.
'I can not keep this up.
He isn't even serious yet.'
Ekant's breathing grew heavier.
Then—
An idea surfaced.
Advanced swordmastery…
Not from this game.
From another one.
He knew it would not fully translate— but even partial execution might buy him time.
He recalled every stance, every movement.
The next arc came.
Ekant adjusted his footing and moved.
This time, the technique worked.
The sword deflected the arc— but at a brutal cost. His stamina plummeted.
That was my limit.
Another arc followed.
Ekant knew it.
Next one kills me.
Sure enough, the next swing came— faster, heavier.
The arc pierced through him.
Pain exploded.
〈Your health is in critical state〉
〈Proceed with caution and seek medical help〉
The system's voice assistant repeated endlessly.
"…So annoying." Ekant muttered weakly.
Then—
Another idea.
When the Lich prepared his next swing, Ekant assumed a stance so strange that even the Undead King hesitated.
"What nonsense are you attempting at death's door?" the Lich sneered.
Instead of defending—
Ekant threw his sword.
Straight at the Lich.
The Undead King did not dodge.
The blade itself did not frighten him.
He swung again, sending another arc toward Ekant.
The arc cut through the air.
It struck Ekant—
not enough to kill him instantly.
But enough.
At that exact moment, the Sword of Life reached the Lich.
Ekant shouted with everything he had left:
"Unseal your full power."
The Sword of Life responded.
The seal shattered.
For a single heartbeat, its true power erupted.
"..."
The Undead King froze.
'So this is it,huh' the Lich realized.
'I failed to recognize you.
NoName… No— Master…'
The Undead King disintegrated into dust, leaving behind drops as his existence vanished.
〈Congratulations, NoName! You have killed an Elite Monster — Undead King, Lich〉
But at the same time—
The Lich's final sword arc reached Ekant completely.
His body gave out.
Darkness consumed him.
〈You have died〉