Chapter 40: The Girl Who Stood Against Him
The ruined structure trembled under the pressure of two powerful auras.
Arif stepped back slowly, his eyes locked on Lina.
She stood silently in front of him, her long hair swaying in the dark wind. Purple energy flowed around her like mist. The chains that once bound her had disappeared, replaced by an aura that felt even more terrifying.
"Lina… stop this…"
She didn't respond.
Her eyes remained cold.
Emotionless.
Then—
She moved.
In a blink, she appeared right in front of him.
CLANG!
Their blades collided.
Arif gritted his teeth.
"You're really… attacking me…"
She pushed harder.
Her strength had increased dramatically.
Arif slid backward.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
She didn't stop.
She attacked again.
Faster.
Sharper.
Arif barely blocked.
"Lina! It's me!"
Her expression didn't change.
"Intruder… must be eliminated."
Arif's chest tightened.
"She's completely under control…"
He dodged another strike.
Her blade grazed his shoulder.
Blood flowed.
But Arif didn't fight back.
He only defended.
High above—
The Shadow King watched calmly.
"This is entertaining…"
Arif jumped back.
"Lina… listen to me…"
He lowered his blade slightly.
"Remember… the forest… the day we met…"
For a moment—
She paused.
Her eyes flickered.
Arif noticed.
"Lina… you remember…"
But suddenly—
Dark energy surged around her.
The hesitation disappeared.
She attacked again.
Stronger than before.
Arif blocked but was thrown into a wall.
BOOM!
He coughed.
"She's resisting… but something is forcing her…"
Lina raised her hand.
Dark spears formed in the air.
They shot toward Arif.
He rolled aside.
The spears shattered the ground.
Arif stood up.
His breathing heavy.
"I can't just keep defending…"
But he couldn't attack her either.
Suddenly—
The system appeared.
[Warning: Target Under Mind Corruption]
[Suggestion: Break Corruption Core]
Arif frowned.
"Corruption… core?"
He looked carefully.
He noticed something.
A faint crystal floating behind Lina.
Dark energy flowed from it.
"So that's it…"
But it was positioned dangerously close to her.
If he attacked—
He might hurt her.
Lina rushed forward again.
Their blades clashed repeatedly.
Arif tried to move around her.
But she blocked his path.
"She's protecting it…"
The Shadow King laughed softly.
"Trying to save her?"
Arif ignored him.
He focused.
Lina attacked again.
This time—
Arif countered lightly.
He pushed her back.
He dashed toward the crystal.
But—
Lina appeared in front of him instantly.
She kicked him.
He crashed to the ground.
"She's too fast…"
She raised her blade.
She swung down.
Arif rolled away.
Her blade cut deep into the stone.
Arif jumped up.
He activated Shadow Clone.
The clone attacked Lina.
She blocked.
Arif moved behind her.
He reached toward the crystal.
But—
She spun around.
Their blades clashed again.
"She won't let me…"
The battle intensified.
Arif's injuries increased.
But he continued.
He waited for an opening.
Finally—
He saw it.
For a split second—
Her guard dropped.
Arif dashed forward.
"Shadow Strike!"
He aimed at the crystal.
Lina noticed.
Her eyes widened.
"No—!"
She moved to block.
The attack hit.
CRACK!
The crystal shattered.
Dark energy exploded.
Lina screamed.
Her body trembled.
Arif rushed forward.
"Lina!"
She fell.
He caught her.
The dark aura slowly faded.
Her eyes returned to normal.
She looked at him weakly.
"...Arif…?"
His eyes widened.
"Lina… you're back…"
Tears formed in her eyes.
"You… came…"
Arif smiled.
"Of course."
But suddenly—
Dark chains burst from the ground again.
They wrapped around Lina.
Arif froze.
"No—!"
The Shadow King appeared.
"You really thought… it would be that easy?"
Arif clenched his fists.
"Let her go!"
The Shadow King raised his hand.
Lina's body lifted into the air.
Her expression turned painful again.
Arif rushed forward.
But a barrier blocked him.
He punched it repeatedly.
"Damn it!"
The Shadow King looked calm.
"You're not ready yet."
Arif glared at him.
"I'll kill you."
The Shadow King smiled.
"Grow stronger first."
A portal opened behind Lina.
Arif's eyes widened.
"Not again—!"
He forced his way forward.
But the barrier held.
Lina reached toward him.
"Arif… don't… give up…"
Tears fell from her eyes.
The portal swallowed her again.
She disappeared.
Silence fell.
Arif stood frozen.
His fists trembled.
The Shadow King vanished.
Arif fell to his knees.
"...I'll save you…"
His voice shook.
"No matter what…"
Darkness swallowed the ruins once more.
But this time—
Arif's determination burned brighter than ever.
To Be Continued…