[System Message]
Class Selection
1: Assassin (Rare)
2: Swordmaster (Unique)
3: Rogue (Rare)
4: ???
What. There should only be three classes to choose from. This was never part of the novel. …The other options are alright but no way I'm not choosing the last one, Hyun-woo smirked.
The bottom of the system window shimmered in a glitchy way like it wasn't meant to be there.
One moment Hyun-woo was standing in a vast, overgrown forest and suddenly in a flash, he got teleported to something like another dimension. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say the world around him changed instantaneously.
A crimson-red sky like a painting on a canvas, with no moon or sun in sight. The horizon filled with water up to a person's ankles. The deep-red sky reflected off the water which made it look like blood worth of thousands of corpses were melded into the shallow water.
Gusts of wind blowing, causing waves to crash into themselves and the scent of death present throughout the air moving along with the wind.
And in the midst of this dimension, Hyun-woo was standing still with the cool waves tugging at his feet.
In the distance, he saw some shadowy figures. It looked like one single man massacring people unable to fend for themselves.
A truly cruel display.
Hyun-woo sauntered towards the figures to figure out what he was meant to do. No objective was given. No instructions. Him alone in a seemingly endless world.
"Quite pretty."
Hyun-woo slowly approached the figure. It finally stopped its horrific actions, "How kind of you to come visit me?"
A deep voice like of an average person and its curling shadow-like appearance.
"What are you?", interrogated Hyun-woo with his hand on the hilt of his katana, preparing for a battle.
"How sad! You can't even recognize yourself."
"Bullshit. You should've tried lying better." Hyun-woo drew his sword out.
The shadowy figure sluggishly transformed into the guise of a human. What came out left even Hyun-woo dumbfounded and speechless.
It was Hyun-woo.
A bit more aged but there was no doubt.
This wasn't an illusion. Or a trick. Neither was it a gimmick. It was Hyun-woo in the flesh.
Hyun-woo stood speechless. He believed this was a trial or challenge by the tower.
Maybe it was.
"I wouldn't commit such an act."
"Wouldn't you? I could be your future. This could be how you turn out.", the previously shadowy figure replied in an insane and crazed tone.
The double completely replicated Hyun-woo. Same clothes. Same sword. And the same face. Just not his personality.
Hyun-woo, not wanting to converse any longer with it, strikes first.
A continuous barrage of slashes, stabs and skills with no decisive hit.
Hyun-woo used Shadow Steps to appear behind the alter ego and tried to end it in a single attack.
The double teleported away in a sudden flash.
It not only looked like Hyun-woo but also utilized the same skills which should be apparent as it is a copy.
"I wanted to talk to you for longer. Shame I have to kill you now."
Hyun-woo slowly getting agitated, some part of his brain thinking just maybe this is what his future has in store for him. "I have no interest in talking to myself."
The battle steadily turned more fierce. Shallow water sloshing around. It felt like a stalemate. Neither one was overpowering the other.
Maybe one didn't want to yet.
The sound of metal swords clanging against each other echoed through the empty sky.
It didn't seem like a dignified battle. It was never gonna be one.
Although usually Hyun-woo would not use traditionally underhanded methods, he understood there was no other way to keep up with a maniacal version of himself.
Most people would not classify his methods as underhanded. Just as a way to fight for survival against someone who fights dirty. Only he would say so.
Grazes and nicks were inflicted on both. And while the fight started as a deadlock, it was slowly but surely going in one's favor.
Normally, Hyun-woo enjoyed a challenge especially if it was more demanding than his capabilities, even with the threat of death staring him in the eyes. But this time was different, he felt uneasy.
"Well, I had fun. But I'm getting bored now.", the unexplainable copy stated. Its head tilted and tongue poking out.