Chapter 84: The Pact—Sword of Victory

“As expected, your weakness is exactly as I imagined. You have no chance of winning the battle that follows,” Phantom Moon said calmly.

“What do you mean?” I asked, puzzled.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” As she spoke, Phantom Moon swiftly moved to my left side, raised her right fist—electric currents surging over it—and then punched fiercely. Instinctively, I swung my fist to block her. My left hand burst with energy, and with a bang, our fists collided. There was a sharp crack, and I cried out, staggering back several steps. I felt the bones in my left hand nearly shatter, a piercing pain shooting through me.

This is bad! Such fractures don’t heal with just a couple of pills. What should I do? Gripping my staff tightly in my right hand, I aimed it at Phantom Moon, rapidly searching for a solution.

But things grew worse: my head felt impossibly heavy, I couldn’t lift it, my breathing became labored, and my chest seemed ready to explode. Stamina remaining: 4.5%.

Damn, this is the limit. I’ve reached my limit. I can’t sustain this kind of attrition battle. Phantom Moon’s attacks are far more ferocious than mine. Why isn’t she collapsing? Does she have infinite stamina? But after thinking it through, I quickly abandoned that idea. Everyone’s maximum stamina is the same; it can’t be changed by equipment or potions. Hunger and thirst are the same. Typically, the faster and fiercer you chain attacks and skills, the quicker your stamina drops. Sometimes, instead of defeating your opponent, you just accelerate your own downfall.

Panting heavily, I said, “Don’t you feel tired? Is your stamina uncapped?”

Phantom Moon replied, “Do you know what those specializations are for?”

“To increase basic attributes?” I answered.

“That’s right, but not entirely. Strength specialization not only boosts attack power, but also lets you lift heavier things. Armor specialization increases defense and health, but also improves stamina and health recovery speed. Agility specialization boosts movement speed, but also enhances jumping ability and accuracy. Magic specialization raises your magic limit and recovery speed. Additionally, once specialization points reach a certain threshold, their hidden properties are triggered, leading to even greater attribute increases.”

I laughed, “Is that so? But you haven’t told me why your stamina is different.”

Phantom Moon suddenly asked, “What do you see around me?”

I replied, “Wind?”

She continued, “Exactly, wind. But this wind isn’t from the environment—it’s wind I created. It surrounds me and serves a function more vital than healing potions.”

“What?”

“Oxygen!”

I was confused, “What do you mean?”

Phantom Moon asked again, “Do you know what altitude sickness is?”

I shook my head. She went on, “Altitude sickness occurs when a person reaches a certain elevation. The body must adapt to changes caused by lower atmospheric pressure, reduced oxygen, and dry air. Usually, symptoms start at around 2,700 meters. In reality, people who suddenly enter regions above 3,000 meters without acclimation suffer from reduced oxygen pressure, diminished tolerance to low oxygen, and difficulty adapting, leading to hypoxia and a range of maladaptive symptoms. Besides hypoxia, harsh weather—wind, rain, snow, cold, intense UV—can worsen the effects. Altitude sickness manifests in various degrees depending on adaptation. Do you know what our current altitude is?”

I shook my head again.

“We’re at 3,200 meters—well above the threshold for altitude sickness. At this elevation, the oxygen in the air is sufficient to cause symptoms. After intense physical activity, anyone not experiencing altitude sickness would be unusual. Stamina drops shockingly fast. Do you know what stamina corresponds to in real life?”

Again, I shook my head. Phantom Moon sighed, “You really don’t know anything. Fine, I’ll tell you. Stamina corresponds to real-life physical endurance. Endurance isn’t about maximum strength—it’s about how much work you can continuously perform at maximum strength. It involves your maximum power and stamina. Physical endurance is the body’s ability to keep supplying energy while working at maximum output. Endurance equals existing muscle energy plus (total work output × energy conversion rate). As long as the energy supplied exceeds the rate of work output, you won’t get tired. While you can improve endurance through training, everyone’s maximum stamina cap is 100%. What changes is recovery and consumption speed. In town or at rest, stamina recovers through food and sleep. In battle, recovery comes from specialization, and…”

“Oxygen!” I exclaimed.

“Exactly. Coaches equip runners with breathing apparatuses so they can run longer on treadmills without collapsing. The wind I create during battle is my breathing machine, boosting my stamina recovery. So, it’s inevitable you’ll fall from exhaustion. Lesson’s over—now for the final act.” With that, she leaped high and lunged at me. I raised my staff to block, but with both hands injured, I couldn’t fully resist. With only one hand, I was quickly forced aside. Phantom Moon’s body flickered, and before I could turn, she was already behind me. Her attack was as swift as lightning—I had no time to defend and was sent flying.

“So fast!” I gasped, turning to face Phantom Moon.

“It’s not that I’m too fast—it’s that you’re too slow.” She pressed the attack, darting past me in an instant. Blood sprayed, and a damage indicator of –1,400 flashed as I looked down to see a deep gash at my waist, exposing bone.

Having struck successfully, Phantom Moon turned and said, “Your attack and defense are comparable to a top-tier warrior at this stage, but your speed is far too slow. I suppose you haven’t invested any attribute points in it. With that, you can never defeat me. But rest assured, your release is imminent.”

She swept her weapon, summoning a powerful gust. I retreated rapidly, but Phantom Moon pressed in, launching several swift attacks. All I could do was fend her off. Another blow sent me skidding four or five meters, down on one knee, gasping for breath. This battle was far too disadvantageous for me.

Phantom Moon unleashed a shockwave. I dodged, only to see it heading straight for Bonfire Spreads Wild. Without thinking, I activated “Shield Charge,” instantly appearing in front of the shockwave. –2,100 damage flashed, and the amplification effect triggered. I charged in, activating Cloud Assault—now, all I could see was Phantom Moon. My staff trembled in my grasp; I sensed my stamina was truly at its limit. This strike had to succeed.

But Phantom Moon’s weapon suddenly gleamed with brilliant azure light, and a violent gale erupted. A blue tornado formed at her side, blowing me back several steps. The amplification effect from Shield Charge vanished—three seconds was far too brief. Then the snow beneath Phantom Moon shattered, a blast of wind mixed with debris and snow surging across the ground toward me.

I instinctively rolled away, activating Feint to dodge, then launched Wingspan Dash. Circling around the next gust, I charged at Phantom Moon while unleashing Lightning Storm. She stood firm, eyes closed, weapon raised, the blue tornado gathering at her weapon. Suddenly, she opened her eyes. “Under this move, you should feel honored. You’ll be its first victim.” She raised her weapon—I had no choice but to close the gap, staff thrust with all my might, adding Pulverizing Strike. Succeed or die!

“Contract—Sword of Victory!” Phantom Moon’s shout echoed as she swung her weapon. Countless sword shadows tore through the air, converging into a beam of golden destruction. This torrent of light, forged from countless sword images, was brighter than any lightning. I had no time to dodge before the flood engulfed me. In that all-consuming light, my body was swallowed instantly. A tremendous explosion resounded as my position erupted in golden light, my body torn apart and vanishing along with the brilliance in seconds.

All that remained on the scorched earth was a single red staff.