With the duel settled, a hushed stillness settled upon the clearing. Arthur, still gasping for breath, was the first to break the silence.


    "You know," he panted, a faint smile tugging at his lips, "there''s this incredible waterfall I stumbled upon on my way here. It''s a secret little spot."


    Noah raised an eyebrow. "Secret, huh? Sounds risky."


    Arthur chuckled, wiping the sweat from his forehead.


    "Not at all! It''spletely secluded, the perfect ce to unwind after, well, you know..." he gestured vaguely towards the battlefield surrounding them.


    The thought of a refreshing swim after such an intense battle was too tempting to resist. Noah pondered for a moment before finally giving in, a reluctant smile softening his features.


    "Alright," he conceded.


    Following a hidden path, they ventured deeper into the woods. The air grew cooler, the sound of rushing water growing louder with each step. As the trees parted, a breathtaking sight unfolded before them. A majestic waterfall cascaded down a moss-covered cliff, its clear water collecting in a pool at the bottom. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting shimmering reflections on the surface.


    It was a scene of untouched beauty.


    Without a word, both men shed their worn-out clothes, momentarily forgetting the weight of the battle. With a burst of excitement, Arthur leapt off a rocky ledge, disappearing into the churning water with a resounding ssh.


    Noah followed suit, diving into the water with controlled grace. He resurfaced, coughing andughing, water streaming down his face. Arthur emerged nearby, his cheeks flushed from the chill and the thrill. They locked eyes, the absurdity of the situation hitting them both at once.


    Laughter erupted from their lips, echoing through the secluded valley.


    In that shared moment of carefree joy, the tension of the duel dissipated. They sshed each other, exchanged yful banter, and simply reveled in the refreshing embrace of the water. For a brief moment, they were not adversaries orpetitors, but two individuals enjoying the simple pleasure of a hidden paradise.


    As theirughter subsided, afortable silence settled in. They reclined against the smooth rocks, the sound of the waterfall providing a soothing soundtrack. A sense of camaraderie, unexpected yet genuine, blossomed between them. Despite their opposing roles in this survival test, they had discovered amon ground, a shared appreciation for a challenging fight and a peaceful interlude.


    As they basked in the tranquility of the hidden waterfall, Noah couldn''t help but wonder what other trials and unexpected connectionsy ahead on their journey.


    With a slight chuckle, Noah found himself amused at the unexpected surge of emotions he had experienced. "How absurd," he murmured to himself, shaking his head.


    "To think I would allow myself to feel this way. Is it loneliness, perhaps?" He quickly dismissed the thought, reminding himself to stay focused on his goals.


    Shaking off the lingering emotions, Noah summoned his status window, shifting his attention to the task at hand.


    ■Status Window


    Name: Noah Adler


    Rank: Regr


    Level 31


    ss: Angel of Death


    Title: Goblin yer


    ◇◇◇◇◇


    ☆Stats☆


    Mana: 65


    Strength: 75


    Intelligence: 60


    Dexterity: 76


    Luck: 56


    Stat Points:0


    Coins: 8060G


    ◇◇◇◇◇


    ☆Skills☆


    Common Skill: {Basic Swordsmanship},{Basic Close Combat} {Presence Detection} {Master of Weapons} {Mana''s Armor Lvl 1} {Shadow Steps Level 1} {Blood Flowers} {Splitting Ripple sh LVl 1}


    Exclusive Skill: {Seal of Death} {Night of Death}


    ◇◇◇◇◇


    ☆Runes ☆


    {Basic Strength},{Basic Speed} {Angel of Death}


    ■


    Noah was quite pleased with his progress. He had managed to gather almost 10,000 gold, only missing 2,000 more. Determined, he vowed to steadily collect the remaining amount in order to acquire a valuable skill. With a sense of aplishment, Noah closed his status window and summoned his ranking by tapping on his small bracelet.


    As expected, he reimed the first ce after emerging victorious in a fight against Arthur, earning 75 points as a reward. Combined with his existing 185 points, Noahfortably held the top spot with a total of 260 points. Lilith trailed closely behind in second ce with 200 points, but Noah knew herpetitive nature would soon drive her to challenge him for the lead.


    At the same time in another location, Lilith, with her striking white hair and captivating amber eyes, moved stealthily through the treacherousndscape infested with menacing monsters. Normally, her face remained impassive, revealing nothing of her true emotions. However, on this asion, a chilling amusement danced in her eyes.


    Her smart bracelet buzzed, and with a swift flick of her wrist, a holographic disy materialized before her. It was the update for the student rankings, and her gaze was immediately drawn to the name at the very top: Noah.


    But what truly stirred a fire within her was not just his position of dominance, but the number that apanied it – 260 points. He had managed to surpass even her previous lead, extending the gap by a full 60 points. A slow, predatory smile curved on her lips.


    "This is bing intriguing."


    With a flourish, she unsheathed her de, its polished metal glistening with a deadly promise. In a blur of movement, she disappeared into the swarm of monsters. One moment she was there, the next, a flurry of precise strikes obliterated the creatures. Not a single drop of blood stained her swift motions, showcasing her lethal efficiency.


    As she carved her way through the horde, an unwavering determination zed in her eyes.


    "Maintain your lead, Noah," she whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the chaotic symphony of battle.


    "I aming for you."


    Lilith was no longer simply participating in apetition. This rivalry had ignited a fierce fire within her, a burning desire not only to emerge victorious but to prove herself as Noah''s equal. She longed to show him that she was a worthyrade, someone who could stand by his side in the face of any challenge.


    The hunt had begun.


    ~Back to Noah''s location


    Noah couldn''t shake off the eerie sensation that crawled down his spine, a tingling alertness that signaled he had be a target. And there was only one person who could be the source of this foreboding feeling - Lilith.


    His jaw tightened with determination. He refused to let her snatch his lead away again. Rising from the refreshing embrace of the waterfall, he stretched his body, feeling the slight protest of his muscles from the previous exertion. Noah nced at Arthur, who was still enjoying the invigorating water, and made up his mind.


    "Hey, Arthur," he called out, projecting his voice above the sound of the cascading water.


    "How about some grilled rabbit?"


    Arthur''s head snapped up, surprise flickering across his features. "Rabbit? Here?"


    "There''s always a rabbit," Noah replied nonchntly, shrugging his shoulders.


    "Besides, you brought me to this amazing spot. The least I can do is cook us some dinner."


    Arthur hesitated for a moment, then a wide grin spread across his face.


    "You know how to win me over, Noah. Rabbit it is!"


    Noah returned the smile.


    "Alright," he said, unsheathing a small hunting knife. "Looks like you''re on rabbit duty. I''ll get the fire started."


    Arthur chuckled. "Deal. Just make sure it''s a big one. I''m starving!"


    As Arthur disappeared into the dense undergrowth, Noah set about collecting dry wood to start the fire.


    The sun beat down mercilessly as Arthur emerged from the depths of the woods, a plump rabbit slung over his shoulder. Noah, always resourceful, had managed to scrounge up some flint and tinder, and soon a crackling fire illuminated their campsite.


    The aroma of the sizzling rabbit filled the air, enticing their taste buds. Noah expertly flipped the meat, relishing in the warm camaraderie that had blossomed between them. powered-by-MvLeMpYr


    With voracious appetites, they devoured the rabbit, their silence broken only by the sounds of satisfied crunching and contented sighs. Arthur, a mischievous glint in his eye, surprised Noah by producing a canteen from his backpack.


    "Thought you might need something more than just meat," he said, offering a canteen filled with a bright orange liquid.


    Noah gratefully took a swig. It was tangy, sweet orange juice, a burst of vor that refreshed his pte after the smoky richness of the rabbit.


    "Wow! Not bad Arthur,"


    Noah admitted, wiping his brow.


    The blond chuckled.


    "And you, Noah, are full of suprise. Who would''ve thought our top-ranked student had a sweet tooth?"


    Noah''s face lit up with a mischievous grin as he indulged in the cookies, generously offering some to his friend Arthur.


    "I too have a fondness for cookies," Arthur admitted, surprising Noah. To prove his point, he produced his own stash of cookies from his pouch.


    "How unexpected! Who would have guessed that we share the same passion," Noah remarked, raising an eyebrow.


    "It must be fate that brought us together as friends," Arthur shamelessly dered, causing Noah to question his knightly demeanor.


    "I always thought knights were meant to be chivalrous and pure, but your reaction proves otherwise," Noahmented, his face contorting with annoyance.


    "Thank you for thepliment," Arthur responded, shing a sheepish smile.


    Noah''s frustration grew, and he couldn''t help but feel the urge to give this blonde trouble. As expected, this boy was nothing but a nuisance.