The Last Stand
The world held its breath. Across every continent, the battle was being broadcast live. Governments, citizens, and players alike could only watch, powerless to intervene. The sky over Seoul burned with streaks of golden and black energy as the final confrontation raged on.
Gok stood at the center, his body trembling with the strain of his enchanted state. His aura flared to infinity, a blinding light that consumed him from within. The System's voice rang out once more, cold and unforgiving:
[WARNING: CRITICAL DEATH IMMINENT IN 30 SECONDS. ONLY SOUL WILL REMAIN POST-ENCHANTMENT.]
Sweat mixed with blood as Gok gripped the Crossblade, the weight of the weapon feeling both infinite and inevitable. His voice was steady despite the chaos.
"This is the end, Rat. For all of us."
The Turning Tide
Rat staggered back, clutching the stump where his arm had been moments before. His golden eyes flickered with panic and rage, his grin replaced by a snarl. "You think this changes anything?!" he screamed.
But Gok didn't answer.
Instead, he moved.
With a burst of speed that defied comprehension, Gok closed the distance. Each strike of the Crossblade sent shockwaves rippling across the battlefield, tearing apart the ground and the air itself.
Behind him, Wu-Ji struggled to rise. His knees buckled, his body refusing to obey. "Gok…" he whispered, his vision blurring.
King D was nowhere to be seen, flung miles away by the sheer force of Rat's previous attack. Dino lay unconscious, his mutated body cracked and broken. Sung Min-Ki crawled forward, his blade dragging behind him, but his strength was all but gone.
This battle now rested on one man's shoulders.
Critical Moment
Rat lunged, his void tendrils flailing wildly, but Gok was relentless. With each step, his body deteriorated further. Blood poured from his mouth, his veins glowing with the overuse of his enchanted state.
[WARNING: TIME REMAINING - 10 SECONDS.]
The System's voice was drowned out by the sound of Rat's scream as Gok landed a devastating blow, severing another limb.
But even as victory seemed within reach, Gok's body gave out. He collapsed to one knee, gasping for air. Blood stained the ground beneath him, his vision darkening.
And in that moment, Rat seized the opportunity.
"You're finished, insect," Rat hissed, raising his remaining claw for the final strike.
The Venik Awakens
As the claw descended, a blinding light engulfed Gok. His body convulsed, and for a brief moment, time itself seemed to freeze.
From within the light, a voice echoed, deep and filled with disdain.
"Insect."
Rat froze, his eyes wide with terror as the light faded, revealing not Gok but a glimpse of Venik, the being of unimaginable power.
Venik raised the Crossblade, now transformed into a weapon of unspeakable darkness and brilliance. With a single, effortless swing, he cleaved Rat in half, the void energy surrounding him dissipating instantly.
The battlefield fell silent, the only sound the distant crackle of fading energy.
Aftermath
Weeks passed.
Gok awoke in a sterile hospital room in Busan. The sunlight streaming through the window felt like a miracle. He blinked, taking in his surroundings before noticing Wu-Ji seated beside him, his leg in a cast.
"You're awake," Wu-Ji said with a weak smile. "Took you long enough."
Gok tried to speak, but his voice was hoarse. "The others…?"
"Alive," Wu-Ji replied. "Barely, but alive."
Gok sighed in relief, closing his eyes. For the first time in years, he felt at peace.
Five Saviors
Across the world, the story of the battle spread like wildfire. In Seoul, a massive monument was erected—a towering statue of the five warriors who had saved humanity.
Gok, standing tall with the Crossblade in hand, his face a mask of determination.
Wu-Ji, his Zodiac aura blazing.
Sung Min-Ki, his blade raised high.
King D, his daggers crossed in defiance.
Dino, his hulking form a symbol of raw power.
The inscription beneath the statue read:
"The Five Saviors: Heroes Who Defied Fate and Saved Humanity."
Gok stared at the television in his hospital room, watching the unveiling ceremony. His expression was unreadable, but Wu-Ji noticed the faintest hint of a smile.
"This isn't over," Gok muttered.
Wu-Ji laughed, wincing at the pain in his ribs. "It never is."