The End Game

Karan’s katana sliced through the air with lethal precision. A less experienced player would have been struck down instantly, but Nina was no ordinary opponent. As a God-level player, she had mastered the art of evasion. She swiftly dodged the incoming blade, her focus locked onto the blue katana. But what she failed to notice was the second weapon—a red katana trailing right behind the first.
By the time she registered its presence, it was too late. The red katana struck her core. Though her health remained untouched at 100%, her armor took a heavy blow, its durability dropping by 50%. Another similar hit would shatter it completely.
Karan, still outside the healing ring, was at a disadvantage. Both of his swords now lay inside the ring, leaving him unarmed. Yet, he remained composed, standing his ground as Nina seized the opportunity. She dashed toward him, blade in hand, ready to end the match in a single strike.
Karan charged as well, his mind racing. He knew Nina's attack was devastating, but it came with a flaw—once initiated, its trajectory couldn't be altered mid-swing. As Nina slashed from left to right, Karan activated his cape’s ability. His speed doubled, even if only for a brief moment. He dashed toward his red katana—but before he could reach it, the poison dart’s effect kicked in.
His body faltered. Pain surged through him. His health plummeted by another 5%, leaving him with only 30%. Seeing him stagger, Nina didn't hesitate. She raised her sword high and brought it down in a powerful vertical strike, aiming to finish him off.
Lying on the ground, Karan had no chance of dodging. Instead, he grabbed his red katana with his left hand, using it as a shield. The force of Nina’s strike sent a brutal impact through his arm, causing his own weapon to press into his body. His health dropped another 10%, and a visible crack formed on his katana.
Nina stepped back slightly, preparing for her next move, while Karan quickly regained his footing and retrieved his blue katana. Now, the roles had reversed—Karan stood inside the ring, regaining 5% health, while Nina was outside.
But she didn't let him recover. She lunged again, relentless in her assault. Their blades clashed fiercely as both sought to force the other out of the ring. However, Karan’s red katana had already weakened. When their weapons met once more, his katana shattered completely. The impact sent both fighters off balance.
Karan, however, had anticipated this moment. Seizing the opportunity, he struck with the small knife attached to his broken sword. The attack, delivered from close range and amplified by his enhanced speed, hit its mark. Nina’s armor shattered completely.
Now, the battlefield was even more intense.
Karan, with only 25% health, held his broken sword in one hand and his blue katana in the other. Nina, still at 100% health, wielded her sword in one hand and tiger claws in the other. The healing ring’s effect faded, leaving them exposed.
The dart’s poison was about to trigger again. Nina watched closely, waiting for Karan’s moment of weakness. And then it happened—his body wavered, his vision blurred. Seeing her chance, she lunged.
But Karan had been waiting for this, too. As soon as she stepped forward, he struck with his knife. Nina’s blade sliced into him, reducing his health to a mere 10%, but his knife found its mark as well. Her health dropped to 95%.
Karan didn't stop there. He swung his blue katana immediately after, forcing Nina to retreat. She dodged, but not completely. His blade grazed her, cutting another 5% from her health.
Realizing the situation, Nina backed off, opting for a more strategic approach. She knew that Karan was running out of time—the poison dart had ensured he had only two minutes left. Victory was inevitable. She simply had to wait it out.
But Karan had already set his plan in motion.
Unnoticed by Nina, he reached into his item box and pulled out the Rebirth Stone. As he activated it, summoning Miss Goddess back into the game, Nina mistook his action for a desperate attempt at healing. She smirked—his efforts were futile. His broken sword, the poison, his dwindling health… there was no way he could turn this around.
Then, she noticed something.
Her eyes widened as she realized what he was truly doing. A surge of urgency hit her, and she sprinted forward, raising her weapon to strike him down before the resurrection could be completed.
Karan looked up, locking eyes with her.
"Core," he whispered.
Nina’s sword plunged into him, and his game ended. But the match was far from over.
At that very moment, Miss Goddess spawned directly above Nina. Without hesitation, she struck, her sword piercing Nina’s core in a precise, critical attack. A devastating blow—Nina’s health plummeted by 40%.
She barely had time to react before Miss Goddess prepared for another strike. But before she could swing her sword again, a sudden notification flashed across the screens of every player in the game.
"Game Freeze."
The match came to an abrupt halt.