Chapter 56: Chapter 56 : Fake Pride and Resolve

Arthur and Julia stood facing each other inside a large Japanese-style dojo located within the mansion.

The dojo was massive and beautifully constructed.

Smooth wooden floors stretched across the hall, polished so well that the soft sunlight coming through the paper-paneled windows reflected gently across the surface. The walls were lined with traditional weapon racks holding training swords, spears, staffs, and bows.

Large wooden pillars supported the high ceiling, where long banners displaying ancient martial symbols hung quietly.

The scent of polished wood and faint incense lingered in the air.

At the far side of the dojo stood Yuna, leaning casually against one of the pillars, clearly enjoying the situation.

Arthur rolled his shoulders and stretched his body slightly.

But his attention was not on Julia.

It was somewhere else entirely.

Suddenly—

A window materialized in front of Arthur’s vision.

————

[

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║ ABSOLUTE CHOICE SYSTEM (Activated ) ║

╚══════════════════════════════════════╝

Situation Detected.

A duel has been accepted.

Opponent: Julia Vale Valmont

Background: Heir of the Valmont Martial Family

Threat Level: HIGH

System Assessment:

Opponent has awakened her spiritual veins and possesses far superior combat ability.

Estimated Probability of Victory: 8.7%

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QUEST: Pride Recognizes Pride :-

-Analysis :-

Julia Vale Valmont values the spirit and pride of a warrior above victory itself.

To her, courage in the face of overwhelming odds is worth more than a hollow win.

Two choices have been generated.

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-Choice A — Show the Pride of a Warrior, Even if You Are a Fraud.

[ Time Limit : 15 days ]

Face Julia Vale Valmont in the duel and display the pride expected of a true warrior.

-Objective :-

Stand before an opponent far stronger than yourself and fight without retreating or surrendering.

Earn the acknowledgment of Julia Vale Valmont.

-Reward :-

Lengendary Constitution — Infinite Harmony Constitution

A legendary constitution capable of harmonizing all forms of energy within the host.

-Effects:-

• Qi, Mana, and other energies can coexist without interfering

• Spiritual veins and mana channels naturally adapt and strengthen together

• Energy circulation becomes exceptionally smooth and stable

• Increased efficiency in absorbing and utilizing surrounding energy

• Faster recovery from energy exhaustion

• Greater control when using multiple forms of energy simultaneously

-Description :-

A constitution said to appear only once in many generations.

Those who possess it achieve a rare balance between different forms of power.

Body adapts to all forms of energies so they no longer clash within the body, but flow together in perfect harmony.

Because of this balance, the host is not confined to a single path of strength.

It allows the host to cultivate multiple paths at the same time — a feat so difficult that even individuals who stand at the peak of power struggle to accomplish it.

-Failure Penalty :-

Two S-Rank Skills will become inactive for 6 months.

The host will be unable to use them during this period.

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-Choice B — Apologize and Withdraw

Swallow your pride and withdraw from the duel.

[ Time limit : 1 Day ]

-Objective :-

Apologize to Julia Vale Valmont.

-Reward :

C-Rank Weapon — Venomfang Dagger

Properties

• Durability: 215+

• Inflicts poison on successful strikes

• Gradually weakens the opponent

Failure Penalty

Severe stomach ache lasting 24 hours.

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Warning :-

Once a choice is selected, it cannot be changed.

Choose wisely.

[A] Show the Pride of a Warrior, Even if You Are a Fraud

[B] Apologize. ]

———

Arthur read the entire window carefully.

His eyes slowly narrowed.

’So this is what Jordan was going through…’

The more he thought about it, the more terrifying the system seemed.

If he completed the quest, the reward was absolutely extraordinary.

But if he failed—

The penalty would be brutal.

Losing two S-Rank skills for six months could easily lead to death if he encountered a life-threatening situation during that time.

Arthur exhaled slowly.

’This system really forces you to gamble your life.’

He looked at the reward again.

Infinite Harmony Constitution.

Arthur’s lips slowly curved upward.

’A constitution that allows Qi and Mana to coexist…’

’That means I could cultivate both paths without interference.’

’That alone is worth the risk.’

Without hesitation—

Arthur made his decision.

[Choice A.]

Immediately a notification appeared.

[Choice A: Show the Pride of a Warrior, Even if You Are a Fraud — Has been selected]

The system window disappeared.

At that exact moment—

Yuna’s voice echoed across the dojo.

She stepped forward slightly with a playful smirk.

“What’s wrong Arthur?”

“You’re not afraid… right?”

Arthur’s mouth twitched slightly.

But before he could say anything—

Julia spoke.

She looked toward Yuna respectfully.

“Master, I think this fight is quite unfair.”

She folded her arms calmly.

“To make it even, I will not use many of my skills or my family’s martial arts.”

Then she turned toward Arthur.

A smug smile appeared on her face.

“How about that?”

“Because I’m afraid I might accidentally kill him.”

Yuna’s smirk deepened.

She looked toward Arthur with amusement dancing in her eyes.

“How about that, Arthur?”

“It looks like she thinks of you as less than an ant.”

Yuna tilted her head slightly.

“Don’t you have anything to add what happened to that sharp mouth of yours?”

Arthur ignored yuna.

As his gaze was fixed upon Julia.

His expression was completely blank.

Inside his mind, however, his thoughts were moving rapidly.

’She knows I am no match for someone like her. That’s why she’s giving me a handicap.

But how am I supposed to gain the acknowledgment of someone like Julia Vale Valmont if she doesn’t take me seriously?’

Arthur lowered his head slightly and murmured under his breath.

“There is only one way… I can see.”

Then he stepped forward.

The wooden floor creaked faintly under his feet as he stopped a few steps away from Julia.

He lifted his head and looked straight into her eyes.

“I will also not use any of my skills… or techniques.”

The dojo fell silent.

Arthur continued calmly.

“I value a fair fight.”

Inside his mind, the system immediately spoke.

[You are quite the liar, aren’t you?]

Arthur replied instantly inside his thoughts.

’Shut up. I need to complete the quest.’

Both Yuna and Julia looked slightly surprised by his declaration.

Yuna narrowed her eyes.

“Are you sure about that, Arthur?”

She stepped forward slightly.

“Let me make one thing clear.”

“Julia is far above someone like Jordan, whom you defeated.

She is currently at the peak of C-Rank.

So don’t underestimate her.”

Arthur turned his head slightly and looked at both Yuna and Julia.

Then he spoke calmly.

“I know.”

He took another step forward.

“But that’s exactly why I want this fight.”

He folded his arms.

“If I rely on skills to win every battle…”

“Then I will never understand my true limits.”

Arthur looked directly at Julia again.

“And if my opponent decides to hold back against me…”

“Then that victory would mean nothing.”

His voice became slightly sharper.

“A handicap is an insult.”

“Not to my strength…But to my resolve.”

For a moment, the dojo became quiet again.

Julia watched him silently.

Yuna also remained quiet.

Both of them were slightly impressed.

But neither of them showed it openly.

At that moment—

Another system window appeared in front of Arthur’s vision.

[Choice A: Show the Pride of a Warrior, Even if You Are a Fraud.

Completion Rate: 5% ]

A small smile appeared on Arthur’s face.

’Perfect….It’s working.’

Arthur looked toward Yuna.

“Master.”

Yuna raised an eyebrow.

“What is it?”

Arthur spoke calmly.

“No matter what happens in the fight…Do not interfere.”

Yuna stared at him for a moment.

Then she shrugged lightly.

“Don’t worry…..I wasn’t planning to anyway.”

Arthur nodded.

Yuna stepped back toward the center of the dojo.

“Alright.”

She raised one hand.

“Both of you… take your positions.”

Arthur and Julia moved into place.

Arthur inhaled slowly and raised his fists.

He took the stance of a boxer.

His body leaned slightly forward.

His fists were positioned near his face.

His weight shifted lightly on the balls of his feet.

Julia stood opposite him.

Her stance was completely different.

It looked unusual.

One foot was slightly forward while the other was angled sideways. Her body was relaxed, almost loose, yet every muscle looked ready to explode into motion at any second.

It was a stance Arthur had never seen before.

Yuna glanced at both of them.

Then she lowered her hand.

“Begin.”

The moment the word left her mouth—

Julia disappeared.

Arthur’s eyes widened.

She moved so fast that she seemed to blur out of existence.

Then—

A sudden movement appeared in front of him.

Arthur barely caught a glimpse of Julia’s figure approaching.

A punch shot toward his lower abdomen.

Arthur reacted instantly.

He lowered his arms to block.

But the moment he did—

He realized something.

’That was a feint!’

Before he could react—

Julia’s body twisted with incredible flexibility.

Her leg rose in a smooth arc.

And then—BAM!

THUD.

Her kick landed directly on Arthur’s face.

Arthur’s head snapped sideways.

His body lost balance instantly.

He crashed onto the wooden floor.

The entire dojo fell silent in just a few seconds the fight started.

Arthur lay motionless on the ground.

As Julia murmured under her breath.

“He was no different than the others afterall.”

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