As we entered, a silver-haired vampire came in front of Selene and knelt.

"What the hell is he doing?" I thought irritably, but I didn’t stop him.

The moment he knelt, the noisy temple hall quieted slightly.

Several nobles turned their heads curiously while wine glasses paused midway through the air.

When he said his next words, I could hear the mockery and quiet laughter spreading through the hall.

But his last words snapped something inside me and before I even realized it—

"I challenge you to a duel of honor!"

My angry voice echoed throughout the temple.

The entire hall froze.

Even the musicians in the corner stopped playing.

I know it can be a trap or something, but I don’t care.

I only looked at him with rage boiling in my eyes, on which I could see he was smiling.

"Luke."

I heard Selene’s worried voice.

Which made me calm down a little, but my eyes never left him as I said only one thing to her.

"Trust me."

Her expression changed as she had not expected this from me, but she nodded with a small smile and added—

"If something happens to you, I will come in between—"

But before she could finish her sentence—

STEP.

STEP.

The black-haired and red-eyed vampire standing in the corner suddenly walked forward.

A heavy pressure spread faintly from his body as he smiled toward everyone.

"If it’s the Hero and my sister’s honor, then shouldn’t we make it a death duel?"

"After all..."

"He tried to provoke something he shouldn’t."

He finished with a smile while first looking at everyone, then toward us.

Everyone who heard his words had their expressions changed as they understood immediately—

He was trying to kill Luke.

Selene and the other four wives’ expressions became ugly because my life was connected to them.

The kneeling vampire also became visibly flustered because he never intended to kill Luke, or else he would lose Selene as well.

But then—

A majestic voice echoed alongside four terrifying presences.

"No need."

The red-haired woman with draconic eyes spoke calmly while another woman with black hair and crimson eyes gave the black-haired vampire a death glare.

The pressure in the hall instantly became suffocating.

Several younger nobles lowered their heads immediately.

Then the Human Emperor spoke while looking at the silver-haired vampire.

"If you agree to the Hero’s duel, then we can start."

Everyone smiled.

After all, they were finally going to see a hot-blooded Hero getting beaten for the first time in history.

The Saintess, who had been watching from the side silently, also became worried because this would tarnish the temple’s reputation as well.

But—

"Fine."

The silver-haired vampire answered with a mocking smile while looking toward me like prey.

Soon everyone started moving toward the training grounds behind the temple.

The path outside was massive, lined with giant white pillars and statues of previous heroes.

Cold wind swept across the open stone bridges connecting different sections of the temple.

As we walked, more and more people followed behind us.

News spread quickly.

"The Hero challenged a vampire noble!"

"No way—"

"He’s dead."

Excited whispers echoed everywhere.

Soon we finally reached the training grounds.

The arena was enormous—circular and built entirely from black stone.

Countless cracks and sword marks covered the walls from previous battles.

Several knight trainees and mages stopped their practice immediately after seeing the crowd gathering.

Even instructors climbed higher platforms to watch.

"This is going to be interesting."

As both of us stood opposite each other, he introduced himself first in an arrogant tone.

"I am Lucien Bloodgrave from House Bloodgrave."

"Luke Voidheart."

I answered calmly.

His expression instantly twisted with disgust as if hearing a commoner speak offended him.

A referee stepped between us and gave us one final look.

Then—

"START!"

The referee’s voice thundered throughout the arena.

A cold silence spread instantly.

Lucien smirked confidently while looking at me like prey already caught in his hands.

But I ignored him completely.

Instead—

I closed my eyes for a brief second.

*Tudum.*

Something pulsed deep inside my body.

Then—

DINNGG!

[SSS Rank Origin Skill — TITAN KNIGHT Activated]

A deep metallic sound echoed inside my mind.

Suddenly—

THOOOM!

A violent pressure exploded from inside my chest.

My heart started beating heavily.

*Tudum!*

*Tudum!*

*Tudum!*

Golden energy surged through my veins like molten metal.

I gritted my teeth.

"GHH—!"

Cracks spread beneath my feet.

*KRRRKKK—*

The black stone arena started splitting apart.

Thin golden lines slowly appeared across my arms like glowing runes.

The air around me trembled violently.

HUMMMMMM—

Dust slowly rose from the ground around my body.

My muscles tightened instantly.

Strength flooded every part of me.

Even my breathing became heavier.

The pain was intense—

Like something ancient and massive was waking up inside me.

Then finally—

BOOOOOOM!

A burst of golden aura exploded outward.

A shockwave spread across the arena.

WHOOSHHH!

Several nearby spectators stumbled backward, their robes fluttering wildly.

Even Lucien’s silver hair moved from the pressure.

My black hair lifted slightly upward as golden particles floated around me.

The entire arena fell silent. Everyone’s expressions changed.

Lucien’s confident smile froze slightly.

The system voice echoed calmly inside my head.

🔹 FORM 1 — BASE TITAN CORE Activated.

✔ Strength Increased ×1

✔ Durability Increased

✔ Regeneration Activated

I slowly opened my eyes.

Golden light flickered faintly within them.

Then I looked directly at Lucien.

"...Let’s continue."

BOOOOM!

The ground beneath me exploded.

Stone shattered everywhere as I rushed toward him like a cannonball.

Lucien’s eyes widened slightly.

Too fast.

BANG!!!

My fist slammed directly into his ribs.

A visible shockwave exploded outward.

CRAAACK!

The arena floor beneath him shattered instantly.

Lucien’s body blasted backward violently.

CRASHHHH!

He smashed through a stone pillar near the edge of the arena.

Dust exploded everywhere.

But I didn’t stop.

BOOM!

I kicked the ground again and charged forward.

The arena cracked beneath every step. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Before Lucien could recover—

BAM!

Another punch.

BANG!!

Another.

BOOOOM!!

Another.

Each hit shook the arena.

Stone debris flew everywhere.

The wall behind Lucien started cracking from repeated impacts.

Blood splattered from his mouth.

The spectators’ expressions slowly turned stunned.

Because this wasn’t supposed to happen.

"This... this is the talentless Hero?"

"No way..."

"How is he overpowering a vampire noble physically?!"

The emperors and empresses watched calmly.

After all, previous Heroes also possessed special gifts after summoning.

Selene finally relaxed slightly while looking at Luke.

A small proud smile appeared on her lips.

Meanwhile, the Dragon Princess narrowed her golden eyes slightly.

"...Interesting."

BAMMMM!

With one final punch, Lucien crashed hard into the arena floor.

The entire ground trembled.

A small crater formed beneath him.

I stopped moving and looked down.

His face was bloodied, and his breathing was rough.

But then—

A dangerous feeling suddenly crawled across my spine.

My instincts screamed.

But Before I could react—

BOOOOOOM!!!

A crimson explosion erupted instantly.

The next second.

BANG!!

My vision blurred as something smashed directly into my stomach.

CRAAASHHHH!!!

Luke body blasted across the arena.

Luke destroyed two stone pillars before crashing into the wall.

Dust and debris exploded everywhere.

Silence.

Then—

The spectators’ expressions returned to normal.

As if reality had corrected itself.

"How can a talentless Hero compare to a noble vampire family?"

One of the Bloodgrave members mocked loudly.

Laughter spread immediately.

"HAHAHAHA!"

"Good."

"Now he understands reality."

Selene’s expression became worried and she tried to move forward—

But suddenly,

A murderous gaze locked onto her. She turned slightly.

Her stepmother stood there silently, her cold eyes delivering a clear warning..

Take one step—and lose your legs.

Selene clenched her fists tightly while looking toward the dust cloud where Luke crashed.

"...Please be safe."

But then—

CLICK.

CLANG.

CLICK-CLICK.

A strange metallic sound echoed from inside the smoke.

Like giant armor locking together piece by piece.

Everyone’s expressions changed.

Slowly—

All eyes turned toward the dust cloud.

[Chapter End]